clubs t bars t cabaret t life No 1147 1 March 2017 RYNBHB[JOFDPNtRYHBZMPOEPO 18 Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over QX_1147_Cover.indd 1 28/02/2017 15:36 QX 1147 MASTER 1.indd 2 28/02/2017 15:29 QX 1147 MASTER 1.indd 3 28/02/2017 15:29 The Informer. New HIV vaccine leaves five test patients ‘virus-free’ Trump rolls back laws protecting transgender teens In yet another shocking move against minority groups, international embarrassment and pretend politician Donald Trump has revoked the Scientists at the IrsiCaixa Aids Research Institute in Barcelona have developed landmark guidelines brought in by Barack Obama relating to transgender a new vaccine for HIV, by combining two HIV vaccines with a drug used to guidelines. The revolutionary rules protected the rights of transgender combat cancer. The vaccine has had exciting results – after being treated with students in schools, giving them the right to use whichever bathroom the vaccine, five of the 24 patients tested immediately became undetectable, matched their gender identity. The Trump Administration scrapped this on their immune systems stopping the spread of the virus. Then 15 were treated Wednesday. The only explanation came from badly-educated education with a booster dose in an attempt to “flush out” the virus. In 10 it returned, secretary Betsy Devos, who said “This is an issue best solved at the state and but 5 are now seemingly virus-free, with no need to take medication. local level.” It’s not though. It’s basic human rights. A promising development in the fight against HIV and AIDS! A third of the UK’s population think being gay is a choice A recent YouGov study of the public’s attitude towards sexuality revealed some shocking results. When asked, “Is being gay a result of genetics, upbringing or personal choice”, a mindblowing 31% answered “Personal choice”. Now, as we all know, being gay is not a choice. And people understanding this is key to the fight against homophobia. It raises some interesting questions on the public’s attitude towards LGBT issues. Unsurprisingly, when the participants’ political views were factored in, it was found the majority of UKIP voters thought being gay was a choice. What a mess. EDITOR SENIOR DESIGNER DIRECTOR qxmagazine.com DYLAN JONES JANNE ÖIJER CHRIS COLMAN [email protected] [email protected] 020 7240 0055 TO SUBSCRIBE TO QX CALL [email protected] EDITORIAL ASSISTANT DESIGNER 020 7240 0055 JOE HOLYOAKE SUREN GUNPATH DISTRIBUTION / M.R.DISTRIBUTION £45 FOR 6 MONTHS [email protected] [email protected] PRINTERS / ACORN £80 FOR 12 MONTHS WITHIN UK ONLY NEW BUSINESS SALES EXECUTIVE CLASSIFIEDS /ESCORTS PUBLISHED BY STEVE GREGORY 020 7240 0055 FIRSTSTAR LTD. NEW HOUSE, © Copyright in the UK and worldwide, of the publishers 020 7240 0055 [email protected] 67-68 HATTON GARDEN, Firststar Limited, Qx (ISSN 1356-6903). QX is [email protected] LONDON EC1N 8JY published every Wednesday. Deadline for editorial and display advertisement inclusion is Thursday, six days before the relevant issue cover date. Sorry, but COVER: PATRICKMETTRAUX.COM we cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited manuscripts , illustrations or photographs. 4 qxmagazine.com QX_1147_Informer.indd 4 28/02/2017 15:28 QX 1147 MASTER 1.indd 5 28/02/2017 17:06 The Problem With DylanDylan JonesJones deconstructs an antiquated custom For all London’s frenetic flaws, one thing lazy, it’s considered coolly uncaring. If you go out in a suit, people that can be said for it, is that it’s an imaginative and unselfconsciously just assume you’re Keith Richards’ son, or that you’ve just been to fashionable city. Anything goes really. The seasoned, streetwise the Brit Awards. At the time of writing, velvet chokers and pastel residents have accepted that it’s too much of a melting pot to be pink baseball caps are very in, but that might all have changed by militant about something as trivial as clothing. next week. Part of the joy of London is that you can get away with Of course, it depends on the context. Marching down Brixton anything. There’s always an aesthetic rabbit-hole to hurl yourself High Street at midday on a Sunday in full drag, would probably be down, bangles jingling and scarves swinging. inadvisable. And you COULD storm through South Kensington’s The result of this bohemian fashion free-for-all is infinitely more sleepily affluent tree-lined streets in camoflage cargo pants and a interesting than a monochrome world of suits and cocktail dresses. pair of brothel creepers, but Sienna Miller might call the community There’s so much more to look at, and so much more opportunity for officers on you. Or at the very least, organize a freetrade, ethically- self-expression and creativity; both of which are extremely important sourced neighbourhood watch meeting. in a world which seems to increasingly be rewarding mediocrity. But for the most part, nobody in London gives a toss what you’re Given all of this, it’s surprising that anywhere at all still bothers wearing. And it shows in the city’s social subsections. Restaurant enforcing dresscodes, but believe it or not it does still happen. and theatre culture has become markedly less stuffy since the It’s at its most prevalent in Leicester Square’s uniquely bleak and cumbersome cummerbund days of British high society. Even the misguided straight venues, and a few others around the rest of West opera is a fairly louche affair. Whilst there are still mink stoles to and Central London. be spotted on the porcelain shoulders of certain socialites, many For the most part, all it entails is a sign at the entrance, usually have been tossed aside in favour of neon faux-fur or perhaps a addressing men. They’ll read something like “Smart casual. Men must commercially ironic Moschino McDonalds affair. not wear jeans or trainers” and it’s as simple as that. But, while it’s the The nightclubs too, have bottled away their conformity in favour accepted norm in many places, I find this seemingly innocuous and of an eclectic cocktail of colour. You could wear absolutely anything reasonable request utterly ludicrous. on the East London nightlife scene and not look out of place. Let’s use the “no trainers” requirement as an example. I expect Even if Kellyanne Conway went dressed as Kellyanne Conway, what they mean when they say they want “no trainers” is “no trashed people would whoop with delight, thinking she was a particularly Essex boys in white JD Sport high-tops, stumbling in and vomiting dead-on drag queen, taking a daring dig at conservative values. KFC everywhere” (a type of assumption which of course has its own If you go out in tracksuit bottoms, it’s not considered cheap or problematic class stereotype issues.) But fashion is far too nuanced to 6 qxmagazine.com QX_1147_Dresscode.indd 6 28/02/2017 16:01 “ What if, say, Kanye West turned up in a pair of Christian Louboutin’s Louis Strass trainers (RRP £1,895) with Kim Kardashian and twenty paparazzi in tow. Would they turn him away?” be that black and white and objective about it. Not unlike dressing in gowns. In doing this, they’re not only assuming that we identify with London, it’s all about context. Fashion depends on who’s wearing it, conventional gender norms, but that we wish to comply with them. and how it’s being worn. What if, say, Kanye West turned up in a pair Who gets to decide that this is the done thing? Who says men must of Christian Louboutin’s Louis Strass trainers (RRP £1,895) with Kim wear three bits of fabric, with another long thin bit of fabric hanging Kardashian and twenty paparazzi in tow. Would they turn him away? down the middle, and that we should just accept that? Personally, I’ve actually witnessed something not dissimilar to this first-hand. whilst I do happen to identify as male, I’ve felt uncomfortable in suits A couple of weeks ago, at around midnight on a Friday, a friend since childhood, so for black tie events I usually just wear black skinny and I rocked up at a swanky cocktail bar in Soho. He’s a Grammy- jeans with an open shirt and lots of jewellery. I get looks from people nominated music producer and recording artist. He wasn’t allowed sometimes, but who cares. If I were to wear a suit, I’d feel constricted, in because he was wearing a pair of trainers. He was also wearing and wouldn’t have a good time, and certainly wouldn’t be a fun guest. a custom-cut Armani suit and, being a high profile person, would And would that not defeat the whole purpose of the event? have lent an electric atmosphere to the venue and boosted their Similarly, why are women expected to wear revealing gowns and profile. People inside were already excitedly glancing over, taking oppressively uncomfortable heels? In fact, many people are starting surreptitious photos on their phones. to question this, and it’s something that’s become less and less But this, apparently, was of no consequence, because he was imperative in recent years. High profile women like Tilda Swinton and wearing the wrong sort of material on his feet. I was wearing a charity Janelle Monae have frequently broken the mould at events like The shop shirt that I bought for £2, and some jeans with ketchup on them, Oscars and The Grammys, and have looked fabulous doing it.