THEGAYUK

Author: Jake Hook

  • Guys… there are now VEGAN CONDOMS

    Jokes about veganism are very distasteful.

    Personally, this excites me… as I am a vegetarian.

    Yep, there are now vegan condoms. So now, if you’re of a veggie persuasion you’ll be protected should you wish you slap some vegan goodness on your meat (sorry) and confine your man mayo (sorry) to the tip of a rubber johnny.

    The condoms have been created by Swiss entrepreneur and chemical engineer Gabrielle Lods who said,

    “In 2017, everyone should know the components and how everything they consume is produced.

    Awareness is rising for certain product categories such as food or cosmetics. For others, it takes longer, but eventually it will also happen.”

    So what do we know about these condoms – well they are gluten free, have no casein, are paraben free and well, vegan. Apparently, they have no taste or smell and are CE certified.

    So the next time you’re looking for a condom for your salami (sorry) then try the Green Condom Club

     

     

  • FILM REVIEW | The Kaos Brief

    FILM REVIEW | The Kaos Brief

    ★★★★ | The Kaos Brief

    the kaos brief review

    Meet Skylar (Drew Lipson), his twin sister, Dakota (Charlie Morgan Patton) and their boyfriends Corey (Marco DelVecchio) and Tren (Akanimo Eyo). The foursome decide to go for a romantic camping weekend to find themselves and be at one with nature, in the wilderness. It’s a chance for them to unplug and unwind. Except Skylar, an up and coming Vlogger, has brought what seems like an entire Apple store with him. He has his iPad, iPhone, Macbook and a footage drone. He’s also bringing his YouTuber followers with him, whom he keeps updated with his every move. Despite the seclusion of their surrounding in the middle of the woods, they are not alone.

    After a disturbed night in the middle of nowhere, they are woken by strange lights in the sky and they become the hunted. What they uncover (which they film) was found, by an activist organisation called KAOS, they allege, in the mass data dump by Edward Snowdon and now the Government wants to cover the whole thing up.

    CREDIT: The Kaos Brief

    The Kaos Brief brings a super cool edge to the found-film genre and its millennial cast means that the constant filming and the documenting of their lives feels completely natural and genuine. After all, they are all friends, who are hanging out, recording their lives for the world to see. It’s the horror movie for the Snapchat, Facebook Live, Periscope generation.

    It allows filmmakers to squeeze so much more from their budgets, without it impacting on the overall sheen of the production values. Much of the footage was shot on the actors’ iPhone cameras and the director, J P Mandarino uses CCTV footage to good and unnerving effect.

    Oh yes and the gay bit. What the producers have managed to do, in which so many other films that have gay characters in principle roles have failed, is that The Kaos Brief is not a “gay” film. It’s a film that happens to have a gay character in a lead role – and that’s totally refreshing.

    During a press conference, I asked about the decision to make a lead character gay and whether the producers thought that it could be a barrier to mainstream audiences, Executive Producer Aaron Kuhl said that as the LGBT community became more and more mainstream and audiences had become more and more accepting, the barrier wasn’t that there were gay characters in it, it was possibly that the film wasn’t gay enough!

    That aside, The Kaos Brief is a brilliant example of how to make a mainstream film, with gay characters and where sexuality isn’t the main strand of interest.

  • Ten Musicals That Failed In The UK

    Musicals are an expensive business and when they go right it can be a cash cow for the producers, theatres and the entire West End, but get it wrong and you might never work in show business again.

    Musicals that failed in the West End

    Here are some of the musicals that couldn’t cut the mustard in the West End or on their UK tour. Some of them should have been successful, and some of them should never have left the drawing board.

    Viva Forever

    I mean this musical had everything going for it, apart from the sales. Backed by the Spice Girls, written by Jennifer Saunders; sounded as though it should have been a shoo-in, but just six months after it opened it closed its doors for the last time. So dire was the show that even our reviewer couldn’t bring himself to love it. Apparently, the show’s producer Judy Craymer and her backers lost millions on the project.

    Urinetown

    Now Urinetown deserved to be more successful, tongue in cheek humour, fantastic songwriting, worldly issues discussed, brilliantly performed but a name that nobody could get into…

    Happy Days The Musical

    Mondays, Tuesdays happy days, Wednesday, closed. Despite massive profile building on a Channel 4 show, a member of Buck Fizz and backed by the Fonz himself, Happy Days couldn’t get the bums on seats in its UK Tour.

    I Can’t Sing

    It was more like I Can’t Sell Tickets, we could have told you that, in fact, I think we did. This was the worst idea for a musical, like ever. It ran for just two months and costing producers allegedly millions of pounds. First of all knocking Geri Halliwell’s singing is the death knell to any project. That Spice has fingers in all sorts of pies. Geri-Spice-hands… The world has had enough of X Factor; dwindling viewing figures tell you that – it’s only a number 1 show because there is nothing else to watch come those cold dark nights (in August).

    Wag! The Musical.

    Oh dear god, I mean where do you go with this? People actually hate wags, so making a musical about them is almost like writing a musical about Josie Cunningham and Katie Hopkins. No wait that actually might work.

    Gone With the Wind.

    After just 79 performances GWTW closed, so bad was it that many reviewers couldn’t give a proper critique of the show, as they had to leave in the second half. Described as long, half-hearted and with forgettable music no wonder nobody wanted to go and see it.

    Stephen Ward

    The musical closed after just four months. Despite the backing and creative genius of Andrew Lloyd Webber and a reported £2.5 million pumped into it, people just couldn’t get into or care about the Profumo Affair. Speaking to the Telegraph ALW said, “I haven’t had a hit in 20 years, I’ve written six musicals in that time.” Has he lost his touch as…

    The Beautiful Game

    Lasted just 11 months. I mean a musical about Football. The first rule of musicals, know your audience.

    From Here To Eternity

    Was anything but. Lasting just five months – despite rave reviews and Darius as the lead, people weren’t interested in watching a musical about Pearl Harbour.

    Lord Of The Rings

    Lasted 12 months, but at £25m it was one of the most, if not most expensive musicals to be mounted. Described by the Guardian as the most costly ‘musical mistake in West End History’. Wizard….

  • INTERVIEW | Ray Houghton

    Meet Ray. He’s nearly 60 and he’s got pure fitness game. In fact’s he’s a celebrity personal trainer and he’s here to show you regardless of your age you can have the body you want.

    It’s clear that you take good care of your body… what motivates you to do this?
    The ageing process motivates me to take good care of my body. I want to do all I can to live a long and active life and to remain independent and fulfilled. Sure, Vanity is a big part too! I will be 60 in November and I look at other people, many half my age, and most are overweight, have joint problems or are stressed. I will do everything I can to remain agile, flexible, strong & healthy and happy. I was born to be different, to stand out in a crowd and to inspire others.

    When did you start? Have you always been a keen gym goer?
    Fitness became a big part of my life from about the age of 12, in the way of home gym equipment. But I started proper gym training from the age of 16. I had joined the Boy’s Junior Army Service and therefore gym training was available and I loved it. I was never an academic at school, I wanted to do physical things instead: Braun not Brains! When I first moved to Spain from Manchester UK, I had a 12-year gap from Body Building and that is the only time you didn’t see me in a Gym. The Gym is my life and I love it.

    What do you say to people who say that the body goes downhill after the age of 35?
    People say that after the age of 35, the body goes down hill… well, yes it does, due to the natural ageing process, our bodies stop producing the Human Growth Hormone (HGH). And eating habits have changed over the years, fast foods instead of natural produce. Alcohol is cheap and has become a normal social activity. Stress is a huge problem and all these things accumulate in aiding us to get old quicker. Weight Training is essential, especially as we age. We must work our bodies to do even the simplest things in life such as climbing stairs, carrying shopping, manoeuvring in & out of the bath…the list goes on. Education in Life Fitness is key and this is one area I feel I am qualified to address. How do celebrities stay looking so young and energetic? Google: Celebrities taking HGH and click on images, you’ll be amazed at who you see!

    You’ve said that quite a few of your admirers are gay guys? How do you feel about this?
    Many of my admirers are indeed gay guys. I really don’t mind at all. In fact, I am flattered! There are not many muscular guys around, especially at my age. ‘Super Hero’ movies are very popular at present… I can be a fantasy in their mind? I respect anyone’s sexual preference.

    Ray Houghton

    Ray Houghton

    Are you in demand for more exposing photoshoots? Would you do any?
    Yes, I get asked for exposing photos and yes, I wish to do another professional photo shoot. I would love to do more photo’s ‘on location’ (outdoor shots) and also using different props to show more of my character and sense of humour. I would like to fill my potential as a ‘Celebrity’ and if it gives pleasure and inspires, then it is all good.

    Tell us something that surprises people when they learn it about you…
    People are surprised to learn that I am indeed aged 59. I have a muscular physique, good skin, a young outlook on life, I like to dress in my own unique style. I am an optimist and very positive. I am a quiet man, somewhat shy at times BUT I can come out with some life stories that surprise people. Also when I say I have a FULL BODY SUIT of Tattoo’s, people are shocked. I have a wealth of body building/fitness knowledge – all simple common sense stuff and people (many of them Personal Trainers) love to learn from me, The Master.

    What are your top workout songs?
    I don’t workout to music (I never use headphones). I only listen to one important thing….MY BODY! I have such a Mind/Body connection, that all background noise (songs), simply disappear. However, there is music playing in my gym, mainly 70’s & 80’s music, which I like. My favourite songs are ‘Kinky Boots’ by Nancy Sinatra, ‘Money Talks (Dirty Cash)’ by Stevie V, ‘Perfect’ by Fairground Attraction, ‘Feeling Good’ by Nina Simone.

    Ray Houghton

    How many days do you work out – and what’s your general routine?
    I workout six days a week. I usually concentrate on training one body part per day: Back, Biceps, Legs, Shoulders, Chest, Triceps. I like to do Body Weight Training: Push Ups, Pull Ups, Tricep Dips etc. I don’t use heavy weights, instead, I concentrate on keeping good form throughout the exercise and higher reps too. I have always been injury free (which is virtually unheard of with most body builders), due to keeping good technique. The only Cardio I do is walking my 3 dogs daily.

     

    All photos (C) Ray Houghton / Used with permission.

  • OPINION | When will the mainstream media ask Theresa May if she thinks gay sex is a sin?

    Yesterday the media was awash with gay sex. In fact, I’ve never heard so much said about gay sex by the UK’s media (well not since Queer As Folk in 1999).

     

    Tim Farron has had a weekend of it.

    Probably never in the history of the world has one straight-identified man had to think about the sex that goes on between two people of the same sex than Tim Farron after the endless barrage of questioning, from the media, on the sinfulness of gay sex.

    And as though Farron is the authority of sin anyway and his say is final.

    Over the weekend, one interviewer asked him, it seems proudly, 11 times in an interview to clarify whether he actually thought “gay sex” was a sin, the interviewer even brought up Leviticus, shellfish (Tim’s a Vegetarian) and mixed fabrics.

    Listening to the questioning, exactly what do they mean when they say “gay sex”? Do they mean anal? Because actually isn’t the question then: do you think anal sex is sinful – because guess what heterosexuals have anal sex too.

    What does the mainstream media mean when they say “gay sex”? Do they mean anal? Because actually isn’t the question then: do you think anal sex is sinful? Because guess what, heterosexuals have anal sex too.

    Channel 4’s Cathy Newman asked him four times, Preston on Sunday morning (on a Sunday morning of all times) also asked him…

    Don’t we have an answer? He spelt it out loud and proud in Parliment no less. “I do not” he answered with conviction.

    He doesn’t think being gay is a sin. With “gay sex” being part of being gay doesn’t that technically answer it?

    Aren’t there more pressing questions of Farron that should be asked?

    The mainstream media’s fascination with this line of question is mindboggling. I also had no idea that the mainstream media could talk and question, at length, with authority, on this subject.

    When it comes to other matters concerning the LGBT community more often than not, it’s all quiet. For instance, how long did it take for the Chechnya gay detention, torture and killing story to break through? Some parts of the media haven’t even yet reported on it.

    Well, I’ll tell you what I want, the same media now needs to ask the same questions to Theresa May. She’s a committed Christian, just like Farron. She’s also used her Christianity to justify decisions more openly than any other politician has done of late. So shouldn’t we be asking her what she thinks of a bit of bum fun?

    I think that questions about her decisions on LGBT equality prior to 2004 should be probed.

    Whilst Farron’s record on voting on LGBT rights is good, granted not perfect, his party’s stance is exceptional. If you want to read Lord Paddick’s explanation on Farron’s abstention of same-sex marriage 3rd reading click here)

    Ms May’s not so much and as for the Tories, well, history speaks for itself.

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

     

  • Want To Stop Drinking? This Book Might Help You

    Want To Stop Drinking? This Book Might Help You

    The Book That Changed My Life

    No More Hangovers review
    CREDIT: Allen Carr

    There aren’t many books that lay claim to changing a life, but Allen Carr’s No More Hangovers is one that can claim first prize.

    Now, I’m not an alcoholic, but I did like a drink at wine time, usually at around 6:00 pm, if not GMT then it was always six somewhere in the world – and in amongst the press conferences, the champagne receptions, the tastings and press trips I had been taking in 2014, it occurred to me that I was perhaps drinking just a little too much.

    I knew that I should cut down, my once trim 30-inch waistline was telling me that. But I just didn’t think that I could. It felt as though I lived for the Champs and nibbles at the various dos I’d attend… and also wouldn’t people think me odd, not drinking, especially when the wine and gins would flow so freely?

    I’ve never been a ‘just have one’ type of guy, it’s all or nothing with me – and while that in itself can create crazy stories, which my friends are always happy to remind me of ‘what went down’. It’s not classy, to say the least.

    However, one night, when I was alone and I started to drink by myself and after the first half a bottle of Malibu, or whatever it was I was drinking, a thought popped into my head. What am I doing and why am I doing this? I wasn’t happy and jolly, I wasn’t being the life and soul of any parties and I certainly wasn’t looking, feeling or acting the sexy beast that I know myself to be. Looking into the mirror, I saw how miserable I had actually become.

    It occurred to me, in my slightly tipsy stupor that I wasn’t drinking socially, to be funny, or to fit in. I was drinking as a crutch. A coping mechanism perhaps. I’m not sure, but I definitely wasn’t happy – and I definitely wasn’t enjoying the drinking that I was doing.

    That was nearly three years ago. And not a drop of the poison has touched my lips since reading the book, and I’m not sure it ever will again. Ask any of my friends and they are quite amazed. I’ve had fully inclusive holidays, years of of press events and family functions, where drinking used to be an absolute, and I can, hand on heart say, I’ve not missed the wine, not once.

    I don’t know what the book does, but it changed me and if you’re looking to make a positive change in your life with regards to drinking, No More Hangovers, for me, has achieved full marks.

     

    Buy Allen Carr’s No More Hangovers at Amazon

  • 11 things you probably didn’t know about Coco Peru

    She’s managed to become a drag queen of legendary proportions… So what do we know about Coco Peru and the man behind the legend, Clinton Leupp?

    Coco Peru has been engorging audience’s comedy senses for 26 years. Many will know her for her turn in the seminal 90’s gay movie, Trick (“It Burns…”) while many new fans are getting to know about her through her hilarious YouTube channel. Her trademark copper-red flicked hairdo makes her brand one of the most long-lasting in the history of drag.

    So what do we know about her!

    How did Coco Peru’s creator, Clinton Leupp come out?

    In an interview with THEGAYUK in 2015, Clinton revealed, “I did have to go through the same process just like every other gay man…I had all the usual fears and dread of coming out just like anyone else but it was only when I addressed them that life got better for me.” Clinton was constantly told to “butch up” when he was at school, but when it came to telling his parents about being gay he said, “I was very lucky as when I came out to my parents they were actually relieved that I was both healthy and happy especially as we had just lost my sister to cancer”.

    Clinton was constantly told to “butch up” when he was at school, but when it came to telling his parents about being gay he said, “I was very lucky as when I came out to my parents they were actually relieved that I was both healthy and happy especially as we had just lost my sister to cancer”.

    Is Coco Peru married?

    Yep, Clinton is married to Raphael, they got married in Spain in 2007, before it was legal in the USA.

    Where is Coco Peru from?

    The Bronx, New York. In the latest interview with THEGAYUK, Coco Peru told us that she goes back once a year “to do a show”. She goes up to the little neighbour where she grew up for a day and has “lunch in a diner” and “visits the cemetery”… and then she “gets the hell out of there”.

    What kind of student was Clinton?

    Clinton tells us, “I was a terrible student, I was so gay, in a working-class neighbourhood, that I grew up in, I really stood out, for that reason, I was a target for bullying and being called all sorts of names. I was a smart kid up until the second grade, and then things fell apart”. Because of the bullying, Clinton shared that it was impossible to concentrate on school with the homophobic bullying. It was at college where Clinton found his smarts.

    Because of the bullying, Clinton shared that it was impossible to concentrate on school with the homophobia. But it all changed later on. At college, Clinton found his smarts.

    What is Clinton most afraid of?

    “Being homeless… I always knew that was a possibility that I could end up like that”. Also, Clinton has a fear of sharks after seeing Jaws at the age of 10.

    Coco Peru used to do tag graffiti

    To get people interested in her early shows Coco Peru took to tagging the sidewalks of New York, “(I) spray painted on the sidewalks – ‘Miss Coco Peru – she knows’. So that people would look down and say ‘who’s Coco Peru and what does she know’.”

    Does Coco Peru have advice for younger Queens coming up through reality TV?

    “When I do meet the young queens nowadays who were lucky enough to be on a reality show, I encourage them, it’s great and they’ve had an amazing opportunity, but continue on creating a craft that’s going to carry them long-term.”

    Where was the first time Coco Peru wore a dress?

    “I used to sneak into my mum’s closet, when they were at work and slip into something more comfortable”.

    Clinton/Coco Peru is straight up the most honest person you’ll ever meet.

    When asked what her reaction would be if she found $45,000 in unmarked bills in a suitcase, Coco Peru said, “I’d take out an announcement, I’ve found wallets… and I do return them… My Catholic guilt will haunt me for the rest of my life”.

    The most expensive thing Coco/Clinton has ever bought but never used?

    “My parents bought me a piano when I was a kid, because I wanted piano lessons, they spent a fortune on piano lessons and it never took, I hated it. To this day I feel guilty that my parents wasted all that money”.

    In the end, they donated the baby grand…” I used to love sitting on it… that’s the truth”.

    What three things would she take to a desert island?

    A photo of her husband, crossword puzzle book and a pen (to do the crosswords). “I’d end up comitting suicide, once the puzzle book was done!”

     

    Coco Peru is back in the UK on tour, in Manchester, London, Bristol and Brighton, find out more at CocoPeru.com

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham

    ★★★★★ | Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham

    If you’re looking for a gorgeous, sumptuous, sexy stay in the heart of Birmingham, make Hotel Du Vin your port of call.

    Deluxe suite

    Located in the centre of Birmingham, Hotel Du Vin is perfectly placed for access to the theatres, restaurants and shopping centres, including the City’s famous Bullring complex, which houses the ever-popular Selfridges. The hotel itself is actually situated in Birmingham’s financial district, in an old Victorian eye hospital, lovingly and rather expensively restored to excellent standards. A true icon in the heart of the hustle and bustle.

    Birmingham’s gay scene is just under a mile away and around a 20-minute walk, but don’t let that hold you back from booking one of their extraordinarily appointed and super cool rooms, which ooze continental European-style embellishments throughout, giving the overall vibe of French romance and Italian passion.

    There are 66 rooms in total and are all named after premiere wine houses and their products, because of the building’s heritage and its former usage as a hospital, the rooms are large, the ceilings are high and the huge windows look down onto the back streets of central Birmingham.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/hdv-gallery/6910504499/in/album-72157629403657749/

    As standard, rooms are fitted with monsoon showers over its baths, Nespresso machines and Egyptian linens. The room we stayed in was Penfolds, which boasted the biggest bed we had ever seen.

    Lux is the first and last word at Hotel Du Vin, with every need perfectly executed. Here you’ll find all the standards of modern living, good strong WIFI, room service, laundry, fitness centre, sauna and steam room.

    Make sure you take a bite to eat in the Bistro for a truly superb meal, read our full review here.

    Staff were very friendly and very helpful and perfectly handled our check-in and check out and with prices from £89 your stay won’t make your eyes water.

    CHURCH STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B3 2NR UNITED KINGDOM 01217943005

  • 5 LGBT films you need to stream on Now TV

    5 LGBT films you need to stream on Now TV

    If you find yourself at a loose end and just don’t know what to watch, here are five queer films on the streaming service NOW TV for you to enjoy.

    Boulevard Robin Williams

     

    If you want to read the full list of LGBT+ movies on Now TV click here.

    Boulevard  ★★★★

    The late Robin Williams is bank branch manager Nolan Mack. He’s literally just going through life’s motions – working at a bank, with a longtime wife (Kathy Baker) and a very sick father in the hospital. Then one late evening after visiting his father, he drives through a derelict part of town and almost runs over a young man, Leo (Roberto Aguire), who turns out to be a male prostitute. Williams gives a delicate performance as the lonely and subdued Nolan. He’s a man whose conflicted, despondent and depressed until Leo comes into his life. REVIEW: Tim Baros

    Brokeback Mountain ★★★★★

    After a short stint trying to re-craft the comic book blockbuster in his own image, Ang Lee returns, gloriously, to more familiar ground. Based on Annie Proulx’s celebrated short story, Brokeback Mountain is a grand epic, a heartbreaking love story of two Wyoming ranch hands who fall for each other. In Retrospect: As soon as it ends you’ll want to watch it again. Even if it meant putting yourself once more through the emotional wringer. REVIEW: Catherine Wray

    The Danish Girl ★★★

    Based on the book of the same name by David Ebershoff, ‘The Danish Girl’ tells the real life story of Einar Wegener (Redmayne) who never felt right as a man so transitioned into a woman, being one of the first known recipients ever of reassignment surgery. It was with the support of his wife and fellow painter Gerde Wegener (Alicia Vikander) that gave him the courage and hope that helped him through transition. REVIEW: Tim Baros

    The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original ★★★★

    Camp as hell and forever stuck in a time warp, Richard O’Brien’s cult gothic-comic musical lures wide-eyed lovebirds Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon) into the mansion-laboratory of fishnet-clad loon Dr Frank N Furter, played with obvious relish by Tim Curry. Can the hapless couple escape Frank and his freakish minions or will the ‘sweet’ transvestite have his wicked way with them? You can almost smell the antici…

    Deadpool ★★★★

    Special forces agent-turned-mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) undergoes what he believes to be life-saving surgery under the knife of a crazed scientist (Ed Skrein). However, the operation does not go as planned, leaving Wade hideously disfigured and embarking on a violent course of revenge. Dark, sexy and extremely engaging. Ryan Reynolds plays a sexually fluid superhero.

    Get signed up with NOW TV now!

  • How gay is: Sister Sledge?

    How gay is: Sister Sledge?

    It has to be said, Sister Sledge’s repertoire looks like the go to playlist for any gay party, with hits like “We Are Family”, “He’s The Greatest Dancer” and “Thinking Of You”, the gals certainly know their audience. We catch up with Kim Sledge to talk gay icon status, what’s the best thing to get in bed and why James Brown’s cape is the stuff of legend.

    JH: Okay firstly… You are all looking slightly amazing? What’s the secret?
    KS: Oh it’s the formaldehyde (laughs). No it’s the love. It’s the love and our grandmother’s genes.

    JH: Good old grandmother’s love and genes.  “We Are Family” is a bit of a gay anthem, which ultimately makes you all gay icons… How does that feel?
    KS: Well I’ll tell you, that anyone and everyone who embraced that song makes us feel amazing and grateful. It is a song of love and it’s a song that embraces so we’re ecstatic about it.

    JH: Do you still love singing it after all these years?
    KS: Absolutely, it’s such a privilege. I love singing that song; you know what’s so amazing. We’ve met so many people who have said, “This song is what I held on to through the toughest moments in my life”. Then other people say, “that was my team song,” then somebody else might say, “ooo that was my family union song,” someone might say, “that’s our anthem!”

    You know, it’s just a song that touched everybody’s heart. I’m so honoured. It didn’t have to be us to have that song. But it was given to us.

    JH: It’s kind of a Drag Queen song because of The Birdcage… do you like it when Drag Queens tak off the song?
    KS: I love it when anyone plays or sings that song, because it is a song of love and a song of family.

    JH: Apart from houses and cars, what’s the most extravagant thing you’ve ever bought yourself?
    KS: I bought myself (laughs) a beautiful white faux fur coat that was a gift to myself, years ago… I mean this is a long time ago. I wouldn’t buy it now, but it was something I wanted to do. It was my gift to me on my birthday.

    JH: Do you still have it?
    KS: I do! (Laughs) I actually do as a matter of fact. Those types of things, you know, they don’t go away you just have to preserve them.

    JH: When you buy expensive things, even though you hate them, you just have to keep them, it’s too painful to chuck them out…
    KS: Right!

    JH: So what’s the best thing to get in bed?
    KS: Fluffy sheets. Warm, soft sheets.

    JH: If you could put one thing into Pop History’s hall of fame, which would it, be:
    a) Miley’s tongue?
    b) Madonna Cape?
    c) Lenny Kravitz’s leather trousers?
    KS: Are those my only choices? James Brown, God Father of Soul’s Cape. That cape is the cape that will last forever (laughs). If I could have that cape, I would have it on my wall okay, (laughs). It’s probably electric. It’s still moving. I love it.

    JH: Have you ever had a stage invasion?
    KS: Absolutely. We invite stage invasions! We’ve always invited them and the promoters would freak out, but I mean it’s a party. The party’s on the stage. You might pull one person up for something, like when we used to for Greatest Dancer we used to invite someone up. You’d look out and they’d be four or ve (coming up). You can’t say, “you have to sit down!” Before you know it there’s four hundred. So my only concern was that the stage could hold them. You know, you want a stage that’s sturdy.

    JH: Do you have a quote or saying that you live by?
    KS: I do, one in particular because it’s something we actually are doing now, and it’s called “Nothing’s Greater Than Love”. I believe it, I stand on that. It’s a true statement. It’s not just one of those catchy campaigns. No, it’s the absolute core of who we are. “Nothing’s Greater Than Love”.

    JH: So why is “Nothing’s Greater Than Love” so important now – more than ever?
    KS: Because I believe we were created to love one another and I believe God is love. He is love himself. That’s what everybody’s looking for. That’s what everyone’s entitled to. That’s what everybody needs. It’s what everybody requires. It’s like water.

    If you don’t give water to a plant it’s going to dry out. Love just revives, it renews, it restores and it builds. It encourages it gives. It gives sel essly. Love is a server, it doesn’t take. There’s nothing greater than that. People can thrive from love. They can have nothing else, but if they have love they can make it.

    JH: Apart from Sister Sledge, which is the ultimate girl band?
    KS: There’s so many. Oh my gosh. (Laughs). The first thing I did is I went into the archives. The first that popped in my head. You know Aretha Franklin?

    JH: That’s like asking a gay boy if he knows who Madonna is!
    KS: Right. So back in the day we used to listen to this when we were really little – The Franklin Sisters. OMG. Oh my gosh. The harmonies, their singing. It was like a waterfall. I mean the ripples and the runs… That came to mind first of all. The Clark Sisters were that way too.

    JH: Do you know what poppers are?
    KS: You mean like for music videos?
    (We explain)
    KS: Ah okay, I’m sorry! (Laughs) I was thinking like a New Year’s Eve thing…

    JH: Okay another gay question. What is your preference? Bears, Otters Twinks or Jocks?
    KS: Okay you got me on this. I’m not gay so I don’t know a thing!

    (We explain tribes…)

    KS: Okay… I’ll have to go with what my husband is and you didn’t have him on the list. I would have to say, kind of puffy. (Laughs).

    JH: What do you think Madonna should do next?
    KS: Well, She’s always been quite a visionary. She’s always been someone who walks to the beat of her own drum. So if that’s what works for Madonna she should stay in her own lane and do it.

    JH: Do you think she’s on the formaldehyde too?
    KS: (Laughs) You’d better not repeat that! (Laughs) Love and laughter makes the wrinkles go away…

    JH: So what you up to now?
    KS: We’re being creative, this is the time, this is the season. We’ve got a Christmas CD now too, There’s a song that we’re giving out to anyone who wants it, they can go to our website and have it and download it for free as a Christmas gift.

    JH: What’s it called?
    KS: It’s called ‘Mary Did You Know’. It’s one of my favourite Christmas songs, oooo I love that song.

    JH: Do you have any regrets?
    KS: No I don’t I really don’t have any regrets, If I have any, I would say this: I believe you should seize opportunities.
    I went to a funeral of a friend years ago, he was a brilliant conductor and people were standing up to say something. There was a song that they were playing and I really wanted to just sing it. Stand up and just sing it. We used to go through musical gymnastics with him. He was so brilliant and talented. The stuff he taught us about harmonies and intricacies was so amazing. I wanted to stand up and sing and I didn’t. I can never get that day back. So seize opportunity and seize moments. And also, the other thing that I have learned is that I would do is try to think through what saying something will mean. It’s like, If I make this choice in my words or something I might do, what will it mean? Will I get a result of A B C or D. Look at the results and look at what result I want from it and choose that course as the best one. I’ve opened my mouth in situations and it’s been whoops! (laughs). Think a little bit about what the result could be and then bring about that result. Rather than just jump out and say anything as a response to something

    Follow Sister Sledge on Twitter

  • Where are the cast of Paris Is Burning now?

    It’s nearly 30 years since the release of one of the most important documentaries about the LGBT+ community. Released in 1990 Paris Is Burning documents the lives of the New York ball culture and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it.

    Where are the cast of Paris Is Burning now

    The film, by Jennie Livingston, focuses on the lives of eight individuals. Most of the film’s stars are now dead and many died from AIDS-related illnesses.

    Dorian Corey 1937 – 1993


    Drag queen performer and mother and founding member of the house of Corey. She was the house mother of Angie Xtravaganza, who went on to form her own House of Xtravaganza.
    Corey died in 1993, three years after the film’s release. She died of an AIDS-related illness  in New York at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center

    Pepper LaBeija 1948 – 2003


    LaBeija died in 2003 from a heart attack in New York at the age of 54. For the final ten years of LaBeija life, LaBeija was largely bedridden due to type 2 diabetes. Both feet amputated as a result. She had two children and daughter and son.

    Venus Xtravaganza 1965 – 1988


    Venus was killed before the end of filming and release of Paris Is Burning. Her body was discovered under a bed at the Duchess Hotel in New York according to her House mother Angie Xtravaganza. She had been strangled. Her body was discovered four days after her death. Her killer has never been found and her death remains an open, unsolved crime. According to the New York Post, New York has about 9000 unsolved murders since 1985.

    Octavia St. Laurent 1964 – 2009


    Octavia St. Laurent and later Octavia St. Laurent Mizrahi died after a long battle with cancer. She was a singer and a songwriter and in 2005 was working on a set of recordings which were never released.

    Willi Ninja 1961 – 2008


    Willi died from AIDS-related heart failure in New York in 2008. He was 45. He had a career that spanned film, music and choreography. He starred in two Janet Jackson music videos, “Escapade” and “Alright”  before his death. He also released his own single, “Hot” in 1994. He was known as the “godfather of Voguing”.

    Angie Xtravaganza  1964 – 1993


    Angie Xtravaganza died three years after the film’s release. She was a founding member of the House of Xtravaganza and house mother to Venus Xtravaganza. She died at the age of 28 from an AIDS-related liver disease.

    Freddie Pendavis


    Freddie went on to have just two other film credits after Paris Is Burning, namely The Joan Rivers Show in 1989 and the film Strays in 1997. Twenty-five years after Paris Is Burning Freddie was the only star who attended an anniversary screening of the film.

    Junior Labeija


    Is still alive although not much is known about what he’s up to now.

    The film’s maker Jennie Livingston is still alive. She has filmed five other films the last of which Earth Camp One is still in progress.