ScotsGay Issue 118 - ScotsGay Magazine

ScotsGay 

scotsgay.co.uk 

A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE EDITED, PRINTED & PUBLISHED IN SCOTLAND SINCE 1994 

Glasgay! 

Scottish Scene 

ISSUE 118 

£1.50 

WHERE SOLD 

Bennets 

Gay Marriage 

Is Frenchies 

Radek Rhys the hottest 

barman in Edinburgh? 

Pic taken by John Hein 

Gay 5K

editorial 

GAY MARRIAGE 

PIC: OLIVER 

CROMWELL 

I was wrong. 

Originally somewhat dismissive of the 

high priority set by LGBT campaigners on 

permitting same sex couples to marry, like 

many radicals, I saw (and still see) marriage 

as an outmoded institution ripe for abolition 

and really could not fathom why sensible 

gays would want to have any part of it . 

What I did not foresee was the way in 

which Civil Partnerships have accelerated 

the acceptance of openly homosexual people 

in our society. 

When an Edinburgh councillor 

announced his impending CP with a long 

standing partner, it was but a footnote on an 

inside page of the Evening News. When that 

relationship started, knowledge of its mere 

existence would have been a front page 

shock horror story and possibly a criminal 

offence. 

Attending a number of CPs, I’ve seen 

doting relatives turning out in droves to 

celebrate the big day - many of them of 

generations that were brought up to 

condemn homosexuals but who, now that 

there is a government sanctioned ceremony 

and certificate, feel free to scoff the wedding 

feast and express approval for their loved 

ones’ choice of partner. 

CPs have changed the landscape. 

They’ve mostly marginalised those for whom 

homosexuality is to be deprecated. They’ve 

even managed to fracture the largely 

homogenous homophobia of faith 

communities as well as initiating the break 

up of some of these institutions. 

As a confirmed atheist since before 

Saint Dawkins ever saw the light of print, 

I’ve long yearned to see an end to belief in 

the irrational. The buildings are magnificent, 

the music sublime, the free dribblette of 

wine and cannibalistic snack on a Sunday 

morning almost worth getting out of bed for 

– but the imaginary friend… Oh, dearie me! 

JohnHein 

editorial@scotsgay.co.uk 

PIC: RICHARD DAWKINS 

It’s all fine by me if it’s a pleasant weekend 

fantasy, but if you actually believe in the 

Sky Fairies, then you at the very least are 

showing a lack of discernment! 

I must admit to having some 

sympathy for those who cling to the 

floating detritus of tradition in what they 

see as an uncertain sea of churning moral 

turpitude. Nevertheless, as Oliver Cromwell 

once said in an address to the General 

Assembly of the Church of Scotland, “I 

beseech ye, in the bowels of Christ, to 

think it possible you may be mistaken”. Not 

just about poovery but also the imaginary 

friend. 

Anyway, here we are with Civil 

Partnerships firmly established and 

governments both North and South of the 

Border considering where to go from here. 

Marriage is a devolved matter, so what 

is decided by the Scottish Parliament can be 

quite different to Westminster legislation – 

with all that implies for a resurgence in the 

economy of Gretna Green. The Scottish 

Government currently tends “towards the 

view that religious ceremonies for civil 

partnerships should no longer be prohibited 

and that same sex marriage should be 

introduced so that same sex couples have 

the option of getting married if that is how 

they wish to demonstrate their commitment 

to each other”. 

I don’t see why CPs shouldn’t also be 

opened up to opposite sex couples but it’s 

really for heterosexuals to shout the odds on 

that one. 

The Scottish Government goes on to 

say, “We also believe that no religious body 

or its celebrants should be required to carry 

out same sex marriages or civil partnership 

ceremonies”. 

What, I ask, does the law currently have 

to say about religious bodies or their 

celebrants being able to refuse to marry a 

couple of different skin colours bearing in 

mind that some churches still consider such 

unions to be against their interpretation of 

The Word Of God? 

Ultimately, though, I don’t think that you 

can or should legislate to force people to be 

nice or sensible – the current bill to 

criminalise the soccer related ritual of crass 

remarks about the belief systems of others 

seems a particular waste of valuable 

parliamentary time especially in view of a 

rumoured insolvency and possible 

liquidation of Rangers Football Club! 

If some persons of faith wish their 

buildings to remain free of the sweet savour 

of homosexuality and forgo the extra 

income, they will merely increase the misery 

of their few remaining gay members (who 

really shouldn’t still be going where they’re 

not wanted) and allow the rest of us (of all 

sexualities and none) to snigger at their 

antediluvian attitudes. 

For, it is becoming increasingly clear 

that fewer and fewer Scots consider the 

bleating of the discredited leaders of our 

faith communities to be worth heeding if it 

gets in the way of what their heads, hearts 

and genitals are telling them. 

The Scottish Government’s 

consultation is open until 9th Dec 2011 - 

http://tinyurl.com/3r9qadr - worth having 

your say and not letting the moral minority 

swamp the debate! 

ADVERTISE IN 


IT’S NOT AS 

EXPENSIVE AS 

YOU THINK 

Email: Martin Mann 

advertising@ 

scotsgay.co.uk 

For the rate card 

www.scotsgay.co.uk/ 

advertising 

Different 

Families 

Same Love 

At Ritchie Neill we understand 

that all families are different. 

We caterourservices to suit 

everyone and would love 

to hearfrom you. 

• Cohabitation Agreements 

• Advice on Civil Partnerships 

• Family Law including: Divorce, 

Dissolution & Separation 

• FREE Will Writing Service 

• Powerof Attorney 

• Estate Agency • Conveyancing

obar dheadhainn 

ABERDEEN 

Here with go with a wee update from the 

North East: THT ask you to get involved in 

shaping sexual health services, Stormers FC 

are looking for players and we look at what’s 

to be seen on the scene. 

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence 

Higgins Trust Scotland (THT Scotland) is 

working with NHS Grampian to ask the 

lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 

(LGBT) community in Grampian what their 

sexual health needs are, to enable positive 

sexual health and wellbeing. 

THT Scotland will invite LGBT people 

from all over Grampian to contribute their 

views in a variety of ways: either by 

completing a survey, attending a face to face 

interview, or taking part in a focus group 

interview. Topics covered will include sex, 

relationships, awareness of HIV and sexually 

transmitted infections, and use of local 

health services. THT Scotland and NHS 

Grampian will then use the information 

generated to shape future sexual health 

services for the LGBT community. 

Jane Morel, Area Manager for 

THT Scotland, said, “Following the 

publication of the Scottish 

Government’s new Sexual Health 

and Blood Borne Virus 

Framework, NHS Grampian are 

reviewing sexual health services in 

the region. As men who have sex 

with men remain one of the 

AndiWatson 

aberdeen@scotsgay.co.uk 

PIC: CHEERZ 

groups most at risk of HIV and other 

sexually transmitted infections in the UK, 

evaluating how services might be improved 

for the LGBT community will be a key part of 

this. We would encourage anyone who is 

LGBT and living in Grampian to get in touch 

and make their voice heard.” 

LGBT people interested in taking part 

should contact THT in Aberdeen on 0845 

241 2151, or E-mail: jane.morel@tht.org.uk 

Granite City Stormers FC is on the 

lookout for new players. Whether you are a 

novice or are Ronaldo you will be made very 

welcome in the team. They aim to promote 

a healthy and active lifestyle within the LGBT 

community by providing the opportunity to 

participate in football, regardless of age, 

ability and experience, and in a friendly, fun 

and supportive environment. For info please 

contact John Deary E-mail: 

deary696@btinternet.com for more 

information. 

The scene in Aberdeen has something 

for everyone whether you’re looking for drag 

shows, quizzes, a quiet drink or a livelier 

night. There are venues with something for 

everyone. 

Cheerz Bar & Club in Hadden Street is 

the home of cheese, chart and quizzing on 

the gay scene in Aberdeen! Open 7 nights a 

week with entertainment for everybody’s 

taste including Karaoke with Scott West, 

Cheese and Chart from the master of cheese 

GayScene 

himself DJ Steve Motion plus the fabulous 

Drag Queens with their weekly offering, Miss 

Romy invites you to get quizzical every Thu 

from 9pm for a chance to win and Miss 

Bobbie Dazzler quickly freshens her gusset 

every Sun and invites you to open her box 

which could contain anything. Find out 

more about Cheerz and keep up to date with 

Cheerz on Facebook or twitter 

@cheerztweet. 

You’ll find the city’s other LGBT club 

Chaplin’s in the Adelphi just off Union 

Street, open Wed-Sun every week! Join Jim 

for Karaoke on Wed and Sun, DJ Ross 

Barney for a mix of dance and chart every 

Thu plus great local DJ’s and acts on Fri and 

Sat. The next planned event is Gareth 

Fulton, Comedy Hypnotist on Sun 20th Nov 

with Tickets costing £7 available now at the 

club. To keep up to date with what’s 

happening at Chaplins find them on 

Facebook. 

Aberdeen’s other LGBT friendly pub is 

The Market Arms on Stirling Street, open 

from 11am Mon-Sat and open later on a 

Sun, start your night out with tunes and 

cheek at The Market from Peter and the 

team. You can check in and Like The Market 

Arms on Facebook to keep up to date. 

That’s everything up to date for another 

month, if you have any news, views, gossip 

or photos drop me an e-mail to the usual 

address. 

a’ ghaidhealtach 

HIGHLANDS 

Inverness is certainly getting itself on 

the map. The Gay Police Association hosted 

its national meeting here in Sep with 15 

delegates from across Scotland and the UK, 

each representing the GPA in their respective 

Force, as well as the National Executive 

Committee. An open invitation was extended 

to the local LGBT community to meet with 

them at a buffet evening. Alan Sneddon 

(Scotland Officer for the GPA) said, “This is 

an ideal opportunity to engage with the local 

police force and the community, bringing the 

police and LGBT community in the 

Highlands together. Our membership is 

particularly weak in Northern Constabulary 

compared with the rest of Scotland. Those 

members we do have tend to be in the 

closet. Hosting an event in Inverness and 

having our quarterly meeting there will raise 

our profile and offer those individuals hope 

that we are here and will support them 

no matter what the circumstances“. 

The Equality Network came up to 

Inverness for a focus group on the 

needs of disabled LGBT people and 

access to the services they use. 

Sep was a busy month with good 

turnouts at Girlzone and the LGBT 

Curry Night in Wetherspoons. 

Mambo’s has changed ownership, been 

refitted and at the time of writing it has 

just re-opened as Nova. 

The Pink Castle Runners are 

JoanneMacKenzie- 

Winters 

highlands@scotsgay.co.uk 

PIC: PINK CASTLE RUNNERS 

meeting every Wed evening for a 3 mile jog 

starting outside Inverness Leisure Centre. 

Contact Morgan on 07745 930383 or E-mail: 

morgan@ tramstop.org for details. Even if 

you don’t want to run, you can meet up with 

them afterwards at Macnabs Bar in the 

Columba Hotel for a drink and bite to eat. 

Morgan says, “It’s reckoned there could well 

be 25,000 of us in the Highlands and 

Islands, so I’m saying to LGBT folk “Come 

on. Let’s get out on the streets, get fit and 

have some fun together while we’re doing 

it”. Equality and integration are major 

themes running through today’s LGBT 

communities, and ours here in Inverness is 

now ready to do its bit by offering 

something of value to everybody, of 16 years 

or over… whoever they are. We already have 

straight people participating enthusiastically 

too. While the members of most clubs and 

activities are presumed ‘straight’ until 

proven otherwise, the Pink Castle 

Runners are turning the tables, inviting 

everyone, but this time from a LGBT 

default position. This is important as 

many gay, lesbian, bisexual and 

transgender people have suffered 

prejudice and discrimination and so feel 

more comfortable in an LGBT-friendly 

group. Ultimately our goal would be to 

actually drop the LGBT-friendly tag, and 

just be a truly and fully-inclusive running 

group, which makes no assumptions and 

GayScene 

welcomes all as equals.” 

Highland-based Q North Foundation is 

on the look-out for some communityminded 

and committed people to get 

involved with their Board to help them 

govern and manage their scholarship 

programme. Brainchild of Lisa Buchanan, 

the Foundation aims to create a scholarship 

programme to support LGBTQ people and 

their allies to undertake educational, 

research and arts-based projects for the 

community, by the community, in the 

Highlands and Islands. They have already 

raised enough money to award the first 

scholarship but are hindered in the process 

because in order to progress their legal 

status as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated 

Organisation, they need to attract more 

volunteer board members. They are looking 

for a monthly commitment to meetings 

initially, although this will move to quarterly. 

Members will need to commit to helping the 

team raise the funds to provide annual 

scholarship awards. See Facebook or E-mail: 

qnorthfoundation@rocketmail.com 

Check out www.gay-ness.org.uk for 

details of the Hallowe’en Bash on Sat 22nd 

Oct. Tickets will be on sale on the door and 

in advance from the Art Media shop at 104 

Church Street, Inverness. And plans are 

afoot for a big Ball in May 2012! 

dùn deagh 

DUNDEE 

Hey folks! Well Oct is upon us already, 

and after a decent break from writing this I 

almost feel refreshed enough to write 

something other than my usual technical 

diatribe – then again who am I kidding?! 

First up The Abode has a great ‘Queer 

Quiz’ night hosted by Lexie Lush on those 

dull Thu nights (almost the weekend, but not 

quite near enough for hammering the JD) 

that is proving very popular. They have the 

usual karaoke on a Fri and Sat nights, and 

are also going to be co-hosting a karaoke 

competition along with The Salty Dog – Fri 

in the Abode then the following week the Sat 

in the Dog, starting from the beginning of 

Oct. Exact details at the bars, but I do know 

that there will be a big cash prize up for 

grabs for the winner! Food is also back on 

the menu in the Abode with a new chef 

joining the team, serving Mon to Sat Noon- 

5pm you can get two courses for as little as 

£6.75 from a good choice of pub grub. 

As mentioned, The Salty Dog will be 

co-hosting the karaoke competition with 

the Abode, and has all the other usual salty 

goings on that avast this bountiful tavern, 

arr (some residual pirate talk there after 

International Talk Like a Pirate Day – I hope 

the Salty had a party for it!). Anyway time 

is closing in on the ‘inbetween’ room – 

which looks like it had been decorated by 

Sir Walter Scott – and is soon to be 

updated. As part of this, Ross has put a call 

out for all sorts of quirky tat that you may 

PIC: BROOKS 

ChrisMcGiffin 

dundee@scotsgay.co.uk 

want to donate that will fit in with the unique 

theme of this bar: nautical bits, stuffed 

animals, penis shaped objects – if you’ve 

been there you know the sort of thing! There 

are all the usual drinks offers on, as well as a 

small selection of hot pies now available. 

Brooks Bar had a great celebration of 

their first birthday, of which I can remember 

some although the pictures that appear on 

Facebook help jog the memories (including 

those probably best forgotten!). Coming up 

we have Scarlette Diamonte and the 

Scarlettes on Sat 1st Oct, with a whole great 

new show never before seen in Dundee (free 

entry). Also look out for an even bigger bigname 

act coming up soon, although Michael 

was staying tight lipped about it so look out 

for more details in the bar. On the drinks 

side look out for the Absolute Kiwi at 2 for 

£5, and Bacardi cocktails 2 for £3, the usual 

extensive collection of shots and exclusive 

list of ten – yes ten – bombs, and 

double anything comes with a free 

dash from the gun (so Bombay 

Sapphire drinkers who require tonic, 

tough luck!). And, of course, I could 

not possibly forget Suzie – 

especially after all the threats last 

time I did (only joking!). Suzie ably 

takes charge of the karaoke on Wed, 

Fri and Sun eves, as well as DJing 

Sat – exception being the first one of 

the month, when there is a guest DJ 

in instead, or other acts are on. 

GayScene 

Klozet has had some great live bands 

playing in the last month, and this continues 

into Oct. On Sat 1st, the Honeythieves are 

back after playing a very successful opening 

night a couple of months ago; there is 

Savanah on Sat 22nd, and Cherry Bombz – 

the “UK’s number 1 female fronted 

indie/rock/punk tribute band” – on the 29th. 

As if that wasn’t enough, they have a great 

act on with The Untamed Dame Edna 

Experience on Sat 8th Oct – this will be a 

ticketed night remember so make sure you 

get your ticket, as well as Burlesque night on 

Fri 11th – I’ve currently no idea what exactly 

that entails but look out for more details in 

the bar and on their Facebook page. Don’t 

forget there is the usual great selection of 

drinks and offers on, as well as free WiFi, a 

pool league being put together and quiz and 

bingo nights in the pipeline. 

Out has had to postpone its Lady Gaga 

night until later in Oct - although with very 

good reason as they are putting together one 

hell of a night, and due to supply issues have 

simply had to delay whilst they get it all 

together. Look out for more details in the 

club or on their Facebook page, but it is 

probably going to be a couple of weeks into 

Oct. There will also be the usual great night 

to look forward to at the end of Oct for 

Hallowe’en. There are all the usual great 

drinks offers, not forgetting the vodka jellies 

that seem to be selling like cold, gelatinebased 

hot cakes.

dùn eideann 

EDINBURGH 

GayScene 

Hey all, it’s been a bit of a quiet Sep, and 

now we’re ready to get mad wi’ it again! 

Kicking off at Cafe Habana, Penny 

Arcade will soon be returning and will be 

hosting this year’s Drag Idol competition. 

The competition will take place over 6 

weeks, with every week having a different 

theme. If anyone is interested in taking part, 

enquire at the bar or contact Penny Arcade 

on Facebook. Habs have also asked that we 

pass on their thanks to customers for their 

patience while they renovate the toilets – it’s 

all for the greater good!! And just a wee 

reminder, that Habana still have their drinks 

promos Mon–Thu, with vodka and mixer 

only £1 and pints from £2.50, to name but a 

few! And they also offer Habana and Skittle 

bombs for £1.50. Wed evenings will soon 

see the return of the Habz Quiz too, so get 

that grey matter going over the cheap 

vodies! 

Over at The Street, time to 

celebrate as they reach their 7th 

birthday! Sun 2nd Oct is the big day – 

7 years of The Street have flown by, as 

they’ve become synonymous for 

sophisticated drinking, fabulous 

cocktails and awesome food! The 

‘LUCKY 7’ themed party kicks off at 

7pm. 

And for the ladies, the next 

Saturday Night Beaver is on Sat 15th 

JodieFleming- 

Stanley 

glasgow@scotsgay.co.uk 

A weekend 

of furry fun! 

a taste of BearScots 

www.bearscots.org.uk 

Oct, at Cab Vol. Since its rebranding, the 

night has gone from strength to strength at 

its new venue attracting ladies from all over 

Scotland. Last month saw a visit from the 

fabulous Order of 

Perpetual Indulgence. 

A special treat for 

all you Mumbo Jumbo 

fans, as they feature a 

guest DJ this month – 

the amazing Twitch 

from Optimo! Catch 

them over at the 

Bongo Club. 

Up at The Regent, cask ales are going 

strongly as always. This month they’ll be 

championing two Scottish beers – 

Schiehallion And Ossian – as well as their 

usual selection. Since it’s been a terrible 

summer and it’s passed the equinox, 

they’ve decided to start selling their 

infamous mulled ginger wine early this 

year, so get over there and get in as 

much of it as you possibly can! 

Also at The Regent, The World 

Famous Regent Bar Quiz is on Tues 

25th Oct. Six themed rounds of brain 

teasing, tomfoolery and free nibbles! 

Enter for your chance to win a £50 

food and drink quiz. If you’re not in it, 

you can’t win it! So get in! 

Over at the Newtown Bar, Friday 

Fun and Frolics returns with the cousin 

of Ms. Sushe Buffet - the wonderful 

Ruby Reynolds! from 9pm onwards! 

And the BEAR SCOTS have their 

annual Bear Fest from Fri 14th til Sun 

16th Oct. A fun filled weekend for all 

involved! E-mail: 

info@bearscots.org.uk for more 

details. The MSC 

will be holding a 

Rocky Horror 

Evening on Sat 

22nd Oct, from 

9pm in the 

basement of the 

Newtown, where 

the film will be 

shown. So dust off 

your corsets and 

fishnets and head 

on down! 

Also, the 

Caledonian 

Thebans are holding their annual 

Rugby Clinic at the Newtown Bar from 

Fri 28th Oct – Sun 30th Oct. The 

weekend is always a good laugh, with 

lots of rugby shorts and entertainment 

to be had if that takes your fancy. If 

you’d like to take part, E-mail: 

chairman@thebans-rfc.co.uk 

In other Newtown news, from Sun 

30th Oct the basement bar will be 

closed for a bit of a spruce up/refurb! 

Watch this space for deets on its new 

opening. And a tally on the festival 

FUNdraisers has shown a fantastic 

£2,250 was raised for Waverley Care! 

Well done!!! The Newtown would like 

to thank all their patrons for being so 

generous, and to all the 60 acts for 

giving up their time – and of course to 

the bar staff for working so hard over the 

month. 

Down at Priscillas, they have 2 new 

DJ’s on board - Conny and Reuben, who are 

already giving everyone nights 

to remember! Playing the best 

music from each era, they are 

a guaranteed hit along with the 

usual resident DJs 7 nights a 

week. Priscillas have a brand 

new winter line up, including 

their ‘’New Look Fridays’’ 

where they are offering 

karaoke and requests all night 

long – will lots of fun and games thrown in 

by Jamie Lee Morley. From 9pm up to 1am. 

Also at Priscillas, they have a 

Hallowe’en extravaganza on Sat 29th Oct 

with the theme ‘’Dead Special’’.... Come 

along dressed to impress as your favourite 

‘’dead’’ celebrity and be in with a chance of 

being crowned our Hallowe’en Winner 2011! 

Who will rise to the challenge? And to top it 

off, the night will be hosted by Miss Scarlet 

Diamonte featuring a horror-tastic cabaret 

show! And their new talent competition 

‘’The Voice’’ will be coming very soon. The 

crew at Priscillas are shouting out now for 

singers to come along and try out, and they 

have 2 amazing prizes up for grabs this time 

for the winner. Prize 1 is a cash sum, and the 

2nd prize is exclusive Recording Studio time 

in one of Edinburgh’s Top Recording 

studios! Not too shabby at all!! Application 

forms are available in the bar from mid-Oct. 

For those wanting something a bit 

different, get yourself down to HOT MESS. 

This is a disco party for queer folk and their 

friends, who are looking for an alternative to 

Edinburgh’s mainstream gay scene. It boasts 

an eclectic music 

policy that ranges 

from synthwave and 

italo obscurities, 

through throbbing 

house and techno, 

with a deep streak of 

disco love joining the 

musical dots. HOT 

MESS started one 

year ago in Oct, and 

this month is on Fri 

7th Oct from 11pm- 

3am at the Wee Red 

Bar. 

Over at CC Blooms, on Fri 14th Oct 

BearScotFest returns to Woof! For the 2nd 

year, downstairs at CCs will be dedicated to 

this annual festival of all things furry. DJ 

Blondie will be pumping out the tunes, 

mixing camp with dance, guaranteed to fill 

the dancefloor. From11pm-3am, this is an 

official event as part of the BearScotsFest 

2011 and therefore a men only and ticket 

only event, though the BearScots guys will 

be on the door on the night to offer any fur 

lovers entry for a small fee. 

Then on Fri 21st Oct, Boys Own returns 

downstairs after a successful launch last 

month. This is CCs’ monthly event for men 

who like men. DJ Blondie blasts out club 

mixes while the CCs GoGo boys oil up and 

strip down to their underwear and strut their 

stuff on the podiums. Early arrivals get the 

Boys Own complimentary drink, so get 

there first and enjoy. 

Then on Sat 29th Oct, - CC’s are 

hosting CC Bloom’s Musical Halloween 

Party. The theme is, obvo, Musicals! 

Expect great pop tunes upstairs, with 

classic musical tunes from Film and 

Theatre thrown in for your enjoyment. 

Come dressed as a character from a 

Musical yourself and receive a 

complimentary Skittlebomb and free 

draught mixers for the rest of the night! 

Electrosexual’s still business as usual, 

with the next nights Fri 7th Oct and Fri 4th 

Nov. DJ Lucky Luciano and guests will be 

playing ‘dirty fondue’ electro bootlegs. 

And then there will be a special Dirt.E 

Stopout fancy dress Hallowe’en ball at the 

Street on Sun 30th Oct, where they’ll be 

playing disco remixes and chunky house. 

Finally, we hope you enjoy the pics of 

staff and customers of Frenchies, 

Edinburgh’s most centrally located gay 

bar. It’s also the oldest gay bar in the 

capital and it has to be said, one of the 

friendliest too. It’s open from 1pm-1am 

Mon-Sat and 12.30pm-1am on Sun. By day 

it’s the perfect place to pop in for a quick 

refreshment whilst out doing the 

messages. At night it’s party HQ with 

friendly banter with the staff and regulars. 

For those that haven’t yet, do check it out! 

ALL PICS: FRENCHIES 

Gareth 

Boyle 

It’s with sad hearts that we have 

to write this tribute to a much loved 

member of the Edinburgh scene and 

a huge part of the “Habana Boys”. 

Our Gareth passed away on 8th 

Sep 2011 at the tender age of 31 

(don’t tell anyone). Gareth was a 

fantastic long term bar man in 

Habana and whoever drank/visited 

would never leave without a smile on their faces... although their smile would never have been as 

large as his smile! Gareth moved over to Edinburgh from Coleraine to study at Napier University. 

After working at the Palace, he swiftly followed this with a part time job in Habana, where the 

boys took him under their wing and from then on he seemed to be a permanent fixture, becoming 

full time and a total star, earning him the bar name of Agent Boyle. 

Gareth touched many people’s hearts in Edinburgh and nothing would ever be too much 

trouble for him, be it a bed to stay in or a “sherry hen” he was there for all his friends of whom 

he had a lot. In this time he moved into a flat in Morrison Street with Chris and Stuart from 

Habana where he spent many happy days and even happier nights before moving back to his 

parents in Coleraine 3 years ago - although the bright lights of his Edinburgh friends meant he 

was never a stranger... 

There will be a charity night in Habana for the Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke 

Foundation which is the chosen charity of Gareth’s family. The date has still to be confirmed and 

will be advertised soon. 

Rest in peace Gareth, forever in our hearts x x x x The Staff at Habana

glaschu 

GLASGOW 

It has pissed down with rain virtually 

every day this Sep and I’m not happy about 

it one bit. In fact if it wasn’t for the arrival of 

a fresh batch of wide-eyed freshers and a 

busy month for Gay Glasgow to distract me 

from the dreary stormclouds, I would 

probably have taken the month off for 

hibernation, calling to mind the Green Day 

lyric ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’. 

But brave am I and so I didn’t let the 

fickle clouds rain on my parade! For those of 

us who decided to soldier on through the 

dismal weather and leave the house for town 

this month there has been plenty on offer! 

First and foremost a huge ‘well done!’ to 

those who took to Kelvingrove Park for the 

Gay 5K back in the last week of Aug. 

Flocking to the city’s favourite grassy patch 

for less salacious reasons than usual, gays 

came from far and wide to participate in the 

first ever Gay 5K in Scotland, which enjoyed 

higher turnout than the first Gay 5K in New 

York! The race was organised by Gay Men’s 

Health and running group the Bellahouston 

Harriers. With no Pride this year the Gay 5K 

felt like an ample replacement event, pulling 

everyone together from the SheBoom 

drummers, to 

Delmonicas own 

Bella Houston, 

Vanity von Glow 

and the whole 

team from 

Bennets 

nightclub. The 

afterparty, hosted 

by VVG, was a 

surprisingly 

subdued affair 

with many 

runners too 

exhausted 

(translation: 

drunk) to make it out for an all-nighter. 

Bennets put up hundreds of pounds worth of 

prizes from bottles of wine to signed 

autobiographies by famous fruits Graham 

Norton and Paul O’Grady. Particular shout 

outs to the boys from Luke and Jack who 

helped the drag queens on water duty during 

the race, and thanks to all those who made 

the day great! Well done! 

And while talking of Gay Men’s Health, 

Speakeasy ran a charity auction in mid-Sep 

flogging the costumes of Musty Gusset and 

Avon Starr who both leave Scotland for 

Belgium and Portugal respectively at the end 

of this month. Loud-mouthed activist Nathan 

Sparkling oversaw 

proceedings and did a 

great job helping to raise 

£355 for the sexual health 

charity and it’s great to see 

Speakeasy taking the lead 

on charity events in a 

month when most venues 

are focused on pulling in 

the student crowd. 

If you weren’t aware of 

the Hollywood film crew 

who took up residence in 

Glasgow’s city centre last 

month then you must have 

been living in a cave! The 

ThomGlow 

glasgow@scotsgay.co.uk 

ALL PICS: C.U.N.T. 

whole city was abuzz with excitement at 

Brad Pitt’s latest cinematic venture, the film 

adaptation of acclaimed novel ‘World War Z.’ 

A seminal work in the ‘zombie-lit’ genre, the 

gang at midweek clubnight C U Next 

Tuesday celebrated by hosting a truly 

terrifying zombie themed party – Z U Next 

Tuesday. Hundreds of ghoulish characters 

descended the emerald staircase at 

Chambre69 to have a party in the 

underground venue, almost the whole crowd 

garbed as flesh-eating undead clubkids! 

Later in the month similar crowds got 

down and dirty at the Tunnel nightclub for 

their UV Glow party! I’ve always thought that 

ultra-violet lighting and glow-in-the-dark 

body paint set the perfect mood for a great 

night out and I’m gutted I didn’t make it 

along to the club as photographs tell me it 

was a fantastic night out! Good to see 

Tunnel upping the ante and Tue and Wed are 

now well and truly established as the 

midweek nights to shake a tailfeather. 

That’s not to say weekend clubbing isn’t 

doing well, and the new DJ talent of the Polo 

Lounge is improving the weekend 

soundscape. Fraser Bone of alternative 

clubnight Lock Up Your Daughters 

has taken up residency in the Polo 

Lounge’s back room, ‘Club X,’ and 

the bold choice of putting the less 

mainstream DJ on over the 

weekend will surely pay off. After 

moderate success with his Bitter 

Glitter clubnight on a Thu, Fraser 

certainly deserves the bigger 

weekend platform where he can 

bounce around behind the decks 

to a larger 

crowd! 

Speaking of 

alternative 

sounds, the 

Italo-Disco monthly night 

Menergy has enjoyed a 

back-to-basics vibe over 

the last couple months in 

their temporary home at 

Stereo. A night which 

emphasises a purer disco 

sound and live 

performance, Stereo is a 

great venue to showcase 

both of those elements. DJ Kid Zipper, 

Menergy co-founder and resident the Niallist 

don’t compromise on their sound, and drag 

denizen Lady Munter takes no prisoners as 

she performs her off-colour lipsyncs (‘Two 

Guys For Every Girl’) and 

songs which include 

lyrics comparing an 

offending character to a 

‘vaginal blister’. Band 

Demimonde have made a 

couple of Menergy 

appearances this year as 

well, a genuinely exciting 

electronic genderfuck 

duo. It always amazes me 

how polite and well 

spoken the boys are out 

of drag, but when taking 

to the stage they 

aggressively and 

unapologetically leap into their self-penned 

tracks with impressive presence and vigour. 

What I’m really excited about is the Oct 

Menergy which moves to Chambre69 for 

their Annual Vogue Ball, Scotland’s biggest 

drag event which sees armies of divas take 

to the catwalk to strike a pose in the name of 

all things fierce. Don’t miss it on 22nd 

October! 

In fact looking ahead at the coming 

months there are a couple of exciting events 

due to take place! Glasgow will welcome 

new gay venue The Village to the scene as 

they open in the coming weeks across from 

the Brunswick Hotel 

in the heart of the 

Merchant City. With 

many of the details 

of this new bar still 

mysterious I shall 

be sure to get along 

as soon as they 

open to check the 

place out. Also due 

in the next couple of 

months are 

Delmonicas’ 

legendary Charity 

Week and if my 

calendar tells me correctly, their annual Drag 

Idol competition. Oh! And if rumours are 

true (they are) then those looking to go for a 

drink to Revolver will have to cancel their 

plans and go to ‘Underground’ instead as 

the venue has undergone a surprise name 

change! It’s a shame in a way; I always 

enjoyed singing the Madonna/Lil’ Wayne 

song as I minced down the stairs for a drink. 

The bar is still run by the same team though 

so fear not – just a little name change. 

Presumably bitten by the same bug as 

‘Scene’ which became ‘Milk’ a couple of 

months ago. What next? I’m hoping 

Speakeasy will take my advice and change 

their name to the more appealing 

‘Squeakeasy’ and be done with it! And 

Squeakeasy is exactly where you’ll find me 

every Thu playing the piano and singing 

Adele songs like there’s no tomorrow. Stop 

by and say hi! Until next month!

glaschu 

INTERVIEW 

a sporting chance? 

THE GAY 5K 

It’s all a bit like Cheryl Cole’s X Factor 

dismissal if you ask me. Poor cow couldn’t 

cut the mustard through in America and was 

replaced last minute by the superior talent of 

Nicole Scherzinger, former Pussycat Doll 

and in my view a gay icon in waiting. It 

featured many of the traits of an X Factor 

theatrical; the drama, the rumours, the 

judgement and the tears. All we need now 

are dubiously gifted vocalists to warble their 

way through Adele’s back catalogue and 

we’re all set! What am I talking about? Why 

the Bennets takeover of course. Or not a 

takeover, rather a ‘rescue’ as it is described 

by new General Manager, Paul Stirrat who 

agreed to sit down with me and set the 

record straight on what really happened 

when Bennets was bought over back in May 

of this year. 

Paul Stirrat has all the relaxed late-night 

charm one expects from a successful 

nightclub manager (he’s the Nicole 

Scherzinger of our story. He might not have 

her exotic beauty, but the previous 

management of Bennets had none of 

Cheryl’s glam either). He offers me a drink 

as we sit down to chat in the empty club – 

it’s daytime and Paul has been working 

through the day’s duties getting ready for 

another busy night. In his new position as 

Bennets GM, Paul wields more power to 

affect gay people than most within our 

community and I am keen to hear what his 

thoughts are for gay Glasgow, and where a 

new Bennets will fit into that. We all want a 

vibrant, exciting and energised gay scene 

which matches the vibrancy and energy of 

the people within it. With sixteen years 

management experience and nine years’ 

service in the RAF, he’s surely seen it all and 

there is a wizened and Dumbledore-esque 

glint in his eye each time he talks about his 

newest project. Back in the day, long before I 

had arrived fresh-faced in Glasgow excitedly 

anticipating the promised land of gay clubs 

and beautiful people Bennets was, he tells 

me ‘the place to be. Bennets was at the top 

of its game.’ It’s not the first time I’ve heard 

people speak of the club in these nostalgic 

terms. Chambre69 owner Colin Barr, with 

whom I work closely, was one of the original 

team members thirty years ago when 

Bennets was founded. Though straight, Colin 

too speaks of Bennets with fondness and 

misty-eyes. It seems there was a real magic 

to the club which dared to open its doors for 

gay people long before the Polo Lounge or 

gay nights in Tunnel and the old Cube were 

even thought of. 

‘In the last couple of years Bennets lost 

its way and it was in trouble.’ As Paul says 

this I can’t help but smile at the 

understatement. The Bennets of my 

generation had become something of a dive; 

the place you went when you were too tipsy 

to get in anywhere else. With a poor public 

image, and a dramatic decline in footfall 

Bennets had lost the lustre of its younger 

years. It’s strange to think that Bennets used 

to be famed the world over, and boasted 

high profile acts such as Pete Burns and 

drag superstar Divine, who was at the time 

considered the most popular nightclub act in 

the world. None of that excitement existed in 

ThomGlow spoke to 

Bennets new 

General Manager 

Paul Stirrat 

PIC: 

PAUL STIRRAT 

PIC: 

BENNETS STAFF 

the Bennets I first walked into five years ago. 

I ask Paul why any company would want to 

take on the responsibility of a club which 

had wound up with such a bad name? ‘It 

was something that the company thought 

they could revive, basically. It was like an old 

friend that was dying - it needed life brought 

back into it.’ At the beginning of the takeover 

– sorry, rescue - there was suspicion from 

within the community. Gay people are a 

discerning bunch and often spot the 

difference between well-meaning gaypositive 

nightclub brands and those that fail 

to acknowledge the specific needs and 

desires of gay people. Paul is adamant that 

the transition was essential. ‘The shakeup 

had to happen or the venue wouldn’t have 

been here. It’s not the case that it wouldn’t 

have survived the way it was, it’s that it 

didn’t survive the way it was.’ 

It was Glasgow’s worst kept secret that 

Bennets had gone into receivership earlier 

this year and that the space was almost 

certainly going to be redeveloped as a 

residential space. ‘We thought we were the 

people to take it on, to keep Bennets in the 

community and keep it a gay club instead of 

a block of flats.’ 

Acrebuild Ltd is a company with 

nightclub experience, though not specifically 

gay venues. I asked Paul what gay people in 

Glasgow were to expect from the new 

Bennets, run by a large company with no 

previous experience of operating a club in 

the competitive gay market. ‘Bennets is 

being run as an independent venue, with the 

backing of our parent company should it be 

needed. The company won’t have a ruling in 

the way things are done,’ Paul says ‘that’s 

my job. Myself and the team we have here 

will run Bennets based on what we think the 

gay community needs.’ It’s a tricky task – 

how do venue managers, with their 

professional responsibilities, get the time to 

sit down and find out what it is that gay 

clubbers want? Paul laughs the question off 

‘I’ve always found gay people to be very 

forthcoming with their opinions’ he laughs. 

‘But seriously I like to be out there and to 

meet people – I’ve been on the scene for 

fifteen years and gay people aren’t short in 

telling you if you’re doing something wrong 

or something right. We also have had a few 

focus meetings with customers to find out 

what works, what doesn’t, what they would 

like. I think that’s the way forward for any 

venue. After all it’s a venue for them.’ 

This approach seems to be something 

of a community model; establishing the 

needs of the community based on 

consultation and observation, rather than a 

profit driven business strategy. It’s no secret 

that the ‘pink pound’ is coveted in many 

areas of retail and leisure. With our high 

disposable incomes and great hair, the gays 

are certainly an obvious target for profiteers 

looking to fill their pockets with pink 

pennies. How can we expect Bennets to do 

right by us, as gay scene consumers, when 

we know that profit is the primary motive 

behind any business? ‘A lot of companies 

have no interest in helping out in the 

community. We’ve already hosted the Gay 

5K after-party for Gay Men’s Health…’ and 

that much is true – Bennets made a clear 

statement about their desire to operate as 

part of the community when they put up the 

money for literally hundreds of pounds 

worth of prizes for the athletes who took 

part in this August’s Gay 5K. There is also 

the introduction of Bennets new ‘student 

card’ which entitles customers to several 

bonus features, free cloakroom etc. It’s very 

easy to make broad statements about 

helping the community, but Bennets have 

made the right steps which indicate a level of 

sincerity not always shown in the clubbing 

world. ‘It’s important to me that we aren’t 

seen as a competitor, but as a venue that’s 

part of the community.’ It’s my favourite 

thing he’s said so far. 

Of course Bennets has much to prove – 

‘Glasgow doesn’t have enough choice; we 

need more venues. Bennets keeps other 

venues on its toes, no venue should relax. 

The fact we’re here should give other venues 

a kick up the backside, basically. I think for 

the size of Glasgow we need other clubs. 

Glasgow needs to put itself on the map, gay 

scene wise.’ It’s an ambitious mandate. 

When asked what Bennets needs to do to 

help put Glasgow on the map, Paul answers 

quickly ‘it’s about the quality of the 

entertainment, the quality of service, and the 

quality of the venue. We have a lot planned, 

not just for the venue, but for PAs, acts and 

other upcoming things.’ It sounds exciting. I 

can imagine this means more from 

ScotsGay’s own snapper Stephanie 

Valentine, whose monthly theme parties are 

causing ripples on the scene. Along with DJ 

Leah’s Girls On Top she helps makeup the 

new talent line-up in the venue. 

It does sound that Mr. Stirrat has a clear 

idea of the direction in which he’d like to 

take Bennets. The crowd the place now 

attracts is certainly different from the 

previous bunch, and yet in many ways the 

place still has its familiar feel. I get the 

feeling this is exactly what was intended, as 

any adjustments to the club’s aesthetic have 

been subtle tokens, rather than dramatic 

overhauls. There was speculation for a time 

that Bennets would undergo a name change 

as part of the rejuvenation project, and 

anyone could be forgiven for wanting to 

wipe the slate clean and relaunch with a new 

identity. ‘Bennets had lost its crown and it 

did have a bad name when we took over, but 

the place has been around for a long time. 

Bennets had a good name at one stage and 

it’s a case of turning it around and giving it a 

good name again.’ So the plan, it seems, is 

to earn back the good reputation the club 

once had? Paul nods fervently. 

I’m interested to know how Paul has 

gone about building his dream team of bar 

staff, steward,s etc. to help take Bennets 

forward. There are familiar faces from Paul’s 

old regime at the Polo Lounge. Surely a 

completely fresh approach would be needed 

to establish Bennets as a new venue? He 

disagrees - ‘it’s about trust. You bring in 

people you trust. It’s just a case of when we 

first opened we were inundated with people 

looking for jobs and it was a case of picking 

the people we thought would gel as a team 

and with the customers.’ Well that’s fair 

enough I suppose. Were I to take on the 

enormous responsibility of managing a 

beloved venue I’d want to make sure I was 

surrounded by the people I could trust, 

especially in Glasgow’s constantly evolving 

scene. When Paul talks about his staff it is 

with genuine pride. The team do seem to gel 

now, and with a few subtle updates to the 

bar areas, lighting etc. things are just a bit… 

fresher in the new Bennets. ‘I think I can 

honestly say with my hand on my heart – 

and nobody could honestly disagree – we 

have the best service and best standards of 

any pub or club. You will never wait any 

length of time for a drink and if you do I 

want to hear about it because it shouldn’t 

happen.’ Good to hear, Paul! And I must say 

the wait at the new Bennets bar is virtually 

non-existent. For someone who likes a 

beverage as much as I surely do, this is 

definitely a step forward for Glasgow’s gay 

clubs! 

‘We’re not here to tell people what they 

should be listening to or doing, what they 

need and what they want. The staff are very 

close knit. When good ideas emerge we let 

people run with them’ he mentions DJ Leah, 

Stephanie Valentine et al ‘it’s about 

listening.’ 

And for those who worry that too much 

has changed at Bennets – with a fresh 

attitude, new door staff, and a better 

clubbing experience, fear not – cloakroom 

diva Netta has stayed on to keep everybody 

right! ‘Some things don’t need to change’ 

Paul tells me. That is indeed comforting. 

Naturally Paul’s position is that 

everyone should try Bennets for their next 

night out. He reminds me that with their 

online guestlist facility customers can get in 

free every night of the week if they want. ‘It’s 

a case of knowing your gay scene’, he says, 

‘and knowing what’s on offer.’ 

Paul shows me out down the now 

mood-lit stairwell and through the famous 

wooden doors on Glassford Street, now 

given a fresh lick of paint. Its funny how the 

small changes help make a place. I feel 

better about Bennets already. 

For a lot of gay people the relationship 

they have with sports has always been a little 

fractious. The majority of us no doubt 

remember that tortuous gym game at school 

– the one where you just knew you were 

going to be the last person to be picked for 

that day’s activity. Anyone who wasn’t 

naturally sporty was considered to be weak 

and a “sissy” or “poof.” Of course even if 

you happened to be good at sports, then 

perish the thought that you could possibly 

be gay. Sports can be an intimidating 

environment for gay men and women 

especially when it comes to the major team 

sports like football, rugby and cricket which, 

especially for a gay man, can seem daunting 

and homophobic. This was never more 

brutally experienced than when, in 1990, 

Justin Fashanu became the first professional 

football player to come out as gay. After 

receiving torrents of abuse and a false 

allegation of sexual assault, Fashanu took 

his own life in 1998, aged just 37. So have 

attitudes got any better, or are we still stuck 

in this laddish Neanderthal age? 

Well thankfully things seem to be taking 

an upward turn. In 2008 Australian diver 

Matthew Mitcham, then only 20, came out, 

making him one of few openly gay athletes 

at the 2008 Summer Olympics and when 

international rugby player Gareth Thomas 

announced he was gay at the end of 2009, it 

seemed to pave the way for more people to 

make that significant leap forward. Earlier 

this year Steven Davies, the 24 year old 

Surrey and England cricketer, revealed he 

was gay, making him the sport’s first 

professional to come out. Shortly afterwards 

Anton Hysén, 20, became only the second 

professional football player to come out. 

Although we have had several sports people 

coming out, many do it when they are 

nearing the end of their game, or have 

retired. Mitcham, Davies and Hysén are 

young men, with their best years of their 

career still to come and as such should be 

applauded for the stance they have taken. 

With these encouraging signs, it was 

announced that Glasgow would host a Gay 

5k on August 19th in Kelvingrove Park. The 

brainchild of Gay Men’s Health’s very own 

Tom Lusk, this event was aimed at giving 

young people positive gay role models in 

sport and hopefully encourage more highprofile 

sports stars to come out. Celebrating 

sexual diversity, the event was open to 

everyone who shares the same principles of 

an open and free society. 

Normally my contribution to sports is a 

sudden fascination with diving during the 

Olympics (can’t think why!) and sniggering 

everytime the umpire says “New balls 

please” at Wimbledon. However I decided, 

despite having never run in a competitive 

race before, to take part in this worthwhile 

event. And so it was that on a cloudy drizzly 

Friday evening I found myself in Kelvingrove 

Park surrounded by a myriad of serious 

runners (including Front Runners, Glasgow’s 

first gay running group), and a host of 

enthusiastic beginners just like myself. 

Strutting all above everyone were the 

glamorous Vanity Von Glow and Miss Bella 

Houston who had grabbed their heels and 

IanHughes 

ianh@scotsgay.co.uk 

sashayed along to the park to wish everyone 

the best of luck. Also making their presence 

known was the wonderful drummers She- 

Boom who really got the atmosphere going. 

As the klaxon sounded for everyone to make 

our way to the starting line, there was a 

huge buzz of excitement and anticipation … 

just as the rain decided to put in an 

appearance! Thankfully a little rain refused to 

dampen our enthusiasm and as the klaxon 

went for the start of the race we set off. With 

the drumming of She-Boom echoing around 

the park, and children in the park shouting 

support and high-fiving the runners (I even 

heard them shout “Come on Gay Men’s 

Health” as I jogged past, and “Come on 

Scooby Doo” to one runner dressed in a dog 

costume), the atmosphere continued to be 

one of high-spirits. Although this was my 

first ever run, and I found it a little tough at 

times, I kept going, and when I heard 

someone shout “Only another 100 yards to 

go,” I felt a surge of relief and speeded up to 

cross the finish line 79th out of 147 in a time 

of 26 mins 49 seconds, which considering 

I’ve never run a race before, I was pretty 

chuffed with. 

It made such a change to see so many 

gay people taking a wee break from the bars 

to participate in this worthwhile event, 

although it was just a pity that nobody from 

the broader sporting community came along 

to support it. It would have been great 

having a high-profile name or team 

associated with it as this would have been a 

landmark step in helping to stamp out 

homophobia from sport. Even Brad Pitt was 

invited along to start the race but he was too 

busy fleeing from zombies in Glasgow 

(sounds like a normal weekend evening to 

me!) It’s hoped that this will be an annual 

event, so should you fancy doing something 

different and having the chance to raise 

money for your chosen charity, then dig out 

your trainers and keep your eyes peeled for 

future events. Who knows - you may even 

enjoy yourself and help get the message 

across that sport can be for everyone, 

regardless of sexuality.

15th Oct - 12th Nov 2011 

www.GLASGAY.co.uk 

Since it was founded in 1993 by Cordelia Ditton and 

former Gay Scotland editor, Dominic d’Angelo, 

Glasgay! - Scotland’s annual celebration of queer 

culture - has gone from strength to strength. 

Here ScotsGay previews the best Glasgay! events 

being held in Oct. We’ll focus on Nov in the next issue. 

Eat & Drink 

LITTLE JOHNNY’S BIG GAY 

RESTAURANT 

The Arches Café Bar 

Daily from 5.30pm 

Little Johnny is a bit of a Madonna fan - so 

the boy from Random Accomplice theatre 

company has turned The Arches Café Bar 

into a big gay, Madonna-themed restaurant: 

an idyllic hideaway where you can bathe in 

the luxurious surrounding of 80s imagery 

and Madonna videos. In celebration of the 

iconic album’s 25th anniversary, sip the True 

Blue cocktail, served by your obsessed host, 

whilst you chow down on your lovingly 

prepared exclusive Madonna inspired threecourse 

menu. A special event is planned for 

6th Nov, her Madgesty’s birthday. 

Film 

GIGOLA 

Glasgow Film Theatre 

15th Oct at 7.30pm. £7 (£5.50) 

The Stylish and sexy Parisian lesbian 

underworld of the 1960s is brought vividly 

to life in this star studded thriller. The 

stylishly butch Gigola spends her days 

roaming chic Parisian cafes and her 

evenings in famous lesbian cabaret bar Chez 

Moune. It’s a life she enjoys, or so it seems, 

until an accidental overdose throws her in 

the path of a beautiful psychiatrist, who 

reminds Gigola of her first and only love, 

and she begins to question everything. 

PIC: GIGOLA 

PIC: BIG GAY 

RESTAURANT 

Clubbing 

DEATH DISCO 

The Arches 

15th Oct at 11pm. £14 (£7) 

A double dose of eye-popping debauchery 

from fearless electro-trash legend Peaches 

and the outrageous Hard Ton. One of the 

founding fathers of dirty electro, Peaches 

has been spitting out hits since 2000. From 

Lovertits and Set It Off to Fuck The Pain 

Away and I Feel Cream, her explicit lyrics 

and gender-blurring live shows set a new 

precedent for risqué club performance. In 

the next room, out-there BEAR Hard Ton will 

be channeling the spirit of Leigh Bowery and 

the sweaty haze of New York disco circa 

1975 as he delivers hi-NRG hits in his vinyl 

bondage gear. You can sign up for half price 

passes at www.deathdisco.info 

Workshop 

COMIC REINVENTION 

The Virginia Gallery 

PIC: DEATH DISCO 

17th-22nd Oct at 10am. FREE 

The latest incarnation of Batwoman is an exservicewoman 

who left the military because 

she is a lesbian. An all-gay superhero comic 

called Spandex is getting excellent critical 

acclaim in the mainstream media. Is this the 

dawn of a new comic book age? 

This free workshop and will help participants 

create their own superheroes and heroines, 

and tackle the theme of empowerment. Can 

supermen and feminine icons help us to take 

back some power in our own lives? 

No previous art skills or knowledge of 

comics are required. Participants will have 

the chance to show their work alongside 

emerging and established artists in 

transgressive new art venues, The Virginia 

Gallery and Luke & Jack. Contact Garry 

McLaughlin comicworkshops@yahoo.co.uk 

Theatre 

LOVE HURTS 

Tron Theatre 

18th-22nd Oct at 8pm & 22nd Oct at 

2.30pm. £7 (£5.50) 

New neighbours have moved in at 41 

Primrose Place and they’ve caught Susan’s 

attention. The new couple seem rather nice. 

Too nice perhaps... and Number 33 agrees - 

her blinds haven’t stopped twitching since 

they moved in. Something is going on 

behind their closed door: something bad, 

dirty, unspeakable...and Susan is determined 

to find out exactly what it is. Sometimes 

keeping up with the neighbours is murder... 

After the success of Smalltown, Promises 

Promises and Little Johnny’s Big Gay 

Wedding, Random Accomplice present Love 

Hurts – a pitch black comedy, and the first in 

a series of Random Accomplice Bites: smallscale 

intimate theatre performances 

designed to make its audience gasp, giggle 

and greet. 

Written and directed by Johnny McKnight. 

Performed by Toni Frutin. 

Comedy 

DUALLY 

ANDREWS! 

Rose & Grants 

PIC: ANDREW AGNEW 

19th-20th Oct at 

8.05pm. £10 

If Balamory actor 

Andrew Agnew was given a Pink Pound 

every time someone asked him “What’s the 

Story?” he would be a millionaire. 

For this year’s Glasgay! he has compiled 

some of his stories together with his 

favourite songs from stage and screen, 

sprinkled with a dusting of his Panto magic 

and before you could say “The Rain in 

Spain” - there it was. 

Accompanied by Andrew Salmond on piano, 

Angnew will guide you through a Cabaret of 

the Highs and Lows of a Gay Life so far. 

Together they are Dually Andrews! 

PIC: BOURGEOIS & MAURICE 

Comedy 

BOURGEOIS & MAURICE 

The Arches 

21st Oct at 7.30pm. £9 (£7) 

Darker and slicker than a BP oil spill, 

London’s award-winning cabaret stars 

Bourgeois & Maurice are a musical duo with 

style as sharp as their wit. Part cabaret, part 

theatre, part catwalk freak show they merge 

bitingly witty original songs with slanderous 

gossip and a truly staggering collection of 

outfits. With irreverently witty and glorious 

offensive lyrics, Bourgeois & Maurice‘s 

music explores the mundane absurdity of 

modern life and wraps it up neatly in a 

catchy pop hook. 

Comedy 

CRAIG HILL 

Tron Theatre 

22nd Oct at 10pm. £15 (£11) 

Scotland’s favourite kilted treasure puts the 

wind in your willows! After his last smashhit, 

tour that sold out throughout the UK and 

in Australia, South-east Asia, South Africa 

and even in Switzerland, Craig breezes back 

to the Tron with his new show in an 

exhilarating evening of pure-and-simple 

comedy. Sometimes wickedly provocative 

and always outrageously cheeky, treat 

yourself to an uplifting hour of fun from the 

fabulous East Coast comic. 

Available able on DVDD 

in the 

UK 

for the first 

time 

 

“One of the 

funniest 

comedians 

in America” 

THE NEW YORK TIMES 

“An impressive 

radical voice” 

LONDON EVENING STANDARD 

“The woman 

is fearless” 

THE BOSTON GLOBE 

.MARGARETCHO.COM 

TH 

DVD10 OCTOBER 

On 

WWW.MARGARETCHO.COM 

HOCTOBER 10 

Pr 

Pre-order 

now at 

PIC: CRAIG HILL 

Coming Soon 

5-Disc Box Set 

Collectionon

15th Oct - 12th Nov 2011 

www.GLASGAY.co.uk 

Comedy 

THE BEST OF JONNY WOO 

The Arches 

22nd Oct at 7.30pm. £9 (£7) 

Jonny Woo is arguably the queen of 

London’s alternative drag scene. From Gay 

Bingo to Tranny Talent Night, Woo has 

stamped his mark across London and New 

York as a host, compere, DJ and outrageous 

performer over the past decade. Lauded by 

New York performance artist Taylor Mac (“I 

saw Johnny Woo and I realised that drag can 

be anything you want it to 

be”), his hilarious popculture 

parodies - such as 

Stark Dallas Naked and 

Night of a Thousand Jay 

Astons - have rocketed 

him to the ranks of one of 

the most outrageous, 

boldest alternative 

performance artists in the 

UK. His new ‘Best of’ show 

sees him storming 

through a cavalcade of his 

favourite characters, 

mixing jubilant queer 

anthems with twisted 

storytelling and moments 

of downright poetic 

brilliance. 

PIC: JONNY WOO 

PIC: MARGARET CHO 

Clubbing 

THE 2ND FIERCE 

RULING DIVAS BALL 

Cambre 69 

22nd Oct at 11pm. £10 

Hot on the stilettos of last year’s hugely 

successful balls in both Glasgow and 

Manchester, the gay dance party, recently 

named by Attitude Magazine as Glasgow’s 

“brightest club on the block“, returns with 

its second annual MENERGY BALL! It’s your 

chance to strut your stuff and bring it to the 

runway up against houses of drag queens, 

drag kings, club kids, freaks and many 

others! Anyone can participate and you can 

enter either as an individual or compete as a 

house. There will be different categories for 

houses to send their individual members to 

walk in, and these will be announced on 

www.menergy.tv nearer the time. A full VIP 

judging panel will award fabulous prizes, so 

you’d better WORK that look, girl! And 

remember - we’re here to be fierce, not 

shady! 

Comedy 

CHO DEPENDENT 

Stand Comedy Club 

PIC: MENERGY 

23rd-24th Oct at 7.30pm. £12 

Fresh from storming the Edinburgh Fringe, 

stand-up’s controversial diva Margaret Cho 

makes her UK DVD debut with the October 

10th release of her concert film Beautiful. 

Known for her frank brand of humour, Cho 

delivers riotous yet thought-provoking 

material, exploring sexuality, equal rights, 

race, politics and body image. 

For Glasgay! she treats audiences to her hit 

Edinburgh Fringe show at the home of live 

comedy, the Stand Comedy Club. 

ScotsGay talked to Cho about ‘Cho 

Dependent’ as part of our Fringe coverage 

earlier this year. sgfringe.com/category/ 

interviews/margaret-cho/ 

PIC: TRANSGENDER EXPRESSIONS 

Exhibition 

TRANSGENDER 

EXPRESSIONS 

The Virginia Gallery 

23rd Oct at 6pm. 24th Oct-26th Nov at 11am 

except Sundays 12.30pm. FREE 

Featuring photographs of the transgendered 

of Brazil, some street workers, others just 

everyday people, each facing multiple levels 

of discrimination, violence and poverty. 

This work celebrates their triumph over 

adversity. Barry M. Wolfe is a Glasgow-born 

photographer who has lived in Brazil for the 

last 23 years. He started SOS Dignity, a 

human rights project, five years ago, dealing 

with transgender issues, including AIDS, 

human trafficking, sexual exploitation and 

slavery. In 2009 he won a prize for human 

rights in Brazil. 

PIC: WEEKEND 

Film 

WEEKEND 

Glasgow Film Theatre 

25th Oct at 8.30pm. £7 (£5.50) 

On a Friday night after hanging out with his 

straight mates, Russell heads out to a night 

club, alone and on the pull. Just before 

closing time he picks up Glen. And so begins 

a weekend - in bars and bedrooms, getting 

drunk and taking drugs, telling stories and 

having sex - that will resonate throughout 

their lives. 

Theatre 

CH CH CHANGES 

Citizens Theatre 

25th Oct-12th Nov at 7.30pm. £5 

preview/£10/£12 

Herald Angel Award Winner 2010 Grant 

Smeaton transmutes into a spectrum of 

multi coloured sexuality as seen through the 

eyes of five characters in mid-life in this 

intimate, compelling and provocative new 

one man show. 

Written by Martin O’Connor and partly 

devised through the personal accounts of 

the big changes impacting on the lives of 

LGBT people growing up through the 

sexually ambiguous 70’s and beyond, 

Smeaton riotously transforms and changes 

sex and sexuality before your eyes and asks 

the question - where does our sexuality 

begin and end? 

Theatre 

SPAIN 

Citizens Theatre 

25th Oct-12th Nov at 7.30pm. £5 

preview/£10/£12 

You can’t run away from your problems...but 

you can take them to nicer places. At 22, Ally 

relocated from Edinburgh to Gran Canaria 

and he’s never looked back. He hasn’t had 

time. He’s been too busy enjoying 

himself…and other people. Lots of other 

people. In fact, in the twenty years he’s been 

on the island he’s averaged a man a week. 

But at 42, Ally is entering promiscuous 

person’s mid-life crisis. As he waits for the 

arrival of his latest gentleman caller, he finds 

a small memento that takes him back to his 

life in Scotland. 

Spain tells the story of an ex-pat 

Scot, thrown into an existentialist crisis and 

forced to begin a long journey home. 

James Ley is a young writer from Edinburgh 

who has had success with Up and I Heart 

Maths at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Glasgay! 

and Oran Mor. Co-created and performed by 

Mark Kydd. 

Comedy 

BOTTOMS UP 

Rose & Grants 

26th-29th Oct at 8.05pm. £10 

Join ‘Gram with a G’ on his gay 

detox and get a peek into his Big 

Fat Gay Diary, as he deletes his 

Gaydar, strips bare, sings like a 

girl and tries to male you fall head 

over heels for him the old 

fashioned way. Musical 

arrangements by Claire McKenzie 

and her ‘Gastric Band’. Presented 

by Oxi Morons. 

PIC: STRANGE CREATURES 

PIC: BIG SCARY FAIRY CEILIDH 

Comedy 

STRANGE HUNGERS 

The Arches 

27th-29th Oct at 7.30pm. £9 (£7) 

Obscene inverts! Sexless termites! 

Hermaphroditic spinsters! Just some of the 

things they’ve been called while touring the 

world with their timeless lavender cabaret 

(grubby lesbo freakshow). 

Now you lucky Glasgow queers can bask in 

the squalid sapphistry of your filthy hosts, 

Claude and Maud, as we root around the 

icons and dykons of the past hundred years. 

Let us edu-tain you with shocking tales of 

cross-dressing, boarding school crushes, 

Boston Marriages and intimate 

“friendships”. Part queer history lesson, part 

titty-show, come indulge your Strange 

Hungers. By Rosanna Cade and Eilidh 

MacAskill also known as Fish and Game. 

Ceilidh 

Big Scary Fairy Ceilidh 

St Andrews in the Square 

Film 

KILLING US SOFTLY: 

ADVERTISING’S IMAGE OF 

WOMEN 

CCA 

27th Oct at 7pm. £5 (£3) 

A report published in the late 70s by the UN 

Commission on the status of women claims 

that ‘advertising is the worst offender in 

perpetuating the image of women as sex 

symbols and an inferior class of human 

being’. This film illustrates how 

advertisements reinforce stereotypes and 

affect our self-image, concepts of success, 

worth, love, sexuality, popularity and 

normality. Director Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D. is a 

feminist author, speaker and filmmaker who 

is internationally recognized for her work on 

the image of women in advertising. 

PICS: KILLING US SOFTLY 

29th Oct at 8pm. £15 ceilidh/£25 ceilidh with buffet 

A Halloween ceilidh and fancy dress up do! An evening of Scottish country dance, food and 

pre-panto kilted fun. Dress up as your scariest Halloween nightmare before Christmas 

character and dance the night away. Music and instruction by ladies of The Belle Star Band. 

A charity fundraiser in aid of Gala Scotland.

op-ed 

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

omeone got their sums wrong. And 

who was daft enough to believe them? 

SAs soon as First Minister, Mr Salmond 

was in the hotseat, the first thing he did was 

invite a herd of snake-oil salesmen and 

purveyors of quackery - oh, sorry! ‘Faith 

Leaders’ - round to Bute House for some 

nibbles. You can be sure that the Frocks 

would’ve been keen to show him their 

muscles. 

Behind the smiles the militants running 

the Catholic Church would’ve wanted to 

impart their spiritual message: Don’t mess 

with us. Rt Rev Philip Tartaglia, Bishop of 

Paisley, said it again. Warning Alex, (he’s a 

fellow religionist too): You let gays marry 

and the SNP doesn’t deserve the support of 

the 800,000 Scottish Catholics we speak for. 

(In your dreams, matey!) Surveys point to 

61% of Scots OK with marriage equality and 

Tim Hopkins of the Equality Network is not 

shy of revealing: “Amongst Catholics in 

Scotland, 57% support same-sex marriages 

and only 25% oppose it and there were 

similar sorts of rations for the other faiths as 

well.” C’mon! How many Catholics actually 

take any notice of what the lunatics running 

their asylum actually say anyway? 

800,000? The Right Reverend Philip 

Tartaglia - already extreme enough to be 

tipped off as the next Cardinal - must be 

using the same abacus as Mr Souter. 

Another retrenched religionist, the 

Stagecoach boss was otherwise busy 

niggling Gordon Beattie, his PR and media 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GarryOtton 

garry@scotsgay.co.uk 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the latest 

instalment of Garry Otton’s 

Badge of Shame at 

www.scottishmedia 

monitor.com 

where you’ll also find links to 

Scottish newspapers and other 

media organisations 

 

advisor, to do something about an 

outrageous infringement of his freedom of 

expression. (I know. The irony). He’s been 

throwing his toys out the pram over Google 

(allegedly) blocking his site. Amongst page 

after page of self-congratulatory waffle Brian 

Souter.com reminisces on his ‘Keep the 

Clause’ campaign to prevent gay kids 

receiving appropriate information in school. 

“A total of 1,262,686 people returned ballot 

papers and a staggering 86.8% - that’s 

1,096,011 - agreed with Brian that Clause 28 

should not be repealed”, adding that those 

voting with him to keep the clause far 

exceeded the number of votes cast for any 

single political party in Scotland at any 

election over the last 10 years. What Mr 

Souter ‘forgot’ to mention was that he 

pumped around £2 million into the 

campaign, also more than any single 

political party spent in Scotland at any 

election over the last 10 years. He also 

disenfranchised more liberal youngsters who 

tend to move about a lot when his glorified 

opinion poll posed as an authentic plebiscite 

using an out-of-date electoral register. The 

Electoral Reform Society wanted nothing to 

do with it. He got a 32% turnout; quite 

pathetic given that even a previous postal 

ballot in Scotland on the privatisation of 

water services in Strathclyde attracted 

71.5%! Of those returning the ballot papers, 

11,356 were spoilt and 11,856 were empty 

envelopes. The ‘referendum’ suggested that 

166,406 voted for repeal (13%) and 

1,094,440 voted against repeal (86%). 

So, a massive 70% of Scots rejected 

the ‘Keep the Clause’ campaign, either 

by binning the ballot or by voting for 

repeal. 

Let me be frank. And I don’t need 

figures - although there are plenty and 

you only need to pop your head round 

a Church door on a Sunday - if it’s not 

already boarded up or turned into a 

discount carpet warehouse, to see it 

for yourself - the Church is fucked. And 

it’s not gay marriage or ‘aggressive 

secularists’ that are doing it. It is killing 

itself. 

Organised religion is resolutely out 

of touch with the people it’s supposed 

to serve. And it’s happening 

everywhere, even in countries 

traditionally supine to its orders and 

edicts. In Ireland, despite celebrating 

the introduction of a new blasphemy 

law last year, the Cloyne Report 

followed with a scathing attack on the 

Vatican by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny; 

then there was a case lodged in the 

International Criminal Court in The 

Hague by victims of abuse against 

leading Roman Catholic cleric, Herr 

Ratzinger, his Vatican secretary of state 

and a handful of other high-ranking 

Holy See officials. In Scotland lately, 

the government and Catholic Church – 

with a little help from their cronies in 

the Scottish media - have been 

promoting a law against ‘sectarianism’. 

It took just one silly wanker from the 

terraces to jump on Celtic captain, Neil 

Lennon, to have him whisked away 

facing charges of ‘religious aggravation’. 26- 

year-old, John Wilson conducted himself in 

a disorderly manner, running on to the pitch 

at the away team dug-out, shouting, 

swearing and breaching the peace. The jury 

were having none of this religious stuff, and 

neither was John Wilson who insisted he’d 

only called Lennon ‘a fucking wanker’; not ‘a 

Fenian bastard’! The Catholic Church is 

chomping at the bit for new laws to label 

criticism of its institution ‘sectarian’. But it 

wants its cake and eat it. It wants no 

restriction on the display of religious 

iconography or anyone making the sign of 

the cross on or off the pitch. In fact: It wants 

to see more of it with ‘believers’ crossing 

themselves in the street and saying ‘God 

bless’ at every opportunity. Being the only 

western nation with forced praying in all its 

schools, unelected clerics in the highest 

legislature in the land and taxpayers forking 

out for sectarian schools are clearly not 

enough for them. The truth is, most of what 

could pass as ‘sectarian’ on the football 

terraces is mostly ill-informed banter and 

has little to do with religion. They would be 

hard pushed to remember when the last time 

it was they actually saw the inside of a 

church. Former Celtic striker Frank 

McAvennie got at least that much right when 

he turned on legislators saying, “football 

should be kept out of politics.” 

But as much as Scotland’s fourth estate 

might try to paper over the cracks with 

whatever the Scottish Catholic Media Office 

might throw at it, the Catholic Church is now 

beyond help. Had it been any other 

institution, no newspaper report would have 

been complete without reminding readers of 

past indiscretions. So why the doublestandards? 

Or are the crimes of the Catholic 

Church just not terrible enough? Prior to 

Ratzinger’s ‘state’ visit to Scotland – at 

considerable cost to taxpayers, involving the 

raiding of funds set aside for overseas aid 

and coinciding with news of 13 suicides of 

former victims of priestly abuse in Belgium - 

The Scotsman printed issue after issue of 

fawning covering, including a double-page 

spread with several photos of Cardinal 

O’Brien laughing; smiling and saying that he 

would be “happy” if the Pope didn’t 

apologise for the child abuse. Apparently, 

there wasn’t very much in Scotland anyway. 

Oh, really? 

Homosexuals; the sixties; ephebophiles 

and a greater prevalence of incidences in 

other institutions. Catholic apologists have 

done everything to lay the blame at someone 

else’s door. Ratzinger’s visit clearly wasn’t 

the moment anyone was going to be 

reminded of the allegations against the Poor 

Sisters of Nazareth filed in the High Court in 

Aberdeen against Sister Alphonso, alias 

Marie Docherty. Former children from the 

orphanage lined up to provide testimonies of 

daily beatings, sexual abuse from visiting 

priests, the force-feeding of a little girl with 

her own vomit, the wrapping of bed-wetters 

in their urine-soaked sheets, the forcing of a 

wee girl into a cold bath in the middle of an 

epileptic fit which Sister Alphonso was 

supposed to have described as “the work of 

the devil”, lads being dropped into scalding 

baths and the ‘cleansing’ of menstruating 

girls by immersing them in baths filled with 

Jeyes disinfectant. One woman claimed 

Sister Alphonso had dragged her by her hair 

and beat it against a wall so hard it broke her 

front teeth leaving only the stumps. Helen 

Cuister told a court that when she began 

menstruating, Sister Alphonso told her that 

it was ‘God’s punishment’ for girls who did 

not behave and that her punishment would 

go on until midnight when she would die for 

being so dirty. Louise Clark told the same 

court how she had been beaten mercilessly 

simply for not attending church. In defence, 

Sister Alphonso told the court how, as a 

child she had pulled down her knickers and 

asked her father to hit her and, when as a 

sister in the Aberdeen home, she had given 

the girls a good talking to after she caught 

them watching forbidden TV programme, 

‘Top of the Pops’. The church stood by Sister 

Alphonso. A Scottish Catholic Church source 

told the press: “The view within the church 

is that she deserves sympathy, not more 

punishment. The church will rally round 

her.” 

And it did. The Catholic Church 

appointed a team of leading lawyers, 

including former Solicitor General Paul 

Cullen, QC and the Rt Rev Mario Conti, the 

Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, 

later the Archbishop of Glasgow, who 

stepped in as chief apologist, explaining: 

“Some practices which, today seem 

excessive and even cruel, would not have 

been viewed in this light years ago. These 

convictions do not, moreover, invalidate the 

great good, which was done by the Sisters 

of Nazareth, including Sister Marie, in caring 

competently and appropriately for many 

thousands of children over the last 100 

years”. Still dressed in her nun’s habit, Marie 

Docherty was found guilty of just four 

counts of cruelty and unnatural practices. 

Former care assistant Helen Howie, 75 was 

angry that she was not called as a witness. 

“She has made all these children out to be 

liars”, she was reported saying, “but 

everything they said was true. A couple of 

times when my husband came to collect me 

from his work he had to pull her off to stop 

her beating the children. I called him many a 

time to take her away from the children”. 

Docherty’s age, state of health, lack of 

previous convictions and the time that had 

passed since the crimes took place were all 

taken into consideration. After whispering a 

polite ‘thank you’ to Sheriff Colin Harris, 

PIC: EX-CELTIC FOOTBALLER 

FRANK MCANNIE WITH FRIENDS 

PIC: HOMOPHOBE 

BRIAN SOUTER 

PIC: THE RIGHT REV PHILIP 

TARTAGLIA PERFOMING THE 

LAYING ON OF HANDS 

Marie Theresa Docherty was free to walk 

away. The Scottish Daily Mail jumped in to 

save the Church. A master of deception, the 

tabloid was an expert at making black appear 

white. Like its front page headline: “Scotland 

first to have gay marriage imposed” – no 

Church was having gay marriage imposed 

on it if they didn’t want it - and its uncritical 

reporting of the Catholic Church’s 

parliamentary officer, John Deighan, who, 

despite all the evidence, insisted there was 

“overwhelming public opposition” to gay 

marriage. After Docherty’s trial the Mail tried 

to “put this case in perspective” shoehorning 

readers into believing that what Sister 

Alphonso did “was not in the same category 

as the more sordid offences involving 

paedophile priests and social workers” 

adding “there was no sexual element 

involved”. 

But there were also the allegations by 

11 former pupils in the Court of Session in 

Edinburgh who claimed to have been 

brutalised by an order of Catholic monks. 

Their solicitor, Cameron Fyfe claimed he was 

handling the biggest abuse case Scotland 

had ever seen. Allegations from former 

pupils of St Ninian’s List D School in 

Gartmore, Stirlingshire described electric 

shocks administered from a device 

described as a type of generator kept in a 

boot room where boys had to hold on to a 

pair of wires leading from the machine. 

Central Scotland Police were involved in 

compiling a report for the Procurator Fiscal 

that also included complaints of regular 

thrashings, being forced to eat vomit, sexual 

fondling and serious physical abuse. 

The Big Issue in Scotland also told a 

particularly harrowing tale by resident John 

McCorry of the behaviour of the nuns from 

the Smyllum Park Orphanage near Lanark. 

“They warped our sexualities. We were told 

that the toilet - and even using the word 

toilet - was evil. We couldn’t refer to any part 

of our body between the neck and knees as 

anything other than ‘our front’. But as a 

result kids would get beaten for talking 

about their fronts. We would get beaten for 

asking to go to the toilet. It was 

institutionalised insanity… Boys who wet 

the bed were beaten all the time… They 

were forced to drink Epsom salts over and 

over again. But that ended up making them 

doubly incontinent. Most of the boys who 

suffered this ended up soiling themselves a 

few hours later. The most disgraceful thing I 

ever saw was one boy who was forced to 

walk up and down all day in the dining hall 

with his wet sheet under his arm. The sister 

who made him do this was shouting at us, 

saying, ‘Why aren’t you laughing at him?’ 

There was the sound of forced laughter 

everywhere. The boy was crying. It was 

sadistic, sick, mental torture”. The Catholic 

Church’s spokesman had his secretary 

explain to the Big Issue: “It’s nothing to do 

with us any longer”. 

But it isn’t just in Scotland where we 

should be challenging – not Catholics - but 

institutions like the Vatican. 

Let’s remind ourselves of the Catholic 

Church’s own rule about the Popes - the 

‘successors of Peter’ – all being culpable. 

That must include the ones guilty of 

nepotism, murder, sexual debauchery and 

general depravity, none of whom the Church 

has officially condemned. There are the ones 

who took lovers, mistresses, girls or boys, 

married, had illegitimate children; housing 

and promoting their, er… ‘nephews’. Many 

Pope’s had children. And Pope Julius III 

hardly made much of a secret about the 

teenage boy he picked up in the street. First 

he was his ‘monkey keeper’ and then he was 

made a Cardinal. 

Then there is this Church’s historical 

hatred of Jews; passing laws that closed 

professions to them, locking them up in 

ghettos and forcing them to wear yellow 

identification. Read about the inquisitions, 

enforced conversions, slave trading and 

operations of torture and you are left either 

needing counselling or wondering what kind 

of twisted mind would ever want to 

associate itself with such a poisonous 

institution. 

And then there is the gun-running, the 

financial wheeling and dealing, the 

laundering of illegal funds and the 

Magdalene laundries of incarcerated women; 

the denial of rights to women and people of 

a non-heterosexual orientation; the 

concordats with South American dictators; 

the deals with the Mafia (Pope Paul VI’s 

financial advisor, Sicilian tax lawyer, Michele 

Sindona recycled proceeds from Mafia 

heroin sales through the Vatican bank and 

helped the Vatican evade tax by transferring 

the bulk of its financial and investment 

assets overseas). And let’s never forget the 

Catholic Church’s administration of Nazi ratruns. 

Oh, yes… You didn’t even need to be a 

Catholic to get Vatican help here: Just a Nazi. 

After the war, funded by Nazi gold, twenty 

Catholic agencies helped spirit away the likes 

of the commander of Treblinka, Franz 

Strangl who murdered 900,000 people; 

deputy commander of Sobibor, Gustav 

Wagner who murdered 250,000 Jews and 

Adolf Eichmann amongst many, many 

others. All this before you ever get to the 

endless cases of sexual, physical and mental 

torture it put children through before the 

Vatican tried to cover it up, often 

blackmailing its victims into silence or 

moving priests to different areas where they 

could go on abusing even more kids. The 

United Nations have asked the Vatican for a 

report. 14 years and they’re still waiting. 

Malachi O’Doherty writes in the Belfast 

Telegraph: “It’s a peculiar irony that the 

Church’s critics lose their power to impress 

when they stop going to Mass. By walking 

away, we surrendered our punch”. While I 

salute every so-called ‘Catholic’ that has had 

the courage to speak out against their 

religion in a climate of censorship, religious 

privilege, propaganda and proselytising; 

does walking away really have no effect on 

the Church? I think it is that healthy 

indifference to religion, becoming so 

prevalent in society today, which is securing 

for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgendered 

and inter-sexed people, all the fairness and 

equality they have ever wanted. 

Garry Otton is a member of the National 

Secular Society.

are you ready for 

the new look you ? 

Injectable Facial Treatments Including Derma Fillers 

Can Make You Look and Feel: 

Younger 

Healthier 

Fresher 

Visit Me in a Centrally Located City Centre Salon 

Or Arrange a Home Visit 

Performed by a Qualified NHS Nurse Practioner 

(in Conjunction with Harley Aesthetics London) 

Edinburgh and The Lothians 

07745345703 

contact ads are free 

CONTACTS 

REMEMBER: You can also place and 

answer personal ads free online at 

www.scotsgay.co.uk 

You can now include your telephone 

number in your ad at a cost of £5. You 

will be telephoned by ScotsGay to confirm 

your ad before it is printed. 

WOMEN 

Sane And Genuine 55 Year Old 

Sane and sincere lesbian looking for 

friends and maybe someone special. 

Likes cinema, walking, quiet nights in. 

Box SG11810. 

Sporty And Femme 

Honest gay woman would like to meet 

similar. Enjoy tennis and footie aged also 

similar late 40’s and femme. Tel: 07974 

889401. Box SG11811. 

Edinburgh Sincere Feminine 

Sincere feminine lesbian, likes travel, 

sunshine and relaxing, meals in and out, 

cinema, gym, swimming. Would like to 

meet feminine professional 40-50 for 

friendship and fun times. Edinburgh. Box 

SG11812. 

Sane Lesbian - 53 Years Old 

Sane femme lesbian looking for friends 

maybe even that special person. Love to 

walk with someone, go to the cinema, 

eat out or quiet nights in. Get in touch. 


Butch-Butch Dynamic... 

Sought by soft/classic butch, 33, in Aberdeen, 

interested in culture, high or low, 

and politics, left and queer. Perhaps 

we’re the ones we’ve been waiting for? 

Let’s find out. Box SG11814. 

MEN 

Looking For A Fresher Fair 

Mature guy looking for fun with guy(s) 

aged 16-26 - probably at my place in 

Central Edinburgh. Nothing complicated: 

love not required although mutual respect 

is a must. One off is good, so is 

longer term fuck buddy. I’m mostly active 

but can be versatile if that’s what really 

works for you. Safer fun only - no 

barebacking. And a kiss or cuddle can be 

just as good as (or better than) anything 

else - so there are a lot of options. What 

have you got to lose by replying and 

seeing if our needs/desires are compatible? 

Other than your virginity which is 

soon gone with this poof! Box SG11804. 

Cheap Inspector Taggart 

Miserably perverse, as is his wont at this 

time of year, Taggart attempts to revisit 

scenes of his youth in Kelvingrove Park 

only to find the vegetation thin and the 

welcome from youths even thinner. 

Later, deleted from Fitlads for mistakenly 

roasting one of the owner’s hens, he attempts 

solace on Caffmos only to discover 

that all the youths there find him a 

tad young for their tastes. Before he resorts 

to Silver Daddies, he resolves to 

try ScotsGay once again. Box SG11805. 

I Want A Skinny Guy! 

I’m a 20 year old student, average build, 

athletic, very sporty, toned and muscular, 

with light brown hair and clear eyes 

looking for a very skinny guy, max 30, 

for a little weekend of fun. No hard sex, 

just sexual fun. You must be very slim, 

bony, with a very small waist, and very 

little appetite (for food, of course, not for 

the rest). Only e-mails, discreet, and I 

travel (can’t accommodate). Box 


27 Year Old Arse Eater 

Seeks Fit Dude 16-35 

I’m a slim, fit, good-looking 27 year old 

lad, have my own place in the Edinburgh 

area. I love licking lads’ holes. I’m into 

rimming, sucking and kissing. I am looking 

for a fit, sexy, hoodie, cocky dude 

16-35 to use me regularly as their sex 

slave. I want to be used especially to eat 

arse, take farts, suck cock and suck 

clean warm, sweaty feet. I really love 

younger hoodie type lads, so if you’re 

16-25 then you will definitely be my 

FIRST choice. You can use me and humiliate 

me on a regular basis or have me 

as your submissive boyfriend - in which 

case I will remove this ad straight away. 

I will lick your arse-hole all day and suck 

you all day. I love rimming a lad. Note 

that I do not do anal. If you fit the criteria, 

text me 07957 210946 and I will 

send you my pic and meet up with you 

ASAP. Box SG11807. 

Dirty Old Man Wanted 

Mature bottom slut seeks dirty thinking/talking/acting, 

open minded older 

guy for horny fun. Must enjoy receiving 

oral and giving anal. W/E with toys an 

advantage but not essential. Can travel 

around Glasgow or beyond. Box 


Bi-Guy Seeks Male For Fun & More 

Bi-Guy, 39, VWE, blond blue eyes, 6’4” 

tall, slender seeks male for fun, friendship 

and more. 

Strathclyde/Glasgow/Renfrewshire area. 


Edinburgh Sleaze... 

Top, late 40’s, slim and smooth, looking 

for hairy bottoms into toys, poppers and 

deep fucking. You 40-55 and up for 

sleazy sessions. Box SG11819. 

Lochgelly School Belt 

Guy looking for a school belting in the 

North East Scotland wants to meet a retired 

teacher over 60. Box SG11820. 

Ginger Minger Seeks 

Young, Smooth Guy 

Small (5’6”), fat (15st), old (53), balding 

red hair and beard, very hairy body, 

looking for fun and friendship with 

young (16-22) guy. You: No piercings 

(self mutilation is not good or clever), 

preferably a full head of hair (no shaved 

heads - why do you want to be bald at 

your age?), smooth chest (shaved is 

good, naturally smooth is better), no facial 

hair, not anorexic (I like a bit of 

plump - although slim is OK). I’m probably 

far too picky - but then I bet most 

suitable guys are too! I can accommodate 

(Edinburgh) or will travel. Box 


Visit Middle East 

(Palestine, October 2011) 

Gay guy, 40, fit, London based, seeking 

travel buddy(ies) to Palestine October 

2011 for alternative trip / olive picking 

(Bethlehem based hotel). Please E-mail: 

tiocfaidh_28@yahoo.com or Write: Box 


Aberdeen - Want Black Man 

Latino, 43, looking for top black man for 

safe fun and friendship. Own place. Regular 

meets. Must be well hung. Box 


Glasgow Scally Lad 

- Cute And Attractive 

Looking, 36, SA, SL, OHAC, look 

younger, sporty, casual dressed. Hobbies: 

gym, footie, pubs, clubs. Looking 

to meet gay or bi guys 16-35 for fun relationship. 

Text 07503 379678. Box 


36 Year Old Prisoner Seeks Guys 

Released soon, looking for penpals initially, 

maybe more when I’m out. Bi or 

gay guys welcome. ALA. 18-30. Box 


Genuine Appeal 

Slim, youthful, 60 year old, clean 

shaven, smart appearance, still got cute 

arse for age, WLTM or visit mature gay 

male for friendship, discreet safe sexy 

fun. Like O&A. Can travel. Box SG11826. 

Mature Student 

Edinburgh mature student, 54, WLTM 

younger student(s) in the city for fun 

and friendship. Easy going. Non scene. 

Non smoker. Discretion assured. Box 


Hi! 

Glasgow gay guy, 62, tall, slim, seeks 

fun and friendship. Tel: 07788 763948. 


Hard Up! 

Guy seeks guy(s) for kinky fun in the 

Central Belt. Must indulge in out of the 

ordinary sex - enjoy toys, FF, etc. But 

only if you’re man enough! RU? Box 


Sex Technician 

Teaches fun and massage. 13 miles from 

Glasgow City Centre. Can accommodate 

and provide small meal. Text: 07813 

530143. Must be prepared to undress 

for fun. Box SG11830. 

Aspergers? 

Sick of all the courtship rituals? 50’s guy 

with mild Aspergers, likes the company 

of 16-26 year olds. Get in touch if you’d 

like to meet and discuss what to do next. 


Older For Younger 

Are you under 25, fed up with the scene, 

prefer older guys irrespective of what 

your peers say? Well this guy may be 

just what you’re after. I am a chubby silver 

daddy bear type. Box SG11833. 

BISEXUAL 

Bi Curious? 

There has to be a first time for everything! 

Aged 16-21? Get in touch? Considerate, 

experienced, versatile, older 

guy will talk you through things at your 

own pace before getting down to some 

safe fun. Your limits respected. Total discretion 

assured. Live in Edinburgh and 

can accommodate but may travel if required. 


Retired Hippy 

55,looking for some love and affection 

from women and men of all ages. Box 


Professional Couple Sought 

Bi male 38 seeks broadminded assertive 

couple any age to explore the delights of 

being friendly with a sub slave/gimp. The 

pleasure is only limited by imagination. 


23 Year Old Prisoner 

Looking for fun and penfriends with 

guys 16-26 bi or gay and to see where 

this may go. ALA. Photos appreciated. 


Aberdeen - Looking For New Friends 

Spanish, 43, looking for safe fun and 

friendship. I’, straight acting. Looking for 

males or females. Box SG11834. 

STRAIGHT 

Silver Bear 

Edinburgh based 50something guy 

seeks morally relaxed women of all ages 

for fun and friendship. Box SG11803. 

60something Male Seeks Assistance 

With Unreliable Erection 

Illness has reduced functionality, possibly 

temporarily, would you help to prove 

this is correct? Alternative methods of 

satisfaction guaranteed! Box SG11809. 

Women - Share Your Toys 

Would any slim(ish) mature woman like 

to share her toys with a sane, laid back 

man with a nice bum? You use mine and 

I’ll use yours - could be fun experimenting. 

I can travel to Glasgow and beyond. 


FRIENDS 

ABROAD 

We do not provide box numbers to advertisers 

outwith the UK. Instead, their 

personal contact details will be published 

both in the magazine and online. 

INTERGAY 

Penpal contacts with gay men all over 

the world. Over 120 subscribers in 30 

countries. To join is free: send your ad. 

Only subscribers get the booklet with all 

data and addresses by enclosing £5. IN- 

TERGAY, Voorstraat 12-A, 4033 AD Lienden, 

Netherlands. 

JOBS WANTED 

Edinburgh 

Experienced cleaner, trained masseur, 

looking for work in Edinburgh. Deep 

cleaning, shopping, everyday household 

tasks undertaken. Trained in Swedish 

massage techniques. Tel: 07954 619132 

JOBS OFFERED 

Cash For Your Body 

Photogenic guys can earn £150 cash 

posing for Mike Arlen who has had 15 

glossy magazines published called Mike 

Arlen’s Guys. Send snapshots of your 

magnificent body to him: Mike Arlen, 

Wetherby Studios, 23 Wetherby Mansions, 

Earls Court Square, London. SW5 

9BH or Phone: 020-7373 1107. E-mail: 

mikearlen@btopenworld.com [0] 

SERVICES 

Uniform Dating - Free Membership For 

Every ScotsGay Reader 

Fancy a date in uniform? Here’s your 

chance! With thousands of registered 

firemen, nurses, pilots, military, police 

officers and singles from other professional 

uniformed services, Uniform Dating 

offers the most unique online dating 

experience. It is now open to those who 

are not in uniform. Uniform Dating has 

been made available to readers of the 

ScotsGay Magazine, with thousands of 

registered members just waiting to be 

contacted. And, thanks to this offer, 

membership of this fantastic website is 

absolutely FREE. To take advantage of 5 

day’s free membership, visit www.uniformdating.com 

and create your free profile. 

Then in the ‘Upgrade’ area, enter the 

promotional code: SGM. [0] 

CAFFMOS 

Contacts and friendships for men over 

sixty. The organisation for the more mature 

gentleman and his admirers. Write 

to: CAFFMOS, PO Box 2087, Blackpool. 

FY4 1WL. Or phone Blackpool (01253) 

318327 for info. [0] 

Erotic Videos 

For all your mucky movies: www.filthonline.co.uk 

[0] 

Limited Companies 

Only £90 for your own Limited Company. 

PLCs, Guarantee, Charitable and 

Unlimited Companies also available. 

Freephone 0800 526421. E-mail: 

info@cosunformations.co.uk. www.cosunformations.co.uk 

[0] 

Proofreading And Tuition 

In English (including TEFL), French, 

Latin, Greek and Gaelic, Typing Services, 

Historical and Genealogical Research. 

Charles S Coventry, 303/3 Colinton 

Road, Edinburgh. EH13 0NR. Tel: 0131- 

441 7898. E-mail: 

charlie@charliecov.plus.com [0] 

TD MONTHLY 

A contact ads publication for gay and bisexual 

men, 18+, who enjoy all forms of 

male-to-male discipline! Contacts, Stories, 

CP Pictures, CP Videos & DVDs, 

News, CP Clubs and Events. SAE for details 

or E-mail. Write: TD Monthly, PO 

Box 310, Manchester. M15 6WT. E-mail: 

tdmonthlymagazine@btinternet.com. 

www.tdmonthly.net [0] 

BACK RUBS 

Advertising Pays 

ScotsGay charges just £20 a month for 

an ad here with your picture! E-mail: 

backrubsads@scotsgay.co.uk or Tel: 

0131-539 0666. 

Black Bottom Glasgow 

Young black muscular guy, 28 years old, 

new on the scene, offers an escorting 

service. In/out calls. Very clean, very 

discreet. Call me for a good time. JAMES 

07833 781881. [115] 

Black Massage Therapist Edinburgh 

Black muscular man 33, 6ft, weight 13st 

10lb, friendly and discreet. Based in Portobello 

in/out calls £80. You get a professional 

nude massage (I’m nude as 

well) with added extras. Call me: Chris 

07740 066600. For more pictures 

www.gaydar.co.uk/holisticfingers [120] 

Edinburgh - Tantric Indian Hot Oil Massage 

Intimate full body massage with hot oils 

with unique classic original sensual 

techniques, healing,therapeutic, awakening. 

discreet experienced masseur, city 

centre, free parking, In/Out. Competitive 

price. Tel: 07551 321545. [113] 

Edinburgh 

Due to demand, I am now offering a new 

15 minutes massage service for those in 

a rush! Young experienced 24 year old 

slim male offering special massage in a 

cosy flat near the city centre. Males and 

females of all sizes welcome. No rush 

service guaranteed. Discretion assured 

so don’t be shy. Treat yourself. Call 

Jamie on: 07818 856448. [113] 

Male/Male Massage 

Come and enjoy a relaxing and envigorating 

full body oil massage with qualified 

therapist. Shower available. 

Perth/Fife area. Give me a call on 07940 

488254. [118] 

Massagalicious 

Top 2 Toe sensual hot cream body massage. 

Showering facilities available. 

Available 9am-10pm, 7 days. Based 

West End, Glasgow. Discretion assured 

and expected. 6’1”, 28”w, passive/versatile 

28 year old. WWW: http://www. 

massagalicious.co.uk/ Tel: 07838 

217109. [113] 

Massage For Guys - Edinburgh 

Experience a full body Swedish Massage 

using deep tissue manipulation using 

sensual Tantric techniques - guaranteed 

to make you feel relaxed. Offered by fully 

qualified and friendly guy based in Edinburgh 

near Holy Corner. Sessions last 

just over an hour. No out calls. Reasonable 

rates - £30 (£15) for students. 

Phone 07983 422652 or E-mail: 

Massage-for-Men- 

Edinburgh@hotmail.co.uk [113] 

Massage 4 Men 

Feel the benefits of a massage in a 

warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere 

with relaxing music and candles - unwind 

in comfort. My fee is £30 for a full 

hour - fresh towels (and shower facilities 

if required). I operate from home in the 

south side of Edinburgh conveniently located 

in EH8 - a 10 minute bus or 5 

minute taxi ride from the city centre. E- 

mail: Massage_4_men@live.co.uk 

Please call or text if you require more information 

- David 07747 552968. If I 

should miss your call please leave a 

message with a contact number and I 

will get back to you. (Genuine calls only 

and NO withheld numbers please!) I respect 

your privacy and discretion is 

100% assured. This advert is of a non 

sexual nature. [114] 

Massage For Men - Edinburgh 

Are you in need of an affirming, masculine, 

stress busting chill out guys? Experience 

the blissful pleasure and benefits 

of a deeply relaxing, holistic, sensual, 

tantric, nurturing full body pampering 

massage in a private city centre sanctuary. 

I use a broad range of techniques 

that can be selectively blended to meet 

individual need. Excellent rate of £20 

(one hour session) for all clients, provided 

by a qualified, experienced (15 

years) gay therapist who is friendly, respectful 

and caring. Contact Jim on 

07503 446534. [120] 

Mature Male Masseur 

Available by appointment in Perthshire. 

Cyclists massage. General sensual massage. 

Relax with a naturalist massage. 

Contact 07737 477167. [118] 

To reply to a contact ad, just pop your reply in an envelope with the box number written in the TOP 

RIGHT corner and place the envelope with your reply inside another envelope with two loose first 

class stamps. If you are writing from outwith the UK, an International Reply Coupon (IRC) should be 

enclosed for each reply instead of postage stamps. International Reply Coupons are available from 

Post Offices throughout the world. We are unable to send on replies without postage stamps or IRCs. 

Replies to : ScotsGay, PO Box 666, Edinburgh EH7 5YW. 

Nude Slow And Sensual Massage 

Muscular and fit black young guy in 

Glasgow, for nude, slow and hot oil massage. 

Can accommodate for fun times 

together. Hung, friendly corporate and 

private escort. In/out calls are available. 

Happy ending assured. Free parking. Call 

Michael on 07504 396338. [116] 

Professional Domination 

Experienced Master, 33, offers all forms 

of BDSM. Fully equipped dungeon in 

Glasgow city centre. Can accommmodate. 

Out/overnight calls. Subs also 

available for use. Contact Master James 

for details: 07766 717767. [113] 

WHERE TO STAY 

Advertising Pays 

ScotsGay charges just £60 a year for an 

ad here! E-mail: wheretostayads 

@scotsgay.co.uk or Tel: 0131-539 0666. 

18 Barony Street - Edinburgh 

Live the life,stay in the village. Clean 

spacious comfortable rooms (shared 

bathrooms) from £25 pp/pn. Tel: 07949 

157219. E-mail: 

alananrayesbanb18baronyst@ 

hotmail.co.uk You can also find us on 

facebook/eighteenbaronyst edinburgh 

and Twitter. [128] 

All New, All Gay Guesthouses - Edinburgh 

Two great locations. Exclusively gay. 

Easy walk to nightlife. Stylish rooms, all 

with TV and video (tapes available). 

Shared and private 

bathrooms. Breakfast available till noon. 

Non-smoking houses. Easy parking. 

Room rates: £29-£49 per night. Call 

0131-558 1382 or Fax 0131-556 8279. 

Web: www.gayscotland.com/alvahouse 

[117] 

Moffat - Dumfriesshire 

Comfortable Bed and Breakfast. All 

rooms en-suite with TV and DVD and 

free WiFi in all rooms. Massage available. 

Tel: 01683 221905. E-mail: 

Mcleancamm1956@btinternet.com 

[124] 

Penzance - Cornwall 

Small, gay-friendly, period hotel situated 

with own parking in town centre. Rooms 

available en-suite. Web: 

www.cliffhotelpz.co.uk Tel: Penzance 

(01736) 368888. [0] 

www.massagengrooming.com 

Full range of holistic health 

and beauty treatments, 

by qualified, experienced 

male therapists, at 

competative prices. 


Men 

Bisexual 

Other 

T. 0 1 4 1 2 3 7 3 1 5 8 

M . 0 7 7 7 2 2 9 9 7 5 5 

E . n a t u r a l a r t s @ h o t m a i l . c o . u k 

‘FresHH’ Beauty 

Skin Therapies 

Fully accredited non-surgical aesthetics nurse 

practitioner administering 

wrinkle reduction injections and dermal fillers. 

Operating from established salons in Edinburgh 

and Falkirk. Home visits also catered for. 

Please visit website for full details 

www.freshhskintherapies.com 

Or contact Brian on 07868 614543 

Photo with Ad 

Commercial Ad 

Back Rubs Ad 

6 Issue Sub (UK) 

ScotsGay Magazine 

PO Box 666 

Edinburgh EH7 5YW 

Personal Ad: FREE! 

Women 

Trans 

with Phone No. 

with Photo 

Postal Subscriptions to ScotsGay 

6 Issue Sub (Overseas) 

12 Issue Sub (UK) 

12 Issue Sub (Overseas) 

SG118

GROUPS 

listings are free 

STIRLING: 

Central Scotland Transgender Group: 

Meets 2nd Sat of each month 7-10pm. Tel: 

Sarah Whyte on 07748 484703. 

E-mail: sarah_m_whyte@yahoo.co.uk 

WORKPLACE 

EIS LGBT NETWORK: 

Write: National Officer (Education and 

Equality), 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh. EH3 

6BH. 

Tel: 0131-225 6244. 

E-mail: enquiriesn@eis.org.uk 

FIRE BRIGADES UNION 

LGBT SUPPORT GROUP: 

For firefighters and control staff. Write: c/o Pat 

Carberry, FBU, 68 Coombe Road, Kingston 

upon Thames, Surrey. KT2 7SE. Tel: 07725 

602524 or 020-8541 1765. 

E-mail: PCarberry@fbu.org.uk 

www.fbulgbt.org.uk 

GAY POLICE ASSOCIATION 

IN SCOTLAND: 

Membership is open to all police officers and 

police staff, serving or retired. Tel: 07092 

700213 . 

www.gpascotland.com 

GMB SCOTLAND EQUAL RIGHTS GROUP: 

Write: Regional Equal Rights Officer, GMB 

Scotland, Fountain House, 1/3 Woodside 

Crescent, Glasgow. G3 7UJ. Tel: 0141-352 

8109. 

E-mail: louise.gilmour@gmb.org.uk 

PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES 

UNION (PCS) PROUD GROUP 

Scottish Rep : Dave McNeilly c/o PCS, 

Equalities Committee, 160 Falcon Road, 

London. SW11 2LN. Tel: 07896 471891. 

E-mail: pcsproud@live.co.uk 

www.pcsproud.org.uk 

UNISON: 

Glasgow City LGBT Group. Meets pay day Tue 

at 5pm in Glasgow City Unison Offices, 4th 

Floor, 18 Albion Street. All LGBT members 

welcome. 

YOUTH 

NATIONAL: 

QUEER ATTITUDE: 

Edinburgh based website for young LGBT 

people everywhere. 

www.queerattitude.com 

QUEER YOUTH: 

UK National organisation run by and for young 

people providing a united voice for all lesbian, 

gay, bisexual, asexual, pansexual, intersex, 

transgender, transsexual, queer and curious 

youth. Online 24/7 providing peer support 

through forums, campaigning for equal rights, 

running regional groups across the UK and 

much more! Queer Youth Scotland usually 

meets monthly in either Glasgow, Dundee or 

Edinburgh. 

www.queeryouth.org.uk 

ABERDEEN: 

Zone Youth: LGBT group for people aged 

under 26. Meets 2nd Sat of each month 

Noon-3pm. Tel: 0845 2412151. 

E-mail: youth.aberdeen@tht.org.uk 

BORDERS: 

Tutti Frutti: Youth group meets Wed eve in 

Galashiels. Tel: 0131-555 3940. 

DUNDEE: 

Allsorts: Meets everyTue 6-8pm. Tel: 0131- 

555 3940. Text: 07781 481788. 

E-mail: info@lgbtyouth.org.uk 

Different Visions Celebrate (DV8): 

Youth group for young people 25 and under 

who have issues with their sexuality or with 

the sexuality of a member of their family. Drop 

In Service 9-5pm at Eighteen And Under, 1 

Victoria Road, Dundee. Offers a safe and 

friendly environment to meet and discuss 

issues affecting the LGBT community and our 

families. Tel: Shaun on Dundee (01382) 

206222. 

E-mail: shauntaylor498@hotmail.co.uk 

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY: 

LGBT Youth D&G: Groups, volunteering and 

support for LGBT people under 26 from 

Dumfries and Galloway. Write: 88b High 

Street, Dumfries. DG1 2RP. Tel: Dumfries 

(01387) 255058. Text: 07785 274147. 

E-mail: DandG@lgbtyouth.org.uk 

www.lgbtyouth.org.uk 

EDINBURGH: 

LGBT Youth Scotland: The Citadel, 39/40 

Commercial Street, Edinburgh. EH6 6JD. 

Provides services and opportunities for LGBT 

young people (13-25) in Edinburgh, the 

Lothians, Fife, Borders, Tayside and Dumfries 

& Galloway. The groups include drop-ins at 

their Edinburgh offices for under-18's (Wed) 

and for over 18's (Thu). They also have a 

range of different opportunities to get involved 

with, including volunteering and projects 

involving video and arts work, and they offer 

training services. Nationally, they run regular 

events for young people to get involved in 

local and national decision-making, and to 

make new pals and have a laugh. Office Tel: 

0131-555 3940 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm). 



GLASGOW: 

LGBT Youth Scotland Youth Programmes: 

Glasgow Head Office, 38 Queen Street, 

Glasgow. G1 3Dx. Tel: 0141-548 8121. 

Vivid Youth: For young LGBT people aged 13- 

25. Group for 13-18 year olds: Tue 7-9.30pm. 

Group for 18-25 year olds: Thu 7-9.30pm. 

Contact for venue details.Tel: 0141-548 8121. 



HAMILTON: 

Skittles LGBT Youth Group: For 16-25 year 

olds. Meets Mon 6.30-10pm. Tel: Graham on 

Hamilton (01698) 456680 during office hours. 

E-mail: graham.kane@yls.org.uk 

MORAY: 

Big Deal: For under 26 year olds. Tel: 0845 

2412151. 

E-mail: andi.watson@tht.org.uk 

PERTH: 

LGBT Youth Group: Last Wed of each month. 

Tel: 0141-548 8121. Text: 07781 481788. 


sexual health and safer sex advice, information 

and advice on drug use, personal safety, police 

and legal advice, including operating in the 

Remote Reporting Scheme. A great deal of 

their work is done on an outreach basis in 

Public Sex Environments and venues as well 

as on-line as part of the SNN group. They run 

an 'Out of Hours' Testing Service Mon 5- 

7.30pm at "The Exchange", Lady Lawson 

Street, Edinburgh where you can have a full 

SEXUAL HEALTH check up including Hep A & 

B vaccinations. No appointments necessary. 

For further information or to receive condom 

and lube supplies contact Vaughan, Peter or 

Del on Tel: 0131-537 8300 or 07774 628227. 

E-mail: enquiries@roam-outreach.com 

www.roam-outreach.com 

SANDYFORD: 

2-6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow. G3 7NB. 

Glasgow's main sexual, reproductive and 

emotional health centre. Free web access and 

health library with large LGBT lending 

collection. Specialist services for gay men 

(See separate ScotsGay Listing for Steve 

Retson Project) and lesbians (See separate 

ScotsGay listing for Sandyford under 

Women). Self-referal sexual health service 

with open access clinic each weekday with 

registration from 8.30-10am or book on 0141- 

211 8130. 

E-mail: helpsandyford@ggc.scot.nhs.uk 

www.sandyford.org 

SEXUAL HEALTH LINE: 

Freephone 0800 567123. 24 hours. 

Confidential advice and information. Minicom: 

Freephone 0800 521361. 

www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout 

STEVE RETSON PROJECT: 

Sandyford, 2-6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow. G3 

7NB. A free sexual health screening and 

counselling service for gay and bisexual men. 

Clinics run Tue, Wed & Thu 5-8pm. Tel: 0141- 

211 8628 for appointment.. 

www.sandyford.org/sexual-orientation/ 

men-who-have-sex-withmen/steve-retson-project.aspx 

TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST SCOTLAND - 

NATIONAL OFFICE - GLASGOW: 

134 Douglas Street, Glasgow. G2 4HF. HIV 

prevention and support services in 

Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Argyll & Bute, 

the Glasgow area and Western Central 

Scotland. Support & Advocacy Service 

provides a full range of welfare rights advice 

and representation as well as community 

support for people living with blood borne 

viruses. Also provides a range of health 

promotion services for gay and bisexual men 

throughout the West of Scotland. Contact for 

further details. Volunteers welcome! Tel: 0141- 

332 3838. Fax: 0141-332 3755. Helpline: THT 

Direct 0845 1221200 Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, 

Sat-Sun Noon-6pm. 

E-mail: info.scotland@tht.org.uk 

www.tht.org.uk 

TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST SCOTLAND - 

ABERDEEN OFFICE: 

246 George Street, Aberdeen. AB25 1HN. HIV 

prevention and support services in Grampian 

including Community Support, Group Support 

and LGBT groups. Also provides a range of 

health promotion services for Gay and 

Bisexual men throughout Grampian. Please 

contact for further details. Volunteers 

welcome! Tel: 0845 2412151. Helpline: THT 

Direct 0845 1221200 Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, 

Sat-Sun Noon-6pm. 

E-mail: info.aberdeen@tht.org.uk 

www.tht.org.uk and www. thtscotlandhighlandservices.blogspot.com 

TOGETHER: 

Social/support/information group for gay and 

bisexual men living with HIV. Meets 2nd and 

last Tue of each month from 7-9pm (new 

members invited from 6.30pm). Tel: Criz on 

0141-552 0112. 

E-mail: together@gmh.org.uk 

www.gmh.org.uk/together 

WAVERLEY CARE: 

3 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh. EH3 6NB. 

Scotland's leading charity providing care and 

support to people affected by HIV and 

Hepatitis C. Whether someone is living with 

HIV or Hepatitis C or are the partner or family 

member of someone affected by these 

conditions, Waverley Care has services that 

can support them and provide up to date, 

accurate information and resources. Services 

include: Short-term Residential Intensive 

Support, Support Services for all, including 

specialist services for gay men, Community 

Support and Outreach Services (including 

Advocacy and Information, Arts Project, 

Befriending/Buddying, Care at Home, Spiritual 

and Pastoral Care, Complementary Therapies, 

Counselling, Health Promotion), Prevention 

and Awareness Raising. Tel: Neil - Gay Men's 

Support Worker on 07962 909730 or Tel: 

0131-558 1425 Mon-Fri 9-5pm or Tel: 0131- 

441 6989 24hrs, 7 days per week. To become 

a Buddy with Waverley Care, Tel: Kelly 

McKnight on 07929 132675 or 0131-312 

9953 or Annette Wilson on 0131-441 2791. 

E-mail: info@waverleycare.org 

www.waverleycare.org 

WAVERLEY CARE ARGYLL & BUTE: 

The Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, 

Glasgow. G2 4JP. Tel: 0141-333 9393. 

WAVERLEY CARE HIGHLAND: 

34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. IV1 1NB.Tel: 

Inverness (01463) 711585 

OLDER GAYS 

CAFFMOS: 

Nationwide Social and Contacts Club for the 

older gay gentleman and his admirers, both 

young and old. Scottish group next meets 

from 1-4pm at Café Habana in Edinburgh on 

Sun 21st Aug & Sun 25th Sep. Write: PO Box 

2087, Blackpool. FY4 1WL. Tel: Blackpool 

(01253) 318327. 

E-mail: Caffmos2@aol.com 

Edward (Scottish Contact): 

E-mail: ebsc18624@blueyonder.co.uk 

www.caffmoscommunity.com 

HIGHLAND RAINBOW FOLK: 

Independent working group which raises 

awareness of issues facing older LGBT people. 

Monthly meetings in Inverness. Tel: Suzy on 

07791 874583. 

Email: highlandrainbowfolk@gmail.com 

www.spanglefishcom/highlandrainbowfolk 

LGBT AGE: 

New support service for LGBT people over 50 

years old in Edinburgh and the Lothians, 

which will offer befriending, social events, 

information and advocacy. Please help spread 

the word to any older LGBT people you 

know. Anyone interested in using the service 

or volunteering, call Garry on 0131-652 

3282. 

E-mail: garry@lgbthealth.org.uk 

www.lgbthealth.org.uk/content/lgbt-age 

PRIME TIME (EDINBURGH): 

Informal social group for men over 40. Meets 

in GMH, 10 Union Street, from 2-4.30pm 

every 2nd Sun (from 2nd Oct). Tel: John on 

0131-556 1309 or Steve on 0131-558 9444. 

E-mail: j.thompson39@btinternet.com 

PRIME TIME (GLASGOW): 

Social group for gay and bisexual men 40+. 

Meets twice a month in central Glasgow from 

3pm. Tel: Criz on 0141-552 0112. 

E-mail: criz@gmh.org.uk 

ORDER OF 

PERPETUAL 

INDULGENCE 

The Sisters and Brothers of the OPI are part 

of a world wide order of queer men and 

women of all sexualities which is open to all 

who feel the habit. Its tenets are: The 

expiation of stigmatic guilt and the 

promulgation of universal joy through 

habitual manifestation and perpetual 

perpetration. www.thesisters.org.uk 

OPI CONVENT OF DUNN EIDEANN: 

The Edinburgh convent. Write: Mistress of 

Communications, c/o PO Box 666, 

Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. 

E-mail: opi@drink.demon.co.uk 

OPI CONVENT OF MORAVIA: 

The North Eastern convent. Write: Sister 

Bobby OPI, Cairnglass, St Combs, 

Fraserburgh. AB43 8UT. Tel: Inverallochy 

(01346) 583145. 

E-mail: circushighschool@gmail.com 

OUTDOOR 

PURSUITS 

FREEDOM CLUB: 

UK and Europe Wide LGBT Caravan and 

Camping Club. Aims to provide a means 

whereby gay people can meet up for 

weekends, weeks or even longer rallies 

throughout the UK and sometimes into 

Ireland and Europe. Tel: Eddie on Cheltenham 

(01242) 526826. 

E-mail: enquiry@freedomclub.co.uk 

www.freedomclub.co..uk 

GAY BIRDERS CLUB: 

For LGBT Birdwatchers. Write: Gay Birders 

Club, GeeBeeCee, BCM-Mono, London. 

WC1N 3xx. 

Tel: Annie on 0131-552 6333. 

E-mail: info@gbc-online.org.uk 

www.gbc-online.org.uk 

GAY CARAVAN & CAMPING CLUB: 

For men and women. 

Tel: Ian on 07977 317872. 

E-mail: info@gaycaravanclub.com 

www.gaycaravanclub.com 

GAY OUTDOOR CLUB: 

Holds regular events including walking, 

skiing, cycling, climbing, mountain-biking, 

kayaking, mountaineering, camping, youthhostelling, 

badminton, running and 

swimming. For more information, vist 

website or send an A5 sae to BM GOC, 

London. WC1N 3xx. Or Tel: 0844 8700462. 

www.goc.org.uk 

E-mail: info@goc.org.uk 

GLASGOW GAY RAMBLERS GROUP: 

Leisurely walks in the countryside. Bring 

sensible footwear/clothing and packed lunch. 

2nd Sat of each month. Meet at Mitchell 

Library, Berkeley Street. No membership - 

just turn up. Cars normally shared. Tel: 

Robert on 0141-950 1081. 

E-mail: robert@gocscotland.org 

OUT DOOR LADS: 

A UK-Wide, web-based organisation, offering 

a wide range of activities: from camping, 

hostelling, hill-walking and indoor climbing, 

to the more extreme activities like gorge 

scrambling, ice climbing, technical mountain 

biking and many more. There's something 

for everyone, no matter what your interest. 

Core membership is Gay and Bi-sexual lads, 

aged 18-35, but OutdoorLads does not 

discriminate on any grounds including age, 

sexuality, disability or sex, and welcomes 

anyone who agrees with the group's aims 

and objectives. 

www.outdoorlads.com 

TARTAN TRAVELLERS: 

Scottish based club for all LGBT fans of 

caravanning, camping and motorhoming. 

Arranges meets, social events and more. Tel: 

Craig on 07972 881155. 

PARENTS 

GAY DADS SCOTLAND: 

Support group for gay fathers. Meets on last 

Thu of each month in a private room in 

Edinburgh LGBT Centre, 58a Broughton 

Street. Gay dads from all over Scotland 

welcome. Tel: 07791 188742. 

E-mail: info@gaydadsscotland.org.uk 

www.gaydadsscotland.org.uk 

PARENTS' ENQUIRY SCOTLAND: 

Coming out? Information and support for 

parents of LGBT people. Helpline and admin: 

Tel: 0131-556 6047 before 10pm. Write: c/o 

ScotsGay Magazine, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. 

EH7 5YW. 

E-mail: parentsenquiry@hotmail.com 

www.parentsenquiryscotland.org 

RAINBOW FAMILIES: 

Friendly group is for anyone looking to meet 

other LGBT parents, share experiences and 

get advice from the group’s health visitor. 

Regular outings organized. Toys provided! 

Meets 2nd Sat of each month from 10am- 

Noon at the LGBT Centre for Health & 

Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. Te;: 

0131-523 1100 for more information. 

E-mail: admin@lgbthealth.org.uk 

POLITICAL 

LIBERAL PARTY LESBIAN AND GAY 

CAMPAIGN: 

Tel: 0151-259 5935 (Telephone Answering 

Machine). Write: 41 Sutton Street, Liverpool, 

L13 7EG. 

E-mail: libgay@libparty.demon.co.uk 

www.liberal.org.uk 

SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS FOR 

LGBT EQUALITY: 

Tel: 0131-337 2314. Write: 4 Clifton Terrace, 

Edinburgh. EH12 5DR. 

E-mail: hq@scotlibdems.org.uk 

www.scotlibdems.org.uk 

www.twitter.com/scotlibdems 

PRISONERS 

FREE MAGAZINES FOR PRISONERS: 

Copies of ScotsGay are sent free of charge to 

prisoners in UK prisons and institutions. 

Please contact us if you wish to be added to 

the mailing list. 

BENT BARS PROJECT: 

Letter writing programme that connects 

lebian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, 

intersex, queer and gender non-conforming 

communities across prison walls. 

E-mail: bent.bars.project@gmail.com 

www.co-re.org/bentbars 

REAL ALE 

LESBIAN AND GAY 

REAL ALE DRINKERS: 

The Edinburgh group of CAMRA's Task Group 

for LGBT real ale and cider fans. Meets in The 

Regent on the 1st Mon of each month from 

9pm to sample the brewers' art - Aug 2nd 

Mon (to avoid GBBF). Tel: Karen on 0131-557 

8790. 

E-mail: lagrad@drink.demon.co.uk 

www.lagrad-edinburgh.org.uk 

and www.lagrad.org.uk 

RESIDENTIAL 

EVENTS 

EDWARD CARPENTER COMMUNITY OF 

GAY MEN: 

Committed to principles of caring, trusting, 

personal growth, sharing, and creativity aimed 

at nurturing 'community' as an alternative to 

the commercial scene. Organises Gay Men's 

Weeks and shorter events each year in SW 

Scotland, the English Lake District and other 

venues across the UK. Write: Edward 

Carpenter Community, BM ECC, London. 

WC1N 3xx. Tel: 08703 215121. 

E-mail: contact_ecc 

@edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk 

www.gaycommunity.org.uk 

THE FINDHORN FOUNDATION: 

Spiritual community, ecovillage and education 

centre. Offers regular residential workshops 

and retreats for gay men and lesbians at 

Findhorn in the North East of Scotland, and at 

its retreat house on the peaceful island of Iona. 

Tel: Findhorn (01309) 690311. 

E-mail:enquiries@findhorn.org 

http://bit.ly/findhorn-lgbt for all Findhorn 

Foundation gay and lesbian workshops, or 

http://www.findhorn.org/ for information 

about all the Foundation’s activities. 

SPORTS 

CALEDONIAN THEBANS RFC: 

Caledonian Thebans Rugby Football Club is 

Scotland's first gay/bi friendly rugby club. 

Offers gay/bi/trans men the chance to learn 

the game and play rugby in a safe and 

supportive environment. Welcomes new 

players (+18) at any level or experience and 

new supporters to the club. If you're interested 

in playing or supporting gay rugby in 

Scotland, please get in touch. Come along and 

get fit! Tel: 07758 668784 or Text "thebans" to 

60300. 

E-mail: membership@thebans-rfc.co.uk 

www.thebans-rfc.co.uk 

EDINBURGH CUESTARS: 

Meets fortnightly on Tue (next 10th May) in 

Shandon Snooker Club from 7-10pm. 

Looking for new members who have an 

interest in Cue sports and like to meet new 

people in a new environment 

E-mail: darren.girdwood@yahoo.co.uk 

EDINBURGH GAY MEN’S VOLLEYBALL: 

Looking to start up a gay volleyball team (and 

for people who have had experience and 

exposure to competitive volleyball) to take to 

both local and international competitions. If 

there is enough interest, an open day will take 

place to meet and play volleyball to get an idea 

of what your levels are and hopefully form a 

team based on this. Everybody welcome 

irrespective of sexuality. 

E-mail: edinburghgayvolleyball@live.com 

EDINBURGH LGBT RUNNING GROUP: 

Meets 6.15pm prompt Wed at the Jawbones, 

The Meadows. Everybody made welcome 

from complete beginners to the more 

experienced. Get in contact so that we can 

expect you, in case we need to make changes 

to time or venue. Tel: Robert on 07738 

939836. 

E-mail: robert.cole@gocscotland.org 

GAY FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS NETWORK: 

Write: GFSN Membership Secretary, PO Box 

7424, Milton Keynes. MK8 9WQ. Tel: Barry on 

Milton Keynes (01908) 564085. Scottish 

Contact: Kevin Rowe - Tel/Text: 07808 263173 

or 

E-mail: kevrowe72@yahoo.co.uk 

www.gfsn.org.uk 

GLASGOW FRONTRUNNERS: 

Running group for the LGBT community and 

our friends. All abilities welcome. Meets at 

7pm every Thu at the Arc Leisure Centre in 

Glasgow Caledonian University for a run. 

Social stuff after the run as well. Join our 

Facebook group. Tel/text: 07919 894317 

(Simon). 

E-mail: secretary@glasgowfrontrunners.org 

www.GlasgowFrontrunners.org 

GLASGOW GAY AND LESBIAN BADMINTON 

CLUB: 

Meets each Thu from 8-10pm. Come along 

and have fun and enjoy meeting the other 

members for a friendly game. All welcome. 

Tel: Paul on 07708 514676 (6-11pm). 

GRANITE CITY STORMERS FC: 

Gay football team meeting regularly to play, 

train and for social events. Based in Aberdeen 

and open to people of all ages, experience and 

ability. Always on the lookout for new 

members and volunteers, so if you can help 

out with organising training, fundraising, 

coaching, arranging kick abouts or socials or 

contributing in any way, please get in touch! 

E-mail: robleadbetter@hotmail.co.uk 

HOTSCOTS: 

Scotland's very first LGBT group for football 

players and fans alike. Currently organises 

regular socials and kick-abouts every Thu eve 

at Saughton and kick abouts every Fri eve at 

World of Soccer and would love to hear from 

anyone anywhere in Scotland who would like 

to take part. Now competing in the UK national 

gay league. However, all ability levels are 

welcome, and the social side is just as 

important as the playing - so what are you 

waiting for? Text "Football" to 80800 for more 

information (texts cost 25p) or 

E-mail: mail@hotscotsfc.com 

www.hotscotsfc.com 

LGBT ACTIVE: 

First Steps Fitness: Mon 6.30-7.30pm at 

Inverleith Park. Free beginners fitness group 

for anyone that wants to get off the sofa and 

improve their health and fitness.. Tel: 0131- 

523 1100. 


RACQUETEERS BADMINTON GROUP: 

Edinburgh based gay and lesbian badminton 

club meets Thu 7-9pm at Meadowbank 

Stadium. Spaces are limited but seeking more 

full time and part-time players. Plays all year 

round. 

E-mail: info@theracqueteers.co.uk 

SALTIRE THISTLE FC: 

LGBT-friendly football team based in Glasgow 

open to all from Scotland. Training on Wed at 

Glasgow Green, open kickabouts on Fri at 

Crownpoint and matches most Sun in 

different venues across the West. All abilities 

and skills are welcome plus those who want to 

watch and support. Regular social events 

organised too. 

E-mail: contact@saltirethistle.com 

www.clubwebsite.co.uk/saltirethistle 

TEAM SCOTLAND BADMINTON CLUB: 

Glasgow based gay and lesbian badminton 

club meets Sun Noon-2pm at National 

Badminton Academy, Scotstoun for 

competitive games. International tournaments 

and matches against clubs in London and 

Europe are held annually. Sorry - no 

beginners. Tel: Raymond on 0141-778 9220. 

STUDENTS 

Many Universities and Colleges have Lesbian, 

Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Societies. 

Contact these via your Student Union or 

Student Association. ScotsGay also links to a 

number of LGBT Soc websites from our own 

web page at www.scotsgay.co.uk Many LGBT 

Socs are open to non-students living in the 

area. 

Tel: NUS Scotland LGBT Officer on 0131-556 

6598. Fax: 0131-557 5679. Write: Nathan 

Sparling, LGBT Officer, NUS Scotland, 29 

Forth Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LE. 

E-mail: lgbt@nus-scotland.org.uk or 

mail@nus-scotland.org.uk 

TRANSGENDER 

NATIONAL: 

Transmen Scotland: 

A national support group for all female to male 

transgender people. Meets 2nd Sat of each 

month from 7-9pm at LGBT Centre for Health 

and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. For 

further info Tel/Text 07948 735179 or 

E-mail: admin@transmenscotland.org.uk 

www.transmenscotland.org.uk 

ABERDEEN: 

NEST Support: 

Contact Nicola on 07523 279546. 

E-mail: nestsupport@gmail.com 

www.nestsupport.co.uk 

BUCHLYVIE: 

TV/TS Group: 

Meets last Sat of each month at 5pm. Tel: Kira 

on 07808 564626 (Mon-Thu 6-9pm), Gladys 

or Michelle on Buchlyvie (01360) 850516 or 

07743 936157. 

E-mail: gladyspaterson2@yahoo.co.uk 

DUNDEE: 

Diversitay: T With Biscuits: 

New Trans Group meets monthly. For more 

information, Tel: Diversitay on Dundee 

(01382) 202620 (Mon 7-9pm). 

EDINBURGH: 

Edinburgh Trans Women: 

Support group for transsexual women. Meets 

1st Sat of each month 7.30-9.30pm in LGBT 

Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe 

Street. 

E-mail: info 

@edinburghtranswomen.org.uk 

www.edinburghtranswomen.org.uk 

Polygender Scotland: 

Provides support and friendship to all people 

who identify as genderqueer, androgyne, third 

gender, polygender or any other gender other 

than male or female. Meets 2nd Thu of each 

month (contact for details of venue). Tel: Kelli 

Neil on 0131-523 1100. 

E-mail: admin@androgyny.org.uk 

www.androgyny.org.uk 

T-Time: 

Informal social for all transgender people, their 

partners, family and friends, held the 3rd Sat 

of each month from 1-5pm at LGBT Centre for 

Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. A 

friendly, safe and relaxed environment where 

there's also space to change. Tel: 0131-523 

1100. 


GLASGOW: 

Crosslynx Transgender Group: 

Meets 2nd Wed of each month from 7.30- 

9pm (contact for details of venue). Tel: 

Crosslynx Helpline on 0141-847 0787 (Mon 

7.30-9.30pm). 

www.crosslynx.org.uk 

Sandyford Trans Women's Support Group: 

Meets twice a month. Further details and 

support from group member on 07758 

462988 or contact Sandyford Community 

Access Co-ordinator on 0141-232 8417. 

E-mail: colinmackillop@nhs.net 

INVERNESS: 

Swans Of Scotland: 

Meets last Thu of each month from 7-9pm at 

Beaufort Hotel, 11 Culduthel Road. 

E-mail: swansofscotland@gmail.com 

www.spanglefish.com/SwansofScotland 

people and those affected thereby to eliminate 

the stigma and isolation they experience. Tel: 

Dundee (01382) 226860. Fax: Dundee 

(01382) 322606. Tue-Thu (Drop In) Noon- 

3.30pm. 

E-mail: admin@bodypositivetayside.org 

www.bodypositivetayside.org 

BROWNLEE CENTRE (GLASGOW): 

Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great 

Western Road, Glasgow. G12 0YN. 

Confidential information, advice, counselling 

and direct access testing for HIV and 

Hepatitis.The Centre provides ongoing medical 

and social care plus psychological and 

emotional support for people living with HIV 

infection and one to one counselling for 

people at risk of HIV. Tel: 0141-211 1089. Fax: 

0141-211 1097. Mon-Thu 9am-5pm, Tue 5- 

7pm, Fri 9am-4.30pm. 

BROWNLEE COMMUNITY TEAM: 

Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great 

Western Road, Glasgow. G12 0YN. Social 

work service for people with HIV/AIDS 

providing intensive community based support. 

General advice and information on community 

care and housing needs also provided. 

Tel: 0141-211 1090. 

GAY MEN'S HEALTH EDINBURGH: 

10 Union Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. A 

community led Lothian wide project for gay 

and bisexual men. Wide ranging volunteering 

opportunities which provide services including 

support and counselling, scene work, peer 

education and training, provision of condoms, 

lube and Safer Sex information. 

Tel: 0131-558 9444. 

E-mail: info@gmh.org.uk www.gmh.org.uk 

GAY MEN'S HEALTH GLASGOW: 

Unit 9, The Adelphi Centre, Gorbals, Glasgow. 

G5 0PQ. Tel: 0141-552 0112. A community 

led project across the Greater Glasgow and 

Clyde Health Board Area for gay and bisexual 

men. Wide ranging volunteering opportunities 

which provide services including support, 

scene work, peer education and training, 

provision of condoms, lube and Safer Sex 

info. 

E-mail: glasgow@gmh.org.uk 

www.gmh.org.uk 

GAY MEN'S HEALTH TAYSIDE: 

Exists to promote the sexual and holistic 

health of gay and bi men living in Angus, 

Dundee and Perth & Kinross (including men 

who have sex with men but who do not 

identify as gay or bi), reduce the spread of HIV 

within those communities and challenge the 

discrimination, health inequalities and social 

exclusion that can be faced by gay and bi men, 

including HIV positive gay and bi men, and 

those affected by HIV. Tel: Dundee (01382) 

424070. Fax: Dundee (01382) 424090. 

E-mail: 

info@gaymenshealthtayside.com 

www.gaymenshealthtayside.com 

HIV-AIDS CARERS AND FAMILIES SERVICE 

PROVIDER SCOTLAND: 

10 Elderpark Workspace, 100 Elderpark 

Street, Glasgow. G51 3TR. Mon-Fri 10am- 

5pm. Telephone Support Service: 07778 

117900 Mon-Fri 7pm-10pm. Tel: 0141-445 

8797. 

E-mail: hiv-aids_carers@lineone.net 

www.hiv-aids-carers.org.uk 

HIV SCOTLAND: 

Suite 2, 27 Beaverhall Road, Edinburgh. EH7 

4JE. Tel: 0131-558 3713. Fax: 0131-558 9887. 

The national policy charity for HIV in Scotland. 

Speaks out for people living with HIV and 

provide knowledge and expertise to help 

inform and deliver strong policies and effective 

strategies to tackle the spread of HIV in 

Scotland. 

E-mail: info@hivscotland.com 

www.hivscotland.com 

THE JANEK LATOSINSKI 

CHARITABLE TRUST: 

Provides free complementary therapies and 

psychotherapy to all people living with HIV in 

Glasgow and the West of Scotland. 

E-mail: austen@tjlct.org.uk 

www.tjlct.org.uk 

LANARKSHIRE 

HIV, AIDS AND HEPATITIS CENTRE: 

Monklands Hospital, Airdrie. One stop shop 

for HIV testing, treatment and support. 

Appointments available Mon 9am-5pm (eve 

available by request). Tel: Airdrie (01236) 

712247. Support group for HIV Positive men 

also available. 

LGBT BIPOLAR SELF HELP GROUP: 

For LGBT people with bipolar disorder, and 

their carers, family and friends. Meets 7-9pm 

on 1st Tue of each month at Terrence Higgins 

Trust, Rothesay House, 134 Douglas Street, 

Glasgow. No need for referral, just come along 

on the night. Tel: Aileen on 0141-560 2050. 

E-mail: aileenb@bipolarscotland.org.uk 

LGBT CENTRE FOR 

HEALTH & WELLBEING: 

9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. EH3 6TE. This 

unique Centre exists to improve the physical, 

mental and social wellbeing of LGBT people 

living in, working in and travelling to 

Edinburgh. Runs events, workshops and 

courses promoting healthy lifestyles,including 

the LGBT Headspace programme focusing on 

improved mental health and the LGBT Age 

programme offering services to those over 50. 

The Centre also provides a wide range of 

information on health and LGBT topics, offers 

one to one support services and supports 

community groups. Tel: 0131-523 1100. 


www.lgbthealth.org.uk 

POSITIVE HELP: 

13a Great King Street, Edinburgh. EH3 6QW. 

Practical help for people who are infected or 

affected by HIV and AIDS in Edinburgh, their 

families and carers. 

Tel: 0131-558 1122. 

Fax: 0131-558 3636. 

E-mail: office@positivehelpedinburgh.co.uk 

www.positivehelpedinburgh.uk 

POSITIVE MIxTURE : 

A self help group offering support and 

assistance for individuals with HIV/AIDS in the 

Grampian area. Contact THT, 246 George 

Street, Aberdeen. AB25 1HN. 

E-mail: info.aberdeen@tht.org.uk 

ROAM OUTREACH: 

Part of the Harm Reduction Team within 

Lothian NHS. Offers a confidential and 

anonymous service for men who have sex 

with men, including male sex workers 

throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. 

Provides a wide range of services including 

Spectrum: 

Group for gay and bisexual men from Black 

and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. 

Meets on 1st Tue of each month at 6.30pm. 

Tel: 0141-552 0112. 

E-mail: spectrum@gmh.org.uk 

INVERCLYDE: 

Clyde Men: 

Social/support/information group for gay and 

bisexual men. Meets monthly in central 

Greenock location. Tel: Criz on 0141-552 

0112. 

E-mail: criz@gmh.org.uk 

INVERNESS: 

Highland Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, 

Transgender Forum: 

Tel: 07512 231904. PO Box 5735, Inverness. 

IV1 9DB. 

E-mail: forum@gay-ness.org.uk 

www.gay-ness.org.uk 

Highland LGBT Social Group: 

Regular events and discos in Inverness. 

E-mail: forum@gay-ness.org.uk 

www.gay-ness.org.uk/events.html 

Inverness, Highlands and Islands LGBT 

Group: 

4 King Brude Gardens, Muirtown, Inverness, 

IV3 8TT. New Group. Te;: 07833 456341. 

E-mail:invernessandhighlandslgbtgroup 

@hotmail.co.uk 

www.gay-ness.org.uk/events.html 

MORAY: 

LGBT Moray 

Social networking group for LGBT people in 

Moray. 1st Tue & 4th Thu of each month: Get 

together at The Muckle Cross Pub, 34 High 

Street, Elgin from 7.30pm. 2nd Wed of each 

month: Get together at Scribbles Coffee/Pizza 

House, 154 High Street, Elgin from 11am. 

3rd Sat of each month: Get together at Time 

Out Café, 79 High Street, Forres from 

10.30am. For all meetings, look for rainbow 

coloured bag and VW camper money box on 

table. For further info or to be met in advance: 

Tel: 07598 418638. 

E-mail: lgbtmoray@gmail.co.uk 

OBAN: 

Gateway Group: 

Meets last Sat of each month, 2-4pm. Tel: 

Katrina on 07760 701308. 

E-mail: 

katrina.mitchell@waverleycare.org 

STIRLING: 

Stirling Gay Men's Social Group 

Meets monthly from Sep-Jun (generally 3rd 

Fri) in private houses. 

E-mail: mensgroup@talktalk.net 

WOMEN'S LISTINGS 

ABERDEEN: 

Granite Sisters: 

Aberdeen based group for older lesbians 

throughout Scotland. There are no social 

events planned for the near future and the 

website is the main link at this time for gay 

women to gain information, etc. Although 

under construction at the moment it will be 

completed ASAP. 

E-mail: 13@clara.co.uk www.13.clara.co.uk 

EDINBURGH: 

AD Group: 

Social group exclusively for lesbians over 40 

who have come to terms with their sexuality 

as lesbians. Meets monthly to discuss 

activities which range from cinema vists to 

days out and about. 

E-mail: adgroup40@gmail.com 

Amazing Gracies Women’s Football Club: 

Meets Wed 7-8pm at Gracemount Leisure 

Centre, 22 Gracemount Drive. 

www.amazinggraciesfc.webs.com 

Ladybird Book Group: 

Friendly and social lesbian book group meets 

2nd Tue of each month from 7.45pm in Café 

Nom De Plume. Newcomers welcome. 

Contact for more information and details of 

books coming up this year. 

E-mail: Carol_Purcell@hotmail.com 

Rubyfruits Edinburgh: 

For lesbians and bi women. Meets Wed eve 

anytime after 7.30pm in Café Nom De Plume, 

60 Broughton Street. Widen your social 

circle, network, plan weekend/eve activities 

(eg walking, cinema, exhibitions) and maybe 

meet that special somebody. 

E-mail: rubyfruitsedinburgh@yahoo.com 

www.rubyfruitsedinburgh.webs.com 

Women’s Group: 

New group offering the chance to meet other 

women in a relaxed environment. Chat and 

information on health and wellbeing issues, 

as well as activities in and out the Centre. 2nd 

& 4th Fri of each monthfrom 2-4.30pm at 

the LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing, 9 

Howe Street. Tel: Alison on 0131-652 3283. 

E-mail: alison@lgbthealth.org.uk 

GLASGOW: 

Sandyford: 2-6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow. 

G3 7NB. Sandyford provides sexual, 

reproductive and emotional health services 

for all lesbian and bisexual women. Tel: 0141- 

211 8130 for further information on sexual 

and reproductive services or Tel: 0141-211 

6700 for counselling services. All services 

available at a range of locations throughout 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. 

www.sandyford.org 

Glasgow Women's Library: 

15 Berkeley Street, Glasgow. G3 7BW. 

Tel/Fax: 0141-248 9969. Provides a library, 

archive, is an Accredited Museum and also 

houses the UK’s national Lesbian Archives. 

Range of events, courses and other activities 

delivered through their learning programmes, 

along with an Adult Literacy and Numeracy 

Project and Black and Minority Ethnic 

Women’s Project. Check website for more 

info. 

E-mail: info@womenslibrary.org.uk 

www.womenslibrary.org.uk 

OLGA - Older Lesbians Get Around: 

Meets monthly. Tel: 07813 268938. 

INVERNESS: 

GirlZone: 

Friendly, informal social group for LBT and 

friends - all welcome. Meets 1st Sat and 3rd 

Fri of each month.Tel: Joanne on 07792 

223687 for details and venue. 

E-mail: girlzone@gay-ness.org.uk 

www.gay-ness.org.uk 

Highland Lesbian Group: 

A friendly lesbian social group which offers 

support and information. Organises 

fundraisers for Womankind Worldwide: 

E-mail: High_Les@bigfoot.com 

www.freewebs.com/highlandlesbiangroup 

www.womankind.org.uk 

NATIONAL: 

CAMERADERIE LESBIAN PHOTOGRAPHY 

GROUP: 

Meets monthly in and around the 

Tayside/Dundee/Aberdeenshire area, weather 

permitting. 

E-mail: spamdd7@yahoo.com 

LESBIAN INFORMATION SERVICE: 

www.lesbianinformationservice.org 

OUT-SKIRTS: 

A monthly e-newsletter for lesbian and bi 

women in Tayside, Fife and beyond. 

E-mail: ionafiesta@yahoo.co.uk 

SCOTTISH NETWORK FOR LESBIAN 

STRENGTH: 

To further lesbian issues, follow a lesbian 

agenda and foster lesbian visibility. 

E-mail: High_Les@bigfoot.com 

www.freewebs.com/highlandlesbiangroup 

YOUNG LESBIANS: 

See our Youth Groups listings. 

BISEXUALS 

BISCOTLAND: 

Support and social network for people who 

are bisexual or questioning their sexuality. 

Also organises training and activist activities 

in support of bisexual visibility and pride. 

Informal 'safe space' meetings are held on 

1st Wed of each month in Glasgow (Contact 

for venue details) and 3rd Wed of each month 

in Edinburgh (8pm in the LGBT Centre for 

Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street). Meetings 

(open to all bi or questioning people) are 

usually followed by social gatherings which 

are open to partners or friends. Information 

line: 07963 960321. 

E-mail: info@biscotland.org 

www.biscotland.org 

ABUSE 

BROKEN RAINBOW LGBT DOMESTIC 

VIOLENCE SERVICE (UK): 

Works to change the situation for LGBT 

people facing domestic violence. Runs a 

helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and 

transgender people, their family, friends, and 

agencies to support LGBT people around 

domestic violence. Mon & Thu 2-8pm, Wed 

10am-5pm. Tel: 0300 999 5428. 

E-mail: mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk 

www.broken-rainbow.org.uk 

MEN AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE: 

1-2-1 counselling for adult male survivors of 

childhood sexual abuse, male rape, male 

domestic abuse and under 18's. Tel: 07896 

839415.. 

E-mail: masacounseling@aol.com 

www.masa-listens.com 

RAPE AND ABUSE LINE: 

For male and female survivors. Female 

Support Workers answer Freephone 0808 

8000123 most evenings and Male Support 

Workers answer Freephone 0808 8000122 

on selected evenings. the Helpline hours are 

advised on both answering services. Callers 

are welcome to phone either line. Write: PO 

Box 10, Dingwall. IV15 9HA. 

www.rapeandabuseline.co.uk 

RAPE CRISIS SCOTLAND HELPLINE: 

Scotland-wide telephone service providing 

support to women and men experiencing 

sexual violence, as well as their friends and 

families. Tel: Freephone 0808 8010302 (6pm- 

Midnight). Minicom available. 

www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk 

THRIVE: 

Counselling service for male survivors of 

childhood sexual abuse. Write: Sandyford 

Counselling & Support Services, 2-6 

Sandyford Place, Glasgow. G3 7NB. Tel: 

0141-211 8133 or 0141-211 6700. 

E-mail: thrive@ggc.scot.nhs.uk 

ATHEISTS AND 

HUMANISTS 

GAY AND LESBIAN HUMANIST 

ASSOCIATION: 

GALHA is a membership organisation 

promoting a gay-friendly Humanist outlook 

and LGBT rights as human rights. 

Membership is open to supporters 

worldwide. Write: GALHA, 1 Gower Street, 

London. WC1E 6HD. 

E-mail: membership@galha.org 

www.galha.org 

PINK TRIANGLE TRUST: 

PTT is a gay Humanist charity which can 

arrange non-religious ceremonies of love and 

commitment for lesbian and gay couples at 

very reasonable rates in most parts of 

Scotland. Sponsors of LGBT History Month. 

Write: 34 Spring Lane, Kenilworth, 

Warwickshire. CV8 2HB. Tel: Kenilworth 

(01926) 858450. 

E-mail: ceremonies@pinktriangle.org.uk 

www.pinktriangle.org.uk 

Lively Blog at 

www.pinktriangle.org.uk/ptt/blog.html 

Internet Magazine at 

www.gayandlesbianhumanist.org 

BDSM 

SM GAYS: 

www.smgays.org 

BEARS 

BEARSCOTS: 

The national group for bears, big boys, their 

friends and admirers. Glasgow Bear Weekend 

(1st weekend of each month): Revolver 

Bears, Revolver Bar, Fri 9pm-1am. Edinburgh 

Bear Weekend (2nd weekend of each month): 

Bear Sauna, Steamworks, Sat 2-8pm. Bears 

In The Basement, New Town Bar, Sat 10pm- 

2am. Check website for details of events 

around Scotland. E-mail: 

info@bearscots.org.uk 

www.bearscots.org.uk 

BELIEVERS 

AFFIRMATION SCOTLAND: 

Network in the Church of Scotland of lesbian, 

gay, bisexual and transgender Christians, their 

friends and supporters. Formed in 2006 in 

response to the issue of ministers and 

deacons being able to conduct ceremonies to 

mark civil partnerships without fear of 

censure. Write: Monica Stewart, 37 Main 

Street, Invergowrie. DD2 5AB. E-mail: 

monicastewart@btinternet.com 

www.affirmationscotland.org.uk 

AL-JANNAH: 

Online social community for LGBT Muslims, 

Non-Muslims, South Asians. Based in 

Scotland. New gay Desi networking: meet 

members in your area, chat and upload 

photographs - Hindus, Sikhs and other 

Asians/Non-Muslims welcome. E-mail: 

admin@al-jannah.co.uk 

www.al-jannah.co.uk 

AUGUSTINE UNITED CHURCH: 

41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. EH1 1EL. 

Meets Sun 11am - LGBT people especially 

welcome. Last Wed of each month: 

Transcendence (welcome space to support 

and explore transgender spirituality) - 7pm. 

Last Sat of each month: Our Tribe (LGBT 

worship) - 7pm Tel: 07957 543359. 

E-mail: ourtribe.auc@gmail.com 

www.augustine.org.uk 

EDINBURGH QUAKER LESBIAN AND GAY 

FELLOWSHIP: 

Meets on the 2nd Wed of each month at 7pm 

in the Glasite Meeting House, 33 Barony 

Street. Members of the LGBT Community and 

their friends are most welcome. Tel: 07543 

975590. 

E-mail: edinburgh.qlgf@gmail.com 

EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP FOR LESBIAN 

& GAY CHRISTIANS: 

Lesbian, gay or bisexual? From an Evangelical 

tradition? So are we. Tel: Andrew on Mid 

Calder (01506) 499926. Write: c/o 123 Byron 

Road, Chelmsford. CM2 6HJ. 

E-mail: info@eflgc.org.uk 

www.eflgc.org.uk 

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH IN 

GLASGOW: 

A church of the LGBT communities 

welcoming all people. Meets for worship Sun 

3pm at Ibrox Parish Church, 67 Clifford Street. 

Tel or Text: 07972 139128. 

E-mail: info@mccinglasgow.co.uk 

www.mccinglasgow.co.uk 

QUAKER LESBIAN AND GAY FELLOWSHIP: 

A welcoming and supportive national group 

for people of all sexual orientations and their 

friends. Write: Ruth (SG), 46 The Avenue, 

Starbeck, Harrogate. HG1 4QD. 

E-mail: qlgfcontact@btclick.com 

www.qlgf.org.uk 

QUEST: 

Organisation for lesbian and gay Catholics. 

Monthly meetings are held in different 

regional groups throughout Britain. Scottish 

meetings held in Glasgow. Quest Linkline - 

The Helpline for Gay and Lesbian Catholics - 

Tel: (Freephone) 0808 808 0234. Write: BM 

Box 2585, LONDON. WC1N 3xx. 

E-mail: quest@questgaycatholic.org.uk 

www.questgaycatholic.org.uk 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CAUCUS OF THE 

LESBIAN & GAY CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT: 

Write: RC Caucus, PO Box 24632, London. E9 

6xF. Tel: 020-7226 0847. 

E-mail: lgcm_rccaucus@hotmail.com 

SGI-UK (SCOTLAND): 

Buddhist organisation established in more 

than 190 countries throughout the world. 

Their belief and practice direct people to 

respect that which is of ultimate value: life 

itself. Through their faith and practice, 

members transform their inner lives and 

develop the qualities needed to bring about 

personal fulfillment and contribute to the 

positive development of society. SGI-UK has 

participated in Pride events throughout the 

world and is now known as Rainbow 

activities. 

www.sgi-uk.org 

UNITARIANS IN EDINBURGH: 

An inclusive community of diverse beliefs 

which supports the pursuit of individual 

spirituality and humanism. Meets at St Mark’s, 

7 Castle Terrace at 11am on Sun and for 

Mindfulness @ Lunchtime at 12.15pm on 

Tue. Relationship blessings conducted. 

E-mail: minister@edinburgh-unitarians.org.uk 

www.edinburgh-unitarians.co.uk 

CULTURAL 

EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S CHORUS: 

Brings together individuals interested in 

singing a fun repertoire, including pop, rock 

and songs from the shows and movies. Now 

is a great time to get involved, whether you're 

a closet shower singer or have some 

experience. Rehearses Tue eve in Central 

Edinburgh. For full details and to sign-up: 

www.egmc.co.uk 

FILM CLUB: 

Meets every other Fri, 6.30-9.30pm at LGBT 

Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe 

Street, Edinburgh. A wide selection of 

documentaries, short films and full-length 

movies with an LGBT twist will be screened 

for your viewing pleasure, from old classics to 

arty new ones. All screenings subject to a 

small donation. 

E-mail: clazzle333@hotmail.com 

GAY GORDONS EDINBURGH: 

Scotland's first LGBTQ Scottish country 

dance group with a good mix of women and 

men. Meets Mon 7.30-9.30pm at St 

Stephen’s Centre, Stockbridge. 

E-mail: info@gaygordonsedinburgh.co.uk 

www.gaygordonsedinburgh.co.uk 

GLASGAY!: 

Scotland's annual celebration of queer culture. 

Next dates: 21st Oct - 12th Nov 2011 

(provisional). Q! Gallery is Glasgay's new 

year-round gallery dedicated to queer art and 

artists. Mon-Sat 11am-5pm. The Stud!o is an 

adjacent performance/research/workshop and 

holistic arts space. The Q! Gallery, 87-91 

HELPLINES 

ABUSED MEN IN SCOTLAND: 

Tel: Dunfermline (01383) 624411 

Support for men surviving domestic abuse. 

Office: Dunfermline (01383) 736108. 

E-mail: info@abusedmeninscotland.org 

www.abusedmeninscotland.org 

BREATHING SPACE: 

Tel: FreePhone 0800 838587 

Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri 6pm-Mon 6am (24 

hours at weekends). 

www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk 

CROSSLYNx NATIONAL 

TV/TS/TG HELPLINE: 

Tel: 0141-847 0787 

Mon 7.30-9.30pm. 

www.crosslynx.org.uk 

CUMBRIA AND THE BORDERS 

GAY HELPLINE: 

Tel: Bassenthwaite Lake (01768) 776244 

Nightly 6-9pm. 

DIVERSITAY LGBT SWITCHBOARD: 

Tel: Dundee (01382) 202620 

Mon 7-9pm. 

Write: PO Box 53, Dundee. DD1 3YG. 

E-mail: contact@diversitay.org.uk 

www.diversitay.org.uk 

twitter.com/diversitaylgbt 

HATE CRIME REPORTING: 

Tel: 0141-847 0647 or 

Stirling (01786) 469483 


LOTHIAN LGBT HELPLINE: 

Tel: 0131-556 4049 

Wed 12.30-7pm. 

STRATHCLYDE 

LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARD: 

Tel: 0141-847 0447 


E-mail: info@sgls.co.uk 

www.sgls.co.uk 

STRATHCLYDE LESBIAN LINE: 

Tel: 0141-847 0547 

Wed 7.30-10pm. 

www.sgls.co.uk/services1 

THT DIRECT: 

Tel: 0845 1221200 

Mon-Fri10am-10pm,Sat-SunNoon-6pm. 

LONDON SWITCHBOARD: 

Tel: 020-7837 7324 

FAx: 020-7837 7300 

Daily 10am-11pm. 

E-mail: admin@llgs.org.uk 

www.llgs.org.uk 

www.turingnetwork.org.uk 

PUBLICATIONS 

SCOTSGAY: 

Monthly magazine edited, printed and 

published in Scotland since 1994. All of the 

words from the magazine can be found on our 

website as well as interactive Meet Market and 

our Listings which are frequently updated. 

Sample copy available by phoning 0906 

1100256 (calls cost no more than £2). Tel: 

0845 1208062 (+44 131-539 0666). Fax: 

0131-539 2999. Write: PO Box 666, 

Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. 

E-mail: publisher@scotsgay.co.uk 

www.scotsgay.co.uk 

LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS: 

Queer alternative DIY magazine for women. 

E-mail: info@ 

lockupyourdaughtersmagazine.co.uk 

www.lockupyourdaughtersmagazine.co.uk 

NATIONAL 

ORGANISATIONS 

OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND: 

Scotland's oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and 

transgender rights organisation. It was 

founded in 1969 as the Scottish Minorities 

Group, later became the Scottish Homosexual 

Rights Group and changed its name to 

OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND in December 1992. 

Currently hibernating. 

EQUALITY NETWORK: 

Working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and 

transgender equality in Scotland. Write: 30 

Bernard Street, Edinburgh. EH6 6PR. Tel: 

07020 933952. Fax: 07020 933954. Weekly e- 

mail and quarterly paper newsletters on LGBT 

equality campaigns and developments. 

Regular conferences, forums, and other 

events. E-mail or write to join the network. 

E-mail: en@equality-network.org 

www.equality-network.org and 

twitter.com/LGBTScotland 

LESBIAN ARCHIVE : 

The UK's largest and most significant 

collection of materials relating to lesbian lives. 

The collections are based at Glasgow 

Women’s Library, 15 Berkeley Street, 

Glasgow. G3 7BW. Tel/Fax: 0141-248 9969. 

E-mail: info@womenslibrary.org.uk 

www.womenslibrary.org.uk 

NATIONAL LGBT FORUM: 

Active events calendar for LGBT and other 

equality events in Scotland. Comprehensive 

directory of LGBT organisations. Free 

registration to add campaigns and events to 

the Community pages. 

www.scottishLGBT.org 

PRIDE SCOTIA: 

Now busily organising Pride Scotia 2012 

which will be held in Edinburgh in 2012. Tel: 

0131-556 9471. 

Write: 58a Broughton Street,Edinburgh.EH1 

3SA. 

E-mail: edinburgh@pride-scotia.org 

www.pride-scotia.org 

STONEWALL SCOTLAND: 

Campaigns for equality and justice for gay, 

lesbian, bisexual and transgender people living 

in Scotland. Write: 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. 

EH3 6TE. Tel: 0131-557 3679. 

E-mail: info@stonewallscotland.org.uk 

www.stonewallscotland.org.uk 

LOCAL 

ORGANISATIONS 

AYRSHIRE: 

Ayrshire Social & Sexuality Support 

Group: 

Meets 3rd Wed of each month at 7pm in 

Irvine. Details of venue from David 

Bingham on 0141-332 3838 (Mon-Fri 

9am-5pm). 

E-mail: david.bingham@tht.org.uk 

BORDERS: 

Borders Bisexual Lesbian And Gay 

Group (BBLAGG): 

Organises social and recreational events 

for LGBT adults living in the Scottish 

Borders. Events include: pub nights, 

men’s film nights, hillwalks, barbeques 

and an annual visit to Ireland to take part 

in North West Pride. Tel: Alastair Lings 

on Galashiels (01896) 757861 or 07763 

850087. 

E-mail: alastairlings@yahoo.co.uk 

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid= 

120233614684563 

Scottish Borders LGBT Equality Forum: 

Aims to provide advice and act as a 

consulting body to all community 

planning partner organisations, develop 

a range of social and recreational 

activities, and provide a befriending 

service to LGBT people. Write: PO Box 

14120, Selkirk. TD7 5WE. 

www.borderslgbt.org.uk 

CAMPBELTOWN: 

Kintyre Embrace: 

Meets first Wed of each month, 7-9pm. 

Tel: Katrina on 07760 701308. 

E-mail: 

katrina.mitchell@waverleycare.org 

DUMBARTON: 

Clyde Valley LGBT Group: 

Tel: Fiona-Marie or Sandra on 07519 

474797. 

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY: 

Dumfries & Galloway LGBT Centre: 

Runs services including groups, social 

events, drop-ins, support and 

volunteering for young people and 

adults. 88b High Street, Dumfries. DG1 

2BJ. Tel: Dumfries (01387) 255058. 

Text: 07785 274147. 

E-mail: DandG@lgbtyouth.org.uk 

DUNDEE: 

Diversitay LGBT Group: 

Offers support to LGBT people living in 

Tayside and North East Fife. Bi monthly 

newsletter “Out Now” available from PO 

Box 53, Dundee, DD1 3YG. Tel: Dundee 

(01382) 202620. 

E-mail: contact@diversitay.org.uk 

www.diversitay.org.uk and 

twitter.com/diversitaylgbt 

DUNFERMLINE: 

FifeFLAGS: 

Fife Free Lesbian and Gay Society. 

Provides a welcoming and safe meeting 

space and drop-in centre near the town 

centre for the LGBT community, our 

friends, family and supporters. Regular 

social group meets on the 2nd and 4th 

Sun of the month from 7.30-11pm. 

Generally has a nice friendly mixed 

group most nights across the age range 

so come along and meet new friends. 

Internet access, mini pool table or just 

hang out and chill over coffee and 

biscuits. Safer sex information and 

supplies available as part of the Fife 

Health Board condom distribution 

scheme. Tel: Dunfermline (01383) 

738517. 

E-mail: Info@FifeFLAGS.org.uk 

www.fifeflags.org.uk 

EDINBURGH: 

Couple Counselling Lothian: 

Scotland’s oldest and largest relationship 

counselling agency promotes the 

wellbeing and longevity of same sex 

relationships. 65 years experience of 

serving clients in Edinburgh and the 

Lothians. Tel: 0131-556 1527. 

E-mail: admin@cclothian.org.uk 

www.cclothian.org.uk 

Edinburgh LGBT Centre: 

Owned and managed by Lesbian Gay 

and Bisexual Community Project 

Limited, which is registered as a Scottish 

Charity and as a Scottish Company. 

Bought in 1974 by the Scottish 

Minorities Group, it is the only LGBTowned 

LGBT Centre in the UK and is 

also the oldest LGBT Centre outwith the 

USA. Write: Edinburgh LGBT Centre, 

58a/60 Broughton Street, Edinburgh. 

EH1 3SA. Tel: 0131-556 9471. Meeting 

Room Booking Tel: 07817 533337. 

E-mail: edinburghlgbtcentre 

@drink.demon.co.uk 

Icebreakers: 

Social group for guys and gals who 

want to make friendships and feel more 

at ease in the company of other gay 

people. Takes place from 7.30-9.30pm 

in The Regent on 2nd Wed of each 

month. If you're recently out or new to 

Edinburgh or just feel a bit cut off and 

want a break, come along. 

GLASGOW: 

Icebreakers Group: 

For lesbians, gays and bisexuals new to 

the scene. Details from Strathclyde 

Switchboard. 

Pride Glasgow: 

Tel: 0141-416 2300. 

E-mail: pride@prideglasgow.co.uk 

www.prideglasgow.co.uk 

Saltmarket, Glasgow. G1 5LE. Tel/Fax: 0141- 

552 7575.Text: 07762 722460. 

E-mail: info@glasgay.co.uk 

www.glasgay.co.uk 

INTERNATIONAL KILT APPRECIATION 

SOCIETY (IKAS): 

Contact and social group for guys interested in 

viewing/wearing kilts. Regular newsletter. 

Write: Mervyn Tacy, 'Ziveli', 20 Ordsall Park 

Road, Retford. DN22 7PA. Please enclose sae. 

Tel: 01777 708270. 

E-mail: IKILTas@aol.com 

www.freewebs.com/ikas 

LGBT HISTORY MONTH SCOTLAND: 

Increasing the awareness of LGBT people’s 

lives, histories and experiences. The website 

provides listings for cultural opportunities, 

events, news items, and resources. If you 

would like to be involved, volunteer or add 

information, contact LGBT History Month, 39- 

40 Commerce Street, Edinburgh. EH6 6HD. 

www.lgbthistory.org.uk 

LOUD & PROUD: 

Scotland's original choir for LGBT singers is 

made up of approximately 45 singers and 

holds regular concerts in the Central Belt. The 

repertoire, which is sung a capella in varying 

numbers of parts, includes simple rounds, 

popular music, traditional music, light classics, 

festive and seasonal songs, lesbian/gay 

anthems, and show tunes. Meets weekly for 

rehearsals in Edinburgh. 

E-mail: info@loudandproudchoir.org 

www.loudandproudchoir.org 

LUVVIES THEATRE COMPANY: 

Edinburgh based LGBT theatre company, 

which aims to give LGBT people the 

opportunity to act, direct, produce or organise 

theatre or take part in any aspect of the 

creative process. No previous experience is 

necessary. 

Tel: 07854 836605. 

E-mail: info@theluvvies.org 

www.theluvvies.org 

OURSTORY SCOTLAND: 

A charity which works to collect, archive and 

present the life stories and experiences of the 

LGBT Community in Scotland. If you have a 

story to tell or experiences to share, or would 

like to find out more about their upcoming 

programme of events, then please contact 

them. 

Write: OurStory Scotland, Archives and 

Special Collections, The Mitchell Library, North 

Street, Glasgow. G3 7DN. 

E-mail: info@ourstoryscotland.org.uk 

www.ourstoryscotland.org.uk 

PINK CASTLE PHILOSOPHY CLUB: 

Meets 2nd Tue of each month at 7.30pm in 

Riverside Lounge, Glen Mhor Hotel, 8-15 

Ness Bank, Inverness. IV2 4SG. Tel: Morgan 

on 07745 930383. 

E-mail: morgan@tramstop.org 

www.pinkcastle.eu 

REMEMBER WHEN PROJECT: 

Documenting the collective history of 

Edinburgh's LGBT communities, recording 

life-stories and personal memories across the 

generations, and celebrating our rich and 

varied contributions to the quality of life in the 

city. The culmination of this work was an 

exhibition entitled 'Rainbow City: Stories from 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender 

Edinburgh' held at the City Art Centre, 

Edinburgh in 2006. Write: Remember When 

Project, c/o The Living Memory Association, 

The Reminiscence Centre, 101 St Leonards 

Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9QY. Tel: 0131-667 

0761, and leave a message, stating clearly that 

it is for Remember When. 

E-mail: miles@livingmemory.org.uk 

SCOTTISH BORDERS GAY FILM GROUP: 

Meets monthly during autumn through to the 

spring, and views video/DVDs with a gay 

theme or character. For more details please 

contact Alastair on Galashiels (01896) 757861 

or 

E-mail: alastairlings@yahoo.co.uk 

FETISH 

MSC SCOTLAND: 

A club for men interested in Leather, Rubber, 

Uniform. Meets in Edinburgh from 10pm 

downstairs in the New Town Bar on 3rd Sat of 

each month. Write: PO Box 28, Edinburgh. 

EH3 5JL. 

E-mail: president@msc-scotland.net 

www.msc-scotland.net 

HEALTH AND 

ABILITIES 

AL-ANON: 

Fellowship of relatives and friends of 

alcoholics who share their experience, 

strength and hope in order to solve their 

common problem. Anyone affected by 

another person’s drinking is welcome. LGBT & 

Friends Group meets 6.45-7.45pm at 

Edinburgh LGBT Centre, 58a/60 Broughton 

Street. Tel: Catherine on 07940 473150. 

www.al-anonuk.org.uk 

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 

Whilst AA runs the f ollowing LGBT meetings 

in Edinburgh and Glasgow, please note that it 

is a non restrictive organisation and LGBT 

people are welcome at any meeting. 

AA Edinburgh: Tue 8pm (Edinburgh Peace 

And Justice Resource Centre, St John’s 

Church, Princes Street). Please note that the 

last meeting of the month is open to non AA 

members. 

AA Glasgow: Tue 7.30pm (Spoon Café, 46 

Trongate), Thu 7.30pm (Nye Bevan House, 20 

India Street), Fri 7.30pm (The Ogilvie Centre, 

25 Rose Street). 

AA National: Helpline: 0845 7697555 (24 

hours). Northern Service Office: 0141-226 

2214. 

www.alcoholicsanonymous.org.uk 

ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY 

LGBT SUPPORT GROUP: 

Trained and skilled volunteers able to offer 

understanding and a listening ear to LGBT 

people affected by Alzheimer’s disease or any 

other form of dementia.To contact: Tel the 

Alzheimer's Helpline on 0845 300 0336 

or write to Alzheimer's Society LGBT Support 

Group, Alzheimer's Society, Devon House, 58 

Saint Katharine's Way, London. E1W 1Jx. or 

E-mail: gaycarers@alzheimers.org.uk 

www.alzheimers.org.uk 

/Gay_Carers/index.htm 

BODY POSITIVE (TAYSIDE): 

13 Main Street, Dundee. DD3 7EY. A charity 

that exists to empower HIV and HepC positive

*denotes ScotsGay available 

VENUES&EMPORIA 

ABERDEEN EDINBURGH 

CHAPLINS* 

20 Adelphi. Sun & Thu 9pm- 

2am, Fri-Sat 9pm-3am. New 

LGBT and Straight friendly 

venue in old My Club premises. 

CHEERZ BAR & CLUB* 

11 Hadden Street. Lively gay 

bar and club with entertainment 

and more. 

MARKET ARMS* 

13 Hadden Street. LGBT 

friendly pub with karaoke 5 

nights a week. 

WELLMAN’S HEALTH 

STUDIO* 

218 Holburn Street. Tel: 

(01224) 211441. Mon-Fri 

Noon-10pm, Sat Noon-9pm, 

Sun 2-9pm. 8-man Jacuzzi, 

sauna, steamroom, café. Free 

Internet access. Massage 

available. 

E-mail: rod@ 

wellmans-health-studio.co.uk 

www.wellmans-healthstudio.co.uk 

DUMFRIES 

DUMFRIES LGBT CENTRE* 

88b High Street. Tel: (01387) 

255058. Text: 07781 481788. 

Drop-in: Mon 3.30-5.30pm. 

E-mail: 

DandG@lgbtyouth.org.uk 

www.lgbtcentredg.co.uk 

STICKY 

Sky Bar, The Venue, 6/7 Church 

Place.Tel: (01387) 263623. 

Infoline: (01387) 739888. 9pm- 

2am. Last Fri of each month. 

Club night. 

www.clubsticky.co.uk 

DUNDEE 

ABODE* 

22 St Andrew’s Street. Tel: 

Dundee (01382) 223923. 

Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 

12.30pm-Midnight. New LGBT 

friendly bar and eaterie. 

www.bebo.com/theabodebar 

BAR CLOZET* 

73-75 Seagate. Tel: Dundee 

(01382) 690403. Sun 12.30- 

Midnight, Mon-Sat 11am- 

Midnight. Formerly The Gauger. 

Karaoke Thu, Fri, Sun. Pool 

table. 

BROOKS BAR* 

2 St Andrew’s Lane. Wed-Thu 

7pm-Midnight, Fri-Sun 3pm- 

Midnight. New gay bar. 

JOCKS HEALTH 

CLUB/SAUNA* 

11 Princes Street. Tel: (01382) 

451986. Noon-10pm. Sauna, 

gym, steamroom, lockers, 

lounge, cabins. 

E-mail: ask@jockssauna.co.uk 

www.jockssauna.co.uk 

OUT* 

124 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 

200660. Wed-Sun 11pm- 

2.30am. Good atmosphere, 

very popular disco with wide 

selection of sounds and the 

occasional act/PA. 

THE SALTY DOG* 

9 Crichton Street. Sun-Tue 

4pm-Midnight, Wed-Thu 2pm- 

Midnight, Fri-Sat 

11am-Midnight. Cosy little bar. 

Newly opened. 

ADULT CONCEPTIONS* 

8 Drummond Street. Tel: 0131- 

557 9413. Fax: 0131-557 8336. 

Sun Noon-9pm, Mon-Sat 

10am-9pm. Fem 2 Dom is at 

25 Easter Road. Tel: 0131-623 

6969. Licensed sex shops. 

THE AULD HOOSE* 

23-25 St Leonards Street. 

Tel: 0131-668 2934. Sun 

12.30pm-1am, Mon-Sat Noon- 

1am. Everybody-friendly real 

ale bar. Food served: Mon-Sat 

Noon-9.30pm, Sun 12.30- 

8pm. 

E-mail: 

liz@theauldhoose.co.uk 

www.theauldhoose.co.uk 

BLUE MOON CAFÉ* 

1 Barony Street/36 Broughton 

Street. Tel: 0131-556 2788 

(Bar) or 0131-557 0911 

(Office). Sat-Sun 10am-11pm, 

Mon-Fri 11am-11pm. Food 

served until 10pm. Popular 

LGBT café. 

www.bluemooncafe.co.uk 

BOBBIE'S BOOKSHOP* 

220 Morrison Street. Tel: 0131- 

538 7069. Mon-Sat 

10am-1pm, 2-5.30pm. Sells a 

selection of gay magazines. 

BOOTY* 

GHQ, 4 Picardy Place. Tel: 

0131-550 1780. Info Line: 

07736 936650. Sun 11pm- 

3am. Club night. 

E-mail: 

dale@lushmarketing.com 

www.club-booty.com 

CAFÉ HABANA* 

22 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131- 

558 1270. 1pm-1am. Friendly 

pre-club bar popular with locals 

and visitors. Free WiFi 

Internet. 

E-mail: 

cafehabanaEH1@mac.com 

www.cafehabanaEH1.com 

CAFÉ NOM DE PLUME* 

60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131- 

478 1372. Café/bar at the LGBT 

Centre. Meals, snacks, drinks. 

Free WiFi. Dogs welcome. 

Outdoor smoking area. 

E-mail: 

info@theregentbar.co.uk 

C.C. BLOOM'S* 

23-24 Greenside Place. 

Tel: 0131-556 9331. Sun 9pm- 

3am, Mon-Thu 8pm-3am, 

Fri-Sat 6pm-3am. Two funky 

floors! Disco every night from 

11pm. 

E-mail: 

ccblooms@tiscali.co.uk 

www.bebo.com/ 

CCBloomsNightClub 

DARE 

SpeakEasy, 28 Blair Street. Tel: 

0131-220 6176. 11pm-3am. 

Last Sat of each month. Club 

night with DJ Jon Pleased. 

www.thecabaretvoltaire.com 

DV8 

Spiders Web Basement, 258 

Morrison Street. Tel: 0131-228 

1949. 8pm-1am. Last Fri of 

each month. Fetish club. 

http://dv8fetishclub.co.uk 

EDINBURGH LGBT CENTRE* 

58a and 60 Broughton Street. 

Houses Café Nom De Plume 

and Pride Scotia. Free WiFi 

Internet access (sponsored by 

ScotsGay). Bought in 1974 by 

the Scottish Minorities Group, 

it is the only LGBT-owned 

LGBT Centre in the UK and is 

also the oldest LGBT Centre 

outwith the USA. Tel: 0131-556 

9471. Meeting Room Booking 

Tel: 07817 533337. 

E-mail: edinburghlgbtcentre 

@drink.demon.co.uk 

ELBOW* 

133-135 East Claremont Street. 

Tel: 0131-556 5662. 11am- 

1am. Breakfast until 6pm at 

weekends, Lunch 11.30am- 

6pm, Dinner 6pm-10pm. Bar 

and restaurant. 

www.elbowedinburgh.co.uk 

ELECTRO-SEXUAL* 

C.C. Bloom’s, 23-24 Greenside 

Place. Tel: 0131-556 9331. 

11pm-3am. First Fri of each 

month. Club night. 

www.facebook.com/ 

electroedinburgh 

FRENCHIES BAR* 

87-89 Rose Street Lane North. 

Tel: 0131-225 6967. 

Edinburgh’s oldest gay pub 

now open after tasteful 

refurbishment. 

E-mail: 

frenchies.bar@hotmail.co.uk 

www.frenchies-bar.com 

GHQ* 

4 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-550 

1780. Tue-Sun 5pm-3am. 

Stylish bar and club catering for 

the capital's fashionable gay 

crowd. 

www.socialanimal.co.uk/ 

Edinburgh/GHQ 

LGBT CENTRE FOR HEALTH & 

WELLBEING* 

9 Howe Street. Tel: 0131-523 

1100. LGBT community centre 

in the heart of the New Town 

offering a range of events, 

courses and activities. Also 

provides meeting space for 

community groups. See 

website for listings. 

E- 

mail:admin@lgbthealth.org.uk 

www.lgbthealth.org 

LUVELY 

Liquid Room, 9c Victoria Street. 

Tel: 0131-225 2564. Info Line: 

0131-657 4633. 10.30pm-3am. 

1st Sat of each month. Club 

night. 

www.luvely.com 

NEW TOWN BAR* 

26B Dublin Street. Tel: 0131- 

538 7775. Sun 12.30pm-1am, 

Mon-Thu Noon-1am, Fri-Sat 

Noon-2am. Food: Mon-Fri 

Noon-3pm. Popular and busy 

gay bar. Free WiFi Internet 

access. 

E-mail: alanemerson 

@newtownbar.co.uk 

www.newtownbar.co.uk 

No EIGHTEEN* 

18 Albert Place, Leith Walk. Tel: 

0131-553 3222. Mon-Thu 

Noon-10pm, Fri-Sun Noon- 

11pm. The UK's first VAT 

registered gay sauna! £10 (£8 

concessions), £5 after 8pm. 

www.number18sauna.com 

PLANET* 

6 Baxter's Place. Tel: 0131-556 

5551. 1pm-1am. Popular and 

busy gay bar with friendly staff. 

Karaoke Sun-Thu from 9pm. 

Nightly DJ. 

E-mail: 

planetgaybar@googlemail.com 

PRISCILLA'S CABARET BAR* 

17 Albert Place, Leith Walk. Tel: 

0131-554 8962. Sun 2pm- 

1am, Mon-Fri Noon-1am, Sat 

5-10am and 4pm-1am. Friendly 

bar putting the fun back into 

coming out! 

E-mail: 

debrakeith11@yahoo.co.uk 

Q-STORE 

5 Barony Street. Tel/Fax: 0131- 

477 4756. Sun 1-5pm, Mon-Fri 

11am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm. 

Scotland's only licensed gay 

store. Not just feelthy pictures - 

lifestyle too! 

THE REGENT* 

2 Montrose Terrace. Tel: 0131- 

661 8198. Sun 12.30pm-1am, 

Mon-Sat 11am-1am. 

Edinburgh’s Gay Real Ale Pub. 

CAMRA's Lesbian & Gay Real 

Ale Drinkers meet here on the 

1st Mon of the month (2nd 

Mon in Aug) from 9pm. 

E-mail: 

info@theregentbar.co.uk 

www.lagrad-edinburgh.org.uk 

SATURDAY NIGHT BEAVER 

SpeakEasy, 36 Blair Street. Tel: 

0131-220 6176. 10.30pm-3am. 

3rd Sat of each month. For gay 

and bi women and LGBTI 

friendly friends. 

STEAMWORKS* 

5 Broughton Market. Tel: 0131- 

477 3567. Daily 11am-11pm. 

Stylish sauna forming part of 

busy gay hotel and sauna 

complex in centre of gay 

quarter. State-of-the-art 

facilities including large spa 

pool, sauna cabin, large steam 

room, video room, labyrinth 

with themed areas, café lounge, 

free Internet access, tanning 

booth. www.steamworkssauna.co.uk 

THE STREET* 

2 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-556 

4272. Sun 12.30pm-1am, 

Mon-Sat Noon-1 am. Small but 

perfectly formed bar run by 

Louise and Trendy Wendy. 

www.thestreetbar.co.uk 

TACKNO 

The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West 

Register Street. Tel: 0131-556 

7060. 10pm-5am. One off club 

nights with Trendy Wendy and 

guests - see website for dates. 

www.tackno.com 

WORD POWER* 

43-45 West Nicolson Street. 

Tel: 0131-662 9112. Sun Noon- 

5pm, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm. 

Independent radical bookshop. 

E-mail: books@wordpower.co.uk 

www.word-power.co.uk 

GLASGOW 

AMBASSADORS RAINBOW* 

41b York Street. Tel: 0141-237 

3011. Mon-Thu Noon- 

Midnight, Fri-Sun Noon-2am. 

Sauna. Mon: Buddies Day (2 

for 1), Wed: Towel Free Day, Fri: 

TVs, CDs and Admirers Day, 

Sun: £5 entry. 

www.ambassadorsrainbow 

.com 


ambassadors.rainbow 

BABYLON* 

28 Bath Street. Tel: 0141-332 

1377. Noon-8pm. New men 

only sauna. Entry from £5. Free 

Sunday breakfasts. 

E-mail: 

babylon@babylonleisure.co.uk 

www.babylonleisure.co.uk 

BENNETS* 

80-90 Glassford Street. Tel: 

0141-552 5761. Wed-Mon 

11.30pm-3am. Scotland's 

oldest gay disco. 

E-mail: 

bennetsniteclub@gmail.com 

www.bebo.com/bennetsniteclu 

b 


bennetsniteclub 

CCA* 

350 Sauchiehall Street. Tel: 

0141-352 4900. Fax: 0141-332 

3226. Café Tel: 0141-332 7959. 

Sales & Info: The Centre for 

Contemporary Arts. 6 

performance and exhibition 

spaces, café, bar. ScotsGay 

available in bar. 

E-mail: gen@cca-glasgow.com 

www.cca-glasgow.com 

COURT BAR* 

69 Hutcheson Street. Tel: 0141- 

552 2463. Sun Noon-Midnight, 

Mon-Sat 8am-Midnight. 

Intimate bar. Straight friendly. 

DELMONICA'S BAR* 

68 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141- 

552 4803. Noon-Midnight. DJs 

nightly from 9pm. Thu: Quiz. 

Sun: Karaoke. 


GlasgowCityCentre/Delmonicas 

FHQ* 

10 John Street. Tel: 0141-553 

5851. Mon-Wed 5pm- 

Midnight, Thu 9pm-3am, Fri 

5pm-2am, Sat-Sun Noon-2am. 

Female only bar and club. 

E-mail: fhq@g1group.com 


GlasgowCityCentre/FHQ 

LIQUID LOVE 

Mansion House, The 

Glasshouse, 20 Glassford 

Street. Tel: 0141-553 4888. Thu 

1130pm-3am. Club night. 

E-mail: liquidloveglasgow 

@yahoo.co.uk 

LUKE & JACK* 


552 5699. Mon-Sat 

10.30am-6.30pm, Sun Noon- 

5.30pm. Scotland’s newest 

LGBT shop - locally owned and 

independent. Sells aromas, 

toys, lubes, magazines and 

books, underwear, T-shirts, 

gifts, etc. 

E-mail: 

hello@lukeandjack.co.uk 

www.lukeandjack.co.uk 

MERCHANT PRIDE 

20 Candleriggs. Tel: 0141-564 

1285. Sun 12.30pm-Midnight, 

Mon-Fri 4pm-Midnight, Sat 

Noon-Midnight. Bar in the heart 

of the Merchant City. 

MILK* 

17 John Street. Mon-Fri 4pm- 

Midnight, Sat-Sun 3pm- 

Midnight. Gay bar (formerly 

Scene). 

http://moojuice.co/ 

MODA* 


553 2553. Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, 

Fri-Sun 5pm-3am. Fashionable 

pub/club. 


GlasgowCityCentre/Moda 

THE PIPEWORKS* 

5-10 Metropole Lane. Tel: 

0141-552 5502. Mon-Thu 

11.30am-11pm, Fri 11.30am- 

Sat 6am, Sat Noon- Sun 11pm. 

Men's Health and Leisure Club. 

Usual facilities. £13 (£10 

concession). 

www.thepipeworks.com 

PLUSH 

Orbis Nightclub, 10-36 Bell 

Street. Tel: 0141-552 1212. Tue 

11pm-3am. Club night. 

www.orbisglasgow.com 

POLO LOUNGE* 

84 Wilson Street. Tel: 0141-553 

1221. Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri- 

Sun 5pm-3am. Long 

established pub/club. Young 

crowd. Club open Fri-Sun, £5 

after 11pm. 


GlasgowCityCentre/ 

Polo_Lounge 

RELAX CENTRAL* 

3rd Floor, 27 Union Street. Tel: 

0141-221 0415. Sun Noon- 

8.30pm, Mon-Sat 

11.30am-10pm. Established 

gay sauna. Entry £8. 

E-mail: 

relaxcentral@ymail.com 

www.relaxcentral.co.uk 

SILKS AND SECRETS* 

308 Argyle Street. Tel: 0141- 

572 1017. Fax: 0141-221 0959. 

Sun Noon-5pm, Mon-Sat 

10am-6pm. Clothes and toys 

catering for gay, transvestite 

and fetish tastes. 

www.silksandsecrets.com 

SPEAKEASY* 

10 John Street. Tel: 0141-553 

5851. Mon-Wed 5pm- 

Midnight, Thu 5pm-3am, Fri 

5pm-2am, Sat-Sun Noon-2am. 

Fresh alternative to the gay 

scene. Food served until 9pm. 

E-mail: 

speakeasy@g1group.com 


GlasgowCityCentre/Speakeasy 

TRON THEATRE CAFÉ BAR* 

Chisholm Street. Tel: 0141-552 

8587. Fax: 0141-552 6657. Sun 

11am-Late, Mon-Sat 10am- 

Late. 

Friendly theatre bar. Mixed. 

Good food. 

www.tron.co.uk 

UNDERGROUND* 

6a John Street. Tel: 0141-553 

2456. Mon-Fri Noon-Midnight, 

Sat-Sun 1pm-Midnight. 

A refreshing antidote to the 

current gay scene. Free WiFi. 

www.undergroundglasgow.com/ 

VIOLATE 

Violate Club Line: 09099 

108174 (75p per min at all 

times) or 07939 723387. 

BDSM Runs regular clubs at 

the Big Joint in South Street, 

Glasgow on the first Sat of the 

month. 

www.violate.co.uk 

THE WATERLOO* 

306 Argyle Street. Tel: 0141- 

248 7216. Sun 

12.30pm-Midnight, Mon-Sat 

Noon-Midnight. Popular, 

crowded, down to earth 

drinking shop. Scotland's 

oldest gay bar. Busy, busy, 

busy! 

www.waterloobar.co.uk 

WEDNESDAYS 

The Tunnel, 84 Mitchell Street. 

Tel: 0141-204 1000. 1st Wed of 

each month. 11.30pm-3am. 

Club night. 

www.tunnelglasgow.co.uk 

INVERURIE 

VALLURE CAFE & WINE BAR* 

Garioch Centre. Tel: Inverurie 

(01467) 622966. New gay 

friendly establishment. 

E-mail: info@vallure.co.uk 

www.vallure.co.uk 

STIRLING 

ALBION BAR* 

51 Barnton Street. Tel: (01786) 

461252. Mixed bar. Bar meals 

available. 

E-mail: cj@albionbar.com 

www.albionbar.com 

STORNOWAY 

AN LANNTAIR* 

Kenneth Street. Tel: (01851) 

703307. Mon-Sat 8.30am-Late. 

LGBT friendly arts centre with 

bar and restaurant. Real ale. 

E-mail: info@lanntair.com 

www.lanntair.com 


a monthly magazine for 

LGBT folk and friends. 

ISSN: 1357-0595. Unless otherwise stated 

© Pageprint Ltd, Sep 2011. PO Box 666, 

Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. Non profit use of 

material in the magazine, will normally be 

permitted free of charge, but you must 

contact us first for permission. 

Views expressed in ScotsGay don't 

necessarily reflect the views of ScotsGay. 

People featured in ScotsGay may identify 

as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, straight, 

some, all, or none of the above. 

Editorial: 0131-539 0666 

editorial@scotsgay.co.uk 

Advertising: 07850 576106 

advertising@scotsgay.co.uk 

Editor John Hein 

Advertising Martin Mann 

Design Holly Wodehouse 

CALL 

SCOTTISHLADS 

Hundreds of HOT Scottish guys 

waiting for your call 

Text, Chat and Share pics 

Listen to HOT and Horny 

Confessions 

08712 

333 310 

SCOTS’ 

TEXT ‘SCOTS’ 

TO 85722 

SEXY CONFESSIONS CALL 

85722 

09097 908 110 

18+ Calls to 08712 cost 10p per minute. Calls to 09097 cost £1.53p per 

minute. Calls from mobiles may be considerably more. Texts cost 50p 

 

£5 segments. First £5 FREE, available to new customers only.

Free/Discounted 

Entry 

Free Cloakroom 

Free Mixer On All Drinks Friday/Saturday 

Monthly Prize Draw 

Q Jump 

Free Bubbly On Your Birthday 

Discounted Room 

Hire 

First With News 

Of Upcoming Events 

Benefits Change 

Monthly 

For 

full 

details, 

please see 

www.bennetsnightclub.com 

The Management reserve the right to change or withdraw these offers at any time 

90 Glassford Street, Glasgow, G1 1UR - 0141 552 

5761

ScotsGay Issue 118 - ScotsGay Magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?