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STARRING

Austin
ARMACOST

NAKED
JANUARY 2016 UK 4.85
THE ORIGINAL GAY MAGAZINE

ew k

STARRING

Adore
DELANO

JANUARY 2016 UK 4.85

THE ORIGINAL GAY MAGAZINE

ew k

STARRING

Mns
ZELMERLW

JANUARY 2016 UK 4.85

THE ORIGINAL GAY MAGAZINE

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STARRING

Sam
STANLEY

NAKED
JANUARY 2016 UK 4.85
THE ORIGINAL GAY MAGAZINE

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0 1/ 16 >>>

CONTENTS
54

austin
powers!
68

84

94

Shes a fucking
Libra chola from
Azusa. And now,
shes serving
charity naked
issue realness.
Its Adore
Delano. Yeah,
motherfucker,
yeah!

Whatta Mns,
whatta Mns,
whatta Mns,
whatta mighty
good Mns. The
reigning king of
Eurovision strips
off and joins our
Prostate Cancer
UK campaign.

Admit it. You

knew rugby star
Sam Stanley was
going to wind up
on our cover one
day. Were just
glad he chose
our naked issue.
For the charity,
of course.

7

contributors < < < 0 1 / 1 6

contents

116

162

nally
160 My Gay Life
162 21st Century Boys

community

138

30 Review of the year

34 The big debate
36 Benjamin Cohen
38 Owen Jones
42 News analysis
46 Great & Gay
50 Annie Wallace

53 The Naked Issue

104 Music
106 Screen
108 Geek & Games

darren bell
per kristiansen

126 Dating with The Guyliner

129 Luke Alexander
131 Ask Aled
132 Sex with Josh Sabarra
135 Michael Alig
137 PJ Alexander
138 Fitness: Charlie King
142 Fitness: Chris Jones
144 Date Night
148 Modern Family
150 Travel

agenda

culture

112 Tight n bright!

118 Beauty
120 Grooming Guru
122 Style: Tech

life

60

14 Lady Gaga
18 Jaymi Hensley
20 GT Fitty
24 Michelle Visage
26 Sweetie, darling?

EDITOR: darren scott

DEPUTY EDITOR: ryan butcher
ONLINE EDITOR: josh withey
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: william connolly
DESIGN & ART DIRECTION: mark king
DESIGN: phil white
EDITOR-AT-LARGE: john marrs
STYLE EDITOR: stephen conway
MUSIC EDITOR: nick levine
SCREEN EDITOR: matt risley
COVER IMAGES: nicky johnston

style

columnists
LUKE ALEXANDER, MICHAEL ALIG, PJ BRENNAN, BENJAMIN COHEN,
GASTROGAYS, THE GUYLINER, JAYMI HENSLEY,
ALED JONES, CHRIS JONES, EDD KIMBER, CHARLIE KING, LEE
KYNASTON, JOSH SABARRA, MICHELLE VISAGE, ANNIE WALLACE

contributors
JOSEPH ALI, JOHN AMAECHI OBE, TOM ATKINSON, DARREN BELL,
DARREN BLACK, TIM BODDY, JAMES BURTON, SIMON BUTTON,
MATT CROCKETT, DAN EVANS, LEE FAIRCLOTH, MIKE HIRD,
DANIELLE HUNTLEY, NICKY JOHNSTON, PER KRISTIANSEN, JESSICA
LINDSAY, THOMAS LING, JOE MCCORMICK, DANIEL MEGARRY, TIM
MITCHELL, JUSTIN MYERS, ROBIN NEWBOLD, IAN NICHOLSON,
LUKE SMITH, MIKEY WALSH, JR WEST
PUG-AT-LARGE TOBY

thanks to
IAN BYERS (17 MANAGEMENT), FEDERICA CANTARINI (ANDAZ
HOTEL), RYAN CHILD (CHILD PR), JEFF DORTA (PROJECT PUBLICITY,
INC), LEN EVANS (PROJECT PUBLICITY, INC), STUART FREEMAN
(PARLOPHONE MUSIC), CHARLOTTE GARRISSON (ACE HOTEL),
DARIA GERASIMOVA (DYNAMO PR), EMMA HADLEY (UNLEASHED
PR), KIRSTY HOWELL (FOX), TOMAS JERNBERG (WARNER MUSIC
SWEDEN), CRAIG JOHNSON-PASS (UNLEASHED PR), LIAM KEOGH
(PALM PR), DERMOT MCNAMARA (THE LOCO AGENCY), KATY
MOSELEY (KMPR), ADAM MUDDLE (AM CONCEPTS UK), JEMMA PIKE
(LIME PICTURES), ALEX ROYCE (HOPE AND GLORY PR), PHOEBE
SINCLAIR (WARNER MUSIC), ADAM SUTHERLAND (PROFILE TALENT
UK), LUCY VEREY (FOX), STUART WATKINS (INSIDE RUGBY), PENNY
WATSON (ACE HOTEL), HELENE WIGREN (PR & BEYOND), CHELSEA
YEARSLEY (LIME PICTURES)
DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER ALEXANDER SMITH
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT ARNAUD SEGUIN

advertising
GT ADVERTISING SALES ASH ALLIBHAI
020 7424 7406 ash@millivres.co.uk
GT ADVERTISING SALES RAJ VALENTINO
020 7424 7457 raj@gaytimes.co.uk
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SALES JOAO VASCONCELOS
020 7424 7451 jo@gaytimes.co.uk

contact us

112

EDITORIAL 020 7424 7400

SALES/DISTRIBUTION 020 7424 7400
EDITORIAL E-MAIL edit@gaytimes.co.uk
ADVERTISING E-MAIL advertising@gaytimes.co.uk
WEBSITE gaytimes.co.uk
POSTAL ADDRESS GT, SPECTRUM HOUSE, UNIT M,
32-34 GORDON HOUSE ROAD, LONDON, NW5 1LP

distribution & subscriptions

NEWSTRADE DISTRIBUTION CONDE NAST AND NATIONAL
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED,
UNIT 3, TAVISTOCK ROAD, WEST DRAYTON, MIDDLESEX UB7 7QE
TEL: 01895 433 600
NEWSTRADE ENQUIRIES karen.donohoe@comag.co.uk
SUBSCRIPTIONS UK 0844 856 0637
FOR UK PRICES SEE ADVERT ON P25
SUBSCRIPTIONS E-MAIL gt@servicehelpline.co.uk
SUBSCRIPTIONS OVERSEAS 01795 414 896
PRINTED IN THE UK BY WYNDEHAM GROUP
DISCLAIMER ALL COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS ARE RECOGNISED

14

PUBLISHED BY MILLIVRES PROWLER LTD

CHIEF EXECUTIVE SIMON TOPHAM
STRATEGY DIRECTOR JAMES FROST
MEDIA & MARKETING DIRECTOR KIM WATSON F IDM
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR ROBERT HANWELL
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR ANTHONY MARTIN
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GAY TIMES MAGAZINE WAS FOUNDED IN 1984
BY CHRIS GRAHAM-BELL AND ALEX MCKENNA

2016 GAY TIMES ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ISSN: 0950-6101

THE MENTION OR APPEARANCE OR LIKENESS OF ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION IN ARTICLES OR ADVERTISING
IN GAY TIMES IS NOT TO BE TAKEN AS ANY INDICATION OF THE SEXUAL, SOCIAL OR POLITICAL ORIENTATION OF
SUCH PERSONS OR ORGANISATIONS. A LADDER FREE ENVIRONMENT. NO RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ASSUMED FOR
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CORRESPONDENCE AND THE FEE PAYABLE (IF ANY) AT OUR USUAL RATES. ADVERTISERS ARE ADVISED THAT ALL
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CODE OF ADVERTISING PRACTICE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED,
STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL,
PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHERS.

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the EDITOR

0 1/ 16 >>>

ehold! Another year begins

But what a year 2015 was. Obviously lots of
things happened thats generally the nature
of the passing of time, isnt it?
We do, of course, have the magazine
staple that is the review of the year
elsewhere within these pages, so Ill not
bang on about everything thats gone
before. Though I was particularly moved
surprising even myself with emotion
when the news came through that samesex marriage had been voted in by the
public in Ireland. Not, as Ive always been
quick (too quick?) to point out, that I want
to get married, in Ireland or anywhere. But
to see such positivity was an emotional day
for me and my then-partner, a very proud
Irishman. So much change
And then, of course, theres GT itself! All
change! New magazine, new website, new
app, new digital titles. Ill tell you all about
that year over a glass of wine some time
What else is changing? Oh yes the naked
issue! Because this is the last one! Its the
end of an era Over the years at GT, Ive
seen so many naked men that Ive pretty
much become oblivious to it. And that
number far outweighs professionally rather
than personally, unfortunately.
But these shoots are a mammoth
undertaking. Its harder than you think
wr#jhw#phq#wr#wdnh#wkhlu#forwkhv#r#iru#wkh#
enjoyment of thousands of other gentlemen.
Schedules, photographers, locations,
agents, cars, pugs, baby oil It takes a really
long time, a lot of money and quite a few
sleepless nights.
But things move on. Celebrities without
clothes are all over the internet, their own
Instagrams, reality shows, etc. Then theres
the trumpet much blown on social media
of gay men that dont like naked issues,

DARREN SCOTT

Im so proud that
GT has helped
raise thousands
of pounds for
a number of
very important
charities over the
years with these
naked issues.
@darren_scott

and loudly proclaim that nudity in gay

magazines gives us a bad name, and implies
that were only interested in sex. So, Ive
listened, Ive taken it all on board and Im
cue Bananarama movin on.
Im so proud that GT has helped raise
thousands of pounds for a number of very
important charities over the years with
these editions it was one of the things
wkdw#L#lqvlvwhg#rq#grlqj/#qglqj#d#zd|#iru#
wkh#fkdulwlhv#wr#ehqhw#qdqfldoo|1#Dqg#L#
think, though of course Id never swear to
it, that were one of the only magazines that
did that if not, in fact, the only one. I hope
weve helped in some small way, and I hope
|rxoo#glj#ghhs#rqh#pruh#wlph#wr#ehqhw#
Prostate Cancer UK.
A huge and strategically placed thank you
to everyone whos ever taken part, to all the
people whove helped make them happen,
and all the hotels and ladders weve placed
naked bottoms on over the years. And, of
course, to you for buying the naked issues
and for donating.
Of course, well still be featuring lots of
wonderful men of all shapes, sizes, profession
whatever. And Im sure, along the way, a
shirt or two will naturally be discarded
But if you just cant wait for that to
possibly happen, check out our two digital
GT specials available at gtdigi.co.uk
now The GT 2016 Man-nual is 176 pages
of photoshoots from last year. Our 2016
Yearbook includes some of the best features
and interviews from 2015, running at more
than 200 pages. Both are available at a
bargain price. While youre there, you might
as well pick up the latest issue of Shade
Dragazine, in preparation for the return of
RuPauls Drag Race Enough of me trying to
sell you something! You see, the more things
change Happy new year! O

11

0 1/ 16 >>>

usic, eat & ovies

ARI MAGG

Remember a
time when music
wasnt on your
phone? Ache for
the days when
you could have
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pocket? But what
about if it was
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MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Goodbye, Jack!
Prepare to say so long to
our favourite group of
friends as Jack Whitehalls
hit Channel 4 comedy Fresh
0HDWEHJLQVLWVQDOVHULHV
Promising unconventional
relationships as the
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credits roll? O
7KHQDOVHULHVRI)UHVK0HDW
begins 5 January on Channel 4,
@jackwhitehall, @comedyon4,
#freshmeat

12

AGENDA

Ones we want to watch in 2016

We dont know about you, but were
planning on spending a lot of time
in 2016 sat in the dark, in silence.
Watching superhero movies, mainly.
Heres whats getting us excited...

Happily
ever after?
With album Grey
Tickles, Black
Pressure a favourite
of 2015, he Greatest
Motherfucker is back!
John Grants video
Down Here tackles
the gender barrier of
a teenager chasing
their dream. But will
fullling dreams lead
to happiness? John
also begins his live UK
tour in January, too. O

Deadpool hits screens in February,

starring Ryan Reynolds as Marvels most
unlikely hero since Ant-Man. ODisneys
Zootropolis will ensure you never look
at a rabbit in quite the same way, and
Batman V Superman is really all about
the cinematic debut of Wonder Woman.
Both are in cinemas in March. OMay sees
Captain America: Civil War introduce
the new Spider-Man to cinema goers, as
well as a return for Tim Burton and co in
Alice Through The Looking Glass. But
really, its all about X Men: Apocalypse,
isnt it? ONever mind Nemo, this June
were Finding Dory, in Disneys latest
sequel. Independence Day: Resurgence
promises to blow everything up (again)
in the same month. OJuly is all about
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. But if
you want more girl power, Ghostbusters
is also out that month. OIf youre one
for the boys and were guessing you
are Star Trek Beyond blasts into
cinemas, as well as Alexander Skarsgrd
LQJLQJKLPVHOIDURXQGWUHHVVKLUWOHVV
in The Legend of Tarzan. OJared Letos
the latest actor to rock as The Joker, in
Augusts Suicide Squad. OBridget Jones
Baby makes its debut in September,
while another X Man, Gambit, breaks
out in October. OBenedict Cumberbatch
leads a new wave of Marvel superhero
movies as Doctor Strange in November,
while Harry Potter fans will rejoice for
Eddie Redmayne in Fantastic Beasts and
Where To Find Them. OAnd you can end
the year as you started it with a brand
new Star Wars movie, Rogue One, in
December. Pass the popcorn! O

SUICIDE SQUAD

Johns UK tour begins 26 January,

@johnwgrant, johngrantmusic.com

13

0 1/ 16 >>>

14

AGENDA

2015-2016 FOX AND ITS RELATED ENTITIES / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

L A D Y

G A G A

As American Horror Storys erce Countess Elizabeth, Lady Gaga has gone from six-time
Grammy winner to leading actress. We join her on set to talk life in the Hotel Cortez.
Lady Gaga. Everyones said how
amazingly prepared youve been for
this role and that youre totally nailing
it... Wow, thank you.
Its also your big acting debut. How did
you prepare to take on The Countess?
Well, you better believe that I prepare my ass
off to come in with these fantastically talented
actors. I was just up all night with my script,
MRWWLQJQRWHVORRNLQJDWLWDQGJXULQJLWRXW
because all I have when I get in there is my
discipline. Probably my biggest strength in all
of this is I actually am very disciplined and
love being an artist, I love being a student.
So I read my lines and I spend a lot of time
thinking like her.
Do you believe that trying to think like
The Countess is a dangerous road for
an actress? That she could affect you
as a person? You know, its dangerous to
be an actor, period. I think when you decide
that you want to commit to it, it will take you
there if you ask for it. When Im here, Im The
Countess. And actually, when I leave here
right now, Im The Countess. I just dont give
a fuck about shit anymore. Shes been alive for
100 years. So no matter what goes on in her
hotel, if she loses her cool, she cant handle
her shit. Im a really kind and compassionate
person, naturally, but when I leave the set and
I go home and someone goes, Can you help
me with this? And I just... You know? Im just
still there. And its dangerous, but I think its
just the way that it is and Ive committed to
P\VHOIWKDW,PZLOOLQJWRJKWIRUWKDWSDUWRI
my life. I quite like playing a killer.
$Q\UVWGD\MLWWHUV"I threw up on the
way here, in a Ziploc bag in my Rolls Royce.
I dont know why I thought that was funny,
but its funny. I threw up in the Ziploc bag

and I saved it and brought to [the shows cocreator] Ryan Murphy. Ask him.
And what did he say? He was like, You
think you can disgust me? You cant!
Was there ever a fear moving from
music to acting? Its always been so
important to me that if I ever were to make a
move into television or as an actress, that it
would never feel like a move, and that nobody
would ever go, Oh, here she is, trying to
become an actress and put out a clothing line
and a record label. It has been the public
thats told me, Youre a pop star. You know?
Thats what you do. But Ive always been a
performance artist. Its just about what rises
to the top and what the press chooses to
highlight and say about artists.
Its hard to imagine any other show
correlating so well with your aesthetic.
Is that what made you excited to be
involved? :HOO\HV:KHQ,UVWVSRNH
to Ryan, my relationship with American
Horror Story was because Im a fan. And I
loved watching the show. I felt a true kinship
with him from afar. And thats because were
emotionally and intellectually existing on this
really visceral artistic plane and were just
following our instincts.
Your work with Ryan is almost a
MRLQLQJRIDUWLVWLFDQGFUHDWLYHVRXO
mates, then? When we come in here there
are no rules, this is the safe house. And so
what we all demand of one another, and
expect from one another, I think, or what I
feel when Im here, is total commitment to
telling the best possible story, and to being
willing to take it further than any other
show on television.
Do you get to watch the show each
week? Yes.

WORDS

And how do you feel watching yourself

back? Are you critical? Are you kidding
me? I cant fucking breathe when Im
watching myself. Literally, my stomach hurts.
I just need to, I need to hide. But it depends.
Sometimes Im interested and I like it, and
I can watch it and I like it. And then other
times, you know, its just like... I cant just
fucking... Im just... Im going like, Why did
they use that take? Didnt I do it this way?
Like, was that even honest?
The Countess is 100 years old. Have you
given any thought to what youd like to
accomplish if you were to reach 100?
Yes! [Laughs] I suppose that I actually think
that my objective in life is the same as The
Countess, even though were very different
in character. I want to be celebrated. And if
youre not celebrating me, you got to go. But I
want to be celebrated by my art, and then my
objective in my own life changed, and hers
does too. I want... The people that I know, that
I love, I want them to love the real me, not the
idea of me that they think they know. This has
probably been one of my biggest struggles as a
human being. I desperately so want for you all
to love the real me and not the idea of me that
you write about or see.
And for The Countess now, and where we
are in the season, what you start to see is that
she wants everyone in this hotel to love her
for who she is, cunning or not. Cunning, evil.
She feels that theyre all here in this triumph
of the hotel because of her. And she keeps
them together, and she wants to be rewarded
for that, for who she truly is, and not for
anything else. O
American Horror Story: Hotel, Tuesdays, 10pm on Fox,
@ahsfx, @ladygaga

william connolly

15

0 1/ 16 >>>

ar t, abs & amsterdam

FUSE #3, MATHIS REKOWSKI JOACHIM BALDAUF

Star phwoarsJust in case you wondered what was underneath the cloak, Germanys leading contemporary fashion photographer
Joachim Baldauf has provided this unique take as part of a series of collaborations for LUMAS gallerys portfolio. This piece, Fuse #3, a Darth
Vader-themed diptych, sees Joachim team up with illustrator Mathis Rekowski to show two sides to the Star Wars villain. Olumas.com

Swinging by this January

Marking their 20th Anniversary
at the Royal Albert Hall, Cirque
du Soleils brand new show
Amaluna is guaranteed to get
you gasping with disbelief.
Amaluna promises to take you
on a magical mind-blowing
journey loosely around the
writing of Shakespeares
he Tempest, featuring gay
performer David Rimmer.
Amaluna begins 16 January, @cirque, #amaluna

16

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ZAC EFRON
Now weve got your attention, heres the deets. In new
movie Dirty Grandpa, Zac switches the uptight lawyer
OLIHVW\OH IRU SDUWLHV EDU JKWV DQG NDUDRNH ZLWK KLV
grandfather, played by Robert De Niro. Guaranteed to
get us all hot under the collar, its tight tops and no tops
az Zacs taught how to live life to the fullest. O
Released in the UK on 28 January, @dirtygrandpa, dirtygrandpa.movie

17

COLUMN

2015 has seen trans issues in the forefront

of the worlds media for both positive and
negative reasons.
Probably the biggest story thus far has been
the extraordinary arrival of Caitlyn Jenner,
and the overwhelming support she received
after appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair,
followed by her reality show I Am Cait, where
we joined her during her emotional transition.
But despite her initially positive welcome,
she received backlash after receiving both the
Arthur Ashe Courage Award and Glamours
Woman of the Year, with many people asking,
How can she win woman of the year when she
hasnt been a woman for a full year?
Comments like this infuriate me.
Yes, Caitlyn only came out as a trans woman
back in April. But as shes said before, for
65 years, she was a woman trapped inside a
mans body. It isnt the courage of coming out
wkdw#mxvwlhv#wkhvh#dffrodghv/#exw#wkh#lqqhu#
strength it takes to live a lifetime putting her
true feelings aside because of the judgemental
world we live in. I have the upmost respect for
the trans men and women in our community
that live in the public eye like Caitlyn
Jenner, Lauren Harries and Chaz Bono
and who pave the way for men and women
hyhu|zkhuh#wr#olyh#frpsohwh/#ixooolqj#olyhv#dv#
the gender they were truly meant to be.
But it hasnt just been stories of bravery
thatve hit the headlines. In the past
two months, weve seen the death of two
transgender women who were sent to all-male
prisons, despite identifying as women. Yes,
both had been sentenced for breaking the law
but this is overlooking a basic human right
for the trans community. How many more
deaths is it going to take for the government
to step up and accept that they failed these
trans women?
But the most disturbing and unacceptable
trans story to his the press were the
disgusting remarks made by Loose Women
panellist Nadia Sawalha.
On the show, the panel spoke about trans
issues something they clearly arent very
hgxfdwhg#rq1#Dqguhd#PfOhdq#vwduwhg#lw#r#

18

<<< A G E N D A

JAYMI HENSLEY
He? She? Just human!

This is
overlooking a
basic human
right. How many
more deaths is it
going to take for
the government
to step up and
accept that they
failed these trans
women?
@jaymiujworld

by saying: Theres been a quadruple rise in

the number of children whove been referred
to the NHS because of transgender feelings.
Transgender is a word thats been bandied
around an awful lot in the last 12 months or
so, especially because of the Caitlyn Jenner
case over in America.
Clearly confused between gender and
sexuality, she added: One case is wonderful
dqg#oryho|/#krz#dffhswlqj#shrsoh#duh#ri#xlg#
sexuality but is that young people are now
questioning their sexuality and their gender
at such a young age is that refreshing, or is
it a worry?
WHY would it be a worry? As mothers, Id
assume the Loose Women would want their
children to live whatever way they wanted to
ensure their happiness. Clearly not!
In comes over-opinionated Nadia with: Last
year my stepdaughter told me the in thing at
school was self-harming, and then before that
itd been throwing up. You know, fashionable
words thatve been taken on. The other day,
my kids were playing and we actually heard
from the other room, Which one of us is
going to be transgender? Can you imagine
that, even a year ago?
No, we cant imagine it a year ago, but what
an amazing step for humanity that now its
something that younger generations are
aware of. Children who are gender confused
can now seek help and, in some cases, start
hormones before puberty, giving them a
better chance to develop as a man or a woman
without having to reverse puberty, which is
sometimes nearly impossible.
It was utterly unacceptable that there was
no one on the panel educated in this matter to
respond positively. It seemed like they were
bashing the issue and deeming it as weird or
wrong. We need the younger generations to
be normalised to the LGBT community and
with trailblazers like Caitlyn leading the way,
I feel like were in a great place. Not a group of
women discussing it on prime time television
in a derogatory way. Im disappointed, to
say the least. This couldve been the perfect
opportunity to show some support. O

GETTING

MARRIED

Get the latest Hot Tips for your wedding from Britains top people
in the know. Find everything you need to help you organise,
plan & design your wedding at G Wedding Directory
for venues, Photographers, Cakes, Suits, Stationery, Transport,
Jewellers, Entertainment and more. We have it all.
Free wedding advice hot line 0800 3357 570.

@GoGayWedding
/gogaywedding

www.gweddingdirectory.com
www.gweddingdirectory.ie

0 1/ 16 >>>

20

gt i  y

agenda
After being given the
nger by Lord Sugar, his
business acumen has been
scrutinised by the best in
the, well... business. But its
a new year and new start
for he Apprentice star
wed have sat on our desk
any day. Sam Curry is this
months GT Fitty...
SAM! How was your time
on The Apprentice? It was
GREAT! It was such a huge
learning curve. I mean, when
else in life will you be racing
around France looking for
mussels one day, making and
marketing a shampoo the
next, and writing an entire
book on the third? You learn
a lot of business lessons, but
its also exhilarating when
youre on a task. In a weird
way, theyre actually a lot of
fun. The other candidates, as
unlikely as it sounds, are also
really amazing people. I made
some lifelong friends there,
like Vana, Elle and David.
How were the nerves
when sat in front of the
business tycoon that is
Lord Sugar? ,GLGQWQG
Lord Sugar intimidating,
actually. I think that comes
from acting. When youre
used to being on stage
with hundreds of audience
members or even worse,
auditioning you get used
to handling your nerves.
Watching yourself back
on TV, were you ever body
or image conscious? I
think when you watch yourself
back, youre always quite self
critical. You think, Wow, do
I really pull that expression?
RU7KDWVXLWWVEHWWHUWKDQ

WORDS

that one, etc. Thankfully,

youre fully clothed most
of the time! so you dont
get the opportunity to be too
self-conscious. It was hard
not working out properly in
the house, though. I started to
feel my mind and my body get
softer as a result.
Whats your workout
routine like currently?
At the moment Im doing this
DUP training program. Its all
about compound moves and
dispelling the myth that you
can only workout a certain
body part once or twice a
week. But it does mean squats
and deadlifts around four
times a week! Ive always
used PTs to switch up my
routines when I feel Ive hit a
plateau. Right now, Im in the
market for a new one; so in the
meantime Im signed up to a
ORWRI,QVWDJUDPWQHVVSDJHV
and mailing lists.
Do you have a favourite
part of your body? I like
my legs. Ive always had really
chunky legs, which I hated as
a child, but now it seems like
a great thing. I think their
size was compounded by the
rowing I did at school. To be
fair, theres not a great deal of
my body Im 100% happy with.
[Laughs] I think of it more as a
work in progress...

william connolly IMAGES matt crockett

21

0 1/ 16 >>>

gt i  y

Obviously, we think
youre perfect. But if you
had to change one thing,
what would that be? Stop
it, youll make me blush!
[Laughs] Well, my hips are
huge! I also hate my calves
and I cant wear halter
necks because Ive got man
shoulders. I used to think
there was just fat and skinny,
but it turns out there are a lot
of things that can be wrong
with your body.
So are you a boxers or
briefs kinda guy? That
depends on my mood. Im not
a fan of long boxers, I prefer
trunks or briefs. Anything that
makes me feel good, I guess. I
read one of those lame quotes
on social media you know
the meaningful life advice,
#blessed, #onewithmyself
Instagram stuff about
burning scented candles and
wearing sexy underwear for
yourself. Lame as it was, I
actually really agree with
that. Do it for you, not just for
someone else.
Have you noticed the gay
community supporting
you since joining the
show? Yeah, I have to say the
support in general has been
amazing! Its hard doing a TV
show like that especially
something so competitive
because you never know
how people will react. Im

22

going to be in a couple of
plays next year one called
,Q%RKHPLDLQWKHUVWZHHN
of February, and one called
The Boys in the Band, later
in the year and already Ive
had loads of great advice from
people working in theatre. I
just hope everyone can come
and see them. Ill be posting
updates on my social media.
Ill save you a seat?
$QGQDOO\ZKDWVWKH
worst date youve ever
been on? We want all the
details Oh, God! [Laughs]
If I had a pound for every
bad date Ive been on, Id
have the 250k investment
already! [Laughs] The one
thing I will say, even if things
get super awkward, you can
normally salvage it. You just
have to let the other person
talk about something that
interests them. I remember
I was on a date with this guy
who was studying for a PhD
in physics. His conversation
was about as lively as the daily
shipping forecast, but I ended
up learning a lot about stellar
nucleosynthesis. So, now I
know a few basics about how
stars age. Could be useful in
a pub quiz, right? The pasta
wasnt bad either. O
More information on Sams
upcoming plays can be found via
@samjoecurry, instagram.com/
samuelcurry

agenda

23

COLUMN

Were all thinking it so Ill say it: its

almost 2016! Can you actually believe it!?
My UKabies, 2015 has been a year that will
go down in Visagetory (Visage history). A
couple of years ago, before all of the amazing
fud}lqhvv#uhdoo|#nlfnhg#r#iru#ph/#L#xvhg#wr#
talk about making the next year the Year of
Visage. Every year. And every year provided
some great things, but never really the kick
lq#wkh#duvh#p|#fduhhu#qhhghg1#Lyh#jrw#sohqw|#
in my life to be grateful for, including you
doo#ri#frxuvh/#exw#L#qhyhu#hyhq#nqhz#krz#
amazing this ride would be.
Dv#Ghfhpehu#gudzv#wr#d#forvh/#Lyh#ehhq#
looking back in absolute awe at everything
wkdwv#kdsshqhg>#L#pdgh#lw#rqwr#p|#
favourite reality television show in the
XN/#Fhoheulw|#Elj#Eurwkhu>#L#jrw#p|#errn#
published and went on an international
errn#wrxu>#DQG#L#qdoo|#jrw#wr#jr#wr#
Dxvwudold$#L#fdqw#eholhyh#lw##qrw#wkdw#orqj#
djr#L#rqo|#guhdpw#ri#wklv#ehlqj#p|#olih1#
Wkh#uhdvrq#Lp#vkdulqj#doo#ri#wklv#zlwk#|rx#
lvqw#wr#eudj/#ru#wr#nhhs#d#wdoo|#ri#zkdw#Lyh#
grqh#frpsduhg#wr#dq|rqh#hovh1#Lwv#wr#pdnh#
d#srlqw#wkdwv#h{wuhpho|#ydolg=#dv#zh#jr#lqwr#
5349/#L#zdqw#|rx#wr#nqrz#wkdw#|rx#fdq#pdnh#
your life everything that you want it to be.
You need to stop thinking and wishing, and
vwduw#GRLQJ1#Qrwklqj#kdsshqv#zkhq#|rx#vlw#
durxqg#dqg#wdon#dqg#prdq#derxw#lw##L#qhhg#
you to make a commitment to yourself to
jhw#rxw#wkhuh/#jude#olih#e|#wkh#edoov#dqg#qg#
your happiness. You can have whatever you

Q&A

<<< A G E N D A

MICHELLE VISAGE
Get out there, grab life by the balls
and nd your happiness.

ME AND THE ACTUAL QUEEN AT THE REBEL HEART TOUR. MY TRIBUTE TO BORDERLINE.

@michellevisage, michellevisage.com

Dear Michelle.
If you could give
any advice to a
young person
struggling with
their identity,
what would it be?
From @strayheartmike

24

want with a little focus, belief, faith and

ghwhuplqdwlrq1#Wklv#lv#zk|#L#zurwh#Wkh#Glyd#
Uxohv#dqg#wklv#lv#zkdw#lwv#doo#derxw1#Frqvlghu#
p|#errn#Wkh#Jd|#Vhfuhw/#li#|rx#zloo1
Lp#h{flwhg#iru#53491#Loo#frqwlqxh#wr#
believe in all of you as you start to believe in
yourselves and go out and get your best life
srvvleoh1#Grqw#hyhu#ihho#olnh#|rxuh#dorqh/#
ehfdxvh#|rxuh#qrw1#Lp#khuh#iru#|rx#hyhu|#
vwhs#ri#wkh#zd|1#Qrz/#|rx#pd|#eh#wklqnlqj/#
Jluo/#wkdwv#fxwh#dqg#doo/#exw#|rx#grqw#
nqrz#ph1#Exw#iru#ph/#mxvw#wkh#wkrxjkw#wkdw#
someone believes in me at all times takes
d#elw#ri#wkh#suhvvxuh#r#vr#zh#fdq#irfxv#rq#
pdqlihvwlqj#rxu#ghvwlq|$#VhhB#L#GR#nqrz#|rx#
dqg#L#GR#oryh#|rx$#Ohwv#ohdyh#wkh#sdvw#ehklqg#
us and move full steam ahead into 2016 with
positivity, gratitude, abundance and love.
Wr#p|#idplo|#dw#JW/#wkdqn#|rx#iru#
allowing me the chance to have a voice
hyhu|#prqwk1#Lp#orrnlqj#iruzdug#wr#wkh#
next year and perhaps another pub quiz
zlwk#|rx#er|v$#Ohvv#ri#wkh#jhrjudsk|#wklv#
time, maybe a section on shitty British
whohylvlrq#mxvw#vr#L#fdq#uhdoo|#vklqh1
Dqg#dv#zh#vwhs#lqwr#wkh#Qhz#\hdu#zlwk#
rxu#khdgv#khog#kljk##dqg#rxu#errev#hyhq#
kljkhu##L#zdqw#|rx#wr#frqwlqxh#wr#ohw#ph#
nqrz#zkdw#dpd}lqj#jrdov#|rxuh#jrlqj#wr#
achieve this incoming year. You know the
drill. As always, you can contact me on
Wzlwwhu#dqg#rq#p|#rfldo#sdjh1#Frph#dqg#
sod|#zlwk#ph$#\rx#nqrz#Loo#vsloo#wkh#W#iru#p|#
XNDELHV$$#Doo#wkh#oryh/#[[[#PY1#O

Itd be to know
yourself and love
yourself. Gone are
the days of having
to label ourselves
and choose
between two
genders. If youre

confused at this
time, I promise
that clarity will
reveal itself. Just
be patient. Youre
perfect just
the way you are
and I love you.

e ext chapter
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12 / 15 >>>

yaa queen!

sw eetie,
darling?
Shes the self-titled accidental activist
that helped change the future of
same-sex marriage on the Emerald
Isle. Yes, 2015 was anything but a
drag for Panti Bliss. But how did
he Queen of Ireland fair against
our sweetie jar of random questions?

WORDS

26

william connolly

AGENDA

Whats the most

embarrassing moment
of your career? Fucking
hell! [Long, long pause]
Probably the time when my
live act used to involve pulling
a string of beads out of my
ass on stage. And no, Im
not lying. I really did that!
[Laughs hysterically]
Three words to describe
you in the morning
are... IN THE MORNING?
Dear lord! Probably... foggy,
uninterested and mildly
annoyed. Id have to say four.
Which reality TV show
do you most want to go
on? The Great British Bake
Off, even though Im terrible
at cooking. Its the only one
where people arent rude or
mean about you. Theyre all
so nice and British on there.
Can you parallel park? No!
Panti Bliss doesnt actually
have a drivers licence.
Youre chauffeured
around everywhere,
then? I WISH THAT WAS
TRUE! [Laughs] Its really
down to pure laziness.
Whats the rudest word
that you know? Oh, God!
The rudest word has to be
rosebud. Google it later...
[Howls with laughter]
Would you rather not
eat or not speak for 24
hours? Err... Id rather
not eat because I could do
with looking a bit skinnier!
[Laughs]
Who do you think has the
perfect face? Zayn Malik!
Hes ADORABLE! I mean, I
change my mind every week,
but he looks like an angel.
But this week its Zayn. Last
week it was Franois Sagat. I
have a rather eclectic taste in
my men.
Would Panti Bliss be
JRRGLQDJKW"Shes not

bad. Shes sharp as nails, but

would probably try and be
a good girl and talk her way
out of it.
How do you want to die?
In a threesome.
$UH\RXDIDQRIDVHOH"I
OLNHWDNLQJDVHOHEXWDP,
a fan? YES! You get to create
your own look and make sure
LWVHUFH6RPHWLPHV,VSHQG
more than two hours getting
my face and hair together and
right, so I often take them
to remember when I was a
younger, prettier girl.
Whats your biggest
pet hate? People on
the pavement with no
peripheral vision. Yknow,
those people that walk
really slow, get in your
way and often take up the
entriiiiiiiire pavement. Just
generally people on the
pavement. They just need
to go. People generally just
need to go.
Do you pair your socks
up before you put them
away? Yes, I do and Im
proud of it.
For you, whats the best
day of the week? Monday.
GOD I LOVE MONDAY! With
my schedule, I dont really
ever have weekends off.
Monday is often the day that I
can go to the shops, clear my
thoughts and pair my socks.
Whats the strangest
thing youve ever put in
your mouth? [Laughs until
unable to speak] I DONT
KNOW! A wasp. Twice now,
Ive been stung on the tongue
by a wasp. It bloody kills.
My tongue swells up and its
horrible.
Do you have a tattoo? I do.
I have one thats an ugly little
thing that I got when I was 18
and really drunk. And thats
all Im telling you...

Could you write Britney

Spears a hit single?
NO! Plus, Im terrible
with music... like Britney.
[Laughs] Were both terrible
at music, huh?
Have you ever thrown a
diva tantrum? Im actually
a good girl. Im really easygoing and nice.
If you could change one
thing about your physical
appearance what would
it be and why? Id love
smaller feet. Id like to be able
to walk into a regular shop
and buy female shoes.
Kylie, Madonna or Gaga?
MADONNA! Hands down,
Madonna!
Have you ever stolen
anything? Yes. I once stole
DDWFDSIURPDVKRSZKHQ,
was on holiday as a teenager.
Im not proud of it, but it
happened.
The most famous person
that youve ever met is...
The most famous person
has to be Madonna. Well,
Madonna or the Pope. In
some ways, people will say
theyre the same. I think
sometimes they share the
same designer, too. You get
my drift?
:KDWVWKHUVWWKLQJ
youd try to rescue if
\RXUKRXVHZDVRQUH"
My dog, Penny. And then
my hair.
Have you ever seen a
ghost? YES, darling! Every
damn morning when I
look in the mirror. Its like
waking the dead.
$QGQDOO\ZKHUHVWKH
strangest place youve
ever put your hand?
Inside your dirty, DIRTY
sweetie jar! O
Pantis feature documentary
Queen of Ireland is out now,
TXHHQRUHODQGLH#SDQWLEOLVV

27

0 1/ 16 >>>

IMAGE

dan evans

38

You have to be conscious of standing on the shoulders of giants.

Owen Jones

29

CO M M U N I T Y >>>

WORDS

daniel megarry

Review of 2015
2015 has been a big year for the LGBT community,
with impressive strides made in the battle for
equal rights around the world. Same-sex marriage
was legalised in both Ireland and America, several
prominent athletes including Keegan Hirst and
Sam Stanley came out and proved you can be gay
and damn good at sport, while Russell T Davies
premiered not one, not two, but three LGBT series
#klv#uvw#vlqfh#wkh#jurxqgeuhdnlqj#Txhhu#Dv#Iron1
Wudqv#lvvxhv#kdyh#ehhq#upo|#lq#wkh#phgld#h|h#
wklv#|hdu/#prvw#qrwdeo|#Ydqlw|#Idluv#Fdoo#Ph#
Fdlwo|q#fryhu/#zkhuh#wkh#uhwluhg#Ro|pslf#dwkohwh#
lqwurgxfhg#wkh#zruog#wr#khu#wuxh#vhoi1#Wkh#EEF#
udq#Er|#Phhwv#Jluo/#zklfk#ehfdph#wkh#XNv#uvw#
mainstream sitcom to feature a trans actor in a
30

ohdglqj#wudqv#uroh/#zkloh#wudqv#wqhvv#prgho#
D|gldq#Grzolqj#pdgh#lw#wr#wkh#qdov#ri#wkh#
Phqv#Khdowk#Xowlpdwh#Jx|#frpshwlwlrq1
Ri#frxuvh/#lwv#qrw#doo#ehhq#jrrg#qhzv1#Dv#
equal rights progress, bigotry has a habit of
udlvlqj#lwv#xjo|#khdg1#Nhqwxfn|#fohun#Nlp#
Gdylv#zdv#mdlohg#diwhu#uhixvlqj#wr#rfldwh#
same-sex marriages, while numerous
businesses cited religious beliefs to refuse
service at wedding ceremonies. The LGBT
frppxqlw|#vwloo#kdv#zrun#wr#gr/#exw#lwv#fohdu#
iurp#wkh#kxjh#edfnodvk#wkhvh#ylhzv#duh#
receiving that the world is becoming a more
tolerant place every day. Here, we remember
vrph#ri#wkh#|hduv#eljjhvw#OJEW#prphqwv1

review

Uxvvhoo#W#Gdylhv#nlfnhg#r##
the year in both telly and
LGBT representation with
klv#pdjql#fhqw#Fxfxpehu/#
Banana, and Tofu trilogy,
airing on Channel 4, E4 and
online. Cucumber followed
the lives of a middle-aged
gay couple after a break-up,
and features one of the most
shocking scenes of violence
in a gay drama to date.
The 2015 election resulted
in the UK now having
more openly gay MPs
than anywhere in the
world, highlighted by the
appointment of Scottish
politician Mhairi Black, who
also became the youngest
MP to sit in the House of
Commons since 1832.
May saw Ireland become
wkh##uvw country in the
world to hold a referendum
on same-sex marriage,
which saw 62% of voters
come out in favour
ri#htxdolw|1#Wkh##uvw#

ceremony was held in

November in the town of
Clonmel.
The Stonewall Inn in New
York was designated a city
landmark, ensuring that
the historic building will be
preserved for years to come.
The bar was the site of the
Stonewall riots back in 1969,
which ignited LGBT rights
movements in the US.
And while were looking
vwdwhvlgh/#vdph0vh{#pduuldjh#
zdv legalised across all 50
US states in June, after a
Supreme Court ruling decided
that marriage was a right that
should be shared by all.
Years & Years had a
hugely successful 2015,
releasing their debut album
Communion to critical
acclaim and gaining a UK
number one single with
King. The bands frontman
Olly Alexander added
himself to the growing list of

ABOVE LEFT
Cucumber by
Russell T Davies
ABOVE
Russian
President
Vladimir Putin

positive gay role models for

young people.
After months of media
speculation, Caitlyn Jenner
revealed her new name and
look on the cover of Vanity
Fair, sparking worldwide
debate on trans issues. She
was also named Glamours
Woman of the Year, becoming
wkh##uvw#wudqv#zrpdq#wr#
receive the accolade.
Elton John challenged
Russian president Vladimir
Putin to a debate over the
countrys treatment of its
LGBT citizens. He received
a phone call which later
turned out to be a prank
but eventually got on the
blower with the real Putin,
who agreed to meet with the
singer to talk.
Roland Emmerichs
Stonewall movie faced
almost universal criticism
for its white-washing of key
instigators in the Stonewall

riots, including trans women

of colour Sylvia Rivera
and Marsha P Johnson.
A subsequent petition to
er|frww#wkh##op#uhfhlyhg#
more than 20,000 signatures.
Keegan Hirst became the
#uvw#Eulwlvk#uxje|#ohdjxh#
player to come out as gay in
August, followed shortly after
by Sam Stanley, who became
Hqjodqgv##uvw#uxje|#xqlrq#
player. But more on Sam later
in the mag...
Austin Armacost and James
Hill entered the Celebrity Big
Brother: UK vs USA house in
August. Despite being from
opposing teams, the two
formed an adorable bromance
dqg#uhjxoduo|#jrw#wkhlu#nlw#r##
much to viewers pleasure.
Kentucky marriage clerk
Kim Davis infamously
uhixvhg#wr#r
# # fldwh#vdph0
sex marriages after Junes
Supreme Court ruling, a
decision that led to jail time

31

review

of six days for the antigay Christian. Shes since

been nominated for TIME
magazines Person of the
Year award.
The BBCs new series Boy
Phhwv#Jluo#ehfdph#wkh##uvw#
mainstream UK sitcom to cast
a trans actor in a lead trans
role, propelling Rebecca Root
into the limelight and helping
to increase visibility for the
trans community.
Martin Shkreli, CEO of
Turing Pharmaceuticals,
raised the cost of a lifesaving drug for people with
HIV and other illnesses by
around 5,500% from $13.50
per pill to $750. The company
have since reported a net loss
of $14.6 million this year.
Karma, perhaps?
A homophobic pizzeria in
Indiana received $800,000 in
donations after refusing to
cater for same-sex marriages,
but later in the year they

32

<<< CO M M U N I T Y

inadvertently did just that,

when a gay couple tricked
them into making pizzas for
their wedding.
If you still hadnt fully
accepted that Tom Daley was
r##wkh#pdunhw/#wkh#qhzv#ri#
his engagement to Dustin
Lance Black wouldve come
as quite a blow. The happy
couple revealed the news in
the marriages section of The
Times newspaper.
Gay priest Krzysztof
Fkdudpvd#zdv##uhg#iurp#
his position at the Vatican
after coming out as gay and
criticising the Churchs
stance on homosexuality. He
later said he had no regrets
about coming out.
Sam Smith bagged the
#uvw ever UK number one
Bond theme in October with
Writings on the Wall, after
Adele and Duran Duran only
made it to number two.

ABOVE
US President
Barack Obama

At the start of the year,

EastEnders announced plans
wr#fdvw#wkhlu##uvw#uhjxodu#
trans actor, later revealed to
be Riley Carter Millington
playing the role of Kyle.
Hollyoaks also announced
Annie Wallace would be
joining the Channel 4 soap as
a transgender teacher.

Iru#wkh##uvw#wlph#hyhu/#wkh#
Northern Ireland Assembly
voted in favour of equal
marriage, but the motion
was blocked after the
Democratic Unionist Party
#ohg#d#shwlwlrq#ri#frqfhuq1#
It remains the only part
of the UK where same-sex
marriage isnt legal.

Aydian Dowling made it

wr#wkh##qdov#ri#wkh#Phqv#
Health Ultimate Guy
competition on the back
of strong public support.
Although he didnt win, he
ehfdph#wkh##uvw#wudqv#pdq#
to appear on a collectors
edition cover with the
rwkhu##qdolvwv1

After 32 years, France

lifted its blood ban for gay
and bisexual men, allowing
them to donate whole
blood but only if they
abstain from having sex for
a year. Charming!

The Peter Tatchell

Foundation, in collaboration
with Ejel Khan and Sohail
Ahmed, launched an LGBTMuslim solidarity campaign
to promote understanding
and compassion between
the two groups.

Barack Obama became the

#uvw#vlwwlqj#XV#Suhvlghqw#
to cover a gay publication
when he was announced
as OUT magazines Ally of
the Year. Further proving
his commitment to us,
Obama announced his
endorsement of the US
Equality Act, which would
protect LGBT Americans
from discrimination.O

Celebrating LGBT arts and culture in Greater Manchester.

Music. Theatre. Comedy. Cabaret. Spoken Word. Dance. Art.

Thursday 4 to Sunday 14 February 2016

Contact, Oxford Road / various venues / Manchester
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CO M M U N I T Y >>>

Debate Is boxer Tyson Furys BBC

VSRW\#qrplqdwlrq#mxvwl#hgB
IMAGE COURTESY OF AMAECHI PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS

Marky Carter @marky_carter

@Tyson_Fury should 100% win Sports
Personality of the Year. He has achieved the
biggest prize in Sport & Entertained us all

Billy Meredith @UrmstonLordMUFC

The ABUSE Tyson Fury is getting from the
Media etc. Is Racism! He should WIN SPOTY!
Amazing how we LOVE Gazza BTW!

JBromby#whufc @Jack_Bromby32
I know who Im voting for in this year BBC
sports personality @Tyson_Fury should win
hands down changing the face of British boxing

Ive not called for his removal.

John Amaechi OBE
John is a former NBA player. He tweets at @johnamaechi.

Josh Windass @windass101

Sports personality of the year is down
to your achievements in your sport
imo, Tyson fury should win hands down

Nicolas @chelsea10741
#bbcsportspersonality.Tyson fury said wht HE
believes in,everyone has the right to believe
in wht they want.He is up 4 sportsperson

Bertie Stemp @Bertincho

@Tyson_Fury If its personality they are after, you
win hands down. If its a sporting achievement
theyre after,hard not to argue the same!

Grumpy Yid @GrumpyYid

in my eyes will be a fucking travesty if Tyson Fury
doesnt win #SPOTY been absolutely disgusted
with the british press these last few days

Joe @ChelseaGSW
@Tyson_Fury @BBCSPOTY if you win it go up
on stage and piss on the award!

34

Lets get this straight: I

dont support Tyson Fury
at all, but a few people have
wondered why Ive not called
for his removal from the BBC
Sports Personality of the
Year shortlist.
Firstly, we have to admit
that the criteria for the
SPOTY is so broad that
almost any athlete could be
chosen. Some think and
vote as if the award was
about sporting achievement
alone. Frankly, if it is,
people would have a case for
voting for Tyson.
But I dont believe SPOTY is
about sporting achievement
alone. I think the award is
called personality and
not person of the year for
a reason and that reason
encompasses more than just
sporting achievement.
The BBCs own judging
criteria website doesnt do
anymore than intimate the
award is about more than
sporting achievement.
That being said, I think
most of us accept that what
we do and say as individuals,
even outside of work, can
(and perhaps should) have a
bearing on our professional

lives and our overall

reputation, especially when
we choose to broadcast those
behaviours.
L#wklqn#Ixu|#vkrxog#vx#hu#
as a natural consequence
of free speech. Not via his
investigation by the Greater
Manchester Police, but rather
sanctions in the court of
principled, public opinion
where people choose not to
vote for this dinosaur, choose
not to buy merchandise
uhodwhg#wr#klp#ru#klv##jkwv/#
and choose not to watch or
rwkhuzlvh#olqh#wkh#fr#huv#ri#
this self-appointed king
who rationalises his bigotry
with literal interpretation
[not to mention a marginal
understanding] of a bronzeaged book.
Ive been invited to BBC
VSRW\#iru#wkh#odvw#irxu#ru##yh#
years and, if Fury attends as
a nominee this year, I wont
be there. He wont notice,
but we take a stand with the
consistent application of our
principles, not just when we
think people will notice.
To that end, Im going to
forget about him entirely. His
brand of thinking is bound
for extinction. O

DEBATE
After stating that homosexuality needs to be abolished or else
, Tyson Furys
month hasnt been a quiet one. His reasoning? The Bible teaches him being gay
is wrong. But with more than 100,000 signatures calling for his nomination to be
uhyrnhg/#lv#klv#lqfoxvlrq#rq#wkh#EEFv#Vsruwv#Shuvrqdolw|#ri#wkh#\hdu#vkruwolvw#mxvwl#hgB
jayne ross @jaytarot
@Tyson_Fury Im proud of my beautiful son
having guts to come out at 18, dont make it harder
for these kids, he cheered you on to your win

GOGS @GOGS45
Should Tyson win the bbc sports personality
of the year No. Jesus just told me

Who gives a shit?

Mikey Walsh

ahappyman @nealhastings
@Tyson_Fury I respect your right to free speech
and I loved your win last week but your comments
DUHLQDPPDWRU\DQGGRLQJ\RXUSUQRJRRG

Mikey is the author of Gypsy Boy series. He tweets at @thatbloodymikey.

Im a gypsy, and a gay one at

that. I know, right? Can you
imagine? Me, being such a
thing, and in the height of all
this scandal.
The BBC are clever cunts
and have used this situation
as amazing free publicity. Of
course, he wont win. But now
the SPOTY which Id heard
fuck all about until this thing
is blowing up everywhere.
Should he be nominated?
Why should we give a shit?
Any company who supports
such arseholes doesnt
deserve respect or attention
from people anyway.
Lyh#qr#wlph#wr#eh#r#hqghg#
by such rubbish and neither
should anyone else. Fuck em!
Old opinions die, folks, and
we arent going anywhere.
Just because a person is
well-known doesnt mean
their views mean anything.
And lets remember that this
particular person is wellknown not for his self-help
books, or having created
a life-saving drug, but for
punching peoples brains in
for a living.
I am, just like Mr Fury, a
pureblood old school gypsy
man. But sadly, as far as my

culture is concerned, as a
gay man, I deserve the death
penalty and am considered no
gl#huhqw#wkdq#d#sdhgrskloh1#
But thats just the way of
it. And its not just gypsies
There are many cultures and
religions that feel exactly the
same way, and thats been
the baseline for almost every
battle we as gay people have
had to endure. Youll never
change old voices and views
from a community that burns
only within its bubble.
Tysons views arent
shocking to me at all, because
as a gypsy, thats just what
all of us are brought up to
know. The vast majority are
unchangeable, and anyone
that tells you otherwise isnt
part of the gypsy culture.
Bottom line: Strict beliefs
and closed minds make
arseholes out of good
people. Lets celebrate our
progression and not take
heed of people who have a lot
of weight in their punch, but
instead a very restricted way
of thinking.
We are women and men who
know their worth, and dont
need to listen to prehistoric
views. Hear us roar. O

Damian Barr @Damian_Barr

Tyson Fury deserved to win his boxing
match. Now bbc needs do a public service
and knock him out of sports personality.

Chris Godfrey @ChrisPJGodfrey

I didnt realise @Tyson_Fury was actually up for
the BBCs Sports Personality of the Year. Good
to know they take homophobia seriously then.

Ross Leslie Guy @RossLeslieGuy

@Tyson_Fury if Jesus was real, he would be
embarrassed by you. Probably ask to be
FUXFLHGDJDLQ

App @App78fApp
@Tyson_Fury you aint no personality bruv

Zoe Cooke @ZoeCooke81

@Tyson_Fury I doubt it. You cant say
things that alienate entire groups
and still expect to win a public vote!

35

COLUMN

Twelve years ago, a generous act by someone

Ill never meet more than likely saved my life.
As I lay on an operating table bed, a nurse
talked to me and my then-boyfriend. I was
drifting in and out of consciousness, but I
remember them telling me that I needed a
blood transfusion. I cant remember if I signed
anything or what happened next, but I spent
the next two days hooked up to a blood supply
as I replenished the almost six pints of blood
lost as a result of a stomach ulcer.
The fact that Ive received a blood
transfusion is one of two reasons that I cant
donate blood myself the other being that
Ive had sex with another man within the
past 12 months.
Recently, there have been calls for MSM
men who have sex with other men,
predominantly gay and bisexual men to be
able to give blood. The ban on me donating
blood is life-long, because once youve
ehqhwhg#iurp#d#eorrg#wudqvixvlrq/#|rx#fdqw#
donate yourself unless you received the
transfusion before 1980. For most of you, the
ban extends until you go for a year without
having oral or anal sex top or bottom, with a
condom or without for 12 months. For many
jd|#dqg#el#phq/#wklv#lv#lq#hhfw#d#olih#wlph#edq1
The current rules were introduced in 2011,
lifting an actual lifetime ban on any MSM
from giving blood. The new rules were
introduced following an evidence based
review and with the support of the Terrence
Higgins Trust (THT), one of the UKs main
sexual health and HIV charities.
Now many people, including my friend, the
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, argue
that the current rules are discriminatory. He
says the present arrangements whereby a
promiscuous straight man can donate blood,
but a guy in a monogamous gay relationship
cannot, is preposterous. Others, including
the campaign group Freedom to Donate, point
out that theres been a 40% reduction in the
number of people donating blood in the past
ten years and suggest that MSM donating
could help alleviate the problem.
Muddled up in these quite legitimate

36

<<< CO M M U N I T Y

BENJAMIN COHEN
Red for danger?

Some point out

that theres been
a 40% reduction
in the number of
people donating
blood in the past
ten years and
MSM donating
could help
alleviate the
problem.
@benjamincohen

arguments is another, a suggestion by many

that donating blood is in actual fact some
form of civil right. I unfortunately dont agree.
The only right that there is when it comes to
blood, is the right to receive the blood when
you need it, just like I did. While this might be
put in greater jeopardy by a shrinking supply
of blood, theres also the right to receive blood
thats free of infections.
When I was a child, a very sad thing
happened to a family in my local community.
A father, then of one child, had a blood
transfusion. After recovering, he and his wife
had another child. Unfortunately, he became
infected with HIV during the transfusion,
something he gave to his wife and was passed
rq#wkurxjk#wkh#suhjqdqf|1#Rqo|#wkh#uvw#fklog#
survives today. Their mother, father and their
sister died as result of developing AIDS.
Im not relaying this story as a means of
spreading fear, but more to reinforce the
consequences of a compromised blood supply
system. Today, through combination therapy,
many people whore infected with HIV live a
full and healthy life, but gaining any illness
or condition through a transfusion is not
acceptable. I think, therefore, there needs to
be a purely evidence-based approach when it
comes to assessing who should or shouldnt
donate blood. We have to be dispassionate and
be aware that the incidence of HIV among the
gay community is higher as a proportion than
the UK population as a whole.
I fully support a further review of the rules,
which the government has agreed to. A system
which is based more on the behavioural risk
suroh#ri#survshfwlyh#grqruv/#uhjdugohvv#ri#
sexuality, could be one solution. If youre in
a genuine monogamous relationship, gay
or straight, theres probably a low risk of
infection. If you sleep around, gay or straight,
then perhaps you shouldnt donate. In reality,
theres no way of policing it, other than
genuine answers by prospective donors. Right
now, an MSM whos sexually active can of
course donate, by lying on the consent form.
However we do it, the integrity of the blood
supply must be the top priority. O

++++ NECESSARY... this film is a wakeup call

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A FI LM BY WI LLIAM FAI R MAN & MAX GOGARTY

Official Selection
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The Daily Telegraph

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From Jan 11

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CO M M U N I T Y >>>

Owen
Jones
Theres an intriguing duality to political
activist, author and journalist Owen Jones.
When we meet him on a Friday night in a
pub in Soho, hes greeted warmly by fellow
sdwurqv>#rqh#r#huv#wr#ex|#xv#erwk#d#slqw/#zkloh#
another asks to shake his hand and gushes
with admiration for his work.
Exw#rq#wkh##ls#vlgh/#Rzhq#lv#riwhq#wkh#wdujhw#
of hateful slurs and even death threats from
some of the more vocal extreme-right and
religious zealots. One email he showed us
was from a crusader for Christ who called
him a Marxist faggot and claimed to have
found out where he lived, threatening to break
every bone in [his] body which is, quite
iudqno|/#whuuli|lqj#vwx#1#
Theres even a neo-Nazi group in the US who
Owen says: Are obsessed with me getting HIV.
The important thing to take from this,
however, is that whether its from his columns
for The Guardian and the New Statesman,
or from either of his two applauded
political commentary books Chavs: The
Demonization of the Working Class and The
Establishment: And How They Get Away With
It people are listening to what Owen has to
say. He has a voice and its being heard.
But as he tells us, being a journalist and a
writer was something he sort of fell into.
Im not sure if Im bowled over by writing,
he muses, I just like meeting people and
fkdwwlqj#wr#shrsoh1#L#olnh#ohduqlqj#vwx##iurp#
people and I like doing my best to challenge
the way things are the status quo, for want
38

of a better phrase. Obviously, I dont think

society and the world are run as they should
be and, in terms of the problems we all face,
theyre problems that are created by humans,
so they can be removed by humans. Its a very
limited and modest contribution that I can
make Im just one person writing and saying
vwx###exw#L#vhh#p|vhoi#dv#sduw#ri#d#pryhphqw#
to try and change things.
Its fair to say that Britains current political
folpdwh#lv#pdgh#xs#ri#d#orw#ri#vwx#hg#vkluwv#dqg#
sx#hg0xs#idfhv#wu|lqj#wr#vkrxw#wkhlu#duelwudu|#
nonsense louder than anyone else. But whats
important to us is that, as a gay man, 31-yearold Owen is speaking-up to improve the rights
of the LGBT community, and spread awareness
ri#zlghu#lvvxhv#wkdw#d#hfw#xv/#dv#d#zkroh1#Zlwk#
same-sex marriage enshrined into law in the

WORDS

ryan butcher IMAGE dan evans

UK, itd be easy for politicians to rest on their

pink laurels and forget theres a long way to go
before we can begin to be considered equal.
Debating an issue, learning and getting a
discussion going is whats important to me,
he says. I wrote this piece about men and
suicide last year, and thats an LGBT issue
for two reasons. Firstly, as we know, LGBT
people are more likely to end their lives and
have suicidal thoughts. But also because
homophobia is used to police the boundaries
of being a man. If you grow up, and you dont
conform to the stereotypes of being a man; if
you dont leer at women enough; if youre not
aggressive enough; if youre too studious; or
you talk about your feelings, you get told to
stop being gay or to man up.
So I wrote that piece and I thought its
something we dont really talk about as a
society its a taboo. But people then debated
it and talked about it. It was about getting
an issue out there, which I thought was very
important. Partly, I wanted to do justice to the
people I interviewed and spoke about their
experiences. I look at it and think, yeah, job
done. I havent just churned out some words.
Ive done something thats useful, and men
reading it will see stories about other men,
and maybe thatll help them. Sometimes you
write an article and think, Has humanity
gained from this?
What really hits home for Owen is when
his detractors whether online or otherwise
agree with what he has to say. As we

PROFILE

39

PROFILE

mentioned before, hes a well-documented

target of hate
I get trolled a lot, he shrugs, a lot of people
do. And I think a lot of them are actually
people with some form of mental distress, to
be honest, and when I shared that male suicide
piece, a lot of them shared it sympathetically.
Theyll call me a Commie bastard or whatever,
but then they share my piece going, I think
Owens a dick, but this is really important.
When it comes to British political
columnists, theres perhaps no bigger gay
voice than Owen Jones although he quite
rightly points to Matthew Parris, former
Conservative MP and columnist for The
Times and The Spectator, as one of his
contemporaries. If I didnt think it was a
contribution, I wouldnt do it, he explains,
whats the point? I just think you have
to be very conscious of standing on the
shoulders of giants. The way I understand
that change happens isnt by a few highsur#oh#lqglylgxdov1#Wkh#idfw#wkdw#shrsoh#olnh#
me are able to do what were doing is because
people before us fought for our rights and
freedoms, and we have to be thankful for that.
Things are so much easier than they were 30
|hduv#djr/#zkhq#L#zdv#eruq1#Lw#zdv#d#gl#huhqw#
universe. And when I meet people from back
then, its quite emotional, because we have
freedoms that they didnt, and they won
xv#wkrvh#iuhhgrpv1#Lwv#lq#qlwho|#hdvlhu#iru#
people like me than it was for them.
Eruq#lq#Vkh
# # hog#lq#4<;7/#dqg#jurzlqj#xs#lq#
Stockport which Owen insists makes him
d#erqd##gh#qruwkhuqhu##klv#sduhqwv#zhuh#
members of the Trotskyist group Militant.
Who werent very good on issues like LGBT
rights, he explains. They saw them, at best,
as distractions from the class struggle. I
rqo|#fdph#rxw#wr#p|#sduhqwv#zkhq#L#zdv#571#
They were the last people I told. I remember

owen
ones < < < C O M M U N I T Y
telling my mum and, bless her, but she kind
of malfunctioned. I went: Theres someone I
want you to meet, hes called And she went:
Thats OK, thats OK, thats OK, thats OK
And she wouldnt stop saying it. I was like,
what the fuck?
Before that, Owen initially came out when he
zdv#53=#P|##uvw#er|iulhqg#zdv#dw#xqlyhuvlw|/#
so I came out because of him. I came out as
elvh{xdo##uvw/#wkrxjk1#Shrsoh#olnh#ph#uxlq#lw#
for bisexual people. You know, bi now, gay
later. But this guy was captain of his rowing
team, into rugby and that, and he grew up
in this right-wing family. His parents were
Conservative votes and his mother was an
hydqjholfdo#Fkulvwldq1#Kh#fdph#rxw#dw#48#wr#
his parents and got send to a pseudo-doctor
to be treated for his condition and to be
de-gayed. I mean, talk about incredibly
courageous and inspiring
There are a lot of other issues racing
through Owens mind on the night we meet.
On the subject of internalised homophobia,
he says: Its a fascinating issue. What
I object to is that often theres this one
dimensional portrayal of gay men as camp,
silly clowns, and people go, Oh, theyre
cute, but I wouldnt let me kids near them.
But a lot of it is that gay men have a big
problem with camp men, and they think
that they tar the rest of us, and they invite
homophobia but thats victim blaming.
The problem with gay men isnt the way we
behave, which is diverse, but its with the
people whore homophobic. Homophobia
is very complicated and I think its about
gender norms, above all else.
And on the subject of trans visibility and
inclusion, he adds: People like Caitlyn Jenner
are obviously riding on the achievements and
struggles of other trans people. I think gay men
owe a lot of their rights and freedoms to the

struggles of trans people. Take the Stonewall

riots some of the most militant and dedicated
people were trans, but we forget that. Attitudes
towards trans people now are a bit like the
dwwlwxghv#wrzdugv#jd|#shrsoh#lq#wkh#;3v1
But in a similar way to how Owens
mentioned the people whove come before us
those unknown, unsung heroes from years
past, who fought for the rights we enjoy today
#zh#whoo#klp#wkdw/#dv#zh#jr#iurp#5348#lqwr#
5349/#lwv#wkdqnv#wr#shrsoh#olnh#klp#xvlqj#klv#
voice that members of the LGBT community
are growing up in a more accepting world
than the one we did. Hes humble and modest
in his response. That way you get change
isnt through individuals, he insists, its
through people collectively getting together
that things change. The fact that people like
me can be openly gay is a product of all these
other struggles that have gone on before me.
Im a symptom, not a cause.
Vxuh/#L#zdqw#wr#gr#vwx##wr#vxssruw#shrsoh1#
Zh#doo#nqrz#krz#gl
# # fxow#jurzlqj#xs#lq#d#
homophobic society can be. You want to do
your best to support people going through
that experience and try make it easier. But its
changed not because of people with Guardian
columns who go on television, its people
whore often nameless and faceless people
you dont hear about.
Sure, theres a pretty high chance that in 30
years time, no one will know who Owen Jones
is. But right now, as far as were concerned,
klv#frqvlghudeoh#lq#xhqfh##dorqj#zlwk#pdq|#
others, of course is vital. Through his work,
through his writing, hes helping making
the world that little bit more accepting. And
li#wkdwv#qrw#zruwk#r#hulqj#wr#ex|#klp#d#slqw#
down the pub on a Friday night, we dont
know what is. O
@owenjones84

The fact I can be

openly gay is a product
of all the struggles
thatve gone before me.
40

CO M M U N I T Y >>>

Analysis In the wake of the

Paris attacks the eyes of the
world turn to ISIS a group
who publicly execute men for
being gay. But just how much
of a threat are they to the
LGBT community in the UK?
We may never know the name of the
14-year-old boy seized by ISIS and locked
away for more than a year for being gay, but
the image of his crumpled body at the bottom
of a 100ft tower should never be forgotten.
Nor should the unknown number of LGB
people stoned to death in Iraq and Syria
because of who they loved. Nor the pregnant
woman clinging from a balcony outside a
Paris theatre to escape the gunshots inside.
Yet any lessons from these senseless
dwwdfnv#zloo#eh#orvw#li#zh#ljqruh#wkh#gl#huhqfh#
between a small number of extremists and
the worlds fastest growing religion; if we
dont ask the question: is Islam itself really a
threat to the gay community?
The answer is simple. No, says Oliver
Scharbrodt, professor of Islamic studies at
the University of Chester, the Quran is no
more homophobic than the Bible. In fact,
unlike Christianity, Islam teaches that sexual
drives are natural and something that isnt
inherently sinful.
Vr/#zkdw#grhv#wkh#Txudq#vd|#vshfl#fdoo|#
about gay men? If youre reading a premodern version, nothing at all. Why? The
word homosexual simple didnt exist when
it was written there was no language to
describe same-sex relationships. Its a gap
zkhuh#prghuq#Pxvolpv#fdq##oo#lq#wkhlu#rzq#
interpretation.
There are many that claim that
homosexuality is compatible with Islam,

42

that the root of the religion is simply the

pursuit of happiness and the freedom to live
free from fear. However, others may point
to the prophetic narration that says: When
a man lies with another man, the throne of
heaven shakes.
The Bible has this same blank space free to
#oo1#Vrph#h{wuhplvw#Fkulvwldqv#fhoheudwh#wkh#
death of gay people from AIDs due to the rule
you shall not lie with a man as with a woman
laid out in the Old Testament, while other parts
of the Church accept gay people using the
love thy neighbour teachings of Jesus. Pick
a religious text and the chances are it can be
easily bent either side of gay acceptance.
However, even if a Muslim arrives at the
conclusion homosexuality is wrong, this
doesnt mean they support ISIS executions.

WORDS

thomas ling

The ruthless and reckless applications

of Sharia law by IS are not inevitable
consequences of Islam. While the Quran
insists on retribution for murder, it has many
conditions, says ISIS researcher Professor
Carolyn Hoyle from the University of Oxford.
Its rules make clear that it should be used
rarely and sparingly, and be limited to the most
heinous crimes. Being gay isnt one.
Dqg#krprvh{xdolw|#kdvqw#ehhq#dq#r#hqfh#
throughout Muslim history either. In fact,
the Muslim Ottoman Empire was well known
for a, lets say, nuanced approach to samesex relationships. Victorian England a
nation obsessed by the correct reproductive
sexuality were scandalised by Islams
liberal stance to homosexuality, according to
renowned historian Khaled El-Rouayheb.
Today homosexual relationships are legal
in Muslim countries like Jordan, Turkey and
Albania. In Indonesia, the worlds largest
Muslim country, as the LGBT community
grows more visible, the former Advisor to
wkh#Plqlvwu|#ri#Uholjlrxv#D#dluv/#Vlwl#Pxvgdk#
Pxold/##hufho|#dujxhv#wkdw#krprvh{xdolw|#lv#
permitted in Islam. And in the UK, Muslim
MPs such as Sadiq Khan voted in favour of
same-sex marriage. Simply put: Islam itself is
not to blame for homophobia.
But as ex-extremist Sohail Ahmed knows,
the religion doesnt guarantee acceptance
either. Despite growing up in East London, he
was taught from a young age that all British

NEWS

43

NEWS

people, especially homosexuals, were the

nd#u##wkh#hqhp|1#Dqg#wkdwv#zkdw#Vrkdlo#
wdxjkw#rwkhuv#lq#klv#orfdo#prvtxh/#ehiruh#
#qdoo|#frqvlghulqj#erpelqj#Fdqdu|#Zdui#
djhg#491#\hw/#dw#djh#54/#khg#frph#rxw#dv#jd|/#
uhqrxqfhg#klv#uholjlrq#dqg#ehhq#wkurzq#rxw#ri#
klv#sduhqwv#krph1
P|#idwkhu#frqvlghuhg#ph#zruvh#wkdq#d#grj1#
Kh#hyhq#wrrn#ph#wr#dq#h{ruflvp#wr#jhw#ulg#ri#
p|#ghylov1#Lw#zdv#wkdw#zklfk#ohg#wr#p|#vxlflgh#
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kdv#yhu|#olwwoh#wr#gr#zlwk#wkh#whdfklqjv#ri#
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#jkwhuv#wr#whuurulvwv#olnh#Dqghuv#Euhlyln/#
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dq#hqwluh#glyhuvh#uholjlrq1#Lwv#pd|eh#wkhq#
wkdw#vrflhw|#fdq#dffhsw#Lvodp#dqg#surprwh#d#
wrohudqfh#wkdw#fdq#eh#surxgo|#orrnhg#edfn#rq#
e|#ixwxuh#jhqhudwlrqv#ri#jd|#Pxvolpv1#O

44

<<< CO M M U N I T Y

gaytimes.co.uk
01

02

Whats been pushing

your buttons on our
website this month!
01 She would go to jail for it.
Friend Kathy Ireland revealed this
month that Dame Elizabeth Taylor
once ran an illegal safe house
direct from her home in Bel Air.
The aim? To get experimental
medication to HIV patients.
Elizabeth and fear are not in the
same sentence.
02 Twitter takes a stand. The
social media giant said its
refusing to host blood drives until
unnecessary and discriminatory
policy is changed to include gay
employees. Now thats a reason
to click the new love button.

03

04

05

06

03 Darling, thats a wrap! Patsy

and Eddy are off on an adventure
to the French Riviera in the
new Ab Fab movie. Teasing us
with rather fabulous cameo
appearances, the girls wrapped
NOKPIVJKURCUVOQPVJTGCF[HQT
a 1 July release. Champagne time,
darling?
04 Bette vs Bieber. After Bette
Midler tweeted about *those*
pics, Justin Biebers attempt
to hit-back failed: This Britt
Meddler, I dont even know who
that is. Bettes reply? Britt
Meddler! I dont know who that
is either! But damn that bitch!
Water for the burn, Justin?
05 Zoolander 2 faces boycott.
The supermodel sequel
faces a backlash from LGBT
activists because of offensive
representation from Benedict
Cumberbatchs gender-fluid
character. The 9,000-strong
petition claims an over-thetop, cartoonish mockery of
androgyne/trans/non-binary
individuals.
06 This months villain: Tyson
Fury. With police investigating
his alleged homophobic remarks
alongside telling critics that
want his Sports Personality
nomination revoked to suck my
balls Tysons loud-mouthed
attitude could make 2016 a year
of regrets. O

CO M M U N I T Y >>>

your to-do ist

LEFT
VOLUNTEER, GET
A TINY DOG, DONT
GET A TATTOO,
LEARN TO DRIVE,
COLLECT DOLLS
AND LOVE JOHN
WATERS

WORDS

john marrs

GAY THINGS TO DO IN 2016

Everyone loves a to-do list, especially at the beginning
of a brand new year. But nding the time to actually
accomplish or even give second thought to the wish list
youve sworn to tackle is a completely different matter.
So allow us to do the hard work for you with our handy
suggestions of 51 things every self-respecting gay man
should have tried by the end of 2016.

46

GREAT & GAY

Get the body youve

always wanted.
Spend a month on a
strict diet and twicedaily gym sessions
to earn the pecs and
six-pack youve
always craved. hen
get fat again and
lament about the time
you couldve given
Charlie King a run
for his money.

Go off piste and date

someone different. If
youre single, theres a reason
for it your usual type isnt
working. Try dating a new
shape, a new personality, a
new look or a new age.
&XWGRZQRQWKHVHOHV
Theres a teenage girl in all of
us, but that doesnt mean you
have to keep taking photos
of her pouting in every single
scenario.
Hold your partners hand
in public. With enough
small statements like this,
itll eventually become the
norm.
Date someone youve met
in person. Log off, go out
and talk to like-minded guys
whose vicinity isnt measured
in metres in the corner of a
screen.
Dress up in drag. Theres
no such thing as going too far
when youre dressing in drag.
Unless youre Alex Reid or
Geri Halliwell.

Know your 2016 Olympics

gymnasts and divers.
There are more athletes than
just Tom Daley and Max
Whitlock going to Rio, FYI.

ADIDAS

Develop an
unreasonable
attachment to a pop
star. Then viciously argue
with anyone who disagrees
with you. Stick with her for
two years before abandoning
her when someone shiny
and new comes along. Bye
bye Gaga, hello Swifty.

Campaign to save a TV
show.,WVRQO\VFLIDQV
and gay men who make futile
attempts to rescue a show
once its cards marked. And
ZKLOH%XII\)LUH\DQG
/RRNLQJFDPSDLJQVRSSHG
Cagney & Lacey succeeded.

Attend a Sound of Music

sing-along. We defy you not
WRQGDFLQHPDIXOORIWXQHIXO
gays in dirty habits uplifting.
Be a superhero for the
day. Search for a hero and
a costume that represents
\RXULQQHUFULPHJKWHU,I
you dont have the pecs for
Batman, use your moobs for
Wonder Woman.
Learn to dance. Were
not all automatically
programmed to whip
out Single Ladies moves
on demand. So crank up
YouTube and teach yourself
how to moonwalk the foxtrot
then polka the salsa.

Go to a Pride
event. You cant
get sniffy about
how shamelessly
commercial Pride
has become
unless youve
experienced it
TUVJCPF1PN[
then have you
got free reign
to either admit
you had a blast
or moan about

KVQP6YKVVGT
Even better, visit
a Pride event
CDTQCF
Do something
positive for the
gay community.
Man a helpline,
set up a direct
debit, volunteer
your time put
the unity back in
EQOOWPKV[

Learn the offside

rule. With Euro
2016 and the
World Cup in the
next 12 months,
therell be no
escaping the
HQQV[5QDQPG
up on why a goal
isnt a goal, when
it looks like a
goal, but it wasnt
CRTQRGTIQCN1T
UQOGVJKPI

Go to a school reunion.
Because youll be; (a) the only
one who looks better than
everyone else and; (b) the
only one who looks better
than you did in school.
Quote Victoria Wood
sketches verbatim. Theres
never an occasion where a
quote from Ms Wood isnt
apt. For a funeral? Being
widowed is Gods way of
telling you to come off the
pill. Dogging? I thought coq
au vin was love in a lorry.

Befriend an LGBT OAP.

Take note, twinks by OAP,
we dont mean someone in
their 30s. There are plenty
of much older members of
our community hoping youll
realise gay isnt just a young
persons game.
Host a Eurovision party.
Design score sheets, make
national dishes and down a
shot every time a fat backing

47

CO M M U N I T Y >>>

your to do ist

Learn to drive Youre not going to live in

a city forever, you lazy, lazy gays. So unless
youre planning to change your name to Miss
Daisy, stop being a backseat Betty.

Date a celebrity. If theyre

A-list, Z-list, they once
appeared in a Bananarama
post-PWL wilderness years
video, it doesnt matter. By
dating them, youll become
famous by proxy.
Pretend to be straight
for a day. Remind
yourself how lucky you
are to be gay by going to
a straight club, watching
hammered lads trying to
cop off with women way
out of their league, then
grab a 2am kebab and go
home alone.
Claim a word and make
it popular. We brought
fabulous, darling, sweetie,
GUDPDVKDGHDQGHUFHLQWR
the common vernacular. So
claim a new word of your
own and work it.
Get naked. Get rid of
those body hang-ups on a
nude beach or a clothing
optional resort. Theres
nothing more liberating
than walking along with
your wee man casting a
shadow on the beach.

singer drowns out the skinny

stars dreadful vocals.

Collect a toy.
You can try and
pass them off as
CEVKQPIWTGU
but everyone
knows your
plastic fantastic
&QEVQT9JQ
Cher and Elvira
IWTKPGUCTG
really just dolls.
So be proud of
them!

Download a dating app.

Then get sniffy, criticise
because everyones just after
one thing, and delete it. Then
download it again. Meet,
swipe, delete, repeat.
Stop moaning about
people being too gay.
Because its impossible to
be too gay. You could be
VZDWKHGLQDUDLQERZDJ
glitter-bombed and Vogueing
all the way down Old
Compton Street and you
still couldnt be too gay.

Rethink how you

have safe sex.
4KUKPITCVGUQH
STIs and not
LWUV*+8COQPI
IC[UOGCPUYGTG
PQVRNC[KPIKVCU
safe as we should
be. Be honest
with yourself and
your partners.

Leave your body hair

alone. Try six weeks without
plucking, shaving, trimming
or manscaping. Then
get waxed. Youll have
more in common with
your gal pals if you get
everything torn off. And we
mean everything, bar the
eyebrows
48

Get yourself a
gal pal.0QIC[
man is complete
without a female
DGUVKGKHVGNN[KU
to believed. But
think Samantha
,QPGUPQV
$TKFIGV,QPGU

Subscribe to Gay Times.

Obvz.

Start a blog or a vlog. Its

estimated a third of all blogs
are written by gay people
with a lot to get off their
chests. So bore the world
instead of your friends.
Buy a dog no bigger than
your thigh. Tiny canines
WKDWOOWLQWR\RXUPDQEDJ
will love you right back on
those lonely nights when
nobody one else will.
Master a sport. Being
unexpectedly brilliant at
a straight sport is a sure
UHZD\RILQIXULDWLQJ\RXU
heterosexual mates. Earn
major kudos for potting the
pink faster than they can
tickle the brown.
Own every Disney DVD.
Youll know if hes Mr Right
if he pretended to be Ariel,
had a crush on Tarzan or
compares Woody and Buzzs
bromance to Brokebacks
Ennis and Jack.

GREAT & GAY

Christened? About to be
best man at your sisters
wedding? Theres no better
place to earn attention
by coming out publicly at
someone elses do.
Run something. Were
organised, were innovative,
we think outside the box and
we know how to manipulate
others to do our bidding. Find
a social or work ecosystem
and make it your empire.

Tweet a gay icon and

get a reply. Beg Ariana to
RT you a happy birthday.
Plead with Russell Tovey for
(yet) another photo of him
in bulging trackie bottoms.
Barrage enough celebs and
chances are youll get their
attention. Or get blocked.
Support an LGBT youth
group. Its your duty to
make it easier for the next
generation, whether theyre
grateful for it or not.
Go rollerskating. No, not
rollerblading stay old skool,
strap on the wheels and see
if you can reach the chorus
of Xanadu before sprawling
across the bonnet of a Nissan
Micra.
Be a master baker. We
dont care if you can cook
up a Sunday roast for six in
half an hour. Theres nothing
sexier than a Hairy Berry
who can bake a dacquoise
without a soggy bottom.
Stop plucking your
eyebrows because the
only person who thinks a
one-millimetre wide, arched
biro mark etched above your
baby blues looks good is you.
Start a burn book. Begin a
Mean Girls-style journal and
OOLWZLWKELWFK\PRQRORJXHV
about friends, family or work
colleagues. And if you get
caught, claim it belongs to
\RXUDWPDWH
Make a family event all
about you by coming
out. Your baby niece being

Dont ignore homophobic

comments. Unleash your
inner diva, then verbally
bitch-slap the hater out
of the bar and back into
Wetherspoons where he
belongs.
Date someone in
uniform. And by uniform,
we suggest something sexy
and butch like armed forces,
SROLFHRUUHPDQQRWD
lollipop man or that lad with
a lazy eye on Aldis checkout.

Take a gay-cation.
Immerse yourself in a gay
resort, visiting gay bars,
eating in gay restaurants
surrounded by gay people
and pretend youve survived a
gay-pocolypse.
Become a John Waters
DFLRQDGRHe made
a fat Ricki Lake sexy in
Hairspray; a then teenstar Johnny Depp into a
cool cat in Cry-Baby and
persuaded Divine to eat
dog faecal matter in Pink
Flamingos. Nuff said.
Act your age. Theres
nothing more pitiful than
a 40-year-old man buying
his clothes from Hollister
and Topman, and spending
every night on the scene to
try and preserve his youth.
6FUHDPFRQGHQFHQRW
desperation.
Find the love of your
life. We said your life, not
just the night. O

Dont get a tattoo.

But if you simply
must, remember
Celtic bands are
for Spice Girls,
Chinese symbols
are for lady chavs
and home made
tatts are for One
Direction and
borstal inmates. Its
all about the sleeve.
49

COLUMN

As I write this, weve just entered December;

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xv##shuvxdghg#e|#dq#lqfuhdvlqj#qxpehu#ri#

50

<<< CO M M U N I T Y

ANNIE WALLACE
he trans actress asks, Where do we
go from here?

More trans
people are
nding the
courage to be
themselves. They
are many and
varied; doctors,
lawyers, teachers,
army oicers,
journalists and,
yes, actors.
@anniewallace

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idfhw#ri#kxpdq#qdwxuh1#O

The transgender bestseller

that everyones talking about

An engrossing, moving exploration of gender, identity,

attraction and just what it means to be normal ( Metro )

# whatisnormal

THE BEAT OF
GAY UK

LONDON
MANCHESTER
BRIGHTON
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GLASGOW
PORTSMOUTH
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ON DAB DIGITAL RADIO
AND AT GAYDIO.CO.UK

IMAGE&#8+&/%+0615*$;,49'56

2016

NAKED
issue
in aid of
PROSTATE CANCER UK

24156#6'%#0%'47-+5#4')+56'4'&%*#4+6;+0'0).#0&#0&9#.'5
#0&+05%16.#0&
5%4')+56'4'&%1/2#0;

53

0 1/ 16 >>>

54

NAKED

BIGMOUTH
strikes again!
WORDS

ryan butcher IMAGES nicky johnston

GROOMING luke

stephens USING ORIGINS

monfredi

PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSISTANT matt

55

0 1/ 16 >>>

His friendship with he Apprentices James Hill stole our hearts on the latest season of
Celebrity Big Brother. Not content with just that, Austin Armacost decided to take our breath
away, too, by posing naked in our charity naked issue. But theres more to the outspoken
American than muscles and a nice tush. Now Austin is using his fame for good and, as we
found out, aint no one gonna stop him.
Were using bigmouth in a complimentary
way, of course.
During our interview with Austin Armacost
in the lounge of Londons Amba Hotel, no
less hes asked to keep it down by fellow
patrons on no less than three occasions.
But this all boils down to one Austins most
DIUPLQJFKDUDFWHUWUDLWVWKDWKHKDVDYRLFH
and hell be damned if hes not going to use it.
Do you know what? Austin is chuckling
to himself after being scolded for being too
loud, When my brother passed away, I made
a decision that I could walk outside and get
hit by a bus, and where would that leave me?
Worried what someone has to say about me
being loud? Fuck that! Im going to be me!
Yes, Austin is handsome. Yes, Austin is for
want of a better word hunky. But Austin has
a lot on his mind, and hes going to make sure
hes properly heard.
Transsexuality is fascinating to me, he
starts, jumping straight in the deep end
before weve even had a chance to take our
jacket off. We always say LGBT, but for me,
we seem to forget that the T exists. Lesbians,
gays and bisexuals really dont seem to
include the transgender community theres
always separation. Its that t word tranny
that we have to oust now. We have to be done
with it. Its not right, its not politically correct
and we have to stop. Its the next frontier Im
working on as an activist trans inclusion.
7KDWVZKDW\HDUROG$XVWLQLVUVWDQG
foremost; an activist. He may have trickled into
the public consciousness as the ex-boyfriend of
Marc Jacobs, and as the star of the USs LGBTfocused reality show The A-List and more
recently as the runner-up on Celebrity Big
%URWKHUEXWZHGUDWKHUGHQH$XVWLQE\ZKDW
hes done with the platforms hes been given.
One thing thats always stuck with me is
from after season one of The A-List, Austin
starts. There was a guy called Mike Ruiz,
whos a famous fashion photographer, and we
did a talk show called The Wendy Williams
Show, and she asked us all why we wanted to

56

do the show. I was 21 years old, so all I wanted

to do was get free appletinis when I went to a
gay bar anywhere in America, which I did. But
then she went to Mike, and he said: What will
GHQHDOORIXVLVZKDWZHGRZLWKRXUYRLFH
QRZWKDWZHKDYHDSXEOLFSUROH$QGWKDWV
something that instantly stuck in my head.
Not many gay men in America have the
ability or the access to speak to politicians,
lawmakers or state representatives like I do. If
there was an anti-gay bill being passed, I have
the capability to call up my local congressman
and be put straight through to him. Id be a
dumb ass and a complete embarrassment to
the gay community if I said, Im just gonna go
out and party, run around London and New
York and just do drugs. Ive been given this
responsibility for our community to go out and
make some changes. I go out, I knock on doors,
I make telephone calls. I dont just show up to a
red carpet event in a tuxedo for a free piss up.
Anyone who watched Celebrity Big Brother, or
anyone whos seen a copy of Austins calendar,
will know hes not afraid of getting his kit off
from time to time. So the fact that hes on the
cover of our naked issue should come as no
surprise. But knowing how much Austin wants
to use his considerable voice to do some good,
its only natural that he should want to use his
considerable body for the same reason.
My uncle was diagnosed with prostate cancer
at 52, so its something that runs in my family,
he says of supporting Prostate Cancer UK. As
soon as my doctor requires it, Ill be getting a
prostate check. Although I do get a prostate
check every night just not from a doctor!
I read somewhere that if youre bottoming,
youre more likely to be at risk from prostate
cancer, Austin is referencing a 2014 study
from the University of Montreal that claimed
gay men are more likely to get prostate
cancer than straight men. Keeping yourself
healthy in all aspects of your life is important
without your health, you have nothing.
Especially with how rampant cancer is these
days your cell phone causes cancer, gay sex

causes cancer, tanning beds cause cancer,

bacon causes cancer But if people can pick
up this magazine and go, Well, hes hot and
hes naked, but what does he have to say? and
then learn more about Prostate Cancer UK
and help raise some money, then thats great.
Austin is currently living in the UK with
his husband, but wants to relocate here
permanently. When I go back to the US, I
cant hold my husbands hand or give him a
kiss in public, and Im just over it, he tells us.
And believe it or not, he suffers hang-ups
about his body, too. I just put a picture on
Instagram with my top off, and someone said,
<RXVKRXOGYHORVWDELWRIZHLJKWUVW:KHQ
are people going to get over the fact that a very,
very small amount of gay men have six-packs?
I have beer, I have hot wings and I have my
husband, and Im very happy with that.
But theres one thing Austin wants to set
straight no pun intended before this
interview comes to an end; his relationship
with the heterosexual James Hill on CBB,
which dominated our screens for weeks.
We were able to dispel a long-standing
rumour that gay men and straight men cant
just be friends, says Austin. Over a months
time, we not only lived together, but showered
together, ate together and even slept together.
Not once were any lines crossed on either
side. James being straight, me being married,
there was never a chance. Our friendship was
perfectly normal. So many people have asked
me, Dont you fancy James? Even though
,QGKLPDWWUDFWLYH,FDQKRQHVWO\VD\,YH
never once been turned on by him. I look at
KLPDVDIULHQGDFRQGDQWDSDUWQHU
We still spend a lot of time together as best
mates. I just want to say a massive thank you
to James for looking past my sexuality and
past the stereotypes, and respecting me for
the person I am.
We couldnt have put it better ourselves.
Austin may have a big mouth, but who cares
when hes speaking so much sense?O
@austinarmacost

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57

0 1/ 16 >>>

58

NAKED

59

0 1/ 16 >>>

David

MCINTOSH

WORDS

60

william connolly IMAGES jr west

NAKED

61

0 1/ 16 >>>

Gladiator, REAAAAAADY! OK, so its been a little while since David McIntosh was on the
reboot of Gladiators, but his body is anything but a thing of the past. he former British exmilitary and security operative turned television personality, author and tness model is
baring all in the hope of helping others. Watch out! heres a Tornado coming through...
David! Getting naked for us.
WHY?! The question is, why
the heck wouldnt I? Ive wanted
to grace the stylishly, sexy pages
of GT for quite a few years now.
This magazine has stood the
test of time and is iconic within
not only the gay community but
straight, too. And I wanted to get
naked to give your lovely readers
something extra special and
tantalising naughty. So it would
be completely rude of me to not
give them EVERY. SINGLE.
INCH...! [Laughs]
Were supporting an
incredibly worthy cause in
Prostate Cancer UK. Have
you ever come into contact
with the charity before? This
charity is getting more of a push
within the media, but sadly still
not enough! I wouldnt have a clue
what symptoms to look for. Like
most men out there, even if we did
KDYHIRXURXWRIYHV\PSWRPVWKDW
are attached to prostate cancer, Id
brush it under the carpet and hope
that theyd go away.
Do you think theres
enough awareness these
days? Do men know about
the importance of getting
regular cancer checks? Ill be
honest, Ive never once checked
my balls for lumps. Most guys
tend to have a blas attitude
of, Ohhhh, Ill never get it, so
I think a new approach needs
to be taken. Maybe shocking

62

images like the ones on cigarette

packets could be more effective?
If guys were shown an advert of a
permanently limp penis, maybe
theyd be down the clinic quicker.
Is there anything youd
want to change about your
own physical appearance?
Not like I need it, but no man
will turn away an extra few
inches downstairs! [Laughs] Id
like to be able to register it as a
lethal weapon!
Looking like that, we know
you must have quite a few
gay fans out there, too. What
do they mean to you? Most of
my fans are gay and I LOVE IT!
Why? Because they appreciate
the male body and understand
what it takes to get there. I do
a lot of huge gay events in the
US and its amazing. No one
has any inhibitions, no hatred,
and everyone embraces being
different and unique. Ive got zero
time to worry about people being
judgemental.
Now, every straight guy has
one, so we have to ask
Whos your man crush? I
can appreciate John Rambo
because hes so hard and can
kill with his bare hands. I also
love the seductive skills of LL
Cool J, that dude is one cool cat.
OK, OK, okaaaaay Im lying.
I immortalise the one and only
Daniel Radcliffe. I adore the way
KHUPO\JULSVKLVPDJLFDOZDQG

and strikes all kinds of beasts

down! [Laughs]
Youve released a new range
RIWQHVVVXSSOHPHQWV
which have been getting rave
reviews What sets them
apart from the rest? After
working for countless nutrition
companies, I decided it was time
to use my knowledge and create
something of my own. I wanted to
make a product that I was able to
truly say was a step above the rest.
and the way you look,
there must be a lot of guys
wanting to look like you! Can
you share any tips with us
for the New Year? Ive started
something completely different,
its called MINUS 5. Five minutes
of nonstop, intense exercise with
no weights needed. You can train
with me via my YouTube channel,
too. And Ive also started up my
own online company in the UK
that delivers cold pressed raw
juices and smoothies to your door
the next day. Ive a massive love
for nutrition and thought it was
about time to make things a lot
easier to get your skin glowing
beautifully, and ditch all the
unwanted waste in your system.
We couldnt help but notice
you in Nicki Minajs video
for Anaconda Which
of course, is an ode to
derrires. Are you a bit of
a butt man yourself? Im
all about the ass! [Laughs] If

youre not living that squat

life then youre not truly living
life at all. Many men go to
sleep at night dreaming and
fantasising about having that
perfectly-sculpted bubble butt.
One that would put all those
Brazilian big booty, bad boys
to shame. I have an answer! I
devised a masterful glute and
hamstring programme. Call it
a piece of genius. But beware
with a great ass comes great
responsibility!
$QGQDOO\ZKDWVFRPLQJ
up for David McIntosh in
2016? Ive spent the past year
in Sydney piecing together the
ultimate training manual and
life for the young man. Youth
today need inspiration, and
the media theyre subjected
to doesnt cater in producing
a great mind. So with my
experiences, I hope to release
a book that motivates children
to not just bettering themselves
physically, but empowering
themselves mentally. But my
next point of call is the US. Itd
be rude of me not to grace the
TV viewers screens again, but
this time I wanna come at you
from the wrestling ring. Stay
tuned... O
'DYLGVMXLFHVDQGWQHVVVXSSOHPHQWV
DQGDUHDYDLODEOHYLDMXVWMXLFHOLIHDQG
GDZJSRXQGFRXNLQVWDJUDPFRP
NLQJBGDYLGNLQJGDYLGPFLQWRVKFRP
#GHYLOGDZJ

NAKED

DONATE 3
to PROSTATE CANCER UK
and download this picture
for your mobile:
Text NAKED2 to
70004

63

0 1/ 16 >>>

Alex

MYTTON
WORDS

william connolly IMAGES darren black

GROOMING BY luke

64

stephens USING ELEMIS AND FUDGE PROFESSIONAL

DONATE 3
to PROSTATE CANCER UK
and download this picture
for your mobile:
Text NAKED3 to
70004

NAKED

65

0 1/ 16 >>>

Alex, Alex, Alex. Where exactly do we put our eyes? Well, weve got a few ideas. And after an
Instagram faux pas revealed, ahem *that* part of him, you could say hes a somewhat
natural. Ripped and raring to go, the Made in Chelsea star turned music producer has ditched
reality telly for living in the moment, just for you. Its Alex Mytton.
ALEX! Youre naked, AGAIN!
Well... Any old excuse! [Laughs]
And who doesnt want to get
naked when its for a great cause?
Have you had any contact
with our charity this year
Prostate Cancer UK? No,
I havent actually. But for me,
I think its so important that
guys know about the risks and
symptoms. I think the research
and support they offer is great,
and being that prostate cancer
is the most common cancer in
men, theyve got their work cut
out. And I think that us guys
should all help where we can with
spreading the word.
Do you think were all
educated enough to have a
feel and check for anything
that doesnt seem right?
I actually dont! I think the
message needs to be spread
further, actually. We all have
the utensils to check ourselves,
but I think people often feel like
it doesnt apply to those under
the age of 50. I mean, I do from
time-to-time, but probably not
as much as I should. I think
so many guys feel like theyre
invincible and it wouldnt
happen to them, so education
is so key to catching potential
cancers before its sadly too late.

66

Now, we couldnt help but

notice that on the show
youre anything but shy. But,
DUH\RXERG\FRQGHQW" Im
QRWRQHRIWKRVHVXSHUFRQGHQW
guys with his shirt constantly
off, but I dont mind getting
my clothes off if needed. Like,
I try to be relatively in shape.
Heck, nobody wants to see a gut
hanging there! [Laughs]
,VJHWWLQJWIRUYDQLW\
or health? Or maybe a
mixture? Id be lying if I said it
was about health. That obviously
is a factor, but I train largely to
JKWWKHERR]LQJDQGSDUW\LQJ
Hedonism catches up with me
and I start to notice it watching
the show back, which usually
acts as a kick up the arse to get
back in the gym and stop being a
OD]\WZDW>/DXJKV@
Come on then, talk us
WKURXJKWKHQDNHGVHOH
What happened? [Laughs]
Oh, God! Youd have to speak to
my girlfriend. But it was pretty
fucking embarrassing for the
both of us. I actually still havent
discussed it with my mum Its
like shes purposely erased it from
her mind! [Laughs hysterically]
I still get sent that photo fairly
regularly on social media, which
occasionally catches me out when

Im in public and looking on my

phone. I think at one stage it was
even trending on Twitter, which
LVDUDWKHUEL]DUUHVHQVDWLRQ
knowing its gone quite so public!
Youve also joined the world
of music, too I sure have!
Ive been DJ-ing and producing
for about three years now, and it
all kinda happened organically.
,GDOZD\VNLQGDLUWHGZLWKWKH
idea at university but never took
the leap. A few of my mates were
producers and DJs, so I started
jumping on at their gigs and got
going from there. I just released a
new single, which seems to have
had a pretty good reaction, which
is awesome!
So what about music and
getting naked. Do the two
work together? Orrrr
have they in the past,
should we say? I mean, Im yet
to DJ naked! I may have done
that at home, though Everyone
likes listening to music and
having a little dance around
naked, dont they? Ill often
put music on in the bedroom,
and I do once remember being
rudely interrupted by an advert
on the playlist I was playing on
YouTube. Thankfully, it wasnt
an advert for Baby Milk or
something [Laughs]

No dating disaster stories

from joining the two, then?
Its not really music related
other than there was music
playing at the time, but when
I younger, I got caught quite
literally with my pants down
at someones house and had to
hide in a cupboard in just my
socks while their mother was
convinced nobody was there. I
eventually slipped out the back
of their house. I mean, it sounds
like the beginning of a porno!
$QGQDOO\ZKHQFDQZH
expect to see more of you in
2016? We say more you
know what we mean Oh,
cheeky! Im quite excited for
2016! As it stands, Ill still be
on Made in Chelsea, which is
ALWAYS eventful! [Laughs]
My music is also really starting
to kick off so Ill be around the
UK and abroad next year with
more dates. Im actually doing
a mini-tour for the new single
now, which will carry into the
new year. And Ive got a few other
little projects lined up that will
GHQLWHO\NHHSPHHQWHUWDLQHG
Stay tuned O
Stay up-to-date with Alexs music via
instagram.com/alexmytton,
@alexandermytton

NAKED

67

0 1/ 16 >>>

Were born

NAKED
and the rest is

DRAG!
WORDS

68

ryan butcher IMAGES nicky johnston

GROOMING luke stephens USING MAKE UP FOR EVER,

AVAILABLE AT PRECIOUSABOUTMAKEUP.COM
PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSISTANT matt monfredi
PHOTOGRAPHED AT courthouse hotel IN LONDON, COURTHOUSE-HOTEL.COM

NAKED

69

0 1/ 16 >>>

Charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. Adore Delanos got it all. Its why she packed her best
wigs and ew to London to take part in our charity naked issue. And now, the city angel tells us
all about embracing her hog body, being a sad motherfucker and, of course, Drag Race. If there
was ever a time to raise your hands and shout yaass queen at the top of your lungs, its now.
Who, who does Adore Delano think she is?
Who, who? Im a fucking Libra, she howls.
/HWVUHZLQG:HUHDWWKHYHVWDU
Courthouse Hotel in London and Adores
SXWWLQJKHUFORWKHVEDFNRQDIWHUEUDYHO\
EDULQJKHUKRJERG\KHUZRUGVQRWRXUV
$IWHUJUDEELQJRXUFDPHUDDQGLFNLQJ
WKURXJKWKHUHVXOWVRIKHUVQDSKDSS\VHVVLRQ
ZHDVNLIVKHHYHUIHHOVVHOIFRQVFLRXVZKHQ
looking at such intimate photos of herself.
Its whats prompted her trademark Libra
FDWFKSKUDVHIROORZHGE\DWKURDW\ODXJK
(YHU\WKLQJVDOZD\VZHLJKWHGRXWVKH
continues. Sometimes I look at photos and
JR)8&.,ORRNKRUULEOH%XWWKHQLQWKH
EDFNRIP\PLQG,POLNH:KRFDUHV"<RX
FDQWJRWKURXJKHYHU\SLFWXUHRQ,QVWDJUDP
DQGOWHULWRXW,WLVZKDWLWLVPDQ
We all know Adore Delano as the
FKDULVPDWLFFKDUPLQJLIQRWDOLWWOHFKDRWLF
UXQQHUXSLQVHDVRQVL[RI5X3DXOV'UDJ
5DFH6LQFHWKHQVKHVWDNHQWKHH[SRVXUH
and ran with it, becoming one of the most
VXFFHVVIXOTXHHQVLQ'UDJ5DFHKHUVWRU\+HU
JHQXLQHO\EULOOLDQWGHEXWDOEXP7LOO'HDWK'R
8V3DUW\ZDVUHOHDVHGODVW\HDUPDNLQJKHU
WKHKLJKHVWFKDUWLQJDUWLVWRIDQ\RI5XVJLUOV
and has seen her tour the globe to legions of,
well, adoring fans.
,WDONWRP\PXPHYHU\GD\$GRUHVD\VRI
her now-superstardom, and if it wasnt for
KHU,GWKLQN,ZDV0DULDK&DUH\%XW,P
JUDWHIXOIRUHYHU\WKLQJ<RXFDQWVD\QRWR
DQ\WKLQJ\RXMXVWJRWWDZRUN\RXUDVVRII
Her insatiable work ethic is one reason
$GRUHDJUHHGWRVWULSIRUXVEXWLWVQRWWKH
RQO\RQH3HRSOHVKRXOGIHHOIUHHWRZHDU
WKHLUIDWERGLHVHYHU\ZKHUHVKHSURXGO\
SURFODLPV7KHUHVHQRXJKRIWKHVHIXFNLQJ
FUDFNHUMDFNORRNLQJELWFKHVRQFRYHUVRI
magazines that dont look realistic. Im doing
LWWRUHSUHVHQWWKH'DQQ\'H9LWRVRIWKH
ZRUOGWKHSHRSOHWKDWORRNOLNH3HQJXLQDQG
act like Catwoman; the people that like to
fucking eat cheese and bread.
6KHGHVFULEHVRQHRIKHUVKRWVZLWKEOXH

70

KDLUDQGQRQRQVHQVHVQDUODVPHUPDLG
$GRUHZLWKWKHERG\RIDZKDOHEXWDGGVLQ
KHUODLVVH]IDLUZD\WKDWLWVDOOJRRG
Its this kind of attitude that makes Adore
'HODQRDUROHPRGHOWRPLOOLRQVRIJX\V
DQGJDOVVWUDLJKWJD\DQGHYHU\WKLQJLQ
EHWZHHQ7KHGD\DIWHURXUVKRRWZHFDWFKKHU
sold out show at Londons Clapham Grand,
DWZKLFKVKHDQQRXQFHGVKHGMXVWSRVHG
QDNHGIRUDQDVWKHQXQGLVFORVHGPDJD]LQH
HQFRXUDJLQJWKHFURZGWRHPEUDFHZKRWKH\
are. All to rapturous applause, of course. Like
DSUHDFKHUPRWLYDWLQJDFRQJUHJDWLRQ
$QGLIWKHUHVRQHWKLQJZHFDQVD\DERXW
$GRUHVOLYHVKRZLWVWKDWJXUUUUUUUOVKH
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:HYHVHHQRXUIDLUVKDUHRI'UDJ5DFH
UXQQHUVXSLQVRPHRI/RQGRQVGLYHEDUV
OLSV\QFKLQJVKRZWXQHVIRUPLQXWHVDQG
reeling off some tired old catchphrases before
GLVDSSHDULQJZLWKDZDGRIFDVK%XW$GRUHLV
GLIIHUHQW2QVWDJHVKHFRPHVDOLYHERXQFLQJ
DURXQGOLNHDQLQFDQGHVFHQWEDOORIHQHUJ\IRU
ZHOORYHUDQKRXUFRQQHFWLQJZLWKHDFKDQG
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LWDQG\RXOLYHXSWRWKHLUH[SHFWDWLRQV,
DOZD\VZDQQDEHUHODWDEOHDSSURDFKDEOHDQG
make sure I was raised right.
1HHGPRUHSURRI"/RRNDWWKHZD\$GRUHV
EHHQNQRZQWRVHQGIDQVPRQH\ZKHQWKH\YH
been desperate to see her perform.
)RU%DWWOHRIWKH6HDVRQV,ERXJKWDORWRI
SHRSOHWLFNHWVVKHH[SODLQVEHFDXVHWKH\
ZHUHFKDUJLQJ$/27RIPRQH\,WOLWHUDOO\
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ZDVQWFKDUJLQJWKDWPXFKIXFNLQJPRQH\
DQG\RXUHVHHLQJDEXQFKRIPHQZKRUH
VKDYLQJWKHLUEHDUGVWROLSV\QF7KHUHVDORW

of people that look up to us and wanna come

WRRXUVKRZVWKDWDUHVWDUYLQJVWXGHQWVDQG
LWVEXOOVKLW7KHRWKHUJLUOVZHUHFRPSODLQLQJ
WKDW,ZDVPDNLQJWKHPORRNEDGZHOOWKDWV
QRWP\IXFNLQJSUREOHP&RXJKXSVRPH
IXFNLQJFKDQJH\RXULFKZKRUH
:KHQLWFRPHVWRKHUIHOORZVHDVRQVL[
queens, Adore tells us she still speaks to
%LDQFD&RXUWQH\DQG'DULHQQHHYHU\GD\
:HKDYHDJURXS:KDWV$SSJURXSWKDWV
EHHQJRLQJIRUQHDUO\WKUHH\HDUVQRZ1RWD
IXFNLQJPRUQLQJJRHVE\DQGWKH\UHQRWDOO
WH[WLQJPLVVHGWH[WVDQG,POLNH6KXW
WKHIXFNXS*HWDMRE
2KDQGQDWXUDOO\$GRUHKDVQRKHVLWDWLRQ
LQUHDGLQJVHDVRQVHYHQVOLQHXSWROWK,W
ZDVERULQJ0D\EHLI3HDUOKDGVKRZQKHUELJ
IDWSHQLVDELWHDUOLHUVKHZRXOGYHZRQ
%XWZKLOH'UDJ5DFHLVDOZD\VJRLQJWREHD
EHORYHGSDUWRIKHUSDVWLWVFOHDUWKDW$GRUHV
IRFXVLVVHWRQWKHIXWXUHZLWKQHZDOEXP
$)7(53$57<GXHRXWLQ,WVSUHWW\
VDGVKHVD\VEXWWKHVDGSDUWVHDV\FRV,P
DVDGPRWKHUIXFNHU,ORYHEHLQJVDGPDQ,P
OLNHWKH/DQD'HO5H\RIGUDJ
,KDGDJRRGORYHWKDW,ZHQWWKURXJKODVW
\HDUWKDWDPRWKHUIXFNHUZRXOGJRWKURXJK
LQWHQ\HDUV,WPDGHPHJURZXS,IHHOOLNH
,PULJKWQRZ7KLV\HDU,YHH[SHULHQFHG
ORYHKHDUWEUHDNDQGDEXQFKRIVKLWSHRSOH
go through that I wanted to write about.
7KHUHVEHHQDGHOD\EHFDXVH,ZDQWHGWR
H[SHULHQFHPRUHVKLW
%XWDIWHUDOOWKHIXQDQGJDPHVWKHUHDVRQ
were in London with a naked drag queen is
WRUDLVHPRQH\IRU3URVWDWH&DQFHU8.,WV
something Adores proud to support, too.
,WVIXFNLQJDZHVRPHZHUHGRLQJWKLV
VKHH[FODLPV,PGRZQWRGRDQ\WKLQJIRU
FKDULW\PDQ7KHUHVEHHQDORWRIFDQFHU
VFDUHVLQP\IDPLO\DQG,WKLQNLWVDUHDOO\
EHDXWLIXOFDXVHWRVXSSRUWLWVUHDOO\QHDW,I,
FDQSXWRQDIXFNLQJODVKDQGVKDNHP\DVVWR
fucking raise some shit, lets do it.
:HOO\RXKHDUGWKHZRPDQO
adoredelano.com, @adoredelano

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Dr

VINCENT
WONG
and
DANIEL
YUP

WORDS

william connolly IMAGES matt crockett

GROOMING BY luke

74

stephens USING NEALS YARD SKINCARE

NAKED

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Celebrity aesthetics doctor, Dr Vincent Wong, and his hairdressing partner to the stars, Daniel
Yup, are at the heart of personal image. So when it came to getting them naked for you, it didnt
take much persuasion. Ready, steady, strip! Its time to learn about making the good, look GREAT!
Vincent and Daniel! What
made you want to get naked
for us? V: As a doctor working
at the NHS, I spent time in the
oncology department and saw a
lot of patients with all different
types of cancer. Its something
very close to my heart as my dad
sadly died of cancer, and I also
have a friend who had prostate
cancer but hes OK, thank
God! Early detection is the best
thing, which is why I just had to
do this shoot.
Are you conscious about the
way you look? V: Yes! I think
in todays society, we live in a
very judgemental world where
we place such a large emphasis
on how we all look. I see a lot
of people that go a little bit
RYHUERDUGDQGFUD]\ZLWKOOHUV
and botox, but theres just no such
thing as a perfect look.
Why do you think people
strive for someone elses
KDLUQRVHRUJXUHUDWKHU
WKDQQGLQJDORRNDOORI
their own? Arent we all just
wanting what other people
have? D: I think because its
human nature to want to have
things that we know look good.
Part of my job is to educate my
customers that they have to
take into account the shape and
structure of their face, as well
as their fashion sense, when
deciding on a particular look. On

76

many occasions, Ive converted

my clients to a different hairstyle
that suits them better, and they
hopefully walk away happier than
they thought they would be.
Is our obsession with the
way we look a good thing?
Or is it actually doing us all
harm? V: Kinda both! Were
all looking after ourselves much
better. People go to the gym a lot
more, eat healthily and look after
their skin. But, were also putting
a lot of pressure on ourselves. I
think that can have a damaging
affect on us all emotionally as
well as mentally.
Can ethnicity play a part in
attraction? Could you label
someone as racist if they
GRQWQGDSDUWLFXODUUDFH
attractive, or is that just
preference? V: Every ethnicity
has a distinctive look, and some
people just arent into a particular
look or way someone dresses.
3HRSOHVD\LQJWKH\GRQWQGD
whole race attractive comes from
a stereotype, which often isnt
correct. For example, people
could associate Afro-Caribbean
people with HIV and AIDS, which
is completely unfair and untrue.
But, just because once upon a time
it was more prevalent in one era,
that sadly sticks in their minds.
So why do so many people
strive for the perfect face
nowadays? V: When people

FRPHLQWKH\UHYHU\VSHFLF
with things like hair, the colour,
and they ALWAYS say that they
need it. Some dont want to
look like the celebrity, they just
ZDQWWRIHHOFRQGHQWDERXW
themselves. And in the end,
everyone is just wanting more,
and more, and more!
Have you ever been tempted
to change your looks to meet
DVSHFLFIDVKLRQWUHQGRU
look like another person?
D: I do change my hairstyle
regularly to meet fashion trends,
but never to look like someone
else. I think individual identity
is important when it comes to
hair and aesthetics. With my job,
image plays an important part
and I do need to keep up-to-date
with fashion trends. If I see a
style that I like and that would
VXLWPH,GGHQLWHO\WU\LWRXW
<RXZHUHRQHRIWKHUVW
doctors to use iovera and
Frotox, the original toxinfree, anti-wrinkle treatment.
Would you ever be tempted
to use it yourself? V: Yes,
I think its important that I
only offer a treatment that Im
comfortable having myself. The
technology behind iovera is so
advanced and unique that Id
GHQLWHO\FRQVLGHUKDYLQJLWEXW
only when the time is right.
Youve also launched your
own skincare range, too.

Do you think taking care

of your body not just
altering it is as important
as the cosmetic changes?
V: Yes, in fact, Im a strong
believer that prevention is the
key to looking good. Theres
many aspects to looking good
and anti-ageing in general, and
skin health is a big part of that.
The changes, enhancements
and alterations with aesthetics
procedures are there to improve
the structure of the face, but
healthy skin is equally as
important. Maintaining a good
skin health will give you a natural
glow, which will unveil a more
refreshed version of yourself.
Could you ever change
the way you look for the
better without injecting
or surgery? V: Absolutely!
Taking good care of your skin,
using SPF 50 every day, eating
healthily and maintaining an
active lifestyle with exercise
will all help. Quitting smoking
and avoiding excessive alcohol
consumption are also important
for damage control. Looking
after yourself from the inside is
just as important as looking after
yourself from the outside. O
Dr Vincents book Lights, Camera,
Injection! is available on Amazon,
drvincentwong.com, @drvwong,
instagram.com/yupdan

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Ashley

TAYLOR
DAWSON
WORDS

william connolly IMAGES matt crockett

GROOMING BY luke

78

stephens USING ZELENS SKINCARE AND AVEDA

NAKED

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His time as Darren Osborne in Hollyoaks has been as bright and colourful as his rather bold
shirts. But as we found, actor Ashley Taylor Dawsons best look is when hes in, well nothing.
Lets jump straight in.
Whys checking yourself
such a taboo subject? I dont
NQRZDFWXDOO\,UVWWKRXJKW
LWZDVDJHQHUDWLRQDOWKLQJEXW
WKHQ,YHIRXQGP\VHOIEHLQJWKH
VDPHDERXWWKLQJVOLNHWKDW0HQ
UHDOO\DUHGLIIHUHQWWRZRPHQ
7KH\JHWFKHFNHGPRUHRIWHQ
WKDQPHQDQGULJKWO\VR7KDW
GRHVQWPHDQJX\VVKRXOGQW
%XWZLWKVRPHWKLQJOLNHSURVWDWH
FDQFHULWVDOODERXWFKHFNLQJ
3HRSOHGRQWNQRZZKDWWR
FKHFNRUKRZVRDPHVVDJHRI
DZDUHQHVVLVNH\2IWHQLWFDQ
YHU\HDVLO\EHGHDOWZLWKLI\RX
JHWWRWKHURRWRIWKHSUREOHP
VWUDLJKWDZD\
Getting involved today
was an easy decision then?
,UHFHQWO\ORVWP\IDWKHUWR
FDQFHUDQGLWVVXFKDKXJH
WKLQJWKHVHGD\V6RWRGR
DQ\WKLQJIRUDFKDULW\OLNHWKLV
LVJUHDW<RXMXVWFDQWLJQRUH
LW,WVWKHUHVRLI\RXFDQHYHU
GRDQ\WKLQJWRKHOSLWVDOZD\V
DJRRGWKLQJ7KHRWKHUVLGHLV
,PJHWWLQJROGHUDQGLWVDOZD\V
JUHDWWRJHWLQWRVKDSHDQG
KDYHDUHDVRQWRGRLW$ORWRI
WKH\RXQJHUNLGVRQWKHVKRZ
DUHDOOULSSHGDQG,PRQO\
>/DXJKV@+HFNLWVDORWKDUGHU
DWP\DJH$QGZKHQ\RXFDQ
GRDOOWKLVDQGDOVRIRUDJRRG
FDXVHLWVDQREUDLQHU
,VWKLV\RXUUVWWLPH
helping raise money for
Prostate Cancer UK? I know
DERXWWKHPDQGWKLQNLWVD

80

IDQWDVWLFFDXVH7KHWKLQJIRU
PHLVWKDWPHQLQJHQHUDOWHQG
WRLJQRUHWKLQJVLQRXURZQOLWWOH
ZHLUGZD\VDQGDUHTXLWHROG
IDVKLRQHGZKHQVRPHWKLQJLV
XS,ILWJRHVDZD\WKHQH[WGD\
ZHIHHOEHWWHULIZHKDYHDTXLFN
RUDQJHMXLFHDQGIRUJHWDERXWLW
,WKLQNLWVYHU\LPSRUWDQWWKDW
SHRSOHDUHDZDUH<NQRZDOLWWOH
FKHFNUHDOO\FDQVDYH\RXUOLIH
Weve had you in the
shower, on the bed the
lot! And naked. So are you
FRQGHQWZLWKWKHZD\\RX
look? (UUUWRXJKTXHVWLRQ
%HFDXVHKRZIDUGRHVLWEHFRPH
DERXWKHDOWKFRPSDUHGWRYDQLW\
RUHJR,YHJRWWRDVWDJHLQP\
OLIHZKHUHQRZ,YHJRWNLGVDQG
KHDOWKKDVEHFRPHHYHU\WKLQJ
IRUPH%XWZLWKWKHPDQGWKHQ
P\GDGSDVVLQJDZD\LWPDNHV
\RXWKLQNWZLFHDERXWOLIH
With so many years under
your belt on Hollyoaks, has
watching yourself back made
you more aware of how you
look? ,YHSDUWLHGKDUGIRUPRVW
RIP\OLIHDQG,PSURXGRIWKDW
EXW\RXKDYHWRZRUNRXWZKHUH
WRVORZGRZQVRPHZKHUH,KDG
VRPHVFHQHVZKHUH,ZDVQDNHG
UHFHQWO\DQG,GUDWKHUEHHLWKHU
UHDOO\IDWRULQJUHDWVKDSH
$Q\ZKHUHLQWKHPLGGOHLVMXVW
LUULWDWLQJ$DDDDQGQRZ,PJRLQJ
WRJHW5($//<IDW>/DXJKV@
So would you change
anything about your
physical appearance? I
DFWXDOO\OLNHWKHFKDOOHQJHRI

PDNLQJWKHFKDQJH:HLUGKXK"
,WKLQNLWVLQWHUHVWLQJWRGLHWDQG
H[HUFLVHDV\RXOHDUQDORWDERXW
\RXUVHOI(YHU\WKLQJLVDPHQWDO
EDWWOH,WVDERXWDJRRGGLHW
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With us all living in a world
RI OWHUVDQGVRFLDOPHGLD
LVWKHIDNHVHOHFXOWXUH
taking over? <HDKDQG\RX
FRXOGVD\WKLVSHUIHFWO\DERXW
UHDOLW\79VKRZV3HRSOHZKR
ORRNJUHDWWREHJLQEXWWKHQ
\RXVHHWKHPLQUHDOOLIHODWHURQ
DQGEHJLQWRDVNZKDWVJRLQJ
RQWKHUH%XWWKHQLVLWZURQJ
WRORRNDWVRPHJX\VDQGJLUOV
ZKRUHLQJUHDWVKDSHDQGUHDOO\
W",VWKDWDEDGWKLQJZKHQ
SHRSOHVWULYHIRUSHUIHFWLRQ",V
LWZURQJIRUSHRSOHWRDVSLUHWR
WKRVHORRNV",GRQWUHDOO\VHH
DELJLVVXHZLWKEHLQJULSSHG
DQGWU\LQJWRORRNSHUIHFWEXW
,NQRZLWFDXVHVDORWRILVVXHV
DQGLQVHFXULWLHV%XWWKHUHDO
PLVVLQJSLHFHLVWKHHGXFDWLRQ
DWVFKRROVDERXWZKLFKIRRGLV
JRRGIRU\RXDQGZKLFKLVQW
Couldnt this education
DOVRKHOSJKWFDQFHUWRR"
<(6,WVDOODERXWHGXFDWLRQ
DQGSHRSOHEHLQJDZDUHRILW
.QRZLQJWKLVPHDQV\RXFDQ
KHOSSDVVLWRQWR\RXUPDWHV
*LUOVZRXOGKDYHDQLJKWWRJHWKHU
ZKHUHWKH\DOOFKHFNWKHPVHOYHV
*X\VWKH\ZRXOGQWGRWKDW
Youve tackled some pretty
tough storylines as Darren
in Hollyoaks. Could a cancer
storyline be of interest to

you? $Q\WKLQJOLNHWKDWZRXOG
UHDOO\FRQQHFWZLWKWKHYLHZHUV
,WVQRWMXVWDERXWJRLQJLQDQG
GHOLYHULQJOLQHVLWVDERXWWKH
UHVHDUFKDQG,YHKDGVRPH
JUHDWVWRU\OLQHVUHFHQWO\$QG
ZLWKSURVWDWHFDQFHULWFDQEH
GHDOWZLWKWKHHDUOLHU\RXFDWFK
LW6RPD\EHWKDWZRXOGEHDJRRG
PHVVDJHWRVHQGRXWWRSHRSOH"
Soaps have the power to
really change lives then? :H
SOD\WKHVKRZIRUUHDOWRHQVXUHLW
FDQKHOSFKDQJHOLYHV0\VWUHVV
ZLWK'DUUHQFXUUHQWO\ZKHQ
JKWLQJDJDLQVWFKDUDFWHUVDQG
DUJXLQJZLWKGLIIHUHQWZRPHQ
EXLOWXSDQG:DLW\RXDOPRVW
FDXJKWPHRXWWKHUH/HWVPRYH
RQTXLFNO\%DVLFDOO\\RXKDYH
WRWDFNOHWKHVHVWRU\OLQHVDVUHDO
EXWDOVROHDYHWKHPDWKRPHWRR
:HKDYHDJUHDWUHVSRQVLELOLW\DV
DFWRUVWRUHHFWVRFLHW\DQGKHOS
ZKHUHZHFDQ
If we promise not to tell
anyone, can you let us in on
whats coming up for you in
Hollyoaks? Pinky promise.
:HOO>/DXJKV@,FDQWUHDOO\
VD\DQ\WKLQJEXW'DUUHQJRHV
WKURXJKDYHU\WXUEXOHQWWLPH
VRRQ+HNLQGDVHHVWKHOLJKW
DQGWKHQJHWVLWWDNHQDZD\IURP
KLP7KHOLJKWVVWLOOWKHUHEXW
LWJHWVWDNHQDZD\DQGWKHQKH
FDQWGHDOZLWKWKHOLJKWZKHQ
LWVWKHUH7KDWVULGGOHVIRU\RX
0DNHVHQVHRIWKDW*7O
Catch Ashley on Hollyoaks each
weeknight at 6.30pm on Channel 4,
@hollyoaks, @ashoztd

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>>>

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MNS
of steel
WORDS

nick levine IMAGES per kristiansen

GROOMING BY emir

84

kapetanovic

NAKED

85

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Mns Zelmerlw stormed to victory at 2015s Eurovision Song Contest with a massive 351 points
the third-highest score ever. Now the handsome Swede, whos been famous at home for more than a
decade, wants to break out of the Eurovision bubble and build a long-term career all over Europe.
As he bares all for GT, Mns chats ambition, body image and his bond with the LGBTI community.
Since he won the Eurovision Song Contest
in May, Mns Zelmerlw has hardly stopped
working. Its like a marathon, the 29-yearold tells us, swaddled in a pristine white
dressing gown shortly before his naked shoot.
But Im not complaining at all! I know that
being a Eurovision winner only lasts for a year
and you really have to build something during
that year to try to establish yourself as a
name outside of the Eurovision bubble.
Mns winning song, the anthemic dancepop banger Heroes, became a huge hit all
RYHU(XURSHUHDFKLQJQXPEHURQHLQYH
countries including his native Sweden. His
album Perfectly Damaged topped the Swedish
charts too, and hes now promoting its second
single Shouldve Gone Home. Its a regretful
tune sung from the viewpoint of a guy with a
wandering eye, with an electro sound that hits
the sweet spot between Olly Murs and Will
Young. Im hoping Shouldve Gone Home
will work in the UK too, and I can come back
again soon, Mans says enthusiastically. I did
a show in London in September as part of my
European tour and I had such a good time.
There were a lot of people there, actually, so I
GHQLWHO\ZDQWWRGRPRUHVKRZVKHUH
%XWUVWWKHUHVWKHMREDWKDQG,V0nQV
IHHOLQJQHUYRXVDERXWVWULSSLQJRIIIRUKLVUVW
ever naked shoot? Well of course, he replies
with a smile. Im not very used to being
naked, obviously. But I think it should be
fun and Im not showing off much more than
when I go swimming. Well, thats what Ive
been telling myself
5HIUHVKLQJO\ZKHQWKHVXEMHFWRIGLHWDQG
exercise comes up, Mns doesnt reel out
clichs like everything in moderation or I
always allow myself a weekend cheat day. I
WU\WREHDVWDVSRVVLEOHRIFRXUVHEXW,GRLW
in periods, he says. Im not a person who can
NHHSDQRUPDOWQHVVDJHQGD,FDQWJRWRWKH
gym three or four times a week, like, all the
time. Its either seven times a week, and I eat
no carbs at all for a couple of months, or its no
H[HUFLVHDWDOODQG,HDWMXQNIRRGDOOWKHWLPH

86

6RZKDWPDNHVKLPVZLWFKIURPWIDP
to, well, #pigout? I reach a point where
I dont see any more changes, any more
improvements, and Im like, What the fuck?
So then I have three or four months where I
MXVWGRQRWKLQJDQGHDWVKLW%XWWKHQ,UHDOLVH
OK, this doesnt look so good any more. And
then I have to start going to the gym again!
Mns has obviously gone full Jane Fonda
LQSUHSDUDWLRQIRUWKLVVKRRWEXWKHVQRWMXVW
VWULSSLQJRIIWRDXQWWKHUHVXOWVRIKLVKDUG
work hes doing it to help us raise money
for Prostate Cancer UK. I have a friend who
was treated for prostate cancer. Hes actually
OK now, but I know its a really common
illness and I want to do everything I can to
raise awareness, he explains. My friend is
the same age as me I think he was 27 when
he was diagnosed so its a disease that can
affect younger people as well as older people.
But I dont think everyone realises this yet.
Even with this personal incentive for
being photographed in the buff, its a (no
pun intended) pretty ballsy thing to be
doing. Is it kind of weird knowing that
loads of guys are going to be admiring these
pictures? Not at all, Mns insists. I mean,
Ive always been a friend of the LGBTI
FRPPXQLW\7KH\ZHUHSUREDEO\WKHUVW
people to pick me up when I started out in
Sweden ten years ago. They invited me to
[Stockholms annual] Gay Gala very early on
in my career, so Im very thankful to them
and it doesnt feel strange at all.
Now feels like the right time to confront the
shadow of an elephant in the room. In March
2014, Mns was appearing on a celebrity
cooking show in Sweden when the topic of
homosexuality came up. During the course
of a discussion, he appeared to express
views that were surprising given his close
ties with the LGBTI community. Swedish
media outlets quoted him as calling same sex
attraction abnormal and saying: It isnt
equally natural for men to want to sleep with
one another. Mns later issued an apology,

insisting: I believe and hope that the vast

PDMRULW\NQRZWKDW,UHVSHFWGLIIHUHQFHVDQG
all forms of love. But in the run-up to this
\HDUV(XURYLVLRQWKHFRQWURYHUV\ZDVEULH\
reignited when some websites suggested
Sweden was sending a homophobe to an
event thats dubbed the gay World Cup.
It became a big thing in Sweden and
obviously I apologised for it at the time. I
used some very stupid words that werent
thought through at all, Mns recalls.
And it felt like the Swedish audience had
forgiven me for it when Eurovision started,
but then all of Europe suddenly heard about
it and started asking the same questions.
So I kept on apologising for it. But I mean,
I know I made a mistake and I will keep
on apologising for it until it goes away. But
actually, it feels like it has gone away now and
people actually know that Im as far from a
homophobe as you can be.
Mns now feels as though hes reestablished his long-term bond with the
Swedish LGBTI community. Im hoping and
thinking that it started because Im quite
positive and I have a lot of energy on stage,
he says. Im always trying to give back to
the gay community by hosting the Gay Gala
or performing at gay pride events. Ive done
Stockholm Pride three or four times now, and
its amazing, its the most fun festival there
is. The reaction from is always incredible.
As 2016 arrives, Mns knows he has a
pretty big year ahead. Hell have new music
ready in time for Eurovision in Stockholm
in May, and hes determined to make sure
we remember him when the next champion
is crowned. What do you call it when you
WU\VRPHWKLQJDQG\RXMXVWNQRZ\RXZDQW
to do it for the rest of your life? I mean,
thats how I feel right now, he explains.
Since Eurovision, Ive been touring all
over Europe and its been so fun that I dont
want it to stop. Its a big priority for me and
,PJRLQJWRJKWIRULWO
@manszelmerlow

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NAKED

Nathan

HENRY
WORDS

william connolly IMAGES matt crockett

GROOMING BY luke

stephens USING CLINIQUE AND FUDGE PROFESSIONAL

91

0 1/ 16 >>>

Having just come out as gay, and renowned as the rst Geordie Shore guy to ever get down and
dirty with another on the show, 24-year-old Nathan Henry certainly isnt shy of the camera
lens. hat is, as long as he can lter the fuck out of it rst.
Nathan! The new series
of Geordie Shore saw you
come out as gay. Why did
you choose to use the show
as a platform to reveal your
sexuality? Going on the show,
I went on there as bisexual. I
think that, along the way, seeing
the lads pull and competing
over girls and stuff, I sat back
and thought that this isnt me.
With me being gay, I feel that I
personally dont have to go up to
someone and say, Im gay! If
someone asks, Ill tell them. But
I shouldnt have to go in there
and with the lads doing all that,
QRWJRDORQJZLWKLW,QVWHDGQG
out about myself and see if thats
what Im about, too. And then,
be honest with them.
When we went to Greece on
the show, we did get closer as a
group and there was a pulling
competition. I just thought,
its time that Im honest with
myself and Im honest with
them. These are my family. I
work with them, sleep with
him, live with them. If I cant be
honest with these, who can I be
honest with? And I literally told
them and it was the best thing
Ive EVER done. The reception
I got from everyone, and even
the crew, was so overwhelming.
I mustve cried for at least

92

two hours. I was crying with

sadness, but also happiness.
For this, our naked issue,
were supporting Prostate
Cancer UK. Has cancer ever
played an unwanted part
in your life? Sadly, yes. I had
a friend who passed away from
cancer when we were 16.
Why do you think its seen
as such a daunting thing
getting checked? I get scared
going to the doctor sometimes
about just a routine checkup,
but I know that in the long run,
Ill be better off going there
knowing that theres nothing
there, than not going and
QGLQJRXWWKHUHDFWXDOO\LV
something wrong. But I do get
where people are coming from.
But is being scared a
reason to not get checked?
Theres such a stigma attached
to the c-word. Sadly, no one
LVWUXO\QHXQWLOWKH\YHEHHQ
checked. Plus, if I dont go and
get checked, then thered be
nothing that I can do about it.
When actually, I could have
SUHYHQWHGLWE\MXVWQGLQJWKDW
little bit of courage.
How do we prevent this
negativity and stigma then?
Is a lack of education to
blame? [Pauses] As a society,
there isnt enough awareness out

there for kids to learn. I havent

seen that many advertisements
about prostate cancer, at
all. At school, I didnt learn
anything about cancer. I knew it
existed, but thats from outside
knowledge. Its better to learn
from a young age so that when
you get to an adult, its installed
inside your head already and
youre prepared.
There was a real ease in
getting your clothes off
for us. To be blunt, are
you a rather open person?
[Laughs hysterically] Oh GOD!
Im not gonna lie on my way to
the shoot, I was soooo scared!
[Laughs] Ive never actually
done a naked photoshoot. The
only naked thing Ive ever done
LVWDNHQDQDNHGVHOHDQGVHQW
it to someone. I was scared!
Fuck. My. Life. But actually, it
was so much fun.
Are you a fan of a good
VRFLDOPHGLD OWHU"I LOVE
A FILTER! Im no stranger to
DOWHUDQG,PSURXGRILW,
wouldnt go so far that it doesnt
look like me, but I like a nice
glow or making my teeth look
whiter. Those people that make
themselves look like a whole
different person. Oh, no! Bloody
hell! [Laughs]
Youre a little vain, but

what about self-conscious?

Watching yourself back on
TV must make you aware
of what you look like?
Sometimes my posture isnt
great and I really dont like the
way it comes across on the show.
I feel like I slouch a bit. When
we do topless scenes, Im always
wishing that I stood up for them,
rather than being sat down with
my belly rolls hanging out.
Geordie Shore is back in
the new year. What else is
coming up in 2016? Weve just
QLVKHGOPLQJWKHVHDVRQQRZ
and it comes out around March.
Over Christmas, Ive got a lot of
personal appearances coming
up. And theres also a couple of
secret things coming up at the
start of the year that Ive got to
keep hush for now...
Plus, everyone will have seen
you naked by then... Oh, shit.
Yeah! [Laughs] Everyone needs
to pick it up, buy it because
its cheap Im in it, and its
naked. Everyone should be naked
aaaand it goes to a good cause,
too. Thats the most important
thing of all this. A good cause to
help us all. O
Details on Nathans live appearances
and upcoming projects can be found via
instagram.com/nathanhgshore,
@nathanhgshore

NAKED

93

0 1/ 16 >>>

play it again

SAM
WORDS

ryan butcher IMAGES darren bell

GROOMING luke

94

stephens USING CLARINS AND GO247

NAKED

95

0 1/ 16 >>>

Sam Stanley made history this year when he became the rst-ever English rugby union
player to come out as gay. Of course, it was inevitable that hed end up on our cover at some
point. Were just glad the England sevens star chose our charity naked issue to make his
debut. For, ahem, obvious reasons
Whod have thought gay rugby players were
like buses? You wait ages and then two come
along at once. Were of course referring to
this years landmark twin coming out of
rugby league player Keegan Hirst and rugby
union England sevens star Sam Stanley the
latter of which has joined us to bare all for
Prostate Cancer UK.
And out of everyone weve shot to help bring
this landmark issue together, well, lets just
say 24-year-old Sam was certainly one of
the least shy, ripping his clothes off within
minutes of being in our studio.
Im a rugby player, so I shower around
guys all the time and have everything out, he
laughs, its just second nature to me now.
Whipping his kit off isnt the only thing
thats second nature to Sam he was
practically born with a rugby ball in his
KDQGVUVWSOD\LQJZKHQKHZDVMXVWIRXU
years old. It probably helps that hes part of
one of rugbys most decorated families: Sams
brother Mike was selected for Samoas recent
Rugby World Cup squad, while his uncle Joe
was part of the New Zealand team that won
the tournament back in 1987.
He recalls his early years as running
around like a headless chicken, but that he
always dreamed of playing professionally.
Hed go on to represent England at under-16
and under-18 level, but growing up in love
with such a perceived macho sport, Sam
thought his being gay would mean the end for
his rugby career.
Sam was wrong. Its been nearly four months
VLQFHKHUVWZHQWSXEOLFZLWKKLVVH[XDOLW\LQ
The Sunday Times, but its actually closer to
a year since he came out to his family, close
friends and his teammates.
I was living with my other half, Sam tells
us but more on his partner later, and I was
having to come up with lies about who he was.
I just thought to myself, Stop trying to think
of the consequences of what will happen. Id
done so much research on sportspeople whod
come out, and I kept seeing things about it

96

getting better, but I thought itd get worse.

Finally, I just did it on WhatsApp and sent
a message to the people I was close with. I
wasnt fussed if it got out as long as they
knew, I was happy.
Sam says that after the message, he turned
his phone off and went to Sicily for a few days
with his partner Laurence. But after that,
WKHPHVVDJHVRIVXSSRUWFDPHRRGLQJLQ
and the one thing he thought would never
happen, happened. It got better.
One guy joked about it and said, I dont care,
mate, just as long as you dont touch my bum
in training, he recalls, smiling. While some of
the thinner-skinned might be offended by such
a comment, Sam was relieved to still be one
of the boys in the locker room. It was funny
to crack the jokes straight away and break the
ice. When I saw all the boys again, they all
gave me hugs and it was overwhelming. They
were so shocked Id been hiding it for so long,
and had been in a relationship and hiding that
as well. But its incredibly satisfying they had
that reaction. Its liberating. I can now take my
whole self to work.
While Sam is in an elite group of out gay
rugby stars at the moment, he knows full
well that hes not the only one. When I was
speaking to Stephen Jones at The Sunday
7LPHVKHWROGPHWKH\H[SHFWHGDQLQX[RI
gay rugby players after Gareth Thomas came
RXWLQEXWQRRQHGLG6DPH[SODLQV
I thought I needed to be more established
before I came out, but obviously, that wasnt
the case. But there are people who ARE in that
situation who arent ready to come out, still.
I had an email from Stephen saying another
professional rugby player wanted to talk to me
about coming out, and if I minded him giving
the player my details, but they never did get in
touch. I know of a few more gay rugby players,
but its not for me to tell.
The reaction Keegan Hirst received really
inspired me. I was like, Oh man, maybe it
isnt that bad. The reason I left it so long was
because I was waiting for somebody to go

UVWDQG,ZDVQWWKLQNLQJWKDWPD\EH,FRXOG
be a role model for other people.
I never realised the impact it would have.
But some of the messages Ive received from
young kids 12-year-olds, 14-year-olds
Im like, WOW. Someones been able to tell
their parents and their mates because of me!
Im fortunate and privileged enough to be
playing professional rugby and that its had an
LQXHQFHRQRWKHUSHRSOH
But Sam being gay isnt the only thing
that caught peoples attention. Weve
mentioned his partner Laurence who
Sam affectionately refers to as his other
half. Theyve been together since 2010, and
TXLWHDIHZSHRSOHZHUHVXUSULVHGWRQG
that Laurence is more than twice Sams age.
Despite already breaking down the taboo of
the gay rugby star, Sam is also breaking down
the taboo of age-gap relationships, following
in the lovestruck footsteps of Tom Daley and
Dustin Lance Black.
Its not whats termed normal, he says,
but to me, age is just a number. I fell in love
with him and thats just how it is. Theres a
stigma that needs to be challenged, and I
was happy to do that. Some people dont get
it, even some gay people dont get it. But all I
have to say is I love him. Love is love, so whos
anyone to judge me? I fell in love with him,
hes in love with me, and thats just how it is.
As for Laurence, hes a big supporter of
Prostate Cancer UK and were sure hes as
proud of Sam for stripping off to raise some
cash as we are.
,WVWKHUVWWLPH,YHEHHQDEOHWRVXSSRUW
a charity, he tells us, but my other half has
had testicular cancer in the past, so I know
that it means a lot to him. And if it means a
lot to him, it means a lot to me. Its hard to see
anyone go through it, but when its someone
close to home, its tough. And you never
know sometime down the line, it might be a
charity that I need help from, too. O
@samstannerz

NAKED

DONATE 3
to PROSTATE CANCER UK
and download this picture
for your mobile:
Text NAKED9 to
70004

97

0 1/ 16 >>>

98

NAKED

99

0 1/ 16 >>>

DONATE 3
to PROSTATE CANCER UK
and download this picture
for your mobile:
Text NAKED10 to
70004

100

NAKED

Tom

BOSWORTH

WORDS

william connolly IMAGES darren bell

GROOMING BY luke

stephens USING LA ROCHE-POSAY AND AVEDA

101

NAKED

<<< 0 1/ 16

Heading for gold at the 2016 Olympics, life is about to hit the fast lane for 25-year-old race
walker Tom Bosworth. And after coming out in October an announcement that nds him
as only the second track and eld athlete to ever come out as gay while still competing could
it be headline news again for one of the UKs most promising athletes?
TOM! We couldnt help but
notice the ease in which
you got naked for us. Are
\RXFRQGHQWZLWKKRZ\RX
look? [Laughs] Errr... It took
some consideration to come, as
,YHQHYHUEHHQDOOWKDWFRQGHQW
with my body. I realised that I go
out, train and compete in nothing
more than a vest and shorts,
which isnt much more than
underwear, really. Through sport,
,YHEHFRPHFRQGHQWZLWKP\VHOI
as its down to my body that I can
GRZKDW,GRIRUDOLYLQJ6RKRZ
could I not give today a go?
Were supporting Prostate
Cancer UK this year. Has
cancer affected your life
before? It has, with my
granddad. He was so lucky to
KDYHOLYHGDKHDOWK\ORQJOLIH
ZHOOLQWRKLVVDQGOLYHGOLIH
IXOO\XQWLOWKHHQG+HGLGQW
OHWWKHFDQFHULWVHOIVWRSKLP
at any point. His body had just
JUHZWLUHG%XWWKDQNIXOO\KH
was still able to be an amazing
JUDQGIDWKHUWRPHDQGP\IDPLO\
Did this change the way
you approached life, also
ensuring you check yourself
regularly? Not exactly, because
I wasnt really aware as a
teenager. However, Im very open
when talking about keeping an
eye on my health and I regularly
HQFRXUDJHP\IULHQGVWRFKHFN
themselves. Perhaps it had an
DIIHFWRQP\VXEFRQVFLRXVWR
FKHFN,PDZDUHRIWKHVLJQV

102

,WKLQNLI\RXUHDEOHWRWDON
about things like this, you can
encourage and educate others,
EXWDOVREHFRPHFRPIRUWDEOH
discussing such a personal topic
ZLWKIULHQGV$QGDOVROHDUQD
IHZWKLQJVWRKHOSVSRWFDQFHU
as early as possible. One day,
it might just save you or your
IULHQGVOLIH
You came out professionally
back in October. Was the
reaction as you expected?
I was already out to everyone
around me and because I
have such a supportive partner,
IDPLO\DQGPDQDJHPHQWWHDP,
IHOW,FRXOGGRLWSURIHVVLRQDOO\
$ELJUHDVRQZDVVRFLDOPHGLD
Plus, having made the World
Championships this summer
and the British team I didnt
IHHOWKDW,FRXOGFRPIRUWDEO\WDON
about my partner or anything
DURXQGP\SHUVRQDOOLIHZLWKRXW
FODULI\LQJLW%XWZHGLGQWH[SHFW
WKHPHGLDUHDFWLRQIROORZLQJ,W
shouldnt still be a story, but sadly
LWLV$QGHVSHFLDOO\LQVSRUW,W
ZDVDFUD]\IHZGD\V
It must be a great feeling
to know that youre
representing the UK on such
a public level, but also being
completely honest, too? Yes,
WRWDOO\$QG,PDOVRVKRZLQJ
WKDW,UHDOO\DPQRGLIIHUHQWWR
everyone else. This shows that
\RXFDQJHWWRDSURIHVVLRQDOOHYHO
like I am, no matter what your
background is, where you come

IURPRULI\RXIHHOGLIIHUHQW
And did your boyfriend have
any advice about getting
naked with us? Hes pleased
to see me doing it. I think...
[Laughs]
Do you believe sport
has changed its stance
on having openly gay
athletes competing at an
international and Olympic
level? Its still taking its time.
2XWRIHYHU\WKLQJVSRUWLV
still a bit behind on numbers.
Otherwise, youd have openly
gay people across all sports.
Were slowly getting there, but
WKHDPRXQWRISURIHVVLRQDO
sportspeople that exist, those
VRUWVRIQXPEHUVZLOOLQFOXGH
PRUHWKDQMXVWDKDQGIXORI
guys that are gay. To me, the
QXPEHUVMXVWGRQWDGGXS
You said your teammates
were interested in your
coming out? It was more
surprise because I was openly gay
in sport, really. They were asking
me questions, that you would to
DQRWKHUIULHQGDERXWP\SDUWQHU
thats a guy, not a girl. They were
more intrigued than anything and
wanted to show an interest in it,
and complete acceptance. Nobody
on the team has ever had an issue
with it or me.
Are you a little more
conscious about the way you
look now? 6LQFHFRPLQJRXW
thats something thats started
to cross my mind a lot more.

,FDQWMXVWSXWDVHOHRQOLQH
DIWHUWUDLQLQJLI,GRQWORRN
JRRG3HRSOHIROORZPHEHFDXVH
they care about my training and
VSRUWVRKRSHIXOO\WKH\OOIROORZ
P\SURJUHVVHYHQ,I,GRQW
DOZD\VORRNP\EHVW
Youre representing a
different body type, too...
,WVDYHU\SHUVRQDORQHIRUPH
Ive always been slim. I was
ZRUULHGIRU\HDUVWKDW,GRQW
look like your stereotypical
DWKOHWH%XWLWVWKHSHUIRUPDQFH
WKDWFRXQWVDQG7+$7KDVOOHG
PHZLWKFRQGHQFH0\PXVFOHV
might not be big, but they do a
great job in doing what I need
them to do.
August is creeping closer
and soon the 2016 Olympics
in Rio will be here. Excited?
7+,6,67+(21(>/DXJKV@
)LQDOO\WKH\HDUIRUPH,P
making regular championships
DQGWU\LQJWRJHWWRWKHIURQW
ZHOORIWKHUDFH,PVWDUWLQJ
to enter my peak and I want to
start to bring the event back to
mainstream athletics. The Tokyo
2020 games is somewhere Id also
like to medal at. The last medal
that Britain had [in race walking]
was at the Tokyo games in 1964,
so its come around nicely. For
PHLWVQHYHUIHOWPRUHUHDODQG
more possible than now. O
Follow Toms progress to the Rio 2016
Olympic Games via tombosworth.com,
@tombosworth

Empire

Free Super Saver Delivery and Unlimited Free One-Day Delivery with Amazon Prime are available. Terms and Conditions apply.
See Amazon.co.uk for details.

7KH3KRWRJUDSKHUV3RUWIROLR
Portraiture | Commercial | Model Portfolio Photography
Photography by Chris Harper FBIPP
ZZZWKHSKRWRJUDSKHUVSRUWIROLRFRP
t: 0771 4229869

C U LT U R E >>>

albums and ingles

6$17,*2/'&HQWV
After declaring herself
pretty major on Cant Get
Enough of Myself, Santigold
proves it with this ace third
album. The Brooklyn-based
singer delivers a distinctive
brand of pop music thats
ERWKUHWURDQGOHIWHOG
Banshee is best described as
Rihanna at the fairground,
while Who I Thought You
Were recalls early Cyndi
Lauper. 99 Cents would
EHQHWIURPDFRXSOHPRUH
uptempo cuts, but Santigolds
songwriting is on point
throughout. There arent
many who can slip words like
vainglorious into pop tunes
without seeming like theyre
showing off. OOOOO

IMAGE ANDREW WHITT0N

albums

ALBUM
OF THE
MONTH

3$1,&$77+(',6&2
'HDWKRID%DFKHORU
Brendon Urie is a natural
showman with a skyscraping
voice and a tendency to write
VOLJKWO\JOLEO\ULFVLPDJLQH
a punky Adam Lambert/
Robbie Williams hybrid. His
EDQGVIWKDOEXPIHDWXUHV
monster rock choruses
destined to be memorised
by the kids we used to call
emo, but also contains a
few surprises. Hallelujah has
gospel-style backing vocals,
Dont Threaten Me with a
Good Time samples The B52s
and the title track is a jazzy
ballad inspired by Beyonc
yes, really! If you dabbled
with eyeliner in 2005, youll
like this a lot. OOOOO

Villagers Where Have You Been All My Life?

7KHODVWYH\HDUVKDYHEHHQELJRQHVIRU&RQRU2%ULHQ$VWKHFUHDWLYHIRUFHEHKLQG
9LOODJHUVKHVUHOHDVHGWKUHHKLJKO\DFFODLPHGDOEXPVRIOLWHUDWHDQGPHORGLF
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EDQGPDLQWDLQDQDWPRVSKHUHRIKXVKHGLQWLPDF\WKURXJKRXWEXWDOVREHFDXVH
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RQ&RXUDJHZKLOH+RW6FDU\6XPPHUIHDWXUHVDVWLQJLQJO\VDGDVVHVVPHQWRID
IDLOHGUHODWLRQVKLS:HJRWJRRGDWSUHWHQGLQJ$QGWKHQSUHWHQGLQJJRWXVJRRG
,QIDFWLWVDOOVRDIIHFWLQJWKDW2%ULHQHYHQJHWVDZD\ZLWKWKHRGGWZHHOLQHOLNH
0\/LJKWKRXVHV,OOVDYHDOOP\VWRULHVIRUWKHH7KLVLVDSHUIHFWLQWURGXFWLRQWR
9LOODJHUVDQGDYHU\LPSUHVVLYHUHFRUGLQLWVRZQULJKWOOOOO
104

MUSIC

playlist

FLEUR EAST
Love, Sax and
Flashbacks Last
years X Factor
runner-up is a
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she sings,
she raps, she
can execute a
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FGDWVCNDWO
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and cheesier
than she
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tribute to Tina
Turner is a sweet
idea, but Easts
track Kitchen
butchers it with
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Tina, Tina turn it
up! O O O O O
SUMMER CAMP
Christmas
Forgoing
HGUVKXGGZEGUU
indie-pop duo
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JCXGFGNKXGTGF
a short but
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on Myspace.
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broken through
with recent
chart-topper
Fight Song, her
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OOOOO

{NEED

TO KNOW}

Anne-Marie
01 When she was 12, Essexborn Anne-Marie starred in
the West End production of
Whistle Down the Wind with
Jessie bloody J, but were not
holding that against her.
02 She left musical theatre
behind when my voice
dropped like a boys and I
couldnt really sing those
songs any more.
03 When Anne-Marie
sings work hard on me
like karate on her track
Karate, she knows what
shes talking about. During
her teenage years, she
became a triple world
champion in the sports
shotokan style. Though
obviously the song is about
sex, not martial arts.
04 Anne-Marie has spent
two years touring with
drum and bass group
Rudimental, but shes now

ready to do my own thing.

She calls her music soulful
pop with lyrics that are
real and relatable.
05 Boy is basically about
Anne-Marie having a
gaydar fail. I met this boy
and he was really lovely,
but I couldnt gure out
if he fancied me or if he
was gay, she recalls. I
was like, I need to write a
song about this situation,
but how the hell do I do
that without ofending
anyone? I wanted to do it
in a cheeky way, and I think
I managed that.
06 In case youre
wondering: He was gay,
yeah. I was literally asking
everyone if they knew and
eventually someone told me.
Worst day of my life. O
Anne-Maries debut EP Karate is out
now, @annemarieiam

KYLIE MINOGUE
Every Days Like
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:25'6

nick levine



C U LT U R E >>>

cinema, disc and treaming

cinema
6LVWHUVCasting Tina Fey
and Amy Poehler as sisters
is the most genius on-screen
siblings set-up since Twins.
Everyones favourite IRL
EHVWLHVUHXQLWHIRUWKHUVW
time since their patchy 2008
comedy Baby Mama, but
while the results this time are
more guffaw-y, Sisters never
quite lives up to its potential.
Having the duo play against
type Fey is the hot mess-y
Katie, while Poehler is the
uptight Maura works a
treat, but the plots attempt
to marry grown-up feels
with slapstick gags never
quite meshes. Still, watching
Poehler and Fey do their
thing is guaranteed fun, no
matter the niggles. OOOOO

M OV IE
OF THE
MONTH

5RRPWhat sounds like a

preposterous Love It! real
life story (I was kidnapped
and forced to bring my child
up in a windowless box!)
transcends its potentially
troublesome story thanks to
brilliant performances from
by-Jeebus-its-time-sheQDOO\EURNHRXW%ULH/DUVRQ
and her on-screen son
Jacob Tremblay. Intriguing
direction POVs are shot
from eachs perspective,
while much is intimated and
not told elevates the basedon-the-literary-sensation
source material, and the
result is an unsettling
but riveting drama thats
garnering awards buzz for
good reason. OOOOO

The Danish Girl Out on 1 Jan

(YHU\VRRIWHQDOPFRPHVDURXQGWKDW\RXZDQWVREDGO\WREHDVXFFHVVWKLV
LVRQHRIWKHP,WWHOOVWKHIDVFLQDWLQJWUXHVWRU\RI/LOL(OEH(GGLH5HGPD\QH
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ZKREHJDQOLIHDVWKHPDOH(LQDU:HJHQHUKDVKHUIHPLQLQLW\LJQLWHGDIWHUEHLQJ
HQFRXUDJHGWRGUHVVXSLQIHPDOHFORWKLQJIRUKHUZLIH*HUGDV$OLFLD9LNDQGHU
DUWDQGIDVWEHFRPHVKHUPXVHRQFHWKHSDLQWLQJVJDLQSRSXODULW\$OPWKDW
IHHOVDSWIRULWVWLPHJLYHQWKHPHGLDVULJKWIXOIRFXVRQWUDQVYLVLELOLW\WKLVSDVW
\HDUWKHKRQHVWSRUWUD\DORI/LOLVVWRU\LVH\HRSHQLQJEXWQHYHUYR\HXULVWLF
5HGPD\QHDVH[SHFWHGUHIUDLQVIURPRYHUSOD\LQJKLVUROHOHDYLQJDQ\SHUFHLYHG
VWHUHRW\SHVUPO\DWWKHGRRULQIDYRXURIDUDZDQGZHOOURXQGHGSHUIRUPDQFH
ZKLOH9LNDQGHUVVWURQJZLOOHG*HUGDSURYLGHVDZHOFRPHJURXQGLQJIRUWKH
JHQHUDOYLHZHUZKRPD\EHXQLQLWLDWHGRQWUDQVLVVXHV,WVKDUGQRWWRVHHWKH
SRWHQWLDOWKDW7KH'DQLVK*LUOKDVWRFKDQJHPLQGV,QDZRUOGVWLOOUDJLQJZLWK
WUDQVSKRELDDQGDODFNRIJHQGHUXQGHUVWDQGLQJWKLVOPIHHOVOLNHWKHDFFHVVLEOH
UHSUHVHQWDWLRQWKHWUDQVJHQGHUPRYHPHQWVRGHVSHUDWHO\QHHGVOOOOO
106

screen

stay in

Victor
Frankenstein
James McAvoy
and Daniel
Radcliffe team
up for the
most exciting
nerd-crossover
since the X-Men
fought Star Trek
(that actually
happened
Google it).
Alas, while
both Professor
Xavier and Harry
Potter are on
PGFTCOCVKE
form, theyre
performances
underserved by
CGI-heavy action
and eye-rollingly
predictable
franchise
building.
OOOOO
Sleeping with
Other People
Alison Brie and
Jason Sudeikis
get their sexy
cool on in this
R-rated riff on
When Harry Met
Sally, as two
platonic mates
FGDCVGPIGTKPI
friendship and
sex-fouls in an
CVVGORVVQPF
true romance.
Romantic drama
and smutty
humour combine
to predominately
entertaining
effect.
OOOOO
Snoopy and
Charlie Brown
While Snoopy
and Charlie
Brown may
mostly feel like
an American
childrens
institution, that
doesnt lessen
the DAW-factor
inherent in
this big screen
revival. Embrace
your inner child
with this lovingly
nostalgic (dont
worry no
WhatsApp or
Tinder here),
retro feel-fest.
OOOOO

{WHY

WE LOVE}

Oscar Isaac
The arrival of yet another Star Wars movie may
guarantee billion-dollar box office-busting
receipts, but theres understandable fan-doubt
surrounding its young, predominately unproven
new cast. Lets be honest who really ruined
that last trilogy? Jar Jar Binks or Hayden I LOVE
SAND Christensen? There are no such fears
with Oscar Isaac, whos set to play Poe Dameron,
an X-wing pilot whos said to have more than a
touch of the Han Solo roguishness about him.
Take one look at him in his red and white spacesuit, and its more Woah Daymn-eron, if you
ask us (were here all night). Between that and
2016s turn as the X-Mens super-nemesis, as the
titular Apocalypse, and Oscar Isaac is nally set
to hit the big league. And its rightly deserved.
Small, noticeable turns in Drive and Robin Hood
paved the way for arresting lead performances
in critically-acclaimed indies like Inside Llewyn
Davis, The Two Faces of January, A Most Violent
Year and the brilliant Ex Machina. Hot, talented
and versatile whats not to love?

TRANSPARENT
SEASON 2 Stream
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DQGWKHFUHDWLYHEUDYHU\SDLGRIILQ
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IXWXUHVO THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE
Stream$PD]RQ3ULPHVVHFRQGEHVW
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ULVTX/2/VLQVSDGHVO

:25'6

matt risley $1'daniel megarry



C U LT U R E >>>

gaming and geeking

gaming
Final Fantasy Explorers
Pitched somewhere between
Crystal Chronicles and
Monster Hunter, Final
Fantasy Explorers is a
quest-based action RPG that
welcomes one, two, three
or four players in a world
packed with critter-based
exploration and action.
With classic Final Fantasy
monsters and summons
aplenty, the graphics err on
the side of the much-loved
Final Fantasy 7 aesthetic, and
theres an expansive world to
get well and truly lost in. Out
29 Jan on Nintendo 3DS. O
Super Star Wars As
Star Wars fever continues
apace, its nice to see Sony
revisiting past glories and
making SNESs classic Super
Star Wars available on PS4
DQG9LWD'LVWLQFWO\OR
by todays standards, the
game puts you in Luke, Han
or Chewies shoes as you
blast your way from left to
right with a bit of vehicular
action thrown in to break up
the game play. The graphics
havent aged well or received
much of a polish, but with
this much retro joy, it really
doesnt matter. Out now. O

GAME
OF THE
MONTH

ESSENTIAL APPS

LEGO Marvels Avengers Out 29 Jan, all formats

QuizChat Love a
BuzzFeed quiz?
Wish there was
somewhere
you could rattle
through loads
of em? Then
QuizChat, from
the chaps at
BuzzFeed, is
for you! On
Android/iOS.

We still maintain that the gaming gods are missing a trick by not putting
together an Avengers game aimed at the over 10s, especially when Lego
has been making serviceable open world superhero romps for what
seems like forever now. This latest version, delayed from 2015, gives a
suitably tongue-in-cheek Lego spin on the events of both The Avengers
and The Avengers: Age of Ultron, so the role-call of superheroes you can
enjoy in plasticised-form includes Iron Man, Thor, Captain America,
Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hulk and more expect a full roster of villains
and the usual comedic carnage along with some light but sometimes
frustrating block-based puzzles. But seriously, can anyone explain
why there isnt a Grand Theft Auto-style superhero game? The level
of polish on display here is consistent with the Lego games across all
their origin sources and weve got Jurassic World, multiple Batmans,
Harry Potters and more to prove that point but this is a universe that,
however its re-skinned, is starting to feel very familiar O

108

Boomerang
Another way to
flood timelines
with moving
images, this
creates a
mini-video
from bursts of
photos. Like a
OKFFNGPIGT
to the GIF On
Android/iOS.

PLAY
COMICS

Lumberjanes, Vol
2 Based around
the goings on in
a summer camp
for hardcore
lady types,
Lumberjanes is
the ongoing epic
girl-centric allages comic book
series which sees
teenage girls
IJVKPIOQPUVGTU
and dealing with
LGBT issues.
Think Buffy
meets Gravity
Falls.

eauty
and
e
east

Ice King #1 of
6 Tragic and
hilarious, the
Ice King is
undoubtedly
an icon in the
Land of Ooo. A
no-good, lonely
weirdo, keeping
busy kidnapping
princesses, etc.
But theres more
to him than
that as any
Adventure Time
fan knows. Take
a look at what
makes him tick.

Monstress
#1 Think
steampunk
meets Studio
Ghibli meets
Kill Bill for
this exciting
new fantasy
adventure from
Image Comics.
Well, if The Bride
had one arm and
had survived
a war between
witches and
monsters, that
is. Gorgeous and
original.

Deadly cute. Kidrobot

are trying to kill us. Well,
maybe just our wallets.
These little guys just
SCREAM Aliens although
in space, no one can hear
them. Try telling him he
cant have a hug.

%HQWVFLVZRUGSOD\ Get
authentic while dressing
GRZQ6WDUHHWR
FHUVLQ
the bedroom with this foam
Klingon batleth from Star
7UHN,WOOWULJKWLQZLWK\RXU
fantasy sword collection.
(Not that one). Kpla!

$*RWKDP5DLQERZ An
easy favourite for fans of
queer comics. This caped
cuddler mopes out of the
madcap classic comics of
the 50s. Bring Batman to
bed in a shade that wont
clash with the curtains.

109

0 1/ 15 >>>

BELOW
FULL LOOK BY PERRY ELLIS

115

AMERICAN
H U S T L E

111

0 1/ 15 >>>

ister otivated
LEFT
UNDER ARMOUR
STORM
BACKPACK, 40,
LUISAVIAROMA.COM
RIGHT
SUUNTO DIGITAL
RUNNING
WATCH, 251,
LUISAVIAROMA.COM
BELOW
OAKLEY FLAK
JACKET ACETATE
SUNGLASSES, 140,
MRPORTER.COM

T I G H T
LEFT
FLAKE ADVANCED
WOOL BLEND SKI
SOCKS, 22,
THIS
2XU GHST
LIGHTWEIGHT
JERSEY RUNNING
T-SHIRT, 45,
MRPORTER.COM
RIGHT
ASICS GEL
ATLANTIS IN
LEGION BLUE, 65,
ASICS.CO.UK

112

For a lot of us, January

means one thing Dusting
off those running shoes
and hitting the gym. We all
have the best intentions
for the New Year, dont
we? Exercising might be a
bore, but you dont have
to look it! If your gym kit is
fun, bright and energetic
it might motivate you
more than something
black and bland. Bolds
and brights can keep you
going no matter what your
sport. And who doesnt
love a bit of peacocking?

STYLE
RIGHT
LACOSTE TENNIS
COTTON-BLEND
SWEATBANDS, 15,
MRPORTER.COM
BELOW
ATHLETIC
PROPULSION
LABS WINDCHILL
RUNNING
SNEAKERS, 105,
MRPORTER.COM

B R I G H T !
THIS
SOAR RUNNING
COLOUR-BLOCK
MESH T-SHIRT, 55,
MRPORTER.COM
BELOW
EA7 RUBBER
TRAINING
SNEAKERS, 105
LUISAVIAROMA.COM

ABOVE
2XU WIND DEFENCE
COMPRESSION
TIGHTS, 95,
MRPORTER.COM
RIGHT
PATAGONIA
ASCENSIONIST
BACKPACK, 110,
LUISAVIAROMA.COM

113

0 1/ 15 >>>

young americans

Young rebels
without a cause
get more time in
the limelight when
immortalised in
denim. he Levis
Line 8 collection
is modern,
monochromatic
and simple. A
distilled take
on traditional
silhouettes, the
collection has been
designed to layer,
mix and match.
Prices range from 45-70,
levi.com

THE PALLADIUM
BACKWAY CLP
urban explorer
boots are designed
to navigate you
though the harsh,
rugged, sprawling
urban city that
is your every day
life. The leather
and cambrelle
boots will be able
to withstand
whatever you put
them through, so
dont be afraid to
get a little dirty.
Palladium Backway
CLP, 120.

114

Get ready for another

American takeover
this summer, as the
stateside icon that is
Perry Ellis eyes up the
UK. Creative director
Michael Maccari
tells us why now,
why the UK, and why
hes been so damned
successful thus far.
Give us a quick
introduction to the
brand? The brand is really
based on classic Americana,
but looking forward to the
future. Taking the sprit of
what Perry was known for in
the 80s and 90s, and updating
it for the European market.
Why the UK and why
now? Were choosing
Europe because people
know Perry Ellis, because
they know the brand, but
dont know how they know
the brand. Its a chance to
start fresh and launch in
a place where fashion is
maybe a bit more important
than it is in the states.
Why are Americans so
successful in creating
lifestyle brands? They
have a real commerce
approach to the industry and
strength in branding. People
can identify with a brand and
have brand loyalty.
What are you most
excited to launch? The
knitwear and sweat portion
of the line is something thats
missing from the line in the
states. Its really important
for guys and how they dress.
Do you have an ideal
British man for the
brand? I think its really just
a techy guy, an active guy.
Someone who doesnt have to
wear a suit. Someone who can
wear it and have fun with it! O
Perry Ellis America available
at perryellisamerica.com from
Jan and houseoffraser.co.uk in Feb

STYLE

american
eauty
PHOTOGRAPHER hristo hristov
STYLIST stephen conway
GROOMING evan huang USING MAC AND LABEL.M
MODELS jb AND tom mayat ESTABLISHED

115

0 1/ 15 >>>

tik tok, on e clock

{WATCH

OUT}

ROCK around
the
CLOCK

116

STYLE
Music and fashion
collaborations can
sometimes leave
something to be desired.
The NIXON ROCK LTD
Collection, however, puts
you under the skin of
legendary rock idols in a
timeless fashion.
Keith Richards, Tom
Waits, Ringo Starr, Ozzy
Osbourne and Pete
Townshend come together
to form a legendary
project. The one of a kind
watches are made from
donated leather jackets,
guitar straps and boots
from the rock camp, and
each watch is crafted to
reect the musicians
own unique personality.
Better yet, 100% of the
proceeds will go towards
helping other musicians
battling addiction.
This collaboration with
MusiCares MAP Fund
started back in 2000.
The watches will be
available in handful of
stores around the world.
Available in Selfridges London &
NIXON Seven Dials

LEFT
TOM WAITS
SENTRY CHRONO,
FORMERLY A
LEATHER BOOT
BELOW
OZZY OSBOURNE
51-30 CHRONO,
FORMERLY A
LEATHER JACKET

117

S T Y L E >>>

grming n a ociation i 

01
BOXING CLEVER
Frapins tenth
fragrance is
inspired by
The Orchid
Man, Georges
Carpentier a
boxer in the
20s, who later
turned his hand
to acting, before
opening one
QH2CTKUTUV
cocktail bars.
Naturally, the
boxing element
lends the scent
to be built around
leather...
100ml for 98,
bloomperfumery.
co.uk

ragrance

02

03

SEVENTH
HEAVEN
Orris and
Sandalwood
is the seventh
addition to
Jo Malones
Cologne Intense
Collection. Both
woody and floral,
it continues
the tradition of
keeping their
fragrances largely
unisex and, above
all, beautiful.
100ml for 105,
jomalone.co.uk

BALL CONTROL
Now you can
smell like the
man everyones
talking about, as
Cristiano Ronaldo
launches his
debut fragrance,
Legacy.
Notes include
cinnamon,
cedarwood
and patchouli,
implying that
Cristiano likes his
scents musky.
30ml for 27,
theperfumeshop.
com

118

grooming

TRIM IS IN
Whether trimming a Tarzanlike chest, streamlining legs
or de-fuzzing your delicates,
using a beard trimmer
doesnt quite do the job and
just the thought of a slip with
a razor blade is enough to
make your eyes water.
If manscaping is an
essential part of your getting
ready regime, its time to put
down the razor and pick up
Remingtons new Delicates
and Body Hair Trimmer for
a safer and easier spruce-up.
Nose, ears, chest, back, down
below theres a lot to do.
The Delicates and Body Hair

Trimmer has been designed

by Remington especially for
men whod like a specialist
intimate body-grooming
tool that makes life easier.
Comfort-tip blades and a
sleek, easy-to-handle design
offer security and a smooth
trim even in the shower
DQGWKHVKRZHUSURRIQLVK
and washout port mean
hygiene is guaranteed.
Making manscaping
effortless, this should be
a staple item in your 2016
grooming kit. O
Remington Delicates and Body Hair
Trimmer, 29.99, amazon.co.uk

Baby, its cold outside

Its January, its grim, party
season is over relax and destress in an Olverum bath!
Containing extracts from ten
aromatic plants, not only will
their bath oil aid sleep, aches
and pains it leaves your
skin beautifully soft.
From 23.50, olverum.com

Serving face
Energise your skin in just
20 minutes with StarSkins
Leading Man Sheet Mask.
Here comes the science part
a Bio-Cellulose hydrating
mask contains a serum
that leaves your skin rened
and refreshed.
From 6.95, harveynichols.com

119

GROOMING

pray, crub and trim < < < S T Y L E

the hairs down to about 1cm
before applying. Since its not
dv#sdlqohvv#dv#vkdylqj/#d#vwl##
drink helps too.

How to look good

naked

05

Grooming Guru Lee Kynaston

has a few tips about looking your
best in the buff.

thatll look better your

house will, too. After all, 70%
ri#wkh#gxvw#rq#|rxu##rru#lv#
made up of those dead skin
cells.

you do have to have

something to make the most
ri#lw#lq#wkh##uvw#sodfh1#

04

Wax lyrical. Bears,

look away now,
because Im about to talk
manscaping something a
recent survey by Philips
suggests 60% of us do, with
half of us opting for a
member-enhancing pubic
trim. Removing the fuzz
with a body hair trimmer is a
juhdw#zd|#wr#vkrz#r##
hard-won muscles, but if you
want long-lasting results
without itchy re-growth,
then opt for waxing. Try
Parissa Tea Tree Express Wax
Strips For Men (11.99 for 20
from boots.com) and trim

02

01

Become a scrubber.
You might not realise
it, but the skin on your bod
sheds more cells than a
disgraced X Factor winner
sheds fans around 40,000
cells every hour, to be precise.
Unfortunately, those cells
tend to sit on the skins
surface, making it feel rough
and look dull and grey, so
dislodge these little squatters
with an exfoliating soap like
Molton Browns Re-Charge
Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar
(13 from nivenandjoshua.
com) or make your own scrub
by mixing sea salt with a little
olive oil. Use twice weekly
and it wont just be your skin
120

Fake it to make it. If

you cant tone it, tan
it! So says celebrity tanner
James Read, whos turned
everyone from model Oliver
Cheshire to actor Clive Owen
into bronze age men. How
come? Well, he reckons that a
vsud|#wdq#lqvwdqwo|#gh#qhv#
muscles and evens out skin
tone, improving the overall
appearance of your bod in the
process. You can even cheat
with spray-on abs, thanks to
a contouring technique where
vshfl#f#duhdv#duh#vkdghg#zlwk#
extra self-tan to create the
looxvlrq#ri#gh#qlwlrq1#Rswlqj#
for a shade of mahogany is
optional of course and not
recommended.

03

Ilup#xs#wkh##de1 Abs
not what they used to
be? Pecs in need of perking
up a bit? Theres no shortcut
to a Bieber-style body (youll
still have to hit the gym and
dodge kebabs to achieve
that), but body-sculpting
serums like FIT Pec & Ab
Vfxosw#+68#iurp##wvnlqfduh1
co.uk) which contain
ingredients to help break
grzq#idw#dqg##up#xs#vnlq#fdq#
help make the most of what
you have. Be warned though

LEFT
James Read
Bronzing Mousse
ABOVE
FIT Pec & Ab
Sculpt
TOP
Origins Clear
Improvement
Active Charcoal
Pore Clearing
Mask
RIGHT
Molton Brown
Re-Charge
Black Pepper
Bodyscrub Bar

Banish bacne. With a

high concentration of
oil-producing sebaceous
glands located on the back, its
little wonder some of us
rffdvlrqdoo|#vx#hu#iurp#wkh#
dreaded bacne. To minimise
the problem, keep the area
between your shoulder blades
free of pore-blocking grease,
grime and dead skin cells with
the help of a body scrub (a
rough, dry towel will work if
you dont have a helping hand)
and apply a clay mask like
Origins Clear Improvement
Active Charcoal Pore Clearing
Mask (23 from origins.co.uk)
once a week to vacuum up oil
and impurities.

06

Never put a foot

wrong. You know you
can always judge a man by his
shoes? Well, when hes butt
nekkid, its his feet you can
judge him by. And if yours look
like trotters youll be having
your snout in nobodys trough.
The most common foot fault is
ugly-looking dry skin, so
remove it in one go with
Footners Exfoliating Socks
(19.99 from boots.com). A bit
like a skin peel for your feet,
you pop them on, they dissolve
all the dried skin and calluses,
and a week later, with the help
of the odd foot soak, they drop
r#1#Wkh#kdug#vnlq#dqg#fdooxvhv/#
that is. Not your feet. O

OVER 75,000
YOUNG LGBT
PEOPLE WILL
BE BULLIED
THIS YEAR.
MORE THAN
21,000 WILL
ATTEMPT
SUICIDE.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT AT
NOBYSTANDERS.ORG.UK

EVERY MAN
NEEDS HIS HAIR

THE INNOVATOR AND WORLD LEADER IN SMP

BEFORE SMP

AFTER SMP

SMP is suitable for: Alopecia / Male Pattern Baldness

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TO BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION CALL US ON:

0845 604 4618 or visit ZZZKLVKDLUFOLQLFFRP

S T Y L E >>>

A new year brings on all

sorts of irrational responses,
such as must exercise more
or must spend less time on
Grindr. But what it also
brings is that undeniable
sense of the new and
the promise of even more
newness as the year goes on.
So why not get excited about
what the tech world promises
over the next 12 months?
WORDS

mike hird

01

COMINGSOON

03

122

TECH
01
PHANTOM SOUND
The wireless
speaker might
be nothing new
in itself, but 2016
could belong to the
Devialet Phantom
wireless speaker
thanks to some
incredibly sharp
design and unique,
omni-directional
sound. TBC,
devialet.com

02
PRINT-BOT
The future arrives
in May 2016 when
ZUtA mini mobile
robotic printer takes
its bow. Its a tiny
little thing that can
print to any sized
paper by practically
running across the
page amazing!
TBC, zutalabs.com

02

03
NOTE PERFECT
Requiring only
a dongle and
proprietary
tech rather than
a Bluetooth
connection, the
HearNotes wireless
earbuds look set to
shake up wireless
listening in
2016. TBC,
hearnotes.com

04

04

05

SCANTASTIC
The world of
3D printing and
scanning makes
a move towards
less ample
wallets thanks to
the evolution of
Fuel3Ds SCANIFY,
VJGTUVVTWN[
portable and
affordable 3D
scanner. 990,
fuel-3D.com

DELL VENUE 8 PRO 7000 SERIES

Dell are making somewhat of a late play into
the must-have tablet arena, but with the Venue
8 Pro 7000 series its a committed play indeed.
With an impressive form factor the tablet is
one of the thinnest around at just 6mm and
a robust set of specs, the Venue 8 Pro is a
reminder of days when Dell felt like an essential
purchase for hardware junkies. The real boon
comes in the on-board camera, which packs
Intels RealSense Depth Camera technology,
allowing you to refocus on any point or aspect
of your shot after youve taken it. Another
innovation is the Dell Gallery, which promises
to sort your pictures from social media into
one album, complete with comments and
everything. O
From 349, dell.com/uk

05
IN THE NOKE
This is genius a
range of Bluetoothenabled locks
that automatically
connect to your
smartphone,
allowing you to lock
and unlock at the
swipe of an app.
From $69, noke.com

123

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0 1/ 16 >>>

BELOW
VEST BY FILA
PHOTOGRAPHED AT VIRGIN ACTIVE

138
tness and wellbeing with

charlie king

125

14
L I F E >>>

SIGNS
THAT YOUR
RELATIONSHIP
MIGHT BE
OVER
Breaking up is hard to do. But can
you tell when its happening to
you? A few early warning signs that
maybe its time to start dividing up
those DVD collections.
THE GUYLINER

01

He doesnt look up
when you walk into
a room. Someone who loves
you would always look up
upon your arrival into a
room, even if youve only
EHHQJRQHYHPLQXWHV,
mean, it could be anybody
VWULGLQJLQWKHUH,IKHGRHVQW
look up, it means he doesnt
care whether its you, a
burglar or Alexis Carrington
KHMXVWZDQWVWREHDORQH
6WDUWSDFNLQJ

02

You come home

WRQG\RXU
luggage inexplicably in
the hall and theres a
note attached to the
dogs collar. And you
GLGQWHYHQKDYHDGRJ,
mean, hes gone out and
bought a dog especially to
GRWKLV+HVDVLFNR

03

He texts you to
say hes working
late. But he works in
Topman, in the precinct,
DQGLWVKXWVDWSP

04

He checks in on
Facebook from the
local sauna.

05

He spends ages
in the shower.
+HVMXVWUHDOO\K\JLHQLF
ULJKW":HHHHHOOPD\EH
But the shower is a place to
think big life decisions
can be made while they get
drenched under the shower

13

@theguyliner

126

KHDG,VKHGHFLGLQJ
whether to call it a day
ZKLOHKHVKDPSRRV",IKH
gets a shower as soon as he
comes in from somewhere,
this could be another
DODUPEHOO,VKHJHWWLQJKLV
honey somewhere else and
rinsing it off before your
Spidey sense detects it?

06

You cant
remember the last
time he laughed when
you quoted a line from
Absolutely Fabulous in
that funny voice you do.
And its totally hilarious
DEVROXWHO\RIWKHWLPH

07

He brings home
cava when he
knows you only like
Prosecco.

08

Youre both glued

to your phones. ,I
youve said more in a day on
Twitter or Facebook than
you have to each other, it
might be time to start
dividing the jars in the spice
UDFN&RPPXQLFDWLRQLVNH\
and while youre @-ing your
IDYHV\RXUVLJQLFDQWRWKHU
might be looking for a RT or
DIROORZHOVHZKHUH

09

He tells you your

mother may
have a point whenever
you report her latest
critique of everything
you do and say.

DATING
10

Things have
changed in the
bedroom. Not doing it as
much? Or at all? Maybe he
wants to bring in a third
SHUVRQRUDIRXUWKRUIWK
if youre already playing
WKDWZD\:KHQVH[VWRSV
its not always a bad sign
he could be really
stressed at work or
worrying about something
but changes in the
bedroom do need to be
addressed. He might think
that bringing someone else
into the mix might be just
what your relationship
QHHGVWRVXUYLYHEXWWKDW
has to be something you
both agree on.

11

He asks you
your opinion on
what hes wearing
and gets changed as
soon as you say I love it!

12

A champagne glass
shatters in your
hand every time you
think about the future.

07

13

While you were

watching London
Spy he kept saying Ben
Whishaw was his ideal
man. But youre about three
stone heavier and the only
place you have as much hair
as Ben Whishaw is on your
knuckles or your back.

14

His cute
mannerisms have
become bad habits. You
used to love the way he
squeaked at the end of every
ODXJKDQGXSRQQGLQJKLV
EDWKURRPWRZHOVXQJRQWKH
RRUDJDLQ\RXGPHUHO\
shrug and chuckle at your
messy boy. Fast forward to
QRZKRZHYHUDQGHYHU\WLPH
KHODXJKV\RXGUHDPRI
wearing his larynx as a
SLOOER[KDWDQG\RXVHHWKH
WRZHOVRQWKHRRUDVD
colossal diss to your neat and
tidy ethic. Surprise! Its over.
Once the things you used to
love turn into things you
HQGXUHDQGQDOO\HYROYHLQWR
things that make you a bit
VWDEE\\RXFRXOGZHOOEH
staring into your very own
relationship apocalypse. O

127

COLUMN

L I F E >>>

After six months of waiting, the day had

qdoo|#frph#iru#ph#wr#ohdyh#p|#xqlyhuvlw|#
zrun#dqg#uxq#r#wr#Dpvwhugdp$#
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ylvlw#p|#qrz#h{0er|iulhqg#lq#wkh#Qhwkhuodqgv#
wzr#|hduv#djr1#Kh#zdv#Gxwfk/#zlwk#dooxulqj#
eoxh#h|hv#dqg#d#fxwh#vploh/#dqg#zh#phw#lq#d#
foxe#lq#Eluplqjkdp1#\rx#dozd|v#phhw#wkh#ehvw#
shrsoh#lq#wkh#vprnlqj#duhd/#uljkwB#
Lq#rxu#uhodwlrqvkls/#klv#fkdudfwhu#dqg#
kxprxu#pdgh#ph#wkdqnixo#iru#wuxo|#jrrg#
shrsoh1#L#dgruhg#klp#wkhq##dqg#L#vwloo#gr#
qrz1#Zh#hqghg#rq#jrrg#whupv#diwhu#wkh#
frqvxplqj#jxlow#ri#qhduo|#lqihfwlqj#klp#
zlwk#KLY#pdgh#ph#uhdolvh#wkdw#L#qhhghg#wr#eh#
dorqh#iru#d#|hdu#ru#wzr1
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kdg#wr#zdlw#iru#wkh#zlqgrz#shulrg#wr#h{sluh#
ehiruh#wdnlqj#d#whvw1#Kh#zdv#rqo|#vwxg|lqj#lq#
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skrqh#zkhq#kh#wrog#ph#wkh#jrrg#qhzv##
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rq#vr#pdq|#suhylrxv#rffdvlrqv/#L#udq#xs#wr#
klp/#wkuhz#p|#vxlwfdvh#rq#wkh#jurxqg#dqg#
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frpsdq|#lq#vxfk#d#ehdxwlixo#Hxurshdq#flw|1#
Wkh#gd|#zdv#shuihfw1#

POSITIVE LUKE
Fear and loathing in
Amsterdam

What do I
want? Do I just
always want the
unattainable?
Why was my
friends amazing
relationship
making me feel
like jumping
from the nearest
bridge?

Wklv#doo#fdph#fudvklqj#grzq#zkhq#kh#wrog#
ph#wkdw#khg#kdyh#wr#ohdyh#hduo|#dqg#qrw#vwd|#
wkh#qljkw#dv#sodqqhg1#Diwhu#wkuhh#prqwkv#
ri#qrw#fu|lqj#wkdqnv#wr#p|#sureohpdwlf#
dqwlghsuhvvdqwv/#doo#ri#p|#hprwlrqv#h{sorghg#
rxw#ri#p|#h|hedoov1#
Vlwwlqj#lq#dq#Dpvwhugdp#frhh#vkrs/#fu|lqj#
|rxu#h|hv#rxw#iru#uhdvrqv#|rx#qhyhu#fdq#
h{sodlq/#vhhphg#wr#frqup#hyhu|wklqj#L#kdg#
vxvshfwhg#lq#suhylrxv#|hduv=#L#oryh#klp/#dqg#lw#
kxuwv#zkhq#kh#kdv#wr#ohdyh1#
Dprqj#wkh#dznzdugqhvv#Lg#fuhdwhg#zlwk#
p|#wzr#frpsdqlrqv/#L#jdyh#klp#d#qdo#kxj#
jrrge|h1#Loo#vhh#|rx#vrrq/#Oxnh/#kh#vdlg/#dqg#
wkhq#dvnhg#ph#wr#zdon#klp#wr#klv#wudlq1#Exw#
wkh#yhu|#wkrxjkw#ri#uholylqj#wkh#jrrge|h#zh#
vkduhg#dw#wkh#dlusruw#wzr#|hduv#ehiruhkdqg#
vhqw#vklyhuv#grzq#p|#vslqh1#L#frxogqw#vd|#
jrrge|h/#djdlq1#Dqg#vr#kh#ghsduwhg/#djdlq1#
Dpvwhugdp#zdv#lqghhg#dv#dzohvv#
dqg#dpd}lqj#dv#L#dqwlflsdwhg/#zlwk#rqh#
h{fhswlrq=#L#zdv#zlwk#d#frxsoh1#Diwhu#p|#
vlqjoh#ehvw#iulhqg#fdqfhoohg#rq#xv/#L#irxqg#
p|vhoi#ehlqj#wkh#skrwrjudskhu#wklug#zkhho#
wr#wkhlu#Dpvwhugdp#dgyhqwxuh/#vrphwklqj#
L#ihow#glgqw#lqfoxgh#ph1#Wkh#rqo|#wklqj#
zruvh#wkdq#zlvklqj#|rx#zhuh#lq#d#frxsoh#lv#
wkh#whdvlqj#vljkw#ri#d#frxsoh#dvnlqj#|rx#wr#
wdnh#wkhlu#nlvvlqj#rq#d#eulgjh#skrwr#hyhu|#
wkuhh#plqxwhv1#
Wkh|#grqw#uhdg#p|#froxpq/#vr#L#nqrz#
wkh|oo#qhyhu#vhh#wklv/#exw#li#wkhuh#zdv#rqh#
wklqj#Lyh#h{shulhqfhg#iurp#wkdw#wuls/#lwv#wkdw#
L#qhhg#wr#vruw#p|vhoi#rxw1#Zkdw#gr#L#zdqwB#Gr#
L#mxvw#dozd|v#zdqw#wkh#xqdwwdlqdeohB#Zk|#zdv#
p|#iulhqgv#dpd}lqj#uhodwlrqvkls#pdnlqj#ph#
ihho#olnh#mxpslqj#iurp#wkh#qhduhvw#eulgjhB#
Qdwxudoo|/#L#uhixvhg#wr#eh#wkh#wudjlf#
vlqjohwrq#ri#wkh#plql0euhdn#dqg#vqxfn#rxw#
dw#4dp#wr#ylvlw#rqh#ri#Dpvwhugdpv#wrs#jd|#
vdxqdv1#L#fdph#edfn#uhiuhvkhg#dqg#vh{xdoo|#
vdwlvhg1#Exw#vlwwlqj#rq#wkh#hgjh#ri#wkh#ehg/#
L#zlvkhg#iru#wkh#fxggohv#L#frxog#vhh#dfurvv#
wkh#urrp#vkduhg#e|#p|#wzr#iulhqgv1#L#grqw#
uhfrpphqg#dq|rqh#ihholqj#vrphzkdw#dorqh#
jr#dq|zkhuh#zlwk#d#frxsoh1#Wkh#ihholqjv#ri#
orqholqhvv#rq#wkdw#euhdn#pdgh#lw#mxvw#wrr#
kdug#wr#ehdu1#O

@positiveluke

129

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ENHANCEMENT

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ask ad

ADVICE

L I F E >>>

A few months ago I was

a victim of a mugging. I
was walking home from
a night out at a gay bar. I
guess I was dressed quite
DPER\DQWO\PD\EH,
GRQWNQRZ,FDQWVWRS
WKLQNLQJDERXWLWWKRXJK
Did they attack me
because they knew I was
gay? Is that why I stood
out to them? I feel like I
KDYHWRVWRSEHLQJP\VHOI
:KDWFDQ,GRWRKHOS
myself feel normal again?
From WC
Everyone has a right
to be who they want to
be, people who dont
accept that right are the
ones with a problem,
but if they express
that problem through
violence, then it becomes
a problem for everyone.
Someones safety is always
paramount, so maybe the
area you were in wasnt
as safe as you thought.
In that case, maybe you
should think about the
accepting values of the
people outside the bar as
much as you would inside
But then, maybe you were
just in the wrong place at
the wrong time. Unless
the police catch them,
youre never going to know
why you were mugged.
It couldve been an act
fuelled by homophobia,
but equally it couldve
been because you had
your phone out, or they
were after your cash. The
fact is youre never going
to know. That leaves you
with a decision of how you
deal with the situation.
Why choose to focus on
the version that stops you
being yourself? You may
not realise it, but youre
instinctively choosing to
think the worst and as
this impacts on how you
feel about yourself, why
not accept it was due to

one of the other entirely

plausible scenarios, or even
just accept that youll never
know. So, (safety aside)
choose the option that lets
you be yourself. O
,PRXWWRPRVWRIP\
IDPLO\DQGWKH\UHDOO
FRPSOHWHO\QHDQG
VXSSRUWLYHZLWKLW7KH
RQO\SHRSOH,PQRWRXW
WRDUHP\JUDQGSDUHQWV
,YHKHDUGWKHPPDNH
UHPDUNVEHIRUHDERXW
JD\JX\VRQ79,ORYH
WKHPDQG,NQRZWKHLU
ELJRWU\LVMXVWDSURGXFW
of their generation. I just
GRQWZDQWWRGLVDSSRLQW
them is it wrong if I
stay closeted to them?
From BD
No. Its not wrong to stay
closeted to them. People
have a right to be who
they want to be. Most
people Ive spoken with

NEED
ADVICE?
Ask Aled at
advice@
gaytimes.co.uk
Your email will be kept
anonymous and may
be edited for space

whore coming out say

that they want their family
to know the real them, but
that doesnt necessarily
make it the right in a
right and wrong scenario.
Its down to personal
values. Having said that,
think about why you think
youd be disappointing
them. Youre probably
right in thinking that their
opinions are a product of
their generation. Theyre
simply responding to
their image and idea of
what gay people are. But
you could be one of the
LQXHQFHVWKDWKHOSVWKHP
see that theres no such
thing as a gay person
and in fact some of the
people they already know
and love are gay. You
might free them of their
bigotry and help them
lead a more accepting life.
Basically, you could be
doing them a favour! O

0\SDUWQHUGRHVQW
ZDQWNLGVEXW,GR,OO
EHKRQHVW,NQHZWKLV
DIWHUDERXWDFRXSOHRI
PRQWKVRIGDWLQJEXW
WKRXJKW,GVWLFNZLWK
him in case he changed
KLVPLQG,WVEHHQQHDUO\
three years now and he
VWLOOKDVQWDQGOHWVMXVW
VD\,PQRWJHWWLQJDQ\
\RXQJHU,ORYHKLPEXW
EHLQJDIDWKHUHVSHFLDOO\
WKURXJKDGRSWLRQLV
VRPHWKLQJ,YHDOZD\V
wanted to be. It feels a
ELWOLNH6RSKLHV&KRLFH
really From MW
I refuse to accept this
is a binary decision. It
cant possibly be children
or partner. If it is, then
I sympathise thats a
horrendous decision and
the advice Id offer is that
once you come to terms
with the fact that you
cant have both, then both
options will make you
happy eventually, which
is a fortunate position to
be in. I still havent given
up hope on having it all
though! Id have hundreds
of questions Id want to ask
to help get to the bottom
of your dilemma but
without these, Id sum it up
by saying communication.
Talk, talk some more and
then talk again because
in there, somewhere, is the
FRPSURPLVH1RWMXVWWRQG
out what the answers are,
EXWDOVRWRQGRXWZKDWV
behind those answers.
Where do these beliefs
come from? Are there ways
of mitigating those beliefs?
With enough talking, youll
QGDFRQVHQVXVZKLFKZLOO
make you both happy and
will mean you can have as
close to everything as is
possible. O

@ahj

131

L I F E >>>

03

A recent study determined that 70% of men

masturbate my guess is that the other 30%
is lying and that many have continued from
their teens through adulthood. For years, selfpleasuring was associated with mental illness,
but, evolving times gave way to healthier
attitudes and even the notion that stroking
wkh#vdodpl#frxog#kdyh#ehqhwv1#Diwhu#doo/#
youre not going to catch an STI from yourself.
Now regarded as a normal and healthy
practice, wanking still generates some
concern and discussion among those who
appreciate its virtues: Is there such a thing as
too much? Can you damage your hardware? Is
it best to keep your meat-pounding pastime
from your partner? Such questions come
more often than an 18 year-old with access to
PornHub, signalling the need to dispel and
frqup##vrph#frpprq#pdvwxuedwlrq#p|wkv1

JOSH SABARRA
Lets talk about sex...

04

Another upside to spanking your

monkey? It can help you last longer in
the bedroom. If you masturbate a few hours
before you have sex with a partner, youre likely
to cum less quickly on the second round.
Self-pleasuring can be similar to practicing for
an event that requires physical aptitude, like a
marathon. Its been demonstrated that men can
better control how fast they cum by learning
how their bodies work as related to the amount
of time and number of strokes required to reach
orgasm. Just like building endurance at the gym,
its possible to train yourself to last longer.

01

In terms of frequency, feel free to

pull your pud as much as youd like.
You wont go blind and youre not going to use
xs#|rxu#vhphq1#Lq#dgglwlrq/#dq#Dxvwudoldq#
study has shown that men who ejaculate more
wkdq#yh#wlphv#shu#zhhn#duh#ohvv#olnho|#wr#kdyh#
prostate cancer than those who play with
themselves less. But a point of consideration
should be the place that masturbation holds in
your life; for example, do you engage in solo
sexual activity in lieu of having relations with
your partner? Or, does your obsessive jerking
r#lqwhuihuh#zlwk#|rxu#delolw|#wr#shuirup#dw#
your job? If you answered yes to either, you
pd|#ehqhw#iurp#folqlfdo#vxssruw1

02

Although uncommon, its possible to

harm your willy. While often called a
boner, theres no actual bone in your penis.
Rather, its made up of sponge-like tissue
technically called corpora cavernosa that
holds the blood when your dick is erect. Overly
fast and aggressive masturbation can forcibly
bend your penis, resulting in a cracking noise
that is sometimes followed by the loss of your
hard-on, pain, black-and-blue discolouration
(hematomas) and, in severe cases, damage to
your urethra. So, dont get carried away
yanking on your dingle; hes been good to you,
and you dont want to land him in the hospital.

132

If youre in a relationship, its still

perfectly acceptable to masturbate. In
idfw/#d#yh0qjhuhg#sod|gdwh#pd|#jlyh#|rx#
insight into what movements and sensations
most turn you on when having sex with a lover.
\rx#fdq#uhod|#|rxu#qglqjv#wr#klp/#ru/#li#kh#
zdqwv#d#uvw0kdqg#xqghuvwdqglqj/#vkrz#klp1#
Zkloh#mdfnlqj#r#lv#wkrxjkw#ri#dv#pruh#ri#d#vror#
sport, mutual masturbation is a fantastic way
to have a safe sexual experience with another
man while seeing and hearing what strokes
and speeds get him excited. Couples take note:
solo masturbation is not necessarily indicative
of relationship problems; sometimes, its
simply a sleep aid or stress relief. There are
situations in which men become conditioned to
fxp#rqo|#zlwk#wkh#khos#ri#vshflf#vwlpxol#+vxfk#
as porn and toys) or their own touch, making it
glfxow#wr#shuirup#zlwk#d#sduwqhu1#Lwv#qrw#d#
terribly common issue, but be mindful.

05

Wanking still
generates some
concern and
discussion
among those who
appreciate its
virtues: Is there
such a thing as
too much? Can
you damage your
hardware?
@joshsabarra

Rubbing regularly, moreover, can

tone the pelvic area muscles necessary
to help avoid incontinence and erectile
problems as you age, not to mention trigger
the release of dopamine and oxytocin. Two of
the chemicals that are released at the time of
orgasm, they can join forces to polish up your
outlook as you polish your knob. Not much
can elevate your mood like feelings of
satisfaction and happiness.
So, go right ahead, and have a one-nighthand. Choke your chicken. Tickle your pickle.
Ex#|rxu#edqdqd1#Lwoo#fhuwdlqo|#ihho#jrrg#zkloh#
surylglqj#d#krvw#ri#khdowk#ehqhwv#wkdw#|rx#
didnt even see cumming. O

dear
os

SEX

I started wanking when

I was 13 and had been
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VXJJHVWLRQVIRUQHZ
WHFKQLTXHV"From HDB

Bring some toys to your

private play. Masturbators
such as Tenga Eggs and
Fleshjacks can provide
welcoming textural changes
to the proceedings. Your
cock is likely accustomed to
the feeling of your palm, so
lubricated silicone materials
might be just the switchup necessary to keep your
rod at full mast. Introducing
anal plugs or p-spot
stimulators or perhaps just
LQVHUWLQJDQJHULQWR\RXU
ass while youre jerking off
can also offer heightened
excitement and sensation.
Edging is another way
to lengthen your routine
and keep things fresh. This
stop-and-start method in
which you bring yourself
close to orgasm and then
stop, repeating the cycle a
number of times will not
only delay your climax for
extended enjoyment but will
build to an explosive and
sticky ending.
Also, your balls are very
sensitive, so some light
touching can intensify the
action. Give your nuts plenty
of care, stimulating them
with the same attention
you give to your shaft and
FRFNKHDG<RXOOQGWKDW
spending quality time with
the danglers will be a
pleasurable departure from
your stale routine.

ZKHQ,WU\WRLQLWLDWHVH[
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WUDFN" From CP

In addition, you might vary

your hand strokes, trying
GLIIHUHQWFRQJXUDWLRQV
at different speeds. For
example, add a spiral,
twisting motion to your
repertoire or maybe use
only your thumb and
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VRPHWLPHVUHEX
  QJPH

NEED SEX
ADVICE?
Ask Josh at
advice@
gaytimes.co.uk
Your email will be kept
anonymous and may
be edited for space

I take issue with your

husband withholding sex
as a punishment. Being
physically intimate with
another person is about
consent, mutual respect and
the desire to give pleasure
to each other not about
teaching someone a lesson.
That said, fantasising
about another person
while masturbating,
whether hes a movie star
or co-worker, is an entirely
healthy behaviour in or
out of a relationship. You
PD\EHQHWIURPPDNLQJ
that clear to your sensitive
partner and reassuring him
that you are, in fact, really
into him. O

,UVWGLVFRYHUHG
PDVWXUEDWLRQDVD
teenager when I was
O\LQJRQP\VWRPDFKDQG
SXVKLQJP\GLFNEDFNDQG
IRUWKDJDLQVWWKHEHG,
GLGQWUHDOLVHWKDWWKLV
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PLVVLRQDU\LQWHUFRXUVH
&DQ,[WKLV"From JJ
Self-stimulating while
face down is called prone
masturbation, a style
practiced by only about
5-10% of the population.
Unfortunately, as youve
discovered, men who
self-pleasure in the prone
position are more likely to
have trouble climaxing in
any other fashion and are
also sometimes saddled
with erectile problems.
The weight of your body
on top of your penis
subjects your genitals
to an unusual amount of
pressure, particularly at
the base. This pressure
LVGL
FXOWWRGXSOLFDWH
during conventional
intercourse assuming
you want to maintain
your role as top in the
missionary position or
while masturbation on
your back. My suggestion
is to avoid masturbating
for a week or so, allowing
the anticipation to build.
After this self-imposed
dry spell, allow yourself
to jerk off only when
on your back or sitting
upright. This should help
transition you into a more
conventional type of
masturbation. O
$XWKRURIEHVWVHOOLQJPHPRLU
3RUQ$JDLQDYDLODEOHIURP
MRVKVDEDUUDFRP

133

COLUMN

L I F E >>>

Do guys eat their own cum? I asked my

roommate, Patrick, at breakfast.
Dont know, he contemplated. Its a loaded
question.
OK, so I set myself up for that. Id been
putting together topics for my daily web
show, The Pee-ew, and wed hit a snag. Earlier
episodes on anal bleaching and injecting
testicles with saline solution had set a
precedent. Wed run out of ideas.
It depends on the situation, Patrick
continued, suddenly and unusually interested
in the conversation. Maybe by accident a
masturbation mishap? A guy I knew once
kissed his chick after she blew him.
Patrick and I love having these discussions,
sparring back and forth for intellectual
supremacy. He feigns annoyance at times,
calling me spoiled and stubborn. But the truth
is, we have a symbiotic relationship: he funds
my projects and lifestyle; I bring a certain
youthful energy into Patricks life.
Since moving to 80s NYC, Ive had many
Patricks: wealthy, white heterosexual
men trading their fatherly guidance for a
little vicarious living through the eyes of an
uninhibited, slightly egocentric party animal.
Lwv#d#idlu#wudgh=#L#jhw#wkh#idwkhu#jxuh#Lyh#
always dreamed of; they get a youthful nut who
isnt afraid to run around naked and happens to
have a lot of gorgeous young female friends.
Wkh#lqlwldo#sdwhuqdo#jxuh#lq#p|#olih/#wkh#
vlqjxodu0qdphg#Uxgroi/#udq#wkh#uvw#foxe#Lg#
ever attended the multilevelled, brilliantly
named Dancteria and is responsible for
shaping my still-formative brain. Rudolf took
ph#wr#p|#uvw#duw#op/#d#judsklf#Dujhqwlqldq#
movie called In a Glass Cage, which centred on
an ex-Nazi surgeon who performed sexualised
operations on underage Jewish boys and
featured a scene where a naked eight-year-old
has gasoline injected into his heart as a male
nurse masturbates to orgasm, spurting cum
onto the face of the surgeon, now an ailing old
man forced to live in an iron lung the glass
fdjh1#Lg#qhyhu#ehhq#wr#dq#duw#op#ehiruh1#
I didnt know how to react. I didnt want to
seem uncool in front of my date, a sweet-

MICHAEL ALIG
Whos your daddy?

It was at
Maurices new
club, La Palace
de Beaute,
where I crowned
RuPaul Charles
the Queen of
Manhattan back
in 1990.

natured ticket agent named Keoki, so I just

giggled nervously.
I have little brothers that age, Keoki said
tersely, yanking his hand away in disgust.
If Frank Roccio, the owner of the next club I
gluhfwhg##Wkh#Zruog##zdv#d#idwkhu#jxuh/#
he was a neglectful father, the kind who stays
out until 8am and sleeps with girls a third his
age. Frank didnt teach me much of use
unless you were a desperate peadophile.
P|#qh{w#sdwhuqdo#jxuh#zdv#Pdxulfh#
Eudkpv/#rzqhu#ri#vrph#ri#Q\Fv#uvw#
superclubs in the 70s Bonds International!
Lqqlw|$#Qhz#\run/#Qhz#\run$##dqg#lw#zdv#
at Maurices new club, La Palace de Beaute,
where I crowned RuPaul Charles the Queen of
Manhattan back in 1990.
Iru#doo#wkhlu#lqxhqfh/#rqh#e|#rqh/#wkhvh#
replacement dads fell by the wayside, either
impoverished by their obsessive need to be
fabulous, or in some other way disillusioned.
It was out of necessity, really, when I
approached my next pseudo-dad.
He was prepared.
Ive seen you basically bankrupt every other
club owner in town, said the man behind the
desk, looking like a high-fashion pirate in his
Gaultier cardigan and dark eye patch. Im not
gonna let you do that to me. And then, icily,
Mark my words: Michael Alig will not be the
ruination of Peter Gatien!
Cut to seven years later, in a courtroom in
Lower Manhattan
Peter Gatien, the Federal Drug Enforcement
Agency of the United States of America hereby
charges you with the distribution and sale of
MDMA, a Class A narcotic. How do you plead?
Well, you cant blame me for that, can you?
I told them not to give Special K to those guys
in the panty girdles! They were so obviously
undercover agents!
But it was already too late for Peter. Hed
already sunk too far into the quagmire. How
hard hed been trying to resist the allure of
fabulosity! The temptation of quick money
and fast women! How enticing that lifestyle
mustve seemed, in the beginning!
Run, Patrick. While theres still time! Run! O

@alig_aligula

135

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COLUMN

L I F E >>>

I went on a date with someone I met on

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PJ BRENNAN
Be still my Tinder, beating heart

I decided to
throw myself
straight into
the dating
world instead of
throwing myself
off a building for
a guy who didnt
treat me well to
begin with.

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@peejaybrennan

137

L I F E >>>

i tne and elbeing i  charlie ing

01

One-arm overhead
tricep extension. The
triceps are a bigger muscle
group than the biceps and
require that bit more work to
GHQHWKHVKDSH)LQGWKH
right dumbbell weight one
that means youll really feel it
DIWHUIRXUUHSV%ULQJWKH
dumbbell up to shoulder
height and extend the arm
over your head, so the whole
arm is perpendicular to the
RRU,NHHSP\RWKHUDUP
DQNWRP\ERG\EXWLI\RX
need support, hold onto a
bench while you become
PRUHFRQGHQW6ORZO\ORZHU
the dumbbell behind your
head as you hold the upper
DUPVWDWLRQDU\,QKDOHDV\RX
perform and pause when
your triceps are fully
VWUHWFKHG5HWXUQWRWKH
VWDUWLQJSRVLWLRQE\H[LQJ
your triceps as you breathe
RXW7U\HLJKWWRWHQUHSVLQ
four sets, and switch arm
DIWHUHDFKVHW

01

02

02

Front and lateral

raise combo. 6WDQG
shoulder-width apart with
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5DLVHERWKDUPVXSWRWKH
front so theyre level with
\RXUVKRXOGHUV3DXVHDQG
lower slowly down to your
WKLJKV,PPHGLDWHO\UDLVH
both arms out to the sides,
level with the shoulders, and
ORZHUVORZO\EDFNGRZQ.HHS
alternating between the front
DQGVLGHUDLVHV7KLVGHYHORSV
the anterior and lateral
deltoid muscles and, after
rep four, you should really
IHHOWKHEXUQ7U\IRUWKUHH
sets of eight to ten reps on
HDFKDUP

03

Leg raises. This is a

very effective exercise
that works the core, abs and
KLSDEGXFWRUV/D\GRZQRQ
a mat and place your hands
under your lower buttocks to
VXSSRUWWKHSHOYLV.HHSLQJ
your knees straight, raise
\RXUOHJVE\H[LQJ\RXUKLSV
XQWLOFRPSOHWHO\H[HG7KHQ
return until your hips and
NQHHVDUHH[WHQGHG7U\
WKUHHVHWVRIUHSV7R
increase intensity, add
weight with a light medicine
EDOOEHWZHHQ\RXUOHJVO

138

FITNESS

This issue, Ive picked

out a few simple
exercises for you to
start your New Year
with, working your
shoulders, arms and
core. I want you to
feel rejuvenated and
ready to embark
on a new wellbeing
journey something
thats with you every
day, and not just a fad
for January. Now is
the time to start on
the tter, happier and
healthier you that you
want to be. 2016 is
yours for the taking.
Charlie King
IMAGES lee faircloth
STYLING stephen conway
GROOMING luke stephens
USING CLINIQUE MENS SKINCARE / HAIR USING AVEDA
FULL LOOK BY FILA / SHOES BY NIKE AT JD SPORT
LOCATION virgin active
CLUB MEMBERSHIP PRICES START AT 40
VIRGINACTIVE.CO.UK, @VIRGINACTIVEWAY

03

139

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As seen on

Doctor in the House

COLUMN

L I F E >>>

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|rx#uhgxfh#wkh#dprxqw#ri#vxjdu#|rx#kdyh#lq#
|rxu#whd#dqg#frhhB#Fdq#|rx#uhsodfh#rqh#ri#
wkrvh#fxsv#zlwk#juhhq#whdB#
Lwv#derxw#pdnlqj#wkh#uljkw#fkrlfhv#dqg#
wklqnlqj/#Gr#L#uhdoo|#qhhg#wklvB#Pdnlqj#
vxewoh#fkdqjhv#zlwk#|rxu#glhw#zloo#pdnh#d#kxjh#
glhuhqfh#li#|rx#uhpdlq#frqvlvwhqw#zlwk#lw1#
\rxoo#dovr#qrwlfh#diwhu#d#ihz#gd|v#wkdw#fudylqjv#
glvdsshdu#dqg/#lq#idfw/#|rx#grqw#dfwxdoo|#idqf|#
dq|#vzhhwv#ru#qdxjkw|#vdyrxu|#vqdfnv1#

Consistency is vital when it comes to building

vwdelolw|#dqg#frqghqfh#lq#|rxu#olih1#
Wkh#lghd#ri#ehlqj#frqvlvwhqw#phdqv#|rx#dsso|#
|rxuvhoi#wr#vrphwklqj#lq#d#srvlwlyh/#uhjxodu#
dqg#hyhq#zd|/#dfklhylqj#pd{lpxp#uhvxowv#dqg#
xowlpdwho|#ehqhwlqj#doo#duhdv#ri#|rxu#olih1
Lq#wkh#sdvw/#Lyh#ehhq#jxlow|#ri#eorzlqj#krw#
dqg#frog#zlwk#wklqjv1#Rqh#gd|/#Lp#frpplwwhg#
wr#vrphwklqj/#exw#wkhq#L#jhw#hdvlo|#glvwudfwhg1#
Dv#Lyh#jurzq#roghu#dqg#zlvhu/#L#fdq#vhh#
wkdw#wkhuh#duh#qr#vkruwfxwv#wr#dq|wklqj#
zruwk#grlqj1#Prvw#wklqjv#uhtxluh#kdug#zrun/#
wkh#uljkw#dwwlwxgh#dqg/#|hv/#frqvlvwhqf|1#
Hyhu|wklqj#zhuh#uhvsrqvleoh#iru#qhhgv#
qxuwxulqj/#fduh/#wlph#dqg#dwwhqwlrq1#\rx#
kdyh#wr#nhhs#|rxu#h|h#rq#wkh#edoo#wr#pdnh#
vxuh#er{hv#duh#wlfnhg#dqg#|rxuh#ixqfwlrqlqj#
fruuhfwo|#lq#d#kdss|/#khdowk|/#edodqfhg#zd|1#
Li#|rx#dsso|#wkh#uljkw#dwwlwxgh#wr#|rxu#olih/#
L#jxdudqwhh#wkdw#hyhu|wklqj#iurp#|rxu#erg|#
wr#|rxu#edqn#edodqfh#zloo#eh#khdowklhu#dqg#
ixqfwlrqlqj#wkh#zd|#lw#vkrxog1#
Zkhq#lw#frphv#wr#h{huflvh#dqg#zhooehlqj/#wkh#
vdph#uxohv#dsso|1#Nhhslqj#w/#exloglqj#pxvfoh#
dqg#hdwlqj#fruuhfwo|#doo#uhtxluhv#frqvlvwhqf|1#
Zhooehlqj#lvqw#vrphwklqj#|rx#fdq#eh#
lpsdwlhqw#lq1#\rx#kdyh#wr#jlyh#lw#wlph#dqg#vwlfn#
zlwk#lw#ehiruh#|rx#fdq#uhds#wkh#uhzdugv1#Wkhuh#
duh#qr#vkruwfxwv1#Dv#iuxvwudwlqj#dv#lw#pljkw#eh/#
|rx#kdyh#wr#eh#frpplwwhg#dqg#lq#lw#iru#wkh#orqj#
kdxo##|rxu#erg|#lv#zlwk#|rx#iru#olih/#diwhu#doo1#
Lp#jrlqj#wr#jlyh#|rx#d#ihz#vxjjhvwlrqv#rq#
krz#wr#vwd|#frqvlvwhqw#zlwk#|rxu#zhooehlqj1#
Wkhvh#vkrxog#pdnh#khdowklhu#fkrlfhv#dv#
lqkhuhqw#wr#|rxu#gd|#dv#euxvklqj#|rxu#whhwk1#
First, dont overcommit yourself.#Lwv#juhdw#
kdylqj#judqg#lghdv#ri#elj#h{huflvh#uhjlphv#dqg#
hdwlqj#uljkw1#Exw/#lq#uhdolw|/#wr#gljhvw#|rxu#qhz#
zd|#ri#olih/#|rxoo#qhhg#wr#vwduw#judgxdoo|1#Lwv#
d#jrrg#lghd#wr#pdnh#vxewoh#fkdqjhv#rq#d#gdlo|#
edvlv1#Orrn#dw#|rxu#olihvw|oh#dqg#jxuh#d#zd|#ri#
lqfrusrudwlqj#d#khdowk|#fkdqjh1#
Iru#h{dpsoh/#vwduw#zlwk#|rxu#glhw1#Duh#
|rx#jhwwlqj#hqrxjk#iuxlwv/#yhjhwdeohv#dqg#
surwhlqvB#Gr#|rx#qhhg#wr#vwrfn#xs#rq#khdowklhu#
vqdfnvB#Orrn#lq#wkh#iulgjh1#Vhh#wkdw#erwwoh#ri#
}}|#gulqnB#Srxu#lw#dzd|1#Wkrvh#edjv#ri#fulvsv#

CHARLIE KING
What you do every day matters more
than what you do once in a while

The body is a
hard thing to
keep on top of
but without
sounding
preachy I ask
the question:
Whats more
important than
looking after the
home of your
mind and soul?

Dont compare your goals with others. And

grqw#jr#rq#d#pdvvlyh#Lqvwdjudp#vhdufk#ri#
juhdw#erglhv1#\rx#qhhg#wr#nhhs#wkh#irfxv#rq#
\RX1#Lwv#juhdw#wr#kdyh#jrdov#dqg/#ri#frxuvh/#L#
zdqw#|rx#wr#ihho#juhdw#derxw#|rxuvhoi1#Exw#zkloh#
|rxuh#pdnlqj#wkh#fkdqjhv/#lwv#lpsruwdqw#wr#
eh#uhdolvwlf1#Rqfh#|rxyh#frpplwwhg#wr#wkh#
vpdoohu#fkdqjhv#dqg#rqfh#wkh|yh#vwduwhg#
ehfrplqj#sduw#ri#|rxu#hyhu|gd|#olih/#wkh#eljjhu#
fkdqjhv#zloo#vwduw#suhvhqwlqj#wkhpvhoyhv1#L#
zdqw#|rx#wr#wdnh#hyhu|wklqj#dw#d#vwhdg|#sdfh#
vr#|rx#grqw#jhw#eruhg#ru#idoo#r#wudfn1#Zkhq#
jhwwlqj#xvhg#wr#vrphwklqj/#lw#fdq#wdnh#d#zkloh/#
dqg#|rx#kdyh#wr#uhphpehu#wkh#erg|#wdnhv#wlph#
wr#dgdsw#dqg#fkdqjh1#Nhhs#wkh#irfxv1#
Dont make excuses.#Lp#wluhg1#L#irujrw#p|#
j|p#edj1#Eodk/#eodk/#eodk/#Lyh#khdug#lw#doo#
ehiruh1#Dw#wkh#hqg#ri#wkh#gd|/#wklv#lv#derxw#\RXU#
olih#fkrlfhv1#Wkh#dprxqw#ri#hruw#|rx#sxw#lq#
zloo#ghwhuplqh#krz#txlfno|#|rx#vhh#uhvxowv1#
Wkh#erg|#lv#d#kdug#wklqj#wr#nhhs#rq#wrs#ri#exw##
zlwkrxw#vrxqglqj#suhdfk|##L#dvn#wkh#txhvwlrq=#
Zkdwv#pruh#lpsruwdqw#wkdq#orrnlqj#diwhu#wkh#
krph#ri#|rxu#plqg#dqg#vrxoB#
\rx#qhhg#wr#ihho#jrrg#iurp#wkh#lqvlgh#rxw1#
Wkh#j|p#lv#rqh#sduw##wkh#ixho#dqg#wkh#zd|#
|rx#olyh#|rxu#olih#duh#wkh#rwkhu#sduwv1#Jhw#wkh#
edodqfh#fohdu#lq#|rxu#plqg1#Zrun#wkh#erg|/#vhw#
vrph#jrdov#dqg#eh#d#whvwdphqw#wr#zkdw#d#zhoo#
edodqfhg#olihvw|oh#fdq#gr1#EH#wkh#ixoo#sdfndjh#
lq#olih1#Li#|rxuh#ghwhuplqhg#wr#zrun#iru#lw/#zk|#
fdqw#|rx#kdyh#lw#dooB
Lwv#d#Qhz#\hdu/#jx|v/#dqg#lwv#wlph#wr#qg#wkh#
qhz#|rx1#Dqg#rqh#wkdwv#khuh#wr#vwd|1#O

@charlieking85

141

FITNESS

chris
ones: average
oe o < < < L I F E

ASK CHRIS
Ive just joined a gym for
WKHUVWWLPHEXW,IHHOWRR
nervous to go. How can I get
over this? I hate the thought
of people watching me work
out. Tom, via email
Ive been asked this before,
and the answer involves a bit of
tough love. I mean no offence
when I say this, but people
wont be looking unless youre
Gods gift to men! Everyone at
the gym is there for the same
UHDVRQ\RXDUHWRJHWW
Anyone with their head down
and hitting the gym hard is
there for their own agenda.
Make up yours and hop to it. O

Lose the booze! I shuddered as I typed that, but hey, its a New Year!
Its time for new beginnings and adventures and blah, blah, blah...

I always say this to myself.

Every year. I set myself
new goals and targets. I can
revaluate what happened
the previous year and make
a big mental list of, Well, I
wont be doing that again.
I normally do this on New
Years Eve, and then get very
drunk while bringing in said
New Year and then forget
about all my worthy goals
as the usual depressing and
stark January awaits me. Its
the worst month of all, isnt
it? Its colder, its a longer
month, so pay day is that bit
further away, and its just
dark outside. It feels like its
dark out all the time. It just
makes me want to sit in a pub
or at home with a glass of
something until springtime.
Obviously, this isnt a good
idea, nor the solution to
anything.
142

In fact, Im going to go as far

to say its a bloody awful idea.
I feel like we need to reclaim
the rejuvenating powers that
braggy January claims to
posses.
Apart from the tired phrases
olnh#jhw##w#iru#Mdqxdu|#ru#
New Year, new you, theres
not many new ideas. So how
about an old one: cutting out
alcohol for January! OK, its
not that far out there, idea
wise, and there has been the
slogan dry January ever
since I can remember working
lq#dq#r
# # fh##dqg#ryhukhdulqj#
people going on about it. But
why not give it a try? Dont
mind me while I put on my
#wqhvv2qxwulwlrq2olihvw|oh#kdw#
dqg#jlyh#|rx##yh#Ex}}Ihhg#
style reasons why we should:
Youll lose weight. Even
without doing any exercise
youll drop a pound or two
e|#fxwwlqj#rxw#wkh#err}h1#
Just think of the amount
of empty calories youll
instantly be reducing by not
lifting a pint to your lips.
Your skin. My, my, youre
srvlwlyho|#udgldqw/##lv#zkdw#

people will say about you.

Regenerated Liver! The
second part of your body that,
ahem, takes a pounding,
a healthy liver will help
your immune system and
generally feel good.
Saying no, and meaning no!
Some studies have shown that
youll psychologically feel
better after turning down the
odd drink. Your willpower will
get stronger in general.
Bank balance. Its expensive.
This might be obvious, but
hey, its true.
Ill join you in January by
raising a glass of coconut
water, or some new-trend-bythen and lets have a healthy
start to 2016. Cheers! O

CR7 Drive by
Cristiano Ronaldo
Created by Herbalife,
this is a pre-workout
drink designed to give
you the drive you
need to succeed. After
having some, I did feel
more focused and, I
imagine, like Cristiano
Ronaldo just not as
handsome. But although
CR7 boasts about
its lack of articial
sweeteners, its one of
the sweetest things Ive
ever tasted.
herbalife24.com/cr7drive

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L I F E >>>

cking or a date on a udget

{the

main}

One of our culinary icons, Ina Garten of

Barefoot Contessa fame, is a big believer
in ofering guests a selection of starters
but never endeavours to make every
single one from scratch. Who has the
time or patience for that? The rule of
threes applies: If you make one thing
with your own hands, substitute with
two shop-bought additions to make it
unapologetically easy on yourself.
The GastroGays
Patrick Hanlon and Russell Alford, gastrogays.com, @gastrogays

Ultimate Hummus
Serves two
1 400g can of chickpeas
1 large garlic clove
Juice of half a lemon
2 tbsp tahini (sesame seed paste,
optional)
Salt and pepper
Whether you nibble to start or make
it the main attraction, whats a better
dish than a mezze? Its tactile, great to
UJCTGNNGFYKVJGZEKVKPIHNCXQWTUCPFC
TGCNVCNMKPIRQKPV.QCFKVWRYKVJQNKXGU
UVWHHGFXKPGNGCXGUDCDCIJCPQWUJ
NQRCTEGNUQTUQOGQVJGT/KFFNG
Eastern-style nibbles but hummus
YKNNCNYC[UDGVJGUJKPKPIUVCTQHVJKU
sharing platter. Our method may make
VTCFKVKQPCNKUVUDCNMDWVCHVGTOWEJVTKCN
CPFGTTQTYGXGHQWPFKVEQOHQTVCDN[
UCVKUGUCPGEGUUCT[FGUKTGHQTURGGF
GCUGCPFXCNWGHQTOQPG[+VVCMGU
about two minutes in total, adapts
DGCWVKHWNN[VQCFFKVKQPCNHNCXQWTUCPF
literally costs pennies to make.
/CMGCRCUVGYKVJVJGICTNKEENQXG
mush on a chopping board against
VJGDCEMQHVJGMPKHGCPFCFFVQ

144

VJGNGOQPLWKEGCPFVCJKPKKPCHQQF
processor. Pulse to combine and drain
VJGEJKEMRGCU
TGUGTXKPIVJGNKSWKF
VJGPCFFCNNDWVCVCDNGURQQPQHVJGO
VQVJGRTQEGUUQTCPFEQPVKPWGOKZKPI
#HVGTCOKPWVGQTUQVCUVGCPFUGCUQP
liberally. Chickpeas can be bland at
VJGDGUVQHVKOGUUQUGCUQPVCUVG
season, taste until youre happy. Add
VJGTGUGTXGFNKSWKFCURQQPCVCVKOGVQ
VJGRWNUKPIOKZVWTGWPVKN[QWTGCEJ[QWT
desired hummus consistency. Heres an
GZVTCVKRKHNQQMKPIHQTVJCVUWRGTUKNM[
UOQQVJVGZVWTGFGECPVVJGJWOOWU
into a blender (whether a bullet or a
NCTIGTOQTGVTCFKVKQPCNOQFGN9JK\\
KVQPJKIJHQTCOKPWVGQTUQCPF[QWNN
JCXGVJGNKIJVGUVUOQQVJGUVJWOOWU
[QWXGGXGTVCUVGF6QPKUJYGCNYC[U
VQRYKVJVJGURQQPQHTGUGTXGFYJQNG
EJKEMRGCUVQICTPKUJCNQPIUKFGCJGHV[
FTK\\NGQHIQQFGZVTCXKTIKPQNKXGQKN0QV
only is it nice to see the ingredient both
KPUKFGCPFCVQRKVCNUQCFFUCFKHHGTGPEG
QHVGZVWTG*WOOWUNQPIGUVCDNKUJGF
RCTVPGTKPEWNKPCT[ETKOGKUHNCVDTGCF

9JCVYQWNF+PCFQ!$W[KVKPUKPIGF
with char marks and warmed in the
QXGPHQTFWPMKPIO

We all need a spot of belt-tightening

after the festive frivolities. But
that doesnt mean you still cant
impress when it comes to a tipple
on a date. If you like your drinks
versatile (like we like our men
badum-tish!) then give Tia Maria
a try. A dark and mysterious
liqueur, with notes of coffee beans
and Jamaican rum, the limit ends
with your imagination. For the
unadventurous, try with milk
over ice. But to really impress
your potential beau, mix with
espresso, vodka and liquid sugar,
then garnish with coffee beans, for
a lively espresso martini. Either
way, at 15 for 70cl, the new limited
edition bottle in collaboration with
Grazia magazine is a steal.
Limited edition bottle available from all major supermarkets,
tiamaria.com, @tiamariadrink

{the

drink}

date night
Masala Chai Rice Pudding
with Caramelised Bananas
Rice pudding
750ml semi-skimmed milk
35g light brown sugar
1 star anise
5 whole cloves
2 allspice berries
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole peppercorns
1 cardamon pod, crushed
2 slices fresh ginger
75g short grain rice
Caramelised Banana
VPDOOKDQGIXODNHGFRFRQXW
1 large banana
10g unsalted butter
10g light brown sugar
seeds from 1 cardamon pod
To make the pudding, place the
milk into a large saucepan with
the sugar and spices and, over a
medium/high heat, bring to the
boil. Then remove from the heat
and cover, allowing the spices to
infuse into the milk for an hour.
Once infused, pour the milk
wkurxjk#d##qh#vlhyh#wr#uhpryh#
the spices and pour back into
the pan. Add the rice and bring
the milk to the boil, then reduce
the heat and cook at a simmer,
stirring regularly to prevent
the pudding from catching, for
45-60 minutes or until the rice
is cooked and the pudding is at
the desired texture.
To make the topping, place the
#dnhg#frfrqxw#lqwr#d#gu|#iu|lqj#
pan and cook over medium
heat, stirring occasionally for
a couple minutes or until the
coconut is tinged golden brown.
Tip the coconut onto a small
plate and slice the bananas into
1cm thick slices and set aside.
Place the butter and sugar into
the frying pan and cook for a
few minutes or until the butter
and sugar has melted. Add the
banana and cardamon seeds and
cook for a few minutes, turning
the banana occasionally, until
the banana is slightly softened
and caramelised.
Divide the pudding between
two bowls and top with the
banana and coconut. If you like
your pudding cold, cook the
pudding to a looser consistency
dqg#suhvv#d#vkhhw#ri#folqj#op#
to the surface as it cools to
prevent that horrible skin from
forming. O

{the

dessert}

Rice pudding is a little unloved these days, bringing back memories

of school dinners. When made well, however, its the ultimate
comfort. It can also be made in so many avours and, even better, is
incredibly cheap, using lots of store cupboard ingredients. My version
is avoured with the spices of chai masala and caramelised banana,
and ideal dessert for the cold winter months when you just want to
curl up on the sofa with someone you love.
Edd Kimber
Author of The Boy Who Bakes, Say It With Cake and Patisserie Made Simple, @theboywhobakes

145

L I F E >>>

tips and advice

PROPERTY

theres an agreement not to

jr#wr#frxuw1#Fkhfn#rqolqh#wr#
see if you qualify for legal aid,
exw#lq#pdq|#fdvhv/#|rxoo#kdyh#
wr#sd|#iru#wkhvh#vhuylfhv#
yourself. Remember though,
if you feel you might need to
vhwwoh#lq#frxuw/#|rxoo#kdyh#wr#
kdyh#vhhq#d#phgldwru#
beforehand.

04

Next is the dreaded

allocation of
possessions. Legally, if you
kdg#lw#ehiruh#|rx#pryhg#lq#
or bought it with your own
money, then its all yours. If
you bought it together from
a joint bank account,
funnily enough, its jointly
|rxuv1#Doo#wkrvh#Fkulvwpdv#
suhvhqwv#dqg#dqqlyhuvdu|#
gifts you bought your now
ex spouse? Theyre gone
iruhyhu/#xqiruwxqdwho|1#Exw#
did you really want the
complete collection of The
X-Files on VHS or that
secondhand foot spa back
anyway?

05

01

Youve seen The

Break Up, right? If
Jennifer Aniston and Vince
Vaughn taught us one thing,
its that staying in the same
house after a split is a
complete and utter car crash.
Iluvw#wklqjv##uvw##ohdyh/#ru#
dvn#wkhp#wr#ohdyh##xqohvv#
you want awkward moments
and hallway crying.

02

If youre renting,
check how long is left
on your tenancy agreement. If
qhlwkhu#ri#|rx#fdq#d#rug#wr#
stay on your own, you need to
work out what your next step
is going to be. If you rent,
contact your letting agent to
see if youre able to cut short
the tenancy. Some will agree,

surylghg#|rx#fdq##qg#d#
replacement tenant, but this
is usually on a case by case
basis and completely down to
wkhlu#glvfuhwlrq1#Lq#wkh#hyhqw#
they refuse, youll simply
kdyh#wr#wdnh#wkh#klw#dqg#sd|#
jointly until the tenancy is
ryhu1

03

If you have a
mortgage, then itd be
dgylvdeoh#wr#zrun#rxw#zkr#
paid in what, sell, and then
vsolw#sur#wv#dffruglqjo|1#Exw/#
in real life, after a break up
you might not be on the best
terms, so a family mediator
or solicitor will need to get
lqyroyhg1#Frooderudwlyh#
lawyers are a mixture of the
two, but with these guys

Married couples will

likely need legal
jxlgdqfh#khuh/#dv#|rx#kdyh#wr#
apply for a consent order or a
#qdqfldo#rughu#dqg#kdyh#wkhp#
uhylhzhg#e|#wkh#frxuw1#Lq#wkh#
hyhqw#ri#d##qdqfldo#rughu##lq#
zklfk#wkh#frxuw#ghflghv##
theyll take into account you
dqg#|rxu#h{v##qdqfldo#vwdwxv/#
wkh#h{shqvhv#|rxoo#hdfk#kdyh#
and your ages, as well as a few
rwkhu#idfwruv1#Exw#ehzduh##
this can take up to a year to
complete.

Splitting up
Moving in with your partner
is one of the biggest steps
youll take, and perhaps also
one of the most rewarding.
But what do you do when it
all goes from John Legend to
Adele right before your eyes?
Heres our guide to splitting
up if you cohabit.

WORDS

jessica lindsay

06

Ehqh#wv#dqg#
insurance will all
change once youre single so
be sure to inform all the
uhohydqw#shrsoh1#\rx#pd|#eh#
hqwlwohg#wr#jryhuqphqw#
assistance in the form of tax
credits and council tax
glvfrxqwv/#vr#KP#Uhyhqxh#
dqg#Fxvwrpv#dqg#|rxu#orfdo#
dxwkrulw|#gh#qlwho|#qhhg#wr#
be contacted. And when that
fateful day comes when you
qhyhu#kdyh#wr#zruu|#derxw#
seeing your bitter ex again,
mxvw#uhphpehu#wr#kdyh#doo#
your post redirected to your
new addresses. Its the little
things that will make it run a
whole lot smoother. O

147

L I F E >>>

ife, ove and uy riends

CELEBRATE
IN STYLE
After a year of
chasing squirrels
and barking at
the postman,
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made with
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OHYHOVJHWD[
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there wont be
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Michael & Phil

When same-sex marriage isnt of interest
to you, how do you ensure youre given the
same rights if the worst was to happen?

WORDS

william connolly

ON THE LOOKOUT...
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148

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VKHHSO
Piper is available via amazon.com
from 229.99

Ive been with Michael since

July 2001. In 2006, on our
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FLYLOSDUWQHUVPDLQO\
IRUSUDFWLFDOUHDVRQVDV
it secured our rights as a
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gave us everything we
wanted. But theres certain
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HYHQWRIP\GHDWK:HOO
probably convert in 2016, on
our 15th anniversary.
0LFKDHOVIDPLO\DUH
practising Catholics and,
although theyve always
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as his partner, we took the
decision not to have any
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FHUHPRQ\0LFKDHOIHOWLW
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PXPDQGGDGLQSDUWLFXODU
,XVHGWREHFDUHIXOQRWWR
UHIHUWRWKHPLQWKHLUSUHVHQFH
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theres actually a section in

the Civil Partnership Act that

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RIZRUGVOLNHPRWKHULQODZ
DQGVRQLQODZDQGDOVR
VWHSIDWKHUVWHSVLVWHUHWFWR
include people related in that
way via civil partners.
$FRXSOHRI\HDUVDJR
0LFKDHOVPXPEHFDPHLOO
with cancer. In April 2015,
she passed away. As an
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IXQHUDOVGLIFXOWDQGWKH
FRXSOHRI&DWKROLFRQHV,G
previously attended had been
SDUWLFXODUO\KDUGIRUPHWR
relate to. I was touched when
the priest began the service
E\H[SUHVVLQJFRQGROHQFHVWR
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WKHPLQWXUQDQGLQFOXGLQJ
KHUVRQLQODZ3KLO
0LFKDHOVPXPKDGUHFHLYHG
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during her last days, and Ive
no doubt it was her wish that
I be publicly acknowledged
E\KLPLQWKDWZD\,ZDV
JUDWHIXODQGDOVRZRQGHUHGLI
SHUKDSV,GRYHUHVWLPDWHGKHU
sensitivities over the years.
,PLVVKHUO

MODERN FAMILY

tips to help include the

kids in your big day
Invitations. Set the tone
for your wedding and
make sure they portray
the feel of your day.
Make sure exes are given
a plus one to ensure
theyre as comfortable
as possible. This way,
their present and future
has been acknowledged.
Family. Children from
past and present
relationships need to
feel involved in the lead
up to the wedding, and
the day itself. They
need to understand
how important this new
family unit is and how
vital they are to it. Give
them roles throughout
the day but ensure
that these suit their
personalities. Any
nerves they have will
be heightened if they
are being made to do
something they dont
want to.
Speeches. Its important
to acknowledge your
past in speeches as
itll make sure family
members and the
children feel a key part

HOURS

O F PAW S O M E

of the day. Dont forget

to tell any children how
loved they are and how
excited you both are to
begin this new adventure
with them.

Photography. Chat to
your photographer in
advance and spend
20 minutes capturing
some fun, energetic
and loving photos
that arent too formal
and that the children
want to be involved
in. Good scenarios
include balloons,
blowing bubbles or even
recreating movie scenes.
Table plans. Seat
children together and
have some games or
activities that they can
entertain themselves
with throughout the
reception. Alternatively,
have your children/
stepchildren up on the
top table to ensure they
feel important. O
Sarah McAnulty is the
founder of Emerald and
Mae, emeraldandmae.
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149

0 1/ 16 >>>

puglia, taly

SHORT
BREAK

Time to Log O is a company oering

breaks with a dierence. We sampled one
of their unique digital detox retreats and
discovered the joys of unplugging from
technology and getting back to basics in a
creative and mindful environment.
150

travel

O
ur home for three nights
was the stunning Masseria
della Zingara a beautifully
restored farmhouse in
the heart of the Pugliese
countryside in Southern
Italy, about an hours drive
from Bari Airport. Set in
more than 20 acres of land
and surrounded by vineyards
and olive groves, this was
the perfect hideaway to
vzlwfk#r##dqg#uhfkdujh1#
Shortly after arrival we
were required to surrender
our phones, and any other
internet capable devices,
which were then locked away
in a safe for the duration
of our stay. Apart from an
emergency landline, we were
frpsohwho|#fxw0r##iurp#
communication with the
outside world.
The aim of this digital
detox is to combat the
symptoms of digital
addiction something that
a staggering number of us
duh#vx#hulqj#iurp1#Ryhu0
exposure to the blue light
thats emitted from screens,
whether one is diligently
compiling spreadsheets or
scrolling through Grindr, is
known to cause problems
ranging from insomnia to
diabetes, as well as certain
types of cancer, lupus, and
migraine headaches. Digital
addiction can also reduce
our attention spans and
trigger other psychological
problems, including stress
and anxiety. And with
research showing that
adults in the UK spend
an average of eight hours
and 41 minutes a day
using technology, this is a
problem that itd seem to
be wise to address sooner
rather than later.
Having handed over

our technology, we were

kept busy with a variety
of physical and creative
activities. There was a
twice-daily yoga program
with a top instructor
in the dedicated studio
for those who wished to
partake although nothing
zdv#frpsxovru|1#Rwkhu#
options included swimming
in the Masserias pool,
breathtaking cycle rides
through the beautiful Italian
frxqwu|vlgh/#ru#mxvw##rsslqj#
about in the sunshine with a
good book. A highlight was
the hour-long de-stressing
afternoon massage that we
were treated to by a local
practitioner. We were also
encouraged to engage in
creative projects, such as
photography and mindful
colouring-in. (Colouringin for adults surprisingly
more enjoyable and
satisfying than it sounds!)
Mindfulness the act of
engaging with and fully
experiencing the present
moment formed a
philosophical backbone of
the retreat. Early morning
group walks were conducted
in complete silence, allowing
us to focus on and appreciate
wkh#qdwxudo#odqgvfdsh1#Rq#
one particularly pleasant
evening we followed a
meditative yoga session,
in which we were gently
led into a trance-like state,
with an entirely silent meal.
Then we roasted chestnuts
rq#wkh##uh#dqg#yhqwxuhg#
out for a spot of stargazing
by the pool the rural
environment, with minimal
duwl#fldo#oljkw/#pdnlqj#iru#d#
particularly impressive and
dazzling night sky.
The lack of electronic
devices and no opportunity
to withdraw into Facebook,
texting, or Twitter, meant
that we inevitably spent
more time interacting with
and getting to know the
nine-strong group of fellow
retreaters. Many happy
hours were spent chatting
and laughing and learning
about each other. The retreat
kdg#d#srolf|#ri#qr#fr#hh#dqg#
no alcohol, which, while a
little frustrating when one is

in the heart of wine country

and surrounded by some of
the best vineyards in the
world, turned out to be a lot
easier than wed imagined.
And it at least ensured that
we didnt do anything to
embarrass ourselves in front
of our newfound friends.
The food was entirely
vegetarian and all meals
were freshly prepared by
wkh#rq0vlwh#vwd#1#D#pdmrulw|#
of the ingredients came
from the Masserias own
organic vegetable garden and
combined to make inventive
glvkhv#exuvwlqj#zlwk##dyrxu1#
Sduphvdq0vwx#hg#duwlfkrnhv/#
roasted aubergines and
hand-made gnocchi were
complemented by hearty
salads, fruits and a variety of
freshly prepared juices and
smoothies. There were also
d#vhohfwlrq#ri##dyrxuvrph#
and entirely sugar-free cakes
and desserts we never went
kxqju|#dqg#gh#qlwho|#ihow#wkh#
ehqh#wv#ri#wklv#gholflrxvo|#
nutritious diet.
We surprised ourselves
by not really missing
the constant connection
ri#rxu#skrqhv###qglqj#
the unplugging more of
a pleasure than a trial.
Being given permission to
completely ignore texts and
emails and social media
turned out to be something
ri#d#wuhdw1#Rxu#txdolw|#ri#vohhs#
hugely improved over the
duration of the retreat and
we fully intend to incorporate
regular technology breaks
into our everyday lives.
We came away feeling
astonishingly refreshed and
restored. The modern world
is a marvellous thing no
one is suggesting that we
should do without our devices
altogether but our eyes have
been well and truly opened to
wkh#h{wudruglqdu|#ehqh#wv/#
and pleasures, of a short
hiatus from the constant
noise of information. This
was a well-organised,
friendly and worthwhile
restorative. Blissful. O

WORDS

richard unwin

GT travelled to Bari by EasyJet.

Flights from UK begin at 36.49,
one way, easyjet.com
GT went on retreat with Time to
Log Off, itstimetologoff.com

151

DIRECTORY

Travel
To advertise in this section contact Jo Vasconcelos Tel 020 7424 7451 E-mail jo@gaytimes.co.uk
Deadline for next issue 4 January

ESCAPE TO THE STAR

WORDS NICKY OSBORNE

Make tracks to East Sussex from bustling Brighton or London this

winter, after a hectic week at work, and be charmed by the Star Inn
at Alfriston, a timeless village at the foot of the South Downs. With
Brighton only half an hour away, and direct frequent train services
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For Christmas indulgence in fairytale surroundings, fantastic walkers

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The Star Inn successfully combines history and modernity. The main
EDUVKDYHEULFNDQGZRRGHQRRUVFKXQN\ZRRGHQWDEOHVDQGFKDLUV
DQGQRWRQHEXWWKUHHEHDXWLIXOUHSODFHVZKLFKDUHURDULQJLQWKH
ZLQWHUPRQWKV6XEWOHOLJKWLQJHQKDQFHVWKHJORZRIWKHUHFUHDWLQJD
perfect ambience, and you can lose yourself for hours as you sample the
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A simple, airy, yet elegant restaurant is available if you wish for more
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And, for the super-organised amongst you, why not plan to escape
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so surprise your loved one with something a little bit different!
Whatever the reason, grab your suitcase and head on down to the Star,
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For more information, visit www.thestaralfriston.co.uk
Tel: 01323 870 495
Or visit us on Facebook at The Star Inn, Alfriston.

153

0 1/ 16 >>>

Netherlands

South Africa

Cruising

UK Bath
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January 2016
&DULEEHDQFUXLVH
March 2016
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September 2016

*D\*URXSV&UXLVHV
Several 8.URXQGWULSV in
2015 and 2016.

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UK Brighton

154

DIRECTORY
UK Bournemouth

UK Bournemouth

UK Dorset

UK Edinburgh

UK Edinburgh

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UK Torquay

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155

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A to Z
To advertise in this section contact Jo Vasconcelos Tel 020 7424 7451 E-mail jo@gaytimes.co.uk
Deadline for next issue 4 January

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

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$QG\/DQJOH\KDVEHHQDTXDOLHGOLIHFRDFKIRU\HDUVDQGKDV
WULHGDQGWUXVWHGWHFKQLTXHVWRKHOS\RXFUHDWH\RXURZQSHUVRQDO
GHQLWLRQRIKDSSLQHVVDQGLPSURYHDOODUHDVRI\RXUOLIHFDUHHU
UHODWLRQVKLSVKHDOWKDQGPRUH&DOO$QG\IRUDIUHHQRREOLJDWLRQ
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RQWKHWHFKQLTXHVRIZRUOGUHQRZQHGH[SHUWVFRPELQHGZLWKP\RZQ
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156

DIRECTORY
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159

0 1/ 16 >>>

alexis, icolas,
ames and len

MY
GAY
LIFE
Name Nick Ede Age 40-something
Occupation Founder of Style for Stroke

LEFT
Nick Ede
ABOVE
Hero and
Music Box by
Mariah Carey
TOP
Joan Collins and
Kate OMara in
Dynasty
RIGHT
Nicolas Feuillatte
champagne
160

:KHQ,UVWNQHZI
think I was at school, but
I didnt really register it,
as I genuinely loved girls.
I suspect it was my strict
upbringing that made me
assume that you had to be
straight and straight was
what I was determined to be.
But it was more obvious to
everyone else than it was me!
0\FRPLQJRXWPRPHQW
I came out when my mother
passed away from a stroke
when I was 23. Before then,
Id kept lots of things secret
and hadnt really had a
proper boyfriend. When I
told my brother and father,
they didnt bat an eyelid and
just said they were happy
that I was happy.
7KHFDPSHVWWKLQJ,YH
HYHUGRQHwas when
,HZWR/$WRZDWFK.HOO\
Osbourne on Dancing
with the Stars and Sharon
Osbourne asked me to do a
two-step with Melissa Joan
Hart Sabrina, the Teenage
Witch! Now thats camp!
0\UVWJD\FOXESXE
Im from Edinburgh, so all

finally

What advice Id give

my teenage self
Be happy in your skin.
Dont take to heart
what other people say
and believe in yourself.
those years ago there was
only one bar/club called CC
Blooms. Its still there and its
still fabulous, and I always
go there whenever I go home.
Its so much fun.

TOP
James Franco
with Zachary
Quinto in I Am
Michael
ABOVE
Ellen DeGeneres
BELOW
Stranger by The
Lake
BELOW LEFT
Edinburgh bar
CC Blooms

sex can adopt, marry, etc.

We have a long way to go
worldwide, but young role
models like Tom Daley and
Ruby Rose are allowing
people to live freely.
0\JD\UHFRUGZRXOG
EH Hero by Mariah Carey.
It says so much in the song
and, when I was younger,
the Music Box album kept
me sane. Shes a huge
gay icon and a personal
favourite of mine.
)DYRXULWHSDLURI

XQGHUZHDU My Versace
briefs great design and
super-stylish.
)DYRXULWHGULQN Nicolas
Feuillatte champagne.
0\ELJJHVWFUXVKLV
My boyfriend! Oh, and
James Franco.
7KHJD\OP\RXPXVW
ZDWFKLV Stranger by the
Lake. Its very dull and very
French, but theres one scene
thats very shocking! I wont
divulge any more.
2QD6XQGD\DIWHUQRRQ
\RXOOQGPH Hanging
out at Columbia Road
Flower Market with my
partner and friends, and
then grabbing a pizza before
going to watch a good
movie. Perfect Sunday.
0\WKRXJKWVRQORYH
DQGPDUULDJH I love
love! Im deeply in love with
my partner and hope to be
married one day. Its great
that same-sex couples can
get married now and I truly
believe that love makes the
world a much better place.
7KH79VKRZWKDW
FKDQJHGP\JD\ZRUOG
It was Dynasty, I just loved
it and Alexis and Krystle
are still the greatest TV
characters of all time. And
when Stephen came out as
gay, I knew that there was
a character I could secretly
identify with.
0\JD\KHURLV I dont
really have any gay heros
as I look to many people
in a heroic way. But I do
admire Ellen DeGeneres.
Shes very inspiring and
she uses her platform to do
an awful lot of good. O

0\UVWNLVV was with

someone I met at drama
school.
:KHQ,ORVWP\
YLUJLQLW\ I was 24 when
that happened.
:KDWEHLQJJD\PHDQVWR
PHQRZI dont see being
gay as a label I just see it as
who I care for and love. Im
very happy to live in an age
where being gay is becoming
so much more acceptable
and that people of the same

161

FINALLY
21st century boys:

the
tw itter
gay
Thats a thing?
A gay guy on
Twitter? Who
cares? What? Gay
Twitter is up there
with the Illuminati
when it comes to
VSKHUHRILQXHQFH
Really?1R
So what does
a Twitter gay
do? Hes online
24/7 amassing
as many RTs as
possible with his
angry blogs, bad
opinions, sassy
GIFs and, now that
LUW\IDYHVKDYH
been consigned
to history, a
lifetimes supply of
lusty likes for his
breathless, shirtless
LQQHUFLUFOH
Where would I
QGKLP" Online,
duh! Oh youll see
him in the bars,
but dont expect
FRQYHUVDWLRQ,5/
LVVR]]]]+HVWRR
busy working out
how to get away
with nicking your
EHVWPHPHV
How will I
UHFRJQLVHKLP"
Well, take his
DYDWDUDQGLPDJLQH
LWZLWKRXWOWHUV

:25'6

162

and the blemish

WRRO)DLOLQJWKDW
look for a guy
with his head
down, furiously
typing about
what an outrage
HYHU\WKLQJLV
Whats he
outraged by?/LNH
,VDLGHYHU\WKLQJ
Just as long as it
JHWVWKHORYHKHDUWV
SRSSLQJ
Who are his pals?
$Q\RQHZLWKRYHU
3,000 followers,
WXUERLUWV+LOODU\
&OLQWRQ
:RXOGKHPDNHD
good boyfriend?
+HOOEHYHU\XS
on current affairs,
EXW\RXOOKDYHWR
compete with the
HQGOHVVEX]]SLQJ
DVKRIDOOWKRVH
QRWLFDWLRQV
0RVWOLNHO\WRVD\
3/($6(VRPHRQH
bring me bacon!
:RZ-XVWZRZ
+DVKWDJ&DX
seOfTheDay
$P,D7ZLWWHU
gay? Theres only
RQHZD\WRQG
out sliiiiiiiiide into
my DMs and Ill
WHOO\RX$QGEULQJ
\RXUEHVW*,)VO

the guyliner ,0$*( ian nicholson

<<< 0 1/ 16

RG

LA
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KE

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fla-keys.com/gaykeywest
KEY W
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IG PINE KEY & THE LOWER KEYS
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Where the buoys are.

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