Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2015 i GAY TIMES

When I was younger, I was particularly taken with Madonna’s song More, from the movie Dick Tracy. I adored all the songs from the film, but More in particular stuck out – possibly because it also had a hand-waving dance routine to go with it. Madonna, comic books and Sondheim: it didn’t take anyone long to figure out where that was all going... I still love More today, and it’s one of a few songs I’ll attempt – badly, of course – to sing in the shower before a day at GT beckons. Mainly because it’s become something of a way of thinking when it comes to the mag you’re holding now. ‘Nothing’s better than more...’ We’re a small team – with a lovely network of people that also contribute,…

Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever put your hand? God, I’ve put my hand in some weird places. These babies have got around! [Laughs] In boxes of bugs. They’ve never been up anything gross, from what I can remember. In the jungle I had to put my hand in fish guts or cockroach smoothie – or whatever they want to call it. So gross. What’s the most embarrassing moment of your career? I don’t know. There’s been a few. Well no, not really [laughs]. Sometimes when you get your make-up done in a really dark room and you walk out and you look like something off of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, that’s always terrible. I guess things like that are my most embarrassing things – not knowing what’s happened…

From Austria Eurovision success Won in Denmark, 2014 Song Rise Like a Phoenix Fun fact Before developing into Conchita, Thomas Neuwirth came second in the Austrian TV talent show Starmania and was a member of the boyband Jetzt Anders! What’s it like performing on the Eurovision stage? I’m always very nervous until I’m standing in the spotlight, but from that point on it’s just me and the microphone. It feels like being alone, just like singing to myself. It’s really a calm and quite relaxing feeling. It’s overwhelming when the lights go on and you finally hear the audience. How did it actually feel to win? Oh, it was overwhelming. I hardly have any memories when it comes to specific points because I still can’t actually believe it. What’s been…

From Israel Eurovision success Won in the UK, 1998 Song Diva Fun fact Dana was Eurovision’s first-ever trans entrant What does Eurovision mean to you? I think I came out of Eurovision, which is a bit of a joke and I didn’t understand that. You can take all the examples from Eurovision, no one has a big career or second or third song – except for the phenomenon of ABBA. I didn’t realise that at the time. I thought I was going to conquer the UK. But it was a regular thing that you have the deserved amount of success and then go back. That’s what Eurovision is all about. It made you live up to your name, though. You became truly international. I went many times to Russia, to…

From UK Eurovision success Won in Vienna, 1967 Song Puppet on a String Fun fact Her winning performance was one of the main inspirations for The Smiths frontman Morrissey Looking back, how do you feel about your Eurovision experience? It’s a great a way of celebrating European culture and I think that that’s what it was invented for… But I just think, my God, why haven’t they updated it by now? I was in a fix at the time because I’d just been involved in a huge divorce scandal. I had to do it in a separate studio without an audience because I was so stigmatised. It was pretty awful knowing that the BBC and the whole establishment were so against me – and then I had to go and…

It’s an understatement to say we’re fans of Vicious. The ITV sitcom about an older gay couple first appeared in 2013 and – of course – divided opinion in the gay community long before Cucumber hit our screens. And now it’s back, rightfully so and as unapologetically mean as ever. Not that the stellar cast are anything like their on-screen counterparts. We’re sat with Sirs Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi, theatre legend Frances de la Tour and Game of Thrones bad boy Iwan Rheon, having sandwiches with a view of the Thames – and they couldn’t be nicer. Which kind of scuppers our line of questioning about being vicious… A debate breaks out as to what is viciousness and what is anger – highlighted by a story that Frances, in…

Prints and patterns are plentiful this season, with matching sets available in every imaginable style and price point. You can clash prints, double them up or dress in one solid colour to stand out from the crowd. Be more wallpaper than wall flower because fortune favours the bold. If we can’t sell you on the OTT print-on-print, then maybe we can entice you with something just as fun – animal threads and accessories! Think birds, bees and everything else; big to small or cute to creepy, because when don’t you need a pair of scorpion cufflinks? The spring summer season is something of a short fling, so it should be no fuss, no muss and ALWAYS fun. While we don’t really believe in disposable fast-fashion, some summer looks are to…

There’s no champagne in sight when we meet Lulu, but she’s as bubbly as they come. Feisty, too. Upon learning that Jennifer Saunders has previously said that the Ab Fab movie would be called Champagne For Lulu, she screeches and starts demanding royalties. “I should be on a percentage,” declares the singer with mock indignation. “I’m gonna text her and tell her I want payment.” Why? Well, it seems that when the Ab Fab clan were reunited for the 20th anniversary specials a few years back, Lulu reminded Jennifer about the legendary phrase. “I told her I can’t go anywhere without someone going: ‘Champagne for Lulu!’ And she went, ‘Oh, I’d forgotten that.’” For the record, the pint-sized Scottish chanteuse doesn’t drink champers, or anything alcoholic for that matter. “I’m…

As much as he’d like to, Simon Russell Beale can’t say much about the role his character – the deliciously camp Egyptologist Ferdinand Lyle – plays in the next series of acclaimed Victorian gothic horror TV series Penny Dreadful. But he’s happy to share one thing. “I have a very flirtatious relationship with Josh,” he says, continuing mischievously: “Who’s complaining?” Simon’s talking about the American actor Josh Hartnett, who, along with the likes of former Bond stars Timothy Dalton and Eva Green, as well as Billie Piper and Harry Treadaway, is returning for a second helping of Showtime and Sky’s acclaimed series. It brings together iconic characters from horror’s literary history in a juicy slab of atmospheric supernatural drama. The new series starts here on Sky Atlantic in May. Originally,…

“THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN the police and the gay community has always been a difficult one. It’s taken tragic incidents, like the 1999 bombing of The Admiral Duncan pub in London’s Soho, to encourage the police to work more closely with us in ways that would’ve been unthinkable before that event happened. For example, the Gay London Police Monitoring Group, the Gay Police Association and the Metropolitan Police’s LGBT Advisory Group must take some of the credit for helping to build bridges. But enough recognition is given to individual community advisers who’ve worked, voluntarily, up and down the country, on the front line of our communities. For the last two decades, I’ve been active in the London Borough of Southwark as a voluntary independent adviser or ‘critical friend’ to the police.…

from the ukraine, with love Wanting to show solidarity for our LGBT brothers and sisters living under Putin, but can’t shake that thirst for a premium vodka? Look no further than Staritsky & Levitsky. This award-winning voddy is made from single grain Ukranian wheat, blended with pure water from the Carpathian Mountains and filtered through quartz. No need to mask this one with a Red Bull, either. With its soft mouthfeel and pronounced flavours of black pepper and apple, it’s best served on the rocks. Priced around £30, staritskylevitsky.com, @sl_vodkauk Summery Salads Once the warm weather hits, the oven can take a much-needed break. Following the winter of slow roasting and comfort baking, a slew of lighter, fresh or raw dishes can finally take centre stage. And there are fewer…

It’s the age-old question that’s dogged travellers since Christopher Columbus first set sail with a boatload of spices for the New World – “Should we go on a nice city break for our holiday, or just relax down at a beach somewhere?” OK, perhaps the timeline is a bit of a stretch, but how many of us have come close to fisticuffs with our friends and loved ones while trying to decide on a holiday destination that pleases everyone? Of course, this is 2015. And like most things in life these days, when it comes to our holidays and we’re stuck between two choices, the simplest solution is to just do BOTH. And a short stay in Hong Kong twinned with a relaxing comedown on Thailand’s second-largest island Koh Samui…

Where did your relationship with music first start? I didn’t really come from a background of music, but when I was at school there was a gang of rappers – and I thought I could do that as well! So I started trying and it all went from there. I wanted to do something a bit more commercial and write about my feelings. I made a microphone from what I had and tried my voice out on a backing track. It sorta all went from there, really… Who’s your music inspiration? Without question, Owl City. He uses these electronic sounds and samples. I love the music he makes. What can we all expect when we listen to your music? Something new. Something honest and fresh. Hopefully a sound that’s versatile…

On joining the cast of The Interceptor... I was in Los Angeles working on Looking and I got a call from my agent telling me there was a really exciting project, and would I be able to put myself on tape for it. I had six hours to bang out four scenes for them. Then they were like, “Can you come to England tomorrow?” So I just packed my stuff and two days later they told me I was staying in England shooting. On leaving LGBT life for fighting criminals... One of the things I really love about it is that there are some really dynamic characters and relationships. Cameron Addicott who wrote the book said that all the interceptors are at risk of the three ds – drink, depression…

I’ve just made what I thought was a very serious video and now watching it back it’s the campest fucking thing anyone’s ever seen,” the singer, the legend that is Róisín Murphy is laughing. We managed to catch her mid-video edit for a coffee and catch up – and it really has been a while, as she’s not released an album in eight years. The video is for Exploitation, from her brand new album Hairless Toys. She goes on: “There’s a bit of A Star Is Born feel to it, Valley of the Dolls, a star losing the plot before she goes on stage. It’s camp as Christmas, basically. I didn’t mean it to be but it is.” We didn’t think of Róisín as particularly camp beforehand, but it’s all…

THE LEGACY OF HILLARY RODHAM Clinton and gay rights unfortunately can’t be separated from that of her husband’s – former US President Bill Clinton. In 1993, Mr Clinton implemented a directive known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which allowed gay people to serve in the military on the condition that they kept quiet about their sexuality. This outlandish policy wasn’t repealed until 2011. Next on the list – and in what remains one of the lowest points in his presidency – he signed into law the Defence of Marriage Act, which defined marriage in US law as the legal union of one man and one woman. This remained the case until the Supreme Court struck it down in 2013. And where was Hillary during all of this? Right by Bill’s…

From Germany Eurovision success Won in the UK, 1982 Song A Little Peace Fun fact Nicole was the last Eurovision winner to top the UK singles chart What do you remember about winning Eurovision at just 17-yearsold? Perhaps the most important thing about my victory was that a German girl got 12 points from Israel with a song about peace. We know German history and I got an invitation from the government of Israel to go to Tel Aviv and sing in front of the soldiers. I remember sitting where the soldiers lived and suddenly they came out with weapons. They sat down in front of me on a green hill and when I started singing A Little Peace something happened I will never forget in my life. They put…

Rat Queens is an amazing Image Comics dark comedy that manages to be smart, funny, coarse and hardcore. This number one New York Times bestseller takes the best traits and tropes from the vintage fantasy genre and adds a little silk to the chainmail. This isn’t just a gender bent Lord of the Rings and it’s not a Game of Thrones/Sex and the City mashup. Packed with brilliant satire based on race and class, some realistic LGBT+ portrayals, and peppered with a little RPG lingo, it’s all very meta. Kurtis Wiebe and Roc Upchurch shake-up the usual formula for girls in comics by saying real women have curves – AND enchanted weaponry. Meet the mayhem-inducing badasses who make up the Rat Queens – we have a rockabilly elven sorceress, Hanna…

The G Wedding Directory is the newest way to source wedding services for your big day. Check out our online magazine style directory for up-tothe-minute advice from some of the top suppliers and service providers for British weddings. We are proud to announce that all of the businesses in the directory are either gay or gay friendly. Wherever you are in the UK, you will be able to find someone who will be more than happy to help you organise your perfect day. Each month on our website we have features on how to plan diff erent aspects of our wedding, with as little stress as possible, using our nationwide Directory. Make sure you register your wedding online with us to receive the most up to date information on wedding…

[01 ] The One He has the perfect smile, his hair was spun by angels and his eyes were crafted from the Koh-i-Noor diamond. He buys lunch, holds doors open for you, gets on with your mother and even makes sure you come not a second before him. He’s that man you’ve always dreamed about, perhaps even that magical soulmate. He’s The One. Your friends are in turn utterly thrilled by you and consumed by corrosive envy, as you daydream your way through your 9–5 just so you can be back in his exceptionally toned and strong arms again. The problem with the mythical One is he is just that – a myth. You usually meet him when you’re vulnerable – either you’ve kissed a lot of frogs or have…

need advice? Whether you’re wanting to look good on the beach, shed a few pounds or just live a healthier lifestyle, email me on fitness@gaytimes.co.uk or tweet me at @ChrisJonesGeek. I can’t respond to everyone and your emails or tweets may be edited for use in the magazine. We won’t publish any contact details. But I just hide it well? Right? RIGHT?! I had an injury and, although I’m on the road to recovery, it’s indeed a long one. I haven’t been to the gym in almost three months now and the only thing keeping me sane is light cardio! On this road to recovery, I was contacted by a chap named Phil Chant who runs a unique service called BodyscanUK, which offers up the chance to really see what…

More than just a man’s best friend? A YouGov poll has found that one in five Brits count their pet as part of the family, ranking them closer than the in-laws and nearly as important as the poor old grandparents! Matalan found this as part of their Made for Modern Families campaign, which also revealed that the Beckhams beat Jamie Oliver’s clan to be voted as the epitome of a modern family. Bless. Now, would you rather save a place at the table for your dog or your mother-in-law? Paws and think about it. At least it’s easier to get the pooch to be quiet… BESPOKE WAYS TO SAY “I DO” With the wedding season starting to heat up, how can you make your special day sparkle? Laura Holden, luxury…

The more the merrier Fisayo Akinade Fisayo is an actor who played the much-loved Dean in both Cucumber and Banana. He tweets at @fisayoakinade The reaction to Cucumber and Banana is probably the biggest indicator of why we still need more gay dramas on our screens. While the critical reaction to both shows was incredibly positive, on social media there were numerous complaints of not representing gay culture correctly – and a lot of these were actually coming from within the LGBT+ community. If there were six shows a year about the LGBT+ community, I think some of the reactions to Cucumber would’ve been very different. You only have to look at Cucumber and Looking to see that there isn’t just one way to do a gay drama. But the…

From UK Eurovision success Came 19th in Sweden, 2013, but gave it a bloody good go Song Believe In Me Fun fact Bonnie once told GT that Eurovision was the campest moment of her career Who’s your favourite act to ever perform at Eurovision? Bucks Fizz did a great job. And I loved Katrina and the Waves. Oh, and do you remember Save Your Kisses for Me by Brotherhood of Man? We heard you were approached to represent the UK at Eurovision in 1983... What happened? It came at the wrong time because I was number one in the US and number one here and I was booked up to hell. But 2013 felt like the right time – and what an opportunity for me to promote my album! Around…

Brotherhood of Man is Martin Lee, Nicky Stevens, Lee Sheriden and Sandra Stevens From UK Eurovision success Won in The Netherlands, 1976 Song Save Your Kisses for Me Fun fact Their winning song is the best-selling Eurovision single in the UK of all time In recent years the UK hasn’t done that well. Why do we never win? Martin: There are 40-odd acts now and there was only 18 in our time. I think politics comes into it and I think that’s a big player, unfortunately. It’s always nice to win, but I think these days we should just embrace it, enjoy the moment and enjoy the show – it’s spectacular! How did you feel just before going onstage at the Eurovision final? Nicky: When we opened that show with…

Grooming the gentlemanly gentlemanly way Bayolea, Penhaligon’s comprehensive grooming range for men, launched just under a year ago. Comprising of 15 items – including the zesty scent which fragrances the products – it’s also their first ever launch in the world of skincare. From £7, penhaligons.com SONIC SMILE Who knew brushing your teeth could get this stylish and sophisticated? The Sonicare DiamondClean Black – it matches our giant soap – has it all. Never mind the fact that it whitens teeth and removes up to seven times more plaque than a boring old normal toothbrush – it looks great, and charges from a special glass cup. Won’t open a deadlock seal, though. £250, philips.co.uk Big black D When you need something really big to get in a lather in the…

Daphne & Celeste were bratpop pioneers back in the year 2000. And now they’re back, in their 30s, and doing the kind of alterno-pop you never knew you wanted them to make. Though they faded from the general public’s consciousness, certain pop-addicted gays kept the flame alive, waiting for this day when the pair would reunite. Their biggest show on a mini reunion tour in 2005 was at what is fast becoming the only gay nightclub left in London, in the now-destroyed Astoria. Happy times, when the gays screamed back their bubblegum rhymes. With a twist. Celeste Cruz reminisces over our hilarious hour-long chat. “They also sang, ‘Ooh, stick you, your momma too – I’m your daddy!’ They re-did the chorus, which was pretty fun.” She puts the gay love…

It’s the film that effectively killed John Waters’ directing career, toppling at the box office under the weight of a bonkers plot and Selma Blair’s enormous prosthetic boobs. But Tracey Ullman has nothing but affection for A Dirty Shame, the maverick moviemaker’s notorious sex comedy where she played Sylvia Stickles – a puritanical mum with a wayward daughter (Selma’s Caprice Stickles, nicknamed Ursula Udders because of her huge breasts) who gets a blow to the head and becomes a sex fiend herself. “It’s the most outrageous film,” Tracey grins mischievously. “I got the script and I just thought ‘Why not?’ There was a character in it called Fat Fuck Frank and my daughter went, ‘You’ve gotta do a movie with a guy called Fat Fuck Frank.’” Always game for a…

Tim Mason Bedfordshire, 46, car dealer How do I feel about my body? It’s mine. It’s not typical of what you see in all the magazines, but I am what I am. And I suppose that’s why I’m comfortable with how my body looks, because it’s not my be-all and end-all – and if you don’t like me that’s your problem, not mine. I don’t know if I have a favourite bit. Probably my smile. And apparently my backside, though I don’t get to see that very often! Are there any bad bits? Only the bits that ache! I’m staring to get to an age… I had a knee injury and that plays me up a lot, but visually, would I like a six-pack? No, I’d rather keep my sweet…

His charming new book follows the story of Cedric, a boy who lives on a pumpkin farm and must go on an adventure to conquer a firebreathing dragon to rescue both a prince and princess. But when he is honoured by the king and queen, and the princess asks for his hand in marriage, it’s revealed he was in love with the prince all along. So it’s over to Daniel – a straight author, by the way – to tell us about his motivation behind Cedric’s story, why he’s been accused of brainwashing children and what he believes to be the future of children’s books. Tell us about The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived… How did you come up with the idea? What was the inspiration? And what did you…