Table of contents for February 2016 in Attitude Magazine

Welcome to the first issue of Attitude on sale in 2016. I hope you had a great break and are full of joy, hope and Chocolate Orange. It’s a strange time; the beginning of the year, when the streets are subdued and people potter around like penguins on valium and everyone’s replaying The Sound of Music. So, we’re back to kick things off and entertain you with another fine cover shoot with a handsome chap that some of you may have noticed on your TVs (SCREAM). Yes, for it is Gleb, he of Strictly Come Dancing fame. He may not have won Strictly but he’s hit the jackpot of life by being on the cover of Attitude. *Pops in a gobstopper, chews* There’s not much more I can say other…

SPOTLIGHT MARK RUFFALO, MICHAEL KEATON, RACHEL MCADAMS This fast-paced and finely acted drama is the retelling of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation into the sexual abuse scandal of the local Catholic Church, which had been covered up for years. As well as being an eye opener, it’s also a fascinating insight to investigative journalism and one which ensures that neither the church nor the reporters go unscathed. Both Keaton and Ruffalo standout, delivering two intensely focused and skilled performances. Spotlight may be a lot to take in, but it comes to a satisfying conclusion. JANUARY 29TH 4/5 YOUTH MICHAEL CAINE, HARVEY KEITEL, RACHEL WEISZ Acclaimed composer Fred (Caine) takes a luxury holiday to the Swiss Alps with his daughter (Weisz) and filmmaker friend Mick (Keitel), in an atmospheric drama…

IT’S OFFICIAL. The time has come to burn the earth and salt the ground so that any future civilisations won’t realise how badly we have failed. The reason? Step forward everygirlneedsagay.net, the worst internet invention since… No, sorry, I can’t think of anything worse than this. If I had that kind of sick, twisted imagination I’d be writing the script for the next Human Centipede instalment, not a column for Attitude. “CLEARLY THERE IS AN APPETITE FOR WOMEN DESPERATELY SEEKING GBFS, AS EVIDENCED BY A RECENT BUZZFEED LIST TITLED 18 GIRLS LOOKING FOR GAY FRIENDS ON GRINDR” Every Girl Needs a Gay is an ‘online matchmaking platform’ – threatening to launch itself onto an unsuspecting world this month – which promises to pair dim girls with equally clueless gay best…

"LONDON IS LITTERED WITH PEOPLE WHO LOOK AND SPEAK ABOUT THEIR LIVES AS THOUGH THEY’RE IN THEIR LATE-30S – YET WERE ONLY BORN IN 1996” AS MUCH AS I COMPLAIN about some of London’s less desirable aspects – the weather, the tube delays and how rushed and busy everyone is all the time – I fondly think of it as one of the greatest cities in the world. Why? Well, the sheer size of the damn thing for one. Two: people from just about every nation and culture in the world can be found here, and three: the seemingly endless amount of things to see and do. What I have noticed about London though is the amount of precocious early twentysomethings trying to appear older, wiser and more sophisticated than…

THIS MONTH: THIS MONTH JAMES SHOT A NEW FILM AND WROTE A SCRIPT BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE WHICH WAS THEN DEVELOPED INTO A SNAPCHAT STORY, HE LED A PILGRIMAGE TO THE GRAVE OF JIM MORRISON AND FILMED THE WHOLE THING ON A HEAD CAMERA, HE WROTE A YEAR’S WORTH OF ADVICE COLUMNS FOR HIS LOCAL NEWSPAPER (AS HIS BROTHER DAVE), DISCOVERED A NEW METAL THAT HAS NOW MADE IT ONTO THE PERIODIC TABLE, AND MADE A CUPPA FOR HIS NAN. GO JAMES! VIRAL Stuff we loved online this month THE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL PRETTY BOY CONTINUES HIS ASCENT TO ADONIS STATUS WHEN HE GAVE US A QUICK FLASH OF HIS HIDDEN MERITS IN THIS CLIP FROM HIS UPCOMING FILM DIRTY GRANDPA THAT HAD ATTITUDE SCREAMING LIKE THE TEENAGE GIRLS WE…

A stripe on the waistband keeps your trunks free from patterns, but maintains interest above. Hello Sailor! A Breton stripe can be a bold touch for you on holiday. The lines are flattering and it creates a strong look. A block colour with a simple thin stripe can bring in an understated line to your swimwear, like these David Gandy for Autograph swim shorts from M&S.…

Deadpool – real name Wade Winston Wilson – debuted in the X-Men universe as a mercenary for hire in The New Mutants, #98 way back in 1991. An assassin for hire, his popularity continued to grow with each appearance eventually evolving into a more antihero role, often siding with the good guys, yet still retaining a merciless edge. Recently his character developed a pansexual identity. Co-creator Fabian Nicieza stated, “Deadpool is whatever sexual inclination his brain tells him he is in THAT moment. And then the moment passes.” Nicieza added, “I’ve been dogged with the DP sexuality questions for YEARS. He is NO sex and ALL sexes. He is yours and everyone else’s.” Deadpool director Tim Miller has confirmed that the character will retain his bisexual identity in the new…

DRINKS: CAZADOR The bar where the cool, hip gay/ mixed ‘who’s who’ of the capital gets together (Pozas St, 7). Fashion designers, students, actors, PRs, musicians and artists of all sorts feel like home in a very homey atmosphere. CLUB: MORDISKO Lavapiés is incresiangly becoming the new alternative to classic Chueca. Mordisko (Cabeza St, 33) has become the leading club for a new gay sexy revolution. This is a must for bearded hipsters who love not only good electro stuff played by resident DJ and founder Vruto. Guests tend not to have a problem taking their shirts off when it gets hot in there... or even dancing in their underwear. One Saturday a month they host a night at the bigger Kluster club (Covarrubias St, 42). FOOD: NAVAJA Right in…

“I’ll take being a sex symbol for gay men. It feels great” Outrage swept through the world of Saturday night television in December. In the semi-final of Strictly Come Dancing, Anita Rani from Countryfile and professional dancer Gleb Savchenko had been sent home by the judges. The four overseers of the BBC dance floor chose instead to save Katie Derham and Anton du Beke in the dance-off. Twitter was aghast. Across the nation, fans took to their keyboards to express how #TeamGLITA had been robbed. “Furious,” fumed one Emma Smith on the Strictly hashtag. “There’s no universe where Anita and Gleb don’t deserve to be in that final.” Yet, perhaps there was another reason why so many were venting their online anguish. From the show’s start, people had quickly noticed…

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO KEEP IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE? WELL, MAINLY I JUST DO CARDIO. I RUN FOR TWENTY MINUTES FOUR OR FIVE TIMES A WEEK, AND THAT ALSO INCLUDES BODY EXERCISES – CHIN UPS, PULL UPS AND PUSH UPS, AND ALSO SOME ABS WORK LIKE PLANKS AND SIDE PLANKS. I DON’T GO TO THE GYM BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO GET TOO BIG; I WANT TO KEEP LEAN AND I TEND TO GAIN MUSCLE QUITE QUICKLY. DO YOU DO MOST OF YOUR EXERCISE OUTDOORS? YEAH, IN MY LOCAL PARK. IT’S QUITE EASY. I DO IT EARLY IN THE MORNINGS BEFORE I EAT SO IT HELPS TO BURN FAT RATHER THAN ENERGY. IF I EAT BEFORE IT WOULD BURN THE ENERGY NOT THE FAT. THE FIRST TIME YOU DO…

‘HE WAS SIPPING A BOTTLE OF WATER WHEN I FIRST CAUGHT HIS EYE. HE SMILED AT ME. I BLINKED IN SHOCK’ By the time I started university, my binge drinking had begun to dominate my life. There were a few local gay bars I drank in, but being close to London, I preferred the anonymity of the sex clubs and backrooms there. Grossly overweight, I believed I was only good enough for sex in the dark with old men or wanking ten times a day on chat-lines. Eat-wank-drink-fuck-eatwank-drink-fuck-eat-wank-drink-fuck, over and over and over again. It was a hideous cycle I couldn’t break out of. I was desperately unhappy, yet my clown persona protected me and the rest of the world from seeing what I actually believed I was; a useless…

Dear Attitude, I’ve noticed that I’ve been drinking too much and would like to make the most of Dry January and cut down. I had a blackout earlier this year which I understand to be a sign of having a drink problem. I often lose keys, phones and wallets, so I really need to try and do something. Unfortunately, all my friends are big drinkers and going to bars and clubs is a big thing for them. I’ve tried to cut down before and they have ranted and raved at me and told me I’m being boring. I want to tell them that I think I have a problem but they won’t take it seriously. I’m spending more time with a friend who does get it and is supportive but…

1 Wine is on offer for couples, but you’re getting a bottle all for yourself. Cheers! 2 Likewise takeout deals. 'Feeds two' means meal for one, right? 3 Go through your friends’ couple selfies and try to spot the #SadnessInTheirEyes. 4 Find a single friend and head out to abuse the club's 2-for-1 drinks offer. 5 Alternately take a friend for dinner and have the waiter lavish you both with roses and champagne. 6 Make a reservation for one at Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium for some well-deserved cuddles. ladydinahs.com 7 Have your own solo Netflix and chill 8 If you’re feeling ruthless, a few glasses of wine will make a Facebook cull highly satisfying. 9 Focus on what’s yet to come in your future, like the sale on Thorntons Valentine’s…

I GOT MARRIED WHEN I WAS 23 AND HAD 3 CHILDREN. I LEFT HER AFTER 25 YEARS, BECAUSE I WAS GAY. AFTER TELLING HER, THE REACTION WAS VERY PAINFUL AND THAT REBOUNDED ON ME. AT ONE POINT DURING MY MARRIAGE I SPOKE TO MY MINISTER ABOUT HAVING GAY FEELINGS, AND HE SET ME ON A CHRISTIAN-BASED CONVERSION THERAPY PROGRAMME. AT THE TIME I WAS WILLING, AND I WENT ALONG WITH IT. I put away my gay feelings for another ten years or so through therapy. Thankfully, young people are now aware there are better options out there. I was in my mid-forties before I was able to stand in front of a mirror and say, ‘Hello, I’m Nick. I’m a gay man, and that’s OK.’ I was an active church…

NICK BOND After a year as our Web Editor, Nick Bond is heading back home to Sydney, where he’ll be joining news.com.au. His highlights included covering Eurovision, having a giggle with Boy George, and reading the endless filth and wisdom which litters our social media commentary. He signs off with an L.A. travel feature, and needless to say, we’ll miss him. MATT CAIN Matt Cain used to make arts programmes for ITV, was culture correspondent on Channel 4 News, and now writes novels featuring major gay characters and storylines. He’s loved writing his Culture Club/Iconic column for Attitude but hangs up his reigns this month. His novel Nothing But Trouble is out now. CHARLIE CONDOU AND CAMERON LAUX Charlie Condou is an actor, writer, and activist best known for playing…

DAVID BOWIE BLACKSTAR/RCA No one really knew if Bowie’s dramatic comeback album The Next Day would be a one off, or the start of a new era from the otherwise reclusive legend. This new album (titled as a symbol, pronounced as Blackstar) kind of evades both possibilities. He’s certainly got more he wants to give, but nothing that follows on in the style of its bombastic, more satisfying predecessor. The ten minute title track could well be an artistic piece of its own, on which he toys with form and style, mumbling quasi-threatening lyrics over an agitated drum pattern before moving into a reflective ballad - as funky and soulful as he has ever been. On this, as with Lazarus (which also features in his new off-Broadway musical), he evokes…

THE REVENANT BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTOR This Native American drama is sure to snag a lot of nominations this awards season. But after five previous Oscar nominations, will Leonardo Dicaprio finally manage to take home the golden statue? THE DANISH GIRL BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTOR This transgender drama is sure to get awards attention, particularly for its performances. Vikander stuns and Redmayne could manage two consecutive wins after his portrayal of Hawking in last year’s The Theory of Everything. CAROL BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTRESS, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Both Blanchett and Mara deserve Oscar recognition for their flawless work in the magnificent Carol, which is also one of the most beautifully shot films of the year. ROOM BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTRESS, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR We’re huge fans of the…

"I USED TO TEASE THE PRIESTS. THEY’D SAY, ‘BODY OF CHRIST’ AND I’D SAY, ‘YOU’RE NOT SO BAD YOURSELF!’” You describe your style as ‘council estate camp’. What was it like for you growing up in that environment? Well, you stick out like a sore thumb. It was a bit of the Billy Elliot factor. Where I’m from, it’s quite rough. We did things for fun that weren’t what other kids might do. We once tied someone to a lamppost and left him there because we thought it was funny. Eventually my friend’s mum said to mine that they were going to drama classes and my mum palmed me off saying, ‘Please take my son as well; he’s really annoying in the house’ and I think they hoped that that…

EQUAL EVER AFTER LYNNE FEATHERSTONE/BITEBACK As a lifelong liberal, Lynne Featherstone has long championed the rights of LGBT people, but never more so than in the fight for same-sex marriage; a very modern part of our rainbow coloured history, which is thoroughly documented from the inside in this invaluable memoir from the former MP. With the Liberal Democrats having entered a coalition government with the Conservatives in 2010, Lynne became the Under Secretary of Women and Equalities, and put the bill firmly at the top of her agenda. Her uphill battle to get support from Tory colleagues is a particularly interesting read, especially the ‘journey’ of her department head Theresa May, who famously changed her tune on gay rights once she became Home Secretary. The cynical may well scoff at…

AGE: 24 OCCUPATION: MUSIC ENTREPRENEUR FROM: LONDON, UK WHAT’S A DAY AT WORK LIKE? Every day is different, and that’s why I love being self-employed. It can vary from working at home on a creative campaign for an artist, to meetings in London, rehearsing a choir or recording an artist… such a mixed bag! I often get to travel with work, too – sometimes internationally – so that offers another exciting slant. HOW DID YOU GET INTO YOUR JOB? I always knew I wanted to have my own company at some point, but didn’t think I’d be setting up so soon. I initially wanted to go to uni, and train as a war correspondent! After a few years of working on music, I launched my company Nouvague. We work with…

He’s one of the world’s most in-demand DJs who kicked off his career in the gay clubs of Detroit. He finds creative inspiration through a love of queer culture, and is well known for having a penchant for drag. Oh, and he’s straight. [Yes, really.] You grew up in Detroit, which has faced hard times recently. It has always faced hard times. The thing is it’s quite a large place. Detroit itself is made up of 700,000 people, but the metropolitan area is 3.2 million. The suburbs are kinda nice, that really idyllic Mid-Western life of country farms, lakes and cornfields. But the city is this dark, urban decay, dystopian landscape. You’d have these really beautiful mornings in the cornfields in the sun, going to school in the snow, the…

RIVER ISLAND DESIGN FORUM: LOU DALTON Following in the footsteps of James Long, Christopher Shannon and Baartmans and Siegel, Lou Dalton has joined forces with River Island Design Forum. Dalton has drawn inspiration from photographer Perry Ogden’s book Pony Kids and films such as Ratcatcher and The Selfish Giant. The collection has strong outerwear and tailoring, along with plenty of contrasting textures and colours with panels galore. THE 13 PIECE COLLECTION LAUNCHES EARLY JANUARY 2016 IN UK STORES AND ONLINE, WITH PRICES FROM £20-£150. RIVERISLAND.COM TOPMAN COLLABORATE WITH CURTIS KULIG Topman have teamed up with NY-based artist Curtis Kulig for their latest collaboration. The collection features details and imagery from his original artwork (from his fine art and his archive) while also reflecting his signature style. There’s everything from cardigans…

American Apparel store.americanapparel.co.uk Antler antler.co.uk Balmain balmain.com Beats beatsbydre.com Belstaff belstaff.com Brics at Case Luggage caseluggage.com David Gandy for Autograph at Marks & Spencer marksandspencer.com Diesel Black Gold diesel.com Diesel diesel.com Dior Homme diorhomme.com Dsquared2 dsquared2.com Eastpak at John Lewis johnlewis.com Fendi fendi.com Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci givenchy.com Havaianas havaianas.com HOM at Figleaves figleaves.com Jeffrey Rudes jeffreyrudes.com Joseph joseph-fashion.com Le Slip Francais leslipfrancais.fr Levis levis.com Loewe loewe.com Louis Leeman louisleeman.com Louis Vuitton louisvuitton.com Moschino moschino.com Oliver Peoples oliverpeoples.com Philipp Plein philippplein.com Police police.uk Ralph Lauren ralphlauren.co.uk Reebok at Office office.co.uk Replay replayjeans.com River Island riverisland.com Ron Dorff rondorff.com Sandro sandro-paris.com Storm stormwatches.com Ted Baker tedbaker.com Topman topman.com Tumi tumi.com UGG uggaustralia.co.uk Wan Hung Cheung wanhungcheung.com Wooyoungmi wooyoungmi.com Zegna zegna.com Model: Julian Schneyder at Wiener models Grooming by Christopher Koller using…

Ben Hardy He’s come a long way from Albert Square to Hollywood (via our smoking front cover above), and now Ben Hardy will star in the new X-Men: Apocalypse film as Angel, a winged mutant who becomes one of the evil lead villains. Tye Sheridan He’s only 19-years-old, but Tye has already starred alongside Brad Pitt in Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life and got banged up in The Stanford Prison Experiment. He’s also joining X-Men: Apocalypse as Cyclops, a mutant who can project energy beams from his eyes. Tom Holland London born Tom may seem a little baby-faced, but he will make his debut as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War due out in April, and will get his own Spider-Man feature film due out sometime in 2017. He…

Awhile back a misguided PR suggested that we take our family to Dubai on a holiday. The country is renowned for its luxury shopping and architecture, but there are some amazing human rights bargains to be had, too. Homosexuality is technically punishable by death, although in practice foreigners only get a prison sentence followed by deportation. The precedents suggest we might be jailed for a year for ‘public displays of affection’ (otherwise known as living). On the various travel websites there is discussion about whether it’s wise for gay and lesbian couples travelling to Dubai to book twin beds, in case the hotel staff shop you to the authorities. We laughed, without any humour, as we tried to get our minds around how we would negotiate all of this as…

Q&A Our health expert Dr Christian Jessen answers your medical queries Q I can no longer run long distances without getting really out of breath and my chest is getting tight. I’ve run marathons before but now struggle to do shorter distances. What could have changed? Andrew, Lisburn A This sounds like you’re having a problem with one or both of two organ systems: your respiratory system (breathing), or your cardiovascular system (your heart and circulation). Lung disease caused by smoking, asthma, or allergies can cause a narrowing of your airways, making breathing more difficult. This means that when you’re exercising you’re not getting enough breath in, so you can feel short of breath and thus will have a reduced endurance. Heart and circulatory problems will work in a very…

Joe Goddard, 28, Leeds, Director of avaj underwear brand I’m not scared of my body. It’s not perfect – I haven’t been to a gym in about two years – but that doesn’t bother me, so I thought I’d just go for it. Plus, it’s a good opportunity to show off my new underwear brand! I haven’t always been this comfortable with my body; as a teenager I had quite a lot of acne, so I think this confidence has come with age, and when that started to clear up. HEIGHT/WEIGHT 5’10 11 STONE Diet I’M A BIT ALL OVER THE PLACE, TO BE HONEST. I TEND TO SKIP BREAKFAST IN THE MORNINGS, AND FOR LUNCH I’LL JUST HAVE A SANDWICH OR SOMETHING. WHEN IT COMES TO DINNER TIME I’LL…

C Do you feel like you need to cut down on your drinking? A Do you get annoyed when people criticise your drinking? G Do you feel guilty about the amount you’re drinking? E Do you wake up in the morning needing a drink (i.e. an eye-opener)? If you answer yes to two or more of the above, then it’s highly likely you have a drinking problem. It’s time to take a careful look at how much you’re drinking and get some help to cut down if you need to. Depending on how serious your problem is will depend on what services may suggest you do. You could be offered help to cut down and control your drinking or you may be advised to give up altogether. But it is…

UGLY BETTY “You’re an attractive, intelligent, confident businesswoman.” These are the words Betty Suarez repeats to herself on her first day at Mode magazine. Betty is a 22-year-old Mexican-American woman who’s ‘overweight’, wears glasses and a brace, and is clueless about fashion. She’s been hired as the editor’s new assistant purely because his boss wants him to stop sleeping with the staff. But she’s keen to pursue her dreams and over the course of four seasons, Ugly Betty chronicles her triumphs over adversity - professional and romantic. Ugly Betty was a remake of Colombian soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea and began broadcasting in 2006. Its camp melodrama and over-the-top storylines were a satire on the Latin American telenovela but it also boasted brilliant writing, stylish direction, and some…

With the advent of equal marriage and all sorts of other pieces of LGBT-friendly legislation it’s easy to reach the conclusion that the battle is over. I think that’s a fairly complacent view when you look at issues that still remain – gay discrimination and bullying in schools and the workplace – but no one can deny that in the last twenty years, things have moved on apace. Can any of us truly imagine what it must be like to know that you’ve been born with the wrong sexual organs? But there is one section of the LGBT community which, understandably, feels very left behind, and very misunderstood. It’s only in the last couple of years that transgender issues have been talked about in polite society without provoking a barrage…

WHERE Ku Bar, London WHEN Friday 4th December FEMI OMOLUABI Bali or Bora Bora; they’re paradise. BEN O’NEIL Vegas to see Britney! With LA and San Fransisco included. RICHARD PARKIN New York. I’ve always wanted to go - it’s iconic! Definitely on my bucket list. JUAN JOSÉ Brighton, for the beach and the boys! MICHAEL COLTMAN Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia. To snorkel and swim in clear blue water. KATIE BARCLAY Cuba - amazing rum! ALEXANDER OSADCHUK Christchurch. DAMIEN KILLEEN Pawnee, Indiana – the home of Leslie Knope. MANUEL GOMEZ The West Indies, where else? BEN ADDOUS A tour of Australia for sure, as well as India. EUNAN BAZRO India, for the culture. LOUISE CROWE Argentina, for the vibe, the mountains and the wine.…

Ezra Furman is a Chicago born singer-songwriter whose psychedelic rock and gender fluid style have seen him reach international audiences with his recent record Perpetual Motion People. The first song you ever bought: When I was 11 I was morbidly obsessed with the song Greedy Fly by Bush, and its accompanying music video. I used my allowance to buy the CD and listened to it a lot; not sure if I was supposed to like it more than I did. It scared me to listen to it at night. A song that reminds you of falling in love: Another Girl, Another Planet by The Only Ones. That song’s particular type of romance is one I can relate to a lot more than the kind you find in most classic love…

STAR WARS Worth the wait. The plot twist was that they’ve all in fact come out and set up a non-binary planet where furry ‘bears’ run the world and everyone rows about everything on Twitter and goes on about how bad bullying is whilst bullying people. AMAZING. GENERAL LEIA BOW. Please can she be Empress Leia. PLEEEEEEEASE. Please. GRAND LEADER OF THE UNIVERSE LEIA Slay bitch (or something). GOD LEIA We’re dead. DOMHNALL GLEESON Sexy. Irish. Irish. Sexy. NEW YEAR, NEW CHANCES Oh, aye. *Opens pack of Bakewell tarts* STUDENT PRIDE We’ll be there. It’s good. studentpride.co.uk P.S. HIIIIYA THE WEATHER It’s literally the end of the world. Poppers and cakes all round. IPHONE 412 Whatevs. This one actually licks your balls. Android’s been doing it for years. And you…

ONLINE: HOUSE OF CARDS Ruthless President Underwood will kick off season four of the acclaimed Netflix series on rocky ground. After Claire’s final lines of season three left the future of their relationship in turmoil, can Frank scheme his way into the Oval Office without her, or will his once loyal wife usurp him? On Netflix from February. TERRESTRIAL: AMERICAN CRIME STORY Hot on the heels of AHS:Hotel, Ryan Murphy brings us his depiction of the People v. O.J. Simpson 1994 trial. We’ve already seen a chilling teaser trailer and can’t wait to see how Murphy interprets one of the most famous murder trials in American history. FOX UK from 2 February. ONLINE: BETTER CALL SAUL Florida’s worst lawyer is back for a second season. This month, we will see…

NOTHING TASTES as good as ripe mango eaten on a sunny beach in Jamaica. Or so I am told. I’ve never been and don’t plan to go anytime soon. Ditto Russia. I’d love to be whisked across its cold beauty on the Trans-Siberian Express, curled up with coffee and Tolstoy, but I’ve never booked a ticket. There are safer places to go. I’m extremely lucky to enjoy ‘passing privilege’ these days. I can get on a train to Nottingham and not expect to be called a ‘fucking tranny’ or have people stare and snigger at me – but is it really worth the risk in Russia? I’m not sure. It only takes one arsehole ‘clocking’ you to become a target in a hostile land. So yes, if you want to…

You’ve likely seen us lusting over UGG’s winter offerings of late. The Australian footwear brand have really committed to elevating their men’s shoe collections over the last few seasons, producing everything from smart heritage shoes, to shearling-lined boots, and modern casual styles. For summer 2016, UGG Australia have looked to the ocean for inspiration, with canvas sneakers and espadrilles in muted hues, all built using their TreadLite technology. This comprises of an ultra durable outsole that offers extra cushioning, traction, durability and flexibility, whilst simultaneously remaining light. uggaustralia.co.uk…

Gay men tend to be loud mouths. But not loud enough by Stuart Milk’s standards. Stuart wants us to proclaim our presence and at the very least stand up and be counted. He believes that it’s our invisibility, bred by centuries of oppression, which encourages discrimination and violence. He points to the success of Obergefell v. Hodges, the court case that paved the way for legal same-sex marriage throughout the U.S. He says it’s a prime example of LGBT visibility changing hearts and minds and informs me, “When Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of our Supreme Court justices, was asked why marriage equality was upheld she said, ‘Because the justices knew gay people.’” Stuart practises what he preaches. He gave his first public address at Washington Pride when he was still…

COFFEE: TRUTH COFFEE Join the caffeine cognoscenti on Buitenkant Street. Hailed by The Telegraph as the ‘Best Coffee Shop in the World’, and given a big thumbs up by The Guardian, the inspired steampunk décor is both quirkily Victorian and futuristic. And the coffee is fantastic. HOTEL: THE GLEN The beaches of Cape Town are alcohol free, so if you like to sip while you sunbathe then head to this popular gay-friendly boutique hotel. Open 8am-9pm. glenhotel.co.za HIKE: LION’S HEAD Skip the gym and still work up a sweat by walking up Lion’s Head. It’s about an hour to climb this imposing landmark, but so worth it as the view from the top is spectacular. Check out the Cape Town Gay Hiking Club on Facebook for other walks. VIEWS: TABLE…

Kieron Richardson DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, 2008 In 2008 I went to the Dominican Republic with my husband, my lesbian best friend and two other friends, and it was definitely my most memorable holiday. We’d always wanted to go on a Paradise Island type holiday, but some of my friends were on a budget, and it just so happened this was the only place that suited everyone. It started on the plane, where I upgraded everybody, thinking we’d be in the lap of luxury, but it wasn’t that fantastic. I had only sat down before a cockroach ran out from under the seat. I absolutely crapped myself because I'm petrified of them. I was screaming and the stewardess said, ‘Sir, if you really think you saw a cockroach we’re going to have…

The Flu THE FLU IS A VERY COMMON VIRAL ILLNESS AND IT’S EASILY SPREAD. IT ATTACKS OLD AND YOUNG ALIKE AND IS USUALLY A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE INFECTION. I USUALLY TELL PEOPLE WHO COME INTO THE GP CLAIMING THAT THEY’VE GOT FLU THAT IF THEY’VE MANAGED TO GET TO THE SURGERY, THEN THEY DEFINITELY HAVEN’T GOT FLU. COLD AND FLU ARE NOT THE SAME THING. SYMPTOMS OF FLU TEND TO INCLUDE: HIGH TEMPERATURE; MUSCLE ACHES AND PAINS; HEADACHES; WEAKNESS AND SOMETIMES COUGHS. IF YOU’RE YOUNG AND FIT, FLU MAY KNOCK YOU OUT FOR A WEEK OR SO, AND I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO STAY IN BED, HAVE PLENTY OF FLUIDS AND USE PARACETAMOL OR IBUPROFEN FOR SYMPTOMS. HOWEVER, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT A FLU JAB IS AVAILABLE.IT IS SLIGHTLY RESTRICTED…

• 225g VitaFibre Syrup• 100g USN Whey & Oats (Marshmallow Cookie)• 100g Marshmallow Fluff (plain)• 100g Oats• Vanilla Essence• Chocolate chips (81% Dark Chocolate) Method: 1. Melt the VitaFibre syrup in the microwave for 2 mins. 2. Stir in the vanilla essence, USN Whey & Oats and Marshmallow fluff. 3. Fold in the oats and let cool for 10 mins. 4. Add chocolate chips and fold in. 5. Roll into balls and flatten out on a baking tray. 6. Bake at 180 degrees Celcius for 10-12 mins depending on how crispy you like them. 7. Put on cooling rack for 5-10 mins to stiffen. Best eaten warm. Enjoy! Macros: Total Mix; Protein 70g, Fats 40g, Carbs 374, Calories 2,136. Per PrOtie (Makes 6);  Protein 11.6g, Fats 6.6g, Carbs 62g, Calories 356. For the white chocolate chip…

So, I watched the Fury/Klitschko fight. I inherited a love of boxing from my mum, she from her dad. I’m naturally inclined to cheer for Fury because I know exactly the spot he grew up in. He’s gobby, inappropriate and tough as nails. Furthermore, he’s called Tyson Fury, the boxer’s equivalent of a new female singer emerging called Winehouse Soul and living up to it. The fight was a little boring but there was no arguing that he ascended the ranks to become something approaching superhuman. “WE HAVE TO FIND A NEW WAY OF DEALING WITH VIEWS LIKE THOSE EXPRESSED BY FURY.WE HAVE TO REASON, INFORM, EDUCATE, AND PERHAPS SOMETIMES LAUGH THEM OFF” After his nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of The Year a gay scandal emerged around him.…

The MetLife North building opposite Madison Square Park in Manhattan was the setting for the offices of Mode. Betty lived in Jackson Heights, a mainly Colombian neighbourhood in Queens, and caught the 7 train to work. Doubling as the Suarez family home was a mint-green colonial house that’s situated on 92nd Street, near Elmhurst Avenue.…