Issue 26 Respect Magazine - Kian Egan Cover

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

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We talk ‘Home’ with Westlife star and King of the Jungle

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SPECIAL ISSUE

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT FREE

Kian Egan + PLUS

WE MEET ‘SELFIES’ AND ‘PEROXIDE’ SONGSTRESS NINA NESBITT JANE MCDONALD TALKS ABOUT HER NEW ALBUM AND REVEALS HER NEW TOUR IS HER CAMPEST YET ROSIE GARLAND INTERVIEW WE MEET ‘START AGAIN’ SINGER & EUROVISION STAR RYAN DOLAN IT’S ALL ABOUT EQUAL MARRIAGE WE GET OUR WOBBLE ON FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RAINBOW TRIKE TOURS RESPECT DOES BELFAST + MORE The inclusive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 1 email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop (LGBT) network for

We go POP once again.

We meet a1 and

Girl Thing

Registered Charity No. 1070904

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Registered Charity No. 1070904

Reg. Charity No. 1070904

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Reg. Charity No. 1070904

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Inside this issue

Welcome to our Respect Magazine. The monthly magazine for the UK’s most LGBT friendly retailer, The Co-operative. It’s another jam packed issue, produced for you by our team of volunteers.

You can expect Lots of Respect member features, stories and community news We find out more about two LGBT owned businesses ‘Rainbow Trike Tours’ and ‘Wobble You’ We find out what our Charity of the Year ‘The Albert Kennedy Trust’ has been up to Our ‘Dear Respect’ feature returns Gays on film. Is LGBT representation on our screens really representative of the diversity of the LGBT community?

The stars of The Big Reunion TV show. We meet Linzi from Girl Thing and Mark from a1. The interviews make great reading!

Lights, Camera, Action with Alex Plus lots more

26-27

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Respect’s Communications We went down a storm at Coordinator Joe Chapman Student Pride. With a bit puts his dancing shoes on of help from free chocolate

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Respect meets Loose Nina Nesbitt talks to us Woman & the singer of about her new album and your songs Jane McDonald why education is important

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‘Start Again’ singer Ryan Dolan talks coming out, music and Pride

‘Loved by You’ Award winner Rosie Garland introduces us to ‘Vixen’

8-9 As part of Westlife Kian Egan enjoyed worldwide success. We talk to Kian about his new album ‘Home’ and lots more

3 email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

An introduction from the Co-Chair of the Respect network Thomas Anderson other interests. This was a difficult decision and was not taken lightly.

Respect Magazine : March 2014

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Respect meets King of the jungle & Westlife star

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SPECIAL ISSUE

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT FREE

Kian Egan + PLUS

IDE’ S’ WITH ‘PEROX WE TALK ‘SELFIE NESBITT SONGSTRESS NINA TALKS ABOUT HER JANE MCDONALD REVEALS HER NEW ALBUM AND CAMPEST YET NEW TOUR IS HER INTERVIEW ROSIE GARLAND R& AGAIN’ SINGE WE MEET ‘START RYAN DOLAN EUROVISION STAR EQUAL MARRIAGE IT’S ALL ABOUT LE ON WE GET OUR WOBB ABOUT MORE FIND OUT TOURS RAINBOW TRIKE BELFAST + MORE RESPECT DOES The inclusive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network for

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Respect meets Peroxide songstress

SPECIAL ISSUE

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT FREE

+ PLUS

We go POP once again.

We meet

a1 and Girl Thing

’ WITH WESTLIFE WE TALK ‘HOME STAR KIAN EGAN TALKS ABOUT HER JANE MCDONALD REVEALS HER NEW ALBUM AND CAMPEST YET NEW TOUR IS HER INTERVIEW ROSIE GARLAND R& AGAIN’ SINGE WE MEET ‘START RYAN DOLAN STAR ISION EUROV EQUAL MARRIAGE IT’S ALL ABOUT LE ON WE GET OUR WOBB ABOUT FIND OUT MORE TOURS RAINBOW TRIKE BELFAST + MORE RESPECT DOES

We go POP once again.

We meet

a1 and Girl Thing

The inclusive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network for

1 email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

#Respect26OutSoon

Big welcome to the new issue of your Respect Magazine. This issue goes down as one of my favourite issues yet. The team have worked hard to bring you a diverse selection of member features, articles and interviews

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the network’s development and its many successes and seeing the positive impact it has had across many levels.

I remember the challenges when I suggested we called the network ‘Respect’ and I get a great buzz every time I hear people talking about the network, and seeing our logo out there (especially seeing our advert in attitude magazine – this seemed unthinkable when we founded the network). I am sure this feeling will continue (unless someone

with LGBT owned businesses, role

decides to change the name and logo).

models and celebs. It’s also our first issue where we’ve had two

I have enjoyed working with so many different people and believe we have

front covers. We are really pleased to have secured some stellar interviews for this issue and we thought, ‘Why not?’.

After just over four years of being involved with ‘Respect’, and the ‘LGBT Network’ as it was known for a short time (the network existed for a period before we launched it), I have made the decision that the time is right for me to step down from my role as Co-chair of the network.

I have given my all to the voluntary role and now is the time for me to put the time and passion into some of my

all achieved many great things together. Some of the messages I have recently received really reiterate the impact the network has had on so many people, including many other businesses in the UK. I’m extremely proud of the work we have all achieved and the Respect work has given me some of my fondest workplace memories (and beyond) and moments from the last few years. I remain committed to The Co-operative of course.

team have spoken about, and have planned, that the network will go on to do even greater things and maintain its position as the most active, authentic and respected LGBT network in the UK. The network has fantastic support throughout the organisation and beyond and remains both important and highly valued. As Stonewall say, ‘Lots done.

Lots still to do’.

Sadly, the next issue of this magazine will be my final issue overseeing the publication that I founded. I’ll be doing a round up of my proudest moments from the last four years.

There are so many. I’ve had a great time and there is so much for us to be all proud of. The Co-operative is really leading the way in the LGBT space in my opinion.

I would like to thank you all for your fantastic contributions and support over the years, this has proven to be extremely sincere and valuable. It means a lot to many people. I hope your support continues.

I wish the Respect network well for the future and look forward to seeing it develop further as I continue to be a very proud member and ‘Friend of Respect’. I hope you enjoy this issue.

There is still lots to do though. I know from the recent initiatives the Respect

Let’s keep connected

Respect Magazine issuu.com/cooprespectlgbt

Twitter - Over 9,100 followers and growing @CoopRespectLGBT

Feedback & Contributions We welcome all feedback about the magazine so please send this our way. And if you’d like to contribute to the magazine, please get in touch too.

Website www.co-operative.coop/respectlgbt Email respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

4 email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

Thomas Anderson Respect network Co-Chair & George House Trust Ambassador thomas.anderson@co-operative.coop @thomasinmanc Advertise in Respect If you would like to reach thousands of people every month and advertise in the Respect Magazine, please get in touch with us.

Careers Visit our careers portal at www.co-operative.jobs and you'll see why we are ranked highly in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index.

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Amelia Cargo

Will O’Regan

Simon Hunter

I’ve been with the Group (Funeralcare) for nearly 9 months and I’m really enjoying my time here – being on the Respect Steering Group is definitely a highlight. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, listening to music and

Having got swept away with entertainment and showbiz at an early age (from my parent’s farmhouse in most rural Ireland) it seemed like life as a radio disc jockey (or Eurovision presenter) was to be my destiny. I

I have worked for the Group for 2 ½ years in Customer Availability within Food. I am originally from Belfast but moved to Manchester 8 years ago for university and stayed here. I have really enjoyed working

watching (trashy) TV. I’ve also been at number three in the charts, but that’s a story for another time...

pursued a media certificate, diploma, degree and masters and here I am at the Co-operative working in Food and dipping my toe into the sudsy waters of Mother Celebrity’s bathing pool. With a trip to the

with the Steering Group in the events team and look forward to meeting lots of you in the near future. I’m a bit of a geek with an obsession for phones (I change phone roughly every 3 months!). I also enjoy

aforementioned Eurovision coming up in May and a wedding to my wonderful other half Tom next February, well it’s a pretty busy time in the life of Respect’s Entertainment Editor.

cycling but not very lucky having three bikes stolen since living in Manchester!

Say hello to the contributors of this issue

Respect supports LGBT Question Time

Respect members show their Pride

As part of LGBT History Month, the LGBT community were

We couldn’t help but smile when we were sent this photo from

invited to ask a panel of experts, including The LGF, Manchester City Council, NHS Manchester, Police and Crime Commissioner and LGBT Youth North West questions for this year’s LGBT Question Time 2014. The event took place on 23 February at Manchester Town Hall. It was very well attended

some of our members who work for The Co-operative Funeralcare. The team got creative and baked lots of rainbow themed cakes that they sold to their local community, raising money for charity. The Pride them got lots of people talking. Well done everyone. Big #Respect

with lots of discussions. Some quite heated too.

Respect’s Anna Hanson and Thomas Anderson proudly represented the network at our stand (see pic), talking to attendees about the network and our community work. It was great to see so many familiar faces at the event.

A delicious slice of rainbow cake anyone?

5 email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Let’s hear it for the first same sex marriages in England & Wales

By Will O’Regan

From 29th March 2014 history will be made in in England and Wales. Same sex couples will be able to get married in England & Wales.

Equal at last regardless of sexuality.

These changes to the institution of marriage as it has always been known proved a very long time

coming. Following the introduction of civil partnerships for same sex couples in 2005 things moved at a slow steady pace

Scotland too. In doing so this just leaves Northern Ireland as an exception. Civil Partnerships are recognised there as they are in the

However strong the opposing side were it wasn’t enough to stop the inevitable. A big part of the objection lay with the role

with many discussions and developments in the coming years. Same sex marriage found itself breaking out into an issue of major importance

Republic of Ireland which is where I was born and raised.

that the church would play.

With specific sections in the new law to protect religious organisations the Church of England and Church in

and consequence with opinion polls suggesting over 50% of those surveyed were in favour of the change to the law

Wales were banned and this closed down another debate where concerns were gravely felt by those specific Churches. Other

in the years leading up to the bill first being read.

In January 2013 the marriage bill was first introduced and after it

religious organisations who are in favour have an “opt in” option available to them should they wish to perform same sex

passed through the House of Lord’s received the Royal Assent and became law in July 2013. Flash forward to

marriages.

I feel an incredible sense of pride as I write this article. The introduction of

2014 and the first equal marriage ceremonies which were expected to take place this Summer for the very first time were fast tracked. Those that want to put forward their intention to get married first are to do it from 13th March with the very first couples to say I do on 29th

Casting my mind across the Irish Sea I know that if I still lived in Ireland I wouldn’t be able to get married next year to my same sex partner like I will be doing here. I could enter into a Civil Partnership which for many partnered couples is

There is strong support in England and Wales (with The

“marriage” to them and is enough. As it currently stands a referendum of equal marriage in the Republic of Ireland is still a way off.

Co-operative speaking out in favour of the introduction).

As a vote has this year approved the same change to the law will take place in

Naturally it must be said that there was opposition to the changes brought in the Marriage Act 2013.

March. It’s a momentous time, a change for the better.

The Co-operative

take part in the

encouraged our

and Equal Marriage

consultation process |

employees and

The ONLY business to give evidence in

customers to contact their MP to express

support of Equal Marriage in UK

their support | We produced a video to

Parliament | We

support this | Proud

We were one of the very few businesses in England & Wales to

6 email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

equal marriage has been an amazing change in the progression of marriage. For so many couples up and down the country, just like myself and my partner Tom, we are now tremendously excited that we can now plan for a special day, a day in which we can show our love and unwavering commitment to each other by getting married in a recognised union that is now equal for all.

For more information on the new marriage act – visit www.gov.uk/

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Notice Board

Updates from our Charity of the Year Purple Door provides 2,000 nights off the streets Supported by The Co-operative, Purple Door houses have now been open for nearing 9 months.

During this time, AKT have so far provided 2000 nights off the street for young people.

Without the help of AKT’s supporters to fund the project, 30 young people would

not have had a safe and secure place to

We make a trip to the theatre possible for the young peop le

sleep.

The first residents in the Manchester house have now moved on and they are welcoming a new group of young people into the service. One of those moving on said of Purple Door, ‘‘I am grateful and thankful for the support and help that Albert Kennedy has done for me as if it wasn't for the Purple Door, I wouldn't be able to start fresh’.

In e hav T AK , London ing been provid emergency support and lifeskills workshops to young people, including a soup and bread making session, coordinated by one of their volunteers, Michaela. They have helped young people move on to privately rented accommodation, supported housing and university halls.

Big thanks to The Co-operative Food store on High St, Manchester for fundraising for AKT by placing charity tins by their tills. If you’d like to do something similar in your store or workplace, please get in touch. We need you!

Follow the AKT on Twitter @AlbertKennedyTr

Funded by The Co-operative Co mmunity Fund, on 17th Fe bruary AKT’s Vo lunteer and Events Co-o rdinator Darren w as fortunate enough to take some of the young people to see Priscilla Qu een of the Desert – The M usical in Manch es ter. And what a trip it w as. Not only did the young people get to go backstage and m eet the cast, they also go t to have a cam eo role appearing on st age in the second half.

Darren said: “T o see the excite ment of the young people ba ckstage engaging with the cast then strutt ing their stuff on stage in front of a full ho use was a privile ge, this experience will stay with the yo ung people for life, and a pe rsonal highlight I will never forget eith er'.

Tim Sigsworth , CEO of AKT, sa id: “We believe that enga ging our young people in arts based work is the very best w ay to build their selfesteem whilst th ey have fun and build ne w friendships an d peersupport”.

Find out more at www.akt.org.uk

7 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Respect Magazine Magazine ::March/April March/April2014 2014

We talk gay clubs,

Equal Marriage, role models and ‘Home’ with Westlife star & King of the Jungle

Kian Egan You’ve just released your debut solo album ‘Home’. Was a solo album always in your sights?

When I was in Westlife it was amazing and we had so many great experiences. Whilst in the group I never had the ambition to record a solo album. I wasn’t the lead singer in the group, I was more of a backing singer.

As my time in Westlife was coming to an end I never thought people would be that interested in me. This all changed when I appeared on ‘I’m A Celebrity’, and won. I came out of the

‘Songs for your Mother’ type of album but that just wasn’t for me.

The album is all cover versions, but most of the songs aren’t too well known on this side of the world.

When deciding what songs to include I listened to lots of stuff. I picked the songs I loved. They’re not a million miles away from the songs I recorded with Westlife. I picked songs that have a more rocky and gutsy sound - that are big and epic. The record label loved it. I worked closely with my

jungle and all of a sudden record labels were knocking at my door. So I went for it and here we are.

producers and the record label and I am really happy with the final result.

As the songs aren’t too well known, when you hear the music it will feel like new music I think.

Could you let us know a bit

Westlife achieved huge global

more about what we can

success, selling 45 million

expect from the album

albums, scoring 14 UK No1

Everything has happened so fast. The record label wanted to release the album in time for Mother’s Day.

singles and a huge 25 UK Top10 singles. Do you feel any pressure to replicate this level

The record label wanted to go down the route of the album being like a

8 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Interview by Thomas Anderson

of success with your solo releases?

I actually feel a lot less pressure. In the Westlife days there was a lot of pressure for each release to sell well.

Sell a lot. We had done so much.

There was lots of pressure to keep being successful.

Now things feel different for me. There are no expectations to sell hundreds of thousands of copies of the album like we did in Westlife. If people buy it, fantastic. I hope people enjoy it. I am just really happy to be able to release the album.

What do you miss most when you’re away from home?

I miss my little boy Koa and my wife Jodi. That is what home is to me.

Leaving home in the morning gets harder each day. I miss them a lot when I am not there.

I miss making my own cup of tea in my own home, and not a hotel room, and watching telly on my sofa.

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 In Ireland, Equal Marriage being law is some way off and people being confident declaring their

The Catholic church and religion is also very strong in Ireland and I’m sure this has a big impact too.

sexual orientation on surveys is very low. Why do you think this

Westlife had a big gay following

is?

gay clubs like Powerhouse in Newcastle. Why do you think you

When I was in school it would have been a huge deal if someone had come out and said they were gay.

When we first came over to England with Westlife 15 years ago there was so many openly gay people and it was like ‘wow’.

It was something we hadn’t really experienced. I would say in Ireland, they are in this place now and they are catching up. I would’t be surprised if in five years time Equal Marriage is law in Ireland.

Gay people are now standing up and now realise they don’t need to hide. We have lots of gay marches (Pride events) and LGBT societies in Universities. The Government will get there!

and in the early days you played

connected with this audience?

We did. Westlife’s music is music people could relate to. It was about love and life and that has an impact on everyone. Our music covered all genres.

Being five guys on stage and being a boyband probably helped too.

“Gay people are now standing up and now realise they don’t need to hide.”

Home by Kian Egan is out now Available to buy on CD or to download.

It features ten tracks including ‘I Run to You’ (duet with Jodi Albert), ‘What Hurts the Most’ and ‘Here Without You’

9 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

What is your most vivid childhood memory?

It is around the time I was three or four years old. I remember sitting on my grandads lap at his house. I was only four or five when he died. I remember he only had one leg as he lost one of his legs in the war and he has this little knife with a folk on one end that he kept on his table. I remember this quite vividly.

Did you have any role models growing up?

I have two older brothers and they were my role models. My brother Gavin was in a band and he always had friends around who were into their music, some were musicians. I used to listen to them practice and whatever they were listening to influenced me. What they were listening to was what I thought was ‘cool’.

Connect with Kian @KianEganWL www.kianegan.tv

r a e D espect R

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

In the last month we have received over 50 comments from members and employees of The Co-operative. Here’s a selection of them.

Big smiles I have not smiled so much recently. This article then seeing The Co-operative logo redesigned to include the pride flag on the Co-op website.

This stuff means so much to so many people. Yay to Co-op and Respect.

James - Co-op Employee

Why do we have LGBT History Month?

It seems that if you belong to a minority group - gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, black, Asian, Hispanic, disabled etc. You deserve extra recognition for doing what people not in those groups do. We have 'Black History Month', we have 'LGBY History Month', 'Asian TV', 'BET (Black Entertainment Television)'. It's the way of the world now. I believe the ideal world where none of these segregations matter, is coming. Guess we have to be patient.

Benley - Co-op Employee

Sexuality should not matter You are right, sexuality should not matter and in an ideal world a month highlighting achievements by LGBT people would not need to take place. But whilst people are being persecuted and even executed for simply being gay, I think activity like LGBT history month is valid and useful. It is illegal to be gay in 77 countries around the world and in some countries the penalty is death - Uganda and Russia are recent reminders.

Anonymous post by a Co-op Employee

STAR COMMENT: Thank you Co-op!

I am quite sick of hearing sarcastic/misunderstood comments about straight history month or straight pride....every day is straight pride!

Thank you co-op for your pro-active and positive diversity policies. I have worked for other firms where this has not been the case. That only makes for a less-productive workforce I'm sure.

Holly - Co-op Employee

Join in the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO : We recently met with the LGBT network from Nationwide at our HQ in Manchester. The network was keen to learn more about the workings of the Respect network and how we’ve come so far so quickly. Nicki and Karen were lovely and we are currently working on a joint event in Bristol that will be held on 10 July. More

info will be released soon. Watch this space! | On 8th February we were delighted attend the first Winter Pride UK event in London.

Respect was proud to be a Supporting Partner of the event and our Co-chair Thomas Anderson presented the ‘Personality of the Year’ award, won by the lovely Ben Cohen. The award was even named after us.

We had a great night. Big well done to the organisers. | The Lesbian & Gay Foundation recently hosted 10 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

their annual Sugar & Spice women’s event. We arranged for The Co-op Pharmacy to donate some goodies for the gift bags for those attending the event. | Our social event on 20th March at Oscars Bar in Manchester was attended by over 60 of our members. The night was a huge success with guests enjoying a special ‘Respect’ cocktail, show tunes by the piano and popcorn.

More about this in the next issue | And lots more

Respect all over the UK 1.

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

‘OUT At Work’ is an annual magazine that includes lots of interviews and features with LGBT friendly organisations. Also included are some practical tips for developing your career as well as interviews with lots of Role Models.

Respect has been very lucky to have recently appeared in many publications all over the UK. Here’s a small selection of them.

In this issue there is an interview with Respect’s Co-chair Thomas Anderson where he talks more about the network and the work we do. Also included is our fab ‘Here for you. Whether you’re staying in or coming out’ advert.

Download your copy for free at www.outatwork.co.uk

2.

3.

‘Out North West’ The most loved free LGBT magazine in the North West of England, the magazine is the definitive guide to LGBT North West.

Simon is proud in USDAW’s ‘Aren a’ magazine

Respect’s Even ts Coordinator Si mon Eggleton the new issue of is featured in Union USDAW’s member magaz In the full page ine ‘Arena’. interview Simon talks about his Respect networ ro le in the k and what bein g an USDAW rep him. Download m eans to your copy at dt p.usdaw.co.uk/a arenaspring201 rena/ 4/

The mag was recently named your ‘Regional LGBT Magazine’ of the year in our 2013 ‘Loved by You’ awards.

Their winners logo appears on the front cover of their recent issue. There’s also a great article about their win inside the mag. It’s a great read.

11 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Download your copy for free at www.lgf.org.uk/ get-support/ outnorthwest/ outnorthwest-archive/ outnorthwest-issue-120/

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

GAYS ON FILM LGBT and the silver screen

By Amelia Cargo Respect communications coordinator I was watching Stephen Fry’s documentary about what it’s like to be LGBT around the world when he said something about the film industry which struck a chord with me. He said that Hollywood is the mirror on our wall, reflecting back to us only what we find socially, culturally and politically acceptable.

If you think about it, there may be some truth to that. The US, and indeed the UK, have made a number of giant leaps towards LGBT equality in recent years and with this cultural and political shift, we have seen a rise in the number of Hollywood films and popular TV programmes that portray LGBT issues in a sensitive and well-rounded way.

Some recent examples from recent years include Milk, Brokeback Mountain and Blue is the Warmest Color, all of which were met with critical acclaim and numerous Oscar nominations. On the smaller screen, Modern Family’s gay couple, Mitchell and Cameron, have won the hearts of people all over the world.

What’s more, the adorable and often hilarious way in which they fuss over their adopted daughter adds an extra layer of depth and complexity not traditionally seen in LGBT characters.

Elsewhere, HBO’s new sitcom, Looking, which details the lives of gay men in San Francisco, has been heralded as the gay Sex and the City and in Britain, primetime staples Waterloo Road, Coronation Street and The Last Tango in

Halifax have all featured gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual characters. Even the wildly popular Sherlock, one of the BBC’s most watched shows ever, featured LGBT characters and gay subtext

proud will damage their careers or lead to them being typecast in LGBT roles.

All in all, times are changing and with the slow march of progress comes a better and more three dimensional

between the main protagonists.

representation of LGBT people on screen.

However, it may be a while for that mirror on the wall to give us a true reflection about what it means to be LGBT.

Even though the number of gay characters on TV is increasing, there is still a long way to go until we see real equality and true representation on screen. Many mainstream programmes rely on safe stereotypes for cheap laughs or refuse to show extended scenes of affection between same sex couples.

Those that do tend to be programmes that specifically target an LGBT audience, such as Looking, The L Word or Lip Service.

Additionally, the representation of transgender or transsexual experiences on screen is even more limited, with only a handful of films addressing trans issues.

“MANY MAINSTREAMN PROGRAMMES RELY ON SAFE STEREOTYPES FOR CHEAP LAUGHS OR REFUSE TO SHOW EXTENDED SCENES OF AFFECTION BETWEEN SAME SEX COUPLES”

One of note from this year is The Dallas Buyers Club (multiple winner at the recent Oscar’s), which tells the true story of Ron Woodruff, a homophobic cowboy who is diagnosed with AIDS as a result of a (heterosexual) sexual encounter.

Through his diagnosis with the disease, Ron meets Rayon, a HIV positive transgender woman, with whom he sets up The Dallas Buyers Club – an underground organisation which sells unapproved antiviral drugs to AIDS sufferers. The film has been nominated for a number of industry awards, with Jared Leto winning the ‘Best Supporting

A fab actress, ‘Friend of Respect’ Heather Peace

Actor’ Oscar for his portrayal of Rayon.

Critical acclaim aside, we need to see more TV programmes that portray what it is to be transgender.

And what about LGBT actors and actresses themselves? It can’t be easy being LGBT in an industry that doesn’t really accept or validate anything but the cookie cutter norm. Indeed, Ellen Page said in her recent coming out speech that it was an ‘industry that places crushing standards on all of us [...] Standards of beauty. Of a good life. Of success.”

Although the number of out LGBT film and TV stars is growing, it is still small, with many fearing that being out and 12 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Great news. ‘Looking’ has been recommissioned for a second series

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

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Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

LGBT tweets of the month

Big #respect to our 9,200+

Here's what some LGBT tweeters have been saying in 140 characters or less this month!

At the beginning of

tweets, and monthly

We’re proud to be

March our Twitter

competitions.

the 3rd most

account @CoopRespectLGBT

We’ve said it

followed Co-op related Twitter

Mae Martin (@TheMaeMartin): So annoyed that I have to cancel my vacations to Russia, Arizona and Uganda this year.

Stonewall (@StonewallUK): Incredible turnout for the premiere of our new primary school film, Free. #BeFree. www.stonewall.org.uk/FREE. Ellen De Generes (@TheEllenShow): This year, one of my favourite people @Pink is performing at the #Oscars! And I’m hosting. Take that, Russia.

twitter followers

hit a big milestone we passed 9,000 followers. The Respect team are all smiles. Big thanks to everyone that follows us. We hope you like our regular

before, but when we launched the account at the end of January 2013 we never imagined we’d get so much engagement, so quickly.

month Tweet of the

account in the world and the most followed LGBT employee network in Europe too.

If you’re a Tweeter, come and check us out!

Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara): In the seventh grade we had to write our final essay using ‘the wind beneath my wings’ as our inspiration #mymom.

Ellen Page(@EllenPage): Just want to say that I’m profoundly moved by the support. I’m so grateful.

Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH): Beyoncé is sexxxy! @Davidburtka said she could turn a gay man straight.

What is Twitter?

Now I’m worried!

Twitter is an online social networking and service that

Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood): Think I just got an ab workout from belting out ‘express yourself’ in my car.

Alan Carr (@AlanCarr): Open casting for the new Peter Pan film? Now where did I put those green jeggings…

enables users to send and read "tweets", which are text messages limited to 140 characters. Registered users can read and post microblogging tweets.

Read our tips for network groups getting started on Twitter in Issue 25 of our ‘Respect Magazine’ at issuu.com/cooprespectlgbt

Attitude is to publish its first-ever “bookazine” to celebrate the first samesex marriages taking place in England and Wales.

The 148-page glossy guide is available exclusively in print at WHSmith from March 25, and will also be available to 14 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

download via Attitude’s digital app for tablet and mobile.

Love and Marriage will provide every bit of information on how to plan the perfect wedding, from venues to catering, honeymoon destinations to fashion and grooming advice for the big day.

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

s a hit with the mbersh ip card wa Our giant Pride me over Pride ll be touring the UK 1500 students. It’ it! er. Watch out for season th is Summ

Sagar (left) and Adrian supporting us on the day.

They did a wonderful job.

We went down a storm at Student Pride

most engaging, our chocolate and other giveaways definitely got people interested. We gave away over 3,000 items on the day.

The Co-operative proudly sponsored Student Pride for the second consecutive year.

We were supported on the day by Sagar who is a Team Manager for The Co-op Food in London, Adrian who is a Branch Manager for The Co-op Bank in London and Daniel who works in the IT team in Manchester. The team did an amazing job.

Thank you!

Lots of events took place in London between 21-23 February including the job fair on 22 Feb where we had a stall. Supported by The Co-operative Food our stand was one of the highlights of the fair with many students commenting we were the

The Co -

op Foo d

“The event has become the biggest student pride festival in the country.”

Find out more at www.studentpride.co.uk

also pr ovided event. the can T d h de e an br apés fo v ide o Pr d ial a ec k sp ls a 00 o b 10 r the C er e ov in o ay -op bra g serve We gave aw ng lpi n d He d s. a on e up t d co t od v h Fo o p e -o d b Co ka (Co ar was £2’ -op so ‘Spend £10, Save ft drink op! sh od fo s eir th t on oo). re students save mo 15 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT launch

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

A No11 debut album, a UK tour, over 20 million video views and over 140,000 followers on Twitter,

Nina Nesbitt

is someone you are going to be hearing a lot more about Interview by Thomas Anderson

We’re loving your new album ‘Peroxide’. How would you describe the album?

Thank you! The album is basically a diary of my life from 15-19 years old.

There's quite a few different subjects such as break ups, falling in love and growing up and hopefully something

that people love it and the songs can help them in their lives is the best part.

The song is like a modern day break up song. The concept is about when

We hear you’ve written all of the songs on the album too.

How important was this to you?

someone dumps you and you feel a bit low about yourself so you post photos online showing that person what a great time you're having. It sounds a bit immature but I think a lot of people

Very important. Unless it's a cover of one of your favourite songs I think you

do it at the moment!

for everyone. Musically there's quite a few different styles ranging from pop to rock to acoustic live takes. I like variation!

should always try and write yourself.

Whether that be alone or with other writers. I feel like the album wouldn't be honest or true if I hadn't written all of it. It's something that just comes

And well done on it’s success.

How did it feel when it charted at No11 in the UK charts, and No1 in the Scottish album chart?

Why do you think there has been such a surge in the ‘Selfie’, with James Corden famously doing one with Prince at this years Brit Awards?

naturally to me and something I'll always do, I prefer writing to actually singing most of the time.

I'm not sure, it's just an easy thing to do. My song isn't really about selfies

No1 in Scotland felt incredible! To be No1 in your home country is a pretty special feeling. Charting isn't really the be all and end all to me, just hearing

You have a song called ‘Selfies’. We’d love to know more about what the song is about and what inspired you to write it?

16 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

themselves it's more about a break up but I think selfies are just a bit of fun and it's an easy way to show what you're up to.

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 When did you know you wanted to be a singer songwriter?

It's something that I've always done!

There wasn't an exact moment it just kind

important do you think it is for more education around the consequences, and understanding and celebrating our differences, is in our schools?

of happened naturally. I love words and music and the two tie well together.

I think it’s very important - it wasn’t

You’ve revealed in a previous interview that you’d love to collaborate with ‘Blondie’. It’s just been announced they’ll be headlining this year’s Glastonbury. If you were to collaborate on one of their songs, which song would you choose?

I’d love to write one! I just love their music and Debbie Harry is such an inspiration. She's such a strong female who knows what she wants and I find that inspiring.

And you're touring soon. Where can we catch you?

I'm playing London, Manchester, Edinburgh and 4 European dates! You can find all the info on my website; Ninanesbittmusic.com/gigs

talked about enough when I was at school. I think more education is needed in schools and colleges to stamp out ignorance and teach people that it's okay to be different.

Have you ever done any charity work or volunteering?

Yes. I've done quite a few gigs for Centrepoint for young homeless people. I also support Teenage Cancer Trust as it's a charity close to my heart.

The future is clearly very bright for you. What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?

Touring touring touring!

Nina’a album ‘Peroxide’ is out now on CD and download

Did you have any musical role models growing up?

It changes all the time but I think female singer/songwriters have really inspired me. Such as Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry, Alanis Morissette, Taylor Swift etc.

How important do you think role models are?

I think it's good to be inspired by people but I don't think you should aspire to be that person and follow everything they do. You are your own person and it's good to make your own decisions.

Bullying is a big issue in schools with kids who don’t fit ‘the norm’ having a tough time. The use of derogatory phrases like ‘that’s so gay’ are also more common. How

Keep connected to Nina @ninanesbitt instagram.com/ninanesbitt www.ninanesbittmusic.com 17 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

“I think more education is needed in schools and colleges to stamp out ignorance and teach people that it's okay to be different.”

COMMUNITY

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

A new LGBT helpline has been launched for people living in Cumbria.

The charity OutReach Cumbria says the helpline will give LGBT people who are in need an opportunity to share their problems.

It will also provide advice and information on accessing LGBT services in the Cumbria area.

Support Stonewall and walk with pride

The helpline operates every Thursday evening from 7pm – 9.30pm.

It can be reached from a landline on 0800 345 7440 or from a mobile on 0300 123 7440.

Find out more at equalitycumbria.org/outreach-cumbria

Why should you take part FANTASTIC team builder and challenge for you to work together with friends and family to fundraise for the walk Help Stonewall raise vital funds to help put an end to homophobic bullying Walk with hundreds of like-minded supporters and enjoy a great day out Celebrate with Stonewall on their 25th Anniversary year

‘Friend of Respect’ and star of The Voice UK, Thriller Live and Cleopatra ‘Cleo Higgins’ sent us this pic of her shopping in her local Co-op Food store.

Thanks Cleo! #Respect

Last year Stonewall raised £75,000 that helped to produce Stonewall’s film ‘FREE’ that will be going to every primary school in Britain. The film shows young people the importance of being yourself and that

difference is something to be celebrated. Money raised this year will go to their new campaign – Gay. Let’s Get the Meaning Straight – which aims to tackle the issue of homophobic language in schools.

Equality Walk facts!

The walk is on Sunday 11 May, starting at 12pm and ending at 7pm 10k walk around Brighton on a (hopefully) sunny Sunday afternoon that starts and ends at the beautiful Pavilion Gardens The registration fee is just £10 per person which covers the costs of the event and a goody bag They have a fundraising pack jammed full of ideas on how to raise sponsorship!

18 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Most important fact!

To register please go to www.equalitywalk.org.uk /how-to-register/ You can register as an individual or a team. Be part of the team by giving the same team name during the registration process.

Drop us an email at respectLGBT@cooperative.coop if you would like to join our Respect walkers on the day. Everyone is welcome!

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Come and join us on Stonewall’s 25th Anniversary for our Brighton Equality Walk on Sunday 11 May. Money raised from the 10K walk, kindly supported by American ExpressŽ, will help us tackle homophobic language and bullying. With your support we really can make a difference.

19 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Reg. charity number 1101255

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 Twenty years after Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his role in “Philadelphia”, Matthew McConaughey has also been awarded the Best Actor accolade for another HIV related movie “Dallas

Part of me believes (and in a strange way hopes) that one of the main reasons we don’t see as many modern storylines and characters is that they would be quite dull, most people now live a normal

Buyers Club”, and whilst it’s great to see that a movie with a HIV/AIDS plotline is getting a lot of press and potentially creating a lot of awareness about the virus, the film, like so many others about

life, as normal and boring as their family, friends and neighbours.

HIV, focuses on the past and a very different situation compared to how m a ny p e o p l e w h o l i ve w i t h H I V experience life today.

positive light, showing how times have changed and allowing the public to see that it is no longer a death sentence. It’s only by people being educated about the virus that we can hope to reduce the

Many films, dramas and documentaries focus on the early years of the virus, the 80s and first half of the 90s. There are a lot of stories to tell and it’s important we document and revisit history ensuring that

ignorance and stigma that many HIV positive people still face on a daily basis.

The Emmerdale storyline also reminds us that people can be impacted by HIV at any age, it’s not enough to demand an

these events are made known to future generations. However, we cannot continue to complain that people still fear the virus and hold onto their stigma if they aren’t educated on how far the fight

i n c re a s e i n s ex a n d re l a t i o n s h i p education including HIV information.

Wo r k i n g p e o p l e a n d t h e o l d e r generations also need to be targeted and soaps, dramas and films are more

against the virus has come.

That’s the main reason why I am proud of Emmerdale for taking the decision to create Val’s HIV storyline. We now know that Val has tested HIV positive and we’re starting to see her deal with the virus, like many of us have done. It’s equally encouraging that she currently has the support of her partner Eric.

However, it would still be great to see more programming featuring HIV in a

Lights, camera, action

By Alex Sparrowhawk Respect member

likely to reach out to more of these demographics than many awareness campaigns or promotions.

www.alexsparrowhawk.com @birdy_tweet

It’s not just beneficial to have modern storylines and characters dealing with HIV. Being able to relate to the storylines can bring comfort and a sense of understanding to men and women living with the virus. Just watching one of the recent episodes of Emmerdale has reminded me so much of my own diagnosis, getting drunk to try and forget/ ignore the situation, freaking out about bleeding for the first time and refusing to seek help from a counsellor… …and it also reminds me how much I have grown in confidence and defiance that I won’t let HIV stop me being ‘Alex’ or achieving anything that I want.

Oscar winning performances: Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey in the hugely successful movie ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ 20 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

THE DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW FEAT. SELFIES AND STAY OUT

NINANESBITTMUSIC.COM

21 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Respect Interview

16 years after she captured the hearts of the nation by appearing in TV show ‘The Cruise’

Jane McDonald is back with a show stopping new album and nationwide tour Interview by Thomas Anderson

You must be very excited about the release of your new album ‘The Singer of Your Song’?

It’s gone mad. It is very exciting to be releasing a new album. It’s always nerve-wracking though. I am always thinking ‘do people really want it?’.

What can we expect from the album?

It’s an album that is good to pop on if you’re feeling down. There’s lots of classic songs on there. It has a real classic sound. If I was twenty years younger I couldn’t have recorded this album. Lots of the songs are about reflection and looking back.

‘Love Is All’ is a real fan favourite and features on the album. I stuck it at the end of the set on my tour last year and the fans went ballistic for it. I’m slightly different to other acts that I have been

doing this for so many years. I play to my fans and give them what they want. If they like me singing a certain song, I’ll record it.

“I wrote the song for those that mean the world to me, my fans. I’m the singer of their songs. I do it for them.”

And you worked with the legendary producer Nigel Wright on the album too 22 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

I did indeed. I went to Prague to record the album with Nigel Wright and the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. That doesn’t happen everyday! People of that calibre makes me raise my game. Nigel works with lots of top acts. He brought lots of emotions and vulnerability out of me.

You have written the title track for the album ‘Singer of Your Song’ too. How did that come about?

I’ve written a whole lot of songs in the past and do a medley at the end of my shows. This song came about when it was Winter, I got the fire burning, Ed was away and I had solace. I wrote the song for those that mean the world to me, my fans. I’m the singer of their songs. I do it for them. I want my fans to feel fulfilled when they leave my show or listen to my album.

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 Are there any current acts you’d

How is promoting an album in 2014

love to collaborate with?

different to when you released your

I love The Overtones. I love the band. They have the full package. They’re all

debut album in 1998?

Back then we had Woolworths and they were a massive seller of albums and were our biggest buyer. When they collapsed it

gorgeous. I have a lot of respect for them as entertainers too.

was a real tipping point. They are a big loss.

I’d say 75% of my fan-base want a physical copy of an album in their hands. It’s a very different market now. Thankfully, I’m a

“I’ve always been an old fashioned type. Mystique is more!”

touring artist - it’s taken sixteen years to get to this point.

Today there is a very quick turnover of acts in the industry. You’re a star for a few years and then you’re gone.

Social media has really taken off and you have an impressive

You’ve had three Top10 UK albums,

73,000+ Twitter followers. What are your thoughts on this new

including a double platinum No1

platform to reach your fans?

positions to you?

debut. How important are chart

I never imagined I’d get that much interest with people wanting to know where you are and what you’re doing.

Previously TV advertising was the main way you would promote your album, and that’s

I don’t give a monkey. I don’t know half the people in the charts these days. After lots of chart success it’s now about getting my music to my fans and not fighting for shelf space.

expensive. It was more difficult to reach people, and lots may have missed it. Twitter is very instant and you can reach your fans very quickly.

I don’t give too much away about my private life. You can be personable without giving too much away. On ‘Loose Women’ I gave enough away without really giving anything away.

I don’t tweet about what I’m doing day to day. I’ve always been an old fashioned type. Mystique is more!

How do you deal with negative feedback?

I live in a bubble where everything is perfect and pink. I don’t want to know if people think I’m rubbish. It’s their prerogative though. If someone at one of my shows looks really miserable, that’s what I focus on. You do don’t you. You never know what has happened in their day, it may have been a bad one.

Being an artist I am very insecure. If I’d have taken notice of the amount of bad press at the beginning of my career, I would have given up. It’s more healthy to focus on the positives.

You have your fingers in lots of pies. What’s your focus for 2014?

The focus for me this year in absolutely my

“I am very proud to have a big LGBT following. If I knew why I had such as strong and loyal following I’d bottle it and sell it. I am very grateful.”

23 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

music. I’m a Yorkshire lass and when I came off the TV show (The Cruise) I took every offer of work that was offered to me in case it all stopped. I thought I would have got no more than five years of work from the show, that was the norm at the time. And sixteen years on, I’m still here.

I don’t want to spread myself too thin like I have in the past. My focus has to be my music this year.

Can you let us in on any secrets?

I’m currently working on a dance album.

People go out and want to dance. At my concerts people are waiting for the first opportunity to get up and dance.

My team put a request out there to find out the songs that my fans loved the most and ‘Ain’t no mountain high enough’ came out top. It may go back in to my setlist.

Watch this space!

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 You have a UK tour coming up , with over 30 dates announced so far. What can we expect from the tour?

The tour is camper than ever before.

There’s lots of big songs and glam outfits (with lots of Swarovski crystals).

In my setlist I do a tribute to Donna Summer with ‘Macarthur Park’ - that is so hard to sing - and ‘Last Dance’. There’s also a big James Bond tribute that I’ve brought up to date by including ‘Skyfall’ by Adele. After a quick costume change at the end of the show (after ‘You’re My World’) there’s a fab disco medley that includes lots of classics including ‘You Make Me Feel Mighty Real’. It’s the campest thing you’ve ever seen.

At the shows you can come and have a cry, a laugh, a bit of both. You can express every emotion through the songs. It’s like therapy. Check out my website for all the dates - www.jane-mcdonald.com

Jane and her ‘Loose Women’ colleagues Jane in her ‘The Cruise’ days.

Does anyone remember the classic ‘Cruise Into Christmas’ Top of The Pops appearance?

What part of showbiz life do you least enjoy?

The packing and unpacking is a nightmare.

I spend about 50% of my time traveling and I’ve always got to think ahead. I’m thinking, ‘I have three shows on TV, a tour, dinner with x after the show, that, that and that..’, it’s a nightmare. And then you’ve got the jewellery and makeup. I need a wheelbarrow for all my makeup. I do like to look glam!

You have a large gay following. Are you aware of this, and why do you think this is?

I am absolutely aware of it. I am very proud to have a big LGBT following. If I knew why I had such as strong and loyal following I’d bottle it and sell it. I am very grateful.

When I think of why I have a big LGBT following I can only think it’s because not many people put on shows like me. All of my outfits are courtured and we really put on a show. In the show it may all come across as common, but it’s all rehearsed.

Lot’s of work goes in to it.

Also, I’ve had a bit of tragedy in my life and I sing from the heart. I think my fans connect with this.

Jane McDonald

‘The Singer of Your So ng’ out now

Buy it direct from her website at www.jane-mcdonald.co m or from Amazon Follow Jane on Twitte r @TheJaneMcDonald

24 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

UPLIFTING Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

25 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

The Beat of Gay UK FM | DAB | ONLINE

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Meet the Steering Group We introduce you to

Joe Chapman Operations Trainer at The Co-operative Food, Respect’s Communications Coordinator and award winning dancer You’ve been a member of the Respect Steering

What other opportunities do you think there are

Group for a few months now. What have you

for us to engage with more LGBT charities and

been getting up to so far?

community groups in the Bristol area?

Along with my colleague in the South West, Lindsay Robinson, we have begun raising awareness of the RESPECT network around food stores and colleagues

Bristol has many charities, youth groups and support groups which we could get involved with. I am really keen to get involved with some of these groups, not only to raise

within logistics and field teams. We have also been in conversation with Bristol Pride 2014, where we will be supporting the event itself and providing support with some of the organisation. Lots going on, but we honestly love everything we have been involved with so far.

awareness of RESPECT, but to also give a me a chance to give something back. I would like to support LGBT people within the area.

And you’ve really started to get more

levels of the business shows

engagement going in the Bristol area going too we hear?

We have yes, raising awareness with lots of colleagues and friends. We will be going one step further by asking all the stores in Bristol & surrounding areas to support IDAHO day on Saturday 17th May.

The Co-operative has supported Bristol Pride for a number of years now. How important do you think this support is to the event, our employees and customers?

To the event it is huge, as it means they have support from a major UK business and one who is recognised as a top diverse employer/society. To our employees it allows them to support an event which their own business is recognising and gives them a sense of “pride” to know they work for such a friendly employer to everyone from all walks of life.

And to our customers, it shows them we are an open minded business and accepting of everyone regardless of their differences, which in today’s society is vitally important.

“Having members from all the network is supported by everyone” What made you want to join the Respect network Steering Group?

I wanted to join RESPECT because I knew about it, but lots of my colleagues didn’t. So becoming a member allows me to spread the word about the work the network does and engage our colleagues.

Our Steering Group has members from all levels in the business and from all over the UK. How important do you think this is?

Extremely important! Having members from all levels of the business shows the network is supported by everyone, and contributes a real difference to the success of the business.

It clearly allows us to be taken seriously as a business network and I think contributes to the success of the network and the awards it has won.

26 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 How important is it to you that The Co-operative is so visible in our support of LGBT events, charities and initiatives?

Again, to me it shows the business takes things seriously. It’s easy to say they are LGBT friendly, but at the Co-operative, they act on their statements and actively supports the networks activity.

Have you heard any feedback from our customers about what this support means to them?

I have yes. Only recently a customer told me how proud she was that the business supports the network and its work.

She said it shows how modern The Co-operative actually is!

We have lots planned in the communication workstream. What do you think the added challenges are to our store based employees and members engaging with and becoming aware of the network?

I think the main challenge is the technology used in our branches. Lots of colleagues in branch don’t have access to email or the intranet etc.

How do you think we can overcome these?

Word of mouth and back to basics communication in branch. Such as more posters, leaflets and payslip notices!

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

I enjoy socialising with my family and friends, eating out and exercising! I love Twitter and all things celebrity, and love taking part in events for charity. Most recently I have taken up dancing! I was lucky enough to start training on 4th January for Strictly Come Dancing – Bristol, in aid of St Peter’s Hospice, Bristol’s only adult hospice. I learnt to Cha Cha & Tango for a competition which took place on 2nd March. My partner Jenny and I went on to win the competition!! We were very proud, as we had worked so hard!

“I learnt to Cha Cha & Tango for a competition which took place on 2nd March. My partner Jenny and I went on to win the competition!”

Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeChapman87 27 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Event

Northern Pride brings you their Easter Fun Day

The photo’s of the winners of your ‘Respect ‘Loved By You’ Awards’ keep coming in and we think it would be rude not to share them.

Big t hanks again t o ever yone t hat nominated and congrats once again to all your winners.

They’re holding their awareness raising and fundraising event on Saturday 12th April between 11am

The planning for the 2014 ‘Loved By You’ Awards has already started, so watch this

and 2pm at Jury’s Inn, Gateshead Quays

space. How do we top last years that received almost 9,000 nominations, reached over 13 million people, and we got a tweet from Stephen Fry. We’ll be doing our very best for sure! #LovedByYou2014

The Rainbow Intersection Ade Adeniji & Bisi Alimi celebrate ‘The Rainbow Intersection’ being named winner of ‘Inclusive Event of the Year’. Well done!

There will be fun Easter activities for kids and their parents, carers, guardians, family and friends.

There’ll be a raffle, face painting, arts & crafts and lots of other Easter themed activities.

Team DIVA Jane Czyzselska, Editor of DIVA, and the rest of the DIVA team holding their certificate after being named winner of ‘National LGBT Magazine of the Year’ See all your ‘Loved By You’ award winners at www.co-operative.coop/corporate/RespectLGBT/Loved-by-You-Awards-2013/

There’ll also be an opportunity for you to meet the Northern Pride ‘Family Zone’ team. Let them know what you’d like to see at future Northern Pride events.

Find out more at www.northern-pride.com 28 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Respect does Belfast Simon and Amelia both went to school together in Belfast.

Here they let us know more about the beautiful city Belfast has undergone a lot of regeneration over the last few years and is now one of the major tourist destinations in the UK, with the capital hosting more than 7 million visitors every year. This would have been unthinkable 20 or 30 years ago when the city's streets played host to riots and political unrest. Today though, Belfast is a vibrant and lively city, rich with history, and with lots to see and do.

The Cathedral Quarter Centred around St. Anne's Cathedral, which is easily recognisable by its 40 metre high stainless steel spire. The Cathedral Quarter is situated right in the middle of Belfast and is fast becoming the cultural and social heart of the city, with many bars, restaurants and cultural venues opening their doors there.

Culture vultures should start their visit to The Cathedral Quarter with a visit to The MAC, a music, theatre, dance and art venue. Opened in April 2012, it has already played host to an Andy Warhol exhibition, so definitely check out what's on when you're there.

If you get a bit peckish, why not head to McHugh’s, which offers modern Irish cuisine in a traditional setting. Or if it's a special occasion, go to The Merchant, one of Belfast’s five star hotels. Home

from home for many celebrities when they visit Belfast, this grade a listed Victorian building is the ideal venue for lunch, dinner or even afternoon tea. If you're really looking to splash out, why

Northern Ireland’s most well-known landmarks.

The Titanic Quarter is also home to Titanic Belfast. Opened in 2012, this architecturally stunning building

not treat yourself with The Merchant's famous Mai Tai. Made with an extremely rare bottle of rum, the cocktail has been certified as the world’s most expensive and will set you back an eye watering

resembles four ships’ bows and the exhibitions inside focus on the building of the Titanic and life in the shipyards of Belfast. This up and coming area is also home to Belfast’s budding film industry,

£750.

After dark, The Cathedral Quarter still has a lot to offer visitors and is host to most of Belfast's LGBT venues. If you want to drink and dance into the small hours,

with popular TV show Game of Thrones filmed at the nearby Titanic Studios.

head to Kremlin, the city’s only dedicated gay club. With two dance floors playing a mixture of pop and commercial dance music, it's sure to be a good night all round. If you are looking for something more subdued, pop into the Kremlin's sister venue, Union Street or one of the nearby LGBT friendly bars, The John Hewitt, The Spaniard, Maverick or The Northern Whig.

The Titanic Quarter The Titanic Quarter is Belfast's newest area and a shining example of just how far the city has come over the past few years. Home to, you guessed it, the dock where the Titanic was built, it is still home to Harland and Wolff, the company that built the world's most famous passenger liner. Harland and Wolff’s famous cranes, Samson and Delilah, are still one of 29 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Arriving in Belfast Belfast has two airports and is easily accessible from most cities in the UK. If you're looking to travel more widely in Northern Ireland or the Republic, you can catch a bus or a train from Central or Great Victoria Stations. For more information, visit www.translink.co.uk

Useful resources www.visit-belfast.com Belfast tourism website www.gaybelfast.net Find out more about Belfast’s LGBT scene www.rainbow-project.org The Rainbow Project is a health organisation that works to improve the physical, mental & emotional health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Northern Ireland

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 You’re new single ‘Start Again’

Have you received any negative

is getting a fantastic response

comments following you coming

with over 300,000 YouTube

out?

views in just over a week. You must be very happy?

None at all. I have had nothing but support, but I’m sure there will be people that won’t like it. You’ll always

I’m really happy with the positive reaction and the direction things are going. I wasn’t expecting things to go so well so quickly. Especially because of the subject matter of the song. Lots

get people like that though. I’ve received hundreds of messages of support. I am very thankful for this. It’s been really great.

of people seem to relate to it.

How was the reaction from your

“I feel a lot

family?

better now

gay was my older sister Melissa, this was when I was 13 or 14 years old. I needed to talk to someone. When I was 17 I told my mother I was gay and then when I was 24 I told my father. I

My family have been really supportive.The first person I told I was

because I can

dragged it out a bit you could say.

be myself.”

What is the message in the song ‘Start Again’?

I wrote the song as my family had known for many years that I was gay and I wanted to now be open about my sexuality with my fans too. It’s about self acceptance and me accepting myself. I’m really proud of the song.

It’s out now to download on iTunes in the UK for those that are interested in hearing more.

Did you worry about what people would think of you after coming out as gay?

Yes, I suppose I did. It was a big decision for me to come out to my fans.

All my fans have really got behind me and their reaction to me hasn’t changed which is great. I feel a lot better now because I can be myself.

Why was there such a big delay with telling your father?

RYAN DOLAN Interview by Thomas Anderson

Ryan represented Ireland at Eurovision in 2013 with his song ‘Only Love Survives’. Since then he has released his debut EP ‘Frequency’, played concerts all over the world and in February he announced he was gay.

The reaction to his new single ‘Start Again’ has been amazing and the video for the song has gone viral with over 450,000 views already.

Here Ryan talks coming out to his family, being a role model and what the gay scene is like in Ireland.

I was afraid to tell him. I was thinking he is a real mans man and he wouldn’t take it well at all. I felt he wouldn’t like it. I had built these feelings up in my head over many years and they got worse and worse. I just didn’t know how he would take it.

How did your father react when you told him?

When I told him he took the news really well. It was a massive relief. Since then he has been fine with it.

We talk Eurovision and the future with Ryan in the next issue of ‘Respect’

Belfast Pride is pleased to announce that this year’s Belfast Pride Festival will run from Friday 25th July 2014 to Saturday 2nd August 2014, with the Belfast Pride Parade and Party in the Square on Saturday 2nd August 2014. Keep updated at www.belfastpride.com 30 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 Following you coming out, how

Who would your dream

do you feel about being

collaboration be?

I would LOVE to do a collaboration with Beyonce. She is my absolute

labelled a role model?

That is something I really wasn’t thinking about when I decided to come out and write ‘Start Again’. I didn’t

dream collaboration. I don’t have any current plans for any collaborations, so none in the pipeline.

think the song or its video would mean anything to anyone else. It does feel great though that lots of other people can relate to it. I didn’t think people would look at me as a role model

We love a live show. Do you have any gigs coming up?

I’ll hopefully be doing my own tour and the dates are coming in now. I will be playing lots of festivals, all types of festivals including Eurovision events as well as some Pride events. I’ll be

though. Hopefully me coming out can help other people in some way, and help them get through a tough time.

Ireland is famed for it’s big boybands like Boyzone and

putting all the dates on my website soon. See www.ryandolanofficial.com

Westlife. Did you ever think of

You’ve mentioned you’ll be

joining a boyband?

playing some Pride events this

Not really. When I was younger it’s something I may have thought about

Summer.

Can you tell us any more?

briefly but it’s not something I really thought about doing seriously. I am happy being on my own and it’s much more straight forward. There’s less hassle and no falling out with your

I can’t at the moment as they are still being finalised but I’ll be announcing them very soon. I love the Pride events and last year I performed at the Amsterdam and Stockholm Pride events. They were like carnivals and the weather was amazing.

Both Pride events had lots of

band mates. I enjoy being a solo act.

Is there an album in the pipeline?

Eurovision acts performing like Loreen, and even Agnetha from ABBA. Big lineups. They were so good.

I’m working on the album at the moment and I hope to release it by the end of the year. Alongside the ‘album’ I’m also working on lots of dance tracks, similar to ‘Only Love Survives’, the song I performed at Eurovision last year. In a few months I’ll be releasing

Do you ever go out on the gay scene?

The town where I’m from in Ireland, Strabane in County Tyrone, is very small and there isn’t a gay scene. In the bigger cities like Belfast and Dublin there’s a few gay bars and clubs that

this music as an EP. Last year I released an eight track EP of dance music called ‘Frequency’ that’s available to download on iTunes now.

Go and check it out!

I’ve been to. They’re always good fun and people are always up for a laugh.

Start Again is out now to download on iTunes Follow Ryan on Twitter @ryandolanmusic 31 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

The Village Bakers

education of non-traditional sexual

have hosted and was well received

support our LGBT brothers & sisters in

relationships to minors. At a time of

with fantastic efforts from the

Russia hosting the Winter Olympics and increased publicity over Russia,

members. The group was overwhelmed by the amazing

it’s a relevant time to bring this to our attention. Part of the Olympic

contributions and great lengths people had gone to. Contributions

Charter encourages equal human

ranged from Russian Teacakes to

rights amongst all participating and watching so incredibly important that

‘White Russian’ cakes and various Winter Olympic inspired

this is brought to our attention. The Village Bakers helped the solidarity

contributions.

Russia Manchester’s Village Bakers braved the wind, rain and notorious British winter weather on Friday 7th Feb to make an effort to join the LGBT

cause by showing ‘hands of

Manchester community in support of the LGBT Russian community. The

solidarity’ which promoted our connections to other LGBT

event was followed by a Russian and

communities across the world including Russia.

Winter Olympics inspired meeting on Sunday 9th Feb at The Molly House sharing members themed contributions with the group.

Many keen Village Bakers including Chairman Kevin Sargent among

The evening consisted of many enjoyable games including an icecream race which were very popular and well received. The group did well as a team and finished in 3rd

The Village bakers have a simple aim to Bake it! Bring it! Share it! within Manchester’s Gay Village.

many others made the effort to support many other Manchester

place.

LGBT groups within Manchester

The Russian themed meeting on Sunday 9th Feb was the first themed

Sunday of each month at 1pm at The Molly House, Richmond

baking meeting The Village Bakers

Street, Manchester.

against Russia’s latest anti-gay propaganda laws banning the

The group meets every second

‘Friend of Respect’ John Whaite bakes again and releases his second book John Whaite, winner of the 2012 Great British Bake Off, bakes everywhere he goes - at food festivals, as a guest on the nation's top cookery shows, at Le Cordon Bleu school where he is perfecting his craft and as teacher at his new cookery school. Yet his favourite place to bake is still at home, creating delicious treats and feasts for his family and friends.

In John Whaite Bakes At Home, John shares with us those recipes he saves for his nearest and dearest. The lunches, brunches and afternoon teas he whips up when his parents come to visit, the indulgent sweet bakes and savoury

pizzas he has waiting when his friends come to stay, and the picnics, confectionery and special occasion cakes he prepares for, and with, his nieces and nephews.

So whether you want a birthday cake to impress or a comfort food feast to welcome the whole family, if you're after straightforward homemade recipes with a modern twist, this is the book for you.

John Whaite is the winner of BBC 2's The Great British Bake Off, 2012. He has been a keen baker and cook since he was a tiny tot, when he would spend many hours in the kitchen with his mum.

32 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

From banking to baking, after winning the Bake Off John was able to give up his day job as a city commercial banker to focus on the one thing he is truly obsessed with: food. He is now fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams, attending Le Cordon Bleu in London to study the ninemonth patisserie diploma.

John Whaite Bakes At Home will be published by Headline Books on 27th March @JohnWhaiteBakes

JOHN WHAITE BAKES

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

E OV

R 120 RECIPE

S

WINNER OF BBC2’S THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF

NEW! OUT 27 TH MARCH BAKE FOR EVERY OCCASION WITH THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF WINNER JOHN WHAITE 33 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Interview

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Respect ‘Loved By You’ Award winner Rosie Garland lets us know more about her award winning book ‘The Palace of Curiosities’ and she introduces us to her new book ‘Vixen’ Big congratulations on ‘The Palace of Curiosities’ being named ‘Book of the Year’ in our 2013 ‘Respect Loved by You Awards’. How did it feel to be named the winner in the public vote?

This news is, quite simply, breathtaking. I’ve spent years (and years) listening to publishers telling me that no-one could possibly want to read my writing. This wonderful award shows that folk have read and loved my novel – and took the time to say so. It’s a dream come true after a bumpy and at times demoralising ride, with many rejections. It means the world to me.

We’d love to know more about the book.

The Palace of Curiosities is set in an early Victorian sideshow. It’s told

through the eyes of Eve, The LionFaced Girl, who is a young woman entirely covered in hair. Her tale is interwoven with that of Abel, who is also very strange indeed - although that’s not obvious at the start…

The novel explores what it’s like to live on the boundaries of what is perceived as human, what it means to be an outsider, the struggle to remember and hang onto who and what we are, and just how important that is.

And it wasn’t all plain sailing for you to get the book on the shelves we hear? Any advice for aspiring authors?

Getting published certainly hasn’t fallen into my lap! Here’s the short version: I was with a reputable London agency for twelve years, and produced four novels. But however hard I tried (and I did try), 34 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

nothing seemed good enough.

Twelve years of can-you-make-itmore? Can-you-make-it-less?

My confidence hit rock bottom. I was on the verge of jacking it all in when, for a final fling, I entered the Mslexia Novel Competition. I won, out of 2000 entries. Within a week I had an enthusiastic new agent.

Within a fortnight I was at the heart of a bidding war involving seven publishers. The result was a 2-book deal with HarperCollins UK. I thought fairy tales only came true for other people…

As for tips: Keep going, especially when it’s tough. Someone out there loves your work – but they need to see it. So get it out there. Do it now.

>>>> More from Rosie

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

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4HE 0ALACE OF #URIOSITIES FOLLOWS THE FATES OF %VE @4HE ,ION &ACED 'IRL AND !BEL @4HE &LAYED -AN WHO SOAR TO FAME AS PERFORMERS IN 0ROFESSOR *OSIAH !RRONER S @0ALACE OF #URIOSITIES 3ET IN 6ICTORIAN ,ONDON THIS LUMINOUS AND BEWITCHING DEBUT IS A PROFOUND LOVE STORY LURKING IN THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT IS PERCEIVED AS HUMAN 2OSIE 'ARLAND S SECOND NOVEL 6IXEN WILL BE PUBLISHED BY 4HE "OROUGH 0RESS IN *UNE

35 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 How did it feel to finally see it on the shelves (and in digital format)?

Fantastic and surreal – it’s the same words in the same order, yet a year previously I couldn’t get it through the door of a single publisher.

A couple of years ago, when I was at my lowest point, a friend dragged me into a bookshop. He hauled me to ‘G’ in Fiction, cleared a little space on the shelf and said ‘that’s where your novel is going to be’. And kazam! There it is.

Print, digital, carved on wax tablets, I don’t care. Anything that gets people reading is all right with me.

keeper) the positive response has been breathtaking.

I’ve had some amazing reviews.

Sarah Waters called it “a jewel-box of a novel, with page after page, scene after scene, layer after layer of treats and surprises. Garland is a real literary talent.” And Suzi Feay says it’s “a fabulously strange historical debut… a romp filled with sheer, demented fun.” Wow!

Do you think it’s important that the characters in books are representative of society and include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters?

“My fiction is about people who won’t (or can’t) squeeze into the one-size-fits-all templates on offer and the friction that occurs when they try.”

It’s vital! My fiction is about people who won’t (or can’t) squeeze into the one-size-fits-all templates on offer and the friction that occurs when they try. I know this comes from having always been an outsider myself.

What’s been the reaction to the book?

Yes! I have a cough-sweet tin filled with miniature books I created for my dolls, and wrote my first novel aged nine - a thrilling adventure involving super-heroines, spaceships and voracious sharks. With pictures.

Considering that it’s anything BUT a fluffy mainstream read (as well as two strange protagonists there’s murder, violence, queer / kinky sex plus a lion that gets revenge on its

I’m not doing all of that you can find me performing twisted cabaret as Rosie Lugosi the Vampire Queen.

Why yes, Evadne, I do have a website. www.rosiegarland.com

Who do you look up to and admire the work of?

I could go on for hours, and fill this entire magazine. In fact, I’m taken aback when someone who professes to be a writer says they don’t read. To me, reading is the bedrock of being a writer.

I devour non-fiction, especially the history of science and medicine. But I have pretty eclectic tastes – maybe it’s easiest if I say what is currently on my bedside table: Ann Tyler’s Saint Maybe, a history of the Suffragettes, Mansfield Park, a book about ossuaries and Tove Jansson’s Tales from Moominvalley.

And I’ve not even started on music… or films…

But my characters are not token weirdoes, their sexuality reduced to some clunky plot device (ring any bells?). Nor have I any desire to preach (memories of being forced to sit through church sermons as a child). ‘Palace’ is not a diatribe. It’s a novel, and a novelist should just get on and tell the damn story.

We’d love to know more about you. Have you always been a writer?

I’m also a poet, and sing in post-punk gothic band The March Violets. When 36 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Rosie’s award winning book ‘The Palace of Curiosities’ is out now.

Her new book ‘Vixen’ is published on June 19th. Find out more about the book on the next page.

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 And you have another book coming out in June. Can you tell us more about ‘Vixen’?

Yes, ‘Vixen’ is out on June 19th. It’s set in an isolated Devon village in 1349, the Black Death spreading across the land. After a terrible storm, a mysterious young woman appears out of the marshes and turns the lives of the villagers upside down.

It’s about superstition and fear, about what goes wrong when people refuse to see what’s right in front of them, and what we cling to when the world’s falling apart. Oh, and a surprising love story too.

Are there any similarities between ‘Vixen’ and ‘The Palace of Curiosities’?

I’ve been asked numerous times if I’m writing a sequel to ‘Palace’. I take it as a huge compliment: people loved the book and wanted to read more. Sure, ‘Vixen’ explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and what it means to be outside society – but it’s a completely different story.

Which is kinda nerve-wracking.

Here’s a confession: I have this nasty, sniping voice in my head.

Currently, it’s whispering, “They loved ‘The Palace of Curiosities’. So? You got lucky. They are going to hate ‘Vixen’ because it’s not the same.” I know so many creative people who have similar selfdoubts…

Do you have any book readings planned to launch the new book?

I’m currently finalising dates for a book tour, readings at festivals around the UK and further, even.

Plus, The March Violets are touring Europe and the USA with our new album ‘Made Glorious’. 2014 is shaping up to be an exciting year…

Check my website for updates!

“I can’t begin to express how outraged I am at funding cuts. I’m fed up with the lie that libraries aren’t needed ‘because everything’s digital’. Rubbish.”

How important do you think public libraries are in 2014 and beyond?

I can’t begin to express how outraged I am at funding cuts. I’m fed up with the lie that libraries aren’t needed ‘because everything’s digital’. Rubbish. The kind of people who believe that probably believe that ‘the battles have all been won’ in terms of LGBT rights, too…

My folks couldn’t afford many books, but loved reading. Visiting the library was an important part of my childhood. New books every week!

Reading provided escape and hope for the weird kid with no friends (me). Books kept me sane - if I could just hold on, one day I’d escape and find people like me. I did.

37 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

A bit more about Rosie Born in London to a runaway teenager, Rosie has always been a cuckoo in the nest. She's an eclectic writer and performer, ranging from singing in postpunk gothic band The March Violets, through touring with the Subversive Stitch exhibition in the 90s to her alter-ego Rosie Lugosi the Vampire Queen, cabaret chanteuse and mistress of ceremonies.

She has published five solo collections of poetry and her award-winning short stories, poems and essays have been widely anthologized. She is winner of the DaDa Award for Performance Artist of the Year and a Poetry Award from the People's Café, New York. She also won the Mslexia Novel competition in 2012 and her debut novel 'The Palace of Curiosities'.

Find out more about Rosie @rosieauthor www.rosiegarland.com

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Big #Respect thanks to all of our ‘Friends of Respect’ that joined us in our #SSHHI campaign to support our LGBT brothers and sisters in Russia inspired by Pride House Manchester. The fight in Russia doesn’t end there though. We’ll be announcing our next campaign very soon.

38 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

A FIRST CLASS FUNDRAISER

Manchester Pride

Su ersonic CHARITY

EVENING

Friday 11th April 2014, from 7pm Concorde Hangar, Manchester Airport

Booking and info: manchesterpride.com/supersonic Raising money for LGBT and HIV charities and organisations in Greater Manchester

manchesterpride #supersonic 39 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Company number: 4671318. Registered charity number: 1117848

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Rainbow Trike Tours are a fairly new unique LGBTQ friendly business. Sue and Sarah met on the biking scene and six years later they are now happily married. They have three wonderful sons, two dogs, a mad cat and a crazy ferret! When they are not working they love to spend time in their garden together, visiting friends and walking the dogs in the beautiful countryside.

Sarah has come from a social work background which then led her into funeral arranging for The Co-operative Funeralcare in Chester and Sue was a large goods vehicle driver, assessor and instructor. Here they let us all know more about Rainbow Trike Tours.

We’ve been hearing lots of people talking about Rainbow Trike Tours recently. For those that may not know too much about you, could you please tell us more Our initial business plan primarily focussed on local tourism and specialist chauffeur services. It was not our original intention to openly support our LGBTQ community to the extent that we do today. This is something that naturally developed and we are now extremely passionate and proud of.

The motorcycle trike is actually a bespoke purpose built vehicle using a 1600cc Volkswagen Beetle car engine. It certainly turns heads every time we are out and is a fantastic way to travel, as you actually feel like you can touch the scenery on our exhilarating tours.

We have recently rebuilt our website www.rainbowtriketours.co.uk and you can find details of all our services and tours here. If you would like something a little bit different, we are always happy to discuss new ideas with you so please get in touch. Our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ rainbowtriketours is very active and updated regularly with new photographs of tours and events we have been involved with.

You can also get in touch with us through our two Twitter accounts @RainbowTrikes and @RainbowTrikeGal There are

several other social media accounts for Rainbow Trike Tours and all the links to these are available from our website.

A trip on the Rainbow Trike is one of the most memorable experiences you can have, it’s a memory, not just a journey!

One of our most mature customers was 85 years old and we have also taken very young children when accompanied by a responsible adult. Charity work has included working with Flintshire Deaf Children’s Society and the MS Support Centre where we were able to take several wheelchair users on the Rainbow Trike. The feedback from this particular event was overwhelming, we heard comments like “I will carry this memory for the rest of my life”, it was an honour to enable people to be able to use the trike in this way.

Where did the idea come from?

The idea of Rainbow Trike Tours came about from Sue’s passion for riding her motorcycle trike for many years. We both came from motorcycle backgrounds and have both owned and ridden motorbikes for a number of years. Sue was regularly asked by friends to give lifts to parties on the trike and was even asked to use the trike at a wedding for the groom and best man to arrive in style. Having a business mind, Sue set about drawing up a business plan and researching the feasibility of turning this into a real business.

40 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 What type of events have you worked at and supported?

Rainbow Trike Tours has supported several local charity and community groups, ie Flintshire Deaf Children’s Society, Adoption Matters Northwest, Shotton Steel RFC, various Prides, Deeside Radio, Lachie FM Community Radio, MS Support Centre, Pride House Manchester and many others, offering chauffeur services, photographs on the trike and giving away raffle prizes to support the charities.

More recently we took part in the global Uprising of Love movement and joined LGBT activists Melissa Etheridge, Dustin Lance Black and Bruce Cohen in a discussion around supporting LGBT issues in Russia. You can view the discussion here: https:// plus.google.com/events/c8dc8t5vpn5pahhp9u2tirk2u2g We are very excited to say that Melissa Etheridge acknowledged who we are during this discussion, as she is a rock idol of ours, this was truly mind blowing for both of us! Following the discussion Melissa, Lance and even Tom Daley now follow us and occasionally retweet.

What is the reaction from the public like when you roar up to an event or celebration?

You only need to sit on the back of the trike to see the crowd’s reaction to the approaching vehicle. People regularly shout at us as we go past “cool, awesome, WOW” and throwing us the rock sign! The Rainbow Trike really makes an impact and surely means business at any event. With the roar of the engine and it’s unique looks it really is impossible to ignore.

You’re both in a relationship with each other too.

What’s it like working with each other on a professional level?

support others on what was a very cold night and very moving event. We had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Misty Chance who took to the trike like a duck to water! She loved being chauffeured around Manchester’s gay village at the front of the parade and has become a fan of the Rainbow Trike. We certainly feel that the event attracted more attention on the night of the parade due to the roar of the engine and the excitement of the crowds who joined us.

What’s next for Rainbow Trike Tours?

We are really looking forward to a fantastic summer, meeting lots of new and diverse customers. Our Chester City Tour is hugely popular and we have already taken many bookings for the forthcoming season. This popular and historic tour has inspired us to provide a better service to customers, and we are now looking into making links with local hotels and BnB’s in order to offer a complete package for visitors to Chester.

Our wedding packages are now all online on our website www.rainbowtriketours.co.uk and we will be looking to tailor these packages to suit our customers individual needs. If you would like to discuss any of these packages, please email us info@rainbowtriketours.co.uk We have already been approached by other Pride events asking us to chauffeur hosts and acts in their parades and we are looking to discuss this further and see how we can continue to support Prides around the UK. In fact, we are interested in supporting any other LGBTQ friendly events that would like to work with us.

As we are now on the Chester Pride Committee. We have dedicated a substantial amount of time to help promote this fabulous event through social networking, face to face meetings and monthly fundraisers.

Working together as life and business partners is fabulous! As we are such a small family run business, we both have certain aspects of the business that we each focus on and have our own strengths in. We are supported by many friends who are also in business too and use informal networking sessions to brainstorm ideas. We also meet with local business owners to discuss the

Most of all, we want to continue to create positive memories for all our customers and network within the LGBTQ community. We hope we will see you soon.

possibilities of working together and supporting each other in this tough financial environment.

We spotted you at the ‘Pride House Manchester’ launch where you lead the same sex hand holding parade. How was that experience?

Pride House Manchester approached us a few weeks before their event and asked us if we would be willing to head up the parade.

It was, of course, an absolute honour to be asked to open this ceremony and we jumped at the chance to get involved. During the run up to the event, we worked really hard to promote the event via our social media pages and encouraged everyone to join us. The atmosphere on the night of the parade was out of this world, a true feeling of a community coming together to 41 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Find out more: www.rainbowtriketours.co.uk @RainbowTrikes

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

Wobble Me, Wobble You

Street has become the latest word of mouth

up and this will mean an even stronger vibration

sensation for many owing to the innovative and hassle-free programmes offered. As this article goes to print the studio

will be felt. To ensure you aren’t wobbled to the floor you hold onto a bar in front attached to the machine the entire

recently added Zumba classes to their offer and they are now also branching out into beauty with the introduction of a

session, not too dissimilar to the handle bars on a bike. I did look around when I was on the machine, and there was

By Will O’Regan

nail technician to the business.

I went along to the studio after work recently, still

another girl, who was clearly a regular and she was wobbling away to her hearts content behind me. All of a sudden the

in my work clothes. All I had to do was fill out a form, just to ensure I didn’t have any medical conditions that would

10 minutes were over. I hadn’t broken a sweat; I felt a little tingle all over and had quite liked the experience. I put my

rule me out and my first session was free. I passed the medical check list and Rachel of “team wobble” showed

shoes back on and as I did I read the testimonials all over the studio walls. They spoke for themselves, boasting

me to machine. It’s all very straightforward. The machine is free standing and you have to take your shoes off. I stood on it

of inch loss and weightloss aided by the use of this system.

with my legs spaced apart as advised to ensure I balanced out my whole frame. Then to get the machine going it was

enjoyed it – the first session is free and the monthly membership which gives unlimited wobbles costs just £30.

simply a case of pressing the start button and all of a sudden I could feel the vibrations coming up from the ground and right

It’s similar to a gym membership but without getting all hot and sweaty. Why not try it for yourself?

Who wouldn’t want to try a new way of toning up which doesn’t require breaking a sweat? When it was suggested I would go along to a Manchester Northern Quarter location and wobble I have to say I was pretty sure someone was pulling my leg. Of course that wasn’t the case.

Wobbleyou’s “FLABéLOS” system is an ultimate whole body vibrate workout machine and a new way of toning without the need for gym.

In just 10 minutes!

Wobbleyou is run by “team wobble” made up of Rachel, Daniel and Matt. Daniel and Matt are a couple and with Rachel have established wobbleyou since its launch in 2012. They have showed their commitment to the LGBT community in Manchester with a discount offered through The Co-operative branded Canal-Street VIP cards giving card holders a special rate at the studio.

This LGBT owned and run business based on Dale

into my thighs, hips and torso. You are advised to flex your knees slightly to ensure it’s not too tough on the knees. It is a very funny feeling, the wobble.

You are not panicked, nothing like that. I personally felt fine from the off and got a slight

I have to say I really

For more go to www.wobbleyou.co.uk and by all means mention you saw this article in this issue of Respect.

case of the giggles. As the 10 minutes go by the intensity can be cranked 42 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

The Facebook Genderation

By Amelia Cargo From birth we are taught that there are two genders – male and female. You only need to walk into any high street children’s clothes shop for this to become clear. For boys, your options are blue, blue and blue and for girls, you can choose between pink,

it hopes that they will allow people to express themselves in a more ‘authentic’ way.

pink and more pink.

people with US English profile settings, but Facebook is currently working with advocacy groups in other countries to define terms that are relevant to them.

Except life isn’t as simple as that and just as with sexuality, some people fall between the two polar opposites of the gender spectrum or don’t want to put a label on their gender at all. And why should they have to? In a world, where people are slowly starting to understand the idea that peoples’ sexuality isn’t always easily defined, why can’t they feel the same about gender?

One company that’s getting the message is Facebook, which is now allowing users to customise their gender status, choosing between 50 options, including androgynous, transgender, transsexual and bi-gender. Additionally, users can now choose which pronoun they would like to be referred to by – he, she or they.

The social media giant worked with LGBT advocacy groups on the new options, which

Sam Dickinson is hitting the road with his acoustic tour

The settings are only currently available for

"There's going to be a lot of people for whom this is going to mean nothing, but for the few it does impact, it means the world," said Facebook engineer Brielle Harrison, who worked on the project and is herself a trans woman.

Although she may say that, when you look at the figures themselves, you can see the positive effect that this could have. It is estimated that 700,000 people in America identify as trans – the same as the number of people that live in Leeds! And that’s just the beginning. For those people, the ones that fall outside the gender binary, just to be able to tick that box will mean the world of difference.

Saturday 22nd March Neville Hall, The Mining Institute, Newcastle

prepares for the upcoming Acoustic Nights Tour. Make sure you get your tickets as some have only a handful left. Dates are as follows:

The magazine aimed at lesbian and bisexual women g3 recently stopped its printed version and became an online only magazine.

After many years as a free magazine, throughout 2013 the magazine became a paid for publication. The g3 team recently made the decision to publish the magazine on their website each month. And the great news is it’s now completely FREE. The zero pence price tag doesn’t mean that’s an end to the big celeb interviews and informative features though - with the most recent edition featuring a fab interview with eccentric singer Paloma Faith.

See www.g3mag.co.uk

Sunday 23rd March The Wardrobe, Leeds

Friday 11th April The Castle Hotel, Manchester

It’s been a busy time at SDHQ as the Geordie singer

g3 for free

(Last few left)

Friday 18th April The Tunnels, Aberdeen (limited VIP tickets left) Find out more at samdickinsononline.com

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The next issue of Respect is out in May. It’s our annual ‘Eurovision’ issue.

How can we top our Loreen interview?

You’ll soon find out!

Respect Respect Magazine Magazine ::March/April March/April2014 2014

Over the next few issues of ‘Respect’ we’ll be meeting some of the acts revealing all in the 2014 series of the hit ITV2 show The Big Reunion. We start with Linzi Martin of Girl Thing and Mark Read of a1. Poptastic!

Interviews by Will O’Regan

Girl Thing saw their debut single chart at No8, their follow-up at No25 and they never even had the chance to release their album in the UK before Simon Cowell pulled the plug.

Girl Thing member Linzi Martin reveals what life was like for the girls, and how things didn’t quite go to plan.

What was the process from finding out about Girl Thing to getting into the band?

We used to get a paper called ‘The Stage’. It was my Dad that saw it and said there’s an audition in London. I’m going to take you to it. It was the first audition I’d ever gone to in London. I was quite young, about 15. I always wanted to be auditioning for things but I was a bit young. So he brought me down there and I went and it was the very first I’d done and it was headed by Chris and Bob which were Safe Management back then and Simon Cowell who was then an A&R (Artists and Relations) man for RCA records.

We went through about six months of auditions in three stages. Thousands and thousands of people and the last

five were the people who were picked.

Lucky for me I ended up being one of

of other bands. The whole of the Eiffel Tower was hired out for Girl Thing for a

those five which was really overwhelming, I couldn’t believe it.

Obviously at the time we didn’t realise how big Simon Cowell was going to be - this was before X Factor etc. Little did

press launch. Everywhere we went we were staying in the best hotels. We were treated so well but we didn’t know any different. It was a nice experience but when it came to the

we know that we had actually been picked by someone who was going to be extremely successful in the business!

point where Last One Standing only hit number 8 and didn’t go to number 1 everything started to change. People in the industry probably weren’t treating us as well then as how they had done

What was it like to have gotten a place in a new girl band that was being tipped for the top?

before. They had realised it wasn’t going to go as well as what they’d thought. But for us, we just had a ball.

We went to all sorts of countries, all before we were twenty. It really was

Obviously it was really exciting but at the time for myself I don’t think I quite understood what that meant. At the same time also not realising how well treated that we were compared to a lot 44 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

amazing, what an experience.

Respect Respect Magazine Magazine ::March/April March/April2014 2014

Last One Standing was followed by second single Girls on Top, but the press that you did for that single was pretty weak compared to the first. You were at the other side of the world touring?

We were actually touring in Australia at that point. And to be honest with you it didn’t even occur to me at the time that but that basically was what had happened. Girls on Top had been decided to be the second single and it had a release date and we actually weren’t even in the country to promote that single. Anyone would know you have to promote a single; it’s about how many people hear it, how many people get used to it, like it, as to how many records sales that you will make.

Unfortunately we weren’t even here.

We did get gold in Australia though! It was like one was compensating for the other I suppose. Obviously it would have been a lot better to have done well in both.

There wasn’t a third single released. Your debut album wasn’t released in the UK, but it did in other territories, what was going on at that time?

There were ructions occurring in the band, a lot of arguments and I think a lot of it was down to a heavy schedule.

We were living in each other’s pockets.

We were five young girls who had very different ideas and personalities.

There was a clash there. We had that one problem to deal with and on top of

that the second single hadn’t done very well, the first single hadn’t hit

because I was pregnant. I kinda just shrugged it off and just left it as I had

number 1 and there was a lot of pressure put on us down to the fact that things weren’t working out the way they should have done.

enough problems going on in my life so I ran away from Girl Thing in a very abrupt manner and shrugged it off. But now that Girl Thing have come back and we’re reliving it all it’s like woah

‘Pure

wait a minute! It’s all coming to light again.

and Simple’ was in there as well wasn’t it?

Well that was tipped to be our third single and because of all the ructions within the band the record company weren’t impressed with the fact that not once but twice Girl Thing hadn’t hit the mark. There were a lot of mistakes that were made with our band. For a start not being there to promote a single, when you’re going to release one is definitely a bad move. There were lots of mistakes that we weren’t able to know. Pure and Simple was tipped to be the third single, the second single had done so badly. My take on it from what I know is that they obviously thought they’re not going to let Pure and Simple be Girl Things third single, we’ll just give it to a fresh band.

That ’s my presumption on what happened with us.

The version that was eventually released (by Hear’Say) still had your vocals on it?

Yeah that’s correct. I remember hearing the song and I can actually hear my own voice! I was like ‘Are you for real?’ Very strongly also (her vocals on the track). I thought; ‘that’s me singing.’ Here’s this band singing over the top of my voice. To be honest with you I had a lot going on at the time 45 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

“I ended up in an abusive relationship straight out of the band. So I went through a few years of hell really.”

Before speaking to you I was just checking things out online, all things Girl Thing and I noticed that the Girl Thing album is actually on ebay for up to thirty quid!

Really? Wow that’s SO expensive. I thought you were going to say two quid not thirty! I can’t believe it, that’s brilliant. Yeah it’s on itunes now as well. My manger told me and I thought how cool. We’re not A1 or 3T, we’ve not had had that kind of success. They didn’t have to back us. We were just five young girls at the end of the day. It certainly isn’t our fault that things didn’t pan out the way people expected it would. But from the fans they have been so welcoming to us which I think is really lovely.

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 After Girl Thing what was next for you, motherhood?

I’ve ever wanted to do. It’s just brilliant.

Well to be honest things went bad for m e. I e n d e d u p i n a n a b u s i v e relationship straight out of the band. So

Are you enjoying this new chapter for the band and for yourself?

I went through a few years of hell really.

Hence the reason why I really wasn’t interested in what was going on with Pure and Simple or anything like that at that point. I was going through a really

There was never any doubt in my mind that I wanted to do it. I am loving every minute of it, it’s amazing. To be back on the stage at 32; I was 17 the last time,

tough time. That’s what happened for me, things spiralled downhill. I went through a lot of abuse to be quite honest which was quite hard to deal with and it took me a lot of years to cope with. But through counselling and the right help I did which was good.

Do you feel like a stronger person now?

I would say that I’m a much stronger person definitely and I’m certainly the type of person who wouldn’t take any nonsense. If someone has something to say I’d always ask them to say what they mean. I wouldn’t take any hassle off anyone anyways and I think that’s not a bad thing because all those years ago I wouldn’t speak up, I was too timid to do so. It probably looked as if I was bolshie but inside I wasn’t. It was like a front more than anything. Like a defence mechanism.

it’s unbelievable. To think my kids can see me, see Mummy on stage strutting her stuff which is quite cool. I’m loving every single minute.

Where do you see things going?

You’re waiting to hear if a Big Reunion tour is confirmed so are Girl Thing back for a little while or a long while?

From my perspective I would stay in Girl Thing forever but I can’t speak for the other four girls. That’s what I hope will happen. First of all we have to wait and see if people do want us. We’ll have to sit down and everyone will have to agree on that which at the moment we haven’t done. The next scenario is the tour going to happen but from my perspective I’d carry on regardless.

What was it like to reform for the Big Reunion?

I got a call from my old manager and he said that he was going to itv to put it to them about having a meeting with us about it. I got off the phone and I burst into tears. My Mum was there and I was blubbing and I said; “Mum you won’t believe it? You are not going to believe it” I was crying and she asked why was I crying? I said that they want us to do The Big Reunion; Girl Thing might be coming back! I couldn’t believe it, like I was given this second chance. So she’s crying, I’m crying and laughing at the same time as I’m buzzing at the fact that we might be getting a second chance and at the same time crying because I can’t believe. It was amazing, that feeling, something I never expected. It was like a dream come true and it’s all

@linzimartin81 @GirlThing2014

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We asked our Twitter followers what their favourite pop hits of the 1990‘s were.

Here’s what you told us

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

47 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect March/April2014 2014 Respect Magazine Magazine ::March/April

a1 member Mark Read lets us into the world of the boyband that racked up an impressive eight UK Top10 hits including two No1 hits.

Before you were in the band what was your previous experience of performing?

Before a1 started which feels like 100 years ago now I was performing in my parents band, on cruise ships, travelling around the country playing in hotels.

Big functions, things like that. Both my parents are musicians and I have been playing my whole life. I also had a management deal at the age 15 and I was trying to catch a big break and I performed in big song contests in Romania and around the world. I just did lots of different things, I was also was in a theatre group. Probably like a lot of young people around my age who were keen to do this; get your foot in the door and try different things out. I’d even at one point got in with the

management of the Pet Shop Boys and East 17, a

It was quite important that there would be a good level

meeting I got in the band. I was in a band with Ben so I

guy called Tom Watkins and I was going to be joining one of his bands as well and that fell through which was kind of lucky

of depth to the band. He went around music schools, universities and put ad’s in papers and he started with an audition.

actually brought him along to the meeting. That’s pretty much how a1 got together.

really as that lead me to a1.

Paul was the guy who came through the auditions. Paul was a very strong dancer and singer. Then Christian came forward from an ad at

How did a1 come about?

I think our manager Tim Byrne had huge success with Steps and he was really keen to get a fresh new boyband back on the market. There wasn’t really many at that time, 1997,1998 things with Take That were obviously long gone at that stage and he wanted to get a new UK boyband out there. He wanted the emphasis on song writing and the fact that we could all write and that we were all strong singers. He didn’t want it to be all singing, all dancing.

the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts which is the Paul McCartney Fame School. Christian had come over from Norway to study there and at that point he didn’t even know what a boyband was. That term is very much used in the UK but in other countries it’d just be like a male vocal group really. So Christian came along then and I actually met our future manager Tim at a venue in the UK. I was just chatting to him and he asked me what I did and by chance

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The UK Hits Be The First To Believe No6 (1999) Summertime Of Our Lives No5 (1999) Everytime / Ready or Not No3 (1999) Like A Rose No6 (2000) Take On Me No1 (2000) Same Old Brand New You No1 (2000) No More No6 (2001) Caught In The Middle No2 (2001) Make It Good No11 (2001)

Respect Respect Magazine Magazine ::March/April March/April2014 2014 a1 hit big initially and the bands popularity grew very quickly.

What was that level of fame like?

On the front cover of all the magazines, on all the TV shows. I think it was an amazing time because you had ten pop magazines on the shelves. You had five major TV shows you could be a part of the likes of cd:uk, Top of the Pops, sm:tv - those kind of shows. It was a brilliant time to be in a pop band because there was a massive pop audience. It just brings back brilliant memories. It was very different to how it is now. It couldn’t be more different.

We’re now in the YouTube generation where stars can be launched on the back of social media and YouTube.

Back then you had to put in the work, you had to work all around the country, and you had to tour; school tours and all these things that we loved doing. To make a pop act successful back in those days you had to put in the time, the ground work and work from the bottom up. It’s different; a pop band can just go straight into X Factor and go on to be a

over there knowing that it’s one of the harder markets to crack. This was back in the time before Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, even MySpace where the only way a band can break a territory is to visit every single town in every single radio station and getting your face out there. We were really fortunate that we appeared on a couple of TV shows. We guest starred in a massive soap over there called ‘The Young and the Restless’.

It’s a massive daytime soap and we did a couple of appearances in that which helped break us. We then toured with Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne and also Vanessa Carlton who was a big act over there at the time. It got us out there.

‘Caught In The Middle’ was the single we were pushing over there. It was added to the Top 25 most played records and then unfortunately Paul left the band just before we were due to go back there which started a downward spiral and a chain of events where we couldn’t really follow it up because the record companies were losing faith in us. So we didn’t go back to America.

It was looking like it was all

pop success. It was different time because you just had to put the work in really.

on the right track. Caught in the Middle was getting some good rotation at radio and then that was the end of it and it all happened

Much is said about British acts “Breaking the States”, what was the USA like for a1?

very quickly. We didn’t break America as well as we could have and it never went to the next level unfortunately.

The US actually started off

You all spoke on The Big Reunion about

really well. We were all very realistic about our chances

Paul, was his change of heart the beginning of the end?

It’s quite a full on lifestyle being in a popband and touring on the road, being in each other’s pockets 24/7. It’s just not for everyone. If you’re going to have a band with four people everyone is going to deal with things in a different way. I think we

it was going on but because we were writing songs and producing the songs we didn’t really get a lot of down time. Where other bands were having songs written for them we’d be doing that side of things as well. Truth is you don’t really get a lot of time. I think it was just for personal reasons for Paul that he wasn’t happy.

noticed that quite a long way into things Paul wasn’t really happy, he wasn’t as happy as he had been in the past. We couldn’t quite work why it was. We all tried to keep him enthusiastic, keep him interested but as I say it’s just not for everyone.

Things started to get not quite so fun. Paul didn’t seem quite so happy in a lot of the interviews. And I think a lot of the interviewers noticed this and would ask “Are you alright Paul?” and truth is he just wasn’t happy. I don’t know all the reasons behind that, still to this day, none of us do. Myself, Ben and Christian are just really enthusiastic and we love what we do so much and so we couldn’t get our heads around the idea of not enjoying it because it’s just amazing, it’s what we’re meant to do, it’s what we’ve always wanted to do.

So he left the band, it left a bit of a hole in the band with us not really knowing what’s coming next. It’s not because of all the traps of the industry. A lot of people might say drugs and this and that but as a band we didn’t get mixed up in all that kind of stuff. We knew

49 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

“Myself, Ben and Christian are just really enthusiastic and we love what we do so much and so we couldn’t get our heads around the idea of not enjoying it because it’s just amazing.”

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014 Was that the beginning of the end?

and obviously they were very keen for us to get Paul involved but they felt that we still had enough of a story to tell even when he wasn’t able to take part. We’re

Paul’s decision to just leave the band did come a little bit out of the blue and the rest of us were just not expecting it. The

really glad we’ve done it.

It’s funny digging up the past. It makes you nostalgic and makes you realise where you’ve been

way it came about was not ideal. It would have been better if we had a chance to take care of things but the way it went down was

in life. It’s been a really positive experience.

not great. After that the three of us were just left in limbo where we didn’t know whether we were going to carry on with the

being in an act

label or to go to another label. Things just started to slow down. It’s a big thing when you’ve got a massive corporation investing a lot

So what did you do in that time, I presume that music was still a part of your life?

of money into you and if they start to see the cracks form and members leave they have to weigh up their options. And if it doesn’t

Music was always going to be in my life and a big part of my life because it’s the

look like things are going to get better they have to make a decision and sometimes it’s a difficult decision. In that situation our record company Columbia decided to part ways with us. We had the option to go to a new label and had it in place but things weren’t really happening quickly enough so Christian went back home to Norway and he had a solo career and that all went very well. It was just myself and Ben left and we were wondering what should we do? So we thought that a1 was taking a break. That break which was initially going to be a short while turned into five years before we got back together again.

thing that I’m most comfortable with and so I straight away I focussed on the song writing and I signed a publishing deal with Universal as a writer.

It’s kinda strange that I did that as coming out of a1 we still had quite high a profile and the opportunity to do things in the public eye like being on TV and being a TV presenter like what people do now. Instinctively I just went straight for the writing, kept me behind the scenes and writing for different artists, so many acts. I always had intentions to get back out there and do a solo project or get another band together. I did tour with some great bands for a while. I did a tour in America as well. Time passes by so quickly and the profile you’ve built from

like a1 dies down and then when you actually get out there it’s even harder. By the time I was ready to try and do a solo project it was really hard. Really really tough.

You soon realise it’s all very much about money. It costs a lot of money to launch a solo act. You realistically need a minimum £250,000 to break an act and funnily enough not everyone has a quarter of a million pounds floating around. The solo thing didn’t quite work out for me but I kept myself busy. I worked on a lot of great albums and kept busy in the studio. So although I wasn’t in the public eye I was still very active in the industry.

How did The Big Reunion come about for a1?

Where would you like to go from there, taking a1 forward?

It’s kind of sad to see that bands on the previous series just got together for it and then are not together now. I don’t think that’s what it’ll be like for us. If the demand is there we’ll be doing some gigs around the country. If not we’ll put out some new material, like the songs we’re doing now.

There was talk of putting out the song we had in Melodi Grand Prix (Don’t Want To Lose You Again) and quite a few people showed a lot of interest and the UK audiences haven’t heard it yet. A new single, the tour and we’ve got individual projects. I’ve got my hands full writing a musical and I have another show, a musical touring in May. So I’m currently working in the studio on all that.

We were asked about it last year and they were interested in getting us as a four piece. We were still in Norway at that point so it wasn’t going to happen.

This time round it turned out that we could have some serious talks about it

50 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

@MarkReadMusic @a1official

Respect Magazine : March/April 2014

51 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT

Respect Respect Magazine Magazine ::March/April March/April2014 2014

Colleague Support In your workplace

If you are able to speak to your line manager, that would be the preferred route (unless of course your line manager is the issue).

Alternatively, you can speak to your HR manager if this is preferable.

Respect

You can also contact the Respect network for confidential support and guidance. Email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

The Employee Engagement & Diversity Team

The team can offer advice about specific matters relating to issues in the workplace and point you in the right direction. You can contact them by email at

inclusive.teams@cooperative.coop or call 0161 246 2646.

Employee Assistance Programme Validium

You can contact and talk in confidence with one of Validium’s professional counsellors or specialists 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on: UK Landline: 0800 970 1030 Mobile: 0330 332 9996 For online support join vClub at validium.com Username: Coop Password: Group1844

Speak Up

We have a whistle-blowing hotline called ‘Speak Up’. You can call free on 0800 374199. Calls are handled by an external provider.

Callers can remain anonymous and untraceable.

Useful development tools at your fingertips The Co-operative Group Ashridge virtual learning centre contains everything from learning guides to book reviews, management pocket books and economic trend data.

Please visit the site as it’s a great reference point to assist your personal continuous professional development journey.

Site: www.ashridge.org.uk/ashridge/vlrc.nsf Login: cooperativegroup Password: coglogin If for what ever reason you can’t view this and you would like to, please let us know.

Our next issue will be published in May 2014 This magazine has been produced by the ‘Respect’ network, the inclusive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network for The Co-operative Group W: www.co-operative.coop/respectlgbt T: @CoopRespectLGBT E: respectLGBT@co-operative.coop 52 Follow us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT News | Events | Charity | Fundraising | Inclusive | Respect | Diversity | Volunteer