TELT Magazine

Telt
Magazine
slingit
WInter Edition ‘17

TELT: Winter Edition 3

CONTENTS
HAVE A CANTIE YULE
7-8. HOLLY JOLLY SOLSTICE
9-10. CHRISTMAS IN THE
CAPITAL
SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE
BE FORGOT
12-13. CALLING ALL DUG
LOVERS
14-15 SCOTLAND ON SCREEN
HERE’S TAE US, WHA’S LIKE US?
17-20. ANOTHER CHOICE FOR
WUMMIN
21-24. GROWING UP WITH THE
DRINK
G’AUN YERSEL
26-27. SCOT SPORT TIMELINE
28-29. BENDING GENDER ROLES
30-31. PLAYING WITH PRIDE
EDITOR’S
LETTER
Telt: a Scottish word meaning told.
As a nation, we are a
funny bunch. From
our slang, to our scran,
we have a unique and
rich culture which we
are proud to share.
Our talented team
have lovingly curated
a selection of stories
and features from all
corners of our bonnie
Scotland for you to
enjoy this winter. From
our unusual history
with Christmas, to
our nations complex
relationship with
alcohol, we explore
Scotland on the big
screen and our bestloved
game - football,
and how it has become
more inclusive. This is a
magazine that captures
the heart and spirit
of Scotland, brought
to you by 4th year
journalism students
from Edinburgh
Napier.
Editor: Katie McKenzie
Visit our sister site for
more exclusive content.
WEBSITE:
www.en4news.com
FACEBOOK:
@en4newsweekly
TWITTER:
@en4newsweekly
INSTAGRAM:
@en4newsonline
WEBSITE:
www.en4news.com
TELT: Winter Edition 5

HOLLY
JOLLY
SOLSTICE
“Have a
cantie
yule.”
Def: to wish someone a Merry Christmas.
A journey through the
country’s history with the
famous holiday
Ah, Christmas.
We all know it is
coming, but are so
surprised when it gets
here so fast.
The festive songs
begin to chime just
after Halloween draws
to a close, and are
not long followed by
the glistening fairy
lights and sparkling
decorations.
But what does
Christmas mean these
days? Apart from being
an over-hyped holiday
that is exploited to help
the country’s tourist
trade, of course. Where
is the magic and the
tradition? Scotland has
a thriving history of
festivities, but how does
Christmas play a part?
TELT: Winter Edition Illustration by Susan Kudla
7

It all dates way back
to the Celtic Pagans
between 500 BC and
500 AD who celebrated
the winter solstice to
bring light to the dark
winter days - a time
known as Yule.
effigy of the Pope. It
was not until the 1960s
that Scotland began
to welcome Christmas
with open arms. The
day was only made an
official work holiday
in 1958 - could you
imagine working on
Christmas day now?
Market. The popular
twinkling stalls have
visitors steering away
from the traditional,
once forbidden, mince
pies and opting for
German bratwursts and
French crepes.
CHRISTMAS
IN THE
They would burn Yule
The city hosts this
logs to keep warm, kiss
enchanted wonderland
under the mistletoe, Fast forward to the for six whole weeks,
CAPITAL
and decorate pine trees present and Christmas with every stall, shop,
in their homes to bring is celebrated in full cafe and restaurant in
life into the living room, swing year in, year the city centre taking
which is a tradition we out. Cities all over part in their own unique
still know today.
Scotland are teaming way. Definitely making
with markets, festivities up for the 400 year ban
Then, in the 5th and and fun - especially us Scots faced many
TELT magazine have selected the best ways
6th centuries, as
the nation’s capital, centuries ago.
Roman Catholicism was Edinburgh.
for you to enjoy Edinburgh this winter
on the rise in Scotland,
This time of year is
With Christmas just
During the
things began change. The city is now
for enjoyment. People
around the corner,
Royal Botanic
mesmerising late night
Christian traditions famous for the Winter tend to be happier,
Edinburgh has been
Gardens
stroll, expect to come
became the norm Wonderland which chattier and more
taken over with tinsel
across the Fire Garden
until the established features everything compassionate. It
and lights, from
Edinburgh’s Botanical
– a circular carpet of
John Knox banned the from mulled wine to is sometimes hard
glittering shop fronts
Gardens will once
dancing flames that will
holiday as part of the hot cocoa, ice rinks to to remember to stay
to the ever-popular
again be displaying
send warmth through
country’s split with carousels and of course, positive when the city
German markets.
their flamboyant light
your core. And if that
the Catholic Church. the popular Ferris centre is at gridlock
However, with so much
show, adding a welcome
fails to do the trick,
This was then made wheel in Princes Street with the vast volume
going on at this time of
sparkle to those dreich
the festive fare, which
an official law in 1640 Gardens. You can of visitors, but it is
year, it is often difficult
winter nights. The
offers warm cider and
resulting in fines and even see a collection of important to take a
to choose the best way
trail of light snakes
hot chocolate, is just
prison sentences for stunning ice sculptures step back, if you have
to enjoy the festive
along the garden’s
the ticket.
those who tried to along George Street, room to move, take in
period.
paths, providing a
Exhibit opens - 24th
celebrate.
where you will also find your surroundings and
Never fear, we have
spectacular glow. The
November 2017
a giant dome made of appreciate the culture
handpicked the most
lights will guide you
Advance tickets - £14
It was then 40 years fairy lights. How braw around you. New
worthwhile activities
through a mile of the
later that a group of is that?
traditions have to start
to get involved in
world famous Garden,
Edinburgh’s
students at Edinburgh Much like many other somewhere.
including the quirkiest
providing a magical
European Market
University were said to European cities,
places to go as the
experience after dark
have held a protest that Edinburgh have
By Kendal Dick
temperature drops over
and fun for all of the
The European Market
included burning of an adopted the German
the next few weeks.
family.
has once again returned
TELT: Winter Edition 9

Photography by Mairi Mulhern
“should auld
acquaintance
be forgot.”
A quote from Robbie Burns, one of Scotlands most famed artists.
to Princes Street
hungry during your Scotland’s capital.
Gardens; bringing a browse, the various Between the 1st and
whole host of bespoke stalls have you covered the 24th of December,
and traditional items – offering foods from a buildings that are
from across the globe. variety of cultures, from normally closed to
The market provides Mexican churros to a members of the public
a unique shopping
experience for every
traditional Aberdeen
Angus steak burger
will be opening their
doors, providing a
visitor, with quaint and (with fried onions of treasure hunt of sorts
handmade gifts from all course).
to visit the city’s most
over the world. There European Market opens impressive monuments.
is also that last-minute - 19th November 2017 Some of these
opportunity to grab a
locations will include
gift for a loved one you 24 Days of Advent buildings that celebrate
may have forgotten
Scottish traditions
about. The cosy
This year, festival and Edinburgh’s
atmosphere on a bitter and events company impressive architecture,
winter evening make Underbelly has created specifically the Robert
it easy to understand ‘24 Days of Advent’ Burns Monument on
why many come from - a real life advent the 9th December, The
all over just to catch calendar which grants Scottish Parliament on
a glimpse of the
both locals and visitors the 16th and Lauriston
traditional and romantic the opportunity to Castle on the 19th.
European Market. access several iconic
If you start to get buildings dotted across By Hally Houldsworth
TELT: Winter Edition 11

CALLING ALL
DUG LOVERS
The Edinburgh Chihuahua Cafe is bringing
man’s best friend to the city in the best way
dogs - owning golden
retrievers and jack russells
throughout her childhood.
However, her brood of eight
chihuahuas only expanded
this year. Before her trip to
Japan, Salitura had just one
dog. When she decided to
take the plunge and open her
own business in Edinburgh,
she got seven more, as you
do.
All eight girls live at home
in Fife with Tanya and her
husband, Ross. The cafe
will just be their day job
and they’ll head home every
night.
So why chihuahuas? “We
wanted to select a breed of
dog that would be suited to
the environment of a cafe
and enjoy the experience
as much as our guests.
Chihuahuas are also one of
only a few breeds to have
full colour spectrum in their
coats and varying fur lengths
meaning each of our dogs
looks very different. This
helps visitors identify different
personalities and allows
them to really get to know
our girls on an individual
basis,” says Tanya.
Five-year-old chihuahua
Ama, eldest of the crowd
and founding member,
watches out for her younger
sisters. Duchess is described
as being a little ditsy but
loveable all the same. Cleo,
the most independent of the
bunch, has an adventurous
and playful spirit. Bee, the
most joyous of her sisters,
has bundles of energy.
Younger siblings Elsa,
Faery, Gatsby and Hepburn
are still puppies but are
quickly developing their own
unique personalities too.
The four love nothing more
than playing with their toys,
snoozing in the arms of anyone
willing to cuddle them
and will all happily pose for
selfies.
The sisters are named
alphabetically - in the order
Tanya got them. This is with
the exception of smallest and
youngest chihuahua, Faery,
who came as a welcome
surprise.
According to Tanya,
people all over the country
are going crazy for the
concept following the popup
events and are excited to
meet her eight furry friends
when the cafe opens this
month.
By MeganTaylor
The eight fluffy pooches of
Scotland’s first ever ‘dog
cafe’ have been socialising
at a number of pop-up
events across the capital
this summer and are now
eager to meet you, yes you.
With puppy tea parties and
‘pawsecco’ on tap, dog-loving
Scots have a whole new
way to get involved with their
pets.
Owner, Tanya Salitura, is
the proud mother of all eight
girls. A self-confessed animal
lover, she admitted the
initial inspiration behind the
cafe came to her after she got
her first chihuahua puppy.
After travelling to Japan with
her husband, where animal
cafes originated, Tanya realised
she was on to a unique
concept for Scotland.
“Once the cat cafes started
opening in the UK and I
took a trip to Japan and saw
the popularity of animal
cafes there, I decided to
make my dream a reality and
create an environment where
I could spend all day with
my best friend and share
that special bond with the
world.”
Tanya grew up around
TELT: Winter Edition 13

SCOTLAND ON
SCREEN
Trainspotting (1996)
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: Ewan McGregor,
Robert Carlyle, Ewen
Bremner
him to adapt his hit novel,
but that trust definitely was
not misplaced.
The violent energy of
Welsh’s novel make it to the
big screen with very little
neutering. Auld Reekie
has appeared quite a few
times on the big screen, but
never quite in this way. The
romanticised history of the
city is replaced by a brutal
blend of realism and dark
humour. Fuelled by arguably
the best soundtrack of the
20th century, Trainspotting
wastes no time in this world
either. Each song gives an
insight into lead character
Renton’s (Ewan McGregor)
state as he copes with the
him. It is also clear to see
that the friendship of the
mismatched group he
belongs to is not forced
either. Ewen Bremner as the
hapless Spud offers some
compassion to the twisted
destruction that Robert
Carlyle’s Begbie revels in.
Meanwhile, the antagonistic
friendship between Johnny
Lee Miller’s Sick Boy and
Renton is complex, hilarious
and incredibly convincing.
This mash of conflict,
often without resolution,
carries on through this
perfectly dark comedy which
effortlessly touches on a very
real issue.
Under the Skin (2014)
Director: Johnathon Glazer
Starring: Scarlett Johansson,
Adam Pearson, Paul
Brannigan
on a beach in Auchmithie is
especially notable; the harsh
and isolated setting acting as
the perfect location for one
of the film’s most surprising
moments.
centre, cut with pedestrians
walking past, creates real
paranoia. Opposing large
scale Hollywood invasion
clichés, “Under the Skin”
says they may be living
among us, and they want to
go to Govan.
This film is mostly worth
There is no way any list of
watching to see Scarlett It is by far the least
Scottish cinema would have
Johansson drive a white conventional film listed
been complete without the
van around Glasgow asking here, but scenes like the
film that has appeared on
people about the M8 and one mentioned before
By Patrick Dalziel
nearly every teenage boy’s
Govan. Under the Skin is a make it well worth a watch.
wall since it came out in
divisive film in which an alien Johnathon Glazer has
1996. It is a truly iconic
intent on harvesting humans ensured that each setting
piece of filmmaking, a
as prey comes to Glasgow. used serves a purpose - they
captivating look into ‘90s
This plot is fairly bare bones become as important to
Edinburgh’s dark underbelly
in the way it is told, with the plot as the lead. The
and the counterculture of
Glazer choosing to embrace hidden camera in Scarlett
heroin addicts staying there.
ambiguity and style over Johansson’s van could have
Danny Boyle may have had
outright terror. The Scottish felt cheap but instead adds
only one film under his belt
setting could not be more to the intrigue. Shots of her
before Irvine Welsh trusted madness unfurling around
suited to this film. One scene driving through Glasgow city
TELT: Winter Edition 15

TALES FROM SCOTLAND
CONTRACEPTION:
A WUMMIN’S
“Here’s tae
us, Wha’s
like us?”
Def: nobody is quite like the Scots.
PREROGATIVE
The app that is challenging contraception
standards for women in Scotland
For the avoidance of any
doubt, I am a supporter of
contraception and every
liberty it has awarded
women; I just think it could
be better. And, I’m not alone
– there is now a community
of women who are using the
oldest type of contraception,
in its newest form.
By the time I left high
school, there were three girls
my age with babies on the
way. I was not one of them
but I was one of the millions
of young girls who took
hormonal contraception
and would continue to take
it for the rest of my teenage
life. The UK (Scotland in
particular) soars above most
European countries for
high teen pregnancy rates.
Despite a decline in recent
years, the issue remains a
pressing one.
According to campaign
group, Betty For Schools,
47% of young girls in the
UK have no idea what is
happening to them when
their first period starts,
pointing to a lack of
education being a big factor
in high teen pregnancy
statistics.
Swedish scientist Elina
Berglund, who worked on
the Hadron Collider, has
developed an app called
Natural Cycles. The app
integrates traditional
knowledge of fertility
with the technology that
simplifies an intelligent
algorithm to mobile phones.
I spent time on an online
forum, made up of women
who work together to
support each other through
the use of the app and
they all have a few things
in common. They have
struggled with the side
effects that years of invasive
hormones can cause and
they all wish they had been
able to use Natural Cycles
when they were growing
up. There is a deep feeling
that the ‘pill revolution’ was
miss-sold to them – and it
is a feeling shared by many
women.
In 2016, a study of one
million Danish women
found that 23% of women
aged between 15 and 34
take anti-depressants as a
result of contraception. This
TELT: Winter Edition 17

number has grown, with
teens 80% more likely to
need pharmacological help.
Natural Cycles promotes
an understanding of
female biology and
recommends regular tests.
In an independent study
conducted by Telt Magazine
in Glasgow, only one woman
out of 30 knew what any of
this meant and she was also
the only Natural Cycles user.
Some of the people I spoke
to in Glasgow talked of
religious restrictions on
contraception. Although
progress has been made,
Scotland’s poverty stricken
areas still show links to
depression, debilitating
mental health issues and fatal
disease to contraception.
One woman, Candice
Archuleta from New
Mexico needed emergency
surgery to remove a
hormonal implant that
had spread through her
veins from her arm to an
almost fatal position in
her heart. Candice’s story
is, unfortunately, not
uncommon. It strikes me
that there is a certified,
easily accessible, universal
contraceptive method that is
not recommended by health
care professionals or utilised
by young women.
I took the time to visit
sexual health clinics across
Glasgow and Edinburgh to
see if they would recommend
Natural Cycles to me. Each
time it was reiterated that
there are potential side
effects to all contraception
and it is just about finding
one that fits the individual. I
told one nurse I was worried
that I would not be able to
remember to take the pill
each day and she said it
was just a matter of habit. I
visited Dr Moria McGuigan
Photography by Jess McFadyen
Infographic by Jess McFadyen
who expressed concern
about Natural Cycles’
methods:
“[I am] surprised and
saddened that people are
being asked to pay an
annual subscription to
upload sensitive personal
and intimate data about
themselves onto the Internet
for someone ‘out there’ to
make decisions as to their
fertility or lack thereof.”
women were angry at the
assumption that the science
was too hard for women
to understand. Women
expressed concern that The
Guardian were speaking to a
louder feeling that women are
not capable of being in control
without the help of invasive
hormones.
Amanda Olson, who uses the
app, told Telt Magazine what
she thought of the review:
“[It is] interesting that the
criticisms are not really about
the algorithm and its efficacy,
but the ‘hassle’ involved
with daily temping, and with
abstaining or using a condom
on red days”.
One of the biggest criticisms
was that the app intruded too
much on the spontaneity of
sex and remaining abstinent
for half of a month was not
natural. For many young
women, the freedom of not
having to worry about fertile
or infertile days is what
appeals so much to them.
Another app user, Joanne
Wilderspin, said “remaining
abstinent for most of it
when you are running on
artificial hormones and have
no sex drive left is just as
unnatural”.
Perhaps the lack of interest
is linked to attitudes
regarding what women are
capable of doing. Reactions
Opinion is divided between
to a recent review of the
personalities, ages,
Natural Cycles app by The
relationship status, and it
Guardian newspaper showed
comes down to preference.
TELT: Winter Edition 19

TALES FROM SCOTLAND
“There is not a lot to be said for informed
choice when periods are a taboo”
GROWING UP
WITH THE
DRINK
There is not a lot to be
said for informed choice
when periods are a taboo
and not all the options are
talked about. I began using
contraception for common
acne and the only side
effect I was warned about
was blood clots. Natural
Cycles is for women who are
prepared to be proactive and
put the time in; the rewards
are no more risk free than
the pill.
There is a strong sense
of unity within the app’s
community with one user,
Emma Bryceland, who
suffered for years with
depression asking, “Would
men not prefer a healthy,
happy partner - free from the
depression?”
The ability of modern
medicine to regulate
pregnancy has impacted the
lives of the most vulnerable
in our society. Women
have the time and space to
decide when, or if, children
are right for them, as well
as the freedom to make
sure it is with the right
person. However, when it
is not, Natural Cycles could
be an option. For now,
there is a growing need for
informed consent and, as
for the future, I hope shared
responsibility will be talked
about more.
By Jess McFadyen
There are times growing
up when you come to really
notice what is going on
around you.
Whether it is the clinking of
bottles, the loud pounding
music, or the distorted
Will minimum pricing change
Scotland’s attitude to alcohol?
slurred voices of those you
call your parents.
When you come to realise,
as l did, that your family
is being dictated to by the
almost constant presence
of alcohol. When what were
once presents are being
taken off you to further fuel
that need.
In the city of Glasgow, where
l grew up, this is just another
story about a family that is
broken apart by alcohol
TELT: Winter Edition 21

abuse. One that is sadly
all too familiar all across
Scotland.
My parents took advantage
of being able to purchase
cheap beer, cider and
vodka over the course of my
childhood.
This led to erratic, excessive
drinking that was possible
at any time of the day.
Drinking that would lead to
fierce arguing, bitterness
and violent outbursts of
anger; a vicious cycle.
By the time l was 14 years
old, l had watched alcohol
tear my family apart, gone
under the supervision of
social work and permanent
separation from my parents.
Amongst problem-drinkers
in society, the affordability
of alcohol is a major factor
for those who regularly
exceed health guidelines.
There were 1,265 alcohol
related deaths in Scotland in
2016 (National Records of
Scotland).
Scotland has always found
itself in an odd love-hate
relationship with alcohol.
Many drink responsibly and
are able to rightfully enjoy it
with others.
Furthermore, it is a key part
of the national economy.
In terms of exports, it is
the food and drink sector
that continues to reign
supreme. It is a sector that
is dominated by our whisky
exports.
Scottish Government statists
show that out of the £4.8bn
that Scotland generated from
exported goods in 2015,
£3.8bn of it was down to
exports of whisky.
Whilst this is positive, drink
has posed a formidable
challenge to the state of
public health in Scotland for
decades. It is a challenge that
has been debated, ingrained
and even parodied in our
society.
There has been no shortage
of ways devised to tackle
the issue. Better education
about the dangers of
drinking beyond excess,
tougher laws such as
lower drink-drive limits
and scrapping multi-buy
promotional deals have all
gone towards fixing the
problem.
One measure which has
been long discussed is
setting a minimum price on
units of alcohol. That would
essentially result in a price
hike on the most affordable
types of drink that you can
purchase.
Earlier this week, the UK
Supreme Court rejected
a challenge by the Scotch
Whiskey Association that
opposed the introduction of
minimum alcohol pricing.
This means that in early
2018, Scotland will become
the first country in the world
to implement a minimum
pricing policy. The hope
is that it will be more
effective than simply taxing,
by specifically targeting
beverages that the heaviest
drinkers most frequently
purchase.
It is a measure that was
proposed and then later
dropped by the UK
Government in 2012, and
may yet become an issue
in England again in light
of this week’s ruling. Both
the National Assemblies
of Wales and Northern
Ireland are also considering
implementation.
Photography by Patrick Dalziel
Last year, NHS Scotland
found that sales of alcohol
in Scotland were 20%
higher than in England and
Wales. The study found
a correlation between the
sales of cheap alcohol in offlicences,
especially spirits,
and the higher percentage in
Scotland.
The Scotch Whiskey
Association, which opposed
minimum pricing for five
years, were of the view that
it would not stop the most
serious drinkers drinking
and that it was a threat to
trade.
Minimum pricing is a move
to challenge the binge
TELT: Winter Edition 23

drinking culture that exists
in Scotland. It has the
potential to do that but is not
an instant fix.
Serious drinkers will do
anything to maintain a steady
flow of alcohol therefore it
is crucial that health support
is readily available for those
in need of it. What too much
booze can do to people,
to families and children is
something we must face up
to together.
Having watched how alcohol
can control your life, and
affect those around you,
l can say that Scotland’s
relationship with booze is
one that has to change.
By Colin Campbell
“There were 1,265 alcohol related deaths in
Scotland in 2016”
“G’aun
yersel.”
Def: words of warm encouragment on the field.
TELT: Winter Edition 25

SCOTTISH SPORTING
HEROES: THEN, ‘TILL
NOW
It would be difficult to talk about Scottish
sporting heroes without mentioning
football and we’ll it out of the way
up top. It is impossible to overlook
Jock Stein and Celtic’s achievements
in the ‘60s & ‘70s when Stein won nine
consecutive titles as the Celts manager
from ’65 to ’74. Though his greatest
achievement was undoubtedly in the
European Cup in 1967, when Celtic
became the first ever British side to be
crowned European Champions. On
Andy Murray: Tennis
What more can be said about
Andy Murray?
The Scot has won three
Grand Slams, two-time
Olympic titles, the Davis
Cup and the 2016 ATP
World Tour Finals.
Who can fail to remember
the moment Murray became
the first Brit since Fred
Perry to win at Wimbledon
in 2013?
Goosebumps stood tall
as living rooms across the
country reached fever pitch.
Murray achieved a 2016
Wimbledon victory as well,
to add to his 2012 US Open
win, putting him among the
greats.
Sir Chris Hoy: Cycling
Sir Chris Hoy is Britain’s most decorated
athlete and the world’s most successful
Olympic cyclist of all time; there’s a
reason he is a household Scottish name.
Winning his first Olympic gold in Athens
2004, Hoy would become the first
British athlete in a century to win 3 Gold
medals at a single Olympic Games in
Beijing 2008.
His magnificent career resulted in a
grand total of six Olympic, 10 World and
two Commonwealth titles to his name.
Winning the 2008 BBC Sports Personality
of the Year, Sir Chris Hoy’s name will
go down in Scottish, British and World
athletic history forever.
Source: Google Images
David Wilkie: Swimming
Although born in Sri Lanka, David Wilkie
was a Scottish hero. Moving to Edinburgh
at the age of 11, he became one of the most
renowned British swimmers of all time.
Wilkie would earn an Olympic gold medal and
set a world record time of two minutes & 15.11
seconds in the 1976 200m breaststroke. He was
the first Brit to win an Olympic gold medal for
swimming after a 16-year drought.
He is also the only person to have held British,
American, Commonwealth, European, world
and Olympic swimming titles at the same
time.
Source: Google Images
By Cameron Storer
TELT: Winter Edition 27
Illustrations by Susan Kudla

BENDING
GENDER ROLES
Edinburgh’s first LGBTQ+ yoga class.
“Come as you are” reads
the tagline for LGBTQ+
classes at Santosa Yoga
Studio in Leith. Amy
Hughes, who runs the
group, spoke to Telt Magazine
about why groups like
these are so important for
the queer community.
Initially aimed at transgender
people, the classes aim
to give people who are not
completely comfortable in
their own skin a safe place
outside the traditional
‘scene’ in Edinburgh,
which focuses primarily
on partying and alcohol.
The space provides
somewhere for gender
non-conforming people to
be themselves and is completely
free of judgement.
You might be wondering
why the LGBTQ+ community
need their own
exercise groups. Whilst
times have moved on and
queer people do not face
the same bullying and
harassment they once did,
the organisers know that
the queer community have
a different set of needs to
be catered for. Many in the
community struggle being
out in public and with
intense social situations
according to organiser
Amy Hughes.
“It was important to us
that the class was easily
accessible, right off some
of the main bus routes but
nowhere too busy. Some
queer, especially trans
people, really struggle in
public,” says Amy.
Whilst all this might seem
a bit niche, the service is
proving vital for many
people who want to meet
like-minded individuals or
simply get a bit of exercise
in a safe haven. But are
queer yoga classes any
different to the rest? The
answer is yes.
Photo provided by
Amy Hughes
“I do switch things around
for my queer classes. There
is a non-binary aspect,
I watch the pronouns I
am using and take out
gendered references,” says
Amy.
It is also crucial that
the classes are non-adjustment.
This means
Amy does not touch any
students, as many are
transitioning to become
more at ease with their
bodies, whilst others may
just be uncomfortable with
physical contact.
One thing Amy says she
Photography by Jess McFadyen, Yoga On The Meadows
was not expecting is the
mental health benefits that
her students have gained.
She has introduced a
breathing exercise to assist
with anxiety and is helping
people to add yoga to their
“toolkit for coping with
life.”
“If you cannot reach your
therapist or do not have
one, or if you cannot reach
that friend that you rely
on, sit down, take a minute
and hopefully they will remember
the things I have
taught them.”
By Lee Dalgetty
If you fancy joining
Amy, the classes
are completely free,
aimed at beginners,
and run 6-7pm every
Saturday at Santosa
Yoga Studio in Leith.
TELT: Winter Edition 29

PLAYING
WITH PRIDE
Have attitudes towards homosexuality
in sport really changed all that much?
It has been 19 years since
the death of Justin Fashanu.
He was the first professional
footballer in the UK to publicly
come out as gay whilst
still involved in the game.
Incredibly, he remains the
only one to have done so.
We live in a society that
most like to think of as being
progressive. Issues such
as racism and homophobia
still remain visible today but
perhaps are not as prevalent
as in the past.
although we seem to be in a
time where the gay community
can be open, football is
still the exception.
Saltire Thistle FC is an
amateur gay-friendly football
team based in Glasgow.
They are competing in two
separate leagues including
the Gay Footballers Network
League.
Club Secretary and goalkeeper,
David Barbour,
spoke to Telt Magazine
about why he thinks professional
players are not
coming out:
recent professional players
in the papers talking about
playing with gay teammates
and there never being an
issue. Attitudes in the
dressing room seem to be
OK so the fear might be
down to the supporters. I
also wonder if people cannot
be bothered with the media
circus that would follow.”
Back in 2013, ex-Leeds
United player, Robbie Rodgers,
came out publicly and
immediately retired fearing
the backlash from supporters.
He later made a return
Photo by Daniel Tully, David
Barbour on the field
to football in his native country
playing in the MLS.
Nobody in society is forced
to reveal his or her sexual
orientation. It is a matter of
choice and footballers have
that same option. However,
not having one openly gay
professional player in the
UK suggests we have to
make the game a more open
environment.
providing rainbow coloured
laces to sportsmen and
woman, the project has
looked to create a safe
space for gay people in
football and has worked to
tackle the issue of homophobia
in sport.
According to Stonewall,
the campaign generated
some promising results,
with 30% of the UK population
hearing about it
and a staggering 186,859
laces having been sold so
far. With top-flight players
around Britain in support,
the campaign has helped
shape positivity in the
game open to all. Football
League teams are set to use
rainbow-coloured corner
flags in matches next week.
But the work of charities
like Stonewall is being
somewhat let down by
some of the game’s governing
bodies, particularly in
Scotland.
It is not unusual to attend
football matches in Scotland
and hear different
obscenities shouted from
the stands. In my time
of going to games, I have
heard a range of insults
directed at players and
managers that could be accused
of homophobic and
racist behavior. Chanting
from the stands is a
difficult factor to measure
in determining if there is
an element of homophobia
in the game. The only way
we would be able to see
if the game accepts a gay
player is for one to come
out publicly.
While the wait for that
first openly gay footballer
goes on, it is up to the
governing bodies to ensure
they do all they can to provide
a more comfortable
environment for the gay
community. As of now, I
am not entirely convinced
they are doing enough.
Data released in October by
the Office for National Statistics
showed that a record
To do this, we must raise
“I think fear
number of people came out “I think fear plays a part in
awareness. The LGBTQ+
as gay last year in the UK, it. There’s been a history
charity Stonewall launched
plays a part in
with the figure hitting over of homophobic chanting in
an initiative called Rainbow
Laces four years ago
it.”
one million. Unfortunately, grounds. There have been
to do just that. Through message that football is a By Daniel Tully
TELT: Winter Edition 31

EDITORS: Katie McKenzie, Jamie Taylor SUB EDITOr:
Jamie McDonald SUB TEAM: Louise Holliday, Caitlin
Noble, Megan Taylor, Sian Traynor PHOTO EDITOr:
Mairi Mulhern DESIGN EDITOr: Susan Kudla DESIGN
TEAm: Lee Dalgetty, Kendal Dick, Jack Fairgrieve, Jamie
Munn CONTRIBUTInG WRITERs: Colin Kevin Campbell,
Patrick Dalziel, Hally Houldsworth, Jess McFadyen,
Cameron Storer, Megan Taylor, Daniel Tully.