Innholdsfortegnelse for May/June 2022 i Attitude Magazine

Jordan Rossi PHOTOGRAPHER Summer is always a great time for me. Years ago I spent it in America or dyeing my hair crazy colours. These days, I spend it working. Last summer was wicked as I got to work with Little Mix, Becky Hill, Stonewall, HRVY, Munroe Bergdorf (twice!), Yungblud, Hugo Boss, Bimini Bon Boulash, The Feeling, Sophie-Ellis Bextor and Steps. Not bad for a few months of 2021? Markus Bidaux ATTITUDE TRAVEL EDITOR It was the summer of 2003, I was 21, and still living in my hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and newly out of the closet to friends, family and co-workers. I was a full-time lifeguard and swimming instructor during the day and then out drinking or smoking cannabis every night (it’s legal there now). Looking back,…

Willow’s coming out – season 4, episode 19 We could easily make a whole list related to Willow, but her coming out was a watershed for a lot of young LGBTQ+ viewers when it aired back in 2000. It’s a moment that resonates with many even now, and the fact that Buffy accepts it and tells Willow to “follow her heart” makes us love both characters even more! Defending Tara – season 5, episode 6 Here we see Buffy boldly step in to support Tara, Willow’s first girlfriend, when Tara’s parents arrive in Sunnydale to take her away so that her “demon” side can be “fixed”. Like a true boss, Buffy literally stands in the way (as does the rest of the Scooby gang) and tells Tara’s father he’ll have…

The US state of Florida — which swung from Democrat blue to Republican red in 2016 — has just signed its ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill into law. From 1 July, teachers will be banned from discussing sexuality and gender identity in classrooms, in a move that puts the mental health of countless kids in peril. From our UK perspective, the news prompts re.lection on the 1988 introduction of then-Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Section 28, which banned the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities, including schools. LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall was formed in response to the heinously damaging legislation, but it took another 15 years (in 2003) for it to be repealed. A sense of déjà vu set in 10 years later when, in 2013, Russia introduced a copycat law “for…

Walking onto the school grounds of what was once the Burnham Park Academy in Slough, I’m instantly transported back to my own secondary school days in what feels like a cinematic flashback. The resemblance of where I spent some of my formative years is striking, and certainly brings back memories. Good and bad. The 60s architecture, the lockers, and the sounds of shoes screeching and echoing against the sports hall floor are all too familiar. I’m not sure if the reason I’m sweating is that it’s a very hot day in June (2021) or if those school memories are coming back to haunt me. My iced coffee offers some release. Abandoned in 2019, this site is currently alive with activity, having been transformed into Truham Grammar School for Boys, the…

SET SAIL Italian friends Sergio and Kendall are the masterminds behind Italy Gay Travels, a company that organises gay tours, events and bespoke tailor-made trips in Italy. This summer, take your pick from two sailing holidays, both a week long. In July, they will sail from the Milazzo marina in Sicily to drop anchor at the volcanic Aeolian islands. Or maybe Greece floats your boat? In August they’ll cast off from the gay Greek mecca of Mykonos for a seven-day odyssey exploring the sun-kissed islands of Paros, Naxos and Ios. Both trips will accommodate a small group of up to 18 guests who are sure to be ship ‘mates’ by the end. italygaytravels.com PUSH THE BOAT OUT In September, Source Events are marking their 20th anniversary with a cruise on…

Why are we so worri-ED about getting hard? I’ve recently started dating again after what feels like an age. Thanks to Miss Rona, the past couple of years have been pretty dry in more ways than one. Although being back in the game brings the excitement of meeting new people, going out and having a good time, this is accompanied by a sense of nervousness we all sometimes feel around intimacy. This is only natural: getting your kit off in front of someone you barely know doesn’t come easily to everyone. That fear can really affect you, especially when it comes to sex. Many of us will have had instances where we’ve struggled to get it up because of the pressure to perform. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help our worries about…

Promo single: ‘Off to the Races’ At 160BMP, this is a rare declaration of urgency from the queen of lo-fi; indeed, it’s often used as the climactic track at her gigs. The production lacks her trademark refinement but is all the more dangerous and thrilling for it. Paired with comically direct lyrics about sexual devotion (“fire of your loins, tell me you own me”), it’s a big, brash, dynamic pop moment… Del Rey at the height of her Born to Die ‘persona’ powers. Promo single: ‘Blue Velvet’ If the twangy guitars of ‘Blue Jeans’ recalled the theme of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, this gloriously weird Tony Bennett cover — along with its absurd video-cum-H&M commercial — is a more direct homage to the director. Sharing the same name as Lynch’s…

Colour snap For Spring/Summer 22, Lacoste’s creative director, Louise Trotter, continues to deliver sophisticated sportswear with that distinctive edge. Summer for the label means ushering in hazy sunny days with sunbleached ombre designs in almost edible pastel tones that are taking us all the way to Miami Beach. For the new season, the brand have also pressed refresh on their active range, which blends seamlessly with casual wear. Technical pieces, such as their waterresistant jacket, come in a variety of bold shades, but I’m particularly inspired by their uber-preppy, collegiate styles. The sleeveless knitted vest and V-neck jumpers look oh-so-good on brand ambassador skater-slashpreppy Evan Mock from Gossip Girl, as well as Riverdale’s poster-boy jock KJ Apa, who fronts Lacoste’s underwear campaign. Continuing the off-duty feel, the French fashion giant…

At the time of going to print, Putin’s war in Ukraine continues as defiant Ukrainians resist the invasion — the latest reports have them pushing Russian forces out of Kyiv. We can only hope that by the time you read this, a resolution will have been found that will bring peace and freedom to the country, and allow the displaced to return home and the arduous mission of rebuilding their country to begin. Although life for LGBTQ+ Ukrainians was far from easy before the war, with hostility towards non-traditional identities common and Pride marches requiring heavy policing, the queer people we meet in this issue’s special report share how they believed the country was progressing towards a more accepting society. Should Putin win his arrogant war and occupy Ukraine, any…

I’m not a twink, not yet a daddy. I’ve been so terrified about getting old. I know that’s a familiar feeling for many of us, but I have lied about my age. A LOT. To men, to employers, even to my mum. She got so confused once she had to double-check my birth certificate. (“God, Mum, why do you hate me so much?”) I am Nadine Coyle. I’ve even gone as far as to edit my own Wikipedia page (yes, I have one). Just like Matilda’s dad Harry Wormwood from Wormwood Motors, I’ve been winding back the clock on this clappedout, thirty-something body for longer than I can remember. One time, a guy I was dating actually edited my Wikipedia age to my real age. AS A JOKE. I never…

Producer Chris Harper on the responsibility of bringing queer love stories to mainstream theatre audiences When Marianne Elliott and I set up our company, Elliott & Harper Productions, we wanted to work with great actors in plays that really inspired us. We had such a great time working with Jonathan Bailey on Sondheim’s musical Company in the West End that, after the show ended, we had dinner with him and asked what else he would like to act in. He really wanted to do a play with us next. After the past two years, we looked to stage a comedy — something that would make people laugh. We started looking at options. One of the writers Marianne and I both admire is Mike Bartlett, who is an incredible writer for…

Did you hear about the time that a leading LGBTQ+ magazine took on Russia with a little help from some bookies? Well, now that I’ve got your attention, let me tell you the story. It was 2018 and Russia was hosting the FIFA World Cup. It was also the same year that the Attitude Magazine Foundation was set up to raise money for LGBTQ+ causes. Mindful of Russia’s record on LGBTQ+ rights (and human rights generally), Paddy Power ran a campaign called Rainbow Russians, where every time a Russian footballer scored a goal during the World Cup, Paddy Power would donate £10,000 to our Foundation. Seventeen goals were scored by the Russian side over the course of the championship, which resulted in a whopping £170,000 for the Attitude Magazine Foundation,…

There are plenty of incredible places in the world, but for me, there is nowhere quite like Paris. No matter how many times I visit the French capital, its beauty and lustre never dulls. Travelling with Eurostar, I can be in the heart of the city in just over two hours after leaving London. That’s faster than the train back home to Yorkshire, and easier than flying (not to mention the carbon footprint, generating 93 per cent less CO2 per passenger than taking a flight). The eco halo remains intact on arrival as I am whisked from the station in a Tesla to Fauchon L’Hotel, in the gem of Paris’s crown, the 8th arrondissement. If you’re going to ‘do’ Paris, this exquisite hotel, walking distance from many of the City…

My parents told me that I had a corrective operation shortly after birth. Because they would not tell me what it was, I spent years trying to access my early medical records to see if I was born intersex. Growing up, I didn’t see people like myself being celebrated. Feminine characteristics in a male person were derided in media and in society, creating internal conflict between these beautiful core parts of me. This left me feeling misplaced and unsafe, so I tried to hide who I really was and how I wanted to express myself. There was a feeling that my body had to look and act a certain way to be attractive and acceptable. I felt fearful and shameful of the pleasure my body wanted to experience. Although I…

Why are these songs more important now than ever before? I was raised Catholic in Southern Oregon, in a small town called Talent. I was visibly queer from a very early age. I learned quickly how institutionalised ways of thinking can be a highly toxic environment for people who grow up queer. I would share a pew with a guy I would go to high school with and shake hands saying “Peace be with you” on a Sunday. By Monday he was bashing my head into a locker for being queer. The culprit of this behaviour, to me, lies within the institutionalised ways of thinking that cultivate prejudice and a lack of tolerance. Burn it to the ground! When did you realise you were different? I was different from the…

Fresh new look For Fresh, Levi’s latest collection, the classic denim brand have used fabric dyes made from natural sources. The new line’s muted shades of peach, lavender, pink and yellow have been created using sustainable ingredients, including non-endangered plants, such as madder root extract from natural indigo. Levi’s have also utilised food waste and other agricultural byproducts including clay, carbonates and natural oxides to reduce their impact on the planet. On sale from 14 April, the range has been designed so you can make a monochromatic statement from head to toe: choose from denim jackets, jeans, shirts and shorts. levi.com…

Location Royal Vauxhall Tavern…

Once seen as strictly preppy, the polo shirt has had a major makeover. Streetwear and 90s trends have elevated this much-loved basic into the fashion sphere, with a plethora of collaborations, prints and patterns reinvigorating the staple. Put away your chinos and pair your new-look polo with either baggy blue jeans, cargo pants or even a touch of camo.…

INTO THE BLUE From one Kylie Minogue hit to another, remember the ‘Slow’ video? That assemblage of toned, Speedo-clad bodies reclining poolside in Barcelona? The Swimmer, an Israeli sports drama about a handsome, irascible swimmer (an explosive Omer Perelman) and his not-so-secret crush on a competitor at an Olympic training camp, has a similar vibe. In fact, there’s even a dance break. Directed with sportsmanlike precision by Adam Kalderon, the movie — which screened at the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in March — is available on DVD from 9 May. peccapics.com BOX-FRESH Sit back and enjoy a superior viewing experience with We. by Loewe, a new sub-brand that are bringing 99 years of audio-visual expertise to a younger, more design-conscious audience. Crafted and engineered with flair and precision…

2003 On the cusp of solo superstardom, a 21-year-old Bey grants Attitude a sitdown chat. According to the interviewer, the star splits her time between “bad boy rappers like Jay-Z and her cheapmouthed, largely gay, beauty squad”. 2006 In an interview with gay publication Instinct, Bey discusses her late uncle Johnny, who was gay and died of an Aids-related illness. (“He was my favourite person in the whole world.”) She adds that if she had a gay son, “[I’d] love him for the person he is with no expectations back.” May 2016 A blog criticising North Carolina’s anti-trans “Bathroom Bill” is published on Beyoncé’s website. 2011 In a frustratingly surface-level interview with Pride Source — her first with the gay press in five years — Bey o« ers tips to…

You’ve started a cult. What’s it about? Love. Which Disney princess are you? Ariel, because she’s a mermaid. What is your biggest turn-on? Con dence. And turn-off? Ignorance. What would your last meal be? Pizza. What does your Grindr pro le say? Hung and horny. [Laughs] I don’t know what it says. It’s my partner’s — we are on there together. Who’s your favourite horror character? Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. Your favourite drag queen? Juno Birch. If you had to impersonate a British celebrity for Snatch Game, who would it be? Baga Chipz. I loved how psychotic, present and pareddown her Snatch Game [as Misery’s Kathy Bates] was, and the simple makeup. Which superpower do you want? To stop time. Who’s the hottest trade in Drag Race herstory? Jeffrey…

Meg Ten Eyck (she/her) activist, speaker, author For the past 10 years I’ve been an LGBTQ+ travel content creator. If I’ve learned anything from exploring 60-plus countries, it’s that no one is entirely evil — or virtuous: we all exist somewhere in between. And rarely do a country’s laws accurately depict the people’s will. I’ve encountered welcoming people in places like Aswan, Egypt and Nairobi, Kenya — and I’ve also encountered bigoted, biased people in New York City and Manchester. When we mark destinations as ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’, we’re acting on preconceived judgements that may or may not be rooted in reality. Naturally, LGBTQ+s exist in every country and region, regardless of local policies, which is why travelling to countries with cultures and values different from my own is important…

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As the director of LGBTQ marketing for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dan Rios is combining his love of both travel and design with his pride in being a gay man. Originally hailing from Cali in Colombia, his family moved to New Jersey when he was a child. He then began his career in New York City, before moving to Miami and settling into a different pace of life. Has design always been a thread throughout your career? Absolutely. I’ve worked in different industries, but it has always been a common denominator. I think I inherited [my design talent] from my father, who was a tattoo artist. I didn’t really participate in art when I was very young; it was more in my adulthood. I studied marketing initially…

If you’re a foodie, rugby enthusiast, or you just enjoy being in a relaxed yet lively atmosphere (or all three), then book yourself a weekend in the blushing pink city of Toulouse. The southern French city nicknamed ‘La Ville Rose’ thanks to its assortment of terracotta brickwork buildings has many facets to its character. Its proximity to the border with Spain means that the Spanish have been coming to Toulouse for centuries. After the Second World War, more than 100,000 relocated to make it their home. Consequently, today’s city is a melting pot of both cultures. Adding to Toulouse’s vibe are the fresh faces of the 100,000-strong French and Spanish university students that make up nearly a quarter of the population. Business-wise, the fourth largest city in France is linked…

Stroke of Genius Explore the different ways of seeing and depicting art through the eyes of David Hockney — one of the most popular and influential British artists of our time — at Hockney’s Eye: The Art and Technology of Depiction exhibition. Spread between Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum and The Heong Gallery at Downing College, numerous works will be on show for the first time, including a new self-portrait painted in 2021. Embark on Hockney’s endless journey of experimenting with technologies and ways of presenting spaces. Until 29 August, The Fitzwilliam Museum and The Heong Gallery, Cambridge EXCESS ALL AREAS Leading the fat rebellion, Fat Blokes is an award-winning, sell-out dance show from five friends who hold their hands up when they say they haven’t done this sort of thing before.…

Fire Island: Love, Loss, and Liberation in an American Paradise Jack Parlett/Granta Books The very words Fire Island conjure up images of sand dunes, blue skies, boardwalks, perfect pecs and cocktail parties. An enclave whose very name evokes a sense of queer utopian mystique, a realm of hedonism, cruising and liberation. With its distinct Cherry Grove and Pines communities, this thin Atlantic sandbar off the southern shore of Long Island means different things to different people. In this fascinating and thought-provoking social history and personal memoir, British academic Jack Parlett sifts through the fascinating story of this beguiling stretch of land. He makes a pilgrimage to the halcyon scenes of Frank O’Hara’s poetry; the bars where Patricia Highsmith got drunk; the spirits of Jarman, Mapplethorpe, Auden, Holleran and Carson McCullers…

Joseph Ryan-Hicks celebrates an early musical declaration of allyship, Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope “One rule / No rules.” Released in October 1997, Janet Jackson’s sixth studio album is as much a political statement as it is a genre-fusing pop album. A quarter of a century later, its message continues to resonate. This 22-track concept album explored the experiences of marginalised groups long before Gaga did it on 2011’s Born This Way. Focusing on the lives of women, Black people and the queer community, it traverses themes of love, mental health, domestic abuse and death. The Velvet Rope is as much about Janet’s self-expression as it is an empowering safe space for the communities she sings about. In the opening ‘Interlude — ‘Twisted Elegance’ — one of seven interludes on…

For Spring/Summer 2022, Edward Crutchley has taken inspiration from the intersection of queerness and Gothic themes. A particular focus is the treatment of the queer body in society as portrayed in Gothic literature, with themes of the outsider drawn from classic 19th-century works such as Turn of the Screw, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Shelley’s Frankenstein. These are renowned for their exploration of homosexual themes and the concept of the ‘other’. Like these books, Crutchley’s collection for the new season is brimming with sumptuous lustiness and opulence with a queer twist, including embellished bodysuits, 19th-century-inspired gowns, jacquards and decadent prints with metallics — all in a dark and stormy palette that wouldn’t look out of place in your favourite Gothic thriller. edwardcrutchley.com…

A Abercrombie & Fitch abercrombie.com Adidas adidas.co.uk Ami amiparis.com B BOTANICS at Boots boots.com Revolution at ASOS asos.com Balmain balmain.com Burberry burberry.com C Calvin Klein Jeans calvinklein.co.uk Calvin Klein Underwear calvinklein.co.uk Celine celine.com Coach coach.com D Dior dior.com Dsquared2 dsquared2.com Dunhill dunhill.com E Edward Crutchley edwardcrutchley.com Erdem erdem.co.uk F Fendi fendi.com Fiorucci fiorucci.com G Gucci at MATCHESFASHION matchesfashion.com I Inglot at Lookfantastic lookfantastic.com J JW Anderson at Browns brownsfashion.com JW Anderson jwanderson.com L Lacoste lacoste.com Lacoste x Minecraft lacoste.com Lanvin lanvin.com Levi’s levi.com Louis Vuitton louisvuitton.com M Magnitone at Lookfantastic lookfantastic.com McQ at MATCHESFASHION matchesfashion.com MIB by Ted Baker tedbaker.com Moschino moschino.com Muubaa at ASOS asos.com N Nanushka nanushka.com NuFACE at Lookfantastic lookfantastic.com P Pawnshop pawnlondon.com Prada prada.com S Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello saintlaurent.com Savage x Fenty savagex.co.uk Schuh…

Robin, Batman’s sidekick The Bat-Signal may only summon Robert Pattinson, but it’s his sidekick, Robin, we’re thirsting after. The Boy Wonder set the comic world alight last year when he came out in DC Comics’ Batman: Urban Legends series. We were thrilled that the franchise finally embraced decades of queer undertones. And we were even more ecstatic to see Robin swing on his grappling hook into the arms of his very first boyfriend last year. The original Robin costume was iconic, but garish, so we’re please to note that Robin has been given a modern makeover that befits a 21st-century superhero — and happily it’s a look that’s easy to replicate. First, incorporate some of Robin’s sexy style with a pair of leather trousers. Whether real or faux, these are…

SMILES BETTER High-end dental treatments that you can do from the comfort of your own home is the main focus of dental brand, vVardis. Their products contain their patented WX Formula, which mimics tooth enamel’s natural remineralisation process, helping to strengthen as well as protect teeth from decay, while also providing healthy whitening. Whitening Collection oral care set, £157, by vVardis, vvardis.com REVIEW OURONYX You would be forgiven for thinking you’ve taken a wrong turn on arriving at Ouronyx. The airy reception area is more five-star hotel slick than the bleached-white, clinical feel most people expect at a skincare centre. Instead, gold hues and wood finishes create a mood that is warm, calming and inviting. Ouronyx prides itself on a more holistic approach to aesthetics, blending state-of-the-art technology with psychological…

We’re depressed about the state of the world. Which Sugababes/Mutya Buena songs are you prescribing us? ‘Song 4 Mutya’. ‘Push the Button’. ‘Overload’. Play them on repeat until we die. 5/5 What’s your response to the statement: “‘Ugly’ is one of the most beautiful songs of all time”? I totally fucking agree. Lyrically, it touches people. It should be the national anthem. “People are all the same.” 5/5 How much is too much for a haircut? Well, I wear a lot of wigs. For a good-quality wig, you could be spending £200 to £1,000. Then you’ve got to buy the products to maintain the wig afterwards! I’ve got so many wigs that need care, and I just can’t be bothered! What would Moira Rose say? 3/5 Which Sugababes era is…