OUT AFRICA MAGAZINE ISSUE 38 by Keith Coventry

AFRICA

MAGAZ I N E Issue 38, AUTUMN 2018

CERI DUPREE IS BACK!

UT O K C E CH E ALL TH TS VEN E E D I PR 20 E G A P SEE

SEXY & TALENTED

FREE

NAKHANE ME 1ST AMBASSADOR

CRAIG LUCAS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE FEATURES

2 EDITORS COMMENT: 3 Angola - Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay to be gay 4 TRAVEL: Brazil - Living la Vida Gay 8 Fifty years on ... A look at the Stonewall Uprising 9 Ceri DuPree at Gate 69 - The Immaculate Deception 10 Mish Mash Productions - LGBTI Theatre for all 16 Craig Lucas Bares All 20 CAPE TOWN PRIDE 2019 CALENDAR 22 THE BUZZ: Snippets of News 23 New Venue Opens in Joburg South - Sinsations Jazz Pub 28 Nakhane is a Me 1st Ambassador 30 Save The Date - The Pride Shelter Market 32 HEALTH: Turning Heads 35 Music Moves: Great music to celebrate Pride or just enjoy

16 8

12 FASHION 14 - 15 Get into the mood for Pride

SCENE OUT 24 MCQP - Drag Race2

REVIEWS

36 OUT ON FILM: With Daniel Dercksen 38 OUT ON DVD: With Daniel Dercksen 40 ON STAGE: With Daniel Dercksen

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FROM THE EDITOR

i all - Once again it’s that time of year again when the Mother City celebrates Pride. Cape Town Pride is the largest pride event on the continent with two weeks of Pride events leading up to the Parade and Mardi Gras ... and this year there are more events and the Parade promises to be the biggest ever with marching bands, “tromp poppies”, floats and marchers. This year there are two sets of bikers heading the parade and it will be opened by international celebrity guest Ceri Dupree who is currently performing at Gate 69.

Ceri is no stranger to the mother city and her show divine obsession is playing to packed audiences, read about the show and get to know Ceri a little better on page 9. The Pride Mardi Gras, at Reddam Field again this year, also promises to be bigger and better with a remarkable line-up of entertainers ... headlined by the hugely popular musicians Jimmy Nevis and Craig Lucas. Appearing on the Pride stage will also be favourites like Zoe Zana, Latheem Gabriel and this year, 4 Tons of Fun. Our favourite drag performers 3D, and SA’s Got Talent finalist, Manila Von Teez will also take to the stage and together with DJ’s to keep the party heaving all afternoon ... The line up will be ably hosted by comedienne Chantal Jax Venter and ever-popular Solly Philander, so save the date (2 March, 2019) and turn to page 20 /21 for a full programme of what Pride has for you this year. We also carry a host of interesting articles , including Craig Lucas’s open letter posted on social media announcing to fans and friends that he had come to terms with his sexuality, a coming-out process all LGBTI+ people must do, with some of us finding the experience more traumatic than others ... Craig’s story is eloquently written and illustrates just how difficult it is for some of us. Nakhane, who we featured a couple of issues back has joined with Me 1st Campaign to promote and encourage safe sex and HIV testing for young men. You can read about his involvement on page 28. About a year ago, two enterprising people started Mish Mash Productions, a theatre company which performs plays with an LGBTI content, bringing awareness of our diverse community to a wider audience. During Pride this year they have a number of shows which you can find more info on by turning to page 9. Out travel feature in this issue highlights the very gay-friendly country of Brazil. As a good value-for-money destination with competitive fares on TAAG Angola Airlines, no visa requirements and a place where your rand goes a bit further than most other parts of the world, it makes Brazil the perfect place to visit. Sao Paulo also hosts the World’s largest gay Pride, attracting over 4 million people... Phew!!! This year is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising which is recognised internationally as the birth of the modern gay liberation movement. It is as a result of Stonewall that PRIDE is celebrated around the world to day. Find out a little more about this momentous event in LGBTI history on page 7.

MANAGING EDITOR: Tommy Patterson 082 562 3358

ISSN 2304-859X Have a great Pride … support as many events as you can … be safe Published by: and don’t drink and drive! PATTERSON PUBLICATIONS P.O. Box 397, Sea Point 8060 Tel/Fax: 021 555 1279 E-mail: outmagazine@mweb.co.za outmagafrica@telkomsa.net outlet@telkomsa.net ADVERTISING SALES: Tommy Patterson 082 562 3358

CONTRIBUTORS: Daniel Dercksen PHOTOGRAPHY:

Printed by ABC Press, Cape Town

Copyright: All articles, stories, interviews and other materials in OUT Africa Magazine are the copyright of the publication or are reproduced with permission from other copyright owners. All rights are reserved. No materials may be copied, modified, published or otherwise distributed without the prior written permission of OUT Africa Magazine. The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by those providing comments in this publication are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of OUT Africa Magazine or any employee thereof. OUT Africa Magazine and Patterson Publications cc., will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in any information contained in the publication.

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ANGOLA SAYS IT’S OK TO BE GAY

arlier this year Angola became the latest African country to decriminalise homosexuality.

Adopting a new penal code that clears the ‘vices against nature’ provision which the discrimination of LGBTQ Angolans was hinged on, specifically in matters of healthcare, employment and education – individuals who are found to be discriminating against members of the LGBTQ community will now be subject to a prison term of up-to two years. This progressive move by the African nation comes on the heels of the only formal LGBTQ organisation ‘Iris Angola’ being recognised formally and legally by the Angolan government. Speaking on the historic move, Carlos Fernandes, a director at ‘Iris Angola’ explained: “We’re turning the page for gay citizens who now have a body that is recognised by the state which gives more weight to the work of our organisation.” Whilst there are many African countries where samesex relations are criminal, this move by the Angolan government is a much-needed step in the right direction.

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LIVING LA VIDA GAY IN BRAZIL For South Africa travellers Brazil is a wonderful destination … Gay- friendly, no visas!, the Rand goes a little further that it does in other parts of the LGBTI-friendly world - Europe, Australia, Canada or the USA … sounds like paradise? … for gay travellers it is great!

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razil is a gay-friendly, value-for-money destination for South African travellers and the best way of getting there is on TAAG Angola Airlines who operate 3 flights a week from Johannesburg or Cape Town via Luanda. And for as little as R6405.00 return, it makes South America a highly desirable destination. TAAG flies from Luanda to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo so you can begin your South American adventure in either city. (check out your deal at www.taag.com) We chose São Paulo as our starting point ... São Paulo is a huge, sprawling metropolis - founded in 1554 by Jesuit missionaries the city became an independent recognized city in 1771 and has kept growing ever since, with a population of more than 10 million people – making it the fourth largest city in the world! Most gay travellers come to São Paulo for the first time because of the legendary International Gay Pride Parade. This festival is beyond anything you may have seen anywhere else in the world. Every June more than 1.5 million gay, lesbian and transgender travellers descend on the city to experience what has become the largest Gay Pride Festival in the world – making similar Pride events like New York and San Francisco seem like a cruise in the park! The parade which is hosted and opened by mayor, covers a distance of a little more than 3 kilometres and takes more than five hours to finish. In addition to the parade, there will be cultural events and musical shows with live bands. The first parade was in 1997 and only attracted about 3,000 people. But it has grown exponentially over the years into an enormous carnival like atmosphere drawing over 4 million revellers! Gay culture is well enshrined in the city, which boasts numerous gay and lesbian film festivals and a tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality that is surprising given Brazil’s macho culture. Another exciting event is São Paulo Fashion Week, held twice a year in Bienal de São Paulo. Both events attract some of the world’s top models and designers, who party hard with the gorgeous locals. Be warned that getting around São Paulo can be difficult – always allow as much extra time as possible to get to any meetings or a rendezvous traffic jams are common at nearly all hours of the day and night. Rio de Janeiro is famous for its fabulous beaches but if Rio is not on the itinerary then check out one of the dozens of beaches that dot the 622-kilometre coastline. Here you can find any type of beach you want – from large and crowded meat markets, to small intimate shores to simply lay down in the sun and work on getting that tan. There are more than 100 recognised gay bars, restaurants, cultural centres and other rainbow themed establishments and with nearly

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300 movie theatres, more than 70 museums and dozens of open parks, you are not likely to ever get bored in São Paulo, especially if you are not in to checking out the 10’s of thousands of hot studs that cruise the streets at night looking for fun. The newest and trendiest sector of the gay community is called Frei Caneca where you can find any number of gay friendly theatres, restaurants and cruising bars. If cruising is your thing and you want to hook up with random blokes try Park Ibirapuera. Not only are there lots of cruisers in this area, it is also home to lots of male eye candy. From joggers, to roller bladders to cute bike boys to fuel your fantasies! Brazilian gay saunas are famous for their hot, hot men … most are rent so be aware of that before taking the man of your dreams to a cubicle. If that’s your scene be sure to negotiate the price beforehand. Just be sure to always practice safe sex! The largest gay area is downtown around Praça da Republica and Largo do Arouche. This is where you will find the largest concentration of gay bars and clubs, gay friendly shopping and hot guys. This is also where you will find many drag shows (frequented by both gay and straight clientele) and, of course, the ever-present hustlers. Like any large city you need to keep aware of your surroundings to avoid getting ripped off. If you have a fat wallet – and fabulous clothes to go with it – take a stroll down to the Jardins part of town. This is where the richest and chicest gays in Sao Paulo hang out. There are wonderful gay bars and super exclusive restaurants in the Jardin’s area, but no matter what you are looking for, São Paulo is a great destination for any gay traveller. You will be in the heart of a huge cultural centre, with a gay friendly native population and plenty of different types to choose from.

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Rio De Janeiro If you are looking for a gay friendly destination where the nights are hot and the guys are hotter, then Rio de Janeiro may be just the place for you. The Cariocas, as the locals call themselves, are very welcoming to gay and transgender people from all over the world. Of course, the main attraction here are the fabulous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches which attract stacks of gorgeous local men. There is so much going on at the beaches and in the many gay nightspots that you need to spend at least a week or even two in this city of more than 7 million people! A term you will probably hear most as a gay man in Rio de Janeiro is “Barbie.” That is what the locals call gay men who spend a good deal of time in the gym. But apart from the beaches boys and “Barbies’ there’s lots to do in Rio… Take a cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain which rises almost 1300 feet over the city, offering breath-taking views and if you go up at dusk, the sunsets are phenomenal. The most popular and one of the World’s most recognisable and famous statues is the Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redento). Constructed between 1922 and 1931, this reinforced concrete and soapstone statue of Jesus Christ towers over the city – it is an art deco masterpiece, 130 feet tall, standing at the top of Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park - truly spectacular. But it is the beaches that Rio is most famous for … The hottest people in the coolest fashions can be found at the Praia de Ipanema beach where you can rent a beach chair and chill out with hotties from around the world. If you want to get turned on, head on over to the section by Rua Farme de Amoedo where the cruising is very busy… On all sections of the beach you can buy cold drinks including beer, and souvenir hawkers will be constantly milling about – but will leave you alone if you ask them to.

The Copacabana Beach is a hot meat market both day and night – with tons of hot eye candy. There is a constant stream of cute roller bladders and sunbathers to satisfy your fantasies. A lot of the guys here are really rent, so be sure you know what you are getting into before you take anyone home. The prime cruising spot on the Copacabana is in front of the Copacabana Plaza. The 18-kilometre Barra da Tijuca is where you can find some of the rougher waters for windsurfing and body boarding. It’s not as gay as some of the other beaches – but you can be very cruisy. Grumari beach is the place for all you nudists. It’s a clothing option surfer’s paradise and an environmentally protected zone. Neat Ipanema another beach to consider visiting is Leblon – used primarily by local residents so its not that tourist friendly. If it’s the night life you are looking for, the be aware that most of the clubs in Rio don’t open or get interesting until midnight or much later in some cases … so, if you are looking to mingle once the sun goes down, your best bet will be to check out the gay bar scene. The locals don’t eat dinner until around 8 or 9 p.m. so even the pubs won’t get that busy until 10 or so. In all the bars, the beer is great, but one must try a caipirinha, the most popular local drink. All bars also tend to have a mix of bears, twinks, leather boys and trendy fashionista’s etc… The hottest concentration of gay bars and clubs is at Rua Teixeira de Melo near the Farme gay beach cruising area. Bofetada, on Farme itself, is one of the bars that gets busy early, almost as soon as people start leaving the beach. If you spent your day around the Copacabana, you might want to visit the bars in that area for example there’s the Copa which has the hottest waiters. Across the street from the Copacabana is the Rainbow, which has drag shows and karaoke at night. The subtly named Gay Kiosk Rainbow is easy to find because it sits underneath a giant rainbow flag. Sometimes the owners are in drag; sometimes they are not! If it’s getting close to midnight, it’s time to hit the dance floor and shake your booty. The hottest place to go is right inside the Copacabana, Posto 6. It’s built in a renovated movie theatre and has drag shows, DJ’s from around the world, theme nights and pretty much anything else you can imagine. The place gets packed, so get ready to party until dawn!

boys, so as you would on the beach, make sure you understand what you are getting into before you get started. Meio Mundo on Rua Teófilo Otona is very popular, and the all-time favourite is Club 117 in the Gloria area of Rio. But there are lots of others so check them out. No matter what you do in Rio de Janeiro, always practice safe sex more especially as the sheer number of hustlers around have made sex riskier here than in most other places you may visit. In Rio you should also be careful if a stranger hands you a drink. It is somewhat common here for thieves to slip a drug into a tourist’s beer and then rob him. In general, it is a good idea to not wear your expensive jewellery (including your watch) when you go out at night and take taxis, they are cheap, reliable, safe. Do not walk home to your hotel, even if it’s a block away. The city has many slums or Favelas as they are known – I was mugged a block from my hotel in Ipanema a supposedly safe area… Avoid doing drugs at all costs when you are in Brazil. The penalties are harsh, and the prisons are harsher. That said, if you are careful, a trip to Rio de Janeiro could end up becoming one of the hottest vacations you ever take.

If you are looking for a place to take the bloke you met at the beach, the bar or the club there are many “sex hotels” throughout the city where men can take their dates for a few hours. We recommend using them unless you have a good reason to trust your new-found friend. Finding a gay friendly sex hotel is not difficult – most of them are so obvious as to be embarrassing. They surround nearly every gay bar in the city and rent rooms for six hours or less.

Homosexual activity

Legal Since 1988

Same-sex marriage

Legal Since 2013

Same-sex adoption

Legal Since 2000

Most of the “in the know” tourists seek out the ones around Av. Gomes Freire or the Copacabana.

LGBT discrimination Illegal in some contexts since 1988

As in São Paulo there are the famous saunas, bath houses and rent boys …. These establishments have their fair share of rent

Equal age of consent

LGBTI RIGHTS

Equal Since 1940 Mag 7

019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots which set America in particular, but spilled over to other countries around the globe, on the path to getting equal rights for LGBTI people.

Inspired by the Black Power and Women’s Liberation Movements throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) initiated an anarchic campaign that permanently changed the face of the United States and it’s influence galvanised gay rights activists all over the world. The GLF was a movement that was started in New York following the Stonewall riots and adopted in London and San Francisco. Stonewall Inn, in New York City’s Greenwich Village, played a key role in LGBT history as the location of a series of riots in June 1969 by members of the community in response to a police raid.

Stonewall Inn (at the time it was known to be popular among the most marginalised people in the gay community) to one of the most iconic and historic riots in history. Tensions between New York City police and gay residents of Greenwich Village erupted into more protests the next evening, and again several nights later. Led by prominent activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were gender nonconforming, the riots sparked an entire civil rights movement, and is the reason Pride Month is celebrated in June in the United States. Within weeks of the uprising, Greenwich Village residents quickly organised into activist groups to concentrate efforts on establishing places for gays and lesbians to be open about their sexual orientation without fear of being arrested. From that date the movement has grown to what it is today, and Pride celebrations are held throughout the world – all inspired by this historic event. It is widely considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement, being more important than the LGBT movement in the United States. Today Pride is a singular celebration with a million faces— individuals, families, lovers, leaders, and friends and apart from celebrating the advances the LGBTI+ community has made in the fight for equality we also remember how the movement began.

Some of the first Pride marches began on the anniversary of the riots in 1970, and in some countries, Prides are still referred to as Christopher Street Day Parades in honour of the pub’s location. This year New York pride will simultaneously host World Pride and will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. On June 29, 1969, an unexpected Police raid brought Mag 8

Martha P Johnson

Sylvia Rivera

CERI DUPREE HEADS BACK TO GATE69 WITH IMMACULATE DECEPTION

s one of the UK’s top female impersonators, Ceri Dupree has been delighting audiences in Britain and around the world for almost 30 years. Aside from writing and producing his own shows, his extensive musical theatre credits include Hello Dolly, The Wizard of Oz and The Rocky Horror Show. He famously appeared at Madame Jo Jo’s in London’s West End for two years followed closely by a three-year residency at Minsky’s Music Hall in Cardiff. Over the years he has impersonated almost every female star in the business in shows such as The Ceri Dupree Spectacular, Duprees a Crowd, Totally Frocked Up and Missleading Ladies, to name but a few.

Now “magician in heels” Ceri Dupree is heading back to South Africa and will be returning to Gate69 with his sassiness and sequins. His last two-week season at the “Purple Palace on Bree’ was a sell-out success and Immaculate Deception promises to be nothing less than a rollercoaster of stand-up comedy, gorgeous costumes, wigs, props, parody and song and a Dame Edna Everage impersonation that is touted as being better than the grande dame herself! In Immaculate Deception, there is something old, something new and a few unexpected surprises with all the favourite DIVA’s brought to life – even the Queen and Camilla make an appearance! As Ceri says, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing!” With a touch of Las Vegas glitz, this pacey ‘over-thetop’ offering is the perfect way to start 2019, a nonstop, quick-changing, one-man, multiple-woman show packed with energy and showmanship. Immaculate Deception is on nightly from 6 February to 16 March 2019, Wednesday through to Saturday, with arrival at 6:30pm. Tickets cost R520 to R599pp including a tapas style dinner and dessert. Make use of Gate69’s Early bird Special that qualifies patrons for Gate69’S First and Business Class seats at the Economy Class price, valid for the opening week only. For bookings and all info please visit www.gate69.co.za or call 021-0351627. PG 18 Mag 9

MISH MASH PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS...

Adolph De Beer in Because Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Okay. Photo by Martin Kluge Mag 10

ish Mash Media Productions was founded by Adolph De Beer and Regina R. Malan in December 2017. The aim of the company is to fill a gap in the theatre scene by highlighting LGBTQI characters and themes in 80% of their productions, empowering those who they feel still have no voice. The first Mish Mash Media production titled “Because It’s Okay” staged in February 2018, was a multi-media experience that explored the struggles that the LGBTQI community still face today, using a documentary style of filming real stories, incorporating the live performance of poetry, classical and pop music, singing, dance and photography. This year they will bring 4 LGBTQI productions to Cape Town during Pride season, namely 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (19 February - 9 March), Because It’s Okay III (20 - 23 March), I am Trans (13 March - 6 April) and Transformed (27 March - 20 April), after staging an all-female Othello in 2018.

I am Trans I am Transgender. I am a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex. I am Trans. When two women meet against all odds, fall in love and start a life together, does it even matter if one of them is actually a man? Does it? Directed, written and performed by members of the LGBTQI community. When and Where: 13-23 March 2019 at The Drama Factory (Cape Town), 27-30 March 2019 at The Galloway Theatre (Cape Town) and 3-6 April 2019 at The Theatre Arts Admin Collective (Cape Town).

To make sure you don’t miss out on everything that we, Mish Mash Media Productions, are bringing to Cape Town this year, like and follow them on Instagram and on Facebook This is what Mish Mash Media Productions will bring to Cape Town in 2019:

5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche The award-wining Off-Broadway comedy play, set in 1950’s middle America in a community centre where the ladies of the Susan B Anthony Society for the Sister of Gertrude Stein are gathering for their annual quiche breakfast. A satire on the melodramatic fears of America during the cold war, all hell breaks loose when the women are under attack. What follows is a hilarious journey of self-discovery as secrets are revealed and relationships are tested all while protecting the coveted quiche. When and Where : 19 - 23 February 2019 at Artscape Arena (Cape Town) and 27 February - 9 March 2019 at The Galloway Theatre (Cape Town).

Regina Malan Because It’s Okay. Photo Martin Kluge

Transformed Because It’s Okay III A documentary style production, where real people in Cape Town, South Africa are filmed and their stories are shown in the show all the while combines live performances of singing, dancing and acting. The show is performed each year, but every year brand new people tell their stories. This year the show is set in an utopia future of 2050 and will look at how we got there. There is also an LGBTQI photographic exhibition before, during interval and after the show. The goal of the show is to give a voice to the voiceless and tell real South African LGBTQI stories. When and Where : 20 - 23 March 2019 at The Galloway Theatre (CT).

I have always felt that my body was not complete. That it started developing and accidentally took the wrong path. Now I can finally take the right path. Like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, I’m going through a striking alteration in appearance, character and circumstance. And for the first time in my life I will be truly happy, for soon I will be my true self. Soon I will be Transformed. The spin-off to I am Trans. When and Where: 27-30 March 2019 at The Galloway Theatre (Cape Town), 3-6 April 2019 at The Theatre Arts Admin Collective (Cape Town) and 10-20 April 2019 at The Drama Factory (Cape Town). Mag 11

Y A G BE

SOCKS, FROC

Fashion for the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

S U O MOR

A L G BE

SHO

WY OUR COL TRU OUR E S

Janelle Monae wears a Nicolas Jebron creation - Perfect for PRIDE!!!

CKS & JOCKS

s BIGGEST gay day!!!

BE BI

BE YOU

RSELF

T O H BE

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The FABULOUS Miss Lola Fine proudly shows her gay colours at Cape Town Pride

R E V O BE

P O T THE

E V I T A E CRE

BE SEXY

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BE PROUD

BE CO

NTRO

VERSI

H C T U EB

B BE OUT

RAGEOU

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CRAIG’S OPEN LETTER POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA ... Today, Craig Lucas is known throughout the country as the popular, talented, singer song-writing winner of The Voice (S2), and Craig happens to be gay ... Craig’s struggle with coming to terms with his sexuality is something which most young gay people go through. A couple of years ago he published an open letter on social media - it is a heartfelt, honest, beauitfully written, eloquent account of his experience in coming out and one which will be of comfort especially for other young people having difficulty coming to terms with their sexuality. Mag 16

CRAIG ... I had been deeply unhappy for such a long time. I hit rock bottom on 15 January 2016. I was at work, thinking about how I nearly flung myself out of the train that morning. I’d been thinking about suicide a lot. It scared me. Suicide and mental illness run in my family, especially amongst the men. My dad committed suicide when I was three. A number of other close family members did to — some succeeded, some didn’t. I hadn’t felt alive in a very long time — is this what they felt like before they decided to put a gun to their head? The death of my father planted a seed in my mind. Those seeds had sprouted; flowers over a grave. I spent many years denying a big part of myself. I carried my shame and my self-hatred around like a rotting limb. The rot was spreading, and it was killing me. I didn’t want to die. I swore I would never be like my father, I would never put my mother through that again. I hit rock bottom on 15 January 2016 — thank God for rock bottom. Everything became clear and I knew that in order to be free I needed let go of all the shame and all the pain I’d been harbouring. And I did, and I was successful. I was free. Two years later, I found myself right back there. Sorry, you’re probably so confused. I’ll explain. I want to tell you a story... Let me start a couple of years back- December 2011 to be exact. I remember coming home one night. I’d been out drinking. It was late. My mother messaged me to say that they weren’t home and that she had hidden the key in the usual spot. It took every ounce of strength in me to keep my body from caving in on the way home. I managed to make it just past the kitchen before falling to the floor. I prayed. I screamed. I cursed. I prayed some more. I should probably backtrack a little more. You see, I’d spent that day out drinking with a friendsomeone I met during my first year at UCT. We had most of our philosophy lectures together. We became very good friends over a very short period of time. We were extremely close- best friends even. We’d go out to drink often. We’d get

LUCAS drunk and talk about anything and everything. It was his birthday that day. It wasn’t supposed to be any different to the other times, except for the fact that we’d probably get just a little more drunk than usual. But that day wasn’t like all the other times. There was an energy pervading our little corner table that I hadn’t felt before. I felt slightly tense. I could tell that he did too. Our conversations started becoming deeper with every drink. Stares lingered just a bit longer than normal, our seats moved closer and time seemed to slow down with every shot of whiskey. I found myself fixated on his eyes and his nose, and on his lips- the way his top lip curved like the ebb and flow of the ocean, how the creases danced over the skin like folds on a rose; his lips parting and then meeting with every word he said like the wings of an eagle in flight- virile but tender, crude but graceful. I was so enamoured that often I didn’t even hear what he was saying, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered in that moment was that he was there, and that I was there with him. That was the moment that it hit me- I was in love. I was unequivocally, profoundly, violently in love. I was unequivocally, profoundly, violently in love with a man. My head started spinning and I felt like I wanted to throw up. I made up an excuse to get home. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. You see the problem was that I had dated girls before, and I was sure that I loved them. I had sex with girls before and I knew that I enjoyed it. What I was feeling didn’t make any sense. I’d never been more terrified in my life. I cut all contact with him. I spent the subsequent three years in a perpetual state of war with myself. [t took me four years to accept what happened that day. 15 January 2016: I shared my story with my friends and family. I was free. I found love for myself again, and love found me. Then came The Voice.

Craig, who is an accomplished musician is headlining at Cape Town Pride 2019 ... ladies and gentlemen we present the awesome, talented and need we say it , hunky & gorgeous, local lad ... Mag 17

People started telling me to keep the fact that I was in a relationship with a man a secret - “the audience is conservative” no one will vote for you.” So I did, and I won. “I’m glad I listened to them” I thought. People then said “no one will buy your music if they think you’re gay” “girls are your biggest market, you will alienate them.” Before I knew it, I was right back in the closet again. It’s been one year since I won The Voice. My dreams had come true. I was in a relationship with an amazing man. My career was flourishing. I was wholly depressed. Suicidal thoughts plagued my mind. I’d become a very angry man. Hurt people really do hurt people. I hated myself. I was wasted every other day. There were even drugs. I’d forgotten myself. I’d forgotten that I was smart, talented, funny and kind. I’d forgotten that I was loved. It took me hitting rock bottom once more to realise that I’d been living a lie. Now more than ever I have so much to live for, and I want to live. My skies have been grey and cloudy for way too long; a cloud is only allowed to become so heavy before it bursts, and rain comes falling from the sky. I’m ready for that rain to come and wash away the sadness that has been tainting my mind and my heart for the last 2 years. I’m ready for the rain to water my gardens and give life to the seeds of joy that I know lie buried deep within my soul. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I expect to lose a couple of friends and fans, and I expect a couple of familial relationships to become strained as a result of this letter but it’s ok. I sing about “Hearts Exposed” but hid mine. So here I am pulling my best Frank Ocean. I welcome whatever is coming my way with an open heart and an open mind. Until then, I have some making up to do with the people who stuck by my side even when I was at my worst, and some amazing fucking songs to write. Love only, Craig. Mag 18

CAPE TOWN PRIDE MARDI GRAS

2019

2 MARCH @ REDDAM FIELD, GREEN POINT URBAN PARK.

COME SEE TOP INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL ACTS INCLUDING: CERI DUPREE JIMMY NEVIS CRAIG LUCAS MANILA VON TEEZ ZOE ZANA 3D LATHEEM GABRIEL 4 TONS OF FUN THE TROLLEY DOLLIES AND MORE

F O R D E TA I L S O N E V E N T S, C H E C K O U T: W W W.C A P E T O W N P R I D E .O R G

CAPE TOWN 20

FRIDAY - 22 February

MONDAY - 25 February

The Annual Pink Party, kicks off Cape Town Pride 2019 ... dress in PINK, pay at one venue and get in to the others for free!!! Participating venues are Crew, The Prison, Social Bar, Zer021, Versatile - Tickets available at Quicket.co.za (surcharge of R20 at Crew) Entrance R30 From 8:00pm - 02:00

Bookcase 1 - Join us at Zer021 for an evening of readings and discussion with local gay & lesbian authors, whose books have been making an impact on the literary stage.

SATURDAY - 23 February The Pride Pool Party - This is one of the most popular events - so get your tickets early. The venue is Radisson Blu, Waterfront. Tickets from Frank Kosi 0711196622 or Quicket.co.za Entrance R150 Time: 13:00 - 19:00 VIP R550 (includes a bottle of Champagne/Cap de Classique and a reserved lounger) The Pride Lifestyle Conference at Park Inn (by Radisson) - Meet for a lifestyle workshop with guest speakers in a variety of topics Entrance FREE Time: 11:00am The Mr & Miss Cape Town Pride Pageant Happening at the Joseph Stone Auditorium the event is always a winner and very popular, so it is essential to get your tickets early. Tickets availfrom Computicket Entrance R100

Time: 7:00pm

The Men’s Night Party. This popular men-only night out attracts the hot, sexy and hunky, bears, cubs and everyone in between ... Join us at Versatile for a great night out! Entrance R60

Time: 8:00pm

Kasi Pre-Pride Party. This popular annual event is becoming more & more popular every year. It takes place at The Des in Guguletu Entrance FREE

Time: 5:00pm

Entrance FREE

Time: 8:00pm

Proudly Funny Comedy Show- Join us for night of laughter at Grounded Espresso Bar & Bistro with the very talented Eugene Matthews and Chantal ‘Jax’ Venter Entrance: R50

Time: 8:00pm

TUESDAY - 26 February

Definitely one of the most popular events is Movie Night - and the movie this year is Green Book the true story of a gay African-American pianist travelling through the deep south with is minder. Showing at the V&A NuMetro Theatre Tickets at the theatre or at Computicket Time: 7:30pm Bitchy Bingo - A highly entertaining evening at the ever-popular Beefcakes. Hot bar staff will have you drooling as you enjoy a night of high camp! Entrance R100 (show only)

Time: 7.00pm

Bookcase 2 - Another night to meet one of South Africa’s premier gay & lesbian authors, tonights event is at the trendy Berta’s Restaurant in Woodstock... Entrance: FREE

Time: 8:00pm

Morgan McMichaels Live at Zer021 - Highly acclaimed from Rue Paul’s Drag Race ... Entrance: R150 (pre-sales) R200 at door Time:8:00pm

SUNDAY - 24 February The Vodacom Rainbow Fun Run - Meet at Mouille Point Promenade .... dress camp, outrageous or serious this 5km run (or walk) promises to grow into one of the biggest Pride events Registration: R50 Mag 20

Time: 8.00am

WEDNESDAY - 27 Feb The Karaoke Night- Have fun watching some amazingly good as well as amazingly bad people trying out their vocal talents. Always a hoot! Venue: Versatile, De Waterkant Time: 8.00pm

019 CALENDAR WEDNESDAY - 27 Feb The Pride Memorial Evening - Join us in paying tribute and respect to those members of our community who have died or been killed in homophobic and hate motivated circumstances Venue: The Pride Shelter, 1 Molteno Rd, Oranjezicht Time: 6.30pm

THURSDAY - 28 Feb Diva’s - Showcases some of the best drag performers the city has to offer. For a sparkling, spectacular night of glamour get down to Zer021 - Always packed so make sure you’re on time! Entrance R50

Time: 8:00pm

The Annual Beach Picnic - Head down to Clifton 3 for an evening picnic at the beach - FREE at 6:00pm

FRIDAY - 01 March

Poetry Night - Join us for a evening of poetry at The Social Bar Entrance: FREE Time: 7:00pm

SATURDAY - 02 March THE PRIDE PARADE - Join the thousands of people who march in this annual parade through the city - a colourful event with fabulous outfits, floats, bands and dancers. The Parade kicks off at 12:00 (noon) at Prestwich Street in De Waterkant towards Reddam Field, Green Point THE PRIDE MARDI GRAS - Gates open at 13:00 Join the revellers for an afternoon with superb entertainment including Jimmy Nevis, Craig Lucas, Latheem Gabriel, Zoe Zana, 4 Tons of Fun, Manila Von Teez, 3D, Ceri DuPree & The Trolley Dollies, DJ’s and more ... bars, food, stalls and a family area ... a great day for everyone!!! Tickets from Quicket or at the door...

FRIDAY - 01 March

Avoid the queues, so get your tickets online early

Pride Shabbat - The city’s Jewish Community welcomes everyone to join them for shabbat

Venue: Reddam Field, GP Urban Park Entrance R50 Time: 13:00 - 20:30

Venue: Temple Israel, Sea Point at 6:00pm Pride Mosque - Join the local Moslem community at Mosque for an evening of reflection, discussion and prayer Venue: Check on Faceboook - to be confirmed Girl Connect Friday - For women only, these parties attracts a huge crowd so plan early. Happening at The Station On Bree ... Entrance TBA

Time: TBA - Check on Facebook

SUNDAY - 03 March Pride Interfaith Service - Hosted by the Goodhope MCC ... Entrance FREE Time: TBA - Check Facebook Village Drinks – Pride Mixer - Hosted by Cape Town’s Gay Professional Networking event ... Join us for a laid-back Sunday afternoon of drinks, music and new friends at The 41 Entrance R60 Time: 4:00pm Mag Mag 19 21

THE BUZZ HONOURING MADONES

MARTINA ACCUSED OF TRANSPHOBIA

20th CENTURY ICON

n a recent poll conducted by BBC 2, Alan Turing was voted by the British public as The Greatest Person of the 20th Century. Turing was the father of computing which is the foundation of the modern world: Internet, computers, mobile phones, space exploration, weather forecasting etc. Turing, the father of modern computing was resposible for breaking the Enigma Code during world War 11, a feat which undoubtedly shortened the war.

or all you Madge fans out there, the Queen of Pop will be honoured at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media awards in May this year. The gay icon will be honoured as GLAAD’s Advocate for Change at the ceremony in New York in May. The singer will become the first woman to recipient of the award which celebrates a LGBTQ ally whose work has accelerated queer acceptance and equality around the world. With her huge gay following, Madonna has been a tireless supporter of the gay community from the beginning of her career over 35 years ago. GLAAD (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) is an American non-governmental media monitoring organisation founded by LGBT people in the media. Their motto is: To promote understanding, increase acceptance, and advance equality. And each year they honour those people in and allied to the LGBTI+ community who have lived by the motto. The 1st GLAAD Media Awards ceremony honoring the 1989 season was held in 1990.

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penly gay tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been labelled as transphobic and dropped as an ambassador for Athletes Ally, a group supporting LGBT sports people over comments she made which are considered transphobic, saying that her comments “perpetuated myths.” Navratilova wrote in a Sunday newspaper that it is “insane” and “cheating” for male to female athletes to be allowed to compete in women’s sport. In an earlier article she had said, “there must some standards and having a penis and competing as a woman would not fit that standard.” Athletes transitioning from male to female have to take testosterone reducing drugs and are required to keep testosterone levels below a certain amount for at least a year. This is not required for females transitioning to male. But Navratilova’s comments come at a time when Caster Semenya is taking the IAAF to court over the restrictions athletics governing body has put on her and other athletes. The transgender group TransActual commented in a tweet, “we’re pretty devastated to discover that Martina Navratilova is transphobic. If trans women had an advantage in sport, why aren’t trans women winning gold medals left, right & centre...”

He was prosecuted in 1952 for homosexual acts, accepting chemical castration treatment, as an alternative to prison. He died in 1954, from cyanide poisoning. An inquest determined his death as suicide. In 2009, following an Internet campaign, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made an official public apology on behalf of the British government for “the appalling way he was treated”. Queen Elizabeth II granted him a posthumous pardon in 2013. The Alan Turing law is now an informal term for a 2017 law in the United Kingdom that retroactively pardoned men cautioned or convicted under historical legislation that outlawed homosexual acts. Other finalists for the coveted Icons title included the explorer Ernest Shackleton, singer David Bowie, boxer Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, Dr Martin Luther King and cubist painter Pablo Picasso.

NEW VENUE IN JOBURG SOUTH The long awaited Sinsations Jazz Pub officially opened its doors on Friday the 1st February 2019. The Jazz Pub is opened to all customers of Sinsations Adult Boutique Private Lounges.

idden inside the Sinsations Adult Boutique the dimly lit and cozy Jazz Pub welcomes its members into an atmosphere of belonging and intimacy. The Jazz Pub offers members a comfortable environment where they can be themselves, meet new and current friends whilst enjoying music and a drink. The south of Johannesburg is very limited with entertainment venue options especially for the LGBT community and the Sinsations Jazz Pub is the very first of its kind in Johannesburg. Sinsations offers customers a full range of adult specialties for all types of sexual flavours and fantasies. Sinsations also houses 2 cinemas of which one is dedicated to the gay community and the other to heterosexuals. The gay community can also enjoy the private lounges as well as the Jazz Pub. “Come and try our unique drink called Cocada, a special alcoholic coconut milk that will tantalize your taste buds. The Jazz Pub is a venue meant for networking, unwinding and enjoyment. A safe haven for the LGBT community. It’s a great place to have a drink or dance the night away, you are all welcome and I look forward to meeting you.” – Victor Nunes, owner of the Sinsations Jazz Pub. The Jazz Pub opens daily (Monday to Saturday) from 12pm to 2am. On Friday nights there is live music performed by local musicians and on the other nights you can enjoy jazz music and other music genres. Local brands, ciders and beers are sold at the Jazz Pub as well as tasty light snacks, throughout the day. The members entrance fee is R50.00 per day. No reservations or pre-bookings needed. For more information please contact: Sinsations Adult Boutique, 081 451 6203 or +27 11 683 904

Mag Mag23 23

SCENE OUT

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STAR MUSICIAN NAKHANE CALLS ON MEN TO BE TESTED AND PRACTISE SAFE SEX Mag 28

Nakhane endorses men who have sex with men campaign

ondon-based award winning South African musician, songwriter, actor and LGBTI activist Nakhane, who has a big fan in Madonna, has added his voice in support of the Me1st campaign which was launched by nonprofit organisation Right to Care. The campaign aims to create awareness and address the issues faced by the MSM (men who have sex with men) community such as discrimination and stigma when seeking help in the healthcare sector. Nakhane abandoned Christianity and always had an underlying concern as a gay man about his own morality. He lived in fear that he would get married to a women, have children and have affairs with men on the side. Commented Nakhane who was recently named by The New York Times as the musician to watch in 2019, “This is a cause that is very close to my heart as I am always encouraging everyone around me to get tested. I learnt the importance of practicing safe sex and knowing one’s status by observing my mother when she was a counsellor for people in disadvantaged areas, many of whom were HIV positive.” With Nakhane’s name translating to a request to “build each other” and Right to Care’s support of the National Department of Health, the endorsement of this campaign seems the perfect match. To date, the campaign has travelled to Kimberley, East London, Bloemfontein and Durban with activations providing HIV, STI and TB screening and support to men who have sex with men in South Africa. Currently touring in Australia, Nakhane believes that despite no longer being based in South Africa, he still has a responsibility to use his platform to raise awareness on important social issues in the country. “This campaign is important because it gives a voice to men who have sex with men by creating the channels needed for non-discriminatory HIV and STI screening. For me, Me1st is an opportunity to not only debunk myths, but also to create safe spaces. It is important to know your status, and you should never feel compromised or humiliated when wanting to test, he adds. Mag 29

PRIDE SHELTER MARKET WITH A WORTHY CAUSE It’s that time of the year…. “We’re calling out for any unwanted items at home, please think about donating them for us to sell at the market. We’ll take all sorts of things like clothes, bric-a-brac, old records, lamps and ornaments. Anything and everything!” So if you’re an avid bargain shopper or thrifter with a kind heart, then you won’t miss a fundraiser with a worthy cause. After previous huge success, The PRIDE Shelter Trust is hosting their annual market on Saturday 6th April. “The Shelter provide short-term accommodation for LGBTI people from the greater Cape Town area during times of crisis in their lives. We are reliant on funding through donations and big events such as Cape Town PRIDE and we raised R44000 from our market last year in April,” says Janette Richter, Matron of the Pride Shelter. Any entertainers /volunteers willing to provide their talents to entertain the thrifter’s can contact the Matron. Or if anyone would to have a stall on the day, please contact us for further information. Entry is FREE. Doors open at 10am and the market runs until 3pm. For further information on donating email matron@pridesheltertrust.co.za or call +27 (0) 21 423 2871.

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PRIDE SHELTER MARKET Date: 6th April 2019 Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm Venue: 1 Molteno Road, Oranjezicht. This market is perfect to pick up some bargains while enjoying some great food. All the proceeds will go towards running the shelter, the only LGBTI crisis centre in Africa.

MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE MARCH diary Friday 1st Leather Night - Free entrance with leather gear · Friday 8th Long Schlong Night - Free entrance for 20cm + · Friday 15th Fetish Night - Indulge your fantasies · Wednesday 20th Heritage Day Full Moon Party Cum celebrate queer kulcha with free libation wine & space cake · Friday 22th Public Pigz Night Be a pig on the bar counter for an entrance refund · Friday 29th Fire Crotch Night – Free Entrance with Red Pubes APRIL diary Friday 5th Leather Night Free entrance with leather gear · Friday 12th Long Schlong Night Free entrance for 20cm+ · Thursday 18th Pre-Easter Exodus Party Everyone is gonna cum before they go home. We're open every day over Easter. Join us for egg hunt & make the bunnies come · Friday 19th Full Moon Fetish – Indulge your fantasies and celebrate hedonism with free libation wine · Friday 26th Public Pigz Night Be a pig on the bar counter for an entrance refund · Thursday 30th Workers Day Party - Cum Work It MAY diary Friday 3rd Leather Night Free entrance with leather gear · Friday 10th Long Schlong Night Free entrance for 20cm + · Friday 17th Fetish Night – Indulge your fantasies · Saturday 18th Full Moon – Celebrate hedonism with free libation wine · Friday 24th Public Pigz Night Be a pig on the bar counter for an entrance refund · Friday 31st Fire Crotch Night – Free Entrance with Red Pubes Mondays: Daddies & Toy Boys – R50 entrance between 6 & 9 for under 20s and over 50s Every Tuesday is Buddy Night. Bring a friend for free! Thursdays: Student Night. R50 entrance with student card.

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If your goal is turning heads at the beach, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want tips on grooming and choosing flattering trunks, as well as a workout for flat abs and a pumped-up physique.

TURNING HEADS Mag 32 Mag 32

or pecs that beg to go shirtless, start with a dumbbell bench press. Lie back, with your feet flat on the floor. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at chest level. Push the weights straight up, and slowly lower back down. Start with light weights, doing 16-20 reps until you perfect your form. Go heavier slowly, so you can’t do more than 8-12 reps. Aim for three sets, resting 30-90 seconds between sets. Follow this up with Dumbbell Fly’s - Lie on your back with a dumbbell in each hand. Raise the dumbbells above your chest, shoulder-width apart. With your palms facing each other and elbows slightly bent, inhale and lower the dumbbells in an arc to chest level. Exhale and slowly raise the dumbbells to starting position, as if wrapping your arms around a barrel. Tried and tested are push ups - These will sculpt your shoulders, triceps, and pecs. Start in plank position with your hands under your shoulders and your legs extended behind you. Keeping your body tight and straight, bend your elbows to lower yourself until your chin or chest touches the floor. Straighten your elbows to push back up. Do 2-3 sets of as many reps as you can manage with good form. Barbell Curls - Stand gripping a barbell at thigh level. Your hands should be shoulder-width apart, palms facing forward. Exhale and bend your elbows, raising the bar to shoulder-level. Keep your elbows at your side. Inhale and slowly lower the barbell to starting position. Keep your knees slightly bent, and don’t let your back arch. Dumbbell Curl - Sit on a bench with your back against a backrest. Keeping your arms at your sides, hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward. Exhale and slowly curl your arms up until the dumbbells nearly reach the shoulders. Inhale and lower the weights to starting position. If doing more than eight reps, rest for at least 90 seconds between sets. Extensions - Buff arms require working the triceps, too. Give them some definition with barbell extensions. Lie on a bench with a barbell raised directly over your face, elbows straight and palms facing forward. Bend your elbows to lower the barbell down toward your forehead. Keep your elbows in the same place. Exhale and push back up. For better triceps, Pushdowns will do the trick - You can do triceps pushdowns with resistance bands or cables. Stand with your hands gripping the bands, palms facing down. Your elbows should be bent so your forearms are parallel with the floor. Keeping your elbows at your side, exhale and press down until your elbows are straight. Inhale and return to the starting position. Don’t lock your elbows. Dumbbell Press or military press, sculpts the deltoid muscles in the shoulder. Sit on a bench with your back against a backrest. Hold your dumbbells at shoulder height and shoulder width, palms facing forward. Exhale and push the dumbbells up until your elbows are fully extended. Inhale as you slowly bring the weights back down. Your lats are broad muscles that run from mid-back to waist. You can do lat pulldowns with resistance bands or cables. With your hands wider than shoulder width, grab the bands or cable bar overhead, keeping your elbows straight. Pull the bar or bands toward your chest, bringing your elbows close to your sides. Slowly extend your elbows to raise back up. Dumbbell Rows – This exercise works your lats as well as the rhomboid muscles in your upper back. Begin with your left hand and knee on a bench and your right foot flat on the floor. Hold a dumbbell in your right hand next to the bench. Bend your elbow and pull the dumbbell toward your waist. Lower slowly it back down. Bicycle - Do these instead of crunches. An American Council on Exercise study rated this move as one of the most efficient ways to tone the major ab muscles, including the rectus abdominis and obliques. While lying on your back, pedal your legs as if riding a bike. As you pedal, touch each elbow to the opposite knee. Keep your lower back pressed to the floor. For an ab exercise that doesn’t involve lying on the floor, try cable rotations. Stand holding a cable close to the upper abdomen. The cable should extend to the side, not directly in front of you. Tighten your abs and slowly turn your torso away from the cable anchor. Hold briefly before returning to starting position. After one set of 8-12 reps, face the opposition direction and repeat Don’t neglect the legs, start with Calf Raises - Stand with dumbbells or kettlebells at your sides, feet shoulder-width apart. Raise your heels until your weight is on the balls Mag 33

of your feet. Contract your abs to help keep your balance, and slowly lower back down. Good moves to challenge other leg muscles include squats and leg presses for your quads, as well as leg curls for your hamstrings. You’re almost beach ready, “Manscaping” has become more popular in recent years. The most popular targets for manscaping are the back, chest, and pubic area. To avoid prickly stubble, waxing is a better option than shaving for large areas like the chest and back, but tis is really personal preference as some people find hair very attractive and more manly whilst others go for the smooth clean look. Choosing your beach wear … While most swim trunks are made with elastic waistbands, this style can accentuate even a little extra girth around the waist. For a more flattering and stylish option, look for shorts that close with drawstrings, snaps, or buttons. Don’t wear your Speedo-style cozzie if you can help it … save that for the gay beach. Baggy, low-riding board shorts look best on men under 20. If your teenage years are behind you, consider more fitted trunks that sit just above the hips. But avoid going too tight or too high! Consider your height before picking the length of your trunks. Long trunks look right at home on tall guys, but can overwhelm shorter men. Short trunks, in contrast, can create the illusion of longer legs. Men of short to medium height should opt for short to medium-length trunks. Always wear sunscreen. Look for a broad-spectrum product with an SPF of 30 or greater. None are truly sweatproof or waterproof, but there are water-resistant types. Gels work well for hairy spots like the scalp and chest. Don’t forget your ears and lips. And wear a shirt and hat for extra protection. No beach body is complete without tidy feet. When trimming your toenails, don’t round the edges … once our toe nails are tamed, you’ll be ready for barefoot walks on the beach. And whilst you’;re about it, to show your developing six-pack, you’ll need to burn off belly fat that tends to hide the muscles underneath. You can do moderateintensity exercise, such as brisk walking, for 30 minutes on most days of the week. Or pump up the intensity to vigorous exercise, like swimming or running, or beach volleyball and other seaside activities, and get the same benefits in half the time. Don’t forget to keep the waistline in check, if you’re trying to lose weight, you need to cut calories, but there are some foods you will want to eat more of. Filling up on a salad first at lunch or dinner can help you eat less during the rest of the meal. Limit your alcohol intake, it’s not just beer that can pad the belly, alcohol of all kinds has empty calories that your body may store as fat. Now head off to your local sunspot and turn heads as you go!!! For more information check out www.webMD.com

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MUSIC MOVES Pride 2019 will be celebrated around world, and it’s a global celebration of the LGBT+ community and its culture – a reminder of both how far we’ve come and the distance we still have to go before we have true equality. Afterall there are over 60 countries where same-sex love is illegal and homosexual relationships are in some places punishable by death! For LGBT+ anthems, you might think of old-school dancefloor choons by glamorous pop divas, and while those songs certainly have a much-deserved spot in our hearts and minds, here we take a look at some other LGBT+ themed tracks from recent years for you to check out. Years & Years – Desire Olly Alexander is possibly one of our frankest pop stars, speaking openly about his sexuality, struggles with anxiety, and other issues affecting his generation. The band’s music reflects this, and Desire – which was remixed to add LGBT singer Tove Lo – is one of the most evocative tracks.

that everybody loves, whatever their orientation. His most recent single Bloom is a celebration of sexuality, and it doesn’t take too long to decipher the lyrics to work out exactly what he’s on about. Check out the music vid where Troye continues the work of other prominent LGBTQ icons over the last few decades by challenging gender norms and wearing whatever the hell he likes.

known to his mates as Rod Thomas – teamed up with Elton John, among other leading lights of LGBT+ music, for this riotous celebration of being who you want to be and embracing that fact.

Scissor Sisters – SWERLK

Christine and the Queens – Tilted Janelle Monae – Make Me Feel When Janelle returned early last year, she was uncompromising in her discussion of sexuality and gender. Pynk was a love letter all things feminine, and in the stripped-back, hot and heavy funk of Make Me Feel, and its accompanying video, Janelle acknowledged there was more than one way to get off …

Troye Sivan – Bloom If there’s one thing Australian YouTuberturned-popstar Troye Sivan is good at, it’s writing deep, catchy and uncompromising songs about sex, boys, and romance

Also known as Heloise Letissier, the French singer found herself a global star when Tilted became an unexpected hit in 2016. The “tilted” of the title refers to not quite fitting in and gradually becoming comfortable with it rather than worrying. “It’s about embracing who you are,” says Heloise, who identifies as pansexual. And when she appeared not so long ago on Graham Norton she was fabulous!

There’s still plenty of room for floorfillers in our LGBT+ anthem roundup, and Scissor Sisters have been flying the flag for queer pop since 2003. The group recently reformed for a one-off single with MNDR who described the track as being about “celebrating life, dancing, individuality, differences, fierceness, and sometimes SWERLK is even a shoulder to cry on. The SWERLK is not only a dance floor anthem, but it is a way of life, a mind set, and a show of solidarity. The SWERLK doesn’t stop SWERLKING even in the midst of senseless violence. To SWERLK is to live to the fullest. So keep on SWERLKING and stay SWERLKY! SWERLK!” Amazing.

Bright Light Bright Light – All in the Name Just so we’re clear: being LGBT isn’t just doom and gloom and angst – not all day, anyway! Bright Light Bright Light – also

For more great LGBTI+ tunes visit www.officialcharts.com Mag 36

OUT ON FILM ON THE BIG SCREEN WITH DANIEL DERCKSEN STRAIGHT MEET GAY PROFOUNDLY IN GREEN BOOK

Mahershala Ali & Viggo Mortensen in Green Room

Mahershala Ali, who blew our minds with his sensational performance in the Oscarwinning Moonlight, plays a gay pianist in Green Book, scooping up more awards for his performance as Dr. Don Shirley, a world-class Black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South. When Tony Vallelonga , a rugged New York City bouncer (Excellent performance from Viggo Mortensen) from an Italian-American neighborhood in The Bronx, is hired to drive and protect Dr., straight meets gay in the most profound way, as they must rely on The Green Book — a travel guide to safe lodging, dining and business options for African Americans during the era of segregation and Jim Crow laws — to steer them to places where Shirley will not be refused service, humiliated, or threatened with violence. “This is a perfect film for audiences around the world because it’s about people who are different and who are able to discover their similarities and teach each other things about their differences,” Ali says. “They’re able to accept each other. These men come from very, very different worlds and they become allies.”

A GAY AND LESBIAN FRIENDSHIP TO REMEMBER

subtle yet emotionally profound ways.

The story of Can You Ever Forgive Me? is also a story of two lost souls coming together, a rather unlikely friendship of a flamboyant rebel and a surly loner that is transformative in

That friendship begins when Israel runs into Jack Hock, a large-hearted petty criminal who, sharing Israel’s insubordinate disposition, became her accomplice for a period of time. That both characters are gay was also

“This is a movie about a relationship between a black man and a white man before the Civil Rights Act, and the backdrop is one of obvious socio-economic and racial tension,” Mortensen says. “In many ways, we’re facing the same problems today that are depicted in the film. There are a lot of mirror images and mirror concepts that our story deals with, between 1962 and now, and I think people will find that enlightening as well as entertaining.” “Don Shirley happened to be gay at a time when it was particularly difficult,” says director Peter Farrelly. “That’s something that will resonate today with people throughout the world. This story took place in 1962, but these are the same issues we’re talking about now.” In 2013, after more than 50 years of friendship, Tony Vallelonga and Don Shirley both died almost three months to the date of one another — Tony died January 4, 2013 at age 82 and Shirley died April 6, 2013 at age 86. Mag 36

Can You Ever Forgive Me stars Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant

unusual. “This was an interesting time for two gay characters to come together in New York,” says director Marielle Heller. “A friend of mine told me that historically the lesbian community and the gay community in the city were pretty separate, but when AIDS happened they kind of connected. A lot of gay women ended up becoming caretakers for a lot of gay men and the communities came together in a new kind of way. Lee is someone who often drank at a male gay bar and I think gay culture is part of their story in a lot of ways.”

remote cattle farm in South Africa.”

Grant was drawn to the humanity in Hock. “Jack seems to me to have the personality of a Labrador Retriever. He just assumes that he might go up to anybody and they’ll like him, but he’s also sometimes kicked-about and he’s lonely. He was a coke dealer and probably a kleptomaniac, banned from Duane

“The complexities of brotherhood and male self-identity in this new era of critique and re-evaluation are fascinating to explore. For instance, in myself I see two main parts: one side of me is an insecure man who is not willing to live in a world without love, and this is Janno; the other part of me is the survivor who defies the judgement of others, willing to exist without love and at any cost, and this is Pieter.”

Reade drugstore for shoplifting. But when he falls in with Lee Israel, they develop this very unusual love-hate relationship, which seemed to me to be the core of the story,” he explains.

AFRIKAANS FARMBOYS COME-OF-AGE IN DIE STROPERS Die Stropers (The Harvesters) (15 March) is a coming-of-age story about an Afrikaans farm boy, Janno (Brent Vermeulen), whose childhood ends abruptly when his conservative parents bring home a manipulative street orphan, Pieter (Alex van Dyk), to foster on their

The film was written and directed Award-winning Greek-South African director Etienne Kallos, who is based in New York, and grew up in the Free State. “Themes of sexuality and identity are part of my ongoing preoccupations with the questioning and re-invention of the male perspective,” says Kallos. “The staunchly patriarchal Afrikaans culture, trying so hard to resist the endless change that is post-colonial Africa, is a fascinating context to work within.”

SAUCY AND SEXY BIOPIC OF ELTON JOHN Taron Egerton would like everyone to know that the upcoming Elton John biopic, Rocketman, will be full of saucy scenes. The biopic stars Egerton as the legendary singer in his early days, following his ascent in the music industry. In a new interview with MTV, Egerton promised that the film wouldn’t skim over John’s personal life, particularly his relationships with men.

“I really threw myself into it,” he said. “I filmed my first sex scene for this film. I feel that the movie we’ve shot is absolutely a celebration of everything that Elton John is, and part of that is his sexuality.” That sex scene he referred to also features his co-star Richard Madden, who plays music manager John Reid in the biopic. “I actually think the gay community will be quite surprised by quite how gay it feels,” he said. “I’ve loved every second of it. I’m not someone who is remotely perturbed by male intimacy. I’m quite proud of what we’ve done in it.” The film tells the story of Elton John’s life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music, through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin, as well as his struggles with depression, substance abuse, and acceptance of his sexual orientation. Rocketman releases in South Africa on 7 June and is produced by Elton John. Sitting in the director’s chair is Dexter Fletcher, who replaced Bryan Singer as director of Bohemian Rhapsody, and the screenplay was crafted by Lee Hall, who also wrote Billy Elliot. Jamie Bell, who rose to prominence for his debut role in Billy Elliot, plays Taupin in Rocketman. For the latest and upconing film releases visit: www.writingstudio. co.za

Mag 37

OUT ON DVD LET’S WATCH DVD’S WITH DANIEL DERCKSEN CHECK OUT THESE GREAT (mainly) GAY-THEMED MOVIES ON DVD Putting his own stamp on the tale with his contemporary take on A Star Is Born, director/writer Bradley Cooper strove to make something that speaks to the timeless nature of human feelings and failings, mixed with today’s diverse world of music, and succeeded admirably. Cooper and Lady Gaga fuse their considerable talents to depict the raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Theirs is a complex (and tearful) journey through the beauty and the heartbreak of a relationship struggling to survive. This is one DVD /Blu-Ray you must add to your collection, as well as the soundtrack, featuring stunning original songs by Gaga.

Bradley Cooper & Gaga in A Star Is Born

If you’re a Cooper fan, also add the films The Place Beyond the Pines, Joy, and Burnt to your collection, and for Gaga celebrants, make sure to get American Horror Story: Hotel. Cory Michael Smith in 1985

In 1985 a closeted young man goes home for the holidays and struggles to reveal his dire circumstances to his conservative family, paying a possible last visit after HIV diagnosis to small-town families either oblivious to or hostile toward their sexual identity. Shot in black-and-white Super 16, it’s a finely observed portrait of largely unarticulated tensions forced to the surface by the pressure of a “gay plague” then with scant hope of medical salvation. Michael Chiklis, Virginia Madsen and Gotham star Cory Michael Smith headline this moving new period piece from director Yen Tan. Mark Strano and Frankie Valenti play Chet and Todd, two gay brothers struggling to reconnect after their father’s death. In Tiger Orange. Chet, shy and reserved, has been living relatively closeted in the small town where the brothers grew up, running their father’s hardware store and taking great care not to be too open about his sexuality in the town’s relatively conservative social order, while Todd, more upfront about his sexuality, left home at 18 to move to Los Angeles, where he has been struggling to build a career as an actor The tensions between them reach their peak when Brandon (Gregory Marcel), Chet’s high school crush, also returns home to take care of his ailing mother; Chet continues to struggle with his feelings for Brandon, while Todd actively pursues him.

Frankie Valenti in Tiger Orange

The documentary Call Her Ganda tells of three exceptionally brave women come together to get answers surrounding the untimely death of Jennifer Laude, a Filipina transwoman. In 2014, 26-year-old Filipina prostitute Jennifer Laude – known by her mother as “Ganda,” which means “beauty” – was found strangled and drowned (in a toilet) in a motel across the street from the nightclub where she plied her trade. According to both friends and security camera video, Laude was last seen in the company of 19-year-old PFC Joseph Scott Pemberton, who immediately became law enforcement’s prime suspect. Since many Filipino sex workers apparently hide their transgender status so as not to alienate potential clients, Pemberton’s possible motive wasn’t difficult to deduce — having been surprised to learn that Laude was not what he thought her to be, he killed her in a fit of humiliated rage. In Boys two moments of Jonas’s life intertwine, each reflecting Mag 38

Call Her Ganda

the other: when he was a secretive teenager, and 18 years later, as an attractive and impulsive thirty-something looking for balance in his life. The adult version of Jonas (Félix Maritaud, outstanding in this year’s sexually graphic Sauvage and last year’s ImageOut favorite BPM) is a broken man. His boyfriend has thrown him out for cheating on him a few too many times, and he’s been arrested for getting into a fight at Boys, a local gay bar. There’s something about the bar that seems to set him off. He meanders through life still carrying that same old Game Boy, trying to fill a hole that can’t be filled. The Breeding centers round Thomas (Marcus Bellamy), a young artist whose obsession with a BDSM (bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism) leads to life altering consequences. The film explores the basic animalistic instincts of humans and how many of us are willing to do regrettable, unimaginable and typically uncharacteristic things in order to fulfill our primal needs. Sadly, real life sometimes imitates art. After production on The Breeding ended, lead actor Marcus Bellamy was arrested, charged with murdering his boyfriend.

Felix Maritaud in Sauvage stars in Boys

Freak Show

In the experimental comedy Duck Butter, Laia Costa and Arrested Development star Alia Shawkat play two women, jaded by dishonest and broken relationships, make a pact to spend 24 uninterrupted hours together, having sex on the hour. Their romantic experiment intends to create a new form of intimacy, but it doesn’t quite go as planned. Alex Lawther, Bette Midler and Laverne Cox star in Freak Show, a rousing comedy about a gay, fashion-forward teen boy. He decides to run for homecoming queen at his conservative high school. Billy Bloom is one-of-a-kind: a fabulous, glitterbedecked, gender-bending teenager whose razor-sharp wit is matched only by his outrageous, anything-goes fashion sense. When his glamorous mother is forced to send him to live with his straight-laced father, Billy discovers that he’s like a diva-outof-water at his new ultra-conservative high school. Undaunted by the bullies who don’t understand him, the fearless Billy sets out to make a big statement in his own inimitable way.

Charlie David’s Shadowlands

A remarkably beautiful, spiritual film from Thailand, Malila: The Farewell Flower follows former gay lovers Shane and Pitch as they reunite after years apart and try to heal the wounds of their past. It’s a romantic tearjerker. Morocco’s official entry for last year’s Academy Awards, Razia is a deeply moving drama that tells five different stories about people living on the fringes in modern-day Casablanca – including a gay musician fighting against some deep-rooted homophobia. With stories taking place in 1928, 1951 and 2018, Shadowlands is the salacious new work by actor-writerdirector Charlie David, an anthology film with hot guys, memorably imagery and twisted tales that linger after the credits roll.

The Wild Boys

Five adolescent boys (all played by actresses) are forced to board a boat with a lecherous captain hell bent on taming their ferocious appetites in The Wild Boys, a new mind-fuck from director Bertrand Mandico, it’s a wildly transfixing, totally subversive, proudly gender-fluid gem. From award-winning directors Blake Mawson, Francis Luta and Dominic Poliquin comes Monsters And Men, a collection of edgy and suspenseful short films exploring the monsters within us. Selected from multiple film festivals all around the globe, these shorts are all striking. Read more about the latest DVD releases: www. writingstudio.co.za Mag 39

ON STAGE

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AT ITS BEST WITH DANIEL DERCKSEN

CAPE TOWN

ate 69: The fabulous comedy female impersonator Ceri Dupree is back for more sharp wit and sequins! (until 16/3), and Cape Town’s thrilling threesome The Trolley Dollies are back and boy oh boy be prepared to be blown away in their brand-new show NON-Specific (22/3 – 27/7). www.gate69.co.za /021-035 1627 / 071 589 2915 At the Kalk Bay Theatre Face The Music (until 20/3) features all the best music hits, the golden oldies, the booty swinging beats and the top of the pops mashed together in a medley of fun; Aaron McIlroy’s ADHD (22-23/3) is a wild and wacky journey into the fantastical world of learning disorders; That 80s Show (2-20/4) features Mike McCullagh & The Harmonix; the hilarious Alan Committie does what he does best (30/4 – 11/5); the supersational brother duo Ash and Brad is back with Big Boys Don’t Dance (14/5 – 17/6) and Paul Du Toit and Pierre Van Heerden deliver 2 and A Half Tenors! (18 – 29/6). www.kalkbaytheatre.co.za / 021 788 7257 Recuerdos is a a multimedia feast for the senses at Theatre on the Bay in March, featuring guitarist James Grace and dancers from Carli Spanish Dance Productions with underwater photography, and Equus is guaranteed to blow your mind (29/3 – 20 /4) Bookings at Computicket. At the Fugard Theatre you can see the timeless classic The Snow Goose (9/4 – 4/5); Kunene and the King is a moving and funny tribute to mark the 25th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections after apartheid (from 30/4); and the smash-hit musical Kinky Boots runs from 11/6). www. thefugard.com/ 021 461 4554. The sexy musical Chicago is on at the Artscape Theatre (15/ 3 – 14 /4). Bookings at Computicket.

JOHANNESBURG

t the Montecasino Theatre in Joburg you can see Sondheim’s delicious musical Into The Woods (8/3 – 14/4); and at The Joburg Theatre Frank Sinatra, one of music’s great icons, is all set to ignite the Mag 40

South African stage in 2019 in a dazzling big band international show, Sinatra And Me, featuring celebrated British performer, Richard Shelton (from 21/3). Booking at Computicket. At Theatre on The Square in Sandton Brutal Legacy (2 – 24/4) is a gripping, uplifting and dramatic story of survival and triumph; Odd Man Out is a thought-provoking comedy (30/4 – 18/5); and the fast-paced, multi conventional Call Us Crazy sees South Africa laughing at itself (from 18/6). Computicket / 011 8838606

DURBAN

t the iZulu Theatre | Sibaya Casino Umhlanga Rocks Piano Man (18 – 28/4) features Steven Michael bringing to life the highlights of Billy Joel’s career with iconic saxophone solos and rich backing vocals to make up that true and authentic, streets-of-New-York, Billy Joel sound. Computicket / 031 580 5555

THE SHOWROOM THEATRE PRINCE ALBERT

f you feel like taking a break for the weekend, escape to Prince Albert where you can enjoy some great entertainment at The Showroom Theatre: Mike McCullagh & The Harmonix will be paying tribute to ABBA (23/ 3), Anton Goosen will share music from his latest CD Padkos (30 /3), soulful music duo Jan and Clara Hugo have toured the world, with Jan on piano and lyrical soprano Clara delivering an evening of soothing love songs, rousing operatic arias, and French favourites (20/4) and the dazzling Emile Minnie light up the stage with his passion and energy (11/5). www.showroomtheatre. co.za / 023 5411 563

CT/JNB/DUR/PTA

merican singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Ben Harper, plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae, and rockA and has a reputation of putting one of the best live shows around. He will tour South Africa in June and will perform at the Durban Botanic Gardens on 1 June, the Grand West Arena on 4 June, and Sun Arena Time Square, Menlyn Maine in Pretoria on 6 June. Bookings @ howler.co.za/BenHarper Experience Theatre Live and visit www.writingstudio.co.za, featuring listing of theatres in South Africa and internationally.

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