Live at The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
from 27th May – 1st June

The multi-award winning acknowledged master of psychological illusion returns to the stage with his new one-man show DERREN BROWN: INFAMOUS. This brand-new show promises to demonstrate once again why Derren is one of the world’s most renowned live performers; a dark manipulator of magic and mind control.

For INFAMOUS, a more ‘personal’ show, Derren is re-united with his close collaborator and friend actor, writer Andy Nyman. He says:

“Now we’ve joined forces again, we’re very eager to make this show feel different. There was something of a template we followed with all the shows, which worked very well. It’s rather exciting and scary leaving that behind. This one should certainly have a different tone, and will mix things up a bit for those who have seen the others on TV or live”.

INFAMOUS is Derren’s 6th show since 2003. He has toured every year since then and been watched by an estimated audience of over 2 million people. He has won two prestigious Olivier Awards, for SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (2006) and SVENGALI (2012), and confesses that touring is still his favourite thing to do.

For further tour dates: derrenbrown.co.uk/on-stage/

Founded in 1993, with appearances by Sir Ian McKellen and Rhona Cameron, Glasgay! celebrates its TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY in 2013.  The central theme to the programme will be “LEGACY”.  We will celebrate the particular legacy that gay, lesbian and transgendered artists have made to the festival.  We also note the progress of LGBT Equality and the emergence of our artists from the artistic side-lines to mainstream success and visibility.

Under the stewardship of Producer, Steven Thomson, since February 2004, the festival has grown in reputation, strength and quality.  The festival receives regular public funding from Creative Scotland and Glasgow City Council both of whom recognise the importance of the festival in commissioning new theatrical work by leading Scottish artists. For the 2013 festival we have commissioned a number of new works by leading Scottish artists:   From Jackie Kay MBE, a brand new musical, THE MAW BROON MONOLOGUES (2013); from Stef Smith – CURED; and from Martin O’Connor and Donna Rutherford – MOTHERSON.

Photo: Mary McCartney

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR 2013 PROGRAMME, via partner organisations, will be as follows:
19 Oct:  THE WIZARD OF OZ with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra – the movie with live orchestra and the whole, enchanting score in full orchestral Technicolor. For “friends of Dorothy” and all the family.
10-12 Oct: THE GATES by Rachel Jury – a dramatized musical inspired by the infamous London women’s club The Gateways.  (Venue: Classic Grand Cinema)
15-16 Oct:  HANDEL’S CROSS – Theatre North’s new show which mixes gay fetish and theatre in an exhilarating take on the musical and personal life of the composer of MESSIAH.  Following on from the award winning BILLY BUDD SAILOR, and NAKED HOMO.  Theatre North are Martin Lewton and Andrew McKinnon.  (Venue: CCA)
28 Oct- 9 Nov:  KILLING ME SOFTLY by John Binnie –a powerful story of two lonely individuals, a gay boy and a straight girl, set in the early days of AIDS. Clyde Unity Theatre toured KILLING ME SOFTLY extensively to community and theatre audiences after it was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987. This new production is in association with the Scottish Youth Theatre.  (Venue: SYT + Community Tour)
31 Oct:  SCOTTEE  – L’Enfant terrible of the London live art scene, Scottee is a 27-year-old provocative performer, broadcaster, director and writer from Kentish Town, North London. He is currently an associate artist at Olivier award winning company Duckie and the iconic Roundhouse. His work references broken limbs, police questioning and the loss of hundreds of pairs of high heels.  He has a brash, naff and obnoxious approach to light entertainment and art, leaving audiences elated, confused and covered in glitter. He has performed at the Barbican, Royal Opera House, Tate Britain, Roundhouse, ICA and the Royal Festival Hall.  (Venue: The Arches)

The full festival programme will include a FILM PROGRAMME, COMEDY, CLUBS, VISUAL ART and TALKS AND DEBATES and will be announced in late July 2013.                                                                                                www.glasgay.com 

What better way to celebrate summer than with items in the new ‘Painter’ limited edition range from Modus Vivendi.

This Greek company produces some of the most exciting designs that often leave other male fashion companies racing to catch up.

Exclusive for this summer is the neo-retro floral range of Bomber jackets, Bermudas and jog shorts, which will look stunning on the beach, in the bars, in the clubs and making a ‘floral bouquet’ at Pride.
The eye-catching print, the high quality finish, the trim and the unique design adds to the over-all comfort and desirability of all the companies clothing.  modus vivendi translates as lifestyle or way of life: You better believe it!
shop.bent.com/clothing-and-fashion/modus-vivendi.html

Founded by the Romans in 138 B.C. the seaport rapidly grew into one of the main trading centres of the Mediterranean. Over the years a host of conquering empires have added to the city’s wealth, importance and design, while leaving their own stamp on the people and surrounding area. Romans, Arabs, Visigoths and the crusading knights have all left something of their culture and influence as can be found in everything from recipes to the irrigation system and from art to religion.

The old quarter is home to the Plaza de la Virgen and the Cathedral, which dominates the centre of the city. In the main square of Plaza de la Reina, I recommend you jump on an open-topped site-seeing bus (www.valenciabusturistic.com) to get your bearings and a perspective on this wonderful city. The tour has commentary so you can learn about all the points of interest quickly and fairly comprehensively. Having said that, there is nothing better than just wandering the streets and finding your own little historic work of art.
A great way for tourists to save a few Euros during their travels, the Valencia Tourist Card (www.valenciatouristcard.com) is a combined card offering free public transport (city bus, metro) and tons of discounts. Depending on your personal itinerary, you can buy a Valencia Tourist Card for one, two, or three days, a purchase that will gain you free/reduced admission to museums as well as knocked-down rates on anything from restaurant bills and bar tabs to bike tours, spas and internet cafés. Establishments offering discounts for Valencia Tourist Card buyers are indicated with a sticker, so you’ll always know where to use it!

Although the city is renowned for its paella (amongst other dishes) the most fun I had while eating out was at the many ‘pinchos’ bars that are all over the place. They are related to tapas but are individual portions of food on bread held together with a toothpick. You just help yourself… the size of the toothpick tells you what price it is, so you can choose what you like and have as many as you like. At the end, the waiter tots up the number of toothpicks and charges you accordingly.

In 1957 the river Turia, that once meandered through the city, was diverted after a particular devastating flood, leaving the riverbed prime for redevelopment. It became an impressive 10 kilometers long park where the citizens of Valencia happily stroll through the impressive gardens if they wish to relax. However, it is also the area where the more active can jog or cycle along the many interweaving pathways. There are also many sports facilities for the hard-core sports fan including; a running track, a baseball field, rugby and football fields, a dirt-bike area, two roller-skating areas, a skateboarding zone and a giant chess board.

Meanwhile, as you walk through the park towards the coast you come across what can only be described as a vision of avant-garde and modern buildings that look like they have been designed for the set of some high budget sci-fi movie.

Designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, the huge and impressive structures announce that you have arrived at Europe’s biggest cultural-leisure complex. Here you can interact with science in the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum,  feel the action in the Hemisfèric, submerse yourself in the Oceanogràfic, or admire the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.
However, if this sounds like just too much culture and fun, and all you really want to do is lie on a beach and sun yourself, then you are also in luck. The Malvarrosa beach or “Playa de Levante” is easily reachable from the city centre by metro, bus and car as well as on foot and by bicycle using the cycle path. The wonderful fine sand is all you would expect from a Mediterranean coastline and there are several beaches to choose from.
Meanwhile, if you prefer, there are a couple of gay beaches:  Playa El Saler – The specific area is the beach between the “lago artificial” and the “Casal d’esplai” & Playa Pinedo – very close to the city in front of the Casa Negra.

The port area is busy with commerce and cruise liners, while the Royal Marina had a revamp when it recently hosted the yachting world’s premier event, the America’s Cup. While in 2011, the seafront also became part of the Formula1 circuit as the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso powered around the winding street track. The marina is a great place to look around and has some high-class shops and pretty impressive restaurants.

Further along the coast is the Albufera Natural Park, which is home to the largest lake in Spain and one of the most important wetland areas in the Iberian Peninsula. It is a place of great ecological interest with rare species of wading birds and a rich variety of wildlife.

There is an abundance of things to do in Valencia but if you want to spend your late evenings in a gay atmosphere you could try:

Name                                 Type                                    Location
ADN                                     Pub                                         Carmen
Botanic Bear                    Gay disco-pub                    Botánico
Café de la Seu                  Lunch bar                             Carmen
Comic Café                       Copas y cocktails               Ruzafa
Deseo 54                           Gay disco club                    Pont de Fusta
Oh La La                            Café Pub                                Plaza de España
Q-Art Café                        Restaurante                         Torres Quart
Javalon Valencia          Gay Disco                              Marxalenes
NuncadigoNo                 Sexbar     
SoandgO                           Pub                                           Zaidía
Sondelluna                      Restaurant Show                Pont de Fusta
Thermas Romeo           Termas                                    Ruzafa

I would suggest you check out www.gayiberia.com/valencia to get all the latest info on what’s hot and what’s not.
www.turisvalencia.es
en.comunitatvalenciana.com/town/valencia-2

MPs should still vote for heterosexual civil partnerships

“It is deplorable the way the government has resorted to scaremongering tactics to scupper the heterosexual civil partnerships amendment. There is no reason why this amendment should wreck or delay the same-sex marriage bill,” said Peter Tatchell, coordinator of the Equal Love campaign, which has spearheaded the movement for same-sex civil marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships.

“A delay in the bill could be easily avoided if the government agreed to legalise straight civil partnerships but delayed their implementation for a year until the details are worked out.

“The government’s argument that heterosexual civil partnerships would cost too much is unseemly. You can’t put a price on equality. When it comes to equal rights, cost should not be a factor. In any case, the costs would be even higher if the straight couples who want to have a civil partnership had a civil marriage instead.

“While I applaud David Cameron for standing firm on equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, I am shocked that he is opposing the right of heterosexual couples to have a civil partnership. He said he’s supporting same-sex marriage because he believes in equality, yet he won’t support equal civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples. That’s not consistent.

“I hope MPs will vote for the right of heterosexual couples to have a civil partnership. Banning them is wrong. This issue is all about equality. Just as gay couples should be allowed to marry, straight couples should be permitted to join together in a civil partnership. There should be no discrimination in civil marriage and civil partnership law.

“Both the Tory government and the Tory rebels reject full equality. They have double standards on civil partnerships and civil marriages.

“David Cameron supports equal marriage for gay couples but opposes equal civil partnerships for heterosexual couples. In contrast, the Tory rebels reject same-sex marriage but are demanding opposite-sex civil partnerships. Both sides are inconsistent, hypocritical and wrong.

“In the Netherlands, civil marriages and civil partnerships are available to all couples, gay and straight. A majority of civil partnerships are between heterosexual men and women.

“If civil partnerships were made available to straight couples in the UK there would probably be a similar significant take up.

“Some straight couples don’t like the sexist, patriarchal traditions of marriage. They’d prefer a civil partnership. They regard them as more modern and egalitarian. Why shouldn’t they have the option of civil partnership?

“This issue is not about numbers. It is about equality. Even if only a handful of straight people wanted a civil partnership, they are entitled to have one.

“My four decades of human rights activism have been based on the principle of equality. I cannot accept the idea of equal rights for gay couples but not for heterosexual couples.

“In a democratic society, we should all be equal before the law. Straight men and women also deserve equality.

“Both civil marriages and civil partnerships should be open to all couples, without any sexual orientation discrimination.

The Equal Love campaign has a legal case in the European Court of Human Rights, which is challenging the UK’s twin legal bans on same-sex civil marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships. See here: bit.ly/xJumfO

“It is this legal case that prompted the government to legalise same-sex marriage. We are likely to win.

“Our legal case was drafted by the human rights advocate and European law specialist, Professor Robert Wintemute of Kings College London,” said Mr Tatchell.
 www.PeterTatchellFoundation.org

When Tina Turner said that we don’t need another hero, she was wrong. Liverpool Pride is expecting thousands of them to join this year’s March, which will fly through the city’s streets on Saturday 3rd August.

The marvel of caped crusaders will take flight at St Georges Plateau at 12pm, with participants asked to gather from 11am. It will then process along Lime Street before taking in Queen Square Bus Station and Whitechapel before making its way along Lord Street and North John Street before turning down James Street, crossing The Strand over Mann Island and landing in front of the main stage at the Pier Head, where the afternoon’s entertainment will begin.

The undoubted highlight of the festival, the Pride March gives the LGBT community, their friends and their families the chance to take to Liverpool’s streets in a blaze of colour, music and this year; SPANDEX, whilst raising awareness of homophobia and the importance of a united community in the local area.

James Davies, Festival Manager at Liverpool Pride said: “We’re delighted to return to St George’s Plateau for the start of the March and are grateful to have Hugh Baird involved as a sponsor. The community well and truly spoke when they chose the superhero theme, so we expect to see everyone marching together as Wonder Women or Super Men on the day. We have already been inundated with registrations, a lot more than we had at this time last year, so we’re expecting a record turnout of Liverpool Pride marchers through the city on 3rd August.”

Last year, over 3,500 people took part in the Liverpool Pride March with Patron Angela Eagle MP at the helm and Liverpool Football Club leading the way as the UK’s first Premier League team to take part in a Pride March. Political Organisations, Trade Unions, the Police and Fire and Rescue Service were also represented in addition to many local gay bars, shops, restaurants, individuals and their nearest and dearest. 7000 people turned out to cheer on marchers in 2012. Both of these figures are expected to increase in 2013 as the festival continues to grow in its popularity.

Similarly to previous Liverpool Pride Marches, there will be no motorised floats included, in order to place more emphasis on the issues of Homophobia in the Liverpool LGBT community and also to keep the festival’s carbon emissions to a minimum.

LIVERPOOL PRIDE NEEDS A HERO! So, don your gold lamé cape, show us your underpants and bring yourself, your trusty sidekick, friends, family, work-mates and groups along-to take part in the March, which is completely free to join. Everyone is welcome and is invited to sign up at liverpoolpride.co.uk/march before 31st July.

Liverpool Pride 2013 will take place on Saturday 3 August at Liverpool’s iconic pier-head and throughout the Stanley Street Gay Quarter. In addition to this, there will be a weekend of cultural events taking place at some of Liverpool’s most influential arts and cultural establishments.

Make sure you check out liverpoolpride.co.uk , @LiverpoolPride on Twitter and facebook.com/LiverpoolPride to have your say and for all of the latest pride news.

All that happened in a glance, and then my eyes fell upon the head resting against my chest. My right arm was around slender shoulders holding a warm body against me. All I could see was fine blond hair. The soft sigh of breathing told me my lover was still asleep.

We had met the previous night at a bar just a few streets away from where I live. It is a gay bar but so grotty I very rarely frequent it. I had called in on my way home for a last drink. It had been one of those weeks piled into that one day. All I really wanted to do was get home, get out of my work suit and slip effortlessly in to a foaming hot bath and have an early night. As I had no booze in the house I thought a stiff one might just unwind me a little. The bar was quite full and looking around I could see it had its quota of misfits. I downed my first scotch and ordered another. Whilst it was on its way, I could see at the far end of the bar a young guy standing on his own. He was being cruised like crazy by nearly everyone in the place but he didn’t seem all that concerned. He had clearly made a group of queen’s night as they sat at a table behind him. Obviously the lad’s youthful butt had created quite a stir.
He seemed quite nice. I’d reckon about eighteen or nineteen, clean-shaven, blond and… looking at me. He smiled and walked over and asked me if I wanted a drink. I stood a bit dumb for the moment, at nearly forty, I hadn’t been picked up (by someone this cute) for ages. His cheeky smile got to me and I grinned back a ‘Why not’.

That was that. We had a couple more drinks and I invited him back to my flat. As I’ve already said, I didn’t live far away so we walked but a steady downpour, even in just that short distance, had sodden us by the time we arrived. The first thing to do was get out of our wet clothes. He stripped quickly. His denim jacket, checked shirt, sneakers, socks and jeans were piled in a heap on the floor. He stood there looking gorgeous as I passed him a towel and began to collect his things to put them over the radiators to dry off. As he dried himself I noticed he must have been away on holiday fairly recently. His blond hair contrasted with his hairless tanned body, which was highlighted by a pair of pure white cotton trunks. As he towelled his hair I stood and admired his physique. He wasn’t a well-built muscle boy but what he had was perfect, not an ounce of fat anywhere. My damp clothes were beginning to irritate me so I went to the bathroom to undress. I was glad to shuck off my work clothes, wearing a suit and tie always annoyed me. As I stripped down to my black Calvin Klein briefs I could feel him standing in the doorway even though my back was to it.

He moved up behind me and put his arms around my waist. With a sigh he rested his head on my back and held me for a moment. I could see our reflection in the mirror at the side. His eyes were closed as he quietly held on to me. I could see, as well as feel, this sturdy young stud’s equipment bulging out of the soft white fabric and digging into the small of my back.
His hands began to wander to my hardening nipples and stroked the thick matted hair on my chest. He then moved his hands down to my briefs and through the thin material he began to manipulate my sensitive cock. The lad certainly had plenty about him and I wondered if his next move was to shag me. At that particular moment I was so horny I wouldn’t have minded. He tugged me round to face him, looked into my eyes and asked me to screw him there and then. I pulled him towards me and kissed, my tongue forcing open his delicious soft mouth. He gave way to it completely. My hand caressed his back and ran down to his cotton covered buttocks, my fingers tracing the crack that separated them. He was moaning a little by now so I turned him around and could understand how, at the bar, he’d made that group of queen’s day. His young arse made my dick pulse to attention. I looked on the shelf and found a can of shaving foam and, as I pulled back on the waistband of his pristine white pants, I oozed foam all over his buttocks and into his neat little crack.
Rubbing my erect cock against his outlined arse I smoothed the substance into his arsehole. With another soapy mound in my hand I pulled down the front of his trunks and lathered the creamy white foam around his stiff little cock and jangling balls. His moans got louder as he squirmed against me; his knob was pulsating wildly in my hand. As he flexed his tight buns I pulled out my cock from behind my briefs and inserted it up his pant leg searching for his shagable channel.

I watched in the mirror as I humped that beautiful arse. My aching dick disappearing under the white material and sliding along that superb firm crack. The lad was going to get stuffed but not yet. My hand was inside his fly-hole and I could feel his raging hard-on so I pulled it from behind its shielding cotton covering. No sooner had the fine material brushed his swollen cock-head than the lad let out a stifled yell and shot his load. Spurt after spurt blasted in great arcs and a cum-slick formed and slid down the mirror. At the same time my urgent cock climaxed and whilst I was cumming I grabbed a handful of the white fabric and yanked it up so that the material now split his fantastic arse cheeks and I could see my fluid and the foam trickling over the lad’s fantastic butt cheeks. As I admired the view I pushed him against the mirror and let his descending cum soak into the front of his damp pants.

Later, we were lying side by side on the rug in front of the fire enjoying some conversation. We small-talked for a while but the closeness of our bodies; the constant touching and stroking soon had us both hot for more action. Just looking at the sexy way he was laid, with one leg straight out and the other bent at an angle made for one of the horniest sights I’ve ever seen. The way his pants hung exposing just a glimpse of youthful cock… if it was on a poster it would be on every young guy’s wall and fuelling every gay boy’s nocturnal emissions. We moved closer together. Our raging cocks rubbing together behind their cotton barricades while lips, teeth and tongues searched for different areas to tease, nip and lick. He found my hairy body fascinating and tugged at the hairs around my nipples. I loved his almost hairless torso running my sensitive tongue over him; it was like licking a warm piece of porcelain. It wasn’t long before our eager duelling cocks had reached the point of no return. He bit hard on my right nipple and I felt a surge of cum fill my pants. Seconds later my probing finger had invaded his tight arsehole and he added to the mess already soaking into his, less than clean, ribbed underwear.

I suggested bed and he readily agreed. I watched him pad to the bedroom, his tight white trunks emphasising his exquisitely rounded arse. I went to the bathroom to relieve myself then returned to the bedroom looking forward to a bit of sleep. He was laid on his stomach with his arms stretched out in front and his legs slightly apart. God, I’d only just cum but my dick immediately hardened; what a horny little fucker he was. I crawled between his legs and found myself nuzzling his damp cotton clad arse. I nibbled the inside of his thigh as he slowly rubbed himself off against the mattress. My hand was inside my pants and I quickly felt the first surge of another orgasm. In seconds I was exploding all over his trunks and as I did… I grabbed them and pulled them tight. His motions quickly speeded up and with a wiggle of his hips and a cry muffled by the pillow, he once again filled his rapidly becoming dank knickers.

As I said, it was morning now and I was still holding on to that fantastically horny lad. I could see his undies hanging off the corner post at the foot of the bed. I remembered that at some point in the night’s ‘festivities’ he’d pulled them off and, hoopla style, tossed them to where they now hung. I looked on the floor and saw the small pile of used condoms. Christ, I hadn’t been that productive since I was nineteen – it was just one stiffy after another. Thankfully my new friend had insisted that I fucked him properly. I was only too pleased and his tight hole kept my dick coming back for more. I think we eventually got to sleep about 6.30.
I eased the sleeping head off my chest and went to the bathroom for the usual and to brush my teeth. I didn’t want my morning breath to put him off first thing. On my way back I was drawn to his much-abused pants. I’d been meaning to buy myself a similar style the next time I went shopping, so I slipped them on to see what they looked like. They still felt a little damp and a bit ‘crusty’ in places but pulling them up my legs my cock began to grow. They were very tight on me and by the time I had climbed back into bed beside him I was physically bursting out of the damn things.
A sleepy arm wrapped itself around me and soon his head returned to rest on my chest. After a couple of minutes his breathing pattern changed and his fingers, half sleepily, began to explore and stroke my body. Those featherlight fingers soon found my restricted hard-on. Deftly he released my aching cock and a blond head disappeared under the covers. He licked the swollen glands and, pushing my hips forward, I sunk my cock down his eager throat.
I was almost on the point of orgasm when he pulled away and turned his back on me. “Fuck me real hard,” he begged. So, with my rampant cock sticking out of his messy tight pants I inserted my piece of solid, spit-soaked dick up his tender, though none-the-less welcoming hole. He pushed back and I rolled on top of him spearing him as deeply as I could. Urgently banging away at what had become home to my surprisingly unbridled dick. He climbed up onto his knees and we fucked ‘doggie’ style. I ploughed him as hard as I could and he cried and screamed and bucked in appreciation. With a yelp I felt his sphincter muscles contract as he came. The spasm gripped my plunging cock and, deep in my balls, I began to feel that incredible bubbling, boiling sensation. I yanked my cock from his tight arsehole just in time to watch my spunk make an interesting milky white motif on his quivering suntanned butt cheeks.
As both our orgasms subsided he pulled from beneath him my pair of black briefs that were now streaked with strands of cum. I grabbed them and wiped my contribution off his arse then tossed them in the corner. We showered and I offered him a choice of clean underwear. He picked up my used black pants and put them on and insisted I wear his now, not very white pants. “Perhaps later on we can go shopping for new undies,” he enquired “but right now my dicks getting hard again.”

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Straight humanist marriages are already legal in Scotland and, when equal marriage is introduced in Scotland, humanist marriages will also be made legal for same-sex couples.

Adam Knowles, Chair of Galha LGBT Humanists, said, ‘Humanists have always been in the vanguard of LGBT rights and humanist celebrants in England and Wales have been conducting same sex weddings for many years. We’re really pleased that LGB religious people will soon have the choice of a legal marriage reflecting their deepest beliefs and we think that we should have the same choice and the same right. LGB non-religious people in Scotland are to be given that right by their Parliament; we are looking forward to our Parliament doing the same for us in England and Wales.’
The amendment has been tabled by the Labour MPs Kate Green, Chris Bryant, and Kelvin Hopkins, the Liberal Democrat MPs Stephen Gilbert, Dr Julian Huppert, and Stephen Williams, and the Conservative Mike Weatherley MP.
www.galha.org/

METRO’s Youth Chances survey of LGBTQ 16-25 year olds experiences of education, employment, health services, their community and relationships is the biggest project of its kind and is campaigning for better services and policies for LGBTQ youth across England.

Based on responses from 9020 young people, the first cut of the data shows that the majority of young people agree that discrimination against LGBT people is common and that many have experienced verbal and physical threats and abuse.

Worryingly, the survey also finds that experience of LGBT hate crime is high amongst young people with 72% of respondents have experienced homophobic name calling or other verbal abuse and 22% having experienced physical assault.  Additionally 42% have experienced threats and intimidation and 43% harassment.

It confirms data launched today that shows that experience of discrimination and hate crime is high across Europe.

Further reports on findings from Youth Chances will be published later in the year with a further survey being undertaken in 2014.

Dr Greg Ussher, METRO Deputy CEO said:
As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia today, these findings are sobering.  There have been major steps forward in LGBT equality and in understanding the needs of young people, but as our findings show we still have a long way to go to eliminating discrimination and ensuring that sexuality and gender identity are not barriers to young people’s happiness and wellbeing.

It is of grave concern to me that our young people face such violence and fear because of who they are. Our work with young people in schools and youth groups confirms these findings and how important it is to ensure young people are supported and that homophobic bullying is addressed.  We are committed to ensuring that Youth Chances results in real change to young people’s lives and we are working with commissioners and providers to this end.

www.youthchances.org    www.metrocentreonline.org

Public Health Leeds commissioned charity, Yorkshire MESMAC has won a prestigious GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Award for its outstanding contribution to improving sexual health in Yorkshire, GSK and The King’s Fund announced yesterday evening at the award ceremony held at London’s Science Museum.
Leeds based Yorkshire MESMAC provides sexual health services which include community-based rapid HIV testing, outreach to pubs and clubs, counselling, support groups, and sexual health promotion. It has strong links with local communities particularly at risk from HIV and poor sexual health.
Yorkshire MESMAC provides young men who are being, or are at risk of being, sexually exploited with confidential support including counselling, free condoms, easy access to sexual health services, housing advice, and peer group work. It also assists in the reporting of an offence to the police and throughout the court process. Yorkshire MESMAC runs training on sexual exploitation for professionals, 94% of whom said they would now be able to recognise the signs of a young man being groomed. Services, including counselling are provided across Yorkshire, in a variety of languages, and are even available on Skype.
The GSK IMPACT Awards, GSK’s flagship UK corporate responsibility programme organised in partnership with The King’s Fund, is seen as a ‘seal of excellence’ in the sector.  As well as receiving £30,000 in funding during a difficult financial climate, the winners can take part in a training programme hosted by The King’s Fund that provides training, development and networking opportunities. Feedback has shown that this opportunity is as important to the winning charities as the funding as it helps them develop the skills to carry on building their organisation.
Katie Pinnock, Director of UK Corporate Contributions at GSK said:
‘We are pleased to announce that Yorkshire MESMAC has won a GSK IMPACT award. It has a long history of providing sexual health and HIV services to disadvantaged communities with demonstrable achievements. Its innovative and unique work in sexual exploitation continues to push the boundaries and support hard-to-reach groups in the community. This is a well-deserved win for the organisation.’
Tom Doyle, Yorkshire MESMAC’s Chief Executive, said: ‘I am delighted that the hard work of Yorkshire MESMAC volunteers, trustees and staff has been recognised on the national stage, it’s a great achievement.’
Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Chair of the Health & Well Being Board for Leeds said, ‘This is a great achievement for Yorkshire MESMAC, and for Leeds that continues to benefit from the good work that MESMAC is delivering locally to support communities to improve their sexual health.’
The calibre of award is reflected in its judging panel who chose the winners, which this year includes Professor Steve Field, Deputy National Medical Director at NHS England (health inequalities); the journalist, Fiona Philips; Peter Wanless, CEO of The Big Lottery; Gilly Green, Head of UK Grants at Comic Relief; Sir Christopher Gent, Chairman of GSK; and, Sir Chris Kelly, Chair of The King’s Fund.
www.mesmac.co.uk

In over 100 countries on all continents, activists and their allies are mobilizing.
1.5 billion people still live under regimes that deny the simple right to love. 45 million people, the size of the population of Spain, are considered criminals under these laws.
This year, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon will join the mobilizations for the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia with a statement for the International IDAHO Conference taking place in The Hague, in presence of HM the Queen of the Netherlands.
Full list of events and suggestions for taking last minute action at www.dayagainsthomophobia.org

The mobilization for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia this year confirms that May 17 has become an annual landmark for the defense of Human Rights, as LGBT activists and their allies mark this date around the globe.
This mobilization includes:

*17 African nations. In 14 of these countries homosexuality is legally punishable, with maximum prison sentences ranging from 3 months to 14 years.
*Several Middle-Eastern countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine.
17 of 21 countries in South and Central America.
*Several countries where there are more than 50 events planned around the day, including the UK, the US and Brazil.

Says Joel Bedos, Executive Director of the IDAHO Committee, “The mobilization shows just how universal the fight for freedom and basic Human Rights is. Today, there are still 78 countries in which same-sex relationships are illegal.
Although the world has made progress in relative terms, the actual number of people concerned by these laws is almost the same as in 1950, and today there are still 1.5 billion people who live under direct risk of criminal sanctions for same-sex relations. If we agree with the consensual figure of 3% of any population having a predominant emotional and sexual attraction to someone of the same sex, then we are talking about 45 million people whose love is illegal. That’s the population of Spain!

And even if the decriminalization of homosexuality was to continue at the same pace it did since the 50’s, it still would be totally completed globally only in … 2040 !”

Around the world, hundreds of activists have unleashed their imagination to press their governments for change. In total, actions which connect with the “IDAHO Global Rainbow Flashmob” have been confirmed in 49 different countries. As part of this, multi-colour dance flashmobs will happen through the streets of Nairobi and Bangkok, a “rainbow bubble” action is scheduled for Japan, and street parades are happening in Jakarta, Havanna and Managua !

And hundreds of other events are reported.

A special video “The Riddle” was released recently by the United Nations’ Commissioner for Human Rights to mark the Day. Still from the UN, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will deliver an address during a major European wide conference organised by the Government of the Netherlands, in presence of HM the Queen.

Meanwhile Pop icon Mika will headline the giant concert for IDAHO in Paris, on 21st May.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Washington D.C’s National Cathedral will be hosting an event which will bring key faith leaders together.

Says a Kenyan community activist, “The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia creates an opportunity for all to celebrate the courage of the thousands of people who pursue the thought of Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of committed and thoughtful citizens can change the world!
And day after day, they do!”
Detailed information on activities around the world:
www.dayagainsthomophobia.org
www.facebook.com/may17idaho
twitter.com/may17idaho

This novel was written in the 1990s at the height of the AIDS scare when the gay community particularly, faced the paranoia that surrounds a life-threatening incurable and untreatable disease.
One of the central ideas of the book was, then, a piece of science-fiction: the novel asks why one virus could not be used to fight another. Then at the end of last year, science caught up with fiction, as the principal idea of the novel – one virus curing another – and literally the last three lines of the book, written more than 20 years ago, came true.

An original black comedy thriller set in the medical world, There’s a Bug Going Around highlights how, shockingly, AIDS became a means for advancing the professional career of scientists: reflecting the real-life 90s scientific rivalry, full of vitriol and accusations of theft, between Gallo at the National Cancer Institute in the US, and Montagnier at the Pasteur Institute in France over who was the first to discover the HIV virus, which escalated to discussions between Reagan and Chirac.

You could say the principal character in There’s A Bug Going Around is the HIV virus…  Each chapter summons up a distinct human reaction to its presence. Felix, the research scientist uses it as a means of fulfilling his professional ambitions and for settling scores with his father.  Bismarck, the homophobic President of a drug company, wants it hunted down and destroyed.  Mrs Plank, the mother of Darius, a self-obsessed rock singer, uses it as a weapon in the war of belittlement against her son.  Henry, the ineffectual shop assistant, is martyred because of it. Tiger, the gay militant, uses it for political mobilisation.
It’s a social dance macabre…

Published by Tambar as a £22.99 hb, £12.99 pb & £9.50 ebook

Photo courtesy: BBC

 Miranda topped a consumer league table beating Barack Obama, The Queen and David Beckham.

UK consumers currently benefit from GBP 4.6 billion of savings and earnings from the Sharing Economy.

Miranda Hart is the UK’s favourite celebrity to share a meal with according to a consumer survey commissioned by The People who Share. Roast dinner is the top meal that consumers are most likely to want to share with their favourite celebrities, followed by steak and chips, and fish and chips. Barack Obama is their favourite politician to have a meal with, whilst the leaders of the Conservative and Labour parties – David Cameron and Ed Miliband – are the UK’s least favourite celebrities to share a meal with.

The representative research, conducted by Opinium, of 2,005 adults in the UK, was commissioned by The People who Share to demonstrate the growing consumer appetite for the Sharing Economy and to launch Global Sharing Day on Sunday 2nd June.

“UK consumers who currently share are benefiting from £4.6 billion worth of savings or earnings. Consumers are now making and saving money through sharing, or renting with their friends and neighbours. According to this research, those that share can benefit up to £400 per year per person, with some benefiting from the Sharing Economy as much as £5,000 per year,” said Benita Matofska, CEO of the People Who Share.

Food sharing, such as at a picnic, pot luck dinner or street party is one of the UK’s most favourite sharing activities – with 19% of the population saying they currently do this. Global Sharing Day 2013 will take place on Sunday 2nd June in partnership with Meal Sharing, Marks and Spencer’s shwopping and The Big Lunch. The event will be aiming to set the world record for the most people sharing food in a single day! Food sharing has a vital to role to play – 15 million tonnes of food are currently wasted between plough and plate that could have been shared with the 4 million people affected by food poverty in the UK.

As pioneers of the Sharing Economy, Zipcar, the UK’s largest pay-as-you-drive car club, has been observing its growth for the last 12 years. Mark Walker, General Manager of Zipcar UK, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Global Sharing Day. The Pay-as-you-live generation is here to stay and Zipcar has been proudly fuelling the Sharing Economy by providing cars and vans, available by the hour in convenient locations to consumers and businesses for the last 12 years. A typical Zipcar member saves over GBP 3,000 per year, and it’s not just money back in your pocket. Car clubs also lead to a reduction of cars on the road, and fewer miles driven. Sharing resources, be it cars, office space or even clothes just makes sense.”

“The Sharing Economy is growing in the UK with a 5% increase in participation since last year. With over half the population engaged in it, selling, buying or donating second hand goods is the nation’s favourite sharing activity. 36% of Britons now share transport including a ride to work, that’s a staggering 11% more than last year,” said Sabine Popp, Co-Founder, Marke2ing.

The People Who Share is based in Brighton, UK and is the global campaign to build a Sharing Economy and act as a hub for the emerging Sharing Economy estimated to be worth GBP 22.4 billion in the UK – or 1.3% of GDP. The percentage of GDP is predicted to rise to 15% within 5 years. The People Who Share’s sister company, Compare and Share, has an online comparison marketplace for the Sharing Economy, compareandshare.com, which is a one-stop shop for a range of sharing goods and services. Currently focusing on car and ride sharing, the marketplace will soon extend to travel, real estate, employment, p2p rental and skills.

Celebrity League Table

1 Miranda Hart
2 Barack Obama
3 The Queen
4 Kate Middleton
5 Helen Mirren
6 Jessica Ennis
7 David Beckham
8 Jamie Oliver
9 Angelina Jolie
10 Adele
11 Brad Pitt
12 David Cameron
13 Ed Miliband

The People Who Share commissioned Opinium Research to conduct a Consumer Survey on the State of the Sharing Economy. The report is the first in a series which will document how the Sharing Economy evolves. The Global Sharing Day campaign put a spotlight on food, the research put questions to 2,005 UK consumers asking them about their involvement with the people-driven economy. Global Sharing Day 2013, taking place on 2nd June, will focus on food sharing. We have chosen this issue to make people aware of how every year tonnes of edible food goes to landfill, yet there are millions globally living in food poverty, but also point to easy steps everyone can take to help.
To find out more click here: www.thepeoplewhoshare.com/

The money was always there on the table when I arrived should I want to check it. I knew from our protocol so far, that he’d be upstairs waiting until I went to the allotted bedroom, stripped off and got myself ready for his appearance. It was a little bit of theatre that he enjoyed, making an entrance in whatever outfit he’d decided would complete the scene for him. Sometimes it was leather, occasionally rubber or some kind of uniform but often just leather straps and a harness that framed his hairy, and not unappealing, body that emphasized his growing excitement. My job was simple; get my kit off, lube myself up, then brace myself over the bed and wait for his ‘surprising’ arrival.

I stood naked in front of the mirrors that surrounded the bed; he normally enjoyed watching himself as he stuffed my arse. He said he liked to see himself, and me, from as many angles as possible as his latex covered thick knob did its work. He appeared totally naked. His hairy and fairly muscular body already had a sheen of sweat but as always, his dick looked ready for action. However, this time he reached under the bed and pulled out some things and told me to get into them.

There was a pair of green waders and a gas mask. I’d seen anglers use waders before but I had no idea where the gas mask came into any kind of scenario. The fact that I couldn’t understand why he wanted me to wear them was of no consequence to me, as he was paying for my time and I never deliberately disappoint a client. This time, as he stood there completely naked with a raging hard on, I looked at him quizzically, while tentatively slipping a foot into each wader. Bloody hell, the effect was startling. All those images reflecting back at me said one thing. HOT. The room was, as always, very warm and a slight, sweaty gloss had broken out all over my body, which complemented the shininess of the rubber. He nodded towards the gas mask. I wasn’t keen on having the thing on my face, it looked like some devil instrument of torture but, I eventually slipped it over my head and immediately realized it restricted my breathing. The smell of rubber was overpowering but quickly became intoxicating and very, very sexy. He adjusted the rubber straps making sure the mask fitted tightly and once he was satisfied I was told to take up my position. I leaned over the bed and, despite the restriction in my area of vision caused by the mask, saw my strange reflection in the multitude of mirrors. I could see the length of his strong, manly body and it told me that he approved of what he saw. I moved my legs slightly and the sensation of the top of the thick rubber wader sexily massaging the back of my bum cheeks and gently grazing against my balls, sent my cock into throbbing ecstasy… I’d never been so hard. He let me enjoy this new feeling as he admired the look, letting his hands smooth and stroke up this extensive piece of rubberwear ending up gently massaging my naked arse cheeks. My breathing was getting more and more laboured as I became equally more aroused, the lack of fresh air adding a new dimension to the overall sensation. The aroma of rubber, and another, newly added acrid smell forced its way into my nostrils and my head began to spin. A feeling of relaxed euphoria seemed to fill my brain as I gave myself over completely to Mr Davies’s desires. His hands were everywhere and, as his feather-light fingers touched my rigid cock, he slowly bent me further over the bed.

He admired my position for some time; obviously, the waders had framed my ass-cheeks for his appreciation and given a different aspect to my bum hole. He slipped his own rubber gas mask over his head and the vision of a naked, erect man in nothing but such an eccentric piece of equipment was, I have to say, visually stunning. He held some sort of rag against the breathing filter and again my head buzzed with a weird and erotic pounding.  Eventually, he moved forward and forced his cock into what he’d paid for. As he stuffed me, with more than his usual vigour, the top of the waders rubbed at my bollocks and top of my thighs making the overall sensation just too much to endure. My brain was doing somersaults as his dick pummelled my now sweaty and slippery hole, whilst my restricted breathing, combined with the sense of total confinement, yet acceptance, made me squeal into my mask in agonised pleasure. I saw him then hold the rag to his own filter and as he bucked he grabbed my hips tighter then ever. He upped the strength and speed of his thrusts and it was all I could do to take this forceful new frenzy.  Battered and moaning, the sensations taking hold of my body led me into a state of absolute submission. I held off coming for as long as possible but this was all new. The situation got the better of me and I exploded in moments, which isn’t like me at all. He must have felt my arse tighten as I came in seven long spurts and I heard him let out a huge, though muffled, ‘Whoop’ of joy as he continued to reach his own orgasm. He was like a man possessed as my arse was pounded hard, it was almost as if he’d never shagged me before. A new strength and purpose seemed to have gripped him and as my body rippled under the onslaught.

The restrictive mask left me light-headed, while the elongated green rubber footwear, which vibrated against my thighs, bum, bollocks and dick, made me into a rubber slut enjoying a completely new fetish. An hour later and Mr Davies had certainly tapped into something different as I left his place, not only with a sore arse and a few extra notes in my packet, but excited about my next visit in a fortnight’s time.

To check out gas masks go to: shop.bent.com

Fast and Furious 6 (12a)
Director: Justin Lin
Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Luke Evans, Ludacris
Opens 17th May:

3 Stars ****

I love these films. I know, I know… really they should be straight to video but the testosterone packed Fast and Furious series has transcended B grade status and become a worldwide box office phenomenon.

The reason is pretty simple, they have wide appeal and cross nationalities. Studios bosses have seen how well these films do and now every blockbuster movie has an Asian movie star and tomboy female character thanks to Fast and Furious movies. Globally the series has amassed over a billion pounds, with the last one raking in £400 million alone. Producers have already given F&F 7 a July 2014 release date and there is a brilliant teaser at the end of this one which will make sure you are back for more but I don’t want to give away the spoiler here.

So what do we have here… all the series favourites are backed working together to stop the evil Owen Shaw (Brit star Luke Evans) running off with a computer chip worth billions. Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is hugemongous and shiny (insert oil joke) he enlists Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his team to bring down former Special Ops soldier Shaw, leader of a unit specializing in vehicular warfare.

Most of the action takes place in London, indeed I spent much of the film poking my hubby pointing out landmarks (Battersea Power Station, Wembley Stadium, Piccadilly Circus). Quite rightly the filmmakers even take the liberty at the end of the film to warn viewers that all the racing stunts are done by pros and not to drive recklessly ourselves. I doubt I could manage a doughnut in my automatic anyway!

It doesn’t really matter what the plot is because it really doesn’t matter, all we are here to see are fast cars and incredible driving sequences, hot guys and once again F&F delivers. Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Luke Evans, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson – there is someone for everyone. Even lesbians are catered for with Michelle Rodriguez giving some grunt. Oh yeah, watch out for a cameo from Rita Ora. Shame she didn’t get to sing.

You could really wait for this on DVD or download but to be fair the awesome action sequences are best seen on a big screen with a big bucket of popcorn.

Trailer: youtu.be/C_puVuHoR6o

Verbena Spa is part of the Feversham Arms, a destination popular with shooting enthusiasts, married couples and urban types looking to escape the grime and bustle of the city. The hotel has a restaurant and a civil partnerships licence, and is close to the impressive Helmsley Castle.

Couples (civil partnered at the hotel or not) and friends can take advantage of doubles’ treatments such as the fine Elemis Pamper Me Twice. The Pamper Me Twice package is a mammoth splash-out deal for two.

Therapeutic mud is first applied, while herbal steam cleanses in the Rasul. This warms the body and begins to soothe the muscles in preparation for either a Deep Tissue Muscle Massage or Exotic Ritual Wrap. Guests get to take a quick break with a light one-course meal (served with champagne), before a final treatment: either a Skin Specific Facial or a Luxury Manicure or Pedicure. You can then relax and enjoy the outdoor pool, hot tub and heat experience saunarium at your own leisure. Prices start from £170 per person.

For the indecisive (or plain lazy), you can book your time at the spa and let the staff tailor your treatments to your needs. The Anne Semonin Precious Time package is a 90-minute slot, where the helpful and very knowledgeable spa staff will lavishly indulge you with the Anne Semonin treatments that are right for you. It’s relaxation, without the hassle of having to plan it. Alternatively, you can select the slightly shorter, 75-minute Elemis Me Time package, and try the Elemis treatments instead.

The bargain-priced June Spa Escape is only £95 per person, and allows you to pick two one-hour treatments from a choice of four: the Verbena Full Body Massage, Elemis Skin Specific Facial, Elemis Exotic Coconut Rub and Jessica Express Manicure and Pedicure. The June Spa Escape also includes use of the pool, hot tub and heat experience, with a one-course lunch. The offer is available 2nd June to 30th June, excluding Fridays and Saturdays.

For a romantic evening, you enjoy the Spa by Candlelight package, and enjoy the facilities by flickering candlelight, with a Japanese bento box for your evening meal, a choice of treatment and use of the pool, hot tub and heat experience. Prices for Spa by Candelight start at £65.

The prices are very reasonable, although there’s perhaps a reason for this. There’s no doubt that Verbena Spa was once top of the range. However on our trip there were a few disappointing factors, which it would be wrong of us to exclude from our review.  There were missing tiles in the saunarium and, frankly, the water in the hot tub was less than clean (to express another niggle, at the time of our visit there was also a loose seat in the hot tub, too). Which was a pity, because the treatments on offer really are very good, and the staff are excellent. The overall impression is of a top-notch spa that hasn’t kept up with the maintenance such a reputation deserves. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the drinks, as the bar prices are pretty much London prices (consider almost £9 for an Irish coffee). Best take advantage of the free iced tea and water and book yourself in for one of their special offers, and then you’ll be laughing.

Verbena Spa, Helmsley, YO62 5AG / verbenaspa.co.uk

Born out of Canada’s own Wild West – where outlaws, prospectors and trappers moved amongst native peoples before the British Empire took hold, naming the province after Victoria and Albert’s daughter – Alberta has emerged as tourist-beckoning home to the majestic Canadian Rockies, with lofty Jasper readily reached in 4 hours from ¾-million-thronging high-rise Edmonton!

You should definitely consider flying direct with Air Canada, in Economy or maybe even splashing out on its acclaimed Executive First product, boasting – amongst many other things, quite apart from access to those famed Maple Leaf airport lounges – lie-flat beds that fully recline at a mere touch!

EDMONTON

Dubbed Canada’s “festival city”, Alberta’s capital Edmonton hosts thriving arts events all-year-round – most notably the internationally renowned folk and fringe theatre fests, both in August. Perched on the snaking North Saskatchewan River, it also offers fine dining, eclectic districts and a compact scene.

TO STAY

Modern, chic-yet-friendly boutique downtown style palace, the Matrix Hotel (10640 100 Avenue; www.matrixedmonton.com) offers guest rooms and luxury suites – including 8 penthouse affairs complete with living room, fireplace and wet bar – and even throws in a hearty complimentary breakfast, plus sociable wine and cheese tasting (Mon-Sat), along with a business centre, fitness room and on-site parking. With some of the most attentive staff in the business, Matrix was recently ranked 7th Trendiest Hotel in Canada in the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice 2012 Awards.

Or, if you prefer something a tad more corporate – and there’s now’t queer as folk – Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton Downtown (One Thornton Court, 99 Street & Jasper Avenue; www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/yegcy-courtyard-edmonton-downtown/) should fit your bill.

TO EAT

For “new Canadian cuisine”, those staying at Matrix can just flit down to its contemporary fine-diner, Wildflower (10009 107 Street, Matrix Hotel; www.wildfloweredmonton.com), whose wood-fired grills accentuate well-presented fresh food flavours. Try their scallops, lamb risotto then lemon tart!

For lighter fair, pop just over the river to local handsome charmer Brad Lazarenko’s Culina Muttart (Muttart Conservatory (9626 96A Street; www.culinafamily.com) – a relaxed modern café housed in the conservatory where fresh in-house greens set off soups, salads, sarnies and fresh-baked sundries. Veggies, vegans and the gluten intolerant rejoice! One big airy, leafy thrill – not least on the large patio!

TO SEE ‘N DO

Some just visit Edmonton for its jumbo West Edmonton Mall (www.wem.ca) – North America’s largest shopping and entertainment centre and Alberta’s top tourist attraction – featuring Waterpark, with deck-chaired beach and wave machine, Bourbon Street restaurant zone and Fantasyland Hotel with its fun themed rooms, plus rides, casinos, shops and so much more!

Those seeking deeper succour should head to the Art Gallery of Alberta (2 Sir Winston Churchill Square; www.youraga.ca) – a sizeable state-of-the-art showcase for international, Canadian and First Nations art, amidst award-winning architecture, not least its eye-catching zinc-clad frontage. Or they can catch an opera, ballet or big-stage show at the vast Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (11455 87 Avenue, www.jubileeauditorium.com) – the resident Alberta Ballet (www.albertaballet.com) a must!

Those into history should check out the Royal Alberta Museum (12845 102 Avenue; www.royalalbertamuseum.ca) – one of Canada’s finest cultural and natural history collections – and take a free tour of the imposing and fascinating Alberta Legislature Building (10800 97 Avenue; www.assembly.ab.ca/visitor a.k.a. “The Ledge” – Alberta’s decision-making heart.

Undoubtedly Edmonton’s most bohemian district, just south of the river, Old Strathcona (www.oldstrathcona.ca) was recently voted one of the Top 10 Coolest Neighbourhoods in Canada – with dozens of drink, food, dance and music options, mainly hubbed around Whyte (82nd) Ave – and is also designated a Provincial Historic Area on account of its several blocks of landmark properties dating from the… early 20th Century! Laid back family fun by day; tad more raucous, and straight macho, by night! It also boasts several theatre groups – including the brilliant Catalyst Theatre (www.catalysttheatre.ca) company – plus a high concentration of independent boutiques and other businesses. Open Saturdays, year-round, 8am – 3pm, Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market (10310 83 Avenue; www.osfm.ca) provides “a touch of the farm in the heart of the city” – for all manner of locally produced food and crafts!

For another arty area, check out “The Gallery Walk” (www.gallery-walk.com, on 124 Street between Jasper Avenue and 104 Avenue), just west of Downtown – a clutch of galleries, restaurants, gift and fashion shops, bookstores, theatres and such.

To get out and about, don a helmet and take a quick lesson and guided river valley tour (1hr or 1½ hr) on a segway (www.rivervalleyadventure.com; www.segwayedmonton.com) gliding through North America’s largest urban parkland that cuts a swathe through Edmonton. Fab café and patio too! Whilst down that way, pop into the distinctive pyramid-topped Muttart Conservatory (9626 96A Street; www.muttartconservatory.ca) to explore a steaming jungle, trek across a sun-baked desert, enjoy the changing seasons in a temperate forest and breath in the scents of a flowery meadow!

TO BOOZE ‘N CRUISE

Edmonton’s gay scene is a tight-nestling trio just West of central Downtown. Start at Woody’s (11723 Jasper Ave), the large upstairs bar with video, pool table and balcony seating. Then descend to Buddies (11725B Jasper Ave), the sizable basement dance club next door, to jive to remixed chart and dance hits or just kick back and people-watch from a booth. Still restless? Then skip to Steamworks (11745 Jasper Ave), the gay sauna round the back of Woody’s and Buddies – housed over two levels, with steam room, private cabins and a whole lot more!

JASPER & THE ROCKIES

For a stark town-country contrast, take the mere 4-5 hours trek, due west of Edmonton, to Jasper – in the awesome eponymous Jasper National Park.

Minus a car, there are two main options for transferring between Edmonton & Jasper. For comfort and glamour, VIA Rail (www.viarail.ca) does the route both ways as part of its mammoth 5-day Toronto-Vancouver haul. For sheer speed, take the daily SunDog Shuttle Bus (www.sundogtours.com).

However you travel, as you leave scraper-centred Edmonton, the horizon unfolds and then soon lifts you thousands of metres up, into the wildlife, peaks and lakes of the soaring 3000m-plus Rockies! The railroad first opened Jasper up to tourism in the early 20th Century, and its lofty lure pervades all-year-round – whether for snowy piste in winter or leafy walk come summer.

Jasper itself is a tiny town in a big park – the perfect gateway and hub from which to adventure within the largest and most northerly Canadian Rocky Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

TO STAY

Slap bang in the heart of Jasper, Whistlers Inn (105 Miette Avenue; www.whistlersinn.com) exudes a cosy Canadian Rockies alpine air, offering 63 spacious rooms, many with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains. Soak in its outdoor, rooftop hot tubs after a hard day outdoors; or eat and drink in the local flavour of the adjoining Whistle Stop Pub – trying its onion soup, plus chilli lime chicken, all washed down with a tasty Kokanee beer!

TO EAT

Attached to Whistler’s Inn, the window tables at Cassio’s Italian Restaurant (602 Connaught Drive Jasper; www.cassios.ca) look right out onto Jasper’s heritage train station and tad more distant lofty peaks. The friendly laid-back atmosphere perfectly accompanies real Italian cuisine using old family recipes and the freshest local ingredients. Try the smoked salmon, then mushroom/sausage risotto, plus chocolate almond tort – all washed back with some fine Canadian merlot!

The first brewery opened in a National Park, Jasper Brewing Co. (www.jasperbrewingco.ca) is the “go to” place to chill out and unwind. Fresh, modern, and innovative brews accompany a great menu too – try the calamari, plus lobster and cheese sandwich, all knocked back with their fab Rockhopper beer!

Anything this good must be Evil! Evil Dave’s Grill (622 Patricia Street; www.evildavesgrill.com) is a “funky, upbeat restaurant” where you can satisfy your hunger with “Holy Cow” tender beef strips starter, “El Diablo” chicken-with-rice main, and “Bread Head” banana cake finish! Wicked!

TO SEE ‘N DO

Explore wee Jasper itself: its little museum, and well-signed wilderness woods walk out from Old Fort Point to Lac Beauvert near the luxury Jasper Lodge golf course – watch out for bears en route in season!

SunDog Tours (www.sundogtours.com) offers a range of year-round excursions. Try its interpretive tour up the remote Maligne Valley, including a stop at Maligne Canyon for a walk above the deep gorge; then at Medicine Lake; and then at Maligne Lake where you can enjoy a hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop (3.2km return). The trip is also an excellent opportunity to spy Jasper’s wildlife including – depending on season and luck – the odd fox, coyote or wolf; sheep, goat or squirrel; deer, caribou, elk or iconic moose; eagle or osprey; bear, black or grizzly; or even – if miraculously blessed – cougar.

Magic mountain moments! Take the hourly SunDog Tramway Shuttle bus from central Jasper (pick-up at 611 Patricia Street, www.sundogtours.com – ticket includes tramway itself) to the Jasper Tramway (www.jaspertramway.com) station, pre being gently lifted to 2500m in 7 minutes, into Jasper National Park’s alpine tundra, via the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada. The Tramway delivers unprecedented views of six mountain ranges, glacial fed lakes, the Athabasca River – Alberta’s longest – and the town-site of Jasper itself. The Upper Terminal features a gift shop and licensed restaurant. At the top, you can also hike, at least in summer, on prepared trails to the nearest summit, for spectacular 360-degree views, and memories that will last for ever!

There are a whole range of other summer activities in and around Jasper, from horse riding to river rafting. And, of course, winter brings downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and the like!

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS
Air Canada offers more services between the UK and Canada than any other airline, with up to 84 non-stop flights per week to eight major Canadian cities scheduled this summer. The airline operates up to five services per day to Toronto; plus daily services to Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Halifax and St. John’s; as well as offering a range of connections from its Toronto hub to destinations across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. For info or reservations call 0871 220 1111 or visit www.aircanada.com.
•    Scottish readers note: Air Canada’s fast-expanding great-value new leisure carrier, Air Canada rouge, also starts flying between Edinburgh and Toronto this July (2013), with frequent direct onward flights from there to Edmonton via Air Canada’s domestic network. For more info and bookings, visit: www.aircanada.com/rouge or www.facebook.com/AirCanadarouge and www.aircanadavacations.com
•    General info about Alberta: www.travelalberta.com
•    Other useful sites: www.edmonton.com; www.jasper.travel

Stonewall’s iconic ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ campaign is now in its sixth year and is set to reach a new milestone. The charity’s famous posters have appeared across Britain on buses and billboards, and have been seen in countries worldwide as part of the charity’s international campaign against state-sponsored homophobia. Now the charity is boldly going where no charity has gone before, by translating the campaign into Klingon.

The Klingon ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ poster – which reads ‘Rut nga’chuq loDpu’, rut nga’chuq be’pu’. YiqimHa’!’ in Earth text and is also available in Klingon language text – has been released online to coincide with the UK release of Star Trek: Into Darkness, the latest film in the long-running sci-fi series. Stonewall hopes lesbian, gay and bisexual Star Trek fans will use the imagery on social media to celebrate the new film and to raise awareness of Stonewall’s campaign for equality. The images are available for download from Stonewall’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stonewalluk

Stonewall Deputy Chief Executive Ruth Hunt said: ‘Klingons may be renowned for their determination to fall out with people but, as Spock would say, even gay Klingons should be able to live long and prosper.’

Stonewall’s Klingon ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ posters mark the tenth language into which the campaign has been translated in support of Stonewall’s campaign for gay equality worldwide, and as a modern foreign language resource for schools. Others include Russian, Chinese, Welsh and Hebrew, all of which are available online at www.stonewall.org.uk/international.

The poll, which surveyed 560 people in the UK and US, was undertaken for les Deux Messieurs by the world’s leading LGBT consulting specialists Out Now, and revealed that the UK is a top destination for gay travellers.  In the UK, 71% of respondents said they intend to enjoy UK breaks more than once during 2013, with 28% planning to holiday in the UK at least 3 times. Some travellers from the US indicated they also had plans to visit the UK more than once this year.

A larger study (LGBT2020: http://www.outnowconsulting.com/lgbt2020), by Out Now, surveyed  over 5,000 people worldwide and found that 61% of respondents from the US expressed a desire to holiday in the UK over the next three years, citing London as No.1 on their list of European destinations.

The figures from these surveys not only reinforce the strength of the UK’s appeal as a holiday destination, but show just how important gay travellers are for UK tourism.

Hugh Wright, Editor-at-Large for les Deux Messieurs, says:
“The hospitality industry should take note. Welcoming gay travellers makes absolute sense and needs to be reflected right across the holidaying experience. Gay travellers shared some horrific tales with us when we were conducting our research; behaviour that just isn’t acceptable. It’s one thing to be greeted warmly at reception, but if the room service attendant makes you feel awkward (or vice versa) that good work is undone. Likewise, if visitors venture out for a pint or bite to eat and the locals aren’t welcoming, it can spoil your entire stay.

“We love the UK and created les Deux Messieurs to inform and inspire gay travellers and their friends to get out and explore it. We have stayed at every property we feature, and report on every touch-point gay couples might come into contact with – from eating in the hotel restaurant and ordering room service to exercising in the gym – as well as exploring the local area. By using our reviews, we are confident that the gay travellers planning to holiday here, will find their perfect UK stay away.”

Online: deuxmessieurs.com    @deuxmessieurs     pinterest.com/deuxmessieurs
Les Deux Messieurs is a luxury gay travel companion that profiles the best of Britain’s design-led hotels, boutique B+Bs, and self-catering accommodation. It’s a compact gem of knowledge packed with witty reviews and local insights written to inform and inspire discerning gay travellers holidaying in the UK. Created to help you get most out of your break, each accommodation review also includes restaurant reviews and activity suggestions. What’s more, its tailored search criteria means you can always find your perfect stay away – a dirty weekend in London perhaps, a group getaway in Dorset, or a dog-friendly B+B in the Lakes.
Compiled and edited by two thirty-somethings, Les Deux Messieurs never tires, never wanes, just inspires and informs.

Since leaving the Sylvia Young Theatre School at 16, it’s been a big couple of years for the 18 year old; having spent two years working with some of the best music producers in the business, including Geri Halliwell and ‘Crazy’ producer, the renowned John McLaughlin.
What’s even more unique about Sam is his refreshing approach to his success. Not many highly talented teenage boys with thousands of adoring fans manage to remain so humble honest and caring. In a bid to ‘give something back’ with the release of the upcoming single, Sam has been running the Crazy Campaign – a series of fifteen weird, wacky, and downright dangerous stunts, from sky diving to Morris dancing, taking place throughout May and June in the lead up to the release of the single; all raising money and support for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Reminiscent of other teen pop acts such as Justin Bieber and Connor Maynard, ‘Crazy’ is definitely a catchy summer tune with a great beat, strong melodic hooks and an amazing vocal – fantastic work from the young singer-songwriter.

‘Crazy’ is set to be released on 24th June.

www.samcallahan.co.uk/