GAY TIMES

On 1 July 1972, more than a thousand people protested through London in what would be the first ever Gay Pride march. Fifty years later and the annual Pride celebration has become a global movement with millions of LGBTQ+ people and allies continuing the fight for equality, liberation and protection – while also taking a moment to revel and be proud of who we are as queer people. Naturally, with a momentous milestone like 50 years there will be plenty of reflection of how far we’ve come, paying respect to those who have come before us and pioneered the fight for the rights we enjoy today. It’s only right to respect our queer history – it’s bad enough that it’s barely taught nearly enough in schools but to understand where we’ve…

Moschino Book €250,00 available at eu.assouline.com 2023 marks a decade of Jeremy Scott at Moschino. Without Scott, it’s safe to say this decade of fashion would not be bursting with camp couture and irresistible innovation. Whether it’s a burger, a flamingo, a bouquet of flowers, a violin or a lampshade, there’s nothing that Scott can’t transform into divine fashion. But the fashion is just half the story, Scott’s runways have been transformed into a glittering circus, a nostalgic 90s game show spectacle, and during the height of lockdown an ensemble of string puppets bounced down a dollhouse runway in shrunken looks. So, what better way to celebrate and document this incredible creative journey than a weighty book? The book charts all of Scott’s playful collections, where he drew inspiration from everything including…

“I feel like I’m playing Sims Rockstar edition,” Cat Burns laughs. It’s mid-afternoon and the London-based singer-songwriter is sitting comfortably on the UK Official Charts challenging none other than Harry Styles for the top spot. Emerging as a musical newcomer, Cat first made her debut busking on the South Bank as a teenager. Since then, the British singer-songwriter has conquered the internet garnering over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and 6.5 million listeners on Spotify. “I haven't properly acknowledged everything because it’s happened so quickly,” the 22-year-old admits, leaning back on a faded black leather couch. “But, the proof is in the pudding with how well Go is doing. There’s a demand for Black women in stripped-back pop music and it shows.” So, let us introduce you to Cat Burns…

This July, Pride in the UK celebrates its 50th anniversary. Organised by the Gay Liberation Front in 1972 with hundreds of members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, the inaugural march was met with heavy policing and resistance from the general public, as well as closeted and shame-ridden queer people. In the past 50 years, however, Pride has developed into a tremendous, annual event that sees millions in attendance to celebrate the joys of being LGBTQ+, while also protesting the harmful laws in the UK - and around the world - that continue to stand in our way of true equality. Without the first Pride march, the community would be without essential organisations that tirelessly campaign for equality, diversity and inclusion, such as Just Like Us, a charity whose mission is…

The number of openly LGBTQ+ Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK reached a record high after the December 2019 general election, with representation remaining steady across the political spectrum since then. Queer politicians are being seen and heard more than ever before, with a number of them using their platforms to advocate for things such as a comprehensive ban of so-called ‘conversion therapy’, gender recognition reform and LGBTQ-inclusive education. Public attitudes towards the community are also overwhelmingly positive, with a recent Stonewall study finding that less than one in 10 people hold anti-LGBTQ+ views in the country. However, there is still a long way to go for LGBTQ+ representation in politics, as well as in achieving full equality. Basic human rights still appear to be up for debate, both in…

Us queers know that reading is fundamental, and in recent years there’s been a breadth of rich, insightful, entertaining and emotional LGBTQ+ literature for get stuck into. If you’re looking for a good read this Pride Month, there’s a massive array of new releases to choose from. Ranging from historical fiction set during the height of the AIDS crisis to a sprawling queer coming-of-age narrative between two star-crossed women, via a gay royal scandal and an exploration of bisexuality, LGBTQ+ novels are digging in deeper to the diverse range of experiences our community encompasses. Here are just eight of the best reads to get lost in this Pride season – the library is well and truly open. Just By Looking At Him - Ryan O’Connell [out now] The debut novel by Ryan…