Seen Magazine Issue 2 November 2010

Winter 2010

Homotopia 2010

Special feature

Football studs

The Mersey Marauders

Panto mania

The campest shows in Merseyside

Book reviews

Seen investigates controversial titles

ALSO

Competitions Fantastic prizes up for grabs in this edition

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1st NOVEMBER 2010

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Team Seen Director & Editor:

Rebecca Keegan Rebecca@Seenmag.co.uk

Director:

Tony Burns Tony@Seenmag.co.uk

Art Director:

Michael Kelly Michael@Seenmag.co.uk

Photographer: Matt Fisher Mattfisher.com

Sales & Marketing: Info@seenmag.co.uk

Editorial Assistant

Amelia Smith Amelia@seenmag.co.uk

Contributors Andy Green Carl Axon Hazel Critchley SaraCullen Paul Mcmullen Rachel Roberts Terence Burges Michael Dwyer

Editor’s letter

elcome to the second edition of Seen Magazine.

We were overwhelmed with the fantastic response we had from our first edition in the summer, and have had a brilliant time putting this issue together.

In August we were out and about at the Liverpool Pride festival and were delighted to have been a part of it.

The organisers, participants and everybody who attended the event did the city proud – so well done to all.

For this issue, we are proud to have been selected as a media partner for the 2010 Homotopia Festival.

The Festival is a strong mark on Liverpool’s artistic map, and in this edition we have brought you more than 20 pages of what’s on, where to see it, a history of the event and much more – don’t miss it!

We also look at some more controversial issues – such as the worrying books out there that claim to ‘cure’ homosexuality.

We also have hard hitting features on domestic abuse and homophobic attacks.

I have to say a huge congratulations to our Fashion Correspondent Matt Fisher, who made it down to the final three entrants in the Juice FM Style Awards for Fashionista of the Year – and you can see why in his fashion column in this issue, where he has hand picked and photographed some of the most gorgeous clothes available in Merseyside at the moment.

We have launched our brand new website www.seenmag.co.uk, which is updated every day with news, events, blogs, opinions and so much more.

It’s well worth a visit so make sure you check it out if you haven’t already.

As I said earlier, we have been overwhelmed with the support and positive feedback we have had from both readers and advertisers in Seen Magazine, and we are already gathering some brilliant features for Issue Three!

In the meantime though, enjoy the winter edition – and be sure to let us know what you think.

Editor Seen Media Seen Media IL Palazzo, 7 Water Street Liverpool L2 ORD 0151 229 1913 www.seenmag.co.uk

seenmag.co.uk

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Goodmans Law wish Homotopia all the best for 2010.

7 Panto Mania

43 Fashion

A round up of the campest shows in town

In the closet with Matt Fisher

10 Armistead Project

What’s available at Armistead

51 Football studs A look at the Mersey Marauders

keep it 65 aDon’t secret

13 Making babies

A couple talk of baby joy

What is domestic abuse?

17 Seen investigates

68 Seen competitions

20 Homotopia 2010

74 Say EE

Can literature affect our sexuality?

Brilliant prizes up for grabs

Special festival feature

Pics from local events

from e b news LGBT d the glo n arou

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he season for shouting, hissing and laughing is upon us as Pantomimes roll out across the theatres of Merseyside. We’ve put together the info for a few of this year’s shows – and we promise – they’re as camp as ever.

Aladdin Showing at Southport Thatre

T

his season, we will see Aladdin, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and more of our favourite fairytale characters grace our region with flamboyant outfits, bright and cheerful stage sets and of course, the infamous panto dames.

Celebrity stars in the productions range from elite on the list to delete from the list – but the fun is there no matter who you catch.

Liverpool Empire Show: Aladdin Celeb star: Pamela Anderson Camp rating: 9/10 OK – so even though she’s every hetrosexual male’s perfect pin-up, she’s also one of the hottest gay icons of all time.

Pammy visited the city ahead of her panto appearance a few months ago, and told Seen Magazine that she loves being a gay icon. “I fit right in with that crowd – I love having fun and love causing a bit of trouble and I can’t wait to spend some real time in Liverpool.”

Pamela will appear as the Genie of the Lamp in the show. She’s best known for her role as CJ Parker in the iconic TV show Baywatch.

She is now a mother, an activist for PETA, an entrepreneur and actress. Pamela has appeared in movies Barb Wire and Borat and most recently was a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, the American version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Producers of the show, First Family Entertainment are delighted to announce another star-studded line up for the pantomime. As well as Pamela, the show will also star Liverpool favourite Les Dennis as Wishee Washee.

“I had a fantastic time performing in my very first pantomime last year in Wimbledon and I was thrilled to be invited to play the Genie once

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Showing at the Liverpool Empire

again. It will be a chance to have a lot of fun, to see some old friends and to make some new ones,” adds Pamela.

In particular, I am very excited about spending some time in Liverpool – a city I have never visited before.

I read about it being the European Capital of Culture for 2008 - and I am a Beatles fan of course! But my friends in the UK tell me there is so much more to the city and that I am really going to have a great time. I even had a chance to check in with my friend Henry Winkler (Captain Hook last year!) and he had nothing but great things to say about the people and the city. I am very excited –see you soon!

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton Show: Cinderella Celeb star: Jean Fergusson and Jamie Rickers Camp rating: 7/10

No Wise men showing at the Liverpool Playhouse

The Liverpool Playhouse Show: No Wise Men Camp rating: 3/10 Not quite a panto but a Christmas show all the same, this play is a comedy under the direction of Gemma Bodinets and written by Steve Canny and John Nicholson.

It’s a mix of reality and ridiculous humour about a reckless man who risks everything one Christmas Eve. Well worth a look.

Cinderella showing at the Floral Pavilion

It’s a horrible job to follow on from the Pamela Anderson editorial feature, but someone’s got to do it and this high energy, smiling and happy bunch are perfect for the job.

Jamie Rickers is the adorable TV presenter of kid’s show Jamie & Anna’s Big Weekend shown on Nickelodeon. On top of this he renowned for his inimitable stints on CITV’s Prove It, The Yuk Show and is most recognised for five years on Toonattik.

As you can probably guess by his CV he is perfect for panto.

Also starring is Jean Fergusson as the Fairy Godmother – probably the most recognised member of the cast after spending years on our television screens playing Marina in Last of the Summer Wine.

Liverpool Everyman Show: Sleeping Beauty Camp rating: 5/10 If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on tickets for the Everyman pantomime there’s no doubt you will love it.

Southport Theatre Show: Aladdin Celeb star: Michelle Heaton & Brendan Sheerin Camp rating: 8/10

The show is always one of Liverpool’s most popular, partly due to the amphitheatre layout, which makes the audience participation side of the performance frankly hilarious.

This venue never boasts a celebrity star guest – but it’s always likely that you’ll see the odd celeb in the audience!

This will be the final pantomime at the current site for three years, as it’s due to be majorly refurbished soon. The annual shows may move to the sister venue, The Playhouse – but it won’t hold the same magic.

What we are most excited about though are the Ugly Sisters! Played by Blackpool Funny Girls Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph, these two really put the spice into the show. Speaking to Seen Magazine at the press launch of the pantomime they say: “We are really excited – Cinderella is a fabulous show to be part of – and we are certainly the most beautiful ugly sisters in the region!”

Aladin Showing at Southport Thatre

Possibly one of the UK’s least liked celebrities, Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton (better known as Katie Price’s mate off the telly) will star in the seaside town as Princess Yasmin. She certainly has the innocent brunette, wide eyed looks to play the part and we’re sure lots of little princess wannabes out there will adore her.

Something tells us the double entendres these girls will come up with will more than satisfy those of us with more sordid minds.

Sleeping Beauty at the Liverpool Everyman

Also starring is the lovable Brendan Sheerin from Coach Trip. He will play the sultan in the show.

Seen’s favourite star of this panto though is Neil Fingleton, who at 7 foot 8 inches is the tallest man in Britain. He is playing the Genie of the Lamp and we reckon that he will be by far the most anticipated character in the show!

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The Armistead Team

Armistead Centre Liverpool Terry Burgess, 47, moved to Liverpool in 2008 from Manchester where he was born.

He is interested in current affairs and politics and won a mock election by two votes this June against his friend Paul Mc Mullen. Since, he has set up the Rainbow Alliance Party which aims to deal with LGBT & Consumer Affairs issues locally.

He writes poetry occasionally and has been involved in setting up concerts alongside

and for The Michael Causer Foundation.

W

hen I returned to Liverpool,17 years after leaving, I still had great memories from my previous stay. These included TV/Film extra work and being a barman at Jodie’s on Stanley St, which I really enjoyed and of course, I would always remember the friendliness I encountered.

I quickly adapted to many changes that had taken place here. Liverpool was looking to the future, and so was I. With this in mind I’d done my homework before leaving Manchester and discovered The Armistead Centre.

I went along to one of their regular drop-in sessions and was immediately made welcome.

I initially had a confidential chat with one of the staff to get to know more about the services on offer and to let them know a little about what brought me here.

Groups/services that run via the Armistead include: It didn’t take long before I’d gained a new circle of friends and once I’d got my new home sorted out I was able to spend a little more time getting to know what was happening locally on the scene and beyond.

The Armistead Centre is an NHS service providing clear, up to date information, support and outreach work to the Merseyside LGBT community.

It receives it’s funding from Liverpool Community Health, NHS Knowsley, NHS Halton and St Helens.

Its main aim is to provide advice around safer sex and drugs awareness issues within the LGBT community, although they also cover many other related lifestyle issues too.

Clients come from a variety of backgrounds, ages, race, disabilities and gender.

Facilities include free STI checks, free condoms/ lube/dental dams, magazines, leaflets, refreshments, confidential counselling rooms,computers and more.

Armistead City A sexual health/drug outreach, support and prevention service for the LGBT communities and also those who are selling sex.

They also work with members of the community who identify as selling sex for gain or favour. The outreach team can talk to you in confidence.

Armistead City also provides regular outreach sessions on the LGBT scene and surrounding areas.

Armistead 45+ Group This is an LGBT safe space alternative from the gay scene.

Peer support services, meet up/socialise with people your own age. Facilitated by professional staff who are on hand to speak to you around health/lifestyle issues that affect you.

Support via phone, txt, e-mail, home visit or appointment.

Armistead Gay, Bisexual & Transgendered HIV+ Men’s Group & Services Anyone who’s either HIV or Hep C positive, as well as family, friends and partners who are also affected can access this service for information/ support.

You can expect to meet other like minded people who can offer support, help and advice.

This social group is a way of meeting other people who are/have been in a similar situation.

Armistead Transgender Support & Healthy Lifestyle Information Service Offers referral to appropriate sexual health/ reproduction services, safer sexual health and practices, support/referral into drug & alcohol services, counselling around gender identity/ transgender issues and relationship advice.

Armistead Women’s Space (18+) This is a social space where LGBT women can expect to meet other women who can offer support, help and build a mutually supportive network.

Women can also gain access to other Armistead services targeted to specific needs of LGBT women.

Queer Notions Promotes the mental health and well being of lesbian gay & bisexual people. Confidential drop in service held each Tuesday 7pm-9pm @ Armistead Centre.

Helpline: 0151 227 9977 (staffed during drop-in & 24 hr answerphone).

Talk It Out Free and confidential counselling in the heart of Liverpool’s gay quarter.

I went along to one of their regular drop-in sessions and was immediatel y made welcome.

Tel 0151 227 1893 ask for Martin/Jean.

Victim Support Merseyside; Confidential advice/support given to victims of crime. In attendance at Masquerade bar Cumberl and Street, first Tuesday of each month 5pm-7pm. Following three Tuesdays at Armistead Centre 5pm-7pm.

Weekly Drop-in sessions (18+) Tuesday and Thursday 2pm-9pm & Saturdays 4pm-7pm.

Armistead Centre Contact Info

Armistead Centre, 1st Floor Musker Buildings, 1 Stanley St, Liverpool L1 6AA (Above Andrew Louis Estate Agents) Tel: 0151 227 1931 Email: info@armisteadcentre.co.uk www.armisteadcentre.co.uk

An opportunity to meet other LGBT people in a safe welcoming environment.

The Armistead Centre offers a valuable service to our community. Its dedicated staff could well help you, why not pay them a visit.

Armistead Youth This is an ideal place to meet new friends and get involved in a host of activities.

Staff are on hand to talk to you in confidence at all times.

They and your peers can help you through any bad times, as well as be with you for the good times.

Open to all young people who identify them selves as LGBT (or think they might be) 19 and below.

B.O.L.D (Be Out With Learning Disabilities) 18+ Is a group that can offer supported advice around personal safety, referral to sexual health services/clinics, support with feeling lonely, coming out and education & empowerment.

Parents & Carers This is a social/support service for friends, family and carers of LGBT people.

It’s a space to talk around the issues that affect family members of LGBT people. Staff are on hand to talk to you and give relevant information and advice.

Staff can also offer support and advice to families of LGBT parents/carers.

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2/9/10 19:27:02

Making Babies S

tarting your own family can be a daunting time for any couple, but what about when you’re two women?

More and more same sex couples are planning to have children and the issue is one surrounded by controversy.

Rachel Roberts speaks to an expectant couple to find out more.

C

ouples can either adopt, foster or women can conceive by artificial insemination (IUI) which is not only expensive, it also has low success rates. But this didn’t put off civil partners Nikki and Katie Chappory, and the mummys-tobe are expecting the birth of their daughter next year.

“We’ve always wanted to start a family together” says Nikki. “We talked about it a lot and Katie was always going to give birth. Labour looks a bit painful to me and after watching Desperate Midwives this has definitely been confirmed!”

The couple who celebrated their first civil partnership in October, first began trying for a baby in May after being referred by their GP and Katie is due to give birth on February 18, 2011.

“The whole artificial insemination process (IUI) has to be done through your GP,” explains Katie.

“Only your GP can refer you and you to be honest, ours was useless and didn’t have a clue.

“But luckily for Nikki and I we had researched it on the internet and our friend had been through the IUI process, so we knew a lot about it and ended up changing our GP.” The couple were then referred by their GP to Manchester Fertility Services at Bridgewater Hospital and the pair can’t thank them enough.

“The staff at Bridgewater Hospital were absolutely fantastic and made the whole process really easy,” says Katie. “They went through my whole medical history and were very thorough. We had counselling too because one of our biggest worries was Nikki not feeling close to the baby because she’s not pregnant and also the baby wanting to contact her sperm donor in later

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life. But the staff put our minds at ease and counselling really did help.”

So just how did Nikki and Katie pick their sperm donor?

“We first met up with Professor Lieberman who is one of the leading fertility specialists in the country and talked about the characteristics Katie and I both have, and what characteristics we want the baby to have,” adds Nikki.

“These results were then sent off to a laboratory where two donors were chosen for us to pick from. It was a big decision and after reading through both profiles we picked our sperm donor

Photo: Getty Images

We talked about it a lot and Katie was always going to give birth. Labour looks a bit painful to me and after watching Desperate Midwives this has definitely been confirmed!

because he was down to earth, liked travelling and was a medical student, as well as being a part time model.”

12 week baby scan’s

Once the couple had picked their donor, the rest of the process was up to them and the pair didn’t think the insemination had been successful as Nikki explains.

“We rushed the process to be honest, so we had our doubts about Katie falling pregnant. You can only inseminate once and you have to wait 16 days to do the pregnancy test, so we really didn’t know what to think. The first time we tried it was negative but then a couple of days later we tried again and it was positive.

We couldn’t believe it. We conceived on my birthday (May 31st) and we can’t wait to become mums.

“We’ve got a few names at the moment and are thinking of calling her Maisey, Orla, Dea or Nairn, but we really don’t know! I just hope she has got lots of hair, with a button nose, dark skin and big dark eyes like her mummy,” smiles Nikki.

The staff at Bridgewater Hospital were absolutely fantastic and made the whole process really easy

3D baby scans

FACT FILE ·

IUI stands for intrautine insemination and involves inserting a flexible catheter into the cervix of a woman and injecting washed sperm directly into her uterus. It only takes a couple of minutes and can be uncomfortable.

·

The sperm is injected into the womb close to the time of ovulation which is when the egg is released from the ovary in the middle of a cycle. Timing is very important and tests must be carried out first to make sure the fallopian tubes and pelvis are in a healthy condition.

·

There is a 10-12% chance of conceiving first time.

·

You must be referred by your GP and have fertility tests before you can receive IUI treatment.

·

It costs around £2,000 for one cycle so Nikki and Katie suggest that you start saving!

·

Sperm donors are tightly regulated and can only donate to so many women. Nikki and Katie can use the same sperm donor again if they wish to.

·

For more information about IUI you can make an appointment with your GP or visit www.manchesterfertility.com

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Tech news From the weird to the wonderful, new gadgets , mobile phone a pps and fantastic toys are being launched all the time. W hen it comes to cool technolog y there’s no end to what’s on of fer. Seen Magazine brings you some of our favourite gizmos up for g rabs at the moment.

BlackBerry PlayBook

How To Cook Everything

RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook may be the only true competitor to the apple iPad when it launches in the near future. Recently, the company has “accidentally” leaked some new stats about possible configuration variants that are quite heartwarming to technophiles and mobile device addicts. So what can you expect?

(funny how mobile device aficionados tend to be broken down into iPhone or BlackBerry people, isn’t it?).

No word on prices just yet but if they’re anywhere south of what Apple is charging, you might see a change in sale trends in the near future.

You’re going to love (or hate) the 16GB hard drive that comes on the standard model but luckily there will be 32GB and 64 GB variants released—matching the iPad’s capacities but not exceeding them. However, the powerful 5,3oomAh battery will likely convert some folks by itself. That will give you an extended battery life equal to that of a full-sized laptop.

In addition, some other internal specs that were already available include the 1Ghs dual core processor, the 1GB of RAM, and the capability to render full 1080p high-definition video. The specs aren’t great, in fact they’re kind of mediocre. But the device will offer an alternative to folks who just don’t like Apple products

Top 3 Blackberry Apps Chat for Facebook Stay connected with your friends where ever you go with the only working chat application for Facebook onBlackBerry®. It even works faster than the chat on Facebook itself!

No need for license key or any thing else , works like a charm.

Fake Call Stuck in another pointless meeting? Is a friend talking your ear off with another boring story?

Don‘t despair, use Fake-A-Call.

With Fake-A-Call you can make it appear as if anyone you want is calling. Set the caller ID to show your spouse calling for an urgent message, your boss with

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How To Cook Everything is one of the burgeoning number of iPhone cookery apps, designed to help you whip up a meal without needing a printed cookbook. It’s got 2,000 recipes to try, and more than 400 illustrations. It’s had a whopping update for iOS 4, which includes Fast App Switching, but also the ability for cooking timers to run in the background too, pinging you with a notification when you’re supposed to be taking something out of the oven. It can also add recipes to individual calendar dates, which is good if you’re a budding Come Dine with Me dinner party holder.

Top 3 IPhone Apps an urgent work situation, or Barack Obama congratulating you on your success. The possibilities are endless. Don’t let someone waste your time ever again!

Movies by Flixster, the top movie app for Facebook, is now on BlackBerry®! > Get details for the top box office movies >Browse the DVD catalog of over 50,000 movies > Watch high quality trailers currently only available on some devices > Read reviews from Rotten Tomatoes > View theater info with maps, phone number, ticket info and showtimes > Buy movie tickets from movietickets.com

Control4 My House Whole house audio, video, lighting & HVAC control from your iPhone or iPod Touch.

This requires a Control4 home automation system, see www.control4.com. features: > Familiar Control4 interface > Lighting Control > HVAC Control > Audio & Video Device Control > Movie & Album Artwork > IP Camera Viewing > Wake Up Control > Playlist Creation > Simple Room Selection Tabbed out This app allows diners and bar-goers to pay their bill via their iPhone. It’s live now in the good old US of A and is

coming to the UK very soon.

Plans are to let you pay for shopping, vending machines even clothes all through your phone- sounds a bit dangerous to me - for all your shoping needs.

Shazam Faster tagging experience and cool new features including 30 sec previews, Tag Charts from 20 countries, Lyrics and Tag on startup!

Shazam gives you instant satisfaction when you want to know what song is playing.

Lovin’ that tune? Just point your phone towards the music source to identify and buy the music track, or share your discovery with friends and family.

Seen investigation

Can literature change your sexuality?

W

e’ve all heard (or made) the jokes – ‘Cheryl Cole is so gorgeous she could turn me straight!’ or men saying to straight women friends ‘If I was straight I would ask you out right away.’ But is there any truth in the concept that our sexuality is a choice? Seen Magazine investigates.

Book reviews H

ow would your life be different if you weren’t gay? Apart from the obvious partner choice, would you live a better quality of life? Or worse? Would you be smarter? Better looking? The concept that homosexuality is an illness is seen by most of us as a ridiculous concept – after all, they haven’t made a drug to cure it.

That said, we’ve heard some horror stories from local people who, in their, youth were sent for counselling, to boot camps and in more horrific cases electro shock treatment. In some faiths homosexuality is seen as a sin against god – but where do we draw the line on what’s homophobic and what’s not?

Seen Magazine very easily tracked down three books on a well known internet site that claim to ‘cure’ homosexuality (there were dozens to choose from).

We gave one to three gay men who live in Merseyside and asked them to keep an open mind when submitting a review.

Book title: Can Homosexuality Be Healed? caveats in that in some cases they’ve only managed to stop them having sex.

Author: Francis MacNutt Review:

Andy Green

Sounds like that nasty aversion therapy to me.

But in one spectacular exorcism they did cast out 22 evil spirits from a would-be trans-sexual - these are apparently the worst examples when only expelling the devil will do.

Book title: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality Author: Joseph Nicolosi Ph.D & Linda Ames Nicolosi Review:

Michael Dwyer

It will come as no surprise to you that this nasty little tome was written by an American pastor who has set up his own church to propagate his own distorted views of Christianity. But this kind of religious extremism is spreading here too and it’s dangerous.

O

n reading the title of this book I thought: “Oh this will be a quick one, the answer is no and even if it wasn’t it would be no thanks.”

You see, I’m perfectly happy being gay and can’t imagine being anything else. It’s who I am, how I was made, how I was created if you like.

This book is based on the premise that homosexuality is wrong, is unnatural, against God’s will and can be cured through prayer or, in extreme cases, exorcism.

I could easily just dismiss it as a load of old, misguided, evangelical tosh and some of it did actually make me laugh out loud but there is something insidious and disturbing about it. The fact that it was published at all and also that a significant number of people will actually read it and take it seriously is troubling.

It claims to have effectively cured homosexuals through prayer, although there are some

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We worry about Islamic extremists but we need to be wary of anyone one using religion to promote hate and discrimination.

The author of this book tries to wrap his message up in a way that is meant to make you feel that he hasn’t got a prejudicial bone in his body and that his only concern is saving gay people from themselves.

Well you didn’t fool me Mr MacNutt - what an appropriate name - this is a total misreading of the teachings of Christianity designed to justify personal bigotry and if you ever get anywhere near the pearly gates I think you may just find them slammed firmly in your face.

We worr y about Islamic extremists but we need to be war y of an yone one using religion to promote hate and discrimination.

W

hen I agreed to do this book review, I was expecting it to be some very empty religious babble, but what I found was much more disturbing.

gender disturbed and gender non-conformists

On reading the contributor I found them to be highly qualified and experienced professors of psychiatry, clinical psychology and even professors of law. I was left completely bowled over by the fact that these professionals were employed by universities, colleges of medicine and so on.

The authors and contributors use some obviously vulnerable people whom they have

‘treated’ because they were unable to accept their sexuality, or their parents forced them into ‘treatment’. It features such absurd things as an account of a young man who was angry at his mother for “not intervening in him playing with Barbie dolls as a child.”

Book title: Leaving Homosexuality – A practical guide for men and women looking for a way out

Author: Alan Chambers Review:

Tony Burns

The book refers to gay people by such perturbed terms as “gender disturbed” and “gender nonconformists”. It makes reference to such idiotic and narrow minded reasons for being gay as having female friends and mothers encouraging effeminate behaviour by ridiculous things like putting a coat on in the cold, rather than facing the cold like a man! Completely absurd!

Further ridiculous notions include that parents are RESPONSIBLE for their child being gay.

It is the responsibility of the parents to recognise the ‘signs’ and correct them by adhering to traditional male stereotypes.

Apparently, if you only seek comfort from your mother and don’t deal with things by either hitting something or drinking beer, it doesn’t look too good.

I could spend the best part of 20,000 words analysing and ripping apart this book, but I don’t think it would bode well that I would literally punch the wall out of frustration (how masculine of me, Christ it must be working!!!).

Having studied applied psychology, I can see how the contributors to the book have twisted and manipulated the theories to support their own views.

This book has angered me and my own preconceptions turned out to be true ultimately; that there was an underlying extreme form of religion driving what is in essence a religious message about homosexuality.

Not impressed at all, but do I care about their opinions? No! Do I worry about those parents who see this as a credible source of information, absolutely! The fight continues...

• • •

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hen I decided to give up smoking I read a self help book – and it worked a treat, so when I was given this text to review I have to admit, I was slightly wary.

I began to read it with an open mind, I held no anger towards the author and thought it quite intriguing to investigate if my sexuality is in fact a part of my make up, or a result of social circumstance.

Further ridiculous notions include that parents are RESPONSIBLE for their child being gay.

It also makes reference to the fact that single mothers have a difficult job on their hands and that it is imperative to have a male role model to ensure their heterosexism.

put his hand on his hip every now and then, break ALL contact.

In a nutshell – the book say that God made you and you are gay, and God doesn’t want this – so sort it out!

In a nutshell - the book says that God made you and you are gay, and God doesn’t want this – so sort it out!

The author, Alan Chambers, doesn’t claim to be able to stop you from being gay, but in this book he will teach you how to spend your life ‘on guard’ of your sexuality and basically pretend to be straight.

The bizarre thing is, through the book he says ‘do not think about naked men’ – what sprung to mind as you read that statement? Exactly.

So this tactic doesn’t really work – it’s like telling someone not to think about the colour purple.

So here are the tips I learnt from this book; Don’t knock about with anyone who has even the slightest homosexual traits – so if your supposedly straight friend happens to

•

• • • •

Build a support network around you.

Visit a church and tell all the parishioners that you feel like you are gay but don’t want to be, ask them to support your ‘giving up’.

Get a wife (simple ay!)

Have all your wages paid into your wife’s bank account (are you howling with laughter yet?)

Ban all pornographic material from your home and work computer in case you get tempted to look at any point.

Stay away from gyms.

If you have any gay thoughts, try something to take your mind off them – like DIY or shopping.

The book also consists of an entire chapter about how to have sex with your wife, and how afterwards you should both pray together to thank God for getting you through it.

In my opinion for this to happen in the first place God would have to come in the form of a litre bottle of Vodka.

Chambers, who wrote the book, says he uses all these traits himself and is married and settled. The person I felt sorry for when reading was his wife, for obvious reasons.

In conclusion, unfortunately ladies, I’m still a homosexual – no matter how much shopping or DIY I do, in the words of Shirley Bassey I am what I am.

I’m still a homosexual – no matter how much shopping or DIY I do, in the words of Shirle y Basse y I am what I am.

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Image: Austin Young

Special Feature

homotopia festival 2010 L

iverpool’s unique celebration of LGBT culture returns in all its Autumnal glory in 2010 with a UK dance premiere, international theatre, comedy, cabaret, poetry, literature, film, exhibitions and for the very first time – a youth strand, ‘Right To Love’, programmed by and for teenagers.

This year, the event will be bigger and better than ever with a packed programme.

In this issue of Seen Magazine, we have brought you an exclusive look at Homotopia’s history, listings of what’s on and where, insight into the very exciting Pink, Past & Present film that will blow you away and much more.

Festival Director Gary Everett describing this year’s festival says: “Homotopia offers a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment for everyone of all ages! From the hilarious, outrageous and subversive to the thought provoking and challenging. International artists from Italy, Mexico and the U.S. rub shoulders with writers and performers from Wales, Scotland and Liverpool. We are now the only LGBT cultural festival in the north of England – come and find out why!”

This year the festival will also be commissioning brand new work for Homotopia TV. The live programme will present over 35 events across Liverpool. The festival is delighted to co-present work with dance festival Leap and disability arts festival DaDa Fest. By forging a new relationship with AND (Abandon Normal Devices - the north west’s festival of cinema and digital culture), Homotopia even spread to Manchester for a festival tease in October.

Homotopia gives the Liverpool region a chance to show the rest of the world what our creative and talented LGBT community is all about . Every year it leaves a huge mark on our artistic map, and 2010 will be no exception.

Special Feature One of Homotpoia’s best known posters from the past

Image: Toby Coffey

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years of history

Creating nostalgia

Homotopia Artistic Director Gary Everett, who founded the festival in 2004, gives Seen readers an insight into where it all began – and a little bit of what we have to look forward to

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L

aunched as a pilot festival in2004 when Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture, in a very short time the festival became a key highlight in the cultural calendar attracting national and international acclaim.

Homotopia of fers a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment for ever yone of all ages! From the hilarious , outrageous and subversive to the thought provoking and challenging. Inter national artists from Ital y, Mexico and the U.S. rub shoulders with writers and performers from Wales , Scotland and Liver pool.

We are now the onl y LGBT cultural festival in the north of England – come and find out why!

Since its launch the festival has attracted an audience topping 125,000 people. Growing in popularity each year, Homotopia is the only LGBT arts & cultural festival in the North and was the first festival in Liverpool to produce and promote LGBT arts & culture.

Homotopia presents an annual festival every November with trailblazers throughout the year. We also have a groundbreaking social justice, education outreach work and youth engagement programme throughout the year.

Identified as one of the top gay festivals in the UK with its innovative programme and impressive roll call of queer icons the festival presents an eclectic range of events including theatre, music, film, cabaret, visual art, debate, digital and literature.

Guests that have appeared at the festival include the legendary April Ashley, Armistead Maupin, Holly Woodlawn, Sadie Lee, Maggie Hambling, David Hoyle and former singer Holly Johnson (formerly Frankie Goes To Hollywood) also exhibited as part of 2 Homotopia visual art exhibitions.

Armistead Maupin

The festival also presented the hugely popular Tom Of Finland Retrospective in 2008, which was the UK’s largest ever retrospective attracting over 8000 visitors making it one of the biggest attractions of the Biennial. Homotopia have presented the World Premieres of Rock, Jiggery Pokery and presented work with leading club night Duckie who co-produced Homotopia’s ‘Grand Vogue Ball’ at the Adelphi back in 2008.

year and last year devoted much of our outputs to hate crime work and education projects spearheaded by the iconic Homotopia NOT Homophobia.

Since launching in 2004 Homotopia campaigned across key Liverpool City Council departments to develop more projects that aimed to tackle homophobic bullying in our schools.

Our commitment started in 2006 when we commissioned award winning play ‘FIT’ .

The play was produced by Stonewall, the UK’s leading LGB lobbying organisation and has been seen by 25,000 young people. The play returned to Liverpool this year for LGBT history month. FIT has now been turned into a feature length film and is being rolled out to schools and youth clubs across the region.

April Ashley meets her niece in St Georges Hall in 2008 Photography: Matt Ford

FIT tour Anti - homophobic bullying

Homotopia also boasts its own web based TV station which launched in 2007. The channel previews features and clips from the festival and has a vast archive of news, interviews and short features from the last three years.

Attracting a global audience of over 175,000 viewers in 2009 with new digital commissions featuring Planet Middle Age, A Vegetarian Opera and Jay Bernard planned for 2010.

The work of Homotopia is not only in November.

We produce groundbreaking social justice and youth engagement programmes throughout the

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In 2008 Homotopia became involved in Liverpool City Council’s anti-bullying forum with a number of key partners.

The festival also produces short films and in 2009 Homotopia TV & Light Factory created ‘The Invisible Death Of Michael’ exploring the lack of media coverage around Michael Causer’s murder. The film was selected to be screened at the IF! International Film Festival Istanbul 2010 and is also going to Turin LGBT film festival in 2011.

The film also is a key lesson plan in the groundbreaking anti-hate resource Project Triangle.

Image Credit: TRADEMARK

Our social justice work is going from strength to strength and we are already developing exciting projects for the new year and with the prospect of more links to inter national collaborations , 2011 looks set to be bigger and bolder than ever with the year long Tom Of Finland retrospective exhibition in Turku, Finland and also more developments in Warsaw, Poland.

This November the festival will also be presenting a series of debates and research in Istanbul, Turkey currently the European Capital Of Culture 2010.

The internationally renowned and award winning Pansy Project will also feature as part of the week of events including research and ongoing development with UK, Turkish and Dutch artists.

Working with LAMBDA, Amnesty International and HM ConsulateGeneral Istanbul, the week long programme will promote the success of Homotopia International, developing new partnerships and further our inter-cultural dialogue with

Our social justice work is going from strength to strength and we are already developing exciting projects for the new year and with the prospect of more links to international collaborations, 2011 looks set to be bigger and bolder than ever with the year long Tom Of Finland retrospective exhibition in Turku, Finland and also more developments in Warsaw, Poland” Gary Everett, Artistic Director and founder, Homotopia

The Pansy Project Pera House

LGBT artists and curators in Istanbul and Liverpool.

The festival has come a long way since its inception back in 2004 and the nature, range and breadth of our work means it appeals to gay or straight, young or old.

HOMOTOPIA is supported by Liverpool CityCouncil, Arts Council England, Turku 2011 Foundation, British Embassy Ankara, Merseyside Police, Mersey Fire & Rescue Service, National Union of Teachers, Riverside Housing, Liverpool Mutual Homes.

I’m incredibly proud of the huge inroads we’ve made in the arts, education and community engagement and in particular its roots as a Liverpool festival. The legacy of 2008 is still being felt today and a huge part of that is the great work achieved by the festival team, our partners and stakeholders.

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So what’s on and festival programme

where ?

There’s so much to keep up with this year – theatre, film, poetry, art, dance and more. So we have collated some of the offerings available at this November’s red hot Homotopia Festival – see as much as you can so you know what everyone’s talking about for the rest of the year!

More information on these events is online at www.homotopia.net – along with some brilliant scenes from previous festivals on Homotopia TV.

Theatre/Performance

Dance Giselle, or I’m Too Horny To Be A Prince November 4

Mother/Son by Jeffrey Solomon November 2 & 3 A semi-autobiographical tour-de-force this hilarious play features the American multi talented writer Jeffrey Solomon performing as Mindy and Bradley, the mother and son of the title. This critically acclaimed work explores the consequences of coming out as a gay man for the mother as well as the son.

Unity Theatre 7.30pm £8/£6

Factory Floor November 12

Conceived and performed by Joseph Mercier, Giselle is a duet for a ballet dancer and his favourite pair of sleazy black boots. It draws its movement vocabulary from classical ballet and sadomasochism. Set to the original Giselle score the piece is an autobiographical collage told through images, kink, ballet, and exhaustion. Co-produced

by Chisenhale Dance Space and Clara Giraud.

Unity Theatre 8pm £10/£8

Factory Floor, a UK based network of women writers, artists and performers, presents an evening of new work by Clare Duffy, Abi Lake, Louie Jenkins and Carrie Whittaker, Caroline Wilson and Emily Underwood-Lee. “We want to spark debate about making experimental theatre, live art and political intervention and what it means to be a woman.

It’s eclectic and breakneck.”

Unity Theatre 7.30pm £7/£5

Crotch November 12

Guillermo Gomez Pena & La Pocha Nostra: Corpo Ilicito November 27 & 28 The legendary performance artist Guillermo Gomez Pena and La Pocha Nostra present their latest group piece. Using their bodies as sites for political reinvention and poetic prophesising, La Pocha Nostra explore the Bush administration’s criminalization of the brown body and the emerging culture of hope that has developed in response to the former world order.

Bluecoat 8pm £8/6

San Francisco dance maverick and political activist Keith Hennessey presents one of only 2 dates in the UK with his dance piece CROTCH Bluecoat 8pm £9/7

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The Factory November 9 & 10

Multi award winning Earthfall’s latest work using dance, film and live music is inspired by the underground New York arts scene of the ‘50/’60’s exploring the protests, creativity and hedonism that marked the ‘60’s. “I never wanted to be an artist. I wanted to be a tap dancer.”

Andy Warhol Unity Theatre 8pm £10/£8

Manmade November 11 A scintillating triple bill of work from three of the most exciting choreographers working in contemporary dance today. From New York a new piece by Kyle Abraham who is recognized for his smooth, athletic Hip Hop influenced style. Yorkshireman Gary Clarke presents ‘9 to 5’ exploring the twisted underbelly of disco and Liverpool’s own Darren Suarez will present his newest work ‘B-itch Switch’.

Unity Theatre 8pm £9/£7

Comedy/Cabaret Lavender Club November 5 Inimitable comedian Terry Titter hosts Homotopia’s popular perennial cabaret night of comedy, mime and music. This year Lavender Club welcomes; Ryan Styles, “the loony, cartoony performer who’s part clown, part tranny, all spectacle” (Bizarre), Ernesto Tomasini a Sicilian avant garde comedian, singer and cabaret artist and the larger than life Le Gateau Chocolat, the opera singing diva with a penchant for body hugging lycra.

Unity Theatre 8pm £10/£8

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Call My Puff November 6

Vada the bona lallies, fantabulosa! Find out what it all means in this live edition of Call My Bluff with a polari twist. Celebrity panellists are David Hoyle, Doreen Kum Kwik, Margi Clarke and Maisie Trollete (Britain’s oldest drag queen). Compered by Terry Titter.

Unity Theatre 6pm £10/£8

Lavender Girls November 6

The lesbian comedy and music night that sells out every year. Your hostess with the most this year is award winning funny woman Rosie Wilby and she welcomes author and comedian Stella Duffy, writer and actress Angela Clerkin, singer Jennifer John and Mini Copper.

Unity Theatre 9pm £10/£8

Stella Duffy November 6

Armistead Maupin November 24

Reading from her new historical novel Theodora; actress, empress, whore FACT 4pm

Talks/ Poetry/Literature Debates/ Planet Young – Gerry Potter & Jay Bernard Exhibition/Film November 5

Take tea with the author of the Tales in the City series who will be signing copies of his new book ‘Mary Ann in Autumn’ London Carriage Works 3.30pm £13.50

Jay Bernard is author of Your Sign is Cuckoo, Girl and her work has recently been featured in City State and Voice Recognition (2009). As well as writing poetry, Jay has written for the Royal Opera House and been poet-in-residence on an allotment. She currently blogs at brrnrrd.wordpress. com Liverpool poet Gerry Potter performs Planet Young exploring his gay scouse roots with passion, wit and verve.

Bluecoat 8pm

The Powerhouse Of Supermen: Does gay culture exclude ‘otherness’?

November 20 Presented with DaDa Fest. We are surrounded by images, ideas and confections of gay lifestyles, the ‘scene’ and its culture. Muscle, hedonism, youth and homogeneity is everywhere and even perpetuated in the gay media. Is it narcissism, is it healthy and does this quest for the perfect body exclude ‘otherness’? The morning will include a series of art based encounters choreographed by David Hoyle and Tanya Raabe exploring issues of identity and the divided self and ‘Making Fat’ workshops.

The afternoon will feature a lively and provocative debate chaired by Matt Fraser including panellists David Hoyle, Jane Czyzselska (DIVA editor) Leroy Moore (Sins Invalid) and Robert Softley (Disabled Persons LGBT group) Bluecoat 2pm Free

Queering The Portrait November 7 Join David Hoyle, one of England’s avant guardians, as he presents a guide around some of the country’s finest art collections. Take in Turner, Lowry or a Hoyle followed by conversation, tea and cucumber sandwiches.

Walker Art Gallery 2pm FREE

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EXCLUSIVE

Special Feature

T

OM

FINLAND

The iconic works of legendary gay artist Tom of Finland return to his birthplace Turku, Finland as part of their forthcoming European Capital of Culture 2011 celebrations.

The show is being presented by Homotopia in partnership with Turku 2011 Foundation and the Tom of Finland Foundation Los Angeles

Courtesy of Tom of Finland Foundation Permanent Collection Š 2010

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Courtesy of Tom of Finland Foundation Permanent Collection © 2010

T

Tom Of Finland was born Touko Laaksonen in 1920 in the village of Kaarina nr Turku, in South West Finland.

(1944-1989) will be on show on special loan from the permanent collection of the Tom of Finland Foundation Los Angeles.

At the age of nineteen, he moved to Helsinki to attend art college and, for his own personal enjoyment, created his first homoerotic drawings.

He worked extensively in USA and died in Helsinki in 1991. Tom’s oeuvre has had a ripple effect throughout gay and straight culture during the past 40 years, influencing lifestyle, political tolerance, design, fashion and art to popular culture.

Gary Everett, Artistic Director of Homotopia, says: “This is a wonderful opportunity to work with Turku 2011 and present an exhibition by one of the most iconic and influential Finnish artists of modern times. “ It is really special that this will happen in Turku with it being Tom’s birthplace. Presenting this exhibition is a real coup for Homotopia and fantastic legacy of our own capital of culture in 2008.”

Courtesy of Tom of Finland Foundation Permanent Collection © 2010

Courtesy of Tom of Finland Foundation Permanent Collection © 2010

he Tom of Finland exhibition was a key highlight of the Homotopia Festival when Liverpool was European Capital of Culture in 2008 attracting record audiences.

The show is a major retrospective of works on paper with 60 rare and iconic drawings from

Suvi Innilä, Programme Director Turku 2011 Foundation, adds: “We are thrilled that the Tom of Finland exhibition returns home. For the entire year his works return to his childhood neighbourhood. This exhibition is also one of the bridges between Liverpool ‘08 and Turku’s year as the European Capital of Culture in 2011. Our cooperation with Liverpool has been very fruitful in many ways.”

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Special Feature

All Imagery Used from Pink Past & Present. facebook.com/PINK:PAST&PRESENT

And the rest is history

Liverpool’s rich heritage expands far beyond The Beatles, shipping and cotton, in fact our gay history is full of laughter, fond memories and sadly hard times with a ‘them and us’ culture at some points.

Seen Magazine finds out about the film being premierd documenting this powerful past.

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hatever the facts, it’s all important for us to remember our history and vital to educate today’s young people. With this in mind, First Take Training and Productions based in Liverpool have gained funding for a project called Pink, Past Present.

Producer of the project Stephen Barr says: “I’ve had the idea to create a film for some time now – and in August last year I got together a steering group to talk about it further.

Lots of people got involved, and we met to talk about Liverpool’s past and mapped out a timeline.”

beautiful – they are all real memories and true stories.

“We sat down in a room, it began with five of us, and we went over lots of places and dates in history. Gradually we built a timeline on the wall of where things happened and where places were throughout history.”

Stephen adds: “From there we have been conducting interviews collating people’s memories of nightlife, day life and some bigger issues, such as when the law was changed in 1967 and when Aids was first spoken about and people in the city were scared – some memories of these times are very powerful

and sometimes

even shocking.”

We sat down in a room, it began with five of us , and we went over lots of places and dates in histor y. Graduall y we built a timeline on the wall of where things ha ppened where places were throughout histor y.

One member of the steer group, Phil Johnson says: “It’s been a brilliant experience. There were so many memories recalled and it makes the film so special – because good, bad, ugly or

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Stephen says that the Facebook page he created has helped greatly with the project: “The response has been amazing – there are

The Lisbon: Year Unknown

more than 650 people who like the page online and I have received so many messages and photographs this way – the archives we have are expanding all the time.

“Everybody who has been involved has been amazing by giving so much time and contributing their thoughts, opinions and memories.”

Phil shares his own favourite memories with Seen Magazine.

“It was over 30 years ago when I was involved in The Wirral Group. We decided to start a ‘gay night’ locally and it was brilliant.

“It began at The Empress club in Victoria Road, Wirral. These were in the days before we could meet up in such a huge quantity and it was amazing to be able to dance with each other and have a great time without any worries.

“The events couldn’t have gone ahead without our fabulous Margaret Owen.

Margi was the secretary of the club and she organised all committee meetings, events and so much more. She was available to hundreds of people 24 hours a day and always made sure everything went to plan.

“Not only did she take care of all this – but she always looks immaculate. At each event she would be wearing a beautiful gown and always had a smile on her face. She was the perfect hostess, and everybody who knew her loved her.”

Margaret passed away last year. “She truly was one in a billion,” says Phil.

“In them days there was a lot of pressure to keep being gay a secret the intimidation factor was huge.

“It was there we began the ‘Miss Glamorous Wirral Competition,” continues Phil. “It involved the gents of the club dressing in their finest attire (usually a dress and heels) and strutting around the dance floor, as well as answering questions in a mock up Miss World style.

“I was the compere “Gay men wouldn’t leave clubs for this competition together and would walk down and it was extremely the street separately so as not to An early Garlands Flyer Year Unknown. popular. draw attention to themselves, so this The prizes would one night a week was very welcome to the gay be cash, up to £250 for the winner, which back community. then was a lot of money.”

“It was such a happy time – the first time we were lifting the lid on the gay scene in the area.”

From the Empress the evenings moved to the Riverside for many years, holding a capacity of 500 people and every few months the venue was packed out.

Pop singer Hazell Dean also once made an appearance at the club for a fee of £1,000.

Eventually the Riverside was washed away in the big gale and the event was moved to it’s final venue, the Hotel Victoria, New Brighton.

Phil Johnson with his good friend Margret Owen who passed away last year.

“Everybody should see the Pink, Past and Present film it holds older stories as well as more recent ones. It’s so important to document our past, and it’s fantastic that so many people have shared their personal memories – it will relate to every generation.

“In my lifetime, like many other people, I’ve loved, lost, battled and celebrated. There have been some really tough times along the way – but I wouldn’t have missed a minute of it.”

Pink Past and Present will be shown at Fact in Liverpool on November 7 2010 as part of the Homotopia Festival. http://www.fact.co.uk

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Special Feature

Going DaDa

Image: DADA- FAT 2010

Come along and enjoy a fantasy performance of epic proportions, an extra large journey whipped up by playwright and actor Pete Edwards.

Presented by DaDaFest International in collaboration with Homotopia, FAT follows one man’s surreal quest to find a fat man, eat some spaghetti and live happily ever after.

F

AT comes to DaDaFest International 2010 with an influx of emotion, wonder and rolls of belly laughter.

This is the brainchild of Pete Edwards, whose work incorporates modes of communication with regard to differing speech and body movement

FAT is a beautiful mixed media show created and performed b y Pete Edwards , an amazingl y talented artist, performer and writer who embodies the unique culture of this festival in this powerful and entertaining South Bank Odysse y in search of the man of his dreams.

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patterns that are rarely explored in contemporary performance. FAT, his first solo performance, debuted at London’s Oval House to great acclaim in 2009.

Written and performed by Pete Edwards and directed by Michael Achtman, FAT is the multimedia journey of a gay, disabled man in search of his heart’s desire. It combines innovative movement and images with bizarre and poignant anecdotes.

What has been described as an extraordinary performance, Pete entices the crowd into his personal space and political world.

His command of language and unique performance style gives us the space and time to question the essence of communication.

Garry Robson, Artistic Director of DaDaFest International 2010 says: “FAT is a beautiful mixed media show created and performed by Pete Edwards, an amazingly talented artist, performer and writer who embodies the unique culture of this festival in this powerful and entertaining South Bank Odyssey in search of the man of his dreams.”

Gary Everett, Artistic Director of Homotopia adds: “The programme of events with DaDa International is challenging, brave and thoughtful and gives Homotopia a real chance to collaborate with DaDa in new and interesting ways.

“The debate about body fascism and the invisibility of disabled queer culture is fascinating.

It allows the LGBT community to explore difficult issues and think about the culture of the gay scene and its wider impact both in the media and in society.”

FAT will take place on Thursday November 25, 8.30pm at the Bluecoat, Liverpool.

Tickets are £8 and £6 for concessions and are available from the Bluecoat box office or by calling; 0151 702 5234 or visiting www.thebluecoat.org.uk The performance will have British Sign Language Interpretation and be Audio Described.

The Powerhouse Of The Supermen Where, in a gay lifestyle of muscle, hedonism, youth and homogeneity do you fit if you are queer and disabled or queer and old?

D

aDaFest International 2010 will pose this question with ‘The Powerhouse of Supermen’, a day long event that looks at the still prevalent ethos of the body beautiful within the gay community: the gym ‘gaydonis’ culture.

The event looks at this from the perspective of gay men and women, but also disabled gay men and women.

The artists and performers involved are David Hoyle, Tanya Raabe, Leroy Moore Jr, Peter Edwards, and Robert Softley.

In the morning, David and Tanya, as part of Fittings ‘The Ugly Spirit’ Cultural Olympiad Project will explore ‘the divided self’. In the afternoon, Jane Czyzselska, who is the Editor of DIVA magazine, will chair a debate reflecting on the marginalisation of disabled communities in gay culture.

The event is also a part of Homotopia 2010.

Garry Robson, Artistic Director of DaDaFest International 2010 says: “Society puts people into certain boxes; this debate explores gay and disability culture. Powerhouse of Superman asks where people fit and addresses the common

Leroy Moore is a writer, advocate and journalist on issues and art involving disability people of color. Leroy is also a talented krip hop artist, touring the world with his group ‘Krip Hop Nation’.

DaDaFest aims to challenge the audience’s perce ptions of disability, with this work I think we will not onl y challenge, we will enlighten people’s views.

Robert Softley is a talented actor and public speaker based in Edinburgh, Scotland. At the moment Robert is running a project in Glasgow called ‘Agent for Change’. Over the past two years it has looked at why there aren’t more disability actors in mainstream Scottish theatre.

Jane Czyzselska is the Editor of DIVA Magazine, which is Europe’s biggest selling lesbian magazine.

misconception that disability people are not sexual beings, let alone gay. DaDaFest aims to challenge the audience’s perceptions of disability, with this work I think we will not only challenge, we will enlighten people’s views.”

David Hoyle is an artist who has dedicated his life to art and expression; he has enjoyed an international career that has seen him travel the globe.

The Powerhouse of Supermen – Does Gay Culture Exclude Otherness, Saturday 20th November 11am to 4pm, the Bluecoat This event is free but you will need to register via the Bluecoat box office, please call 0151 702 5324 or visit www.thebluecoat.org.uk.

Tanya Raabe is an internationally acclaimed visual artist; she has contributed a series of works for DaDaFest International 2010.

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Special Feature

Youth to be proud of

Project Triangle

In 2010, Homotopia worked with GYRO, Armistead and Merseyside Police to take 12 young people to Auschwitz and Warsaw. The project aimed to raise awareness of hate crime and increase the young people’s confidence in reporting it.....at the time, the Homotopia team had no idea how far the project would lead.

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he trip to Poland had a significant effect on the young people. They came back from Auschwitz with a determination to challenge hatred and inequality and have spent the past 18 months working with Homotopia developing the Project Triangle education resource, training teachers, youth workers and other young people in challenging hate crime and bullying. They have also been making documentary films, a photographic exhibition and programming a new youth strand to the Homotopia festival called The Right to Love.

The Right to Love festival features events programmed by and for young LGBT people.

The highlight is the Big Gay Prom which is at Studio 2 Parr Street. The prom will be the first of its kind in the north and will feature bands Kenelis and Voodoo Hussy. Shabby from Big Brother will be singing and judging the prom king and queen competition.

Chew Disco will be providing their unique blend of music and images. This is a chance for every young person who didn’t go to their prom or take the partner they wanted to or didn’t enjoy their prom to reclaim the night and be who they want to be with who they want to be with.

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The young people also visited 20 schools across Merse yside.

All as well as securing the support of MPs and gover nment of ficials and their work has been included the city’s Anti Homophobic Bull ying strateg y.

The youth strand also features The Big Gay Kiss, a photographic exhibition by Jessie Mc Gee. Jessie’s photographs of young LGBT people illustrate that all kisses should be viewed equally and young LGBT should not have their affection hidden or marginalised.

Also at Unity Theatre, the young people will be premiering a new film directed by Jess Wignell called Sex Drags and Rock ‘n Roll.

Jess has led much of the youth development since coming back from Poland last year and has been using her film skills to document seven days in the life of the Project Triangle group, where they try to influence opinion and make a difference to LGBT equality.

This includes a visit to the Government Equalities Unit to tell them about hate crime and offer them the education pack, setting up The Big Gay Party and recruiting support on the streets of Liverpool.

The young people have also interviewed a priest and vicar about their refusal to conduct gay marriages, and challenged the BNP on their views on equality and diversity.

In spring this year, the y ran a workshop at the NUT national conference, trained police cadets , members of the home of fice and bus drivers.

In a nutshell Tues 2 – Sat 27 November Big Gay Kiss An exhibition of photographs taken by young Homotopians around their city in 2010.

Their brief was to capture a ‘Big Gay Kiss’, to show all kisses are equal, love conquers all.

(Unity Theatre foyer, free)

Fri 5 November Sex, Drags, Rock’n’Roll

FACT have offered the youth strand the box cinema to show a night of films for LGBT young people, all for free.

Beverley Ayre, who has spent a lot of time with the Youth Strand says: “The festival is the icing on the cake for the group who have spent much of their free time this year giving presentations and workshops on hate crime and bullying.

“In the spring this year, they ran a workshop at the NUT national conference, trained police cadets, members of the home office and bus drivers.”

“They’ve also visited 20 schools across Merseyside.

All as well as securing the support of MPs and Government officials and their work has been included in the city’s Anti Homophobic Bullying strategy.”

This documentary was shot this summer in Liverpool by young Homotopians and their gay friends in Warsaw. The film looks at identity, equality and diversity. Follow the teenagers as they start their own political party, challenge the homophobic status quo and demand their right to love.

(Unity Theatre 6pm £4/£3)

Fri 12 November Big Gay Prom If you’ve ever felt excluded by the heterosexual culture of school proms this event is for you! Featuring grunge punk band Kenelis and Voodou Hussy with front woman Shabby (ex Big Brother) there will also be prizes for Prom Drag Queen and Prom Drag King.

(Studio2, Parr Street £5.50) Tues 16 November Big Gay Night In An opportunity to slob out with popcorn and friends on the sofa and watch gay movies.

(FACT FREE)

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Special Feature

Picture perfect Cases Street 1969

Along with the Pink, Past and Present film, Liverpool photographer and producer John Harrison has put together an exhibition of pictures from then and now.

He speaks to Seen about his project, and how his love of local history has helped the exhibition grow.

I

t’s really interesting to look at the history of Queen Square, before

the 70’s this was an unofficial gay area.” John Harrison says.

“I sourced lots of images from the Liverpool Records Office and traced the places they were originally taken. It’s intriguing to see how much the area has changed since the old days.”

John grew up in Liverpool and has been on the gay scene since he was just 15.

“The people I’ve spoken to have shared some fantastic memories – it’s all in the Pink Past and Present film and I can’t wait to see it.

“As a photographer, I wanted to catch the still images of the past, and show what they look like now – it helps people to remember feelings,

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relationships – even old pubs they visited before everything changed.

“What lots of young people today don’t realise is that Stanley Street hasn’t always been the centre of the city’s gay quarter – in fact it’s only in recent years this area has grown.

“The photographs even bring back memories for straight people in Liverpool. There are pictures of The Dart Pub where Paul McCartney and John Lennon used to play guitar for money to buy beer – before their glory days of course.”

“My photographs are here to tell the story of then and now through still images and givre people of Liverpool the opportunity to step back in time.”

The pictures even bring back memories for straight people in Liverpool. There are pictures of The Dart Pub, which was a place where Paul McCartne y and John Lennon used to play guitar for mone y to buy beer – before their glor y days of course.

My photog ra phs are here to tell the stor y of then and now through still images.

Queen Square 2010

Queen Square 1969

A brief history of Queen Square

By John Harrison

I

n the 1770’s the area near the near Royal Court Theatre was all fields on the edge of town where a prosperous Liverpool merchant called William Roe decided to build a large house that later became the Stork Hotel and gave his name to Roe street.

By 1820 Liverpool’s population was beginning to grow and all the land near to the William Roe residence was now being used for commerce.

The port was booming with more and more people coming to live here, especially Welsh and Irish immigrants and it was decided the town needed a new market to supply food for the ever growing populace.

At that time the markets were outdoors and only open on certain days in the week, so in 1822 the first covered market was built off Great Charlotte Street. This was so successful the town fathers decided to build a fruit and vegetable and wholesale flower market at the back of the main market and they named it Queen Square.

This also proved to be very successful and was known as the Covent Garden of the North. During the daytime it was a hive of activity but as dusk fell and the traders went home the people of Liverpool came here to enjoy the new places of enjoyment such as the Star Music Hall (later to

Queen Square 1957

become the Playhouse theatre) opened in 1866, and at the Inns and Taverns.

Just after World War One and up to the late 1960’s the area became the unofficial gay quarter. Homosexuality was still illegal until 1967 but many pub landlords showed a tolerance towards their gay clientele that others did not, and it became known as the Soho of Liverpool.

They drank in pubs such as the up market Magic Clock in Roe Street, a favourite of Brian Epstein.

Also popular was the Royal Court Hotel in the centre of Queen Square, where visiting actors from the Playhouse and Royal Court Theatre frequented, as well as the Roebuck pub on the corner of Tyron Street and Queen Square, and The Trojan’s Head on the corner of St.John’s Lane.

The Spanish House on the corner of Great Charlotte Street and Whitechapel, the cocktail bar in the Stork Hotel were well known gay haunts as was the Duck House and the Old Royal, both in Upper Dawson Street.

The Old Royal, otherwise known as Dolly Ryan’s who, with her husband Jack, where both very protective of their gay clientele and gave Tony Sadie his first job as a barman.

In Williamson Square on the current site of the Playhouse Theatre’s modern extension was The Dart. This pub attracted American servicemen

who were stationed at the air force base at Burtonwood, near Warrington. And before they were famous a young John Lennon and Paul McCartney used to sing in the back lounge for beer money.

On the other side of Williamson Square, lower down from Basnett Street, was the Basnett Oyster Bar. This was another gay-friendly up market pub where the late Monica once worked before she became a barmaid in Pacos.

In the centre of Williamson Square near the taxi rank was the infamous public toilet known as ‘The Wheel of Fortune’; so called because of the spiral staircase that lead to the urinals.

In the mid 1960’s the building of St.John’s Precient marked the end of the area. By 1970 the market traders moved to a purpose built market in Edge Lane and Queen Square with all the pubs and side streets were demolished to build Roe street bus Gyratory.

The gay community moved to the Stanley Street area when Pacos Bar opened in 1972.

The Stork Hotel was the last remaining building to be demolished in 1975, two hundred years after William Roe had it built.

Turn the page for a taster of John’s collection

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A small selection from John’s exhibition...

Site of Stork Hotel 2010

Gents Toilet St.John’s Lane 2010

Stork Hotel Queen Square.1973

Gents Toilet St.John’s Lane

Site of the Magic Clock 2010

The Garden of Allah 1960

The Magic Clock Roe Street 1968

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Looking up Roe Street with the Magic Clock on the left.

Looking up Roe Street 2010

Pacos,Stanley street.1979

Stanley street 2010

The Old Royal,Upper Dawson Street.1969

Great Charlotte Street with the Spanish House Pub on the left.1966

Great Charlotte Street with the Spanish House Pub on the left.1966

Dawson Street. 2010

John has released a DVD called Memories of Liverpool 8. It’s a photographic history of the area.

It costs £10 and is available online at www.memoriesofliverpool8.co.uk or email John on tockyboi@yahoo.co.uk

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In the closet With Matt Fisher

W

elcome to my closet.

This winter keep it classic with suave gentlemanly and lady of the manor looks.

After a trip to Paris recently, I noticed the key colours to be seen in are electric blue and caramel, heavily inspiring my fashion finds.

For my stylish shoots this season, with the men I stuck to sensible themes, with checked shirts, smart cardigans and quite sexy lapelled raincoats.

My location was the very grand board room at Il Palazzo in Water Street, Liverpool. I chose this for the shoot as it fitted in with the whole look of a successful and stylish business man theme.

Whilst choosing the array of clothes for this shoot I sensed a gelling with a ‘farmer’ feel, so boys don’t be afraid to pull out them flat caps and Barbour-style coats.

This winter a new shop has opened in Cavern Walks called Weaver’s Door, which has some fantastic men’s collections. They are bang on trend with all their offerings and it’s definitely worth a peek.

If you want the gentlemen’s look but not the business look, team a sharp and stylish shirt with some cool jeans – it gives a perfect balance of hip and chic.

Not only this but we used horses (no jokes please) to help with an equestrian theme.

This style has exploded onto the high street with riding leggings, brown shades and stylish capes knocking us off our hooves.

Animal skins are making waves all over the place, with leather and sheep skin leading the way in the fashion stakes.

So ladies and gents enjoy a peak inside my closet and look cool all winter long.

The ladies shoot proved a challenge this winter as we went out and about on location across the water to West Kirby.

O.M.G I WANT IT My must have item this season is my fabulous new winter jacket.

This khaki green creation from Reiss is the latest love of my closet.

I love the way I can adapt it to different styles depending on the weather.

The collar can be adjusted to create different looks, from a neck baring cool day trend to a chin covering freezing night snuggle.

I can create any trend with it – there’s no right or wrong way to wear it.

This coat was a great way to treat myself as the detail is stunning.

When buying your winter coat guys, I strongly suggest you invest in a quality jacket as winter 2010 will be harsh one.

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BOYS The sunglasses worn by Daniel in this shoot are the same as the ones worn by Cheryl Cole’s supposed boyfriend and backing dancer Derek Hough – and they are worth every penny.

Coat £119 Zara John Galliano Sunglasses £320 Silverburgs Hat £14 Topman

My favourite detail about the gorgeous beige raincoat is the precise stitching – it’s absolutely perfect and adds to the quality of the garment.

Anthony’s blue shirt is nowhere near boring as it has beautiful checked elbow patches to match the lining on the collar and button strip.

Blue Checked Shirt £29.99 River Island Jacket £49.99 River Island Jeans £39.99 Zara

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Models: Daniel Ankrah - Impact Models Anthony Hansard Location Shoot Il Palazzo www.il-palazzo.co.uk

The Dresser

Wear me with...

Some must-have luxury essentials

Big Pony Collection: Eau de Toilette 75 Ml Four seductive fragrances to choose from; 1. The Sporty fragrance 2. The seductive Fragrance 3. The adventerous fragrance 4. The stylish Fragrance. £35 available from Boots Stores or online @ www.boots.com

D&G Silver band & Blue Trunks £25 Available @ The House of Fraser

Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme Touche Eclat for men £24 Available @John Lewis

Ted Baker Chukka Boots £45 Available @ OFFICE

Blue Check Shirt £98 Folk Grey net cardigan £98 Folk Wrangler Jeans £65 Weavers Door.

Blue check shirt: £65 Fred Perry Jeans £36 TopMan Silk blue tie £19.99 Zara

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Cape £95 TopShop Jeans £44.99 TopShop Boots £115 Office

Aviators There are dozens of styles of Aviator jackets available at the moment but this one from Topshop really stands out from the crowd.

It’s crafted to fantastic quality and will really do the job this season, as it’s entirely lined with sheepskin – what better winter warmer could you want?

Makeup by Peaches and Cream Dales St Liverpool 0151 227 1669

Jacket £78 TopShop Shirt £30 H&M Boots £80 TopShop

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Hair by Voodou Bold St Liverpool 08444457889 Models: Gina Hodder Sam Wooley- Impact Models

Model: Hannah Woolfall

Heavy metal spike choker Vintage£75 Vintage reworked cropped tailored jacket £120 JUNKY STYLING Vintage tail skirt £165 HUNTER Savoy Quilted riding Wellington boots £115 JUNKY STYLING pocket basque £55 Entire outful from Boudouir Boutique Cavern Walks

The Dresser

ACCSESORIZE Some must have accessories

Peaches & Cream Eyelashes online @ www.fabulousmakeup.co.uk

Peaches & Cream Eyelashes online @ www.fabulousmakeup.co.uk

Brown Cross body bag with Fur detailing £44.99 Available @ River Island

Tunics Hannah’s entire outfit from Boudoir Boutique is by a brand called Junkie. The ensemble is totally crafted from recycled clothes, such as detailed men’s suits to make stunning dresses and tunics.

Tan lace-up faux fur mid heel ankle boots £39.99 Available @ River Island

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We want...

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Seen Magazine’s fashionista Matt Fisher has scoured Liverpool to find all the musthave items for the winter season – and we want them all!

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See our

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COMPETITION

page to

WIN THESE P68

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1. Gourmet suede lace pump £90.00 2. Nigel Cabourn Tweed Cameraman Jacket £925.00 3. SentrySkyBlue £130 4. Acne Oversized Tunic £155.00 5. Ontour Denim Shirt £80.00 6. Malene Birger Satin pocket shirt £145.00 7. April Boutique Bag £998 RRP £1,107 8. Ash Suede Ankle Straps Boot £190 9. See by Chloe Snake Panel Hobo £405 10. Kara by Kara Ross Hematite Wave Cuff £185 11. Toy Watch - Blue Fluo GMT £125.00 12. Audio Chi White & blue Ear cup Headphones £ 49.9513. Chloe Leather Tassle Messenger £280 14. Leighton Denny nail varnish £11.0015. Toy Watch Rose Gold £225 16. Leighton Denny nail varnish £11.00 17. Kara by Kara Ross Barrel Ring £155 18. Dolce & Gabbana Check Shirt £295 19. Nigel Cabourn Canvas and Harris Tweed Holdall £625 20. Pointer Heavy Boot £160 21. Blue bird earrings by Matt Fisher £9.99

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Get sporty Sport enthusiast Paul McMullen gives us all the info on what’s been happening in LGBT sport, what’s coming up in the near future and some general news from the sporting world.

A tournament of twists, turns and thrills for the Mersey Marauders September once again saw the annual GFSN six-a-side tournament in Leicester, and this one provided uncertainty and entertainment from start to finish. The previous night saw various teams meeting up with anticipation for the tournament with Exeter Lions using this opportunity to get very drunk.

The main talking point from the GFSN faithful was the blossoming romance between Village Manchester’s Pete Ransom and London Leftfooters’ James Nelson, who was actually playing for Cardiff Dragons. This coupled with Chris Crimmins’ transfer to host club Leicester also for love gave us a lot to talk about.

The Sunday saw registration for all the teams and Mersey Marauders have too many players, so I was shipped off to play for Trowbridge who were desperate for a goalkeeper. The tournament got underway with Mersey and Birmingham making a good start, as well as Trowbridge and a depleted Yorkshire Terriers. A surprise this year though was the poor performance of Village Manchester who simply could not score; they soon found themselves unable to qualify with Mersey and sponsors, National Grid taking the top two places.

Also the winners of the Blackpool Tournament, London Titans crashed out early on.

Mersey were aiming to do better and concede less than Trowbridge as they had leant Trowbridge their keeper. This was going very well until a 3-0 defeat to National Grid severely dented their chances. Trowbridge needed a win against rivals Exeter to qualify which they did, but second place was between Cardiff and Nottingham, and with Nottingham losing to a struggling Leicester team.

Cardiff had a chance to qualify if they beat Birmingham. Bournemouth managed to scrape second in their group and were to play Trowbridge and with the score at 2-1 to Cardiff they were set to play the other Nottingham team, Only for Birmingham to get two last ditch goals to break Welsh hearts.

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Mersey qualified second behind National Grid and went on to play a depleted but very strong Yorkshire in the Quarter finals, with the friendly but fierce rivalry between themselves and Trowbridge, the teams playing on adjacent pitches added an extra spice and when Mersey went through on goal it looked to be advantage Scousers but Yorkshire managed to clear. Good goalkeeping helped Trowbridge keep parity in the Bournemouth game with both matches eventually ending 0-0 and going to penalties.

I soon learned that this sport requires intense physical fitness and utmost discipline. It is also a brilliant way to occupy youGg people, especially those harnessing aggression and should be encouraged.

Unfortunately both teams lost on penalties and Yorkshire went on to the final to play Nottingham, who they also beat on penalties to go on and win the tournament. For their excellent attitude and

With so many players in various sports believed to be LGBT and so few players coming out, many people wonder why this is the case and conclude that sport is generally homophobic.

friendliness, the fair play award went to Exeter Lions.

The great outdoors

Diving into the LGBT world

Many people look to Gareth Thomas in admiration that he had the courage to come out at the end of his career.

However such courage has been eclipsed by an Australian diver called Matthew Mitcham.

For those gay and bisexual lads who want to stay active, outdoor lads are coming on very strongly and allow a wide range of activities for those outdoor minded people.

To join their group and go on events simply register with this link http://www.outdoorlads.com/index.php?option=com_eventli stregion&func=showlist&Itemid=307&region=5

Your first two activities are free and from then on a year’s membership is only £48, that’s less than £1 per week.

Fight your demons Taekwondo style An anonymous interview with a male LGBT martial artist who is the 2010 British TKD Taekwondo champion has proved that while sport has come a long way to challenge homophobia, the fact he wouldn’t give his name means that there is still a long way to go.

In a short interview via the internet, he told me how much he loves the sport and a brief insight into TKD Taekwondo as well as telling me that he is British and Scottish champion.

Mitcham, who won gold at the last Olympics, is an excellent ambassador for the LGBT sporting community by actually coming out at the start of his career.

He is currently 22 years old and just participated in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, he has been out for two years.

This begs the question how is he received in Australia and is there any homophobia towards him?

Surprisingly the answer is very little in the way of homophobia, the Australians see him ultimately as one of their athletes, although his natural friendly personality wins over the general public.

His sexuality is very rarely discussed because the Australian people are more concerned with his performances as they love to win at sport.

Australia however has been known to be a tolerant nation in the past when Manly Sea Eagles, Rugby League star, Ian Roberts also came out during his career and the press hailed him a hero, showing the accepting attitude Australia has towards sexuality, and again Australia fly the rainbow flag and lead the world forward in LGBT sport.

FOOTBALL STUDS W

hen it comes to sports, gay men aren’t always given the best expectations.

In football in particular, all be it usually in a ‘harmless’ way, homophobic comments are shouted at players in stadiums and pubs on a regular basis – but little known to many, there is one side locally made up of mostly gay men, and they’re taking home more trophies than all Merseyside teams put together.

Rebecca Keegan meets them for a chat.

Mersey marauders

Team: Merseyside Marauders

I

t’s not just about the football, it’s about the being able to play football without any judgement, and just being able to have a good laugh,” says Mersey Marauders team chair Paul Amann.

The Marauders have been playing football since 2003. Primarily an LGBT football team, they meet once a week for training at a Liverpool sports centre and play regular league games.

“There’s a great atmosphere in the team,” adds Paul. “It’s not only good as a hobby, but it has even brought people together.”

There’s a couple who met in the team and still both play and Paul met his partner while at an event with the team.

“This said, you don’t have to be gay to play, we have some non LGBT players and everyone gets on great.

“We enter teams in five-a-side cup competitions, whilst also providing opportunities to play football in a more informal atmosphere, regardless of level of ability.”

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The Marauders’ achievements include winning the 2010 Armistead Liverpool Pride tournament, the 2010 annual Michael Causer match with Merseyside Police (10-1 scoreline!), winning the Vase in 2010 Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) tournament and runners up 2006 and 2007 GFSN tournament.

So what are this team doing that our so called mighty reds and blues aren’t?

“We just have a good time, don’t take it too seriously and play as a team.

“There is never any hostility on the pitch when straight teams find out we are mostly gay – both straight and gay people sometimes express surprise, but they are generally very supportive.”

The squad currently has 25 players, but they are always looking for more members.

There’s a g reat atmosphere in the team, It’s not onl y good as a hobb y, but it has even brought people together.

“We’re a friendly and growing bunch of people, always welcoming new enthusiastic players.”

Most of our members are from the Merseyside area but we also have players from further afield including Chester and Wigan.” Paul tells Seen.

If you’re interested in getting involved in the Mersey Marauders, email mmfootball@hotmail.co.uk for more information.

There is never an y hostility on the pitch when straight teams find out we are mostl y gay – both straight and gay people sometimes express sur prise, the y are generall y ver y supportive.

We’re a friendl y and g rowing bunch of people, always welcoming new enthusiastic players.

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Come join the cabaret The 45 year wait is over. Judy Garland and her daughter Liza Minnelli are back on stage together as Judy and Liza. Presented by Liverpool’s own Emma Dears, the show is previewed at the Floral Pavilion before embarking on UK tour in 2011.

T

his brand new musical experience charting the lives of these two extra ordinary women will feature live performances of all of your favourite Judy and Liza hits including Cabaret, Maybe This Time and The Man That Got Away performed by West End stars Emma Dears (Mary Magdelene-Jesus Christ Superstar, Ellen –Miss Saigon) and Lucy Williamson (We Will Rock You, Fame and most recently played the lead role of Mavis in the UK No1 tour of Stepping Out).

This is why Judy & Liza works and why the audience will be taken on an emotional rollercoaster whilst at the same time enjoying some of the most beautiful and familiar songs of the last eighty years.”

Rita has also worked with many of the UK’s most highly regarded repertory companies including Perth Repertory Theatre and the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.

The performances will be intertwined with images of Judy and Liza, whilst Emma, as Liza and Lucy, playing Judy, tell the sensational stories of the lives of two of the world’s most legendary stars of stage and screen.

New Brighton Floral Pavilion Marine Promenade New Brighton Wirral CH45 2JS

Judy and Liza is a dream that Emma Dears has had for a number of years. Emma has created the concept, written the script and also performs as Liza in the show. Now, her vision is coming to fruition.

Saturday 13th November 2010, 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Emma explains: “About ten years ago I had the idea for a show about Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli. I had always been compared to Liza as a performer and so I started to look into her life.

“The one thing that these two fascinating women share is the rare ability to move an audience and yet their personal lives are blighted with tragedy and loneliness. “ When you look deeper into the songs which they have both made famous over the years the parallels with their own life experiences are uncanny.

Ticket price 7.30pm £22.00 & £20.00 (£2.00 reduction for concessions) 2.30pm £20.00 & £18.00 (£2.00 reduction for concessions) Theatre Box Office: 0151 666 0000 www.floralpavilion.com www.judyandliza.com

‘So I would dance and she would sing, and it was kind of a famil y thing.

Performing was part of our world.’

Liza Minnelli.

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Emma and Lucy will be backed by a five piece band, providing the perfect setting for the songs of Judy and Liza, with Musical Direction from renowned Conductor and Composer Michael England, (Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon, both in the West End) who conducted the 25th Anniversary cast recording of Les Miserables and direction from the award winning Rita Henderson who has over 30 years’ experience in Scottish Theatre including being Artistic Director at Edinburgh Grand Opera.

See page 69 for a chance to win tickets to this spectacular show

Green on

Andy tells it straight

Andy Green, 44, has been out on Liverpool’s gay scene for more years than he cares to remember and has been writing about it regularly for the last seven years.

He’s seen many gay venues and organisations come and go in that time and is quietly relieved and somewhat surprised that he’s still around to tell the tale.

I

was no trouble and we all had a ball into the early hours.

On the morning of the launch of the first Homotopia I received a call asking if I would “do a bit of telly darlink”. I agreed, eventually, and after several large vodkas there I was getting miked up to show Northwest Tonight’s Jayne Barratt around a photographic exhibition of Liverpool’s drag queens. There was a slight problem in that at the time I wasn’t that au fait with all of Liverpool’s drag artistes and the ones I did know had names that weren’t suitable for tea-time broadcasting.

So it turned out in the edit that I was quite disapproving of drag queens – rather ironic considering how things have turned out.

Illustration By Sara Cullen

t’s November, one of my favourite months of the year because November means Homotopia and loads of great things to see and experience. Liverpool’s unique queer arts festival has been going for seven years now and I got myself involved from the start albeit with the promise of a Faberge egg from a certain Mr Everett. I met Gary when I first started writing. He chased me down Richmond Street with a flyer for KooKoo – a fabulous club night he was promoting at the time.

Anyway, we soon became friends because we agree on just about everything.

from strength to strength ever since despite some challenging circumstances.

But Homotopia is not just about the November festival, it has branched out into social justice, education programmes and filmmaking.

This includes Project Triangle which has achieved national recognition and the film The Invisible Death of Michael, exploring the lack of national media coverage of gay teenager Michael Causer’s murder. these films have been selected to be shown at the prestigious Turin LGBT Film Festival are testament to Homotopia’s commitment to community issues as well as providing us with a cornucopia of

On the mor ning of the launch of the first Homotopia I received a call asking if I would ‘do a bit of tell y darlink.

That first launch party was brilliant though. It was at the Empire and we lit up Wellington’s column in a glorious shade of pink. The BBC where there again covering it live and Homotopia has gone

culture every November.

As much as I thought Liverpool’s first Pride was amazing and exceeded everyone’s expectations it was a bit galling to read the press calling it Liverpool’s first LGBT festival.

Homotopia was there first with an alternative to the traditional LGBT mass event.

Liverpool has shown itself through Homotopia and Pride that it is up there with the best of them when it comes to putting on a gay show and has the potential to become a premier gay destination. This can only happen though if the bars and clubs on the scene start working together and realise that more choice means more visitors. And do we really have to wait for me to win the lottery before someone opens a gay hotel?

Liverpool’s gay bars and clubs tend to think very parochially with the emphasis very much on looking after number one, but Manchester’s Canal Street is the perfect example of what can be done when people work together. I know from first-hand experience that Pride has had a commercial impact with businesses already keen to advertise to the city’s LGBT community. So let’s not waste the opportunity while the success of Pride is still fresh in people’s minds.

Liverpool LGBT Business Association anyone?

On the subject of Pride… wasn’t it just totally fab! I wasn’t expecting anything like the numbers of people who turned up and the reception from the good people of Liverpool as we diverted their buses and interrupted their shopping was incredible. You could feel the warmth and good humour and I actually felt they were quite proud of us. I couldn’t have picked a better day to make my debut in a frock. The atmosphere throughout the day was one of pride and camaraderie and I have to say the police were excellent in their low-key approach as Stanley Street filled up later in the evening. There

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Liverpool’s gay quarter was thriving at the Pride Festival, but Gary feels the area needs more policing

Heartless attatck A victim of a horrific homophobic attack in Liverpool is calling for the Government to make tackling hate crime a priority and is pleading for cash to be given to police to increase patrols in the city’s gay quarter. He speaks to Seen Magazine about his experience.

G

ary, 43, and his disabled friend where taunted, then pushed to ground and repeatedly kicked by a gang of lads, simply because they were gay and easy targets.

Gary, who needs a walking stick to get around, is a well-known figure on the Liverpool scene and has been a regular at the Lisbon for years.

A gentle giant, he did not fight back, but in his head replays the attack constantly.

“I don’t know why they did this,” he says. “They came up and started calling us faggots. We tried to get away but they pushed us over and threw my walking stick down the road. They were calling us all these nasty names and then started kicking us. It was horrible.”

The attack brings to mind the beating of trainee policeman James Parkes, 22, who was set upon by a twenty-strong gang of teenagers in October last year as he left a Liverpool gay bar with his partner and two friends.

Gary feels lucky that his injuries were nowhere near as bad as James’s, who suffered a fractured skull and spent several weeks in hospital.

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“You think back to that attack and you think if even a policeman is getting beaten up there isn’t much hope for people like me. I know a lot of people who have been attacked, abused or pushed around recently,” Gary adds.

Gary logged the details of the attack at the

we tried to get away and the y pushed us over and threw my walking stick down the road

Armistead Projects offices in Stanley Street, which is an option for those who want to report crime without having to go into a police station.

He believes a lot of people – especially the older generation - are put off from reporting homophobic crime because they feel uncomfortable speaking to officers.

Enough is Enough camapign at Liverpool pride 2010

But, as Gary points out, if attacks are not logged then the police have no way of knowing what they are up against.

its neighbourhoods to make them welcoming, inclusive places where people feel safe and have opportunities.

“The police need to keep areas like the gay quarter and tackling hate crime a priority,” he says. “There needs to be more patrols because people are being picked on. That’s why people have to report these crimes.”

The group is committed to celebrating diversity and engages with its tenants to promote understanding of issues surrounding sexuality and disability and build respect.

Gary says that he has suffered bullying for his sexuality off and on for years but believes things are generally moving in the right direction and – with the help of his housing association - has found that communication is the key to changing people’s perceptions.

Gary lives in Walton in a home owned by the Plus Dane Group, which prides itself on investing in

It also offers a service where tenants can report hate crime.

With the support of his warden, Gary recently confronted a local man who regularly shouted abuse at him – and found a new friend “We had a meeting and everything changed, he used to shout abuse at me in the street - now he comes round for a cup of tea.”

You think back to that attack and you think if even a policeman is getting beaten up there isn’t much hope for people like me.

What should I do if I feel in danger of an attack?

if attacks are not logged then the police have no way of knowing what the y are up against.

> If you feel vulnerable, don’t walk in isolated areas alone – you are a much less attractive target if you are with someone else. > Do NOT carry a weapon as self defence – statistics show that people who carry a weapon of some kind are more likely to have it used against them.

It’s not worth the risk. > Try to stay in well lit areas or around places (bars, restaurants) that are open. > If someone attacks you it’s usually because they want something from you – so give it to them – a mobile phone or wallet can be replaced. > Women shouldn’t wear handbags that wrap around their body – it’s likely that an attacker will just want to snatch your bag and it’s better to have them snatch it and run than try to snatch it and hurt you in the process.

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Fine grooming Is it socially acceptable in this day and age for men to have cosmetic procedures?

I can remember a time when it was unacceptable for a man to use hair gel and if he admitted to using moisturizer he would incur the wrath of his peers and probably be banned from his local for ‘being one of them’, says Tony Burns.

The Epilight Team

H

ave we moved forward as a society?

We hear phrases such as “metrosexual” and “spice boys” terms used to describe guys who look after themselves and will give any WAG a run for her money in the beauty stakes.

According to recent surveys there were approx 100,000 people having the quick anti ageing fix “Botox” in the UK last year and one fifth of these people are men. There has also been a 50 % increase on male cosmetic procedures for men over the past 12 months.

Ok so I am vain I want to look and feel good; I go to the gym, use hair products and I moisturize.

Fact is I am not the only one, men’s grooming in all its guises is boom industry and men especially are looking more and more ways to keep themselves wrinkle free and delay the visit from good old father time.

So when I was invited by Linda Cunningham to go and talk to her at the state of the art Epilight Clinic in Rodney St about the latest techniques that men are using to enhance their looks I jumped at the chance.

After being greeted by the lovely Leanne on reception I was seated in a very chic waiting room complete with coffee machine leopard skin couch and plasma TV. I scanned every face I met for signs of permanent shock or Dr Spock eyebrows (some of the things I had been told to look out for as signs of too much Botox use) and I am pleased to report although there was not a wrinkle in sight

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it all looked very natural.

Linda is a lovely lady and I relaxed instantly in her company, she has a certain calming effect which I imagine puts clients instantly at ease.

She explained to me that although Epilight has the same standards as a small hospital and is monitored as such, they endeavor to give all their clients a ‘home from home’ feel.

After introducing me to everybody Linda took me into one of the consulting rooms and proceeded to look at my skin and discuss any issues I would like to address.

According to recent sur ve ys there were a pprox 100,000 people having the quick anti ageing fix “Botox” in the UK last year and one fifth of these people are men.

Approximately five % of all Epilight’s clients are now men. I explained to Linda that my main concerns were lines around the eyes and a general ageing of the skin.

I had bad acne when I was younger and this has left some scarring. I also expressed my concerns

at having the look of being ‘frozen’.

Linda said that the treatments her and her team offer are bespoke to that particular client and that the team use their experience to guide the client in the right direction to achieve the required results.

My first treatment was ‘Accent’ TM, this is a radio frequency that reaches deep into the dermal layers of the skin. It is designed to reach all the way down to the fatty layer resulting in tightening lifting and improving of texture.

It also helps eliminate toxins that are held within the skin. It’s a non invasive procedure which means there is no surgery involved. To be honest the machine looks like a handheld vacuum cleaner and Linda moved it up and down one side of my face until my skin reached a certain temperature.

It felt slightly warm as if I was lying in the sun, I was thinking; ‘how can this work?’ Believe me, when she had finished one side of my face and I looked in the mirror there were instant visible results. Although my skin was slightly pink it looked firmer compared to the other side, and best of all because the process meant that the lower layers of my skin had been stimulated with a controlled injury it would continue renewing itself for up to 12 months. Also I was told it will help repair the acne scarring I have.

Next was the treatment I was really nervous over, Dermal Fillers and Botox. For these I was introduced to Jenny Dowdall who is not only

To be honest the machine looks like a handheld vacuum cleaner and Linda moved it up and down one side of my face until my skin reached a certain temperature.

a fully qualified RGN but can also prescribe treatments the same as a Doctor.

Jenny was really informative and I felt confident that she knew what she was doing.

single one of them had things they wanted doing, from hair removal (yes Linda and her team do that as well) to a bit of tightening here and a little lifting there.

In summary I think that cosmetic procedures for men are not only here to stay but are set to become part of every man’s beauty regime in the future. I know after the treatments I had, I not only feel more confident, but I actually like what I see when I look in the mirror for a change.

So if you see me out and about feel free to shake your tic tacks at me!

Before

The technique used with the fillers is different to a lot of other clinics’ procedures. Firstly they are not permanent as “Your face will change over the next five years so you don’t want anything permanent putting in there.”

Apparently the way to go is instead of injecting in the lines at each side of my mouth with filler is to inject subtle amounts into the cheeks, which cause a lifting around the lines and a filling out and turn back the clock that way.

Just a little prick and then it was all over (no jokes from the audience please).

Again I could see instant results. It was a subtle result that would continue for the next few days and then last for up to two years.

The Botox was injected around the eyes and forehead to open the eyes slightly and allow the muscles where the lines occurred to relax.

After

Just a little prick and then it was all over (no jokes from the audience please).

Lastly back with Linda and for a laser treatment to literally iron out my skin using a near infra red laser. Totally painless, and if anything quite relaxing!

I didn’t tell anybody I was having these treatments and over the next few days enjoyed comments such as “You look fresh” or “Somebody’s had a good sleep last night” and even “ Have you been working out you look glowing”.

I was amazed when talking to my straight male mates about what I had had done at how interested they were in the procedures. Every

I was amazed when talking to my straight male mates about what I had had done at how interested the y were in the procedures.

According to recent surveys there were approx 100,000 people having the quick anti ageing fix “Botox” in the UK last year and one fifth of these people are men. There has also been a 50 % increase on male cosmetic procedures for men over the past 12 months. seenmag.co.uk

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World News

World News

Scotland

Only 1 in 100 Scots say they’re gay

America

Gang leader jailed LGBT news from around the globe

JUST one in every hundred Scots consider themselves to be gay, lesbian or bisexual, a figure barely half that of Londoners.

Research by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) also found that gay and lesbian people were more likely to work in professional or managerial roles than heterosexuals.

Scots are slightly less likely than the UK population as a whole to describe themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

The figures, based on returns from people aged 16 and over, found

1.3% of Scots identified with one of the terms, compared to 1.5% for the UK overall.

America

Florida court overturns law

and bisexuals lived, with about 2.2% of people surveyed saying they fitted into one of these categories.

For the UK overall, 3% of people said they fitted into none of the categories offered, did not know which one to say or did not understand the question.

Men were more likely than women to describe themselves as gay, with

1.3% giving this answer. Just 0.6% of females said they were gay or lesbian.

However, women were more likely to answer that they were bisexual, with

0.7% saying they were, compared to 0.3% of men.

A FLORIDA appeals court has ruled that a 1977 state law forbidding adoption by homosexual persons is unconstitutional.

“It is dif ficult to see an y rational basis in utilizing homosexual persons as foster parents or guardians on a temporar y or permanent basis while imposing a blanket prohibition on adoption b y those same persons ,” the three judges ruled in a unanimous decision. Governor Charlie Crist praised the court ruling.

In 1992, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith urged bishops to oppose legislation that permits adoption or foster care by homosexual persons.

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Tragic end for teen A 13-YEAR-OLD from Houston has committed suicide after being relentlessly bullied at school for being gay.

London was far and away the place in the UK where most gay, lesbian

By contrast, just 0.8% of people in Northern Ireland said the sexual orientations described themselves.

America

The parents of Asher Brown said they had complained to the CypressFairbanks Independent School District for more than a year and a half, but nothing was done.

“Our son is the extreme case of what ha ppens when (someone is) just relentless ,” Asher’s mother, Amy Truong told the Houston Chronicle.

Brown’s mother and stepfather told the Chronicle that he was bullied for being gay, bullied because he was small, and because he didn’t wear designer shoes and clothes.

A week before his death he came out to his stepfather, who told a newspaper he was fine with his stepson’s sexuality. “We didn’t condemn, it” he said.

His stepfather found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A GANG leader who ordered a hit on a member of his own gang whom he suspected of being gay has been sentenced to life in prison.

Timothy Rawlings Jr, 24, showed no emotion as Baltimore County Circuit Judge Robert N. Dugan told him that the killing of Steven Parrish, for the sole reason that the victim showed signs of being homosexual, was “senseless, brutal, unprovoked, cold-blooded, premeditated murder.”

Dugan said that Rawlings had “ordered this murder with the same casual attitude of someone walking into a fast-food restaurant and ordering one of the specials off the menu.”

In a trial, Rawlings was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and two hate crimes in the killing of Parrish on May 29, 2008.

The life-without-parole term he received is for the first charge, and he was given an additional life term on the conspiracy count.

The two hate-crime charges were merged into one and resulted in a 20-year sentence. All are to run concurrently.

Prosecutors said that Rawlings had demanded that two men kill Parrish after they discovered that he had exchanged salacious phone messages with another man. Rawlings believed that Parrish’s apparent homosexuality would “make the gang look weak,” prosecutors said.

Parrish, 18, who was about to graduate from high school, was stabbed and beaten, his head stomped and a red bandana left over his face as a sign of disrespect.

America

School must accommodate sexual preference of 11-year-old LGBT news from around the globe

THE radical homosexual agenda is making itself known in Maine, where a human-rights group has ruled a school must accommodate the sexual preferences of a sixth-grader (11-12 years old).

Australia

Couple expecting quintuplets Audience ‘uncomfortable’ against all odds with gay portrayal UK

A LESBIAN couple in Australia have beaten odds of one in 60 million and are expecting quintuplets (5 babies) in December without the aid of in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Melissa Keevers, 27, and Rosemary Nolan, 21, told Australia’s Woman’s Day magazine that the sperm came from the same US donor that allowed the birth of their first child.

Nolan gave birth to Lilly a year ago.

“It took me a long time to get my head round what was ha ppening,” a happily pregnant Keevers said.

“But now I’ve come to terms with it, I’m excited.”

Keevers and Nolan, a couple for two years, found the biological father through an internet site in the US. He will never see the children and signed away any rights to them.

Quintuplets are rare without the use of IVF. The young couple have family in Australia and Ireland who are supportive.

“People don’t know whether to congratulate us or commiserate,” Nolan said. “But we think it’s a miracle and couldn’t be happier.”

A REPORT published by the BBC has found that 19 % of people feel “uncomfortable” or “very uncomfortable” with depictions of gay, lesbian and bisexual people on television and radio.

50 % say they are comfortable with the quality and quantity of portrayals.

The research is based on the responses of over 1,600 survey and 500 discussion group participants as well as a public consultation featuring more than 9,400 people. The findings will shape the corporation’s activity for coming years and should lead to an increased presence of LGB characters onscreen.

In the report’s breakdown of respondents, lesbians are shown to have felt particularly strongly about the lack of gay women on television as well as tendencies to portray them as either “butch” or“lipstick lesbians”.

Many referred to American series as more nuanced in their depictions. Gay men also felt that representations are too stereotypical, citing an over-emphasis on camp characters.

Age and sexuality are clear factors in respondents’ feelings towards representation. While 52 % of LGB respondents felt there is “too little lesbian portrayal on TV”, only 11 % of heterosexuals agree this is the case.

The study also found that “standout” TV and radio storylines and moments are seen as especially important to gay audiences. Eastenders and Coronation Street received praise for their prominent gay characters while Channel 4 was especially commended for a series of programming, including Queer As Folk, Sugar Rush and Skins.

The Maine Human Rights Commission recently ruled that Orono Middle School erred by assigning a separate bathroom to a male pupil, who wants to live as a girl. The decision comes after the child’s parents filed a complaint, claiming their son -- who no longer attends school in the district -- experienced anxiety and depression during the 2008-2009 school year.

The panel also made a similar ruling against the elementary school that the child had attended.

“I think this is an example of this whole individual rights agenda going completel y amok,” says Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute of Concerned Women for America (CWA).

She believes the boy should be focused on being a child - not pushing an agenda that puts unnecessary burdens on teachers, parents, and children.

She argues there are security risks involved in allowing a boy to be in a school toilet with girls, even if that boy wants to live as a girl.

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Take one Joan Burnett’s passion for queer film started when she saw her first fabulous gay kiss in My Beautiful Laundrette more moons ago than she cares to remember.

After seven years at FACT and a stint for Outsiders LGBT Film Festival, she’s as keen as ever for people to see great LGBT movies.

She reviews the best new and classic DVD’s out at the moment.

Brother to Brother (15) Director: Rodney Evans

October was Black History Month, and the thing about LGBT history is, it’s so damn’ SEXY! So, with this in mind, Brother to Brother seemed the perfect film to start a new column – about friendship between two black gay men: about race, sexuality, poetry and art: about fighting to live life without selling out. It is intelligent and erotic - definitely one of those films that have a slow-burn effect – you can’t get it out of your head.

Bruce at a homeless shelter and befriends him, discovering he was one of a circle of famous artists who broke the mould of Black American culture to produce work that was raw, rude and real.

The central performances are extraordinary – it’s impossible to stop watching Mackie as Perry, as his sexual charisma underlines a sensitive performance, while Roger Robinson is perfect as the Harlem survivor.

One last word – the soundtrack is wonderful – from jazz to hip hop and back again via Courtney Pine and Cassandra Wilson. Gorgeous!

Out on DVD now Trailer at: http://www.peccapics.com/View/id,103

FIT (15)

Director: Rikki Beadle-Blair

OMG – it’s Glee wiv muscles, innit!

Based on real circumstances, the action flips between a vibrant 1920’s Harlem and the recent past of the activist 1980’s.

Student artist Perry (Anthony Mackie, last seen in The Hurt Locker as Sanborn) meets

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At the centre of the story is the streetdance class that Loris sets up for kids excluded by other teachers; Karmel, Jordan, Ryan, Tegs, Isaac, Lee and the rest

Were you at the Homotopia Vogue Ball?

Do you remember the fabulous compere, Rikki Beadle-Blair, dreads a- flying, pounding the stage with more energy than a nuclear powerplant? This is his film and it’s faaaaabulous, babe!

all have their secrets and their place in the college hierarchy of cool. As their dance class progresses, we find out more about each character, following some of them out of the closet and some of them nearly out of their minds.

The cast are just bursting at the seams with talent (in every meaning of the word) and although its original theatre origins poke through occasionally, this only helps give the action a feeling of happening right here, right now.

I haven’t seen a movie since Beautiful Thing that has made me so hopeful for our future and I expect to see all of us doing the “To Be or Not to Be” dance in the Masquerade very soon.

Out on DVD now Trailer at: http://www.peccapics.com/View/id,220

Don’t keep it a secret W

e have all heard about, and some of us experienced horrific abuse situations that go on in the LGBT community.

It’s thought that the majority of domestic abuse that goes on in the Liverpool City Region isn’t reported – so it’s difficult to keep track of various facts and figures. But then again – who cares about statistics?

Seen Magazine speaks to a victim of domestic abuse.

D

iane* came out of an abusive relationship with her partner two years ago.

She tells Seen about the difficult time she went through: “I met Sharron* at a night club in Liverpool. We got talking and arranged to meet again in the club the next week – and it all went form there.

You could say it was the perfect meeting.

“After a few times meeting out on the scene we went on some ‘proper’ dates, and got really close. I felt like I’d known her all my life.

We would text lots during the day too. Shar ron drove and I didn’t, so she would pick me up from work ever y day. We stayed in each other’s houses often and after six months decided to rent a flat together.

“We would text lots during the day too. Sharron drove and I didn’t, so she would pick me up from work every day. We stayed in each other’s houses often and after six months decided to rent a flat together.”

The pair rented a modest one bedroom flat in Toxteth, just outside the city centre. “It was great at first,” adds Diane. “But just a month later things started to spiral downwards very fast.”

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Diane gained a promotion at work and it involved longer hours. “I loved my job,” she recalls. “When I got the promotion I was over the moon. Sharron took me out for a gorgeous meal at a posh restaurant and we had a great time celebrating.”

“It got to the point where I couldn’t speak to lots of my friends without Sharron being suspicious and asking questions – even male friends. Then before I knew it I had isolated my self from everybody I cared about to keep Sharron happy.”

But when Diane began her new job and the long hours started, Sharron switched from doting to obsessive.

The relationship lasted for 18 months before Diane began to seek advice on how to leave.

“I knew it was unhealthy for me to be revolving around Sharron and it made me really unhappy.

At the time I didn’t realise it, but I was being abused. Maybe not physically, but my mental state was fragile and I had to get out.”

“She would call the office several times to make sure I was there after 5pm – my boss told me it had to stop as it would disrupt work and he had all my calls transferred to reception so they could tell her I was unavailable to talk.

“I had to switch off my mobile phone and when I finished work at 7.30pm Sharron would be outside the office in the car – and she wouldn’t be happy.

“She told me I was neglecting her and that she was the only one taking our relationship seriously.”

At the time, Diane felt that it was her fault, and would promise Sharron she would speak to work and try to change her hours.

“It just wasn’t possible though and it really affected my work. I would be twitching to get home because I felt guilty about leaving Sharron.”

Sharron’s moods continued for months and Diane carried on feeling guilty until she confided in a good friend about how she felt.

“My friend told me it wasn’t my fault, and that the relationship could sustain my working hours if we both wanted it to. When I spoke to Sharron about this she went mad, saying my friend was poisoning my mind against her.

Diane gathered the support she needed from her oldest friends, and with some professional help is now back to her old self.

“I changed into a different person – I lost my spark and felt uneasy in big crowds for a long time.

My advice to anyone who is going through a similar situation is walk away – if your partner can’t accept who you are form the beginning they aren’t worth being with. Don’t let their insecurities bring you down.

“Leave before things get violent.”

My friend told me it wasn’t my fault, and that the relationship could sustain my working hours if we both wanted it to. W hen I spoke to Sharron about this she went mad, saying my friend was poisoning my mind against her.

Power & Control wheel

Seen Magazine spoke to Worst Kept Secret about domestic abuse in the LGBT community, and they provided us with a power and control wheel to help readers understand what abuse is.

Worst Kept Secret (WKS) is a project that aims to help reduce domestic abuse and enhance support for those who are affected by it.

The service provides a co-ordinated approach to meet the needs of victims through various mechanisms, utilising direct and indirect approaches.

WKS has been in operation since 2001 during which time many thousands of people have gained personal support, advice and guidance.

In addition countless people have been assisted in their roles as colleagues, friends, relatives and

professionals via the structured training and awareness-raising packages offered by WKS. Karen Edwards from Worst Kept Secret says: “The Home office definition states that: Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.’

“If you feel you have any concerns talk to someone – no concern is ever too small to seek advice.”

Worst Kept Secret – 0800 028 3398 Email – wks2@localsolutions.org.uk *Names in this feature have been changed

“This includes issues of concern to black and ethnic minority communities such as honour killings.”

Karen adds: “The power wheels are used with victims of domestic abuse in the LGBT community to highlight the different tactics used by abusers.

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Seen competitons

W

e have some brilliant competitions in this issue of Seen Magazine, from literature to art and entertainment there is something for everyone on these pages.

Win state of the art headphones worth £49.95 Audio Chi, the Glasgow based premium audio company, introduce their new range of W-Series headphones in Black, White and White with Electric Baby Blue. Powered by their Structural Acoustics Technology™, the W-Series headphones provide sound you would not normally expect to get outside of the recording studio.

Audio Chi provides a unique opportunity for users to express individual personality through high quality, style and design.

Not only that, they have also solved two major headphone headaches, tangled cables and faulty connections, through their detachable fabric cables.

The Audio Chi W-Series retails at £49.95 from John Lewis.

For your chance to win your very own pair of Audio Chi’s white W-Series headphones, just answer this simple question: Whilst not only providing studio sound with designer style, the W-Series headphones eliminate which major headphone headache?

A. Awful Singing B. Tangled Cables C. Bad Hair Closing date for entries – Wednesday December 15

Win tickets to see Pamela Anderson in Pantomime This year Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson will appear at the Liverpool Empire in Pantomime playing the Genie of the Lamp.

We have a pair of tickets to give to one lucky reader to attend the opening night of the show on Friday, December 10.

For your chance to win, just answer the following question What colour is Pamela’s famous Baywatch swimsuit?

A. Yellow B. Green C. Red Closing date for entries – Monday, December 6

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Send your answer along with you name and a daytime telephone number to; Rebecca Keegan Seen Media Il Palazzo 7 Water Street Liverpool L2 0RD

Or email your answer with your daytime telephone number to; Rebecca@seenmag.co.uk All entries must be made before 5pm on the closing dates stated.

Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Win tickets to see Blood Brothers in Liverpool Former Spice Girl and chart-topping solo star, Melanie C, returns to her home town of Liverpool to reprise her critically-acclaimed portrayal of Mrs Johnstone in the smash-hit touring musical, Blood Brothers, for two weeks only.

Speaking of her return to the production, Melanie says: “I had such an incredible time playing the role of Mrs. Johnstone in the West End and I am so excited to have the opportunity to play her again in my home town at the Liverpool Empire.”

Editor, ine, Seen Magaz ater Street, W 7 , zo laz Il Pa D. 0R L2 ol po Liver Or email: o.uk seenmag.c Rebecca@

Seen Magazine is giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader for the opening night of the show on Monday, November 8.

For your chance to win, just answer the following question What was the name of the girl group Melanie C was a part of?

A Spice Girls B Sugar Girls C Pepper Girls Closing date for entries – Friday, November 5

Win tickets to see Lennon Remembered at the Echo Arena Friends and artists who worked with the late, great John Lennon will come together for the first time in a historic memorial concert to commemorate 30 years since his untimely death.

The one off concert, Lennon Remembered – The 9 Faces of John, is being held at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Thursday 9th December at 8pm. It will present artists and friends who span the whole life and career of the exBeatle from Liverpool to New York.

Co-event organiser and Cavern Club owner Bill Heckle says: “Anyone who loves the music of John Lennon and The Beatles should not miss this night.

You will be witnessing history with contributions from those who helped John create it.”

To win tickets to this show on Thursday December 9, answer the following question; What band was John Lennon a member of?

A – The Scissor Sisters B – The Beatles C – The Who Closing date – Monday December 6

Win tickets to see Judy & Liza at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton This brand new musical experience charting the lives of these two extra ordinary women will feature live performances of all of your favourite Judy and Liza hits including Cabaret, Maybe This Time and The Man That Got Away performed by West End stars Emma Dears (Mary Magdelene-Jesus Christ Superstar, Ellen –Miss Saigon) and Lucy Williamson (We Will Rock You, Fame and most recently played the lead role of Mavis in the UK No1 tour of Stepping Out). The performances will be intertwined with images of Judy and Liza, whilst Emma, as Liza and Lucy, playing Judy, tell the sensational stories of the lives of two of the world’s most legendary stars of stage and screen.

This will be the show of a lifetime for any Judy & Liza fan.

To win tickets to this show on Saturday, November 13, answer the following question; Who will Emma Dears play in the show?

A – Judy Garland B – Liza Minnelli C – Dorothy Gale Closing date for entries is Wednesday November 10

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Competitons Win a copy of Margi Clarke’s brand new book, Now You See Me There are many faces to Margi Clarke, the talented and irrepressible actress, singer and TV personality.

From an early age, she was determined to have a voice. One of a family of ten, with an inspirational mother and a family who knitted emotions and creativity like Scouse scarves, she went on to speak volumes.

Now, in a look back on a sparkling career spanning 40 years, she invites us all into her Margi Clarke Wonderland.

Margi tells about face to face encounters with Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas; reveals more about steamy Sex Guide scenes with naked rugby players and relives the wild party nights that came hand in hand with success.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of the book, just answer the following question; What is the name of Margi Clarke’s book?

A – Then you saw me B – Now you see me C – When will you see me Closing date – Wednesday December 15

Win tickets to Tutankhamun, his Tomb and His Treasures at the Museum of Museums, Trafford Centre Manchester (date of the winner’s choice - before February 27) His death mask is one of the most famous images on the planet, deeply engrained into the imagination of billions of people across the world. While his mysterious death, legendary treasures and notorious curse ignite our curiosity about the child king. This young boy is one of the ancient world’s superstars and now you can revisit his final resting place in a way never seen before!

Now, Tutankhamun and his many treasures have come to you in a brand new exhibition at the Museum of Museums, Trafford Centre. The exhibition showcases over 1,000 objects, painstakingly reproduced to give you a glimpse into Tutankhamun’s final resting place.

This is an adventure for all the family and Seen have teamed up with Tutankhamun – His Tomb and His Treasures Manchester to give you and your family the chance to experience the splendour of the pharaoh himself. One of three pairs of tickets to the exhibition are up for grabs for one lucky Seen Magazine reader. For your chance to win, simply answer this question: Which museum will the exhibition show at?

A – The world museum B - The Museum of Museums C – The Liverpool Museum Closing date for entries – December 1 2010

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seenmag.co.uk

Send your answer along with you name and a daytime telephone number to; Rebecca Keegan Seen Media Il Palazzo 7 Water Street Liverpool L2 0RD

Or email your answer with your daytime telephone number to; Rebecca@seenmag.co.uk All entries must be made before 5pm on the closing dates stated.

Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Diary If you have any Upcoming events & would like to feature in our what’s on list, E-mail your details to:

Rebecca@seenmag.co.uk

What’s on Nov – Jan

Blood Brothers Liverpool Empire

JLS Echo Arena

8th – 20th November Box Office: 0844 847 2525

2nd-3rd December Box Office: 0844 8000 400

How Now Mrs Brown Cow Liverpool Empire

The Vagina Monologues Crosby Civic Hall

Lennon Remembered Liverpool Echo Arena

22nd -27th November Box Office: 0844 847 2525

20th sep 8th - 31st Dec 10th www.seftonarts.co.uk

20th sep 8th - 31st Dec 10th Box Office: 0844 844 0444

Judy and Liza New Brighton Floral Pavilion

Liverpool Film Night FACT

Hit me Everyman Thatre

11th November Box Office: 0871 902 5737

9th - 12th November Box Office: 0151 709 4776

Saturday 13th November 2010 Box Office: 0151 666 0000

See SEENMAG.CO.UK for more details

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Listings with Seen

With so much to do in Liverpool and surrounding areas it can sometimes be hard to kee p up with all the venues – we have gathered listings of gay friendl y bars , clubs , restaurants and more so you can see just how much choice there is out there.

Bars & Clubs Liverpool 1. The Curzon 8 Temple Lane 0151 236 5160 2. PINK 4-6 Victoria Street 3. The Lisbon 35 Victoria Street 0151 231 6831 4. The Poste House 23 Cumberland Street 0151 236 4130 5. Passion 31 Eberle Street 0151 236 6591 6. G Bar Eberle Street 0151 236 4416 7. Jupiters Bar 10 Hackins Hey, Off Dale Street 0151 227 5265 8. Garlands 8-10 Eberle Street 0151 236 3307 9. Navy Bar 27-29 Stanley Street 0151 236 1366 10. Puzzles 25 Stanley Street 0151 236 6011 11. The Masquerade 10 Cumberland Street 0151 236 7786 12. Superstar Boudoir 22-24 Stanley Street 0151 236 6633 13. Destination Temple Street 0151 236 5160 14. Heaven Victory Street 0151 236 2231

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15. The Font (Student District JMU & LJMU) 3 Arrad Street 0151 706 0345

3. Liverpool Marriott Hotel City Centre 1 Queen Square 0151 476 8000

16. Bar 2 Faced 8-10 Stanley Street

4. Travel Lodge Liverpool City Centre 25 Old Haymarket 08715 278 624

17. Blonde 27-29 Stanley Street 18. Rubens Bar 1-3 Sir Thomas Street / Corner of Victoria Street

Southport 1. AXM Coronation walk 2. The Corwn 20 coronation street 01704 532 361

St Helens 1. Flex II Tolver Street 01744 758 439 2. Work Bridge Street every wed 3. Pink Flamingo- the venue 11-19 Westfield Street.

Wirral

1. Tallulah’s Late Lounge Rownson Street/Victoria Street Wed nights till late 0774 7561587

Hotels Liverpool 1. The Sir Thomas Hotel 24 Sir Thomas Street 0151 236 1366 2. Hard Days Night Hotel 41 North John Street Central Buildings 0151 236 1964

5. Premier Inn Liverpool City Centre Vernon Street 0871 527 8624 6. The Feathers 119-125 Mount Pleasant 0151 709 9655

Eateries Liverpool 1. Pushka 16 Rodney Street 0151 708 8698 2. Cafe Tabac 126 Bold Street 0151-709 9502 3. The Quarter 7-11 Falkner Street 0151 707 1965 4. The London Carriage works 40 Hope Street 0151 705 2222 5. The Monro 92-94 Duke Street 0151 707 9933 6. Espresso plus coffee bar & Bistro 173 Roselane Mosely Hill 0151 724 6161 7. Coffee Republic Exhange Flags 0151 236 5266 8. Fresca Gatehead Business Park, Delph New Road, Oldham 01457 870797

9. Sakura Exchange Flags 0151 236 2113 10. Casa Italia 36-40 Stanley Street 0151 227 5774 11. Reform 25 Victoria Street 0151 258 1800

Club Nights Liverpool 1. Girls Go Down!

Various venues around Liverpool City Centre www.lgf.org.uk/girls-go-down-town 2. Broken Buscuits @ Jupiters 3. Federation Monthly gay night Clubfederation.com 4. Motor City Puzzle bar monthly night alt 1st fri of the month

Other Liverpool 1. FACT Gallery,Picture House,Bar & Cafe 88 Wood Street 0151 707 4444 2. Parr Street Studios Hotel, Bar, Restaurant 33-45 Parr Street 0151 707 7270 3. News from nowhere bookshop 96 Bold Street 0151 708 7270

Wirral 1. DV8 @ The Picture House Wed 8pm Till late 46 conway Street Birkenhead 0151 647 8883

Full listings are always being updated.

Please email your listings to

info@seenmag.co.uk

Agencies & Groups Liverpool Clinics Liverpool 1. Aids helpline 0151 709 9000

2. Sexual health Clinic Royal Liverpool Hospital prescot street 0151 706 2620 3. Sahir House Provides services to HIV psoitive people,their families and friends, 0151 708 9000 info@sahir.uk.com PO Box 11, 4. The Armistead Project 1 Stanley Street 0151 227 1931

Wirral

1. Sexual health Clinic Arrowe Park road 0151 604 7339

Southport 1. Sexual health Clinic Southport & Formby Distric General Hospital 01704 513303

Saunas Liverpool 1. Splash Sauner Fazak street 2. 1A Sauner 1 Bankhall Street Kirkdale 0151 944 2240

1. The Armistead Project 1 Stanley Street 0870 990 8996 2. Liverpool Guild LGBT Society 160 Mount Pleasant 0151 231 4947 lgos.org/lgbt liverpoollgbt@googlemail.com 3. Liverpool Students union LGBT Society 0151 231 4947

3. Work it out Work it out group for 14 -18 yr old Wirral Brook 14 Whetstone Lane Birkenhead info@wirralbrook.org.uk outreach@wirralbrook.org.uk

0151 670 0177 4. Wirral Divas Weekly Lesbian & bisexual group 0151 666 9890

4. Liverpool Womens book group meets last tues of the month liverpoolbookgrpup.com 5. Our story Liverpool LGBT History community project 0151 709 4988 ourstoryliverpool.co.uk info@ourstoryliverpool.co.uk 6. Parent’s & Care groups 0870 990 8996 7. Young gay Sefton 07792 316 156

8. Gay Kick Boxing Arminstead Centre Wed eveining’s 7-8pm 08709 908 996 info@armisteadcentre.co.uk 9. Gay outdoor Group 07855 19760 goctranspennie.org.uk transpennine@hotmail.co.uk

Ellesmere port 1. Utopia

Wirral

Whitby Road LGB youth meets every tues 6.30-9 0151 348 5621 eport@utopia.org.uk

1. Dolphin Sauner 192 Mount Road New Brighton 0151 630 1516

Wirral

Family Friendly Daily Special e veryday

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1457 870797

Fresca Italian Resturant

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Why not come for Lunch with the kids - plus you can now eat outside weatherpermitting. Chill out in the evening and take advantage of our two-for-one cocktails Monday to Thursday or one of our many food offers in the early evening.

Don’t miss our superb Sunday Roast menu all day Sunday.

See www.frescarestaurants.com Gatehead Business Park | Delph New Road | Delph | Oldham | OL3 5DE | 01457 870797 - Fresca - Italian for Fresh!

1. Gay Wirral For all Wirral’s LGBT community, contact for details gaywirral@hotmail.com 2. Transwirral 90-92 Chester Street 07833 385 126 seenmag.co.uk

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The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton is Wirral’s premier entertainment centre comprising a large scale theatre, conference centre and Panoramic Lounge with breathtaking views across the Mersey Estuary.

The programme of this plush new theatre includes live music, comedy, drama, large scale musicals and a popular selection of children’s shows.

An ideal place for a great evening out.

However, there is so much more to the new Floral Pavilion than just a theatre. The Floral Café is the perfect place to relax with a coffee throughout the day and listen to live music surrounded by magnificent views. On the majority of performance nights from 5:00pm the Panoramic Lounge takes on a glamorous look and delicious pre theatre dinners are served, giving diners the chance to watch the views of the sunset over the Fort whilst enjoying sumptuous food.

The multi-purpose conference centre offers the opportunity for local, regional and national businesses to meet and network providing a perfect location for weddings and exhibitions. The Floral Pavilion is capable of hosting a variety of events from intimate meetings to seminars for 50 or a sit down meal for 300; all supported by highly experienced staff and delicious catering options. The Floral philosophy that no event is too large or too small is proving to be very popular with people from all over the UK.

Sat 11th December 2010 to Sun 2nd January 2011

For a great night out get full details of all performances at www.floralpavilion.com or by calling 0151 666 0000.

To speak to our conference / wedding team call 0151 606 2961 or 0151 606 2992 and they will be happy to talk through your requirements.