Gay Gooners...

On Saturday we marched under the banner of the Gay Gooners. Proud of them, proud of Arsenal FC for supporting them.

The Pride...

Last night Stu and I went to see gay play The Pride at the Trafalgar Studios in London's glitzy Whitehall.

The play tells two stories using the same three actors. The first set in 1958 tells of a husband and wife on the surface happily married but things go somewhat awry with the appearance of the wife's rather "mannered" friend. What follows is a painful and destructive path where the violence turns from gentle and emotional to painfully and physical. The shame in their actions force all the characters to regret their past decisions and indeed their very nature.

The second story set in 2008(?) tells the story of a gay couple and how one of them suffers from sex addiction. Actually his partner probably suffers just as much. He's had enough and is leaving him. The sex addiction seems to be born out of a self-loathing and the inability to explain himself to his partner has led to the disintegration of their long-them relationship.  It reflects the gay shame that destroyed the relationship of the earlier piece.

Now if all that sounds rather depressing and worthy it is - a bit. And it isn't. There is much brevity in the piece not least by Matthew Horne's various stylised appearances as a sex Nazi, an aversion therapist and most successfully as a lad's mag editor with a story to tell.

The wife in 1958 also playing the straight best friend in 2008 talks the most sense and has many of the funniest lines. She is in many ways the voice of the writer. Counselling and scolding, explaining and supporting.

It's an excellent piece, we really enjoyed it and it's well worth seeing. Not least for the brilliant cast and the "to Russia, with love" signs that they bringing out when they take a bow.

The Black Cap Saved...

Well it looks like The Black Cap pub has been saved after all. With a bit of help from Michelle Collins.


Plans to convert part of famous Black Cap pub into flats are rejected by planning chiefs. A statement from the council on Monday read: “Although officers considered that use of the second and third floors of the pub, which currently provides ancillary accommodation, to residential would be acceptable, there were strong concerns about the loss of the first floor which forms an active part of this popular pub. The ground floor of the building is used for cabaret and the first-floor space provides a quieter meeting environment for the community. It was considered that the loss of the pub and restaurant use at first floor would be detrimental to the gay and lesbian community for whom this is a key meeting place.” 


Er, "popular"?

Living London...

Last night I went along to the launch of the Living London project web site at Islington Town Hall.

Living London is a groundbreaking oral history project which examines the history of housing and policing for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in London over the last twenty-five years – viewed thorough two community organisations: Stonewall Housing and Galop (in partnership with LGBT History Month). The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The site contains oral histories - many in full - flyers, posters and documents all relating to LGBT events since the early 1980s. There is a fascianting timeline of gay history over the past 25 years.

And the lovely Matt Cook was giving a talk too (so what's not to like?)

Mapping Stereotypes...

Mapping stereotypes is a funny little project. It views the maps as if seen by Silvio Berlusconi (below), Gay Men (below that), Germans, USA etc. Excellent.

Brighton and Hove Pride 2010...

We had a fantastic time at Brighton Pride (or to be more exact Brighton and Hove Pride) over the weekend. Great to see everyone. Lots of drinking, eating and dancing. We've booked for next year already!

Glee Flash Mob at Brighton Pride...

Darren and I took part in a flash mob at Brighton Pride to the sounds of Don't Stop Believin', I Gotta Feeling, California Gurls and Just Dance. It was all choreographed by a secret YouTube link. Times and places on FB. Can you spot us in the mayhem? Probably not! Great fun.