F DOUBLE THE FUN R EE Ruth Basshunter Angie QB Lorenzo Brown

Nottinghamshire’s Queer Bulletin

August/Sept 2012 Number 67

In this edition

On page 3 there is a boring Saturday July 28th but important article about the AND City Council’s Equality and Fairness Commission which, Sunday July 29th amongst other things, may provide a route for 2-way communication between our As Pride gets bigger, it becomes harder to finance it solely from sponsors Community and the City Council. and pre-Pride fundraisers. Predictably, a few people have criticised the £1 entrance fee that will be charged at this year’s Pride. If one compares the £1 with what one spends on a night out on the town, it helps to put Not as exciting as when, in previ- things into perspective. It’s also important to note that the £1 covers both ous editions of QB, this slot was the Saturday and Sunday events. filled with This year on Pride’s 3 stages, you have (amongst others) the acts shown  Death by tea cosies above and below, as well as 6 tents, each with different themes.  Fart your own atomic bomb Peter Martine  Exploding giraffes  What not to do with a red hot poker  Waitrose’s quince jelly

Lola Lasagne Shamus O’Blivion

CABARET BURLESQUE HEALING TENT COMEDY TENT TENT TENT Rainbow Bridge Julie Jepson If you have any information, news, Drag with no Homage Mystic Moon Rosie Wilby gossip or libel or wish to comment name to Dita on anything in QB, please contact DIRTY FILTHY DANCE TENT Lola Lasagne SEXY TENT QB The Wonderful D Sharon O’Love Peggy Wessex and Switchboard Alternative music 7 Mansfield Road NG1 3FB There will, of course, be the usual array of market stalls, local LGBT or e-mail groups and organisations, bars, food stalls + cinema, workshops and theatre happenings over the two days. It’s all at the Forest Recreation [email protected] Ground off Gregory Boulevard from 12-8 pm on Saturday, 12-6 pm on

The deadline for the next edition Sunday …. and though there may be thunderstorms, hail and tornados will be August 28th 2012 elsewhere, the weather for is always excellent.

For a full picture, go to the Nottinghamshire Pride website at SwitchboardSwitchboard is registered is registered charity charityno. number 1114273 1114273 www.nottinghamshirepride.co.uk QB’S BITS IDAHO DAY IN NOTTS IDAHO DAY, the International Day Against Homo-  Queen of Clubs is Nottingham’s newest gay phobia, is on May 17th. This year rainbow flags venue. It’s on Heathcoat Street and there’s proliferated. The Council House, the Castle, every loads of stuff on their website at fire station + Fire and Rescue HQ were all be- www.queenofclubsnottingham.com decked.  Rogues Cabaret, a variety cabaret night with diverse acts to include Drag ,Burlesque, Dance, & singers. At the Maze - Saturday July 14th. 8.15 ‘til late. Tickets £10 from www.eventelephant.com/ roguescabaretcollective  In QB no. 65 we gave details of the LGBT Recovery group (relating to drug and alco- hol problems), We gave the correct postal and e-mail address, but muddled the phone number - it should be 0115 9111661 - Mon- Fri 9am to 1pm.  An LGBT Writers’ Group has just started. Read more on page 6.  A document detailing research recently com- pleted by Sheffield Hallam University can now be downloaded from the Nottingham- shire’s Rainbow Heritage website. It’s called “Tackling homophobia & transphobia in settings supporting young people”. The website is on the back page: go to NRH’s Resources, then “Nationally produced docu- ments”, then “Education”.

 The poster seen below was displayed on the side of the Methodist Mission building on The City Council LGBT Employees group organ- George Street. ised a set of stalls in the atrium of Loxley house. HGN, Switchboard, the GMB, Pride, Notts Rainbow Heritage, Stop Hate UK + Notts Police and the City Council were all represented.

100 METRES FOOT IN MOUTH

Each Olympic games provides eagerly seized oppor- tunities for sports commentators to make fools of themselves. Who can forget (certainly not us) the BBC commentator expatiating about a Cuban athlete “Juantorena opens his legs and pulls out the big one”, but our favourite remains the one shown below. MUSHROOM BOOKSHOP

In February Nottinghamshire’s Rainbow Heritage In the 1976 Olympics, a awarded a certificate to Mushroom Bookshop to newspaper typo stated recognise the service and support they provided to that Nadia Comaneci local LGBT people from when they opened in the won a gold medal on the 1970s to their closure in 2000. asymmetric bras

Ross Bradshaw, who worked at Mushroom for many years, has written a detailed article describ- ing Mushroom and its interaction with the LGBT community. The article is now on the Rainbow Heritage website at http://nottsrh.webeden.co.uk/#/map- mushroom/4549271322 SEX AND THE CITY – WITH A GAY TWIST, THE EFC AND ITS ADVOCATES IN THIS NEW GAY COMEDY AVAILABLE NOW ON KINDLE! The City Council has set up the Nottingham Plan 2020. It sets out a vision of what Nottingham should Steven does not have much luck with men. be in the future. You can download it from the Com- After catching his boyfriend sampling some munity page of Switchboard’s website. ‘Turkish delight’ whilst on holiday in Mo- rocco, he decides to end the relationship The One Nottingham Partnership is to provide a sin- gle coordinating framework that: and start re-building his life. As someone who values a relationship above everything  Agrees the long term strategic direction for the else, he believes that the best course of ac- City of Nottingham in the Nottingham Plan tion is to get back into the world of dating –  Is responsible for the implementation and review only to find it’s a minefield. of the overall direction of the Plan.

Each guy has their own hidden agenda, forcing Steven to strip back the layers of The Equalities and Fairness Commission (the EFC) has the following aims: what he really wants – can there be a happy ending? With the help of his one-eyed cat,  Take a strategic approach on equality and diver- this ‘Tales of the City’ meets ‘Sex and the sity issues that impact on the lives of Notting- City’ comedy will have you laughing out loud ham citizens as Steven works his way through some not  Influence decision making of One Nottingham very eligible bachelors! and its partner organisations to improve the lives of citizens who experience discrimination, disad- vantage or deprivation Sample the  Provide constructive feedback to partners on first few chap- their policies and practices that leads to positive ters for free on outcomes for people with protected characteris- tics. www.amazon. co.uk and its objectives include

 To provide constructive feedback to the work of or download One Nottingham and its theme partnerships in for only relation to equality, diversity and cohesion £1.02!!!  Ensure that the key priorities within the Notting- ham Plan are being delivered in a way which takes full account of the needs of those living and working in Nottingham, particularly in re- spect of protected characteristics and geo- THE ONLINE DIRECTORY graphic disadvantage.

On QB’s back page there is a list of Nottingham- Membership of the Equality and Fairness Commission shire’s LGBT social/support groups. will consist of, but not exclusively:

If you go to Switchboard’s website at www.nottslgs.  Advocates for the protected characteristics as org uk and then to the local facilities page, you can defined by the (disability, gen- download a directory which gives the full details of der, sexual orientation, race, etc.) each of the groups along with information about sev- eral organisations and services. We will also draw  An academic your attention to Switchboard’s new logo. Is  A business representative “fantabulosa” appropriate?  A One Nottingham Board Member  The lead Portfolio Holder at the City Council for Equality and Diversity  The Head of Equality and Community Relations (non voting)  The Director of One Nottingham (non voting)  Overview & Scrutiny (non voting)

The Advocates for sexual orientation have been pro- posed by the City Council LBGT Forum and are David Edgley and Natasher Beecher, both of whom can be contacted via Lesbian & Gay Switchboard.

WITH THE FLINTSTONES, WE’LL HAVE A GAY OLD TIME

The writers of the Flintstones probably had other things in mind when they wrote their show’s theme tune - unless they knew something about Fred and Barney that we didn’t.

Now that the Green Lantern, from DC Comics, has been revealed as a gay character, we would like to point out that he’s far from the first gay in Toon Town.

But, echoing Malvolio, some cartoons are born gay and some have gayness thrust upon them - the latter including Sponge- bob Squarepants and Tinky Winky, both of which have been targeted by the luna- tic fringe of American Christianity.

If you wear purple SpongeBob and occasionally Squarepant’s sexual carry a handbag, you orientation is made must be gay, says crystal clear because Reverend Jerry Fal- he hold hands with well, a former his sidekick Patrick. spokesman for America's Moral Ma- At least, this is what jority. James Dobson of “Focus on the Fam- The Rev fails to com- ily” says, accusing ment on that other the makers of the well known gay give- video of promoting away, wearing an ae- homosexuality. rial on your head.

Patty Bouvier (from the Simpsons), Northstar, Stewie (from Family Guy) and Maggie Sawyer (from Super- man) have all been outed by their creators. Northstar was the first cartoon character to come out - in 1992. Waylon Smithers is another gay member of the Simpsons crew, though he remains firmly in the closet. Nevertheless, Smithers is known to frequent Springfield’s , has fantasies about his boss Mr Burns and (an irrefutable pointer, this) has the largest collection of Malibu Stacy dolls in Springfield.

Patty Bouvier Northstar Stewie Maggie Sawyer Smithers GROUP OF THE DAY Richard Frost Tony Challis has initiated an LGBT Writers' Group at Nottingham Writers' Studio, 3rd Floor, 32a Conservation Services Stoney Street Nottingham. A while back he ran a group called Pink Ink, but that faded after some years as people moved etc. Now, with the backing of the Studio, internet, Facebook etc, it is easier to contact many people.

The first meeting was on Thursday 17th of May - Antique Furniture Repair IDAHO day - not because of that, but because that was the only day in the month that the main room at Specialist Painter the studio was free!

Anyone with a commitment to writing - prose, po- Gilder etry, drama, script writing, journalism - whatever - and with several books published or a beginner - will be very welcome. We had a very wide range on a our first meeting. There is a charge of £2 for peo- ple who are not members of the Writers’ Studio. Tel. 0115 9622121 This will be a supportive, friendly and creative group, where it is hoped members will be able to E-mail discuss where they are as writers, explore what it is [email protected] to be an LGBT writer in this society, and be helped to flourish. For any further information including de- or visit us @ tails of future meetings, contact Tony at [email protected] www.furniturerepairantiquenottingham.co.uk

THE PRIDE MARCH ROUTE

Those who want to join the Pride march should A reminder. Stop Hate Crime UK began work in gather in the Market Square at 10.30 am. and be Nottinghamshire in 2010 in cooperation with Notts prepared to set off at 11 am. The route will then take Police and Nottingham City Council. Get in touch people up King Street, turning right on to Upper Par- with them if you have experienced any homophobic liament Street, then left on to Milton Street. After that incidents. Contact details are on the back page. it’s just straight up Mansfield Road to the .

PRIDES PROLIFERATE

July 30th August 3rd Amsterdam Pride August 4th Liverpool Pride August 12th Wakefield Pride Guitar, songwriting & music theory August 13th Prague Pride Electric and acoustic guitar August 15th

Friendly, patient teacher August 17th August 25th Cornwall Pride Current CRB check August 28th Belfast Pride Adults and children welcome September 1st Take exams or just learn for fun! September 1st Cardiff Mardi Gras

£10 per half hour September 1st Grimsby Pride September 1st Email: [email protected] September 2nd Barnsley Pride September 8th Tel: 07800 868 085 / 0115 929 3891 September 23rd Sunderland Pride September 29th Preston Pride ORGANISING FOR EQUALITY EVIL RATS ON NO STAR LIVE Here, we enter the world of the palindrome - which This event (organised by the Bassetlaw branch of doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going. Did Eve UNISON) is for all UNISON Equality Coordinators, hear “Madam! I’m Adam”? Was de Lesseps lauded LGBT Reps, Stewards and Activists interested in in “A man, a plan, a canal, Panama”? Enough of equality. this drivel - the following cartoons were unearthed The event will look deal with: “What is union organ- by Nottinghamshire’s Rainbow Heritage from old ising? How is it different? Why is it important for copies of Outright. LGBT? The guest speaker will be Charlotte Wheeler-Quinnell, from .

It’s on Thursday September 20th 4-6 pm at Work- sop Town Hall, Potter Street, Worksop, S80 2AH. The venue is accessible and refreshments will be provided. For further details contact Alex Porter on 01909 533468 or [email protected]

OSCAR IN EARNEST

Oscar Wilde’s comic masterpiece “The Importance of Being Earnest” has delighted audiences since its first staging in 1895. Ernest loves Gwendolen. Cecily loves Ernest. What could possibly go wrong?

Men behaving badly, mislaid babies, deliberate and accidental mistaken identities, secret engagements and some of the wittiest wordplay ever volleyed over cucumber sandwiches abound in this razor-sharp comedy of manners.

At Nottingham Playhouse Aug 31st - Sept 21st

CS2 Sauna Celebrates their 1st Birthday

Nottingham's Premier men’s sauna will be one year old in July. To celebrate our first Birthday over Nottingham's Pride weekend we will be of- fering a Free buffet ,longer opening hours and a few surprises. There is also a Special £2 Dis- count offer to QB readers. (see our advert)

CS2 Sauna has established itself as the largest sauna complex in Nottingham and the East Midlands. With state of the art facilities and all new professionally installed equipment.

We were finalists in this years Midlands Zone Magazine awards for Midlands Best Sauna. No other sauna in the East Midlands has ever been nominated before. Located on 1 Lennox Street, in the City Centre just a few steps from Nottingham's ever growing gay scene. This year looks promising to be very busy during Pride. For more information check their web site: www.cs2sauna.com

Lesbian & Gay Switchboard SOME LOCAL LISTINGS

0115 934 8485 or 01623 621515 Breakout Social group for gay & bisexual men.

or text 07624809360 Tuesdays 7.30 pm (at HGN, 12 Broad St.) Contact the Chair on 07941 855921 Monday-Friday 7 pm-9.30 pm email [email protected] 7 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FB. www.breakoutnottm.org.uk [email protected] Outburst! Group for LGB young people up to the age of 25. www.nottslgs.org.uk Meets Mondays at NGY (29-33 Castle gate) *********************************************** Phone Base 51 (at NGY) on 9525040 for details

Healthy Gay Nottingham Lookout The quarterly free lesbian newsletter. For details e-mail 0115 947 6868 [email protected]

Monday-Friday daytimes Details of the following local groups can be obtained from Switchboard:

12, Broad Street, Notts Hyking Dykes; Bi-Delight: Lesbian Book Club; Women’s Badminton; Nottingham NG1 3AL. Badminton Social; Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement; Chameleons (trans); read more (and e-mail) via Re-Creation (trans); Nottingham & Trent Uni LGBT Societies; Peak Rufties

www.healthygaynottingham.org.uk women’s walking group: LIRAIN (lesbians into real ale); Police OUTNetwork; LGBT Writers Group; Sapphist Writers; SMOC (for straight partners of LGBT ********************************************** Nottinghamshire’s Rainbow Heritage people); Lesbian Café evening; SYNT (Women’s social group): Gay History Tours; Bi Women’s Group; LiNk-Notts (local lesbian e-mail info service); c/o NVAC, 7 Mansfield Road, LAFS (Mansfield women’s group); Eat Out Social; North Notts Gay Women’s Nottingham NG1 3FB. Walking Group; Ball Bois football team; Sherwood Ladies 5-a-side football; 0115 9349529 [email protected] Open Walking Group; Tagadere (HIV+ support group): Weekenders

www.nottsrainbowheritage.org.uk (Sheffield based walking group); Gay Outdoor Club; Worksop Youth group

********************************************** (WOW); Panthers Rugby Club; Dinner Ladies (women’s eat out group): Stop Hate Crime UK LGBT Recovery (drugs/alcohol) Download a detailed directory of groups & (now operating in Nottinghamshire) services from the Local Facilities page of Switchboard’s website 0800 138 1625 (24 hour helpline) Switchboard has an accommodation file: if you are seeking flat/house www.stophateuk.org share or have accommodation to offer, contact us; the service is free.

DIARY

BOLD STROKES III DISCOVERING OUR CREATIVITY Unstone Grange (see below) is a secluded Victo- rian house set in 5 acres of grounds and is a little to

the North of Chesterfield.

The Grange will be the base for a “Discovering our Creativity Weekend”. The dates are Friday 31st Au- gust to Sunday Sept. 2nd. The weekend will consist of a number of workshops, including Painting, Sing- ing and Dancing.

The Unstone team for this weekend will be Anthony Gariff, (Painting), Jon Homer (Dance), Dave Pitt (Singing), and Richie McCance, (Co-ordinator). The charges - £60 to £100 - for the weekend (including meals) are income related. For full details go to

http://stonewallbreaks.wordpress.com or for further information e-mail [email protected]