THE

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How you fee
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shocking t

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 EDITOR IN CHIEF MATT CAIN matt.cain@attitude.co.uk
MEET THE TEAM EDITOR CLIFF JOANNOU cliff.joannou@attitude.co.uk
¤WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR BODY? DEPUTY EDITOR ADAM DUXBURY adam.duxbury@attitude.co.uk
ASSISTANT EDITOR CHRIS GODFREY chris.godfrey@attitude.co.uk
CHIEF SUB EDITOR HUGH SOHN hugh.sohn@attitude.co.uk
WEB EDITOR WILL STROUDE will.stroude@attitude.co.uk
EDITOR AT LARGE MATTHEW TODD matthew.todd@attitude.co.uk
SPORTS EDITOR MARK MCADAM mark.mcadam@attitude.co.uk
TRAVEL EDITOR/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER MARKUS BIDAUX
markus.bidaux@attitude.co.uk

CLIFF JOANNOU, ART DIRECTOR PETER ALLISON peter.allison@attitude.co.uk

EDITOR DESIGNER LUCY HENDEL lucy.hendel@attitude.co.uk
My leg tattoo reads FASHION AND GROOMING DIRECTOR JOSEPH KOCHARIAN
“Same, same …but joseph.kocharian@attitude.co.uk
different”, which is just JUNIOR FASHION EDITOR NICK BYAM nick.byam@attitude.co.uk
a common Thai phrase. FREELANCE FASHION ASSISTANT UMAR SARWAR
But it’s also a statement umar.sarwar@attitude.co.uk
about humanity:
we are all the same HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS MIKE BUCKLEY mike.buckley@attitude.co.uk
...but different
COMMERCIAL MANAGER ANDY GODDARD
andy.goddard@attitude.co.uk 02035986741
JAMIE BOYLE, FASHION MANAGER JAMIE BOYLE
FASHION SALES MANAGER jamie.boyle@attitude.co.uk 02035986742
I spend far too much time focusing SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER SEAN LINEKER
on the body parts I don’t like, sean.lineker@attitude.co.uk 02035986743
but it’s a toss-up between my DIGITAL ACCOUNT MANAGER
lips which, if I say so myself, are HYWEL KENNEDY hywel.kennedy@attitude.co.uk 02035986744
very kissable, and my bum which, INTERNS // CORY LABROSSE // FREYA MONRO MORRISSON //
thanks to a few marathons, cycling REMI THIROUX
to the office and lots of squats, is
rather pert and firm

VICTOR HENSEL-COE, ATTITUDE MEDIA LTD,

A DIVISION OF STREAM PUBLISHING LTD
PHOTOGRAPHER
I love my hairy chest. It’s
the source of my magical
bear powers. When I MANAGING DIRECTOR DARREN STYLES NEXT ISSUE
don’t have somebody in COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR CRAIG LEWIS
AVAILABLE
bed with me to cuddle I OPERATIONS DIRECTOR NIGEL RUSSELL
1 MARCH
can cuddle myself EVENTS MANAGER LESLEY HARRIS
PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE TOM DOYLE

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Copyright © Attitude Media Ltd 2017 all rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be
reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. Unsolicited
contributions must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope if they are to be
returned. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for
PHOTOGRAPHY by Mark Cant material lost or damaged in the post. Letters submitted to Attitude or its editors are assumed
to be intended for publication in whole or in part. The mention or appearance or likeness
FASHION by Joseph Kocharian of any person or organisation in articles or advertising in this publication is not to be taken
Tom wears jacket and shorts, as any indication of sexual, social or political orientation of such persons or organisations.
both by Christopher Shannon, Newstrade distribution by Seymour Distribution Limited, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London
vest, by Daniel Fletcher EC1A 9PT. Tel 020 7429 4000. Published by Attitude Media Ltd. Printed by Wyndeham Bicester

6 MARCH 2017
 p102

MARCH 2017
ATTITUDE.CO.UK
p14

STYLE

80 TREND Underwear
84 CRUSH Björn again
86 FASHION Ballet boys

F E AT U R E S
REGULARS
102 THE MIGHTY A-TOM
8 EDITOR IN CHIEF’S LETTER He has one of the most recognisable
10 THE WORD ON THE STREET bodies on the planet, but Tom Daley
146 BIG IN A WIG Chi Chi LaRue wants to be known for more than just
that — and is refusing to take his clothes
off. Oh, go on Tom, just for us...
A LIST

14 AGENDA AC T I V E
Things we like this month
20 CLIFF JOANNOU Missing George 113 FEATURE Joel Dommett
21 Q AND A Going Underground 121 { N E W } ACTIVATE Fitness news

22 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS 122 FOCUS Fit tips from Matt Lister
A John Waters' oddity returns
26 MAWAAN RIZWAN Night-bus pests p113
27 BIG ISSUE Corbyn blows his own
Trump-et
29 LEO RICHARDSON
A cute accent
31 PAUL FLYNN Slim-line tonic
32 SONGS OF PRAISE A young drag
queen's life is put to music
38 MUSIC
40 FILM
41 BOOKS
42 CULTURE CLUB Tom of Finland
45 BIG GAY FOLLOWING Nile Rodgers

T R AV E L
,

126 FEATURE A train through Spain

B O DY S P E C I A L 131 { N E W } JUST THE TICKET Travel

news and advice

9 THE ATTITUDE BODY SURVEY
What you told us about your body
48 IF I SAID YOU HAD A BEAUTIFU LIFE
BODY... 136 REAL LIFE Eating disorders
Big, small, tall or skinny — all bod 139 MAN OF THE MONTH
can be gorgeous. Yes, we mean you 141 TABLE FOR TWO
62 REAL BODIES SPECIAL 142 { N E W } STEPPING OUT J`fcÍ
cde
Editor in chief Matt Cain strips off night on the scene
please accept our apologies 144 A PROBLEM SOLVED
66 DISABLED NOT DYSFUNCTIONA
Dispelling the myths surrounding
disabled gay men and sex
p48
72 THE FUR WILL FLY
Matt Lister's battle with body hair
76 HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
Hirsute vs smooth
p141

MARCH 2017 7
 A LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The relationship we have with our body is one of the most
important we’ll ever have. It’s one that can bring us intense
pleasure but can also cause huge stress. And it’s one that we
can’t end with a quick, easy break-up.
That’s why we’ve decided to dedicate this entire
issue of Attitude to exploring how we feel about
our bodies. And what better way to start than by
asking you, our readers, how you feel about yours?
The results of the Attitude Body Survey (see p9) told us you think magazines are at least partly
^RjT`_Íc^hYRe^R_j`WfdYRgVdfdaVTeVUW`cR responsible for shaping your feelings about your
long time but even so, they make for eye-watering body. That’s something we take very seriously at
cVRUZ_XAVcYRad^`dedZX_ZÍTR_eW`c^VZdeYVWRTe Attitude, which is why we have our Real Bodies
that 84 per cent of you feel that as gay men, you’re strand. To show you how seriously I myself take
under particularly intense pressure to have a good it, I’ve stripped off for a Real Bodies special (see
body. p62). But I won’t say anything else about that here
There are various theories behind this. My — four pages of me talking about my body is more
colleague and Attitude’s editor-at-large Matthew than enough for anyone.
Todd suggests in his brilliant book Straight Jacket Elsewhere in this issue, we have features about
that, as many of us are made to feel unwanted or body image, body hair and the body ideal, all of
rejected as we’re growing up, we can spend much which I hope will make you think — and maybe
of our adult lives trying to prove to the world — even challenge some of your preconceptions.
and to ourselves — that we are good enough, that We also interview several people who work with
we are attractive, that we are worthy of love. their bodies, from Olympic diver Tom Daley to
:R]d`eYZ_\ZeÄddZX_ZÍTR_eeYReRdXRj^V_hVÄcV dancers from the Royal Ballet; reading about how
attracted to the same sex of body as the one we important their bodies are to them might even put
possess — and this can cause us to direct our ideas your own anxieties into perspective.
about what’s good-looking back at ourselves. Juno Dawson looks at the highly sexualised
In case anyone’s in any doubt that how we feel bodies drawn by iconic artist Tom of Finland in
RS`fe`fcS`UZVdZdRUVÍ_Z_XZddfVW`cXRj^V_ our relaunched Culture Club; please join in the
today, a staggering 59 per cent of you told us conversation in future issues. And I’m A Celebrity
you’re either unhappy or very unhappy with your star Joel Dommett talks about his relationship
body, and a whopping 84 per cent of you think with his body in our reinvigorated Active section.
it’s either important or very important to have 7c`^_`h`_2TeZgVh`_Äeac`Í]VeYV\Z_U`W
a good body. The fact that a relatively smaller "!RaV__jaVcd`_R]ecRZ_Vcdj`fÍ_UT`T\eVRdZ_X
62 per cent of you think it’s either important or gays in your local gym, but people in the public
very important that your partner has a good body eye with something interesting to say about their
shows us that we’re directing much of the pressure YVR]eYR_UÍe_VddcVXZ^V
we absorb from society inwards. Every issue of Attitude is important to us but this
It also can’t be ignored that 64 per cent of you one is even more so than usual. And it’s one that I
really care about. So please tell me what you think
when I do another live Facebook Q-and-A starting
at 1pm on 9 February. I look forward to hearing
your feedback!

MATT CAIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

@AttitudeMag @MattCainWriter

8 MARCH 2017
 1 HOW HAPPY WOULD YOU
NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL 0.5% VERY IMPORTANT
17%
UNIMPORTANT 3% 2
SAY YOU ARE WITH YOUR BODY? IRRELEVANT
HOW
IMPORTANT
EITHER WAY
12.5%
IMPORTANT
67% IS IT TO YOU
TO HAVE A
NO STRONG GOOD BODY?
FEELINGS
HAPPY EITHER WAY
23% 17%
3
AS A GAY MAN, DO
YOU FEEL UNDER YES
VERY HAPPY
1%
PARTICULARLY
INTENSE
PRESSURE TO HAVE
84%
A GOOD BODY? NO
VERY UNHAPPY
10% UNHAPPY 16%

49%
YES 4
81% DO YOU THINK
THAT PRESSURE
IS GROWING?
NO

THE
19%

STRONGLY
47%

BOD SURVEY
5
VERY
TO WHAT EXTENT STRONGLY
DOES SOCIAL 27% IT’S AN
MEDIA AFFECT IRRELEVANCE
THE WAY YOU 16%
FEEL ABOUT NOT STRONGLY 8%
YOUR BODY? NOT STRONGLY
AT ALL 2%

MORE THAN 5,000 OF YOU RESPONDED TO OUR

QUESTIONS REGARDING HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT
YOUR BODY. HERE ARE THE RESULTS... 6 VER
STRONGL
18% STRONGLY
TO WHAT EXTENT
46% THEY’RE AN
IRRELEVANCE
DO MAGAZINES %
7 AFFECT THE WAY
FEEL ABOUT NOTSTRONGLY
ATALL4%
NOT
STRONGLY
12%
YOUR BODY?

HOW IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT 7%

IS IT TO YOU VERYIMPORTANT

TO RECEIVE IMPORTANT 45% 9%

AFFIRMATION IMPORTANT
IRRELEVANT EITHER WAY28% 53%
FOR YOUR BODY, IRRELEVANTEITHERWAY
EITHER IN REAL UNIMPORTANT 14% 27%
LIFE OR ON 8 UNIMPORTANT
SOCIAL MEDIA? NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL 6% 9%

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK A GOOD NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL

BODY IS IN A POTENTIAL PARTNER? 2%
SHUTTERSTOCK

MARCH 2017 9
SAM COX My double chin, because people look at it

DEBBIE JOHNSTON
My whole body, as
I haven’t reached
maximum potential
with body art

DJ ROB C I’d
the
GILBERT
MCGAUGHY My
volleyball scars.

word
change my
Great body but no
height. Taller
scars, please
would be better

which body

on the
part would
you most like
to change?

WES BAGGALEY
I would make
my legs longer
street
because they’re WHERE: HORSE MEAT DISCO AT THE EAGLE, LONDON
too short

AS TOLD TO // PHOTOGRAPHY: VICTOR HENSEL-COE

10 MARCH 2017
 the word on the street

STEVEN
MCGLYNN
My toes.
They belong
to my mum!

MARK
OAKLEY
I wish I could
have my
hair back

DARREN & KEITH I’d

change nothing. But
I’d love to be a
better vegan
SAL MOHAMMED ?`eYZ_X:TR_Í_R]]jdRj:eYZ_\:Ä^aVcWVTe

MARCH 2017 11
mossbros.co.uk
 { F I L M // T V // M U S I C // O P I N I O N // N E W S // P E R F O R M A N C E // B O O K S // B OY S }

MAR
2017
LEON CSERNOHLAVEK

JOHN WATERS IS THE FILM-MAKER WHO PUSHES BOUNDARIES — AND ADMITS

HE CAN GO TOO FAR. BUT NOW HE’S RE-RELEASING POSSIBLY HIS ODDEST FILM p22
 AGENDA

{ T H E AT R E }

THE HIV MONOLOGUES

Exploring HIV among gay

men, The HIV Monologues is
a play about emotion, LGBT+
history and overcoming stigma.
It stars Paul Duncan and Denholm Spur
(pictured above) as well as Charly Flyte a
;`_ReYR_3]R\V`_V`WeYVÍcdeaV`a]Ve`
diagnosed with HIV and who was portray
5`^Z_ZTHVdeZ_eYVYZe#!"%Í]^Pride.
by Patrick Cash and directed by Luke Dav
eYV5cRX`_ÎZVdEYVRecVÄd_Vhac`UfTeZ`_
Miranda in the Ace Hotel, in East London
runs from 2 February until 19 February.

UcRX`_ÎZVdeYVRecVT`f\
{ B I R T H DAY }

ACTION
STATIONS!
Relive your childhood with the doll boys
were allowed to play with: Action Man
footballer — complete with dog tags — is { EVENT }
YVcVRdaRce`WeYVe`jÄd&!eYR__ZgVcdRcj
;fdeU`_Äeaf]]U`h_YZd 3 THINGS TO
shorts to ready him for an CHECK OUT THIS
after-match shower, as IN 1978, A TOTALLY LGBT HISTORY
NEW “MUSCULAR
at least one member PHYSIQUE” MONTH
of the Attitude team ACTION MAN WAS
INTRODUCED. HE’S
fdVUe`SVTRfdVj`fÄ]] EASILY RECOGNISABLE Exhibition: Other
BY THE MOULDED
only be disappointed: BLUE TRUNKS AND
Stories An LGBT
he most certainly is not SUNTAN! History project
anatomically correct exploring the history
of sexuality and
sexual identity in and
around Derbyshire.

g
Big Bi Quiz for
LGBT History
Month BiPhoria’s
quiz night at the
LGBT Foundation in
T H E T H I N G S W E LOV E T H I S M O N T H Manchester.

National Festival
of LGBT History:
York Hub The
Marriott Room at
York Explore Library
NG FREEDOM BY FIGHTING FIRE WITH IRE and Archive hosts a
fascinating variety
^Rc\eYV&!eYR__ZgVcdRcj`WeYVDVifR]@WWV_TVd2TehYZTY of free talks on all
tially decriminalised homosexuality, LGBT History Month aspects of LGBT+
T`^^ZddZ`_VUeh`a]RjdRS`feeYVÍXYeW`cXRjcZXYedZ_ history.
nley. The Burnley Buggers’ Ball tells the story of a public
For a full listing
eting held at Burnley Central Library in 1971, which
of LGBT History
dVU`_eYVcZXYee``aV_eYVÍcde=83ETV_ecV_ReZ`_R]]j
Month events, visit
anwhile, Burnley’s Lesbian Liberator dramatises the political lgbthistorymonth.
^`W>RcjHZ_eVcRSfdUcZgVcÍcVUZ_eYVDVgV_eZVdÀ org.uk
support from her trade union — for nothing more than
Lesbian Liberation badge. The plays will be staged at
cR]=ZScRcj`_")R_U#&7VScfRcjRe_``_R_U#a^
 WELLMAN.CO.UK
David Gandy

Made in Britain

From Boots, Superdrug, supermarkets, Holland & Barrett, health stores, pharmacies
*UK’s No1 men’s supplement brand. Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Unit Sales 52 w/e 3 December 2016.
 AGENDA

{ FA S H I O N }

DIADORA’S BLAST
FROM THE PAST

Remember Diadora? If a warm

nostalgic glow has bathed over you
reading that word, then you’ll be
pleased to know that for Spring-
Summer 2017, Diadora have taken
inspiration from their old-school,
1980’s street wear. With the iconic
logo and retro styles, including
sweaters, tees and tracksuit tops,
it’s time for a Diadora revival.

diadora.com

{ ART }

WOLFGANG TAKES
ON TATE MODERN
TILLMANS WAS
THE FIRST
This February, Tate Modern will present PHOTOGRAPHER —
AND THE FIRST NON-
an exhibition concentrating on Wolfgang ENGLISH PERSON
— TO BE AWARDED
Tillmans’ production across different THE TATE’S ANNUAL
media since 2003. His innovative approach TURNER PRIZE

and variety of mediums will be brought

to the fore, offering a new focus on his
photographs, video, digital slide projections,
publications, curatorial projects and
recorded music.

15 February-11 June, Tate Modern, Level 3,

Boiler House & Tanks Studio. London.
tate.org.uk.

{ T H E AT R E }

{ T H E AT R E }
69
3 reasons to go to see Dancing SHADES
OF GAY!

This is
The It’s set It’s being a funny,
1 //
comedy
2 //
in a gay
3 //
staged frothy and
features a house-share in at Three frank one-
dancer, a dog, Manchester. We Minute Theatre man show, starring Gary Lamont (above).
a drag queen can relate. (3MT), a venue Best known as hairdresser Robbie Fraser
and a porn star. which has in the soap River City, he plays Aiden,
What more do championed
who’s set to shack up with boyfriend
you want? new writing in
number 69. As he starts going through
Manchester.
his phone, to delete texts, snaps, numbers
The play runs 16-19 March, Three Minute Theatre,
and apps, he’s taken on a trip down
Afflecks Arcade, Manchester.
threeminutetheatre.co.uk memory lane.

Òran Mór, Glasgow, 8-18 February

oran-mor.co.uk

16 MARCH 2017
 AGENDA
{ EVENT }

TAKE ME
SOMEWHERE
A new celebratory festival of
contemporary performance will be
hitting Glasgow this spring. Building
on the legacy of The Arches’ arts
programme, the Take Me Somewhere
festival will consist of events created
through a programme of artistic
development opportunities, combined
with inspirational work from beyond
{ T R AV E L }
Scotland. One to look out for: Nando
Messia’s Shoot the Sissy, a SYDNEY MARDI GRAS IN STYLE
disturbingly beautiful freak
show, a queer menagerie of Philippine Airlines, in conjunction
carnivalesque contortion with Premier Holidays and
R_UÎ`cZUWR_eRdj Destination New South Wales,
The festival will have introduced a great tour
take place in various package to Sydney for Gay and
venues across Glasgow Lesbian Mardi Gras, in March.
from 22 February until Following a glittering departure
12 March. from Heathrow and a smooth
transit at Manila, guests will
eR\V^Vd`^VhYVcVT`f\ ^R\VeYVÍ_R][Rf_ee`DjU_Vj
before checking into the four-star
Cambridge Hotel in good time for
the parade. The Diamond Club
party, offering all sorts of perks, is
included.

#NEGROPHOBIA
hZeY cVefc_ ÎZXYed Wc`^
EXAMINES THE EROTIC 08444 937 531.
FEAR ASSOCIATED
WITH THE BLACK BODY, T`f\
IN THE CONTEXT OF
THE CONTEMPORARY
{ ART } AMERICAN PROJECT.
EXPECT NUDITY, STRONG
LANGUAGE AND SEXUAL
KEN. TO BE CONTENT!
DESTROYED

Ken. To be
destroyed is an
exhibition put
on by artist and
photographer
Sara Davidmann. { CABARET }
Following her
mother’s death, THE LONDON CABARET CLUB
she and her
siblings inherited After three years of sold out pop-up shows around the UK’s
an envelope capital, the beloved London Cabaret Club has now announced
containing letters its grand launch on Friday
22 April. Taking place in
and photographs
their new and permanent
that belonged to
residence in London’s
her uncle and aunt, Bloomsbury Square, the
Ken and Hazel. club offers a sophisticated
The envelope entertainment concept
was marked Ken. To be destroyed. It emerged soon after combining an exquisite
they married that Ken was transgender. Given this was the dining experience with
1950s, this profoundly affected both their own relationship an innovative live cabaret
and relationships with social surroundings. The exhibition show. Featuring stars from
London’s West End, original
showcases work that combines original archive material with
choreography and premium
Davidmann’s new work. Presented by the London College
production values, the show
of Communication, the exhibition runs from 17 until 26 celebrates the rich heritage
February. of British culture.

arts.ac.uk/lcc thelondoncabaretclub.com

18 MARCH 2017
 ONE TO WATCH

DECLAN
MCKENNA
Winner of Glastonbury’s
Emerging Talent Competition
in 2015, Declan McKenna
won two slots playing at
the festival, aged just 16.
Now, hot off the back of his
latest single, The Kids Don’t Wanna
Come Home, a politically charged cry
against the widespread assumption
that young people are disengaged
with the world, he’s gearing up for
the release of his debut album. Some
of his previous work tackled topics
such as corruption in football (Brazil)
and teenage transgender conversion
therapy (Paracetamol), so the new
songs should live up to expectations.
Not identifying as either straight or
gay, Hertfordshire-born Declan is
a thoroughly modern man, ready
to show the world how protest
and music can make for a rather
beautiful combination.

Declan plays the O2 Academy,

Oxford, on 21 March, Wedgewood
Rooms, Portsmouth, 22 March, and
The Garage, London, 23 March. His
debut album is due for release, on
Columbia Records, in Spring

MARCH 2017 19
 OPINION

A GAY MAN WAS FOUND DEAD at “IT’S EASY TO DISMISS THE

his home after suffering heart failure. IMPORTANCE OF
He was well-known for an excessive
GEORGE’S COMING OUT
lifestyle, and, despite having a long-
term partner, had an open relationship TWO DECADES AGO.
and enjoyed sex with other men. It’s no IMAGINE JUSTIN BIEBER
secret that he smoked marijuana and BEING BUSTED CRUISING
took other recreational drugs. These FOR COCK IN A TOILET
are facts that don’t differentiate him
AND MAGNIFY THAT BY 10”
from many other gay men.
Only this man was a famous musician
— one of the UK’s most successful jaw-dropping stuff when you break
male artists ever — and a trailblazer for that down to only 1.37 men a week.
young gay pop stars today. [Files nails].
In terms of losing music icons, last But he was more than just a
year was brutal. I mourned the loss of “chemsex-loving, convention-
David Bowie for his artistry, lamented challenging Bad Gay”. George was a
the passing of Prince for his gender- XV_fZ_VZWhV]]eRZ]`cVUcVSV]ReYVRce
ÎfZUZUV_eZejR_U^fdZTR]]VXRTjeYV one who fearlessly challenged the rules
Eighties stuff, mostly), and even had society told him to play by. Journalist
R^`^V_e`WcVÎVTeZ`_W`c=V`_RcU Kahron Spearman wrote how the
Cohen’s darkly poetic soul. Yet it is black community embraced his
the death of George Michael that music. Without George paving the
resonated with me most. way for white male R&B artists to
I connected with him on so many be taken seriously, there would
levels. My older sister was a huge fan; be no Timberlake and no Bieber. He
I experienced his early music through
her. His father was Greek Cypriot.
Snap! I also grew up the son of Greek CLIFF hRda`aÄdÍcdeaZ_fae`T`^V`fe
and made it OK for gay artists to be
sex symbols: Olly Alexander and Troye

JOANNOU
Cypriot immigrants and had the Sivan owe him a huge debt.
weight of cultural expectation to work At the height of his fame, after the
through. Years later, fate would have Faith album, he bowed out of celebrity.
it I even ended up on an internship The US media never forgave him for
h`c\Z_XZ_eYVacVdd`WÍTVReGZcXZ_ forsaking its vaunted limelight. In the
Records after he released Older, his The death of George Michael is harder early Nineties he refused to appear in
third solo album. It’s little wonder I music videos, which did nothing to
related to George’s story above Bowie,
to take than all the other losses last year stop him selling records.
Prince and the other dearly departed. George was blasted for challenging
Then there was the “gay” thing. It’s compilation, released just the idea of British and American
easy to dismiss the importance of his arrest, would go on T`]]fdZ`_RYVRU`WeYV:cRbhRchZeY
George’s coming out two decades ago han 15 million copies. the Shoot The Dog video. Today, the
in the context of today’s more open- tabloids threw at him media would wholeheartedly agree
minded entertainment industry. e his mainstream appeal. hZeYYZ^DVVYZd92C5ER]\Z_eVcgZVh
Imagine Justin Bieber being s sporadic musical output, from 2003 on YouTube). But this was
busted cruising for cock in usewives who were once _`eeYVÍcdeeZ^V8V`cXVdY`hVUR
R_=2e`Z]Ve [insert happy es of screaming teenage rebellious streak. The lead single from
face!] and magnify that by continued to buy his Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1 was a bold
10 and you might have sic. Tours sold out. And move for a big pop star. And Outside
the smallest semblance e gays had a new king at hRdRYfXV7F4<J@Fe`eYV=2a`]ZTV
of the furore that he top of the pop world. How did he die? Did his pneumonia
surrounded George Yet he was a divisive in 2011 have long-term implications
Michael’s 1998 ÍXfcV W`c eYV bfVVc for his health? Had he damaged his
bust. The tabloids community. George body through years of drug abuse? It’s
hounded him ÎZaaVU eYV ^ZUU]V Í_XVc not our truth to know.
relentlessly. His heteronormativity in He may have left us too soon; I would
sexuality was put under ersonal life, choosing to love to have him still here to one day
homophobia-fuelled scrutiny ing. He freely discussed enjoy new music. But in every choice
by the very same papers that se, hung out with male he made, in every scandal that broke,
recently carried emotive d used hook-up apps. George embraced his outsider status
obituaries, mourning his loss. y Star “sensationally” and lived the way he wanted,
FEX FEATURES

Yet despite headlines that e story of how he slept unapologetically, to the very end.
decried him a “pervert”, his men in seven years. Hardly 4Y``dV=ZWV

20 MARCH 2017
 INTERVIEW

{ Q & A }

NEVER
GOING
UNDERGROUND the North West region to bring the
pieces together to form the exhibition.
ETS OUT TO Items have come from personal
LE ABOUT OUR PAST BUT collections as well as from cultural
institutions. As a result, things that
A ARE US FOR UPCOMING BATTLES,
have never been seen by members
S S COMMUNITY CURATOR KIRSTY JUKES of the public before will feature
alongside pieces of art, historical
How much of creativity have been the driving forces artefacts, photography and a couple
the Never Going behind the vision for LGBT+ equality of recognisable pieces from pop
Underground and these are what the exhibition culture. The exhibition also covers a
campaign has been draws upon. vast time period — the oldest piece on
forgotten or ignored Why is it important for LGBT+ people display being court records from 1625
by mainstream media to remember their political history? through to the present day.
and LGBT+ people? To make progress in times such as :e dVV^d e` ]RT\ eYV ac`Í]V `W dRj
The Never Going Underground these, it is very important to remember the Gay Liberation Front. Why do you
phrasing was used by the North West where we came from. Resting on the think this is?
Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Equality achievements of others and being The main difference between the
(NWCLGE) and adopted as a symbol complacent never works. And, as we NWCLGE and the Gay Liberation Front
SITTING PRETTY:
for its campaign against Section 28. A painting at the have seen from the ongoing backlash is that the former is local to the North
This was at a national march, rally and exhibition, and above against all sections of the LGBT+ West of England whereas the latter is a
left, the museum, and
festival in Manchester on 20 February a vintage equality community, we still have a way to go. global movement originating in the US.
1988. At that time it was huge, but poster, above right But if we learn our politics, we arm This means that the cultural and
for younger LGBT+ people, accessible `fcdV]gVd e` ÍXYe WfefcV `aacVddZ`_d historical impact of the latter is
resources about this and other intelligently. stronger because it has been visible to
movements are not as readily available From where have you sourced the more people. However, this exhibition
as they should be. So it’s a question exhibition? aims to support the preservation and
of re-education and we hope that this The exhibition focuses on the stories, presence of the UK’s — and in
exhibition and other events that the themes and issues of the UK’s LGBT+ particular the North West’s — role in
People’s History Museum has planned community. We’ve done extensive eYV ÍXYe W`c =83E cZXYed
will help to do that. research both nationally and within
What can visitors expect to see? The exhibition runs from 25 February
Visitors will be able to see a varied until 3 September, from 10am to
YZde`cj`W=83EcZXYedR_UeYVÍXYe
“If we learn our politics, we can arm 5pm, at the People’s History Museum,
for them. Protest, representation, ourselves for the future. Resting on the Manchester. Suggested donation £5.
visibility, solidarity, a shared voice and achievements of others never works” phm.org.uk

MARCH 2017 21
22 MARCH 2017
 INTERVIEW

I loved Multiple Maniacs and was

surprised at how laugh-out-loud
funny it is.
To some! There are other people who
hVcVY`ccZÍVUSjZeJ`fÄcVhReTYZ_X
ZeZ_ReZ^VTRadf]V_`hR_UZeÄd
UZWÍTf]ee`Z^RXZ_VSfeZehRdReeYV
V_U`WeYVYZaaZVjVRcdd`eYVaV`a]V
hY`hV_ee`dVVZeeYZdhRdRXRZ_de
VgVcjeYZ_XeYVjSV]ZVgVUZ_3feeYV
`_]jeYZ_XeYRecVR]]jUReVdZeZdZ_
eYV4RgR]TRUV`WAVcgVcdZ`_eYVcVÄdR
eYZ_XhYVcVRh`^R_hR]\dRc`f_U
R_UdRjdÁ9R^SfcXVcdRU`]]RcÂEYRe
hRddfaa`dVUe`SVd`ViaV_dZgV
We all feel as if we know eYReZehRdR[`\VSfej`fTR_ÄeXVeR
director JOHN WATERS. YR^SfcXVcW`cRU`]]RcZ_eYV]`hVde
_VZXYS`fcY``UZ_3R]eZ^`cV_`hD`
From Pink Flamingos to eYReR_UeYVWRTeeYVcVRcVeh`RTefR]
the original Hairspray, his bfVVcdR_Ue`dVVeYV^\ZddZ_XhRd
eYRedY`T\Z_XeYReaV`a]Vh`f]UaRje`
´OPVVKRZKLPWREHD dVVZe?`heYReÄd`_dZeT`^d
unique artist with a unique If you were to do a Cavalcade of
Perversion now, who would be in
life. But for several decades it? Then you had queers, junkies,
WKHUH­VEHHQDPLVVLQJOLQNLQ pornographers, sluts…
:eh`f]UUVaV_USVTRfdVZeÄdd`
his story — and it’s only now UZWWVcV_eEcf^ah`f]USVZ_^j
WKDWLW­V´QDOO\FRPLQJWROLJKW aVcd`_R]Y`fdV`WY`cc`cd3fe_`
`_Ve`URjh`f]U[fUXVR_j`_VZ_eYRe
WORDS: MATT CAIN // PHOTOGRAPHS: LEON CSERNOHLAVEK
WcVR\dY`h:eÄda`]ZeZTR]]jZ_T`ccVTe
e`U`eYRe7Zcde`WR]]eYVjU`_ÄeVgV_
JOHN WATERS’ FILMS^RjSV YRgVWcVR\dY`hdZ_2^VcZTR_`h:
R_RcTYZTR_UR_XcjSfeZ_aVcd`_ fdVUe`X`e`cVR]WcVR\dY`hdhYV_:
eYV^R_YZ^dV]WZddaRc\jR_U hRdj`f_XR_UdVVeYV`Te`afd^R_,
daZcZeVU9VÄdTYRc^Z_XT`^aR_j SRdZTR]]jZehRdaV`a]VhZeYSZceY
R_UVRXVce`eV]]fdeYReYVÄdR]`_X UVWVTedR_UeYVWRe]RUjhY`YRUR
eVc^dfSdTcZSVce`Attitude ÀR_U dVaRcReVeV_e:ehRd[fdeRSZXh`^R_
RYfXVWR_ dVV^Z_X]jR]hRjdRS]RT\h`^R_Z_R
HVÄcV^VVeZ_Xe`UZdTfddeYVcVcV]VRdV a`]\RU`eUcVdddZeeZ_X`_RW`]UZ_X
`WYZddVT`_UWVRefcVÍ]^Multiple TYRZcZ_ReV_eZ_eYVUZcehZeYSVVd
ManiacshYZTYhRd^RUVZ_"*(!Sfe Rc`f_U2_USRdZTR]]jVgVcjS`UjV]dV
YRdSVV_YZUUV_RhRjVgVcdZ_TV h`f]UX`Z_R_USVd`faeZXYeSVTRfdV
7VRefcZ_Xg`^ZeVReZ_XTR__ZSR]Zd^ dYVÄU[fdeX]RcVReeYV^R_UeYVjÄU[fde
R_UR_R_R]dVidTV_VZ_g`]gZ_Xc`dRcj ]VRgV¿Sfe:h`f]UdeRj
SVRUdeYVÍ]^W`]]`hdeYV4RgR]TRUV`W D`UZUj`fWVV]R_RWÍ_ZejhZeYeYV
AVcgVcdZ`_RecRgV]]Z_XWcVR\dY`hafe`_ freaks?
SjRec`faV`WaVcW`c^VcdEYVZcdY`T\Z_X JVd:]Z\VUeYV^R]]2_U:hRd
R_eZTdRcVe`aaVU`_]jSjeY`dV`WeYVZc WRdTZ_ReVUSjZe3fee`URjhYReZdZe
]VRUVc+R_Rde`_ZdYZ_X]jT`_ÍUV_eR_UdV]W eYReR]]d`TZVejh`f]UaRje`dVVeYReÄd
RddfcVU5ZgZ_VhY`Äd`feW`cS]``URWeVc d`YZUV`fd0EYVcVÄd_`dfTYeYZ_X:eÄd
UZdT`gVcZ_XYVc^R_ZdTYVReZ_X`_YVc R]cVRUjSVV_Via]`ZeVUeYVcVÄd_`eYZ_X
DeRccZ_X^R_j`WHReVcdÄ^fTY]`gVUcVXf]Rc ]VWeeYReh`f]USVZ_eYVcV
RTe`cdMultiple ManiacsZddYR^V]Vdd]jc`fXY But don’t you think in any society
Rc`f_UeYVVUXVd,eYVTR^VcRW`]]`hZ_XeYV there’ll always be a need for a
RTeZ`_R]hRjddVV^de`SV`_VdeVaSVYZ_UZe common enemy or common freaks to
eYVcVRcVd`^VeVccZS]VTfedR_USRUd`f_UR_U draw everyone else together?
eYVRTe`cdcVXf]Rc]jW`cXVeeYVZc]Z_Vd3feZe^R\Vd HV]]VgVcj`_VhR_ede`SVR_`fedZUVc
W`cWRdTZ_ReZ_XWf_gZVhZ_XÀR_UdeR_UdRdR_ _`h¿ÀeYReÄdhYj:dRj:hR_ee`SV
R_RcTYZdeZT^RdeVcT]RddSjR_RceZdehY`Äd^RUVR R_Z_dZUVcEYVh`cUWcVR\hRdfdVU
TRcVVc`fe`WeVdeZ_XeYV]Z^Zed`WeRdeV faR_Ude`]V_[fde]Z\VeYVjfdVUeYV ›
N-word and we use “queer.” It was a you like to stay separate — as an
word that was used against you and individual.
eYV_j`fV^ScRTVUZe2_UZedVV^de` No, no, no, I’m not saying that. I’m
^VÀRe]VRdeZ_d`^VT`]]VXVdÀZeÄd saying that within the gay world I like
not gay people but straight people that there are the radical ones who
who should be picketing. I always say I U`_ÄeÍeZ_2_UeYV^Z_`cZeZVdeYRe
hR_ee`YRgVeYVYVeVc`AcZUVaRcRUV U`_ÄeÍeZ_eYVZc`h_^Z_`cZeZVdYRgV
Z_Ac`gZ_TVe`h_LZ_>RddRTYfdVeedN always been my audience. The ones
because they are the minority now. who were a little embarrassed when
5`j`feYZ_\eYVcVÄdSVV_RUcZgV they were so accepted by their culture.
e`hRcUdYVeVc`_`c^ReZgZejR^`_XXRj :ed`f_Ud]Z\VcReYVceYR_Í_UZ_X
aV`a]VcVTV_e]j0:^VR_ZeÄdXcVReeYRe j`fcecZSVhZeYXRjaV`a]Vj`fW`f_U
hVTR_XVe^RccZVUR_UYRgV\ZUd¹ j`fcecZSVhZeYWcVR\dR_UWfT\fad
It is and I campaigned for it but I don’t d`^V`WhY`^hVcVXRj
want that for myself because there’s You’re right. I was the host of a punk
XRjUZg`cTVR_UXRjR]Z^`_j2_U:Ä^ c`T\WVdeZgR]eYZdjVRcZ_@R\]R_URe
e```]UL(!Ne`YRgVTYZ]UcV_ the same time the gay march was in
But do you think we used to have a San Francisco. I felt more at home
daVTZR]deRefdRdXRj^V_eYRehVÄcV with the punks because a gay march in
Z_UR_XVc`W]`dZ_X0 San Francisco, it’s hardly as if they’re
Well I always liked outlaws, whether `gVcT`^Z_X^fTY2_UeYVaf_\
they be straight or gay. I taught in h`c]UÄdR]hRjdSVV_f_UVcT`gVcXRj
acZd`_R_U:deZ]]gZdZeaV`a]VZ_acZd`_ down-low gay. It’s a great place for
I always liked outlaws. angry gay people and fat girls to hide.
5ZUj`f]Z\VSVZ_XR_`fe]Rh0 7ReXZc]dYRgVSVV_XcVRee`^VÀR_U:
JVdTVceRZ_]j:UZU3feeYVÍcdeeZ^V U`_Äe^VR_eYRe_VXReZgV]jReR]]
I went to a gay bar I walked in and I EYVcVÄdR]hRjdSVV_R_RWÍ_Zej
thought, “I might be queer but I ain’t SVehVV_WReXZc]dhY`hVcVdVV_Rd
eYZdÀZeÄdd`dbfRcVÂ:hR_eVUXRj WcVR\dR_UXRjdhY`hVcVR]d`dVV_
Bohemia and I still want it. RdWcVR\d:h`_UVchYVeYVceYReÄd
5`j`feYZ_\ZeÄd^`cVUZWÍTf]ee` X`Z_Xe`ScVR\U`h_RSZe_`h
Í_U_`h0 But there are two types of fag hags.
Well what’s happening now, at least :]`gVWRXYRXdhY`YRgVdecRZXYe
Z_2^VcZTRZdeYVcVRcV_ÄecVR]]jR_j boyfriends. I don’t like fag hags who
gay bars any more, which is progress. think they are going to change you.
Because the young people don’t want There are healthy fag hags; I still
Ze:eÄd]Z\VYRgZ_XRS]RT\SRc,hYj SV]ZVgVeYReXRj^V_R_UdecRZXYe
would they want to be with people just h`^V_TR_^R\VeYVgVcjSVdeWcZV_Ud
]Z\VeYV^02_UZW:ÄgVR_ja`]ZeZTdZeÄd 3fe:Rg`ZUeYV\Z_UhY`WR]]Z_]`gV
against separatism. I want to hang with with you and pine and are suicidal
all my friends. SVTRfdVeYVjÄcVZ_]`gVhZeYRXRj^R_
I_eVcVdeZ_X]jj`fÄgV[fdedRZUj`f There’s a real intensity there I’ve
U`_ÄehR_edVaRcReZd^Sfej`fÄgV R]hRjdeY`fXYeZ_eVc^d`W_`e
R]d`dRZUj`fU`_Äe]Z\VZ_eVXcReZ_X SV]ZVgZ_XeYVjUVdVcgV]`gV`cSVZ_X
e``WcZXYeV_VUe`YRgVRdecRZXYe^R_
hY`T`f]URTefR]]j]`gVeYV^
:eÄd]Z\VRXRj^R_hY`WR]]dZ_]`gV
hZeYdecRZXYe^V_hY`TR_Äe]`gVeYV^
back. It’s the same thing.
2Sd`]feV]jDaVR\Z_X`W_`eWVV]Z_X
ReY`^VhZeYeYVS]R_UXRjdhYV_
UZUj`fdeRceWVV]Z_XReY`^VhZeY
eYVZUVR`WSVZ_XXRjZedV]W05ZUj`f
R]hRjd\_`hj`fhVcVXRj0
I think you’re born with it. It’s like
SVZ_XS]`_U`cYRgZ_XS]fVVjVd:

“It’s not gay people but straight people who should be

picketing. I always say I want to have the hetero Pride
parade in Provincetown because they are the minority”
24 MARCH 2017
 INTERVIEW

But it was such an extreme rebellion

for what sounds like quite an
inoffensive upbringing.
Yeah, my parents always wondered
why am I so weird. They weren’t that
horrible!
ODD BODS: John So was it somehow in you anyway, in
with Divine, and,
below left, a scene
your DNA?
from the anarchic Well, I was born almost two months
Multiple Maniacs early. So I was baptised too much,
because of Original Sin. They
thought I was going to die so I think
:X`eSRaeZdVURS`feÍgVeZ^VdEYVj
always knew something was different accepted Original Sin, which is the
about me. But it took me a while to worst idea I have ever heard, the
realise this, because you’re raised, meanest religious idea: that a child is
certainly in the 1950s, with the born guilty. People should really be
opposite of that kind of thing. shut down for saying that.
You know there’s all this talk It’s interesting that you’re saying this
today about gay shame and self- with a smile on your face because if
loathing, did you ever feel you were you look at Multiple Maniacs, there’s
disgusting? Or did you revel in your so much anger.
disgustingness? At the Catholic Church? Yes.
I knew that no one else was obsessed So where did that anger come from?
by and interested in the stuff I was. I Because my mother was Catholic, but
learned that very early. Did I revel in it? my father wasn’t, so I had to go to
I can’t say I was that brave. It was not Sunday School where they sent kids
traumatic but, to get strong, everybody who they knew didn’t go to Catholic
needs to go through a little of that school. The nuns there were really
when they’re young. mean. They used to tell us our parents
You know on RuPaul’s Drag Race they were going to hell. Stuff that they
do that thing when they show the should be arrested for, basically.
queens photos of what they were like The Catholic thing is interesting
RdÍgVjVRc`]US`jdR_URd\eYV^e` SVTRfdVj`fTR_ÎfdYZe`feSfeZe
say something to them? What would never really goes away, does it?
j`fdRje`j`fcÍgVjVRc`]UdV]W0 It’s the only thing that still makes me
I would tell that kid: “Keep being angry.
interested in what you are, keep being So nothing else makes you angry
obsessed about things, keep going these days?
with what you like.” I was lucky that The Pope makes me angrier than
I had parents who weren’t terrible Trump because he hasn’t changed
about that. You know, they tried to anything; beware the pat on the back,
understand. My parents made me feel it might hold you back. But I do hate
safe. That’s why I’m here today. Trump, I’m in shock like everyone else.
Where do you think your desire Obviously, it’s terrible that he’s been
to shock and transgress social elected but do you think there could
boundaries came from? Was it a be a silver lining in that it could be
simple tale of rebellion against a an exciting time for the arts? In that
straight-laced upbringing? it might radicalise people again and
Yeah, I think it was. Because I used to artists will have something to get
write these horror stories at camp and ÍcVUfaRS`fe0
I read them and the kids would freak Let’s see if they will. Because that’s
out and the parents would call the youth’s duty. The problem is, Trump’s
camp and complain. I put fake blood too easy to make fun of. And he got the
in my puppet shows. My shrink said wrong people angry. He got the
my parents were the fuel that I ran powerless people angry — because
on. I was raised, as I jokingly say, in those people didn’t have anything until
the tyranny of good taste. And so that now. Today they run the country.
was how I rebelled. But I couldn’t have
done that if I didn’t know the rules of Multiple Maniacs is released on
good taste. 17 February

MARCH 2017 25
 OPINION

MAWAAN
RIZWAN
ERIC RUTHERFORD THE
DASHING AMERICAN
WHO’S SHOWING THE
FASHION WORLD HOW
The night bus provides you with all your creature discomforts TO BE FABULOUS IN
YOUR FORTIES

THERE ARE SO MANY weird “NOT EVEN PASSIVE-AGRESSIVE TUTTING

creatures on night buses, even
Sir David Attenborough would be
STOPS THE FAST-FOOD HUNTER FORCING
nonplussed. Seeing as I spend a lot of OTHERS TO WITNESS CHICKEN BEING
time on them, I’m fully accustomed DEVOURED DOWN TO THE BARE BONES”
to wild and territorial passengers. So
here’s my survival guide for when you ¤ The fast-food hunter
encounter one. They’ll make the entire bus witness the
sight of bits of chicken being devoured
¤ The open book down to the bare bones. So fearless
A rare but recognisable species — and determined are these carnivores
often with a mobile phone attached to that even passive aggressive tutting
Mr Rutherford is the very
one ear. Also known as the yap-yaps won’t work on them. definition of silver fox
or “jeez, use your indoor voice. rvival tip: If you can’t beat them,
are incredibly generous with pe in them. Start a Tupperware party,
information and totally obliviou ing a folding table and set up your
volume control. These mamma n little catering corner.
strong parental instincts. I once The drunk homophobe
a female say: “You’re just not th ten known as the ignorantis
of guy I’d like to get pregnant w gotus, this poor beast is very easily
I’d get a puppy with you.” hreatened and often compensates by
Survival tip: Totally eavesdrop. airing its views in public. Sometimes
Treat it as you would a quirky Ze VgV_ XVed Í]^VU R_U X`Vd gZcR] `_
observational doc on Channel 4 YouTube. For other bus inhabitants
¤ The unwanted DJ t can be uncomfortable and scary.
Known to cause tension among urvival tip: 5`_Äe WVVU eYV ÍcV Sj
the pack. They have a tendency tacking the predator. It’s much
He’s so hot he even makes sexy
to forget their headphones so p ore useful to interact with the prey.
Oliver Cheshire look average
their music out loud, because t arting a friendly conversation with
survival depends on hearing th em will let them know they are not
latest chart songs. one and reduce their fear. Failing
Survival tip: Ask them if they d is, become an unwanted DJ. Nothing
requests. How about Enya? nfuses a bigot like Orinoco Flow
¤ The button addict aying out of tinny phone speakers.
Buses are not their natural hab The creepy observer who’s making
so they can often panic and otes for his Attitude column
keep pressing the stop button hese knobheads are everywhere and
unnecessarily. Fear of missing t ere is no survival tip!
stop makes them behave in pec t’s a jungle out there but the night
ways and fall victim to their us can be a good way to see a rich
eYf^S cVÎViVd pestry of beings from different
Survival tip: The most satisfyin ackgrounds interacting with each
reaction I’ve witnessed was wh ther — an antidote to the pockets of And naked. Well. Obviously he
female OAP stood up and yelled mono-culture that cities often does naked SO.DAMN.GOOD.
an obsessive button pusher: “O romote. If you can dodge the puke
is enough.” Two words came to and survive the madness, it’s a world @mr.rutherford
mind: Yas. Queen. In the end, worth appreciating. And it’s cheaper
the addict actually missed her an an Uber.
stop. And then turned into The
Incredible Hulk. MawaanR

26 MARCH 2017
 NEWS

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MARCH 2017 27
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With a moving cover, extra
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 OPINION

To hell with
being able
to move
faster than
a speeding
bullet or
turn yourself
into a ball of
µDPHVLEO
RICHARDSON
would rather
be Britman

LEO IN
LA LA LAND

Brit in LA, I’ve learned, makes you difference. For all people know, you’re
a novelty. A lot of people love your posh as fuck. I was once asked if I knew
accent, but it also stops them from Prince Harry and could have got away
getting to know you in any real way. with saying yes if I’d wanted… I’m sure
You’re “the British guy” and it kind he hangs out with loads of people from
of ends there. “Say something in your Croydon.
accent,” you’ll be asked a lot. ¤You’re going to sound smart. An
:eR]d`^VR_dj`fÄcVX`Z_Xe`Í_U extension of the above, really. I got an
yourself, at some point, stuck at a party N, a U, a D and an E on my A-Levels
talking to someone while they try to and was convinced it was a sign I
WE’VE ALL ASKED OURSELVES the remember which neighbourhood they should work in porn. I’m certainly
question but if you could have any stayed in when they visited the UK. not an academic but somehow being
super power, what would it be? The They can’t because they were 15 at British makes anyone sound smarter,
strength to launch a Nissan Sunny at the time, and you really don’t care, so ham it up.
your worst enemy? Shoot webs of jizz but we’re all so f**king polite, so you ¤You’ll get discounts. If you’re
from your hands and dangle in front POWER STRANGER: go along with it. But that can happen really willing to whore yourself out,
of people’s windows while they get Leo reckons having anywhere, right? certain words, such as “please” and
a British accent in
undressed? America is a special Anyway, pretty hurts, blah, blah, blah “thank you” sound way more elegant
Or maybe you’d choose to be ability but whether but, on the whole, being a Brit in LA in a British accent. I was recently
Cheetos’ breath helps
invisible so you can hang out with is open to question
(or anywhere in the USA) is a great having brunch at a restaurant and the
Ryan Reynolds all day, without fawning experience. waiter gave me 10 per cent off my bill
all over him. So, I wanted to put together a little because he liked my accent and “I was
:ÄU]Z\Ve`SVRS]Ve`ÎjSVTRfdV:YRgV list of the “blessings,” in the hope of so nice.” This said, I’m always good to
Virgin Upper Class taste but Ryanair helping you, my British friends, when waiters because I used to be one.
money. Think how much cash you’d you visit my second home. So here ¤Last, and best of all: you are going
save if you didn’t have to pay for trains, goes. to get laid! If, like me, you grew up
planes and taxis. with a boner for Zack from Saved by the
Anyway, unfortunately, I don’t ¤Class is left behind. If you’re like Bell, then clearly you have a severe
have any of those super powers and I me, and your accent is way more Adele weakness for Americans — and the
presume you don’t either. But I do have than it is Benedict Cumberbatch, don’t feeling is often mutual. Whether you’re
another one — and it’s one that only worry — no one in the US can tell the genuinely cute and/or charming, or
works in America. just an item to be ticked off on
I have a British accent. “IF, LIKE ME, YOU GREW UP WITH A someone’s bucket list, who cares? Your
OK, it’s kind of shit compared with BONER FOR ZACK, FROM SAVED BY British milkshake will bring all the
some of the above but it’s something, boys to the yard. So get out there and
THE BELL, THEN CLEARLY YOU HAVE A
and I like to compare it to a super enjoy your second-rate super power!
power because, as all superheroes
SEVERE WEAKNESS FOR AMERICANS
know, it’s a blessing and a curse. — AND THE FEELING IS OFTEN MUTUAL. Twitter: @leo_richardson
Yes, the struggle is real. Being a SO YOU ARE GOING TO GET LAID” instagram.com/leo_richardson

MARCH 2017 29
 SAV E £ 29
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 OPINION
VALENTINE’S DAY
If you’re in a
relationship, treat
him well! If you’re
single… it’s the best
night of the year to
hit a gay bar

PAUL FLYNN
UP TOM HARDY
AS BOND
Come on Babs
Broccoli: we
wanna be
shaken not Swapping all the slimming tips of the stars for mental
stirred!
gymnastics has taken a huge weight off my mind
GOLDFRAPP
New music on the
JANUARY 2017 has come and gone,
way! We’ve heard it “A SLY INNER MONOLOGUE TELLS ME I’LL DIE
and it’s gorge and I’m looking at the lonely DVD
stand in Tesco. Most of the discs
YOUNGER THAN THOSE GEORDIE LASSES
DAME ANNA are cheap and star affable, relatable WHO TRIUMPHED OVER THEIR UPBRINGING”
WINTOUR TV]VScZeZVdcVRUj e` a`T\Ve eYV ac`Íed
Fashion royalty of persuading us all how easy it is to YR]W_R\VUTYR_XZ_Xc``^dV]ÍVd`_
earns The Queen’s lose weight — a deception I’ve never Instagram. This mental tussle then
respect. (She has
quite bought into. expands as a sly inner monologue
the other queens on
There is Scarlett from Gogglebox in tells me I’ll die younger than those
her side already)
Xj^hVRcacVR_Ua`de^fWÍ_e`a lovely Geordie lasses who betrayed
2017 OPTIMISM makeover. Next to her is Charlotte R_UecZf^aYVU`gVceYVZc^VReR_U
We’re not giving up Geordie Shore Crosby, promising a potatoes upbringings to get a waistline.
on this one yet eYcVV^Z_feVSf^S]ZekÀh`cUdeYRe Finally, I totter off to buy cat food,
are likely to be misinterpreted round bleach and other domestic essentials.
these parts. ut will wait another year.
7`ceYV^`cV^Rec`_]jR I get home, on every news
aged (me, I guess) there is re is a bulletin about men
{ U P & D OW N } Kelly looking yogic, much h my exact habits falling
WHAT WE’RE ROCKING than she was. Lest this be `heYReZW5R__j5jVc
AND BLOCKING a woman thing, YouTube `ceYReÍeViTcZT\VeVc
and living advert for what _XjVgVccV]VRdVRÍe_Vdd
hZeYeYV^`debfR_eZÍRS]j buy it. I spy an open
aspects of being young, m `c^V_^jRXVZ]]dVcgVU
heterosexual, Joe Wicks is neurotic body industry
THE OSCARS
muscles tightened. omises to impart so many
It’s just not the same
I cannot rid myself of th al, transformational secrets
without Joan Rivers.
Amy Schumer… time feeling that but for the ch `ceTfeeZ_XeYVd]Zac`RUe`
to step up hashtags this could be 198 tiveness.
They could all be demente calming thought that
THERESA MAY ScVR\WRdeEGaZaVT]VR_Vc Pratt was so much hotter
IN VOGUE =ZkkZVEYVd`_XcV^RZ_de Parks and Recreation years,
What next, Melania same. he was carrying his extra
Trump in Good Collectively, there is a ki er, before Hollywood got its
Housekeeping?
of demonic energy to their ^Zeed`_YZ^R_UdeRceVU
determination, bound only ng him against any of his
SLUT SHAMING
It’s always the ones Sj=jTcReVVeYhYZeV_Z_X _RefcR]cVÎViVdR_UZ_e`
not getting any who apparatus and a soundtrac t, begins to dissipate.
wag their fingers ^``UV_YR_TZ_Xec`aZTR] e ravaged by the real
remixes. It makes me winc hat dancing, one of the two
BODY SHAMING I stay until I am itchy at m activities I genuinely enjoy,
Like slut aversion to being told to d make me look like Ed Balls
shaming but lessons, of my own accord gnam Style, only balder
worse. Stop
living room, by someone f dV]WT`_dTZ`fd:deRce
right now! Thank
reality TV show or the int mum saying: “You look
you very much!
DOWN :YRgVeYVdR^VÍgV^Z_ ds that barely disguise their
REALITY existential crisis I have eve y Northern transposition —
We have decided the one where the voice in k fat.”
we exist in a David that says, “who can be bot on the sofa, open a good
Lynch-inspired with all that?” gently snugg k and a bag of crisps, pour
dystopian parallel up against the actual boili f fortifying Pinot, and do
universe. Which fear of turning into the me thing I do at this time
might explain
kind of desperado, in his ear. January 2018 it is for
our optimism
forties, who wants to put hÍe_VddcVXZ^V¹

MARCH 2017 31
 INTERVIEW

Six years ago

Jamie Campbell
shocked his school
friends by turning
up to prom in
drag. Almost
immediately,
the BBC made
a documentary
about the teenager
from County
Durham. Now
his story is being
turned into
a musical
WORDS: JUNO DAWSON
PHOTOGRAPHS: VICTOR HENSEL-COE

WHEN JAMIE
JAMIE CAMPBELL WAS ONLY 16 YEARS OLD
when he caused a commotion by going to his
school prom in full drag. Six years and one BBC
documentary later, his story has been adapted
into a musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,
featuring original songs by The Feeling’s Dan
Gillespie Sells.
;R^ZVZda]RjVU`_deRXVReDYVWÍV]UÄd4cfTZS]V
Theatre, by John McCrea but, although the actor
has spent years developing the role, he has never
met the real-life inspiration behind it. Until now.
:[`Z_;R^ZVR_UÁ;R^ZVÂW`ceYReÍcde^VVeZ_X
ahead of opening night. We meet for an early-
morning coffee at the Ku Bar in Soho and I walk
into what feels like a slightly awkward Tinder date:
John knows Jamie probably as well as Jamie knows
himself.
2]]eYcVV`WfdRcVRSZeXc`XXjR_UUVÍ_ZeV]j
cVRUjW`ceYVÍcdeT`WWVV`WeYVURjHYZ]VeYVj
both seem a little tentative, luckily “real Jamie”
isn’t at a loss for words. “Drag back then,” he says,

32 MARCH 2017
 “especially where I am from in County
Durham, was looked down on, but I just
really wanted to do it. It’s where Billy
Elliot was set, so you can imagine...”
The parallels between actual Jamie
R_UÍTeZ`_R]TYZ]UUR_TVc3Z]]jRcV_ÄeR
million miles apart — both are northern,
both working-class, both born to be
WRSf]`fd3fe3Z]]jÄdÁdVTcVeÂhRd_`e
revealed anywhere near as dramatically
as Jamie’s.
The prom was his debut outing in
drag, and he says: “What better way
to tell everyone you want to be a drag
queen than to do it at a spectacular
occasion?”
3feWc`^hYVcVUZUd`^V`_Vd`j`f_X
draw inspiration? “I loved The Adventures
of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. That was
^jÍcdeV_T`f_eVchZeYUcRX`_Í]^
but I was inspired by the old-school drag
in the clubs. That’s what it’s like up
there. You’d
go on holiday

MET “JAMIE”
and see drag
acts. It was
fabulous. I’d
done drag in
the house —
dressing up in
mum’s clothes and trying make-up, but
only a couple of people knew.”
Jamie, today wearing a divine candy
pink and denim ensemble, exudes
T`_ÍUV_TVSfe:TR_`_]jZ^RXZ_VeYV
courage it must have taken school-age
Jamie to rock up in a frock.
Á:hRdRSd`]feV]jaVecZÍVU:ÄUdVe
myself up for a fail. I worried that I
wasn’t even going to get in, I thought I’d
get turned away. I wasn’t expecting the
reaction I got, with everyone coming up
to me and supporting me. It took me
aback,” he says.
;R^ZVcVRTYVU`fee`eYV334SVTRfdV
he felt telling his story might help
others. “I thought if I could help even
one other person, it was worth being
a martyr,” he laughs. “They came and
made the documentary and it was what
it was.”
The documentary, Jamie: Drag Queen at
16,RZcVU`_334$Z_#!""Á:hRdcVRUj
W`cRSRT\]RdYÂ;R^ZVcVgVR]dÁ3fe
honestly, out of thousands of messages I
received after the show, only a handful
were negative. So many people told me
I’d helped them on their journey.”
After the show aired, Jamie continued
to do drag on the club scene up north
SVW`cV^`gZ_Xe`=`_U`_Z_#!"$ ›

MARCH 2017 33
 INTERVIEW

things more dramatic for the stage.

Some things have been changed, it’s
not 100 per cent my life.”
Josie Walker will play Jamie’s mum
and, according to John, the standout
moment of the play is her song My
Boy. “We have a pseudo mother-son
relationship now,” he adds. “I think
that comes out on stage.”
Jamie’s real-life mother can hardly
believe it — the song is taken from her
words in the documentary.
When the show opens, it’ll be the
ÍcdeeZ^V;R^ZVdVVdRceZ^ZeReVYZd
life. “Opening night is gonna be
a spectacle. I’m going in drag, I’m
“Since then, I’ve become a total club bringing a
kid,” he says, adding that he frequents load of drag
Room Service and Savage. queens. We’re
Almost as soon as the documentary gonna be red-
was screened, producers approached carpet ready,”
Jamie about the possibility of turning he promises.
his story into a musical. The hope is
He immediately agreed but admits that, after a
things then went quiet for a while until four-week run
Gillespie Sells was brought onboard. Z_DYVWÍV]U
The show was initially workshopped the show will
and that’s when John, a product of the then transfer to London’s West End.
famous Sylvia Young Theatre School, “It has all the makings of a new Billy
became involved. “We did a week Elliot or Kinky Boots. All the elements
are there,” Jamie says. He is planning
to take his mum and thinks it’ll be
“It has all the makings of a new Billy Elliot or Kinky Boots. hankies all round. He hasn’t seen the
play yet, but is awestruck at the scale
All the elements are there. I thought it was going to be some shoddy, `W eYV ac`UfTeZ`_ ÁHYV_ : Ícde X`e
small-scale musical, but it’s such a big deal. It’s huge” the email, I thought it was going to be
some shoddy, small-scale musical, but
where we put together everything we The script was written by Doctor it’s such a big deal. It’s huge.”
had. About a year after that, we came Who screenwriter Tom MacRae. “Dan We wrap up the interview and
back with the show in a completely was told to write an album and Tom prepare for a photoshoot. John and
different form,” says the actor, who has was told to write a screenplay,” John Jamie share a passing resemblance but
the poise of a dancer and cheekbones explains. “So it feels very different to are polar opposites in terms of energy:
to die for. “We tweaked it, and there most musicals.” Jamie is a drag queen, gregarious and
hVcV _Vh d`_Xd EYV_ hV hVcV Í_R]]j Jamie is certainly impressed. “The bombastic; John carries himself with
ready to start rehearsals.” music is great,” he enthuses. “It’s got zen-like serenity. I can’t wait to see
John has been portraying Jamie on a bit of camp in it, obviously — it’s a how John, like Jamie, will become
and off for three years without setting musical about a drag queen — but it Cinderella in time for the prom. I
foot in front of an audience. “The really captures that time in my life.” suspect it’s going to be fabulous.
songs are great. That’s what drew To keep things fresh, Jamie has not
me to the show,” he says. “It’s a pop been involved creatively and John Everybody’s Talking About Jamie runs
musical with original songs, not just hasn’t watched the documentary. ReEYV4cfTZS]VEYVRecVDYVWÍV]UWc`^
old favourites shoe-horned in because ;`Y_ dRjd+ ÁJ`f YRgV e` Í_U R cYjeY^ *7VScfRcjf_eZ]eYVV_U`WeYV^`_eY
everyone knows them. with the character and not just do an
“Dan writes such wonderful, imitation. I couldn’t do Jamie justice
theatrical songs so it works really well that way. It’s true to Jamie’s story, but
for musical theatre.” hVÄgVTYR_XVUeYV]`TReZ`_e`DYVWÍV]U
I ask Jamie what old favourites he and brought out the relationship THE NAME ON
EVERYONE’S LIPS:
would have wanted shoe-horning in if between him and his mum. Really that Jamie caught the
it had been a jukebox musical. “Lots was at the heart of it. It’s so tender. It’s eye in drag, left, and
above, with actor
of Kylie, obviously,” he says without a actually about mothers and sons.” John McCrea and
second’s hesitation. And Jamie adds: “You have to make writer Juno Dawson

34 MARCH 2017
national w
an
ts ta
lent!

ya
student

Kat
pride #LetsTalk
tSex
with

24-26
feb
2017
london
friday: opening drinks & club night at g-a-y with £2.50 drinks
saturday daytime fes al: attitude debate on sex ed, celebrity intervie s, e music & bar,
the UK’s largest GBT+ reers fair & Katy ants talent with R au drag race star
saturday ni t: g-a-y club night with £2.50 drinks
sunday: scre ing da ti FREE
student ri
platinum sponsor: gold sponsors:
.co.uk earlybird weekend
wristband: £5
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 PRIDE
THE STUDENT BODY:
Drag Race’s Alaska
gets a helping
hand or two

{ T H E FA C T S }

¤1,600 students expected

to attend, from 130 different
universities.

¤A total of more than 10,000

students have attended in the
past.

¤60 companies and non-

profit organisations, including
Google, the RAF and the Navy,
will be looking to recruit at the
event.

GOOD WILL:

LESSON NATIONAL STUDENT PRIDE

celebrates its 12th birthday this year
and as always the weekend promises
Attitude’s Matthew
Todd interviews Will
Young at last year’s
event, and above, the
to deliver an itinerary packed with THT stall

IS MORE panels, workshops and parties, on and

around Saturday 25 February. The
event offers a safe space for the LGBT+
THE FOCUS OF THIS community to chat about issues close { T H E PA R T I E S }
YEAR’S STUDENT PRIDE to its heart. And this year will be no
IS SEX EDUCATION. BUT different, with discussions taking ¤Friday Night G-A-Y Late with
place around the theme of sex ed. Mary Mac and Camp Attack @
THERE’S ALSO Expect the occasional celebrity to pop
Heaven, with karaoke.
A LOT MORE in, too. In previous years they’ve had
Will Young opening up about porn, ¤Saturday Night G-A-Y
sex and alcohol addiction, Union J’s Jaymi Hensley discussing the coming out Heaven from 10pm onwards
witchhunt of former band mate George Shelley, and Dustin Lance Black slamming with Student Pride priority
Hollywood agents who force gay actors to stay in the closet. As proud media entry. Expect long queues!
partners, we here at Attitude thought we’d highlight a few things.

{ F I V E E V E N T S TO C H E C K O U T }

¤Sex Ed Attitude ¤YouTube panel: ¤Mock assessment ¤Sexpression workshop ¤Being me panel”:
panel: obviously we’re Check out Riydah centre: If your course is on consent: This is Talking about
leading with this one. K, Saskia and Lily, nearing an end and you’re important. There’s still no intersectionality, being
Come and listen to Fox and Owl starting to worry about compulsory sex education happy in yourself and
Attitude editor Cliff discussing landing a job, this is the taught in schools, so the multiple identities
Joannou (right) bullying, as well place to practise your come and check out these that make up the LGBT+
talk love, sex and as YouTube interview skills — with student-taught lessons, community.
the failings of as a support the help of top brands and learn how to say “no”.
current sex ed. network. including IBM and 02. studentpride.co.uk

MARCH 2017 37
 MUSIC

“YOU DON’T KNOW ME IS ABOUT

AS SASSY AS WALKING INTO
A CLUB PURSE FIRST” ALBUM REVIEWS
WORDS: ADAM DUXBURY

AUSTRA
Future Politics

¤“All I ever
wanted was to
be a gay band,” lead vocalist
Katie Stelmanis once said. But
on third album Future Politics,
the Canadian synthpop outfit
have made a record that’s
both political and overtly
queer, sitting neatly alongside
ANOHNI’s Hopelessness. And
TOP(PING) OF it’s just as beautiful. Lead single
Utopia sparkles with hope for
the future, Gaia is a climate
THE PO change call via Kraftwerk, and
standout track We Were Alive is
a lush call to arms.
JAMES BARR GORGES ON AN ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT ED SHEERAN BUFFET 20 January. 4&

VARIOUS
HAVE YOU EVER been chatting up is a little loop pedal banger that will ARTISTS
RÁY`eU`^e`aÂ`_]je`Í_U`fe"& change your dating life, if you can get Fifty Shades
minutes into the exchange that he’s over the slightly sick-in-the-mouth Darker; OST
got a wife? line: “my bedsheets smell of you”.
It’s like being at Pizza Hut. You wait Please wash them. ¤Say what you like about the
ages for the waiter to bring you that If you’re spending Valentine’s with or movie, but the first Fifty Shades
little plate so you can face palm the without bae, you’ll love the new zone- soundtrack was hotter than a
half-price bondage sale at Ann
all-you-can-eat buffet but when you get out anthem from singer-songwriter
Summers. Beyoncé is sadly
there, there’s no meat feast! queen Dua Lipa. Be The One is a fresh
absent this time, but they’ve
Luckily man-crush-everyday Ed deep house vibe and Dua’s vocals whipped out Zayn and Taylor’s
Sheeran is back with loads of new channel an ethereal heartache not breathy duet, Live Forever,
music for us to feast on and it’s his heard since Jessie Ware’s If You’re Never Nicky Minaj and Nick Jonas’
SVde^ReVcZR]jVe9VÍ_ZdYVUhcZeZ_X Gonna Move. Dua was nominated for made-for-each-other earworm
his new album ÷ while on tour in the Brits Critics’ Choice award this year Bom Bidi Bom, plus a healthy
#!"&Castle On The Hill is a coming-of- and, after playing Glastonbury and on spanking of hot new tracks by
age throwback that helps us revert to Jimmy Fallon’s show in the States last the likes of Sia and Tove Lo.
Bound to leave a mark...
TYZ]UY``U`fcÍcde\ZddR_UeYReeZ^V year, it’s pretty clear she’s Hotter than 3&
10 February
we threw up after way too many shots. Hell and getting hotter.
Someone hold my hair. Hit-maker Jax Jones has had a killer
If you’re bored of online-dating deRcee`#!"(9Zd_Vhf_UVcXc`f_U
LAURA
banter that goes exactly like this: “hey house tune with powerhouse vocalist
HOT: Main picture, MARLING
how r u?” “got pics?”... *aubergine* Dua Lipa; top, Ed Raye has already hit number one on Semper Femina
“no, I mean face pics,” then you’ll love Sheeran; above, Shazam, blown up across Europe,
Jax Jones
Shape Of You. Ed has this incredible R_Ude`c^VUe`^`cVeYR_#&!!!! ¤Releasing
ability to speak from the soul about streams. If you’re currently living your her sixth album just a month
modern-day dating, and when it comes best single life, You Don’t Know Me is after she turns 27 shows that
e`eYVÍcdeUReVYVÄd\VVaZ_XZecVR]+ about as sassy as walking into a club Marling’s productivity knows
he’s at an all-you-can-eat. The track afcdVÍcde no bounds. Gender is the
Have you ever been hot with overriding theme on this one
(the title is Latin for “always
d`^V`_V`_eYVUR_TVÎ``cSfea]`e
PSST! a woman”). The nine tracks
twist, the lights come up and all you are gorgeous, acoustic-heavy
really want is your bed? Then check observations on womanhood
out my favourite new song, Lights Out with fiercely intelligent lyrics.
South East London’s answer to Lauryn (Too Drunk). US producer DJ Katch Opener Soothing is catchy AF,
Hill, Ray BLK (which stands for building, throws down full Major Lazer trumpets Wild Fire is pure Bob Dylan,
learning, knowing) topped the BBC while Halsey delivers the most brutal and Wild Once is folk-pop at its
Music Sound Of 2017 list. Check out her cock tease ever. And if you need a trap most exquisite.
performance of My Hood, on Jools Holland. beat to hit the gym to, check out Tyga 10 March 4&
& Kanye’s new tune, Feel Me.

38 MARCH 2017
 APP
ROVED 2017
Transforms from rocker, to high chair to nursery chair or rocking chair
 FILMS
”I’m having the foie
gras, a dozen oysters
and the lobster
thermidor. What are
you getting?”

20TH CENTURY WOMEN

Annette Bening, Elle Fanning,
FYI Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup

Naomie Harris ¤:eÄd"*(*R_URdZ_X]V^`eYVc

shot her scenes decides that the best way she can
in just three be a good parent to her son is
days, in between to enlist a quirky photographer,
her promotional
RYR_Uj^R_R_UeYVS`jÄdSVde
work for Bond
MOONLIGHT FIT movie Spectre
friend to serve as role models.
Although Annette Bening has
already been nominated for four
BARRY JENKINS’ EXPLORATION OF GROWING UP @dTRcdeYZdT`f]UÍ_R]]jdVVYVc
BLACK AND GAY IN AMERICA WORKS TO PERFECTION win; she tears apart the role of
AND SHOULD CAST A LONG SHADOW OVER OTHER Dorothea in this joyful piece of
CONTENDERS THIS AWARDS SEASON feminist cinema.
10 February 4/5
WORDS: JOE PASSMORE

ALSO THIS MONTH

FILM MOONLIGHT
OF THE Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monaé, Shariff Earp, Duan Sanderson PATRIOTS DAY
MONTH
Mark Wahlberg, Michelle
¤ Divided into three separate acts, Moonlight follows the life of Chiron, a boy Monaghan, John Goodman
brought up in part by a drug dealer and his girlfriend and in part by a crack-
addicted, abusive mother. Although the issues it deals with might sound heavy ¤Taking on the tragedy of
X`Z_X eYV Í]^ Zd R h`c\ `W dfSe]Vej R_U dV_dZeZgZej R_U `_V eYRe Via]`cVd eYV eYV^V the 2013 Boston Marathon
`W Y`^`dVifR]Zej hZeYZ_ R h`c]U eYReÄd SVV_ cRcV]j Via]`cVU Z_ eYV aRde :e eV]]d bombing, this docudrama
eYV de`cj `W R S]RT\ XRj ^R_ eYReÄd d` c``eVU Z_ cVR]Zej R_U d` WRc cV^`gVU Wc`^ is a respectful and powerful
account of police commissioner
the glamour of Hollywood that it forces us to broaden our perspective on America
Ed Davis’ (Goodman) actions
and what it stands for. Although its third act may not quite hold up to the elegant
leading up to the attack, as
aVcWVTeZ`_ `W eYV Ícde eh` Moonlight Zd dZ^a]V jVe YVRceScVR\Z_X Wf]Í]]Z_X well as its aftermath. There are
and uplifting. 17 February 5/5 moments where the “Boston
is strong” approach feels a bit
heavy-handed, but it’s difficult
THE FOUNDER not to cry when the powerful
Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, narrative reaches its
John Carroll Lynch climax. 23 February 3/5

¤This traces the beginnings of FENCES

`_V`WeYVh`c]UÄd^`deZT`_ZT Denzel Washington, Viola Davis,
ScR_Ud+>T5`_R]UÄdCRj<c`T Stephen Henderson
<VRe`_RdecfXX]Z_XdR]Vd^R_
¤Denzel Washington directs
meets the McDonald brothers, and stars in this adaptation
who are running a burger bar of August Wilson’s Pulitzer
in California, and manipulates Prize-winning play about Troy
his way into a position where he Maxson, a struggling African-
can slowly gain control of the American father trying to
business. Directed by the man raise his family in working-
behind Saving Mr Banks, this class, 1950’s Pittsburgh. The
formulaic biopic wears slightly film remains stagey, but
unforgettable performances
eYZ_SfeZeÄdRdY`T\Z_XRTT`f_e
from Washington and Viola
of the dark side of the American
Davis ensure that it’s gripping
Dream and boasts a standout and touching.
performance from 10 February 4/5
<VRe`_17 February 4/5

40 MARCH 2017
 BOOKS

LIFE HANGS BY THE END OF EDDY

Édouard Louis/Harvill Secker

A THREAD ¤ ?`h RgRZ]RS]V Z_ R_ 6_X]ZdY ecR_d]ReZ`_ eYZd

Zd sU`fRcU =`fZdÄ SVdedV]]Z_X Rfe`SZ`XcRaYZTR]
_`gV] RS`fe T]Rdd gZ`]V_TV R_U dVifR]Zej
TRUE-LIFE LOOK AT GEORGIAN LONDON’S CRIMINAL Z_ 7cR_TV EYV RfeY`c hY` hRd #" hYV_
UNDERWORLD HAS ECHOES OF DICKENS AND WILDE eYV S``\ hRd Ícde afS]ZdYVU YRd hcZeeV_
R_ Z_eV_dV RTT`f_e `W ]ZWV Xc`hZ_X fa Z_
WORDS: ULI LENART 9R]]V_T`fce R gZ]]RXV Z_ eYV _`ceY `W eYV
T`f_ecj hYVcV ^R_j ]ZgV SV]`h eYV a`gVcej
]Z_V À R_U eYV S``\ cVgVR]d eYV gZ`]V_TV
BOOK THE FATAL TREE Y`^`aY`SZR R_U cRTZd^ R]ZgV Z_ d`^V RcVRd
OF THE Jake Arnott/Sceptre `W 7cR_TV e`URj EYV T`_daZTf`fd]j VWWV^Z_ReV
MONTH
S`j Z_ eYV gZ]]RXV 6UUj Xc`hd fa aRZ_Wf]]j
¤ Drawing on historical T`_dTZ`fd `W YZd UZWWVcV_TV e` eY`dV Rc`f_U
ÍXfcVd eYZd Zd R dVUfTeZgV YZ^ CZUZTf]VU dYf__VU cVXf]Rc]j RddRf]eVU
Tf__Z_X eR]V `W TcZ^V R_U UVXcRUVU j`f_X 6UUj dfWWVcd jVRcd `W
af_ZdY^V_e R_U ]`gV RSfdV R_U Yf^Z]ZReZ`_ :_eV]]ZXV_e Y`_Vde
R^`_X eYV eYZVgVd ac`deZefeVd R_U TYRc]ReR_d R_U aVcTVaeZgV eYZd Zd R_ `WeV_TYR]]V_XZ_X
`W "(#!Äd =`_U`_ =RTVU hZeY gZScR_e UVeRZ] a`cecRjR] `W eYV UVSZ]ZeReZ_X VWWVTe `W
R_U UV]ZTZ`fd]j Vg`TReZgV aVcZ`U ]R_XfRXV Z_e`]VcR_TV EYZd Zd gZeR] cRh R_U ScRgV
2c_`eeÄd Re^`daYVcZT _`gV] Zd R 9`XRceY acZ_e 2 February
T`^V e` ]ZWV :e eV]]d eYV eR]V `W ;RT\ DYVaaRcU
RaacV_eZTVefc_VUY`fdVScVR\Vc R_U YZd
]`gVc eYV _`e`cZ`fd hY`cV R_U aZT\a`T\Ve THE GOOD PEOPLE
6UXh`ceY 3Vdd+ eYV 3`__ZV R_U 4]jUV `W eYVZc Hannah Kent/Picador
URj E`XVeYVc eYVj URcV e` UVWj ;`_ReYR_
HZ]U eYV T`ccfae ÁeYZVWeR\Vc XV_VcR]Â hY` ¤ EYV X``U aV`a]V RcV eYV WRZcZVd `W :cZdY
^R_Zaf]ReVd eYV TcZ^Z_R] f_UVch`c]U ]Z\V W`]\]`cV Sfe eYVdV TcVRefcVd RcV WRc Wc`^
R afaaVeVVc 7c`^ eYV T`_UV^_VU TV]] Re SV_Vg`]V_e, R]] e`` `WeV_ eYVj RcV YRcSZ_XVcd
?VhXReV acZd`_ 3Vdd XZgVd YVc RTT`f_e `W `W RWÎZTeZ`_ R_U cfZ_ DVe Z_ 4`f_ej <Vccj Z_
Y`h dYV R_U ;RT\ W`c^VU eYV ^`de WR^`fd ")#& eYZd _`gV] eV]]d eYV de`cj `W ?‡cR hY`
TcZ^Z_R] aRce_VcdYZa `W eYV 8V`cXZR_ RXV YRd cVTV_e]j ]`de YVc YfdSR_U R_U URfXYeVc
R_U eYV acZTV eYVj aRj À ]``^Z_X `gVc R]] R_U YRd SVV_ ]VWe e` cRZdV YVc XcR_Ud`_ hY`
TcZ^Z_R] ]ZWV Zd eYV eYcVRe `W eYV XR]]`hd eYRe TR__`e daVR\ `c hR]\ ?‡cR V^a]`jd >Rcj e`
]`_X dYRU`h `W eYV WReR] ecVV 3Vdd UZTeReVd YV]a TRcV W`c j`f_X >ZTYVw] 3fe eYZd YRcdY
YVc _RccReZgV e` 3Z]]j 2cTYVc R 8cfS DecVVe h`c]U cVV\Z_X `W a`gVcej R_U aZdd Zd eVV^Z_X
YRT\ R_U RdaZcZ_X a`Ve hY` R]d` Z_YRSZed hZeY dfaVcdeZeZ`_ À Z_T]fUZ_X eYV SV]ZVW eYRe
eYRe `eYVc f_UVch`c]U `W ^`]]j Y`fdVd R_U eYRe >ZTYVw] Zd R TYR_XV]Z_X hY` Zd ScZ_XZ_X
f__R^VRS]V dZ_ HZeY R TRde `W UV]ZXYeWf]]j SRU ]fT\ e` eYV gR]]Vj 2d ?‡cR dVV\d eYV
T`_gZ_TZ_X TYRcRTeVcd R_U ]Z_Vd eYRe RcV RUgZTV `W ?R_TV R h`^R_ hZeY \_`h]VUXV `W
cV^Z_ZdTV_e `W 5ZT\V_d `c HZ]UV 2c_`ee YRd YVcSd R_U eYV ^RXZT `W eYV `]U hRjd eYV eYcVV
ecZf^aYR_e]j ScVReYVU ]ZWV Z_e` YZde`cj À h`^V_ V^SRc\ `_ R T`fcdV `W RTeZ`_ eYRe hZ]]
R_U eYV cVdf]e Zd X]`cZ`fd 23 February TYR_XV eYVZc ]ZgVd W`c VgVc 9 February

ALSO THIS MONTH

FATHERS & SONS MUSSOLINI’S ISLAND
Howard Cunnell/Picador Sarah Day/Tinder Press
¤ This evocative memoir focuses on Howard ¤ In 1939, a group of gay and bi men are rounded
Cunnell’s childhood growing up on the south coast up and imprisoned on a tiny Italian island. When
of England, a period he remembers as filled with Francesco is herded into the camp, he soon
bright light and a sense of his father’s absence. realises that they’re there because someone
Sliding back and forth in time, the book also looks handed a list of their names to the fascist police.
at the novelist’s own experience of fatherhood, Locked in spartan dormitories, resentment and
as his daughter transitions into his son. This is bitterness begins to grow. Based on a true story,
a mesmerising exploration of love, parenthood, this is a haunting fictional account of oppression,
identity and gender, written with great sensitivity survival and resilience — and a powerful portrayal
and honesty. 9 February of sexuality and war. 23 February

All LGBT+ titles available from Gay’s the Word bookshop, 66 Marchmont St, WC1N 1AB. gaystheword.co.uk

MARCH 2017 41
 JOIN THE CLUB

cultu club
Homoerotic artist TOM OF FINLAND wasn’t just any Tom, Dick or Harry

THERE ARE FEW EXAMPLES of OV E R

homoerotic images more instantly
recognisable than the illustrations TO YO U . . .
by Tom of Finland. In the same way
that a big yellow M or a red drink can readers’ thoughts
on Tom of Finland
mean only one thing, a cartoonish
moustachioed, well-endowed muscle As if art could
man is assumed to be a Tom of Finland create false body
sketch unless we’re told otherwise. images — Tom of
Perhaps less well-known is the artist Finland has been
behind the art. Although he was merchandised
Finnish, Tom wasn’t even Tom, he was & used as porn
substitute
Touko Laaksonen. As a young man, “ALTHOUGH @monsieur_manie
he sketched sexualised images based
LAAKSONEN’S
on the labourers he lusted after in his When I was 15 and
native Helsinki. Once conscripted into
MEN ARE
struggling with my
the war effort in 1940, he destroyed HUMANLY sexuality, my dad
the pictures but later described hot, IMPOSSIBLE, showed me Tom
real-life encounters with both Allied THAT DOESN’T books and said he
and German servicemen. thought they were
STOP THE brilliant. It helped
His earliest published images of
traditional Finnish lumberjacks
AESTHETIC @andybayliss

appeared in American “beefcake FROM BEING

Growing up in a
magazine” Physique Pictorial in 1957. #GOALS” small Southern
Editor Bob Mizer christened Laaksonen town, Tom of
“Tom of Finland” because this was Finland showed me
considered more palatable for the a “new way” to be
US market. However, shortly after gay. Unapologetic
Laaksonen started drawing his most masculinity was
enduring images — those of leather empowering
@tommorrison950
men — US censors banned male nudity,
forcing pornography to adapt to
don’t think the
depicting “exercise guides.” dividing line is so
In the 1970s, and with censorship useful. Art can be
relaxed, Laaksonen introduced porn and porn can
recurring comic book character Kake be art
and was free to be as explicit as he e @rikoshanpstar
wanted. But he continued to court in either since starting my transition —
controversy with his depictions of Nazi SfeYVjY`T`_Íc^deYReeYV E`^ `W e want
love scenes which some claim painted Finland archetype is now deeply rooted to ves. GET
fascists in a positive light. in the collective consciousness of the Indee out I N V O LV E D
JACK SHEAR/ TOM OF F NLAND FOUNDAT ON PERMANENT COLLECT ON

Although in his later years Laaksonen gay scene, and although Laaksonen’s UcRhZ_X YZd ^^V_e WITH
distanced himself from fascism men are genetically impossible, that on the masculin pes he C U LT U R E
and racism (he drew many black doesn’t stop the aesthetic from being witnessed. He didn t ate them. CLUB
characters), he also admitted: “of #goals. The muscles, hairy chests, His legacy is the Tom of Finland To have your say
course I drew them…they have the beards, leather and boots are all Foundation, which campaigns for the on next month’s
sexiest uniforms!” As Madonna pointed engrained in the way many of us see — preservation of all erotic art. And his subject, Gregg
Araki’s 2004 film
out following the release of her Sex or would like to see — ourselves. work now hangs in New York’s
Mysterious Skin,
book (many images directly inspired, Given that this month’s Attitude is Museum of Modern Art, cementing its tweet us your
I’d argue, by Laaksonen’s work), sexual our Body issue, I question how healthy place in the ongoing discussion about thoughts
fantasy cannot be censored. it is to aspire to looking like a cartoon where the ever-shifting line between @JunoDawson
A trip to XXL or Brut (I’m not allowed TRcZTRefcVSfeRd^fdT]VYRdÍc^]j porn and art lies.

42 MARCH 2017
WATERFRONT III
CENTRAL LONDON CHIC ON THE RIVERSIDE

LIVERPOOL
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STREET
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*Approximate travel times for Crossrail taken from Royal Arsenal Woolwich. Source: www.crossrail.co.uk

Proud to be a member of the

Berkeley Group of companies
 DOWNLOAD THE

PODCAST FREE ON ITUNES AND OTHER PLATFORMS

TO CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF

the decriminalisation of homosexuality in
England and Wales, Attitude is interviewing its
all-time heroes for an all-new podcast series.
In episode one, Editor-in-Chief Matt Cain
chats to actor and activist Sir Ian McKellen in
a world exclusive at his home in East London.
The star of X-Men and The Lord of the Rings
talks about growing up gay in Bolton, his
sexual awakening in the theatre and how
he felt about his sexuality before and after
legalisation. Ian also discusses how he became
politicised, why he came out and why he
wants to make life easier for LGBT+ people.
This is Sir Ian’s most intimate and revealing
interview ever – and the start of a landmark
Attitude series. Don’t miss it!
Attitude Heroes and the GREAT
Britain campaign welcome the
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and study in the UK.
www.great.gov.u

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 Nile Rodgers
THE KING OF DISCO, HE’S A PRODUCER, WRITER AND GUITARIST,
AND THE LIST OF PEOPLE HE’S WORKED WITH READS LIKE A
ROLL CALL OF THE WORLD’S TOP GAY ICONS. IF THAT’S NOT
ENOUGH, HE’S RAISES CASH FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

{ B I G G AY F O L L O W I N G }

WORDS: SIMON BUTTON

GIVEN HIS PACKED SCHEDULE

Í_ZdYZ_XR_Vh4YZTR]Sf^
producing numerous artists, touring
the world), you wouldn’t think Nile
Rodgers would have time for charity
work, but greeting me at a fund-
raising Autism Rocks gig, he insists
musicians have a duty to help others.
Á:eT`f]USVeYReSVTRfdV:Ä^Z_
the music business I see it more, but
I know people in the arts on every
]VgV]ÀÍ]^eYVRecVÍ_VRcedÀR_U
musicians are the people I call on
Ícde\_`hZ_XeYVjÄ]]R]hRjdU`TYRcZej
stuff for me,” he says.
Nile’s own charity stuff — he raises
money for autism research — includes
running through Chic hits such as Le
Freak as well as collaborations with The new Chic album, It’s About Time, was meant to drop before now.
Madonna (Like A Virgin), Bowie (Let’s Why the delay?
Dance), Diana Ross (I’m Coming Out) It felt like 2016 got off to such a bad start with David Bowie’s death, then Glenn
and Sister Sledge (We Are Family). Frey from The Eagles and lots of other musicians, and a lot of people don’t
The 64-year-old New Yorker’s remember that at the tail end of the previous year Natalie Cole died out of the
journey from the son of heroin blue. We were all in a tailspin. It was also an election year and it just felt toxic. It
addicts to disco king and guitarist/ wasn’t Chic’s time. It didn’t feel right to me as an artist.
writer/producer extraordinaire is How did Bowie’s death affect you?
T`_dZUVcVU]VXV_URcjjVeYVdRjd+ I honestly didn’t know how to deal with it. A lot of people who were close to David
ÁJVd:ÄgVYRUR^RddZgV_f^SVc`W are also close to me and no one told me anything about him being unwell, maybe
hits, but can you imagine the amount because he wanted to keep it secret or just didn’t know. Every time Chic played in
of failures it takes to get all those hits? ?Vh J`c\ 4Zej :ÄU TR]] YZd `WÍTV R_U dRj+ Á4`^V R_U U` Let’s Dance with us because
Most people don’t remember the it’s going to kill,” and I always got a very polite refusal. Enough time had gone by
Î`adSfeeYVcVYRgVSVV_^R_j that it made me feel he really was considering it, but sadly it never happened.
He is about to revisit one of his Do we know for sure that Lady Gaga is on the new Chic album?
dfTTVddVd+eYVÍcde4YZTR]Sf^W`c#& [Smiles] Well, we know I did a song with her. We know that much!
jVRcdZdÍ_R]]j`_eYVhRjÀR]eY`fXY Tease! How do you rate her as an artist?
YVh`_ÄeT`_Íc^cf^`fcVUXfVded I love Lady Gaga. She’s unbelievable. When we did the tribute to David at the
Grammys last year, while the curtain was closed Gaga was talking to all of us
R_U Ze hRd R acVeej ]RcXV V_e`fcRXV+ R SZX Y`c_ dVTeZ`_ SRT\Xc`f_U dZ_XVcd eYV
whole lot. Even as they were counting down for us to start she was giving us the ›

MARCH 2017 45
 STAR MAN: Nile
performs a tribute
to David Bowie with
Lady Gaga at last
year’s Grammys

greatest pep talk you’ve ever heard in

your life. She was like a football coach:
“Come on guys, I want you to visualise
that you’re playing for David.” Right
up until the last second, then boom,
“Ground control to Major Tom...” It was
unbelievably fantastic.
Is Kylie on the new album?
[Laughs] Not yet!
What about Rita Ora?
No, but I’ve played on her new record.
She’s great.
OK, so you’re not going to spill the
beans about the new album but who’s
top of the wish list of people you’d
love to work with?
The person I’d most like to work with,
because he’s so insanely well-rounded,
is Bruno Mars. I wanted him to play
drums on one song. I mean, have
you ever seen Bruno play drums? It’s
ridiculous how good he is. So I asked
him and he said yes, but we haven’t cut
the track yet.
Is there a particular instance where
you’d like to go back and re-do it?
JVdeYVÍcde5VSSZV9Rccjd`]`R]Sf^
KooKoo. But don’t worry, we’re making
up for that shit soon. We’ve done a new
record and it’s killing! “I WAS RAISED IN
You’ve always supported the LGBT+ NEW YORK,
community and presumably you have WENT TO STUDIO
plenty of gay friends? 54 AND WAS
I was raised in New York, went to
Studio 54 and was part of the disco era
PART OF THE
so it’d be impossible not to have many, DISCO ERA
many gay friends. I was born into a SO IT’D BE
family that was incredibly bohemian IMPOSSIBLE NOT
and so many of their friends were TO HAVE MANY,
gay and they were artists. Also, my
parents were heroin addicts so they
MANY GAY
had this lifestyle where everything FRIENDS”
was cool. There seemed to be a huge
gay community around us. My family
were in the garment business and the { N I L E & T H E G AY I C O N S }
fashion industry, so maybe that had
something to do with it too.
MADONNA Having worked with Madonna on her 1984 Like A Virgin album, Nile recalls,
Why do you think your music has “her work ethic was off the chart” and believes she has had a seismic effect on the music
earned you such a big gay fan base? business. “Now you see a bit of Madonna in everyone,” he marvels. “I noticed that after she
[Laughs]. Maybe because I wrote I’m hit it big, she raised the bar so high because suddenly you had to be able to dance, to sing, to
Coming Out and We Are Family and visualise, art direct... all the kind of stuff that’s become so integral to the music scene now. If
worked with Diana Ross, Grace Jones you think of the music business pre-Madonna, it was very different. She changed everything.”
and Madonna.
HYReÍcdeefc_VUj`f`_e`UZdT` DIANA ROSS The most anthemic song from the Chic/Diana Ross collaboration in 1980
came about because Rodgers frequented underground clubs. “That’s where you’d hear the
music?
most cutting-edge music. One night I went to The Gilded Grape, a club for transvestites.
I walked into a club and the DJ was
I went into the bathroom and on either side of me, at least three deep, were Diana Ross
playing Donna Summer’s Love To Love impersonators and that’s where the idea came from — of Diana coming out as fabulous. It
You Baby. It seemed to go on for ever was all under wraps at the time so I couldn’t even tell [people] that I was working with her.”
and I thought, “Wow, I want to be part
of that movement where the music
never stops.” Prior to that I’d never

46 MARCH 2017
 BGF

{ THE CREDENTIALS }

I-MADGE-INATION:
Nile with Madonna
in the Eighties. She
changed music,
he says

Date of Birth: 19
RT`^a`dVcY`_Vde]j:[fdehR_eVU
September 1952.
to have one or two songs that people
Place of Birth:
New York City. would remember. Live performances
Best Known For: RcVÎVVeZ_XJ`fa]RjeYV^j`fYRgV
Being a founder a great time and, hopefully, everyone
member of Chic, goes home with a good memory. The
writing hits for truth is that the only people who get to
the band such share it are the people in that room. But
as Le Freak, and songs live well beyond a performance.
collaborating with
:Ä^acVeejTVceRZ_eYReWe Are Family
the likes of Bowie,
ÀR_U:dRjeYZdhZeYRYfXVR^`f_e`W
Madonna and
Diana Ross. Yf^Z]ZejÀhZ]]SVRc`f_U]`_XRWeVc:Ä^
Least Known dead and gone. People may not know
For: He began eYRe:hc`eVZeSfeZehZ]]SVRc`f_U
his career as a Do you think today’s pop stars are as
guitarist with the colourful and interesting as they were
Sesame Street in the Seventies and Eighties?
band — he calls :eYZ_\d`jVRYHY`ÄdRSZXa`adeRc
his instrument The
hY`Zd_ÄeZ_eVcVdeZ_X03Vj`_T~ZdacVeej
Hitmaker — and
damn interesting, Bruno Mars is pretty
was a member of
the Black Panthers damn interesting... There are a lot of
— once branded people at the top of the food chain who
REX FEATURES

by the FBI as the are up there because they are

greatest threat to Z_eVcVdeZ_XR_UTYRcZd^ReZTHYV_:
the USA’s security. Ícde^Ve>RU`__RdYVYRUeYRedaVTZR]
been in an environment where the aVcd`_]Z\V3`hZVhYVcV:YRU_`ZUVR BGF Status: The thing that few people have. They walk
music was continuous; it was all on dYVhRdZ]]R_U_`S`Uje`]U^V:da`\V king of disco, Z_e`Rc``^R_Uj`fX`+ÁH`hÂJ`f
he’s worked with
[f\VS`iVdEYRehRdeYVÍcdeeZ^V: to her husband and kids afterwards want to know what they had for
almost every gay
heard a DJ segue from song to song. and they said she had wanted to keep it ScVR\WRdehYVcVeYVjÄcVX`Z_XeYRe
icon you care to
There was music playing from the within the family. mention, from _ZXYe:Wj`fe`eR]\e`j`f_XaV`a]V
^`^V_e:hR]\VUZ_R_UZehRddeZ]] You’ve survived prostate cancer Sister Sledge to who are just starting to get into music
a]RjZ_XhYV_:]VWe and have been in remission since Sam Smith. and absorb it and internalise it, they
It’s surprising, given her status as the 2013. Does that spur you on to keep feel that same way about the artists
queen of disco, that you never worked working? who are around today. Even though
with Donna... :eÄd_`eSVTRfdV`WTR_TVcZeÄdSVTRfdV eYVcVÄdD_RaTYReR_U:_deRXcR^eYVj
:h`c\VUhZeYYVc]ZgVSfehV_VgVc eYVcVÄdd`^VeYZ_XZ_^VeYReWVV]dgVcj deZ]]\_`hZeÄd[fdeRaVV\Z_e`R_RceZdeÄd
made any recordings together and that honoured and humble to be able to do ]ZWVR_UeYVjÄcVdeZ]]Z_ecZXfVUe`\_`h
seems bizarre to me because we were eYZd:Ä^'%jVRcd`]USfehYV_:XVe`_ more.
such good friends. We always talked eYRedeRXV:WVV]:a]RjdZ_XR_UU`hYRe:
about doing a record but we never U`RdhV]]Rd:ÄgVVgVcU`_V:Ä^eYcZ]]VU For more on Autism Rocks, visit autism.
seemed to get round to it, then sadly VgVcj_ZXYehYV_:Ä^aVcW`c^Z_X:Ä^ rocks. For more on Nile Rodgers and
she passed away. That was another YRgZ_XRS]RdeHYV_:deRceVU`feRd Chic, visit nilerodgers.com

MARCH 2017 47
BIG ONES, SMALL ONES,
SKINNY ONES, TALL
ONES. THERE ARE ALL
SORT OF BODY SHAPES
AND SIZES AND THEY
CAN ALL BE GORGEOUS
AND DESIRABLE. JUST
REMEMBER TO KEEP
IT REAL...
WORDS: CLIFF JOANNOU
PHOTOGRAPHS: VICTOR HENSEL-COE
 How did you feel being
photographed naked?
Really good. I didn’t
LE GATEAU
want to do it at first,
CHOCOLAT
but I suppose this was
a defiant response on
PERFORMER,
my part to “no fats, no
AUTEUR, DRAG ARTISTE,
femmes, no Asians”. We
OPERA SINGER
need to represent variety. The
gay community is a marginalised
minority, but we are incredibly fascistic when it comes
to our bodies. We’re awful. The other extreme is: “have
you got a big cock?” Then there’s size, which makes me
bear, then there are chasers as well. That’s what
ou’re bombarded with, for a long time you
kowtow to that kind of thinking: to be
accepted or excel, I have to sit squarely in
that expectancy. That made me deeply
unhappy. It’s part of what spread my
depression, being subliminally informed
that you’re not enough.
When did you begin to move from that
depression towards accepting yourself and
realising you deserve love?
I don’t think you ever get there, to an end point. I
think it’s a work in progress. Some days are exhausting
and some days you feel like Wonder Woman. But if you
think about how those epithets are born, if you only have
that abb’ed muscular jock, twinky image represented, then
it’s just viable that when you go on those apps you don’t want
anything other than what you’ve been fed. I think it’s part of our
responsibility to speak out and use a platform and showcase reality.
Not everyone lives to have three per cent body fat, and that’s not
derogatorily speaking about those that make that paradigm. But
there are so many more of us.
How important is your body to your work?
I started in clubs in Brighton in 2008. At the time I was much bigger
than I am now, and there was no hiding it. Most of my outfits were
skin-tight Lycra, which was a conscious decision on my part to

embrace and say: “this is what I’ve got to work with”. I think part of engaging with that
denial and depression was largely putting Gateau on the stage. I was using my body as
a tool and the things I was saying on stage fed into my life, and my courage to embrace
my body on stage enforced the idea of who I was in my life as well.
When you look at yourself in the mirror, would you say you’re not just looking at a
physical being but a much bigger picture?
Absolutely, it’s the whole thing. Some people don’t look at the whole thing, they only
look at the body. I think there’s a level of dysmorphia that I have, or people have, when
you’ve lived as a product of people’s projections. Hopefully, doing things such as this
shoot says to people that they don’t have to be perfect. You’ve got to embrace the
idea that you are enough.

%ODFN¢E\¢/H¢*DWHDX Chocolat, is on WRXUWKURXJKRXW#/H*DWHDX&KRF

OHJDWHDXFKRFRODWFRP
 How do you feel about your body?
It changes all the time. For the first 15
years of my career I ignored it really.
Then, about five or six years ago,
I did a play in Australia and I had the
lines: “This is a six-pack and these
are called biceps.” And I didn’t have
either of those features! So, I went to
a personal trainer for five weeks and
I hit the gym.
When your body started to change,
did you become intoxicated by it?
Yeah, as the results started to “I FIND ANYTHING THAT’S
happen I was kind of pleased. I EXTREME MORE ATTRACTIVE
think I probably overdid it; I look
back now and see pictures of me
IN A WAY. LIKE THOSE TRIBES
looking underweight. And then I WITH THE LONG NECK RINGS”
started to look at other people and I
found myself becoming judgmental
whenever I saw anyone who was out
of shape, and that really bothered me.
But have you got rid of that now?
I have done although I think there
are certain times when it does creep
back in. But I’ve kept up going to the
gym and then this job came about;
I’m playing Cassius in Julius Caesar at
the RSC, we’re doing it in togas and
there’s going to be a lot of flesh on
show and the director wanted us to
look healthy and Roman soldierly.
You’ve mentioned two roles,
but do you think in general that
expectations of actors’ bodies have
changed?
Completely, yeah. And I think it’s
a terrible downward spiral. I think
there’s art, which is what we strive for,
which is about trying to represent real
people, trying to explore the human
condition, trying to hold a mirror up
to nature. And then there’s the
industry. And it started in
America but has infiltrated
here, where there is a
level of “body beauty,”
which we didn’t have MARTIN HUTSON
even 30 years ago.
And do you feel a ACTOR
real pressure as an
actor to have a body
that conforms to that
particular ideal?
A little bit. But I think we’re
lucky compared with women. It’s
turning on men but women have had
it for years and years.

Martin Hutson appears in Julius

Caesar, as part of the RSC Rome
season, at Stratford-upon-Avon
from 3 March until 9 September.
rsc.org.uk

50 MARCH 2017
RAY NOIR How long have you been in
music?
ARTIST A couple of years. I work
with Frankmusik, he
produced my first single. 
Were you nervous about this
shoot? 
I’m not too comfortable being naked.
Not around people. Is anybody happy
with their body? I’m not one of those
people who take off their clothes
and show off. I guess something like
this might help to improve my self-
esteem.
Do you compare yourself with other
guys?
I guess when you see other guys
you get conscious of how you look,
because it’s in the media or on
Facebook all the time.
You use your body in a different way
with your tattoos, as a piece of art.
When did you get your first tattoo?
When I was 16. Then it escalated and
became more and more extreme. It’s
both planned and spontaneous. A
lot of it is musical or just dark. Like
the Manson logos. Lyrics, too. For
me it’s aesthetic. I find anything
that’s extreme more attractive,
in a way. Like those tribes
with the long neck rings.
Has anyone reacted
negatively to you?
I’ve had people say they
don’t know where to look,
but no, not really. I get more
positive comments. 
When people see your body, do
they have an expectation of the
person you should be?
Maybe they think I’m more crazy than
I am. I’m actually quite shy. I think
they see me as quite outrageous but
I’m not really — although I’m more
outgoing when I’m out and drinking.
 “I WANTED TO LOOK A CERTAIN WAY, A MUSCLE
MARY, BIGGER TYPE. THERE ARE WORSE THINGS
TO BE ADDICTED TO. BUT YOU ALSO HAVE THE
ADDED PRESSURE WITH INSTAGRAM, THAT
CONSTANT  GOAL OR DESIRE TO ASPIRE TO”
What have been you personal career
highlights?
Tours with the Pet Shop Boys
and Robbie Williams were pretty
amazing, and appearing as
Bernado in West Side Story. 
As a dancer, your body is
central to what you do, having
to look good and staying
healthy. Is there a pressure to
look a certain way as a gay
man that goes against what
you do as dancer?
Yeah, 100 per cent. Because I
wanted to look a certain way as
part of the gay scene, or what
I thought the boys wanted, as
a Muscle Mary, bigger type. I
started to work towards that for
a few years, but it wasn’t until
I came out of that obsession
that I saw that. There are worse
things to be addicted to, but you
also have the added pressure with
Instagram, that constant  goal or
desire to aspire to, which is not easy
to achieve.
Did trying to look a certain way
affect the roles you were cast for?
No, because I never got too big.
But I did notice certain clients were
starting to point it out, especially on
the modelling side. And then those
jobs change because you don’t fit
into the clothes, But, again, I saw
myself as too small — the whole body
dysmorphia thing. I wanted to be
bigger and bigger. 
How did you move away from that
way of thinking?
It happened when I moved
away from the scene and
stopped partying as much.
I went through a real stage MYLES BROWN
of enjoying the party. Again
that’s part of growing up, DANCER AND
in your twenties. It got a bit ACTOR
hardcore at one stage. At the
end of 2015, I realised I was
aspiring to a standard that wasn’t
important to me any more  When
I came out of that, I realised that’s
not what I was aspiring to at all.
What’s important is being heathy and
enjoying the gym again. 

@mylesbrownskin
Last year you went from being in the
closet to taking it all off for the
Red Hot calendar!
To be honest, since coming out my
life has changed completely. My
friends say that my confidence shot
up. Obviously, Red Hot happened and
then there were other opportunities,
such as a pilot episode for a comedy
series, based in Manchester. I’d never
done acting before but somebody
offered me a part. And there were
various photoshoots that I wouldn’t
have had the confidence to do before
coming out.
Why did you say yes to this shoot? 
Having been involved in Red Hot, this
tackles a lot of very similar issues,
such as how we view our bodies, and
looks at whether we have insecurities
about our sexuality or anything else.
I know it sounds cheesy, but we’re all
beautiful no matter what shape, size
or colour we are. It’s sending out a
very similar message. For me, being
involved with Red Hot changed how
I view myself.
When you look in the mirror, are you
happy with what you see?
I don’t think we’re ever 100 per cent
happy, there’s always something we
don’t like about ourselves. I guess
that’s quite normal because you’re
with yourself all the time so you
critique that. But I guess I’m a lot
happier than I was. 
Your hair colour really sets you
apart, which is what Red Hot is
all about: celebrating redheads
in a way that hadn’t happened
“GROWING UP, I KNEW
before. Had you had any negative SOMETHING WAS
experiences around that? DIFFERENT. I GUESS
For me, it was more about how I
viewed myself. Growing up, I knew
I DIDN’T REALLY
something was different. I guess I FIT IN BECAUSE OF
didn’t really fit in because of those THOSE DIFFERENCES,
differences, because of my skin
and hair. You can’t really compare
BECAUSE OF MY SKIN
it with race, but there are elements AND HAIR”
that anybody who feels
different feels left out
— especially as a
teenager when
you’re trying to
be accepted
and be a part of
JONNY WRYNNE
something. No
matter what your
ARCHITECT
differences are,
they can push you
away. But now I see
these differences are
an asset, and now I like to
stand out. I guess that comes
with age and experience. 

MARCH 2017 53
 What does being a professional
gardener entail?
My brand is Mr Plant Geek which
is trying to explain about plants to
people who want to be gardeners at
home, or test what their green fingers
are like for the first time. In my
career, I’ve introduced about
500 brand new plants to
the UK.
Your connection
to the plants is MICHAEL PERRY, AKA
intrinsically a MR PLANT GEEK
connection to
nature. Does that GARDENING
transfer to your ENTREPRENEUR and I haven’t
body? mastered the hotel
I’m so aware of what room workout yet. 
you need to do to keep Is it more important for
yourself healthy, such as good you to feel good, than to
carbs where you can get fibre. I’ve look good?
always got things like goji berries and I would say so, but it’s nice to look
almonds in my pocket. good as well. I’m aware I’m a brand
Are you comfortable being naked? but I also want to be realistic, not
Part of the charity fund-raising I’ve just to myself, because when a
done meant being naked on Loose guy looks completely perfect
Women. For quite a few years now it’s a little bit of a turn off. Also,
I’ve wanted to push myself and to actually look that way is really
not say no to anything. If I wasn’t bloody difficult and I don’t want a
comfortable naked I wouldn’t have life that’s really regimented.
this experience today and develop in
the way I’m going to. I don’t want to @mr_plantgeek
be scared of anything. mrplantgeek.com
Do you work out much?
I was doing a lot of CrossFit until the
middle of last year, but since then
my schedule has been crazy with
travelling, meetings, trade shows,
different presenting jobs on the road

“IF I WASN’T
COMFORTABLE NAKED,
I WOULDN’T HAVE THIS
EXPERIENCE TODAY
AND DEVELOP IN THE
WAY I’M GOING TO.
I DON’T WANT TO BE
SCARED OF ANYTHING”

54 MARCH 2017
 What do you do for work?
Marketing and PR are predominantly
my main job. I’ve been an LGBT+ news
reporter for OUT TV in Canada, and for
Pink Sixty News. I became Mr Gay Wales
last year, then in the Czech Republic
they made me Mr Gay Universe. I also
campaign with Pride Cymru. chord wrapped around my neck and
Why did you enter Mr Gay Wales? started to choke me. Supposedly I put my
I saw it on Facebook. I was doing Pink hand there which saved my life, but it also
Sixty at the time and was finding out stopped the growth of my hand.
about a lot of what was going on in the Were you insecure about it?
world. I thought, you know what, I’m I’d say that 99.9 per cent of the time I’m
going to go for this because I’m bold and positive about the way I look. But there
brash and I wondered if they’d pick me are points in my life when I’ve hesitated
up. Having one hand means I’m not the because of my stump. A teacher actually
typical beauty pageant person. I don’t told my best friend to stop bothering with
have ripped abs but do have a great set me because my disability was going to
of boobies on me, so it was to challenge stop me getting on in life. Going into the
the stereotype. It was also entertainment industry can be harsh, as
to bring to the forefront are beauty pageants. It’s human nature to
that within the judge too soon, but my thing is to break
LGBT+ community down those barriers.
is a disabled Do you get tired of talking about the fact
PAUL DAVIES community. that you have only one hand? I mean it’s
Were you born just “life” for you, isn’t it?
MR GAY WALES with one hand? It’s normal life for me, but for other people
Yes. My umbilical that I meet, if I can educate them, then it’s
great. It’s no different to you talking about
being gay to a straight person.

You famously ran 401 marathons but

did you have a day off at all?
I had 10 days off because I broke my
back. Then I had to make up the distance,
so some days I’d run 35 miles. I have a It was a mate of mine who dragged me to
condition called spondylolisthesis — a a running club. And it was weird, I fell in
weakness in my spine — which created a love with something. I did 30 marathons
fracture in my back.  in two years, before the 401. I did things
Why did you think it was a good idea I never thought possible. It gave me
to run 401 marathons with a major back confidence and belief in myself, to be who
problem? I want to be. I think it’s important to point
I wasn’t a runner four years ago. I weighed out that I didn’t do the 401 challenge to
16 stone, I was a smoker, a drinker, I wasn’t prove a gay man could do it, because I’d
out. I was living this life I thought I had to dealt with everything that had happened
live. And then I had an incomplete stroke, to me before I started this challenge [he
which made me sit up and think I can’t raised money to combat bullying among
live my life like this. I didn’t accept myself youngsters]. BEN SMITH
until I was 31, but it was running that What is the impact on your body?
helped me do that. Growing up, I was told We don’t know. I’ve had issues with my MARATHON RUNNER
so often that who I was, was wrong. heart. I struggle to sleep because my
Who told you? body’s accustomed to burning so much
I went to a religious boarding school. I energy, so I’m not tired. I can survive on
wouldn’t say it was because of religion, two hours sleep, but then with that comes
but the attitudes to the gay community other things. I’m working on that with
were very negative, stereotypical. I the doctors and cardiologists to find out
became confused. I was told it was wrong what the real physiological impact on my
to be who I was. So I hid it. I was avoiding body is. 
my life, working 60 to 70 hours a week. I
wasn’t an alcoholic but I enjoyed a drink. the401challenge.co.uk
“Australia is the perfect
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Sarah Lockwood Travel Expert, Travelbag London

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 “PEOPLE OFTEN THINK THAT I CAN’T
POSSIBLY HOLD AN INTELLIGENT
CONVERSATION, BUT ONLY TALK
ABOUT THE GYM. DON’T JUDGE A
BOOK BY ITS COVER”

Are you happy with your body?

I am happy but there’s always
room for improvement. I train
seriously hard as my body is
one of my marketing tools,
so it should always be in top
condition. Keeping this physique
is time-consuming and hard
work.
What judgments do people make
about you based on your physical
appearance?
Being 6ft 3in tall and 107kg and
covered in tatts makes me quite
noticeable; sometimes people find
me intimidating — but I’m a big
softie, really. People often think that
I can’t possibly hold an intelligent
conversation but only talk about the
gym. Don’t judge a book by its cover. I find attractive. Masculine could
What would you say to somebody mean something very different to
looking to take steroids to get someone else, strong in other ways.
bigger? For you. what’s the sexiest physical
I strongly recommend that people attribute in men?
don’t. They’re often seen as an easy It’s all about a packed, muscular
way to achieve physique objectives body with great legs and nice
without putting in the hard work at shoulders. And a big muscular butt
the gym. From what I’ve seen and gets me every time.
being an advanced personal From working in the fitness industry,
trainer, I always recommend what have you learned most about
training effectively, with a gay men and their relationships with
professionally designed their body?
programme. Your diet is You come to realise that nearly all
equally important and, gay guys have confidence issues
of course, a serious around the way they look. The gay
whack of drive and world can be a very pressurised
determination. If you community. It’s all body
train and eat properly, STEVE WHITE beautiful, how you look, how
you’ll get better results much muscle you have and
which will last longer PERSONAL TRAINER who is the fittest. It’s certainly
than if you stick a made worse by social media
needle in your butt. and the constant search for
Natural all the way! personal validation from others.
What does It’s a cliché, but happiness really
“masculine” mean does come from within. I’ve been
to you? very unhappy even when getting
It means solid loads of compliments about my
muscular, well- physique. My suggestion to anyone
proportioned and who wants to start training is to
a strong body, but be focused on yourself, build your
that’s my taste; what confidence slowly and feel better
about yourself. With that confidence
comes personal happiness.

VZ´WQHVVORQGRQFRP

MARCH 2017 57
 “I WORKED ON A BUILDING
SITE, HAD BIG PECS AND A
SKINNY WAIST. WHAT SOME
PEOPLE TRAIN ENDLESSLY
FOR, I NATURALLY HAD —
AND I HATED IT”

MARK AMES
OWNER AND
When did FOUNDER OF I liked were bigger, more portly.
you start NIGHTCLUB XXL I guess that’s the background
XXL? I had, growing up in a working-
September, class environment. Often, what you
2000. It was desire is what you want to look like.
inspired by the fact that there was When I used to go into purely bear
a lack of facilities for people either places they were very anti anybody
large or over the age of 35. The scene who didn’t fit. I regard some bears
was very fragmented. People didn’t out there in the way that I regard
really mix. Going to clubs such as some Muscle Marys with their body
Trade and DTPM, as you got older, facism. There is no wrong. My whole
felt strange. Going to Europe and attitude is, if you’re happy with your
New York, I discovered places that body, if you’re fit enough to do what
catered for older people.  you want, what is the problem with
The club has continued to evolve being fat, short, big, skinny, hairy or
since then. hairless? Yes, XXL is a place for bears,
I have evolved as a promoter and and I primarily worry whether they
so have the facilities. But from will come, but I won’t tell somebody
the first week, I remember giving they can’t come in because they’re
memberships to an 18 year old muscled and hairless. What unites us
and an 80 year old. There’s less is our sexuality. That’s why I use the
choice out there now, but with our tag line, “One club fits all”. It’s about
marketing, we’ve opened things up to breaking down those barriers. There
more people.  are people far more sexually exciting
How important is your physique to even though they’re big, and I know
how you view yourself? big dancers who can move better
Totally. I don’t think being fat or thin than any skinny bitch out there. My
GROOMING: NIBRAS AL-WASITI, FATIN HASADO. PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: JEFFREY WORTHINGTON

changes the confidence — or lack partner is 6ft 2in and weighs 20

of it — that you have in your body. stone, but he keeps active. We go
They’re equally the same. I hated diving, we go for long walks. If any
having a 31in waist. I worked on a good comes out of me doing this, I
building site, had big pecs and a wan’t people to say: “fuck it, there’s
skinny waist. What some people train nothing wrong with having a belly.”
endlessly for, I naturally had — and
hated it. From I young age, the guys xxl-london.com

58 MARCH 2017
What do you love CHRIS KANG
about rugby?
While I enjoy the 1ST XV CENTRE,
physicality of the sport, KINGS CROSS
it’s the camaraderie and STEELERS RFC
brotherhood in rugby that I
love the most — particularly in
the gay rugby world. The Kings
Cross Steelers RFC was the first gay
rugby team when it was founded more
than 20 years ago. Now there are more
than 70 gay rugby clubs worldwide.
What does “masculine” mean to you?
There was a time when how you spoke,
dressed or looked defined the sort of man
you might be. But that notion has become
so outdated now, particularly when I think
about the diverse men who play for the
Steelers. Just because you can bench
press loads of weight and walk around
saying “bro” doesn’t make you masculine
— just as it doesn’t for me by playing
rugby. Confidence to be yourself and
having a sense of responsibility, I think,
is what takes balls. That is what is most
interesting and sexy.
What judgments do others make about
you based on your physical appearance?
It can be difficult being a visible minority
in the gay community, and it used to bug
me much more when guys would use
the whole “no Asians” line because of
some sort of ridiculous preconceptions
they had.  I’ve learned to keep it all in
perspective: I’m a sane, sorted guy who
lives and works in one of the best cities in
the world. I can also cook up a kick-ass jar
of home-made spicy kimchi. To be honest,
it’s their loss.
Do you feel accepted by the gay “CONFIDENCE TO
community?
I don’t think I’m the type of person who
BE YOURSELF AND
needs acceptance but I’m proud that I’ve HAVING A SENSE OF
gained the respect and friendship of so RESPONSIBILITY, I
many of my teammates on the Steelers.
There’s no better feeling than playing
THINK, IS WHAT TAKES
sports with your friends, then sharing BALLS. THAT IS WHAT
pints at the bar and celebrating IS MOST INTERESTING,
a great day afterwards. It’s a
unique sense of belonging
AND SEXY”
that I’m honoured to
have.

@scruffycanasian
www.kxsrfc.com
 “I DIDN’T THINK MUCH OF
How important is your body to what
you do?
MY BODY UNTIL I SAW AN
It’s relevant. We can’t make it not IMAGE OF TOM OF FINLAND,
relevant because of what’s forced THAT’S WHAT MADE ME
down our throat on a daily basis by
the media, TV and film. Body building
CHANGE MY AESTHETIC”
was something you aspired to as
niche in the Seventies and Eighties.
Now there’s an industry for men’s
health and cosmetics. It’s important
for me to look how I want to look. I
didn’t think much of my body until
I saw an image of Tom of Finland,
that’s what made me change my
aesthetic. I had big nipples as a
kid. I remember clearly going into
the shower and one of the kids
turned around and laughed at
me. I never showered again with
anyone. until I was at university.
Now it’s something you’re
known for.
Celebrated! Whatever the
scene: straight, gay or fetish.
But it took me quite a while
before I decided “fuck it,
that’s part of me”. I used
to find it unnerving if
someone came up to
me and touched me. It’s
still quite abrupt and
rude, if I haven’t invited
you to do that. If you
do that to a woman,
it’s called assault. I’d
rather give out an
invitation first. 
You mentioned Tom
of Finland.
Thankfully, I know
that’s a fantasy,
otherwise I’d be 20
stone, on steroids,
and trying to get to
that dream state
of untouchable
reach. But it’s the
ROY INC
aesthetics I love,
you can pick what
SINGER, SONGWRITER,
you like. My nipples
PERFORMER AND
were already there,
PRODUCER
but I’ve accentuated
and enhanced them.
But in that aesthetic I found
a home that didn’t point and laugh,
it was celebrated. And I had at least
an eighth of that fantasy. A lot of
gay men do that. We have to find
ourselves so we become an internal
fantasy. One of the biggest things in
life, no matter who you are, is to say
who you are and to stand by that.

royinc.co.uk
MAY 2017 10 ST ALBANS ALBAN ARENA
31 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 11 BRIGHTON THEATRE ROYAL
JUNE 2017 14 NORWICH PLAYHOUSE
03 LEEDS TOWN HALL 15 NORWICH PLAYHOUSE
04 SALFORD LOWRY 16 CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE
06 JERSEY OPERA HOUSE 17 NEWCASTLE TYNE THEATRE & OPERA HOUSE
09 READING HEXAGON THEATRE 18 GLASGOW THEATRE ROYAL
DO YOU ENJOY LOOKING AT HOT
BODIES IN MAGAZINES BUT FEEL
THEY PRESSURISE YOU TO AIM FOR
THE UNATTAINABLE? TO DISTINGUISH
FANTASY FROM REALITY, OUR
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MATT CAIN STRIPS
OFF FOR A REAL BODIES SPECIAL
— AND REVEALS WHAT MAGAZINES
CAN DO TO HIDE IMPERFECTIONS
WORDS: MATT CAIN // PHOTOGRAPHS: MARKUS BIDAUX

R_j ^V_ YRgV R UZWÍTf]e cV]ReZ`_dYZa hZeY eYVZc

S`Uj Sfe W`c XRj ^V_ eYZd TR_ SV aRceZTf]Rc]j
ecZT\j HV ]ZgV
Z_ R d`TZVej
Z_ hYZTY ¤ My legs have always
^RdTf]Z_Zej been skinny and I’ve
Zd ]Z_\VU e` tried everything I can to
aYjdZTR] ac`hVdd R_U ZW build them up, without
hVÄcV ^RUV e` WVV] ]RT\Z_X success.
¤ My skin is terribly
Z_ eYZd UVaRce^V_e hV
wrinkled for my age,
`WeV_ S]R^V `fc S`UZVd
the result of too many
2d R d\Z__j TYZ]U R_U `_V beach holidays and
hY` hRd `WeV_ ZUV_eZÍVU sunbed sessions during
Rd VWWV^Z_ReV : UZU_Äe VgVc my twenties; when I
gZVh ^j S`Uj Rd d`^VeYZ_X was on Channel 4 News
e` TV]VScReV `c SV ac`fU `W I used to have Botox
>j cV]ReZ`_dYZa hZeY every three months but
^j S`Uj hRd R]d` don’t care enough to
bother now.
T`^a]ZTReVU Sj gRcZ`fd
aYjdZTR] ac`S]V^d : YRgV
¤ As well as
THE
dT`]Z`dZd R T`_UZeZ`_
having bad
posture from my
NEGATIVES
hYZTY ^VR_d ^j daZ_V crooked spine,
Zd Tc``\VU R_U TR_ TRfdV my left shoulder
SRT\RTYV R_U cVTfccV_e has a limited range
^fdT]V Z_[fcZVd : YRgV of motion after several
R_`eYVc T`_UZeZ`_ hYZTY dislocations and two
^VR_d ^j YVRce Tfed `fe Re stabilising operations.
cR_U`^ Z_eVcgR]d W`cTZ_X
^V e` ]`dV T`_dTZ`fd_Vdd

REAL
62
BODIES MARCH 2017
 for around 30 seconds;
¤ I love my hair colour this is managed by a
because it’s rare for pacemaker, which kicks in
someone to be so whenever my heart cuts
naturally blonde
THE and it makes me
out (fortunately, the scar
POSITIVES stand out from
has faded).
In addition, I’m allergic
the crowd.
to one type of penicillin,
¤ At 6ft 3in, I’ve
grown to like my which has nearly killed me
height and the sense of twice. Even my eyesight
authority this brings. is bad and for years I had
¤ I like the musculature to wear thick glasses until
of my arms and abs the technology behind
although the older I get, laser treatment advanced
the more difficult it is enough to correct it.
to keep these looking
I used to joke with my
good.
parents that of their three
children I was the runt
of the litter. But behind
the jokes, my feelings about my body were coloured by
frustration, resentment and sometimes even anger. When I
discovered the gym in my twenties I did what many gay men
do and tried to block out some of these negative feelings by
over-exercising. As I began to see results, I was seduced by
the positive comments my body started to draw.
Although I managed not to become addicted to this new
hRgV`WRWÍc^ReZ`_R_U^jaYjdZTR]Z_dVTfcZeZVdUZU_ÄeeZa
over into any kind of body dysmorphia, I did come close
enough to feel an empathy with people who suffer from
these issues.
After years of hating or resenting your body, I understand
how easy it is to surrender your sense of happiness to the
adrenaline rush that comes with seeing evidence that your
physical form is improving. Since turning 40, I’ve developed
a much healthier relationship with my body. I now run far
more often than I go to the gym and no longer follow fad
diets or cut out carbohydrates.
All right, I sometimes have to check myself when posing
for holiday photos, when I realise I’m spending far too long
ecjZ_Xe`Í_UeYV^`deÎReeVcZ_XR_X]V`c:_deRXcR^Í]eVc
But, broadly speaking, I’m now happy with the way I look.
2_U W`c eYV Ícde eZ^V Z_ ^j ]ZWV : WVV] T`_ÍUV_e V_`fXY e` ›

FAKE
BODIES MARCH 2017 63
show my body as it really is, and discuss the way it makes
me feel — both good and bad.
9`hVgVc:WVV]RS`fe^jaYjdZTR]ÎRhd:TR__`hdVVeYRe
as an able-bodied person, I’m much luckier than some —
and have a lot for to be thankful for.
Since starting work at Attitude I’ve been forced to examine
my relationship with my body once more. As I’ve told people
about my new job, I’ve been reminded how much anger is
directed at magazines for promoting a body image many
people see as unrealistic. And our body survey proves how
much readers blame magazines for causing all kinds of
problems, from anxiety and depression to body dysmorphia
and so-called bigorexia (see p9). This isn’t something I want
to do at all but, on the other hand, it’s clear from our sales
ÍXfcVdeYRej`f`fccVRUVcd]Z\Ve`dVVX``U]``\Z_XS`UZVd
not only on the cover of the magazine but also inside it.
This being the case, I’m committed to giving you what
you want. But I’m also going to do the responsible thing and
show you what magazines can do to create a gorgeous body.
And to prove I’m serious about this, I’m showing you how
it’s done — on my own, imperfect body.

n the day of the shoot, I start

with an obvious trick: I do a
hard-core workout at the gym
to make sure my muscles are
pumped up. I complement
this by reducing my water
retention, not drinking any
ÎfZUddZ_TVeYV_ZXYeSVW`cVVgV_ZWeYZd
proves torturous in practice and I have to
spend the morning chewing gum to keep
my mouth from feeling like sandpaper.
I’m told that some magazines take the
process of dehydration to the extreme by
asking their model to drink a bottle of
vodka or white wine the night before a
shoot. I’m afraid my commitment doesn’t
stretch that far and, besides, I know that
with a hangover I couldn’t be trusted to
make it to the gym, let alone through a
tough workout.
Once in the studio, my groomer applies
make-up not just to my face but to my
whole body. She contours the muscles on
my chest and abdomen using the same
technique used by the queens on RuPaul’s
Drag Race to create the illusion of boobs.
Then the photographer directs me to
adopt a pose that makes my muscles stand
out and I tense everything as hard as I can while trying to
maintain a relaxed facial expression — no mean feat when
the tension’s making the vein on my forehead bulge like a
snake swallowing a rat.
Once I’m ready, the photographer shoots me in hard
lighting to accentuate the shadows created by the make-up.
When the images have been shot, I disappear to down a
bottle of water and demolish four bags of Kettle Chips while
the work begins in post-production.
It’s quite a process and much more involved than I
imagined (see box on next page). But it really works — and
when I look at the before and after images I’m startled by

64 MARCH 2017
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR BODIES CAN CONTINUE TO AFFECT OUR SENSE OF SELF-WORTH AS WE GET OLDER AND
START TO SEE OUR BODIES DEVIATE EVEN FURTHER FROM THE YOUTHFUL IDEAL PROMOTED BY SOME MAGAZINES

the difference. I never imagined my body could be made to

look so good. I hope you too are startled by the difference
between the two sets of images — because the point is to
make you realise just how much can be done to improve on
the raw material offered by an “imperfect” human body.
So if you do want to go on looking at gorgeous men in
magazines such as AttitudeeYReÄdRSd`]feV]jÍ_V3fea]VRdV
see these images as a form of fantasy; don’t be fooled into
thinking all of them are real.
Certainly don’t let them affect your feelings about your
own body — especially if these feelings have already been
shaped by insecurities dating back to your childhood —
because our relationship with our bodies can be one of the
^`deUZWÍTf]ehVÄ]]VgVc_VX`eZReV
And it’s one that can continue to affect our sense of self-
worth as we get older and start to see our bodies deviate
even further from the youthful ideal promoted by some
magazines.
When I look at the two sets of images laid out on these
pages, I know the difference between my real and fake body
is so huge that I’ll never look as good in real life as the fake
^V3feeYReÄd@<SVTRfdV:ÄgVXc`h_e`RTTVaeR_U]`gV^j
body just the way it is.
In fact, I can now say that I’d rather have it the way it is
than the way it’s been made to look through the magic of
^RXRkZ_Vd3VTRfdVR]]eY`dVT]ZTY~dRS`fej`fcS`UjeV]]Z_X
the story of your life are
true — and I certainly
¤ The photographer wouldn’t be me if I weren’t
reduces my skin’s living in this body.
shine and redness, I hope after seeing this,
then eliminates the you too will feel the same
difference in tone way about your body.
between my face and
body, by giving me an
all-over tan.
¤ He uses a technique
called “healing” to
remove any blemishes
and reduce wrinkles.
¤ He brightens my eyes
and teeth and creates
even more contrast
POST- in the shadows
PRODUCTION created by the
lighting so that my
already-contoured
muscles look even
more defined.
¤ Finally, he uses
the “liquify” filter in
Photoshop to pump out
my calves, thighs, arms,
shoulders and chest,
and to tighten my waist
and abs.

MARCH 2017 65
 CK
ERSTO
SHUTT

66 MARCH 2017
THE MYTHS
AROUND SEX
&DISABILI
DESEXUALISED, INFANTALISED, FETISHISED AND
OSTRACISED — WHEN SOCIETY ISN’T IGNORING
THE SEX LIVES OF DISABLED PEOPLE, IT JUST
GETS EVERYTHING WRONG. MYTHS RANGE FROM
THE IDEA THAT DISABLED PEOPLE RELY ON SEX
WORKERS, TO THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO LEAD
HEALTHY SEX LIVES AT ALL. IT’S MORE COMPLEX
FOR DISABLED GAY MEN, WHO HAVE TO CONTEND
WITH THE OVERT BODY IDEALS OF THE SCENE
AND THE HARSH NATURE OF DATING APPS

WORDS: CHRIS GODFREY // PHOTOGRAPHS: MARKUS BIDAUX

2017 67
 osh Hepple is an aspiring solicitor with three ÁAV`a]VYRgVR]`e`W_VcgVdRc`f_U^jZ_g`]f_eRcj
law degrees. He specialises in international ^`gV^V_edÂdRjd;`dYÁ:R^YVR]eYjSfeaV`a]VRcV_Äe
gay criminal law, has worked with numerous Via`dVUe`UZWWVcV_eS`UZVdAV`a]VZ_hYVV]TYRZcdRaaVRc
VdeVV^VUÍc^dR_Ug`]f_eVVcdYZdWcVVeZ^VhZeY _`ee`SVYVR]eYjd`eYVcVÄdeYVbfVdeZ`_`WhYVeYVc`c_`e
human rights organisations such as Amnesty eYVjRcVdRWVe`YRgVdVihZeY2aadR]]`h^Ve`Z_ec`UfTV
:_eVc_ReZ`_R]2dd`^V`_VhZeYdVgVcVTVcVScR] ^jdV]WSVW`cVaV`a]VdVV^j^`gV^V_edd`^VeYZ_X:ÄgV
aR]djhY`cVbfZcVdRddZdeR_TV#% (YVR]d``WWVcd W`f_UgVcja`hVcWf]Â
UZdRSZ]ZejVbfR]ZejecRZ_Z_Xe`T`^aR_ZVd9`SSZVdZ_T]fUV
riding ponies. IN A BLOG POSThcZeeV_W`ceYVJ`c\dYZcV3VRcdÄhVSdZeV
9VÄdR_RTT`^a]ZdYVUWcVV]R_TVhcZeVce``W`TfdZ_X`_ 8Rcj=VVR#(jVRc`]UTcVReZgVhcZeVcR_Uac`fU_VcU
international anti-homosexuality laws and more recently da`\V`WeYV_VVUW`cUZdRS]VUaV`a]Ve`V_T`fcRXVeY`dV
`_acV[fUZTVRXRZ_deUZdRS]VUaV`a]V6deRS]ZdYZ_XYZ^dV]W `fedZUVeYVT`^^f_Zeje`dVVeYV^RdeYVÁcR^aR_edVifR]
as a commentator wasn’t easy though. Despite possessing SVZ_XdhVRcVÂ2TYZVgZ_XeYZdhZ]]cVbfZcV^`cVT`gVcRXV
VieV_dZgVÍcdeYR_UViaVceZdVZ_S`eYRcVRdW`cR]`_X in the mainstream media, something he sees as crucial to
eZ^VYZdaZeTYVdhVcV]RcXV]jZX_`cVU3feZ_5VTV^SVc f_cRgV]]Z_XeYVeRS``dR_U^ZdT`_TVaeZ`_dRc`f_UdViR_U
last year, The Guardian commissioned him to discuss his UZdRSZ]Zej:_TcVRdVUcVacVdV_eReZ`_ScVVUd_`c^R]ZdReZ`_
8cZ_UcViaVcZV_TVdRdRXRjUZdRS]VU^R_Á:YRgVRX``U the precursor to acceptance.
dVi]ZWVR_UcVR]]jV_[`jTYR]]V_XZ_X^V_ÄdT`_TVaeZ`_d`W ÁEYV^`cVaV`a]VdVVUZdRS]VUaV`a]VRdRTe`cdRd^`UV]d
UZdRSZ]ZejÂYVhc`eVcVT`f_eZ_XeYVcVhRcUZ_X]ZSVcReZ_X RdReY]VeVd¹ZeSVT`^VdVRdZVce`Z^RXZ_VeYReeYVjh`f]U
encounters he’s had since downloading the app 18 months YRgVeYVdR^VZ^af]dVd`c_VVUdRdÃ`cUZ_RcjÄaV`a]VÂdRjd
RX`ÀRS`fe'!`WeYV^ 8RcjEYVRddf^aeZ`_eYReUZdRS]VUaV`a]V]RT\eYVdR^V
:_eYVV_UR]]Zee``\W`c;`dYe`YRgVYZdWcVV]R_TVhcZeZ_X dVifR]UVdZcVdRdeYV_`_UZdRS]VUT`^^f_ZejZdZ_aRce
afS]ZdYVUhRde`dRjeYReYV]VURYVR]eYjdVi]ZWV`_VeYReÄd ]`T\VUZ_eYV_`eZ`_`WVeVc_R]TYZ]Udj_Uc`^VEYVjÄcV
_`UZWWVcV_ee`eYRe`W^R_j_`_UZdRS]VUXRj^V_?`h gZVhVURdaVcaVefR]TYZ]UcV_hY`Ä]]_VgVcSVdV]WdfWÍTZV_e
VgVcj`_VhR_ede`YVRcWc`^YZ^ `ca`ddVddRUf]e_VVUdEYVZcdVifR]_VVUdRcVcRcV]j
Á2WeVceYVRceZT]VTR^V`fe:hRdaVcTVZgVURdRdVi^R_ZRT T`_dZUVcVU^R\Z_XZeZ^a`ddZS]VW`cd`^Ve`]VRUR_RTeZgV
cReYVceYR_R]RhjVcÂYVdRjdÁ:`WeV_hcZeVR]`e^`cV YVR]eYjdVi]ZWV
RS`feTcZ^Z_R]ZdReZ`_]RhdeYR_dViR_U:Ä^RS`fee`cVTVZgV ÁHYV_ZeÄdaV`a]VhY`cVbfZcVd]ZXYe]jYVRgjYR_UVUTRcV
^jW`fceY]RhUVXcVVSfeZ_deVRU:Ä^dVV_RdeYVUZdRS]VU `cRcV]VddRS]Ve`^R\VeY`dVUVTZdZ`_deYV^dV]gVdLeYVZc
XfjhY`YRddVi dVifR]_VVUdN_VgVccVR]]jXVeT`_dZUVcVUÂRUUd8RcjÁJ`f
5ZdRSZ]ZejR_UdVi:eÄdR_V^`eZgVe`aZTdYc`fUVUZ_ XVeRdZefReZ`_hYVcVaV`a]V[fdeRcV_ÄeRS]Ve`RTTVddeYV
^jeYR_U^ZdT`_TVaeZ`_:edeZ]]Z_g`\VdRg`jVfcZdeZT \Z_Ud`Wd`TZR]dVeeZ_Xd`cdZefReZ`_dhYVcVeYVjÄUSVRS]Ve`
TfcZ`dZejR^`_XeYV_`_UZdRS]VUa`af]ReZ`_,hYV_eYV Via]`cVeYV^dV]gVdZ_R_jTRaRTZejÂ
^RZ_decVR^^VUZRU`VdT`gVceYVdfS[VTeZe`WeV_decRUU]Vd 2dRhYVV]TYRZcfdVcYZ^dV]WYVÄdSVV_Via`dVUe`eYV
eYVT`_eV_eZ`fdS`cUVcSVehVV_dV_dZeZgVVia]`cReZ`_R_U VWWVTed`WVeVc_R]TYZ]Udj_Uc`^VhZeY^R_jZ_YZdWR^Z]j
sensationalist exploitation. ÀaRceZTf]Rc]jeYV`]UVcXV_VcReZ`_ÀV_d_RcVUSjZe
:eÄd_`eeYRe;`dYZd_ÄeYRaajeR]\Z_XRS`feYZddVi]ZWVÀ 5ZdTfddZ_XYZddVi]ZWVTRfdVdR_Rh\hRcU_VddeYVjÄUcReYVc
TR_UZU8cZ_UceR]VdRcVRT`_gVcdReZ`_R]deRa]VW`c^R_jXRj Rg`ZUhYZ]V`aa`cef_ZeZVde`Via]`cVYZddVifR]ZejRdRj`f_X
^V_R_UYVZd_`ViTVaeZ`_ÀYZdSV^fdV^V_e]ZVdhZeY XRj^R_hVcVdTRcTV:ehRd_Äe^fTYSVeeVcZ_eYVUReZ_X
eYVdfUUV_WRdTZ_ReZ`_SVTRfdVf_eZ]cV]ReZgV]jcVTV_e]j h`c]UhZeY^R_jXfjd`_eYVdTV_VcV[VTeZ_XYZddfZeRSZ]Zej
eYVdfS[VTehRd]RcXV]jZX_`cVUEYZddZ]V_TVYRdR]]`hVU RdRaRce_VceYc`fXYWVRc`W^`caYZ_XZ_e`RadVfU`TRcVc
RcTYRZT^ZdT`_TVaeZ`_dR_UdR]RTZ`fd^jeYde`Î`fcZdY+eYRe 8RcjÄdViaVcZV_TVdhZeYRaad^Zcc`ceY`dV`W;`dY2dhV]]
UZdRS]VUaV`a]VTR_ÄeYRgVcV]ReZ`_dYZadZ_eZ^RTj`cdVi Rd^R\Z_X^VVeZ_X`eYVcXRjXfjd^`cVRTTVddZS]VeYVj
hZeY`feaRjZ_XW`cZeeYRe]`_XeVc^aRce_Vcd^`caYZ_e` R]]`hYZ^e`ScVR\eYVZTVSVW`cVacVT`_TVaeZ`_dRS`feYZd
TRcVcdeYReeYVjTR_ÄeYRgVdViReR]] UZdRSZ]ZejeR\V`gVc
5VT`_decfTeZ_XeYVdV_RccReZgVdYRdZ_aRceR]cVRUjSVXf_ ÁEYVcVÄd_`Z_deR_ecVRTeZ`_RS`fe^jUZdRSZ]Zejd`aV`a]V
Z_eYV^VUZRR_`SgZ`fdViR^a]VSVZ_XeYVUfSZ`fd]j XVee`Í_U`fehY`:R^RdeYVaVcd`_ÂYVVia]RZ_d
named Channel 4 documentary, Sex on Wheels, which was EYVcVÄddeZ]]_VXReZgZejRdR_j`_VhY`U`Vd_ÄeÍeZ_e`
acRZdVUW`cZedcVR]ZdeZTa`cecRjR]`WdViR_UUZdRSZ]ZejZW_`e eYV8cZ_UchYZeV^RdT%^RdTRVdeYVeZTeV_Ude`Í_USfe
its title. XV_VcR]]jRaadYRgVac`gVUR_V^a`hVcZ_XRddVe2_U
E`T`^a]VeV]jUZdaV]eYV^jeYdR_UdeZX^R^`cV`W hYZ]VZeh`f]USVVRdje`Rddf^VeYReeYVhV]]VdeRS]ZdYVU
the same is needed. For decades society has constructed V^aYRdZd`_S`UjZUVR]dR^`_XXRj^V_hZ]]^R_ZWVdeZedV]W
TcfUV]ZefcXZVdRc`f_UUZdRSZ]ZejdViR_UcV]ReZ`_dYZad2d RdRS]VZd^8RcjYRdV_T`f_eVcVUeYV`aa`dZeV
RcVdf]eUZdRS]VUaV`a]VRcVdeZ]]Z_WR_eR]ZdVUaRec`_ZdVU Á:ÄgVRTefR]]jYRU^`cVa`dZeZgVViaVcZV_TVddZ_TV:TR^V
UVdVifR]ZdVURdVifR]ZdVUWVeZdYZdVU`cZX_`cVUV_eZcV]j out and started dating guys than I did when I was trying
D`^VeZ^VdeYVjÄcVVgV_WVRcVU e`UReVZ_eYVdecRZXYeh`c]UÂYVdRjdR]eY`fXYbfZT\]j

“FOR DECADES, SOCIETY HAS CONSTRUCTED CRUDE LITURGIES AROUND DISABILITY, SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS. DISABLED
PEOPLE ARE STILL INFANTALISED, PATRONISED, DESEXUALISED OR FETISHISED — SOMETIMES EVEN FEARED”

68 MARCH 2017
 journalist Charles Donovan was left with a permanent
disability. When he walks he uses a cane, his gait is
uneven and there are visible scars on his back where he’s
had surgery. While he can’t say whether gay men are any
more or less accepting of the disabled community than
their straight counterparts, he’s certainly been exposed to
isolated incidents.
“The clearest experience of rejection I’ve had was rather
an odd situation where I was swimming in the sea,” says
Charles, recalling the time he spent on a Portuguese gay
beach last summer.
“A very attractive man swam up to me and started coming
on to me. I was very attracted back and we started kissing.
Then I started getting cold and decided to get out of the
water. I can swim, I’m not disabled when I swim, but as soon
as I’m walking it becomes very obvious.
“As we emerged from the water, he could not get away
quick enough.”
As far as ableism goes, it’s as clear-cut an incident as he’s
likely to encounter. Other experiences of rejection have
been more ambiguous and left Charles trying to work out
just how big a part his disability played. He suspects that the
negative spiral around the issue becomes a contrived coping
mechanism.
“It’s tempting to fall into a potential mind trap,” he says.
“In one fell swoop they’re the baddie because ‘they hate
disabled people’ and I don’t have to worry that it might be
to do with my facial features or my lack of sexual allure or
something else. It can all be pinned on my disability.
“It’s tempting, there’s almost a safety in it. In some ways it
might feel less hurtful than thinking ‘oh my God, they just
didn’t like me’. It could be just someone not fancying me
and that’s something we all have to come to terms with.”
Before his accident, Charles says he was a sexually
T`_ÍUV_eXfj3feYV_`hViaVcZV_TVdRaacVYV_dZ`_RS`fe
his body, while fears around how sexual partners perceive
his disability have left him with performance anxiety. Over
time, he’s learnt to accept his body, to reject the social
stigma he’s absorbed and regain his self-esteem.
Á:WVV]T`_ÍUV_eR_U:Ä^YRaajhZeYY`h^jS`Uj]``\dÂ
he says. “I discovered that even at the worst point I could get
happy with my body quite quickly. I’m perfectly happy with
the way it is now, give or take a scar or two.”

istorically, the media in all its guises has largely

refrained from exploring the subject of sex and
disability. One minor aspect of the topic that has
been given more than its fair share of coverage,
however, is the experience of disabled people
with sex workers. In recent years, everyone
from VICE and The Guardian to the Daily Mail
IN DEMAND: Josh pointing out that this is only his personal experience. “I’ve has published articles on the subject, ethically suspect
Hepple found people
were interested in had less complications and less rejections on the gay scene. documentaries have been made, Academy Award-nominated
his views once they You hear horror stories about how image-obsessed the gay Hollywood movies have been lauded. Just last month,
realised he had a
healthy sex life
scene is and how much stock it puts in physical values, but Germany’s Green Party came out in favour of funding sex
I had a lot of friends and family around me who were very workers for the elderly and disabled, sparking a controversy
supportive and I found my own ways to negotiate that. Once that even reached the British press.
you have a few good experiences you gain a little bit more Although some of the arguments have been made
T`_ÍUV_TVR_Uj`fX``fe`_eYVdTV_VR_UZeXVedR]Zee]V with good intentions — some disabled people do require
bit easier.” assistance to lead an active sex life — the intense focus
on such a minor aspect has exacerbated a pernicious
AFTER AN ACCIDENT which broke his back in two places — and patronising myth: that the disabled community
along with his ankles and left arm — writer and freelance disproportionately solicits sex workers. ›

MARCH 2017 69
 “I THINK IF YOU WERE TO
ASK A THOUSAND MEN AND
A THOUSAND NON-DISABLED
MEN WHETHER THEY USED A
SEX WORKER I DON’T THINK
YOU WOULD SEE MUCH, IF
ANY, DIFFERENCE”

gay, non-disabled teenager, doctors would ask him if he was

leading a healthy sex life and offered him condoms. Toby
was never extended the same courtesy. The assumption: as a
disabled teenager, why would he need them?
Other situations have presented a more blatant
expectation of asexuality: Toby requires a bed that can be
raised and lowered, but social services are only prepared to
offer him a single.
Diversity and inclusion manager Toby Milton says: “I Chris says: “It’s the assumption that people wouldn’t
haven’t met many people who have paid for sex. I don’t YRgVRdVi]ZWV:Í_UeYReZW:cVWVce`^jS`jWcZV_UÃhY`
think that idea is true. is a wheelchair user’ suddenly it becomes surprising and
“It can exist, but out of all my friends who are disabled interesting.
only one of them has actually paid for sex. I don’t think “Probably the most awkward I felt has been Toby’s
that’s because he was disabled, I think that’s because he was birthday last year: we went out for a dinner at a nice
out, drunk and horny.” restaurant. Towards the end of the dinner some well-
Toby, 35, continues: “If you were to ask a thousand men meaning person from another table came over — I’d never
and a thousand non-disabled men whether they used a sex- met them before — and gave me a big hug. They wanted to
worker I don’t think you would see much, if any, difference.” say what a wonderful person they thought I was.
Toby met his boyfriend, Chris Watkins, at work after they “You’ve kinda gotta shrug it off and take it in the spirit
were partnered on a project together. Although he’s in a that it was intended, but that wasn’t nice really,” he
happy relationship now, Toby’s experiences on the dating continues. “That’s the kind of stigma.
scene weren’t enjoyable, not least because the way society “It was meant with the best of intentions, but what comes
conditioned him and the impact this had on his self-esteem. RTc`ddZd+ÃhYj`_VRceYh`f]Uj`fhR_ee`X``fehZeY
“Part of the issue I found, before I met Chris, was that I d`^V`_VhZeYRUZdRSZ]ZejÄR_UÃj`f^fdeSVRcVR]]jX``U
hRd_ÄeT`_ÍUV_eZ_^jdV]WR_UZ_^j`h_S`UjZ^RXVR_U person’.”
my ability to be a good partner to somebody,” says Toby. This incident represents society’s attitude in a microcosm.
“I think there’s an element of helping disabled people be By disregarding the community’s needs and ignoring their
successful in a relationship. Disability and sex and the body lives altogether, myths have been allowed to prevail and
is still very much a taboo. There’s a lot of fear around it, so stereotypes compounded. It’s society that disables, not the
what happens is people don’t actually talk about it. disability itself.
MYTH BUSTER:
Toby, with boyfriend “Disabled people are still very much asexualised and that’s “I’m only disabled because society has not adapted
Chris. feels the idea almost an institutional thing.” enough,” says Josh. “That’s where the prejudice and stigma
of disabled people
having sex is
Sometimes the institutional double standards manifest as a come from. It’s society that perpetuates many of the myths
still a taboo subtle omission. Whenever Chris went to his GP, as a young that exist around disability and sex.”

70 MARCH 2017
7+(*5($7
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set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland and offers world-class
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72 MARCH 2017
 AS A BOY, MATT LISTER WAS MUCH
MORE HIRSUTE THAN ANY OF HIS
FRIENDS. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE
SOME ADVANTAGES, HE HATED THE
WILD GROWTH ON HIS BACK. BUT
— AFTER SOME HAIRY MOMENTS
TRYING TO GET RID OF IT — THE
ATTITUDE COLUMNIST AND CHAMPION
CANOEIST HAS LEARNT TO LOVE IT
PHOTOGRAPHS: MARKUS BIDAUX

always knew I was gay, it was impossible to hide while

I was growing up. Between the ages of two and three I
used to love dressing up in my sister’s bridesmaid dress.
I went to see Spice World with my older sister and her
friends, dressed as the sassiest six-year-old Posh Spice
around, and I even pierced my ears with a gross old
needle, forcing some of my mum’s chandelier earrings
through. I blamed the bleeding on “falling over and catching
them both on the wardrobe door”. Really?
But the biggest sign, of course, was realising I was only
attracted to men. There was wrestler John Cena, Tom
Selleck, in Friends. NFL player and White Chicks actor Terry
Crews (he’s the new Old Spice man in the adverts), Jason
from 5ive, Will Smith as the Fresh Prince, and Kevin James
in King of Queens. Not all of them were particularly hairy, but
it was the hairy ones who fascinated me the most. ›
 I was about 10 when I started sprouting pubic hair and it
T`_WfdVU^VReÍcde:eYZ_\:\_VheYV_eYReZe^VR_e:hRd
growing up, but I couldn’t quite grasp the idea that I was
X`Z_Xe`SVT`^VR^R_RedfTYR_VRc]jRXV:U`cV^V^SVc
being very proud of the fact that I’d achieved something
eYRe_`_V`W^jWcZV_UdeYVdR^VRXVT`f]UU`
It wasn’t long before I was sprouting hair here, there and
VgVcjhYVcV3jeYVeZ^V:hRd"#`c"$:hRddYRgZ_X^j
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that moment where my dad taught me how to shave, but I’d
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fabfZT\]jÀVgV_ZW:_VRc]j]`deR]ZaRWVheZ^Vd couldn’t sit in the boat because of the pain and I had to get
Naturally, it followed that I had quite hairy legs for a the physio to help me lance it!
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embarrassed (even though I found hairy feet hot on other gZTZ`fd`_8cZ_UcHVÄURccR_XVUe`^VVefaW`cRT`WWVV
XfjdeYRe:deRceVUdYRgZ_XeYVcVe`` after chatting for a couple of days, but while on my way to
3jeYVRXV`W"&:hRdWf]]jVbfZaaVUhZeYRTcRT\Z_XTYZ_ meet him I started getting a string of toxic messages out of
strap, which came in handy for getting past bouncers on eYVS]fVRS`feZeSVZ_XUZdXfdeZ_XeYRe:hRdd`YRZcj9V
_ZXYed`fehZeY^jdZdeVc`cd`^V`W^j`]UVcWcZV_UdEYV_ said the only chance of us meeting up was if I went for a full
around the time of my 16th birthday, I noticed that I was S`UjhRiR_UdYRgVU`WW^jSVRcU
deRceZ_Xe`Xc`hSRT\YRZc:hRd^`ceZÍVU Pressure, not just from random guys on Grindr, but also
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eYV_Sfe:\_Vh:YReVUZe=``\Z_XSRT\:XfVddj`fcRcV]j cRk`c`feR_UYRT\VURhRjW`cRX``UY`fcSV_UZ_XR_U
dRhXfjd`_EG`cZ_^RXRkZ_VdhY`YRU`SgZ`fd]jYRZcj twisting to get as much of it off myself, then my teammate
SRT\d:hRdÍ_VhZeY^jViTVddYRZc^R\Z_X^V]``\`]UVc Í_ZdYVU`WWeYV]Zee]VUZR^`_U:T`f]U_ÄecVRTYSVehVV_^j
eYR_^jWcZV_UdRedTY``]R_UR^`_X^j3cZeZdYTR_`VZ_X shoulder blades without me dislocating both shoulders and
eVR^^ReVdSfe:hZdYVU^jYRZcjSRT\h`f]UX`RhRj:_ d_RaaZ_XRcZS
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`SdVddVUhZeY^R_dTRaZ_X:ÄUdaV_UY`fcdT]ZaaZ_XRhRj hRd^VehZeY¹UZdRaa`Z_e^V_e
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HVX`eZ_`_VVgV_Z_XR_U:^RUVYZ^a]fT\`feVgVcj Sure enough, before long you could have written A Tale
`_VHYV_:]``\VUReeYVSVUdYVVedZehRdRdZWU`kV_d`W of Two CitiesZ_ScRZ]]VRTc`dd^jV_eZcVSRT\eYR_\de`eYV
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hY`ÄdUcVddVUWc`^YVRUe`e`VZ_dacRj`_=jTcRR_UeZXYe EYVdVURjdeYZ_XdYRgVT`^VWf]]TZcT]VR_U:ÄgVWf]]j
]ReVi_`eRddVijRdZed`f_UdZdeYVTYRÍ_XR_UTReTYZ_X V^ScRTVUeYReYRaajYRZcj\ZU:fdVUe`SV:fdV^j
Rdj`faf]]]RjVcd`WdhVRej_V`acV_V`_R_U`WW>ZieYRe Instagram as a platform to just be myself, and a great big
hZeYT]R^^jUZcej\ZeR_Uj`fÄcVcZUU]VUhZeYZ_Xc`h_ portion of that, much to my mother’s dismay, is of me half
YRZcd2e]VRdeZehRdR_Z_TV_eZgVe`\VVa^j\ZeT]VR_ _R\VU[f^aZ_XR_UaRcRUZ_XRc`f_U`_RSVRTYd`^VhYVcV
although while on a training camp in the Pyrenees one year Rc`f_UeYVh`c]U^jSRT\YRZc`fee`eYVh`c]U]Z\VR
aVRT`T\Äda]f^RXV:]`gV^jYRZcjSRT\d`^fTY_`h:XVe
ac`eVTeZgV`gVcY`hWRcU`h_^j_VT\:]Ve^jSRcSVcdYRgV
I guess some of the emotions about being so hairy related
e`T`^Z_X`feRdXRj?`heYRe:ÄgVT`^V`feRdYRZcj:
can see how when I accepted myself for who and how I am,
`eYVcddVV^VUe`W`]]`hdfZe
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place and not caved into pressure I would have avoided a
]`e`WaRZ_S`eYaYjdZTR]R_UV^`eZ`_R]:eÄdSVV_R]`_X
[`fc_VjW`c^Ve`]VRc_e`]`gV^jWfkkSfe:YRgVÍ_R]]j]Ve
^jdV]WSVYRaajZ_^j`h_d\Z_ÀR_UZ_^jWfc
:Y`aV:TR_Z_daZcV`eYVcde`[fdeÁ]VeZeXc`hÂRd:UZU:eÄd
hRj^`cVWf_

74 MARCH 2017
 “I WAS FINE WITH ALL MY HAIR MAKING ME LOOK OLDER
THAN MY FRIENDS, BUT WISHED MY HAIRY BACK WOULD GO
AWAY. I ASKED FOR LASER HAIR-REMOVAL FOR MY BIRTHDAY
— A PRESENT I NEVER GOT, THANK GOODNESS”
 TAMING THE

IT’S TRUE THAT

THE BEARD HAS
ENJOYED NEW
HEIGHTS OF
POPULARITY
IN RECENT
YEARS: TAKE A
BOW HIPSTERS
AND BEARS,
AND SAY
BYE-BYE
CLEAN-CUT OFFICE
CULTURE. BUT NOT
EVERYONE LOVES
THE HIRSUTE LOOK
AND SINCE THE DAWN OF
TIME, MAN HAS BEEN FINDING
INVENTIVE WAYS TO REMOVE THE
FUZZ. WAX ON, WAX OFF…
WORDS: ADAM DUXBURY

A LITTLE BIT
OF ANCIENT
HAIRSTORY
While our early ancestors are routinely `feÍee`eYV`WÍTVeYcVVURjd
depicted as scraggly vagabonds, during in a row. But because beards were
the Ice Age wet facial hair was more of still seen as a sign of masculinity
a liability than an asset. So to combat and dignity, they just strapped
any frostbite problems, early humans STUBBBLE TROUBLE: a fake one on with string then
began pulling out their hairs using The Egyptian pharaohs topped the look off with a fresh
viewed facial hair as a
seashells as tweezers. Yep, seashells. sign of neglect
wig to protect them from the sun.
>Z_Uj`fÍ]Z_XU`h_eVVeYhRdR]d`R We’re sure that was a winning look.
popular pastime, so it’s all relative. However, in ancient Mesopotamia,
The Ancient Romans might have seen they were all about that real beard,
a lack of major body hair as some kind and those Assyrians, Sumerians, and
of terrible deformity, but the Egyptians skin. Just like twinks now, really. Some Phoenicians loved them long, thick,
were all about the “pretty boy” look. would even pluck out all of their and luxurious. Their regime would
They bathed several times a day and eyebrow hair and their eyelashes. OK, make your average drag queen blush:
maintained a strict regimen of shaving we don’t know many twinks who go they dyed their precious facial follicles
their bodies completely smooth (pubic that far. with henna, powdered them with gold-
hair included), using circular razors For the pharaohs, growing facial dust, wove them through with ribbons
and pumice stones, before massaging hair was viewed as a sign of personal and threads, and then curled them
perfumed oils and lotions into their neglect — akin to wearing the same into intricate, hanging tiers.

76 MARCH 2017
 By the fourth century BC, the took off when Remington,
Egyptian art of grooming had made its a company best known
way north to Greece and Rome. Helped for inventing the same
in no small part by dashing bisexual QWERTY keyboard we
warmonger Alexander the Great, who use today, introduced
liked his troops silky-smooth: “It makes eYVÍcdeac`aVcV]VTecZT
it harder for the enemy to grab on to model in 1937. Thanks to
you during hand-to-hand combat,” FINE AND DANDY Remington, American men
he claimed. Sure, Alex, sure. Straight swooned over the dry-
razors were also now in use and ¤ Beau Brummell shave phenomenon and the
despite the danger of the odd nick or was the original company has been inventing
d]ZTVU[fXf]RcC`^R_^V_Î`T\VUe` dandy. Born in 1778, new and improved ways to
the barber shop — mainly because they he’s credited with tackle face and body hair
just loved a good gossip. introducing the ever since.
modern men’s suit to
Elsewhere in the world, shaving The 1960s really shook up
the world and, after
was heavily tied up with rituals of our grooming habits with

MODERN
inheriting a small
manhood. Ancient Hindu parents paid fortune, dedicated the introduction of both

SHAVING
a local barber anything from a couple his life to the art of home-waxing strips and
`WdYVVae`eh`Í_VdeR]]Z`_de`dYRgV being a spruced-up laser hair-removal although
their sons when they turned 16 — gentleman. He would it would take men a few
watched by the whole family, naturally. shave twice a day and more decades to embrace
And if you think you’ve got mother Grooming habits have changed over polish his shoes with either method, especially
issues, try being a member of Kenya’s the centuries, but it’s only quite champagne, but it all since the 1970s ushered
came crashing down
ancient Massai tribe. On a man’s 24th recently that the tools of the trade saw in a new era of long-hair-
when he racked up
birthday, mummy dearest would shave a dramatic improvement, loving hippies and billowing
gambling debts then
his head on the same cowhide he had taking us from tweezing fled to France, where bushes. Then came David
been circumcised on 10 years earlier. with clamshells to he died in a lunatic Bowie’s androgyny and the
Snip, snip. buzzing it all off with asylum. New Romantics, such as
bluetooth-enabled smart Boy George, who brought
shavers. In the late 1920s, femininity to the fore, as
electric razors came men began embracing
on to the scene. grooming on a level not seen since
They only really those ancient Egyptians. Elsewhere,
Arnie and Sly were dominating our
screens with shiny, bulging muscles,
and hair was out, out out.
EYVXc``^Z_XÍiReZ`_cVRTYVUZed
RENAISSANCEFOX logical conclusion with the birth of
the metrosexual in 1994, then the
¤ Michelangelo’s internet came along and people were
famous statue of seeing more smooth, ripped bodies
David caused quite a
than ever before and the battle
stir when it debuted. It
against body hair was on. The
signified both power
and vulnerability, but Bravo TV show, Queer Eye for the
HAIR TODAY, GONE
had genitals and pubic TOMORROW: from Straight Guy capitalised on the
hair on show at a time left, Boy George, trend, coining the word
Bowie and Arnie
when smooth was the “manscaping” and showing the
norm and prudishness average hetero guy what we gays
reigned. But the gay had been doing for years.
artist’s statue set the
ideal for male beauty
for centuries to come.
Sometimes it just
Kieran Tudor, Remington brand GET YOUR What is your golden rule for a great trim

takes a queer eye…

ambassador and Professional Hair Stylist, GROOM ON (body or face) every time?
on how to handle those delicate areas: ¤ Know your end look, what you want
¤ Use the right tool for the job. Grooming to achieve and which product is right
these areas in cold water tightens the for the job. Shavers, beard trimmers,
(the colder the better), for a more hair clippers and body trimmers are all
precise trim. The Remington Delicate designed for caring for different body
& Body Hair Trimmer is waterproof an parts. When it comes to grooming, a lot
has been especially designed for men of men use the wrong product for their
who want a specialist, compact body skin and stubble type. You can adapt
grooming tool that makes “manscapi the Remington Beard Boss Trimmer to
effortless. Comfort-tip rounded blad achieve different lengths and craft your
REX, SHUTTERSTOCK

also prevent nicks and cuts in your look in no time at all.

precious areas! uk.remington-europe.com
SMOOTH OPERATOR:
Alexander the Great
didn’t like his troops
to be hairy
MARCH 2017 77
 MARCH 2017
WORDS: JOSEPH KOCHARIAN
STYLING: NICK BYAM
PHOTOGRAPHY: RYAN SARADJOLA

RUFSKIN, The Californian-

based brand are
SET, GO! best known for
their denim, but
Rufskin have plenty on offer if you’re
after more than just jeans — including
underwear, casual wear, swimwear and
sports gear. The San Diego brand also
have a huge range of performance
wear, including workout vests,
jockstraps, compression
pants, shorts, slouchy
workout wear and
even bodysuits. So you
can be kitted out for
everything from the
gym to yoga.

rufskin.com

GROOMING: Cassie
Steward at LHA, using
Crème de la Mer and
Bumble and bumble
MODEL: Flo at Select
Model Management
FASHION ASSISTANT:
Freya Monro Morrison

Flo wears
Duke tank,
$52, Jupiter
jockstrap, £32,
both by Rufskin

MARCH 2017 79
Covered up, or
showing a bit Flo wears vest,
£30, boxer
of skin — learn shorts, £30,
both by Sunspel
to relax in the
TOTA L : £ 6 0
right way in
your underwear
PHOTOGRAPHY: RYAN SARADJOLA
FASHION: NICK BYAM
WORDS: JOSEPH KOCHARIAN

AROUND
WHETHER YOU
CALL THEM VESTS,
SINGLETS OR
TANKS, NEUTRAL
CLASSIC COLOURS
ARE THE WAY
TO GO WHEN
MATCHING
WITH YOUR
UNDERWEAR

Flo wears
vest, £17,
boxers,
£17, both
by Guess

TOTA L : £ 3 4
 Flo wears
trunks, £24, by
Garçon Model

TOTA L : £ 2 4
 IF YOU’RE NOT
FEELING NEUTRALS,
A BRIGHT PAIR OF
PANTS, SUCH AS
GARÇON MODEL’S FINISH
BRIEFS, WILL GRAB THE LOOK
THE ATTENTION

Paul Smith striped cotton

boxer shorts, £40

Socks, by Alexander McQueen

at Mr PORTER, £40

Flo wears t-shirt,

£22.50, shorts,
£22.50, both
by David Gandy
for Autograph, Oversized hoodie, Asos, £20
socks, £10, by
E`^^j9Z]ÍXVc

TOTA L : £ 5 5

Shorts, by Calvin Klein, £29

MODEL: Flo at Select Model Management Balenciaga socks, at

GROOMING: Cassie Steward at LHA, using Crème Matches Fashion, £45
de la Mer and Bumble and bumble
FASHION ASSISTANT: Freya Monro Morrisson

MARCH 2017 83
PHILIPP
PLEIN’S
FANTASTIC
FLAGSHIP
At the end of last year,
Philipp Plein opened their
ÍcdeF<de`cV`_=`_U`_Äd
New Bond Street. The
designer always puts on a
spectacular show during
fashion week (monster
trucks and fairground rides
for his models to walk by!)
and has a huge celebrity
following, so it was no
surprise that the store
was going to be a big deal
in its own right. It houses
A]VZ_ÄdT`]]VTeZ`_Z_T]fUZ_X
ÎR^S`jR_eR_UWf_T]`eYVd
for spring-summer.
Your monthly fashion need-to-know
plein.com
WORDS: JOSEPH KOCHARIAN

BJÖRN BORG
ARE READY
TO WORK
YOU OUT
Swedish brand Björn Borg has
got us in the mood to move
with their spring-summer
2017 collection. With a palette
of monochrome, and the
familiar waistband,
which has been
GAP GO elevated this season,
BACK TO eYVjÄgV]RjVcVU
BASICS on conceptual
prints and pops of
colour to achieve
Gap have delved into their archives for a special capsule the fashion and
collection, revisiting some of their classic pieces. There’s
functionality
plenty to celebrate when it comes to Gap and the Nineties
aesthetic that we
(remember their dance commercials? The Khaki Swing?) The
Archive Re-Issue collection is a crisp reinvigoration of iconic have come to expect
pieces, tapping into everyone’s fondness for a bit of Nineties’ from the brand.
nostalgia, in clean pastel colours, fresh and ready for spring.
All available in stores now. bjornborg.com

gap.co.uk

84 MARCH 2017
MOSS
BROS
GET US
PURRING
For this season, Moss
Bros are showing off
a softer side to their
tailoring. What more
could you possibly
want than male
models wearing great
suits — with no tops — and holding cats?
The high-street tailoring brand always have
an impressive scope of suits to help you to get
smart for spring and summer. It’s tricky to know
what to train your eye on: the clothes, the men
or the cats.

mossbros.co.uk
ba l l et

Marcelino wears
windbreaker
jacket with
Crazy Cleopatra
print, €1,590,
sweatshirt with
Crazy Cleopatra
print (worn around
the waist), €790,
Crazy Cleopatra-
printed Bermuda
shorts, from €650,
short leggings with
Crazy Cleopatra
print, €750, all
by Givenchy by
Riccardo Tisci
 Watching ballet dancers
perform, there’s
no doubting their
gracefulness, elegance
and beauty. But they are
athletes too and each
of them puts their body
on the line in every
performance. Three
of the Royal Ballet’s
ballerinos tell us how
they keep in shape, what
their bodies mean to
them and how that can
affect relationships
PHOTOGRAPHY: JENNY BOUGH
FASHION & WORDS: JOSEPH KOCHARIAN
Marcelino and
Valentino,
all clothing
dancers’ own
 Valentino wears
coat, £1,280,
leggings, £490,
both by Versace

MARCH 2017 89
 Calvin wears
poncho, £250,
by Y-3

90 MARCH 2017
Marcelino
wears blazer and
trousers, both by
Moschino, POA
Valentino wears
vest, £280, by
Wooyoungmi at
Farfetch, trousers,
£149, by Tiger Of
Sweden

MARCH 2017 93
Marcelino
wears tights,
dancer’s own
Calvin wears jacket,
£150, trousers,
£100, top, £50, all
by Topman Design

HAIR AND
GROOMING: Cat
Wyman using
Bumble and bumble
and Mac Cosmetics
FASHION
ASSISTANTS: Nick
Byam, Umar Sarwar
and Cory Labrosse
 Valentino wears
bib shorts,
£157, by Café
du Cycliste at
Matches Fashion

VA L E N T I N O Z U C C H E T T I First Soloist

What’s your favourite role of all the We do such an amazing job and it’s basically spend 90 per cent of your
ones you’ve danced? so exciting and the prospect of going time in pain.
My favourite roles are usually the ones on stage keeps us going. Often we How do you feel about ballet being a
that require interpretation, so it can rehearse and perform while quite means of self-expression? How does
be Lescaut in Manon, or Mercutio in exhausted physically. People wouldn’t j`fcS`UjÍeZ_e`eYRe0
Romeo and Juliet, roles that require usually push themselves to do that, Ballet is an international language; it’s
acting as well as dancing. but because we are so driven by the art of movement. So your body is
In terms of your body, you have class aVcW`c^Z_X R_U hYRe hV U` hV Í_U obviously going to be an expressive
every morning, rehearsal and then the energy. And it’s funny, the more tool. It’s a bit like speaking; when
you have to perform on stage most you do, the more you can do. you’re young you feel raw emotions but
evenings. How do you keep your body Have you always been active? you don’t know the words to express
in peak condition? Yes! Nowadays they would call it eYV^HYV_j`fU`Í_UeYVh`cUdeYRe
I am rigorous and a bit extreme 2595 LReeV_eZ`_UVÍTZe YjaVcRTeZgZej connect to the feeling then you express
because we normally start at 10.30am. disorder], but back in the Nineties they them. It’s a little bit the same with
But I treat ballet class as working on obviously wouldn’t have checked for ballet. It’s literally like talking — but
muscles and placing myself for the day, it. When I was a kid I was doing karate, with your body.
rather than warming up. So I do a one- basketball, swimming, ballet; I was When you date people, do they get
hour warm up beforehand. That means doing something every day. insecure about their body?
I have a whole routine in the morning We’re looking at the body. How does Yeah. This is going to sound really bad
to prepare my body before class, then it feel when the main tool of your but [laughs] when you date a non-
class is a way to get my body placed. trade is your body?
"it's such a dancer, not an athlete in any way, it
The key to keeping your body in peak You have to treat your body as a short career. could be a date or a long-term
condition is to have the right balance temple. Often an injury can slow down It's tough, cV]ReZ`_dYZaeYVjRcVUVÍ_ZeV]jX`Z_X
of nutrition, rest and training and performances, cause you to pull out and you e`WVV]dV]WT`_dTZ`fd3fe`_eYVÎZa
that’s what I do.
How do you keep your energy levels
or miss that one performance when
a very important person is there
basically side, with me training six hours a day
and them only doing it three times a
up? e` hReTY 3VZ_X Z_[fcVU Zd UZWÍTf]e
spend 90% week, they’re going to want to do
I’m blessed because I’m a very psychologically, and dancers have of your time more. And maybe they’re going to
energetic person. I always have been. such a short career. It’s tough, and you in pain" teach me how to relax!

MARCH 2017 97
How do you keep your body in peak drinking a cocktail because I’m more "I am aware of fascination with ballet dancers’
condition?
If you’d asked me two years ago, I’d
body aware.
And is it true that you’re always in
that this bodies, isn’t there?
I’m very fortunate in my current
have said, “Oh, I eat everything and pain as a dancer? is a very relationship as he has a great body,
things come naturally.” But as I age, It’s rare that someone asks me, “Are important so he actually helps me be on it
my body isn’t responding as much, so you OK about your body?” and I can instrument with mine as well. But, yes, it’s true,
I have to be more careful: eat the right reply: “Yeah, really OK.” There’s always for my life. there is a certain obsession with how
things, sleep the right amount.
So what food do you miss?
some niggle: a tendon, or toe, or the
back, but we are so used to it. You have
So every time ballet dancers look because there’s a
certain type of muscle and leanness
I’m a big fan of patisserie and to ignore it and keep going and it goes I go partying, about us, and that’s what I’ve always
boulangerie, all the nice cakes! I’m a away sometimes. I know I have encountered when I’m in relationships.
bit like Marie Antoinette! Can you remember the last time you to be careful What does your boyfriend do?
How do you feel about your body weren’t in pain? not to be He’s a lawyer.
being the main tool for your job?
It’s a responsibility. I have to make
Yes. It was last summer and I was at
home and I sat down and thought, “I
on slippery A lawyer? He just has a bod?
He just has a really natural body, and
sure it’s on top form because I want to have to remember this moment and floors, in he goes to the gym a lot [laughs].
deliver the best show I can. I am aware thank whoever is helping me so much!’ case I fall" So he isn’t intimidated?
that it’s a very important instrument [laughs]. No. He gives me a run for my money!
for my life. So every time I go partying Do you ever get frustrated with your What have you got coming up in the
I know I have to be careful not to be on body? spring?
d]ZaaVcj Î``cd Z_ TRdV : WR]] : ecj _`e e` All the time; on a daily basis. I arrive There’s an amazing neo-classical ballet
do things that are too radical. at 10.30 every morning, stand in my by David Dawson, called The Human
A night out is quite radical, I’m tights in front of a mirror and all I Seasons. I’ve got a great role and I’ll be
guessing. have is negative thoughts. But part of on the stage with the principal
We can always do nights out, but my maturing is learning to cope with it dancers. It’s a really challenging piece
nights out used to be much more and push through it. R_U:_VVUe`SVcVR]]jÍeSjeYV_
dancing all night. Now they’re more 3VZ_X R UR_TVc U` j`f Í_U Ze because there is a lot of lifting and
about sitting in a nice jazz bar and UZWÍTf]e hYV_ UReZ_X0 EYVcVÄd R \Z_U dancing.

M A R C E L I N O S A M B É soloist

Marcelino
wears, jacket,
£600, shorts,
£420, both
by Sibling
     C A LV I N R I C H A R D S O N Artist

EXTENDED
INTERVIEWS
O N O U R i PA D
EDITION!

Calvin wears
trousers, £199, by
EZXVc@WDhVUV_

How long have you been here? that we are not just colleagues, we’re Which is your favourite ballet that
This is my third season, but I was off R]d` cVR]]j T]`dV WcZV_Ud D` `fedZUV you’ve danced in?
with an injury for almost the whole of work we’ll probably be hanging out =RdedVRd`_HRj_V>T8cVX`c`fc
^jÍcdedVRd`_D`:WVV]RdZW:R^`_]j together which means that there’s resident choreographer, did a piece
_`hXVeeZ_XSRT\e`^jWf]]decV_XeY a temptation to talk about what we called Obsidian Tear, which he created
What did you do to yourself? cV]ReV e` hYZTY Zd SR]]Ve D`^VeZ^Vd `_^VR_UZehRdR_R]]^R]VTRde:
:YRUdfcXVcjW`cR_R_\]Vac`S]V^: eYRe TR_ XVe R SZe e`` ^fTY was one of the leading parts — that was
had an extra bone removed and then Is the mental aspect a big thing? Are cVR]]jSZXW`c^V
eYVcVhVcVcVYRSZ]ZeReZ`_ac`S]V^d you always in pain? How different is an all-male cast?
Do you ever feel frustrated by your : XfVdd Z_ d`^V cVdaVTed jVd 3fe hVÄcV 2]]eYVaRce_VcZ_XR_UT`_dVbfV_e]j
body? kind of masochistic as well because R]]eYVdeVadT`^V`feUZWWVcV_e]jEYV
I guess everyone wants to be perfect hV ]Z\V eYV aRZ_ D`^VeZ^Vd Ze RTefR]]j women are usually en pointe [on the
and I wasn’t born with amazing feet, feels nice to have that soreness [laughs] tips of their toes] which changes the
so I have to work with that in my own which might sound really weird, but Uj_R^ZTdecRZXYeRhRj3feeYZdYRUR
hRj
"Sometimes we learn how to cope so that it’s as if UZWWVcV_eV_VcXjR_U:cVR]]jV_[`jVUZe
So how do you keep your body in it actually hV RcV_Äe Z_ aRZ_ As well as being a dancer you are also
good condition? feels nice 5` j`f Í_U Ze UZWÍTf]e e` YRgV interested in choreography, aren’t you?
I have to work out for lots of rehearsals, to have that relationships, given your schedule? I choreographed a piece called The
hYV_:Ä^X`Z_Xe`afdYZeeYV^`de:W:
YRgVRdY`heYReYRde`SVeYVacZ`cZej
soreness JVRY UVÍ_ZeV]j a]fd : TR^V YVcV _`e
knowing anyone, so pretty much
Dying Swan, which was made famous
SjLeYVCfddZR_acZ^RSR]]VcZ_RN2__R
D`:YRgVe`SVRhRcVeYRe:TR_Äe[fde
which might everyone I have met has been through ARg]`gRR_UeYVLC`jR]3R]]VeNDTY``]
SRdYVgVcjeYZ_X`feR]]URj2_j`_V sound really UR_TZ_X HZeY cV]ReZ`_dYZad Ze WVV]d Rd asked me to make my own rendition of
hY`U`VdeYReh`f]U[fdeScVR\ weird, but if you’re giving the worst side of you, if Ze:U`_Äe\_`hZWeYVjViaVTeVU
What do you do with your down time? we learn how you’re outside of ballet, because you’re anything of it, but it was quite popular,
Are you good at switching off?
I like to keep my life outside work
to cope so [fde ViYRfdeVU RWeVc h`c\ 2]d` Í_UZ_X
someone who can really understand
and then the company started using it
hYV_eYVje``\^V6gVcjeYZ_Xd`ce`W
dVaRcReV:eT`^VdU`h_R]`ee`
that it's as what you’re going through on a day-to- daZcR]]VU Wc`^eYVcV
conversations that you engage in as if we aren't URj SRdZd Zd _`e VRdj >`de aV`a]V U`_Äe
hV]]2cVR]]jSZXYRSZehZeYUR_TVcdZd in pain" bfZeV XVe Ze roh.org.uk

MARCH 2017 99
 A Asos asos.com

B Balmain at Matches Fashion

matchesfashion.com
Björn Borg bjornborg.com

C Café du Cycliste at Matches Fashion

matchesfashion.com
Calvin Klein calvinklein.com
Christopher Shannon
christophershannon.co.uk

D David Gandy for Autograph

marksandspencer.com
Daniel FletcherUR_ZV]hÎVeTYVcT`^
Diadora diadora.com
Diesel diesel.com
DSquared2 dsquared.com

G Gap gap.co.uk
Garçon Model garconmodel.com
Givenchy givenchy.com
Guess guess.eu/en

I I Colour at Sockshop sockshop.co.uk

J Jimmy Choo jimmychoo.com

M Moschino moschino.com
Moss Bros mossbros.co.uk

P Paul Smith paulsmith.co.uk

Philipp Plein plein.com
Prada at MR PORTER mrporter.com

R River Island riverisland.com

Rufskin rufskin.com

S Sibling London siblinglondon.com

Sunspel sunspel.com

T Tiger of Sweden tigerofsweden.com

E`^^j9Z]ÍXVc tommy.com
Topman Design topman.com

W Wooyoungmi wooyoungmi.com

V Versace versace.com

Y y-3 store.y-3.com

Calvin,Valentino
and Marcelino
wear dance tights,
all dancers’ own

FASHION AND
STYLING: Joseph
Kocharian
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Jenny Brough
MODELS:
Calvin, Valentino
and Marcelino
GROOMING: Cat
Wyman using Bumble
and bumble
and Mac Cosmetics
FASHION ASSISTANTS:
Nick Byam, Umar
Sarwar and
Cory Labrosse

100 MARCH 2017

TOM DALEY

HE’S GOT ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS BODIES IN THE WORLD

AND IT’S ON DISPLAY ALMOST EVERY TIME YOU SEE HIM. SO THE

CHOICE OF WHO TO PUT ON THE COVER OF OUR BODY ISSUE

WAS SIMPLE — IT HAD TO BE OLYMPIC DIVER TOM DALEY

WORDS: MATT CAIN // PHOTOGRAPHS: MARK CANT // FASHION: JOSEPH KOCHARIAN

102 MARCH 2017

Tom wears
gilet by
Prada at MR
PORTER, rings
(throughout),
Tom’s own
Newsflash! Tom Daley
doesn’t want to take
his clothes off.
As his publicist relays the news,
it comes as something of a shock.
Because we’re accustomed to seeing
the British Olympic and World
Championship diver in his Speedos
— and he has one of the most famous
bodies in the world.
We’re all familiar with the grooves
of Tom Daley’s abs, the smattering of
hair on his forearms, the tattoo of the
Olympic rings on his right bicep. Some
of us might even think we’re more
familiar with his body than those of
some of the men we’ve had sex with.
But Tom Daley doesn’t just have
one of the most familiar bodies in the
world. For many gay men, his body
represents the male physical ideal: the
body we lust after and strive to have
ourselves. Of course, our idea of male
beauty changes over time; just look at
the difference between Christopher
Reeve as Superman in the Seventies
and Eighties and Henry Cavill as the
superhero’s most recent incarnation.
And hopefully we’ve shown in this
issue that lots of different male body
types can be beautiful and should be
celebrated as such.
But if you had to single out one man
who represents the ideal body for the
greatest number of gay men in 2017,
j`fÄUSVYRcUacVddVUe`Í_UR^`cV
obvious candidate than Tom Daley.
The only thing is, at the age of 22,
he’s decided to cover up his body — at
least when he’s not in the pool.
So what’s going on? We take
advantage of the publication of his
_VhYVR]eYR_UÍe_VddS``\Tom’s
Daily Plane`Í_U`fe
In person, Daley is sparky and
intelligent, and accustomed to talking
about his body in the matter-of-fact
way that athletes often discuss their Tom wears
top and jeans,
physique as a key piece of kit or both by
equipment. But how will he respond to DSquared2
some of our probing questions about
his relationship with his body — and
the way it’s viewed by other gay men?

104 MARCH 2017

 TOM DALEY

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“LOOKING INTO GAY HISTORY, IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT BODY. IT’S ONE OF THOSE THINGS: THAT PEOPLE WANTED TO
CONSTANTLY TRY TO LOOK THEIR BEST BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY’D GET MORE ATTENTION BEING THAT IDEAL BODY”
MARCH 2017 105
TOM DALEY

How does it make you feel that Do you know whether, on average,
sometimes people might look at photos of you on your own get more
your body and it might make them likes than photos of the two of you
feel bad about their own? together?
Well, I train six hours a day, six I think photos of us together get
days a week. It’s not as if it’s more likes. Although the picture
something that happens just from of me wearing the Shawn Mendes
going to the gym for 20 minutes or Christmas jumper, the Treat You
an hour a day. My life’s about getting jumper, got quite a lot of likes. And
to the point where I’m in the physical Lance was like: “Whatever!” [Laughs].
shape that I can do all my diving the It strikes me that your relationship
best that I can. So, I do feel bad and with your body must be particularly
I wouldn’t want to make anyone feel intense because it forms part of
that way. But I know that if anyone else your identity and it’s your means of
trained for six hours a day, six days a RTYZVgZ_XWf]Í]^V_eRdRac`WVddZ`_R]
week, they would get the same result. Yeah, I have to look after myself
because if I get injured I can’t dive
and if I can’t dive that’s my career. So
I have to make sure I look after myself
“MY IDEAL MALE BODY? I LIKE SWIMMERS’ BODIES. SO VERY SIMILAR TO LANCE: SHOULDERS! and my diet, my mental health and
AND THEN, YEAH, TAPERED IN AT THE WAIST” my physical health, making sure I’m
training right, stretching right. I have
to have massages regularly. You have to
do that as a sports person.
To what extent do you think the book, doing the best thing for How did your feelings about your
magazines are to blame for promoting you, not worrying so much about body change following the Rio
an unattainable body ideal? what everyone else is doing, or what Olympics last year? Would it be fair to
That’s been more of an issue with everyone else is thinking, but doing dRjeYZdhRdeYVÍcdeeZ^Vj`fcS`Uj
female models, for girls seeing that and what you need to do for you; to make really let you down?
feeling bad about themselves. I don’t you feel the best that you can. Well, no, because I was in the best
think it’s been talked about very much When you post pictures of yourself on shape of my life at the Olympics, in
for men. Instagram, do you ever look at how terms of physical and mental health.
Which is why we’re doing it! many likes you’re getting? That shows in the fact that I got an
Yeah, exactly! Because I think men do Very rarely, to be truthful. The only Olympic record and won the prelim.
have the same insecurities, do think time that I ever do look at likes is And then the next day was rough [he
the same thing and do worry about when I post a photo of myself with TR^V]RdeR_UUZU_Äe^R\VeYVÍ_R]N
what they’re doing; more so gay men Lance, because he’s always so curious No amount of training can prepare
than straight men, I imagine. about social media. He asks: “How for the adrenaline high that came
Because we’re attracted to the many likes did the photo of us get?” I from the prelim and then the next
same body so we can project on to don’t know, it’s just something that he URjW`ceYVdV^ZÍ_R]e`T`^VSRT\Z_
ourselves what we’re attracted to. Í_UdYZ]RcZ`fdSVTRfdVYVdRjd+Á:eÄdd` and do it again, when your body can
Exactly. And you can project something annoying because every time I post a only produce so much adrenaline to
that’s pretty unobtainable. photo, you get 20 times the amount of get you back up there. I felt good in
You’re very active on social media. likes that I get!” my body, I felt good knowing what I
There are so many men who like had to do. But that mind-and-body
showing off their bodies on there and connect wasn’t quite there. There was
SVT`^VRUUZTeVUe`eYVRWÍc^ReZ`_ some level of central nervous-system
of all the likes. Do you have any fatigue. And that’s something to learn
perspective on this? from, this year going into the World
Yeah, it does happen a lot. It’s only Championships, to replicate as much
certain people who do it like that, of that fatigue as possible, I’m going to
some people just do it in jest. But with be doing as many events as I can.
people who do it relentlessly, it can be But whether it’s the central nervous
a bit… maybe they are just looking for system or the connection between
that nod of reassurance. your mind and body, it is still in some
It strikes me that some people on way your body letting you down
Instagram in particular become Yeah.
RUUZTeVUe`eYVRWÍc^ReZ`_:d_Äe So people might look at you and
it unhealthy to have your sense of think you’ve got an amazing body
self-worth dictated by other people’s but even a body such as yours can let
RWÍc^ReZ`_`Wj`fcS`UjZ^RXV0 you down.
That’s something I talk about in Of course. That’s the thing, the way ›

106 MARCH 2017

THIS PAGE:
Tom wears top
and shorts, both
by Versace,
trainers by Y-3,
socks by I Colour
at Sockshop

OPPOSITE:
Tom wears
denim jacket and
jeans, both by
Diesel, vest, by
Rufskin
Tom wears
tank top and
joggers, both
by Balmain
at Matches
Fashion, high
tops, by Jimmy
Choo

my body is isn’t for aesthetics; it’s

to function and to jump as high as I
can, move as quickly as I can, get into
shapes as quickly as I can. It’s not to
look good.
What kind of emotional impact did
last summer have on you?
There were highs and lows. There
was a high from getting the [bronze]
medal with Dan [Goodfellow, Daley’s
partner in the 10m synchronised dive]
and there was this high going into the
individual event thinking, “Yeah, I can
perform, I can do that every day.” And
then it was a massive low and it was
UZWÍTf]e2_UZeÄdd`^VeYZ_XeYRe:ÄgV
evaluated and debriefed with my coach
and my support team. Now, we’ll leave
it there and move on because there’s
no point wasting energy on things that
you can’t change.
It’s interesting that your professional
R_URceZdeZTWf]Í]^V_eT`^VdWc`^
your body, but you share your life
hZeYRhcZeVchY`dVWf]Í]^V_eT`^Vd
from his brain.
It’s strangely weird but it works with
the mix at home. As an athlete I’m all
about regimented routine, about doing
things at certain times and having a
plan whereas he’s very creative and
wants to play it by ear and see and do
this or that. I’m very much, “I know
what I need to do and how I need to
do it and where.” Lance is very much
about creative space and that’s two
very different personalities and I think
that’s why we get on so well.
2dhV]]Rdac`WVddZ`_R]Wf]Í]^V_ehV
TR_R]d`XVedVifR]Wf]Í]^V_eWc`^
our bodies. Do you think gay men can
sometimes see their body solely as a
^VR_d`WRTYZVgZ_XdVifR]Wf]Í]^V_e
and so overlook all the other ways it
can make us happy?
Everybody is completely different.
 TOM DALEY

“THE WAY MY BODY IS ISN’T FOR AESTHETICS; IT’S TO FUNCTION AND TO JUMP AS HIGH AS I CAN,
MOVE AS QUICKLY AS I CAN, GET INTO SHAPES AS QUICKLY AS I CAN. IT’S NOT TO LOOK GOOD”

I’m sure there are people out there moment when I was like, “OK, this is means that my body and my joints
like that and there are lots of people real. This is what I’m going to have to are going to age a lot faster than most
who just want to fall in love and have deal with and to cope with.” And then I people’s.
a relationship, get married and have had to say something to my friends and 5`j`fYRgVR_jZUVRhYRej`fcS`Uj
babies. my family. But I was so lucky with the h`f]USV]Z\VZWj`fYRU_ÄeafeZe
JVRYSfe:Ä^dZX_ZÍTR_e]j`]UVceYR_ experience I had when I came out. eYc`fXYd`^fTYdecVdd0
j`fR_U:TR_cV^V^SVcReZ^VhYV_ 8`Z_XSRT\e`d`TZVejÄdS`UjZUVR]d No, but when I was younger I was
XRjTf]efcVdVV^VUe`SVR]]RS`fe eYVjÄcVgVcj^fTYS`f_UfahZeY tipped to be tall because I’ve got big ›
dVidVidViR_UZeWV]eRdZWeYRehRd j`feY9`hU`j`fWVV]RS`feeYV
R]]R_jS`UjTRcVURS`fe ac`daVTe`WXVeeZ_X`]UVc03VTRfdV
But I think it’s changing now, and RXVZ_XZddfTYRSZXeYZ_XW`c^R_j
that’s because back then marriage XRj^V_SfeRXRZ_Ze^VR_dd`
wasn’t allowed. So, who knew that ^fTY^`cVW`cj`f
you could be looking towards getting Yes, because as I get older, my body
married? People growing up now will h`_Äeh`c\RdVWÍTZV_e]j`cRdhV]]Z_
think there’s no difference. So, in the my diving. So I have to train smart, I
future they’ll be looking to get married have to change the way that I train. I
and have a family and be like a straight know that I’ve put my body through
couple because they are allowed to a lot of stress at a young age and that
get married, whereas before it wasn’t
permitted, so what was the point?
:Wj`feYZ_\RS`feXRj^V_#!jVRcd
RX`hVhVcV_ÄeUVÍ_VUSjhY`hV
]`gVUSjd`TZVejRe]RcXVhVhVcV E`^ wears
jacket, jeans
UVÍ_VUSjhY`hVYRUdVihZeY and vest, all by
D`ZedVV^daVcWVTe]j_RefcR]eYRe DSquared2
`fcTf]efcVh`f]UYRgVSVV_`gVc
dVifR]ZdVU
I agree. It’s only been, as of this
year, 50 years since [partial]
decriminalisation. Things have
changed massively since then and it’s
always going to be changing in the
future. Who knows what it’s going to
be like in 30 or 40 years from now?
HYV_j`fÍcdeSVTR^VRhRcV`WSVZ_X
ReecRTeVUe`^V_hVcVeYVWVV]Z_Xd
Z_j`fcYVRUR]]RS`fe]`gVR_U
V^`eZ`_d`chVcVeYVjRS`fedVi0
Initially I thought it was “normal”, that
that’s what everyone was like growing
up. I thought maybe everyone was
attracted to girls and to boys.
2_UaV`a]VU`eV]]j`feYReVgVcj`_V
YRdTcfdYVd`_eYVdR^VdVieYReZe
U`Vd_Äe^VR_R_jeYZ_X
Exactly. But, as I got older, around 16,
17, 18, it was probably mainly sexual.
Then when I met Lance, that was the
trigger for thinking I could actually
have feelings for someone. That was
like, “Oh, that might explain a lot!”
:eÄdhYV_S`eYT`^Ve`XVeYVc
dVifR]ReecRTeZ`_R_UeYVV^`eZ`_R]
ReecRTeZ`_eYReZecVR]]j^R\VdR_
Z^aRTe
Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. That was the

MARCH 2017 109

TOM DALEY

hands, big feet, and they base it all But what about relaxing? Isn’t
from that when they project your relaxing important for your body?
height. My estimated height was 6ft Yeah, but I’m in bed asleep by 9.30
2in. I’m obviously not that but divers every night.
and gymnasts have their growth So what time do you get up?
stunted by constant impact. I started 6.15am. My usual routine is: get up,
weights when I was 10 years old and lemon water, meditation, breakfast,
if you start at that age, your body just leave home at 7.45, go to the pool, get
isn’t able to grow properly. I probably there for 8.30. Then it’s training until
was never going to be six-two but if 11 when I have a lunch break until
I had not put my body through such 1.30. I’ll either grab a nap or I take my
stress… eat what I want, I feel so disgusting. I laptop to the pool each day so I can
When you’re subjecting yourself to end up wondering why I did that. just sit on a crash mat and do some
this really tough routine, do you ever I understand you want to show off editing. Or I’ll eat my lunch and chill
think: “When I retire I can let it all go your body less in publicity shots now. out for a few hours. Then I go back
to shit and eat what I want”? Is this because you’re tired of being to the pool, do another 2½ hours of
There are days when I think that but at seen as just a body? Do you want training, followed by either a massage
the same time, whenever I have time people to see there’s more to you or I’ll do a yoga or spin class. Then I go
off — I have three weeks off a year — than that? home, cook dinner and relax.
R_U : U` eYRe W`c eYV Ícde eh` `c eYcVV There is more to me than that. Yeah, So when you eventually do give up
days and I don’t do any exercise and I that’s what I have to wear when I’m diving, your life isn’t going to fall
diving but outside of the pool I don’t off a cliff as it does for some people,
walk around the house in my trunks! because you’ve got so many other
[Laughs]. The other day, an old lady things going on?
“THE OTHER DAY, AN OLD LADY CAME UP came up to me and said: “Gosh, I don’t I have to think beyond diving. What
TO ME AND SAID: ‘GOSH, I DIDN’T RECOGNISE recognise you with your clothes on!” would happen tomorrow if I broke my
YOU WITH YOUR CLOTHES ON!’” and I guess people see me on TV and leg?
diving with no clothes on. It’s nice to Well, if that did happen could you
go to a photoshoot and actually wear still be happy?
something. I wouldn’t be happy for a long time, no,
But do you think being so well-known because I want to be an Olympic
Tom wears for your body, people sometimes champion. And I’ve got another four
top and
shorts, both forget there’s also a brain there? years till I get the chance to do that. I
by Versace I think so. It’s often the case that don’t think anyone will ever truly
people think that everyone who poses understand how badly I want a gold
topless or whatever doesn’t have a medal. That’s why I train for six hours
brain. But I think that’s people not a day, six days a week — because I want
necessarily looking beyond that. to get to the point where I’ve done
They want an easy read, don’t they? everything I can to do it.
You’re an athlete, a diver, and so
they think you’re a body. When Tom’s Daily Plan, published by HQ,
people hear about your A-Levels and is available now in paperback, priced
GROOMING BY MARCO ANTONIO USING CRÈME DE LA MER. FASHION ASSISTANTS: NICK BYAM, UMAR SARWAR, REMI THIROUX

your academic results at school, it’s £6.99

a surprise. But why should it be a
surprise?
Yeah, there’s a lot more to me than
just diving. I do Spanish classes, I’ve
U`_VRTR^VcR`aVcReZ_XR_UÍ]^
editing course.
So, do you do all your own videos?
Yes, I make them all myself. I edit
everything, I upload everything,
I manage all of that myself. It’s
something that I enjoy doing. I like to
be busy, I’m not someone who likes to
do just one thing. If my life was just
diving, diving, diving, and eating and
sleeping, then if I had a bad day diving,
I’d get home and have nothing else to
think about, nothing else to do. Having
stuff outside of diving really helps me
take my mind off things.
Tom wears
tank top by
Rufskin, jeans
and jacket
(wrapped
around waist)
both by Diesel
 TRAINING
EVERY DAY IS
NO LAUGHING
MATTER
JOEL DOMMETT
P114

{ E X E R C I S E // N U T R I T I O N // S P O R T S // A D V I C E }

MARCH 2017 113

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114 MARCH 2017

HYReÍcde^RUVj`fZ_eVcVdeVUZ_
Íe_Vdd0
I think I’ve just always been interested.
But it’s only in the past couple of years
that I really got into it and I think
that stemmed from my fear of being
single. I was into it slightly when I was
in a relationship, and then I left that
relationship and suddenly I started
doing sit-ups.
D`ZehRde`]``\X``UW`cd`^V`_V
V]dV0
I think just to look good for anyone
else. I thought: “OK, I gotta shape up
SVTRfdV:hR_ee`Í_URYZXYTR]ZScV`W
person.” I think that’s what happens to
a lot of people; you get single and then
j`fXVeÍe2_UeYV_j`fcVR]ZdVj`f
know what? You can do all the sit-ups
in the world but maybe you have to
h`c\`_j`fcYVRceÍcdeÁ9`hRcVj`f
gonna love somebody else if you can’t
love yourself?” as RuPaul famously
asked.
2_USVdZUVdeYVT`_TVc_d`WSVZ_X
dZ_X]VUZUj`fWVV]ViecRacVddfcVe`
deVafaj`fcÍe_VddX`Z_XZ_e`eYV
[f_X]V`_:Ä^R4V]VScZej0
I kind of did. I just generally did a lot of
Íe_VddR_jhRjd`:UZU_ÄeYRgVe`deVa
it up that much. I didn’t go on a crazy
intense workout schedule before I went
in or anything. For a week before you
go in, you’re locked in a hotel and you
have your phone taken from you so
basically all you can do is work out.
2_UhYReU`j`fU`Z_j`fc_`c^R]
c`feZ_V0
I do CrossFit every day. I usually train
in the mornings, have breakfast with
my friends then I sort of eat for the
rest of the day, do some writing in
the afternoon and then go to a gig.
3RdZTR]]j:dVVÍe_VddRdSVZ_XcVR]]j
fun and that’s the key to enjoying it.
So many people go, “Oh, I’ve got to
go to the gym, I’ve gotta do this I’ve
gotta do that.” There are so many ways
e`XVeÍej`f[fde_VVUe`Í_U`_V
that’s exciting and then it’ll be easier
to keep it up. With Geordie Shore and
other things like that, the idea is that
you need to be muscly, it’s constantly
about being muscly. I think body image
is a fairly new issue for men. They are
catching up with women now but I
think it’s probably been an issue for
XRj^V_W`cR]`e]`_XVc2_U_`heYV
rest of the male world is catching up
on that. I think it’s a good thing in a
hRjSVTRfdVVgVcj`_VZdXVeeZ_XÍeeVc
but it’s bad when people are abusing
it — there are so many more people ›

MARCH 2017 115

 addicted to steroids and people taking
short cuts.
True, I’ve heard CrossFit gets really
addictive too.
So addictive, it’s like a massive cult!
If I wasn’t doing it and I heard myself
talking about it, I would absolutely
hate me. When you’re in a cult, to
everyone else who’s not in that cult
you seem like the word “cult” but with
one letter different...
And back in the jungle did you have a
decReVXje`\VVaj`fcÍe_Vdd]VgV]fa
on the show?
I really tried, I really tried [laughs].
Obviously, I was very aware that I had
my top off lots, but Wayne [Bridge,
a retired England footballer] and I
worked out together most days. We
found these steps that we could do pull
ups on, and then we’d just do press ups
and sit ups. It was great, just like being
in prison.
Was there an element of just relieving
boredom?
5VÍ_ZeV]jEZ^V[fdeX`Vdd`d]`h]j
You’re in this odd paradox where
you’re sitting there going, “I’m so
bored, I’d love to work out right
now,” but you’re so tired you can’t
be bothered. It
hRdd`UZWÍTf]e
to be active and
“WE FOUND THESE STEPS
energetic and fun THAT WE COULD DO PULL
all the time. UPS ON, AND THEN WE’D
And I guess that’s JUST DO PRESS UPS AND SIT
more about diet
UPS. IT WAS GREAT, JUST
than anything else
at those times.
LIKE BEING IN PRISON”
Oh listen, you just
want everything to be in you. I would
just be cleaning up grains of rice from
eYVaR_:SVTR^VWVcR] EYVj XRgV fd
weird things to eat such as an alpaca’s
neck and I’d stand by the bin waiting
for people to throw their bones away
because I felt there was more meat
left — sucking an alpaca’s neck as if I
was a feral child, it was disgusting. And
then, of course, you get out and just
eat everything. After four weeks, you
develop this instinct of just putting
VgVcjeYZ_Xj`fÍ_U Z_e` j`fc ^`feY
Like a toddler?
[Laughs] Yes, like a toddler, or a dog.
You know like a dog has no control
and they will see something like a bag ›
GROOMING BY NIBRAS

MARCH 2017 117

“I THINK BODY IMAGE IS A FAIRLY NEW ISSUE FOR MEN.
THEY ARE CATCHING UP WITH WOMEN NOW BUT I THINK
IT’S PROBABLY BEEN AN ISSUE FOR GAY MEN FOR A LOT
LONGER. AND NOW THE REST OF THE MALE WORLD IS
CATCHING UP ON THAT”

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VgVcjhYVcV0:Ä^X`Z_Xe`eV]]j`feYV
SVdeeYV^`deUZdXfdeZ_Xde`cjD`
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fashion-forward
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training apparel for
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hRd]Z\VÁ;`V]j`f_`h_VVUe`dYZe ^`cV EYRe hRd d`^VeYZ_X : hRd cVR]]j 14-piece collection Apart from CrossFit what other ways
j`fcdV]WÂD`:dYRe^jdV]W`_SfdZ_Vdd h`ccZVU RS`fe X`Z_X Z_ : hRd h`ccZVU of tops, bottoms do you keep active?
T]RddÀhYZ]VdeRcZ_XRSfdZ_Vdd^R_ aV`a]V h`f]U X`+ Á@Y YV TR_Äe SV R and outwear :U`]`RUd`Wcf__Z_X,:cVR]]jV_[`jZe
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fabrics with
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contemporary
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design and real
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having a good body gives you more T`^VUZR_d hY` RcV cVR]]j Íe R_U X``U features. Available hVZXYeZW:[fdecf_R_Ucf_3fe:Ä^
T`_ÍUV_TV02_UU`VdeYReT`^V looking. Do you really think you’re in stores and online X`Z_Xe`>ViZT`_ViehVV\e`YR_X`fe
through in your stand-up, too? taken less seriously in your profession now. hZeYeYZdecZSVhY`RcVSRdZTR]]jeYV
:eÄd\Z_U`WeYV`aa`dZeVhVZcU]j:]Z\V if you do have abs? SVdecf__VcdZ_eYVh`c]UW`ceYZdEG
h`c\Z_X`feeYReÄdaRce`W^jc`feZ_V 5VÍ_ZeV]j : U`_Äe hR_e e` dRj ZeÄd riverisland.com dY`h:Ä^^R\Z_XLAre You Fit Enough?].
2dRT`^VUZR_SVTRfdVj`fÄcVh`c\Z_X ^`cV UZWÍTf]e Sfe j`f U` YRgV EYVjcf_Yf_UcVUd`W^Z]VdRURjÀZ_
Re_ZXYeZeÄd_ZTVe`XZgVj`fcURjR e` SV Wf__j V_`fXY e` `gVcT`^V dR_UR]d

118 MARCH 2017

Tell us more about the show.
Basically, I just go to different tribes
R]]`gVceYVh`c]UhY`RcVeYVÍeeVde
hardiest tribes because they have to
be, because that’s their way of life.
So, me and another comedian, Nish
Kumar, will be seeing if we can keep
up with them. It’s really fun, we’ve
been to Mongolia and done wrestling
and horse riding and went to Kenya
a couple of weeks ago where I was
carrying water for miles and miles.
Next week it’s Brazil and then we go to
China and the Philippines.
Are you secretly training to become
the next Bear Grylls?
I’m secretly training to become the
next Batman. Unfortunately, my voice
is a little bit high, I need to work on
that “gravellyness.” Nobody wants to
hear me going: “Haaay, Batman’s here
to save you!”

MARCH 2017 119

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120 MARCH 2017

TANGRAM SMART ROPE

It’s as popular with beefy boxers

as it is with little girls, and now
skipping gets a tech update with
this Smart Rope from Tangram.
Start skipping and 23 LEDs
embedded into the rope create
a “screen” that displays current
jump count, calories burned and
interval training info right in
front of your eyes. We like to think
that this is what skipping ropes
in Star Wars would look like. Sync
it up to the Smart Gym app and
it’ll track every jump and even
create leaderboards so you can
keep up with any other skipping
enthusiasts in your life. Chrome,
black or gold handles, and two

THE BOXX METHOD

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you’ll get a month’s worth of skips
from one charge. Price: $79.99. Boxing has been around for ages,
of course, but last year enough
tangramfactory.com wannabe-pugilists took up the
sport to make Joe Wicks envious.
And for 2017 it’s going digital,

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shadow boxing with high-
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And there’s
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need for bags,
Dropping in March, the Air VaporMax features technology pads or a ring.
that’s set to revolutionise running, street wear and high Expert trainers guide you through
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2Zc>RiÀeYVÍcdedY`V e` dY`hTRdV R ]RcXV gZdZS]V RZc targeting your lower, upper or
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MARCH 2017 121

THIS MONTH, MATT LISTER SLIPS ON HIS RUNNING
SHOES TO HELP GET YOU FIT FOR A MARATHON

DA DO RUN RUN I have always had a love-hate affair with running. After
years spent on my knees (for canoeing — minds out of the
gutter, please), it’s not long into a jog that I really start
to feel the wear and tear and have to call it a day. But when I can push through, the
runner’s high you get from completing a marathon is one of the best feelings in the
world. The commitment and nerve it takes to complete a race is mind blowing and
ecRZ_Z_X_VVUde`deRce^`_eYdacZ`ce`eYVcRTVEcjcf__Z_XeYcVVe`ÍgVeZ^VdR
week for a medium distance, with one day a week designated to speed work and
hills, a long run every seven to 10 days so your body can
adjust gradually to longer distances, and don’t neglect
“CHALLENGE
eYVcVdeaVcZ`Ud9VcVRcVÍgVcVRd`_de`eR\VaRceZ_R
marathon... or 27 of them if you want to match Eddie YOURSELF TO DO
Izzard’s efforts last year. SOMETHING NEW.
IT’S EASY TO GET
GET FIT The most obvious of all. You don’t train for BY IN LIFE BUT
months and months, to the point that your body can
MUCH MORE
V_UfcVY`fcd`Wcf__Z_XR_U_`eWVV]eYVSV_VÍed
CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO DO SOMETHING NEW It’s REWARDING
easy to get by in life but much more rewarding to excel. TO EXCEL”
MINIMAL INVESTMENT The only equipment you need is
a good pair of trainers (and maybe some clothes… maybe).
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS The reward of
being able to give something to a good cause through
sponsored marathons will give you a different glow and
a chance to make a real difference in the world.
MAKE NEW FRIENDS Running clubs are great ways to
meet new people, and they might just help to inspire
you to take part in that marathon.

If y
AC T I V E t
IN FOCUS
a
wh
They
support
have senso
needs, and
independe
A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT of inspiring
Marathon o
sense.org.uk Great Birm
and you ca
city’s official marathon on 24 September. Sign up for an event
with training advice and support, a fund-raising pack and mate
your target, and they will send you regular updates to keep you
They will even give your mates all the materials they need to c
race day arrives.
If you’re not sold on the marathon idea, you could try cycling
Great Wall of China. These events are more accessible than you
beat the feeling of raising money for a good cause and getting

122 MARCH 2017

 # 2 SU MO D E A DL IFT

#1 S K AT E R HO P

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Use
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ou are
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KEEPING your chest up, REPEAT this 12-14 times, the kettle bell to
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MARCH 2017 123

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The train
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p126
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MARCH 2017 125

 our
SPAIN IS FAMOUS FOR ITS
LAID-BACK WAY OF LIFE.
BUT AS TIM HEAP EMBARKS
ON A JOURNEY AROUND ITS

spanish
EASTERN COAST, HE FINDS
THAT THE COUNTRY CAN
RELAX ALL VISITORS — NOT
JUST THOSE ON A PACKAGE

lullaby
HOLIDAY. HIS PLANS TO
EXPERIENCE THE GAY
NIGHTLIFE, HOWEVER,
ARE THWARTED

b
y the time our Spanish It being late September, the weather’s
train journey rolls around, hRc^hZeY`feSVZ_Xe``Y`eHZeY_`
it’s been more than four particular itinerary, we leave our hotel
years since my boyfriend, ÀeYVV]VXR_eRceUVT`HVdeZ_GR]V_TZR
Dean, and I have managed — and make our way into the old town,
to get away together for as long as a across the Pont de les Flors (Flower
week, and only the second time in Bridge), which is kept in full bloom
`fcÍgVjVRcd`WUReZ_XDZ_TVdVgV_ eYc`fXY`feeYVjVRc
sun-drenched days in Montenegro After refuelling in the former market
in 2012, we’ve had to make do with Mercado de Colón, we head towards
short, mainly wintry, city breaks — GR]V_TZRÄdTReYVUcR]2]eY`fXYZe
although I’ve enjoyed ski trips and doesn’t have the reputation of Gaudí’s
family holidays, leaving poor Dean at iconic Sagrada Família in Barcelona
Y`^VDfTYZdYZd]`eRdR_RceZdeTf^ PARK LIFE: Parc de or Madrid’s striking Almudena, it
la Ciutadella is one
aVcaVefR]defUV_eTf^hRZeVc supposedly contains the Holy Grail,
of the green spots in
But as he nears completion of a Barcelona, above. Left, and is a towering presence that
master’s degree, we vow to take a well- the city’s Casa Batlló U`^Z_ReVdeYVTV_ecR]dbfRcV7`c
deserved break to celebrate, starting in those with a head for heights, climb
GR]V_TZRR_UV_UZ_XZ_3RcTV]`_R bell tower El Miguelete’s 207 steps
Despite our best intentions, our
planning barely amounts to more than
one half-hearted Google search, the
“although we’re not the type of couple to
results of which are largely forgotten ever hold hands, in liberal valencia we feel
SjeYVeZ^VhVS`RcUeYVa]R_V comfortable wherever we go”

126 MARCH 2017

 the coast by train to Calafell, a town
65km south of Barcelona. We try
TURNING OVER A
NEW LEAF: Tim in the SfjZ_XeZT\VedWc`^eYVeZT\Ve`WÍTV
sculptured gardens at but wrongly assume that staff will
l’umbracle in Valencia,
below, the city’s gastro understand English. After an awkward
market Mercado Colón, stand-off, the multi-lingual ticket
and, bottom, Ciudad de las
Artes y las Ciencias, the
machines come to our rescue, and
City of Arts and Sciences. we just make it to our seats in the
Below right, Dean spacious and airy carriage (Southern
gets on his bike
Rail, take note).
The journey consists of one long
ÍcdedecVeTYeYV_eh`dY`ceY`ad`_
smaller, local train services. About
ÍgVY`fcd]ReVchVRccZgVReeYV=V
>VcZUZV_CR3VRTY9`eV]DaRRÍgV
star beachfront hotel.
It’s meant to be our chance to get
in some proper tanning time, but the
weather has other ideas, cooling off
by a few degrees and clouding over for
about half the time we’re there. Still,
having walked about 30,000 steps a
day in Valencia, we’re happy to take
the weight off our feet and remain
largely horizontal, either in bed, on a
df_]`f_XVc`cÎ`ReZ_XZ_eYVdV^Z
covered salt-water spa.

to see the city laid out: the perfect THE SUN SHINES BRIGHTLY the day
backdrop if you want to pose for before we’re due to leave Calafell. With
Instagram pictures (#blessed). gay mecca Sitges just 20 minutes away
As Spain’s third city, Valencia is by train, and us being self-respecting,
often overlooked by tourists who are curious gay men, we have to check it
drawn to the grandeur of Madrid or out. Although not peak season, the
the glamour of Barcelona. But it’s a town and beaches are still populated
progressive cosmopolis of its own, as by a healthy quota of tourists who
we discover when dining in the city’s certainly look gay, though the overall
newest hangout, Marina Beach Club. a Sunday after all. Although we’re not demographic is very mixed.
Recommended by the concierge at the type of couple to ever hold hands, After meandering through the
our hotel, it was, apparently, the place in liberal Valencia we feel comfortable narrow streets to the promenade
to be in the summer of 2016 with wherever we go. and round to the next bay, we lay our ›
tanned, taut bods lounging around the
Z_Í_Zeja``]SjURjeYV_aRcejZ_Xe` AFTER THE TURIA RIVER was diverted
the sound of deep house by night. from the city centre in the late 1950s,
We go for dinner at the restaurant the old riverbed became a snaking
terrace, then join the throng of hard- 11km-long park, with attractions all
core revellers for a couple of drinks along, the most impressive of which is
before it all gets too much. Our luck the City of Arts and Sciences.
doesn’t hold when trying to track Designed by Valencian architect
down any of the city’s gay bars the next Santiago Calatrava, the site somewhat
_ZXYe+eYV`_VdhVU`Í_UYRgVVZeYVc resembles a dinosaurs’ graveyard, with
closed down or just aren’t open — it is skeletal buildings including an opera
house, science museum and Europe’s
largest aquarium.
The best way to see it, and the wider
Turia Gardens, is by bike. We hire a
couple from the hotel and spend a
few hours zipping along the dedicated
cycle lanes, chaining our rides up at
one point to take a rowing boat on to
the water around the Hemisfèric 3D
cinema. If you do the same, be sure
to pack a towel or blanket and lunch:
there are plenty of shady spots to stop
and watch the many runners go by.
After leaving Valencia, we head up
 W H E R E W E S TAY E D

MELIÁ BARCELONA SKY

GAY AWAY DAY: The
This gleaming 29-floor
LGBT mecca of Sitges, hotel pierces the skyline
and, below right, Casa and offers guests the
Batlló in Barcelona choice of a four or five-
star experience. The Level
is the top-end section
of the hotel, and starts on the 18th floor, affording
residents additional services such as a lounge with
complementary snacks and drinks (including alcohol).
The four-star rooms are on lower levels,
but service throughout the hotel is
friendly and attentive. The open-plan
lobby and restaurant area is often
buzzing with good-looking people, and
the outside swimming pool provides day
beds, a bar and DJs. Book a table in the
24th-floor, Michelin-starred restaurant
Dos Cielos for dinner with a difference.
melia.com

“having walked about 30,000 steps a day in

valencia, we’re happy to take the weight off
our feet and remain largely horizontal, either
i n b e d , o n a s u n l o u n g e r, o r f l o a t i n g i n t h e
semi-covered salt-water spa”

towels on Platja de las Balmins, one takes about an hour and, though not residents. Although the weather’s still
of the town’s gay — and clothing- as airy as the train from Valencia, the overcast, we make time for a couple
optional — beaches. It’s also one of the scenery is hypnotising. The train hugs of hours on Platja de la Mar Bella, the
prettiest and most sheltered, with a the coastline for most of the journey, beach closest to our hotel, in a last-
good stretch of sand, shallow waters offering views of the shimmering blue ditch effort to catch a bit of colour.
and a café. While I’m always keen for a sea and brief glimpses into deserted @_`fcÍ_R]_ZXYe, plans to get our
swim, Dean isn’t much of a water baby. little coves. gay on in the Eixample district are
I go alone, swimming out then turning We’ve booked two nights at the Meliá dashed by a huge thunderstorm which
back to face the shore, luxuriating in Barcelona Sky, a tower of glass, a few ÎRdYVd]ZXYe_Z_XRTc`ddeYVd\jRdhV
the view of a town loved by so many Metro stops north- watch from the vantage
LGBT+ tourists. east of the heart of the point of our 22nd-
city, in the Poblenou Î``cc``^HV^ZXYe
THE NEXT MORNING, it’s back to neighbourhood. Having have missed out on the
4R]RWV]]deReZ`_W`cRecRZ_e``fcÍ_R] discovered a talent for action but Barcelona is
destination: bustling, bohemian, sculpture in the past 18 rightly famous for its
beautiful Barcelona. The journey months, Dean’s so keen LGBT+ nightlife, which
to see some art that he offers something to
hurries me out of our suit all tastes and is
sea-view room before concentrated around
W H E R E W E S TAY E D
I’ve even unpacked my Casanova Street. Before
THE WESTIN VALENCIA toothbrush. As we’ve catching a bus to the
Located close to the Turia already visited the airport, we squeeze in a
Gardens and the city’s Sagrada Família and wander up Las Ramblas,
historic centre, the five- Parc Güell, both part of Barcelona’s famous
star Westin Valencia’s 135 8RfU‚Äd ]VXRTj R_U UVÍ_ZeV]j h`ceY tree-lined boulevard. I think back to
rooms offer elegant luxury
eYV eZT\Ve acZTV ZW ZeÄd j`fc Ícde gZdZe e` a previous visit, too worried about
without the snootiness
Barcelona), on this trip we head to the being pickpocketed to enjoy it fully.
that sometimes plagues traditional high-end hotels.
Rooms are set around a large, leafy courtyard, as are ^RX_ZÍTV_e 4RdR 3Re]]‡ `_ ARddVZX UV Now, feeling at ease in my partner’s
each of the three restaurants, with breakfast served 8cxTZR 3fZ]e W`c eYV 3Re]]‡ WR^Z]j Z_ company, and surrounded by locals
outside if you wish. Our room is smartly designed and 1904, it’s a mesmerising sight, with an and fellow tourists from all walks of
decorated and we sleep like babies both nights (a undulating façade made up of rows of life, I uncharacteristically take his hand
rarity; at home we often end balconies that resemble a rib cage. for a few moments.
up in separate rooms!) There’s Over the next couple of days, That’s when I realise just how relaxed
a relaxing spa area with pool, we roam the city, soaking up the I’ve become during our Spanish
sauna and steam, and a gym
atmosphere and culture. Highlights sojourn. There may have been times
— or you can follow one of
include visits to the Museu Picasso and when I’ve regretted not going for the
the recommended running
routes through town.
eYV 7f_URTZ‡ ;`R_ >Zc‡ Rce XR]]VcZVd easy option and booking a week-long
starwoodhotels.com/westin which celebrate the work of two of package holiday, but, in this special
Barcelona’s most famous former moment, I’m glad that we didn’t.

128 MARCH 2017

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VRTY `eYVc R_U ÍXYeZ_X W`c eYV cZXYed R_U
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130 MARCH 2017

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WELLNESS GETAWAYS the names of the latest gay couple
WORDS: MARKUS BIDAUX
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Exclusively for gay men, the hotel
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MARCH 2017 131

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 Your stories, lives, loves and struggles
man of
the month
p139

table
for two
p141

stepping out
p142

a problem
shared
p144

M Y B AT T L E
WITH
E AT I N G
DISORDERS
P 136
MARKUS BIDAUX

MARCH 2017 135

my battle with
eating disorders
School bullies started Daren on a road to self-loathing
and an obsession with both food and his body
WORDS: DAREN PRITCHARD // PHOTOGRAPHY: MARKUS BIDAUX

never hated being gay, I just hated how information and still leave with
other people treated me because of it. nothing. I’ve had periods of restricting
I became really conscious of how I my diet to less than 500 calories a day.
’ve had body issues since I was looked and behaved in public. I was I’ve had days where I’ve almost passed
i in my early teens, and am now e`c_ SVehVV_ hR_eZ_X e` Íe Z_ R_U out with starvation and had to force
25. I was bullied for my sexuality wanting to stand out and be proud. I’d myself to eat. I’ve had periods where
and had really low self-esteem. get anxious about leaving the house I’ve not eaten all day, only to binge over
It began with the smaller things: being more in case I received comments about dinner and bring it all back up.
conscious of my appearance, comparing my appearance or sexuality. I also had With the eating problems, comes
myself with others, being more selective with trouble meeting new people. anxiety and mood swings. I’ve been
my eating habits. As I got older, and image Even worse was the thought of eating through counselling, which did help,
became more important to me, particularly as Z_ afS]ZT hZeY `eYVcd :e Í]]VU ^V hZeY but wasn’t long-lasting. It did make
a young gay male, things just got worse and I dread and at school I used to throw me me aware of my issues and what
became obsessed with staying skinny. away my packed lunches. triggers them — meaning that I can try
to stop it if I feel an episode coming on.
AS I GOT OLDER, I did whatever I could My triggers include things such as a
to get out of eating with others. If supermarket or restaurant not having
When I was 13 I was bullied at school friends were going for lunch, I’d insist what I was expecting to get, having
because of my mannerisms and I was full from earlier. I’d say whatever to eat in front of new people or being
behaviour, which led other students to I could to get out of it. If I couldn’t, pushed into trying something new.
make assumptions about my sexuality I’d rearrange the food on my plate :fdVUe`Í_UdZ^a]jeR]\Z_XRS`fe
— before I’d even realised what I was. to make it seem as if I’d eaten more. weight would trigger me, and I’d refuse
This, alongside my dislike of sports, Those times where I couldn’t, I’d force e`hVZXY^jdV]W:Ä^Í_VhZeYeR]\Z_X
lack of interest in girls and generally it down, then nervously excuse myself about it now, but I still don’t weigh
being a well-behaved student, meant I to go to the toilet to throw it back up. myself. I have a rough idea of what
was quite unpopular. I was constantly worried that I weigh, but if I was to step on the
It started off with little things like d`^V`_V h`f]U ÍXfcV `fe hYRe : hRd scales and the number was higher than
name-calling, taunting and verbal doing. As a result, my mood could expected, it would probably set me off.
abuse, but quickly escalated into change pretty quickly. I’d go from
^Z_UXR^Vd Í_UZ_X hRjd e` XVe ^V Í_V e` R_XcZ]j UVWV_dZgV ZW d`^V`_V THE GAY SCENE hasn’t helped much
into trouble, and physical abuse. I questioned me. If I was getting hungry, VZeYVcHYV_:ÍcdedeRceVUX`Z_X`fe:
was beaten up, dragged off buses and I could become upset quickly — but it found myself getting attention for my
pushed down stairs. would only take something as small as skinny frame and cute, boyish look. As
The majority of this came from other a compliment to rid me of it. I got older, I desperately clung to that
boys, the masculine ones who were I’ve tried various diets, calorie for validation. I was worried that if I
popular and good at sport. I hated counting, starving myself, as well as put on a little bit of weight, or stopped
being in the changing rooms because bingeing and purging. I would wander looking young, I’d be unattractive. I’ve
it was an obvious place for others to around Tesco on my lunch break, noticed an unfortunately high amount
comment about my body, with no analysing each sandwich’s nutritional of body-shaming going on, whether it
teacher around. be online or in a club.
It got to the point where I couldn’t I’ve read articles that told me that
get changed with others, then being bodies like mine were too skinny,
allowed to not attend PE lessons at all. that I should go to the gym and tone
My self-esteem was driven to a low. I up. One even labelled me “skinny-
developed a lot of resentment towards fat” — whatever the hell that means!
who I was and what I looked like. I We’re a community that has fought for

136 MARCH 2017

acceptance, we shouldn’t be attacking
VRTY`eYVcSVTRfdVhVU`_ÄeÍeR
certain “type” of body.
Despite the issues I’ve had with my
body and eating, I’ve always tried
to remain outwardly body positive,
particularly in recent years.
Since university, I’ve been writing
and performing one-man shows with
the male body image as a recurring “T
THE THOUGHT OF EATING IN
eYV^V>jÍcdeaZVTVÁ:_3RUERdeVÂ
followed a guy desperate for validation
PU
UBLIC FILLED ME WITH DREAD.
and acceptance while suppressing AT SCHOOL, I USED TO THROW
his issues, in a bid to maintain AWAY MY PACKED LUNCHES”
eYReVgVcjeYZ_XhRdÍ_VEYV^RZ_
character cut himself off from those One of the reasons why eating
close to him, desperately seeking disorders in men are so dangerous is
validation from other men but never that guys are less likely to speak out,
facing the eating disorder head on. Í_UYV]a`cVgV_T`_dZUVceYReeYVjÄcV
3VZ_XRS]Ve`hcZeVRS`feR_UdYRcV suffering with what is commonly seen
my experiences so publicly has been as a woman’s issue.
like therapy to me, preventing me from Knowing that I’m raising awareness
keeping it all a secret. on this matter gives me hope that
others will seek help.
A huge part of my progress was
support through friendships. When
I opened up about these issues to
friends, they would look out for me —
making sure I’d eaten and talking to
me to distract me.
I’ve also focused on creative projects
which is always a great distraction.

I’M PASSIONATE about showing others

that men with eating disorders and
body issues, as well as suffering from
mental health problems, are prevalent
in the gay community right now. I’ve
spoken with other guys who have gone
through similar things and that is
always a big motivation to stay healthy.
I know I’m a healthy weight now. It’s
not always easy to remember that. I
am currently very comfortable with
my body, but these issues never fully
go away.
I can still get anxious in new
restaurants, I can still spend 10
minutes analysing sandwich packets
and, on a particularly bad day, I will
attempt to under-eat.
3fe:^R\V^`cV`WR_VWW`cehZeY^j
appearance to feel good about myself
ÀSfjZ_XT]`eYVdeYReÍe^VhV]]`c
underwear that makes me feel sexy.
A lot of my performance work is very
provocative, and I feel empowered as a
result. Even though I am mostly happy
with my body now, I know I have my
friends and a boyfriend for support
should I feel that I’m slipping into
those old habits.

STARVING AND
BINGEING: Daren
aged 19. He suffered
all through his
teenage years

MARCH 2017 137

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 man
of the What was the most recent book you read? :Ä^
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What music are you listening to right now?
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3VZ_XeYV]VRUZ_eYVa]Rj7RXXR^fWÍ_Z_
“THE SPICE GIRLS INSPIRED ME #!"&:X`ee`h`c\hZeYÍgVeR]V_eVURTe`cd
TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL. TO EYVhcZeVchRd;`Y_C8`cU`_R_UeYVUZcVTe`c
hRdCZ\\Z3VRU]V3]RZc>36S`eYcV_`h_VUW`c
CELEBRATE MY DIFFERENCES
eYVZcTcVReZgZejR_URceZdeZTgZdZ`_dHV
AND EMBRACE MY FLAWS. aVcW`c^VUReEYV3fdY EYVRecV2_UhV
I WAS ALWAYS GINGER, OF cVTVZgVURdeR_UZ_X `gReZ`_@_V`WeYVSVde
FRANCISCO GOMEZ DE VILLABOA

COURSE. STILL AM!” ^`^V_ed`W^j]ZWV

IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE A PART OF THIS FEATURE, EMAIL CHRIS.GODFREY@ATTITUDE.CO.UK

MARCH 2017 139

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ACCO U N T
M A N AG E R

two
Daniel and Conor
dined at M Restaurant
Victoria Street, London
C O N O R , 2 7,
WRITER
HYRe hVcV j`fc Ícde Z^acVddZ`_d0
DANIEL: I immediately knew he
wasn’t my usual “type” but I hate it
when people say that, and we started
chatting straightaway. We were
laughing and seemed to get on from
the start so I knew it wasn’t going to be
an awful evening!
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type, Dan is undeniably handsome also had a good time. opulent cow.
and I’m only human. I noticed that he CONOR: Opinionated and obnoxious 2_j Rh\hRcU ^`^V_ed0 THE
had a nice smile and good teeth. Good yet charismatic. Beautiful eyes and DANIEL: Only when he said he was D AT E
teeth are important. smile. And funny. I am funny. really into horoscopes. But I think I
9`h hRd eYV T`_gVcdReZ`_ R_U hYRe HYRe hRd eYV ^`de Z_eVcVdeZ_X eYZ_X handled it with the correct amount of DA N I E L :

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any silence the whole night. We share creative so it was interesting to hear photos taken was also painful after
a love for crappy reality TV and the him talk about that. having only just met. I’m dreading
Sugababes so there was plenty to CONOR: Despite not sharing many seeing them in print. [We like them, Ed)
discuss. of his interests, he was invested, 9`h UZU eYV _ZXYe V_U0
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R_U Î`hVU hV]] 9V ^RZ_eRZ_VU VjV own stuff which is an important phone numbers and went our separate CONOR:
contact, made me smile and I was and extremely attractive quality for ways.
never made to feel uncomfortable. someone to have. CONOR: 9V Rd\VU W`c ^j _f^SVc R_U
Subjects ranged from ourselves, our 9`hhRdeYVW``U0 we shared a kiss goodnight.
music tastes (he’s a Britney Gay but I DANIEL: Really good. We were both a D_`X^RccjRg`ZU0
can work around it) and [New Zealand bit clueless when it came to ordering DANIEL: Snog
reality show] The GC. good wine but managed to muddle CONOR: If I believed in marriage, I’d
HYRe U` j`f eYZ_\ YV eY`fXYe `W j`f0 through. consider.
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DANIEL: 9`aVWf]]jHZeY^V]ZgZ_XZ_ 10 /10
Brighton and him in London, things
“AW
WKWARD MOMENTS? WHEN WE FIRST MET I ^RjSVUZWÍTf]eSfe:ÄUUVÍ_ZeV]jSVfa
W
WENT IN FOR A HUG AND PATTED HIS BACK LIKE for hanging out again
A HETEROSEXUAL” — CONOR CONOR: I hope so. I want to.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR TABLE FOR TWO, EMAIL PHOTOS AND A FEW WORDS TO CHRIS.GODFREY@ATTITUDE.CO.UK
AS TOLD TO CHRIS GODFREY

MVICTORIA.CO.UK
YOUR LUXURY MULTIFACETED VENUE

MARCH 2017 141

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hRdR]d`R]Zee]V]Z\VT`^Z_XY`^V
SHUTTERSTOCK

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142 MARCH 2017

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a problem
shared
8`eRac`S]V^05CC2?;D:?89
and WAYNE DHESI are here to
offer their advice...

you think he sees it or is that just how

you see yourself?
Take your boyfriend out of the
I’ve met a guy I like picture for a second and think about
how you see yourself and your body.
and he undeniably Are you happy with the way you look?
If you are, then great. The thing to do
has a great body. now is to sit down with your boyfriend
and explain how you’re feeling.
I’ve seen the photos on Instagram! Mine, on Be honest and if he’s a keeper then
the other hand, is a bit rough around the he’ll listen, understand and hopefully
VUXVd+RSZe`WÎRSYVcVeYV`UUdecVeTY^Rc\ make you feel less nervous about
there. Anyway, the difference means I’m quite getting naked in front of him.
self-conscious about the prospect of going to If you come to the conclusion that
bed with him. Do you have any advice? you aren’t happy with the way you look,
try to think why that might be. It’s
GRAEME, STAFFORD UZWÍTf]e _`e e` SV Z_ÎfV_TVU SjhYRe
society tells us we should look like.
Who else has joined a gym in January
only to go once or twice and then not
again for the whole year?
¤WAYNE: First off, you’re by no And I just know there are thousands
means alone in having anxieties about of NutriBullets gathering dust in
your body. kitchens all over the UK.
The Attitude body survey conducted Why? Well, it’s because lots of us
for this issue (see p9) found that 59 don’t actually enjoy exercising in the
per cent of gay men aren’t happy with gym or drinking kale smoothies — and DR RANJ SINGH,
their body, while 84 per cent said there’s nothing wrong with that. D O C T O R //
they felt under intense scrutiny to What’s important is that everyone TV PRESENTER
have a good body. While this month’s has their choice respected. I see attacks
magazine has tried to highlight many on social media from both sides and
of the anxieties gay men face with their it’s just not nice or helpful.
body, it’s such a large topic that there It’s not fair to take the piss out of
isn’t room to explore body image in the d`^V`_VhY`a`dedURZ]jXj^dV]ÍVd
gay community to a conclsuive end. So It’s also not right to body shame those
let’s look at things on a personal level. hY`U`_ÄeÍeeYV:_deR8RjXj^S`Uj
Exercising and eating well are ideal — whatever that is.
lifestyle choices and any doctor will Hopefully, your boyfriend will
tell you that doing them is a good idea. understand your concerns and I’m sure
9`hVgVcSVZ_XÍeR_UYVR]eYjZd_`e he will be pleased that you felt able to
the same as having sculpted abs, a open up to him.
c`T\YRcUTYVdeR_U[fdeÍgVaVcTV_e
body fat. ¤RANJ: Let me be direct for a
You say that your new man has a moment: if your new man looks at your
“great” body. Does he think that or is body and his opinion of you changes,
that just how you see it? You also say then he’s not the one for you. If he
that your body isn’t as hot. Is that how likes you for the right reasons, he

144 MARCH 2017

 “IT
T’S DIFFICULT NOT TO BE INFLUENCED BY WHAT SOCIETY TELLS US WE
SHHOULD LOOK LIKE. WHO ELSE HAS JOINED A GYM IN JANUARY ONLY
TOO GO ONCE, THEN NOT AGAIN FOR THE WHOLE YEAR?” — WAYNE

won’t care what you look like without a surprise, then maybe you need to
your top on. There, I’ve got that off my re-evaluate how you think. If how
chest. Now on to the important stuff… you look genuinely does concern you
Some people love being naked. though, then ask whether you can
Others (me included) panic at the realistically do something about it.
thought of taking our clothes off in While I’m an advocate for people
front of others because it makes us feel loving and accepting themselves for
self-conscious and vulnerable. who they are, no matter what their
So I know exactly where you are look/shape/size, I also think we need
coming from. But we all have to realise to strive to be healthy. I’m not talking
that sometimes we can be our own about plastic surgery or crazy diets.
worst critics. Step back and ask yourself Many of us could do with being
why you think your body isn’t as good. healthier and taking better care of
Are you being too harsh? We all look at ourselves, and I include myself.
ourselves and make a judgment of how This would not only make us look a
“good” we look. However, our bit better, it would make us feel better
own opinion can be wildly too, which is far more important.
inaccurate because it’s There’s nothing wrong with striving
based on non-visual to look better but we have to be
factors. I bet if we realistic and we have to be careful not
WAY N E D H E S I ,
asked 10 different to take it too far. Society is getting
FOUNDER OF
RUCOMINGOUT people to look at you ^`cV R_U ^`cV ÍiReVU `_ RaaVRcR_TV
and give an opinion, especially in the gay community. In
you’d get 10 different doing so, we forget what is really
answers. So, try to look important: how we feel and make each
at yourself objectively to other feel, and the unnecessary anxiety
determine if what you’re it can cause.
seeing is real. I realise Luckily, not everyone is like that.
that is easier said than Your new partner may not be the
done. Some people least bit concerned about your body.
Í_UeYReRd\Z_XR Perhaps have a chat with him to
good friend for an explain your worries. He might surprise
honest viewpoint you and that could be a great thing for
can be helpful, but your relationship.
beware: you may But if he doesn’t make you feel right,
not like the answer. then it’s time to move on. Trust me,
If, however, j`fÄ]]Í_Ud`^V`_VhY`RaacVTZReVd
what they say is you for all the right reasons.

Dear Pete,
DEAR DR RANJ
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is surprisingly common
and can be debilitating — especially in social situations.
I sweat horribly and not The common areas are the armpits, back, hands and feet.
just when I’m working Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to
out. Even if I’m just help. First, try to wear clothes that help your skin “breathe,”
watching telly or sitting such as those made of cotton. Second, try over-the-counter
down having a coffee products such as anti-perspirants, which are towards the
with friends, it’s pretty milder end of the spectrum. If they aren’t good enough, go
much uncontrollable. I’ve for the more specific aluminium chloride-based treatments
tried to not let it affect such as Odaban and Driclor. If things are really bad, then see
me but to be truthful, it’s your GP: you could have an underlying medical cause (e.g.
really starting to get me thyroid problems) or may benefit from referral to a specialist
down. Please help. for treatment such as iontophoresis, which involves the use of
Pete, Canterbury electrodes, Botox injections or nerve surgery.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO SUBMIT A PROBLEM FOR RANJ AND WAYNE TO ANSWER, EMAIL A FEW WORDS TO APROBLEMSHARED@ATTITUDE.CO.UK

MARCH 2017 145

DRAG & CABARET

BIG IN A WIG

CHI CHI LARUE, THE

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INTERVIEW BY: JASON REID The key to being successful is...
3VZ_X XcReVWf] W`c VgVcjeYZ_X eYRe
What makes you happy? comes your way.
>j]ZWVZdacVeej X``U cZXYe _`h Sfe What one piece of advice would you
^`cVUZT\dZ_^j WRTV h`f]U_Äe Yfce give to aspiring porn stars?
@YR_UaZkkR 5` _`e eR\V j`fcdV]W e`` dVcZ`fd]jR_U
What’s your best asset? U`_Äe SV]ZVgV j`fc `h_ acVdd @YeYReÄd
>jRSZ]Zeje`efc_ `WW ^j ÁWfT\ j`f two!
switch in certain situations. And the TO THE MANOR HY`ÄU a]Rj j`f Z_ R Í]^ `W j`fc]ZWV0
PORN: Chi Chi
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of drag
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a dom top or a power bottom? describe yourself on [fdeeYZ_\Ze0
:YRgVe`dRjU`^e`aSVTRfdV:WVV]ZW a Grindr bio? Which current celebrity would you
someone is very, very adamant about What’s Grindr? A like to see do porn?
hYReeYVjRcVfdfR]]jZeÄdeYV`aa`dZeV new dance? 2Sd`]feV]ja`dZeZgV]j
D`R]`e`We`adeYRe:\_`hRcVRTefR]]j If you could be a Drag Race queen “I WOULD LIKE TO SMELL ?ZT\;`_Rd
submissive bottoms. for a night, who would you be? TOM FORD’S BUTT LIKE A What grinds your gears
What should you never do before HV]]Ícde`WWeYVjÄcVR]]ecjZ_Xe`SV CRAZED PUPPY. DID I SAY on social media?
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6ReeRT`deYV_ZXYeSVW`cV dRj2]Rd\R2WeVcR]]dYVZd^j insidious, ridiculous,
Which app could you not live illegitimate drag daughter. Y`ccZS]VZ_dR_VeYZ_d\Z_ehVVed
without? HYReÄdeYVÍcdeeYZ_Xj`fU`Z_eYV 2]d`aV`a]VhY`dY`heYVZcUZT\dhY`
7RTVef_VÀRUcRXbfVV_ÄdSVdeWcZV_U morning? shouldn’t!
A life without sex would be like a life 4YVT\^jaY`_VeYV_:Ä^`WWe` Who do we need to see more of in
without... DeRcSfT\d 2017?
:eÄdYRcUe`R_dhVceYReSVTRfdVeYReZd What keeps you awake at night? >ZTYV]]V@SR^R
^j]ZWVL]RfXYdN :_RY`eV]]`fUTcRT\YVRUd_VieU``c Your life motto is?
Whose music do you listen to when At home: nothing. This old bitch goes 3VX``Ue`j`fcdV]WR_USVX``Ue`
you’re getting dragged up? e`SVURe*a^ `eYVcdEYZdhZ]]eR\Vj`fR]`_X]`_X
Cher, RuPaul, Boy George, Kiss; What’s the American Dream in 2017? hRjJ`f_VgVc\_`hZe^RjVgV_XVe
d`SRdZTR]]jWV]]`hUcRXbfVV_d: EYRehVR]]hR\VfaWc`^eYZd5`_R]U you a date.

146 MARCH 2017

 NEW
MAXIMUSCLE
BARS.

GREAT TASTE
20g OF PROTEIN†
INFORMED-SPORT TESTED
HELPS MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT*

#MAXIMUSCLE
†Products have been formulated to meet an average of 20g protein per bar. *Protein helps to maintain & build your muscles.
Maximuscle is a division of GSK Consumer Healthcare.Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. CHGBI/CHMAXI/0082/16