Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i GAY TIMES

I am not ashamed to admit that I was a bonafide history geek as a child. Ancient Greek mythology, the Roman Empire, Medieval madness, the chaotic Tudors, even the drab and often bleak Victorian way of life piqued my interest. Stories chronicling the evolution of human society as we know it are always fascinating, helping us to understand the world around us today a little bit better. But as we all come to discover as we get older, history is made by those who write it. As compelling as some of these historical tales were to me as a child growing up, the true richness of the human experience was far from captured. It’s why LGBTQ+ History Month remains absolutely crucial. Queer people have existed for a millenia, but you’d…

“Cicada was the secret I never really wanted to tell, but the film I always knew I’d make,” says co-writer and co-director Matthew Fifer. Based on the newcomer’s personal experiences, Cicada follows Ben, a bisexual thirty-something New Yorker wrestling with deep trauma who is - as his sister puts it - “back on the dick” after recently being engaged to a woman. Following a string of meaningless hookups, Ben forms an immediate connection with Sam (fellow co-writer Sheldon D. Brown), a closeted data analyst suffering with PTSD after being hospitalised in a drive-by shooting. Cicada delicately deals with complex themes rarely seen in queer cinema as Sam dives into the intersectionality of being a Black gay man in the United States while Ben reveals that his promiscuity and trauma stems…

London print artist Tim Head, and sustainable fashion staple M.C. Overalls have reunited to create UNITY. A capsule collection that combines workwear and storytelling, championing the values of inclusivity, community and diversity. The collection is a celebration of the human spirit and the power we all hold in using our voices to ignite positive change. Head has individually painted recycled fabric patches from previous collections to create 31 unique handcrafted pieces. The collection offers the brand’s key silhouettes including work jackets, snap shirts, overalls, and accessories in a range of vivid colourways as well as a selection of graphic tees and sweats with clear statements of UNITY. Head was inspired by his isolation during the first national lockdown in London, and through a state of reflection he was inspired to…

Not a single Pride Month goes by without mentioning the Stonewall riots of 1969. The famous Inn, located in Greenwich Village, New York, was a site of political struggle between the gay community and violent police who frequently raided the bar. Dubbed as kickstarting the gay rights movement across the globe, remembering Stonewall plays a central role in queer commemorations. Sasha Misra of the Communications & Campaigns team at Stonewall, the UK LGBT rights organisation, explains the importance of the riot in the naming of their charity: “We are proud to take our name from such a pivotal and transformative moment in LGBTQ+ history. Just as the Stonewall protests in New York City were a response to persistent police brutality against LGBTQ+ communities in the 1960s, our own formation came…

The 2020 Olympic Games was not only a feat to behold, but an incredible platform championing openly out and proud LGBTQ+ athletes across the world. As the Tokyo Games overcame its pandemic-related challenges, it became an unprecedented sporting event showcasing the unique talent of Team LGBTQ+; a sporting category dedicated to queer Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The unified collective – made up of a rainbow of international athletes – brought home over 50 medals in total at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, their outstanding achievement was not limited to impressive medal-related statistics. The number of LGBTQ+ athletes participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was greater than those who took part in all previous summer events, setting an unprecedented record for representation. For this alone, the Games became…