THEGAYUK

Author: Luke Marlowe

  • INTERVIEW | Aaron Sibley: Being an out artist and living as an open book

    INTERVIEW | Aaron Sibley: Being an out artist and living as an open book

    Aaron Sibley is a London based singer who, at a relatively young age, has performed at Pride In London and competed to represent Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest. Luke Marlow sits down to talk with him.

    With his new single “Falling Through” out now, THEGAYUK caught up with him to discuss life, music, and all things Eurovision.

    TGUK: Hi Aaron, Welcome to TheGayUK. How has your 2019 been so far?

    AS: Hi, thanks for having me! 2019 has been great so far. I’ve kind of hit the ground running in terms of my music. I have been busy in the studio recording and I have been out, performing, as much as I can. Busy start to the year but I’m loving it!

    TGUK: Tell us a little bit about yourself – where are you from, where do you live – who is Aaron Sibley?

    AS: I am from a small town in south England, and two years ago I decided to move to London to pursue my dream career. Growing up in a small town was great in general but it did have its negatives.

    Being able to express myself was very difficult as I didn’t know anyone else like me. Music seemingly helped me to escape and I put all my confusion and feelings into music.

    Nowadays, my life is mostly an open book, to be honest, and anyone that knows me, know I’m an honest, open, sensitive, motivated and hardworking kind of person.

    “…growing up gay in a small town was not easy and I found myself denying the possibility that I could be different. And even now I am completely comfortable with who I am, nothing can erase that feeling of thinking “I am different to everyone around me”.

    TGUK: Your latest single “Falling Through” is out now – what is it about and what inspired it?

    AS: As I mentioned before, growing up gay in a small town was not easy and I found myself denying the possibility that I could be different. And even now I am completely comfortable with who I am, nothing can erase that feeling of thinking “I am different to everyone around me”. “Falling Through” is the musical personification of the feeling I felt when I was coming out.

    TGUK: There’s an emotional intensity and an honesty to your work – is that important to you? Is exorcising these thoughts and experiences into music a cathartic process for you?

    AS: Oh yes, that’s definitely important to me. I think writing from the heart and drawing from experience whether it’s personal or instinctual is important to me, I find it inspires a truth that is meaningful and that people can relate to it, no matter what their personal experiences.

    Whenever I’m writing music or in the studio, I find it can be a very cathartic process. Sharing music that’s personal almost feels like a therapy session, as if you’re giving a piece of yourself away. My music is very honest and ‘raw’ and this is essential when creating music from the heart. Even though my songs are personal to my life I like to think that they could resonate with an audience (LBGT or otherwise) and they can take something away from it that’s unique to them.

    “Artist’s like Bowie, Elton John, Madonna have been celebrating the ideology of queerness for years and have inspired me; how they constantly broke the mould, were constantly evolving and had their unique style that put a middle finger up to what was expected of them at the time.

    TGUK: In terms of queer artists out there-there are certainly more than ever before but, as a whole, we’re still rather under-represented. Why do you think that is, and Who are your inspirations on that front?

    AS: I think the level of queer representation in the mainstream has flourished in recent years and it’s great to see, but we still have ways to go in terms of queers bands and artists expanding from predominantly ‘gay’ audiences and becoming more widespread. Artists like Years and Years, MIKA, Sam Smith, Frank Ocean have really branched out in terms of their unique sound, style, visual representation and what it means to be queer.

    The fact that the LGBT community have slowly but surely been granted the rights we are entitled to, has allowed for artists and queer music to evolve from being viewed as ‘sub-culture’, ‘niche’ or ‘underground’ to a more universalised sound that allows artists the free reign to celebrate what it means to be queer and introduce new music to wider demographics.

    Artist’s like Bowie, Elton John, Madonna have been celebrating the ideology of queerness for years and have inspired me; how they constantly broke the mould, were constantly evolving and had their unique style that put a middle finger up to what was expected of them at the time.

    “Eurovision music is vastly underrated in the UK

    TGUK: We know you’re a big fan of Eurovision – having competed in the National Finals for Moldova back in 2018. What is it about Eurovision that you think appeals to the Queer community so much?

    AS: Eurovision is a celebration of all things camp! It’s a serious competition that all the artists and countries involved don’t take lightly, however it’s all wrapped up in a nice glittery bow!

    We all love watching fierce women and leather bound men get up and strut their stuff to a cheesy pop song or ballad that gets the audience going wild.

    I, however, love the music side of things. Eurovision music is vastly underrated in the UK. Every year I fall in love with a song, and I might not even understand the language. Eurovision connects people worldwide on a musical level and it’s interesting to hear different sounds that are inspired from all parts of Europe.

    TGUK: How was it being an openly Gay Singer in Moldova for Eurovision – an Ex-soviet State.

    AS: This experience was incredible. My song qualified to the national finals of Moldova, A county with limited LGBT+ presence. I was a little worried before heading out to Moldova as I did not know what to expect in terms of the LGBT community. Unfortunately, they do not have the right to be who they are over there and it is considered still not normal.

    Whilst in the country I was receiving messages on social media from people who were not able to come out, telling me that simply my being there performing in their country gave them Pride.

    The whole experience proved how important Pride still is. And it made me aware that I have a voice to help make LGBT+ people celebrate who they are.

    TGUK: Working as an independent artist can be tricky – but in the last couple of years you’ve competed in Eurovision and sung to crowds at London Pride. What are your ambitions for the next few years?

    AS: I’m just going to carry on working hard, keep laser focused and enjoy the process. Being in London for only two years and perusing a professional music career here for less than that, I’ve achieved quite a lot. BUT I have a long way to go. I am aiming for new opportunities and adventures this year amongst other things. I’m currently in the process of writing and recording a musical inspired EP with a talent LGBT musician friend.

    And I am releasing a new EP on 16th March. I am hoping to perform at more Prides this year and of course pursuing Eurovision once again. I will be performing as much as I can and I am so excited to begin writing new solo music again.

    Thanks to Aaron Sibley for taking the time to chat with us – new single “Falling Through” is out now, and you can check Aaron out at the below links:

    www.aaronsibleymusic.com
    www.youtube.com/aaronsibleymusic
    www.facebook.com/aaronsibleymusic
    www.instagram.com/aaronsibleymusic
    www.twitter.com/asibleymusic

     

    Photos provided / (C) Aaron Sibley

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Circa’s Peepshow – Underbelly’s Spiegeltent

    ★★★★☆ | Circa’s Peepshow – Underbelly’s Spiegeltent

    Toned bodies, remarkable feats of athleticism, raw performances and a winning sense of humour make for an exhilarating evening of the unexpected in Circa’s Peepshow at the Underbelly’s Spiegeltent. Blending breathtaking gymnastics with an air of the unexpected, “Peep Show” is an evening out unlike any other.

    Circa Contemporary Circus is one of the world’s leading performance companies – founded in Brisbane, Australia in 2004. Running a training centre alongside their touring performances, they’re a company committed to training and developing the next generation of performers – allowing them to encourage artists of exceptional talent, and explaining why Circa have had sell-out shows at the Underbelly over the last few years.

    The title “Peep Show” may bring to mind something rather sordid, but that certainly isn’t the case here – the immediacy of the staging in the beautiful Spiegeltent ensuring that both the audience and the performers can see each other at all times – allowing a closeness and immediacy perhaps best highlighted by the regular gasps heard when a performer landed close to an audience member.

    That’s not to say the show isn’t sexy – anything with ridiculously muscled performers in various states of undress is going to give the majority of the audience a thrill, but the sexiness is balanced with a ridiculous sense humour and strong elements of the unexpected that are as surprising as they are entertaining. The unpredictability of some moments adds a tension to the performance that isn’t often found in such circus/burlesque shows, and frequently left the audience a little unsure of what to do – nervous murmurings replacing applause on more than a few occasions. Certainly not a bad thing as far as I’m concerned, adding a real air of originality and surprise to a genre that can be a little bit samey at times.

    With no plot and very few props, the focus never lets up on the performers – but this multi-talented lot don’t let the pressure get to them for a moment, and all show remarkable flexibility, not just as athletes but performers, switching between comedy, dance, physical theatre and pure circus at the drop of a hat. David Trappes is a particular standout in this his debut show with Circa – a wonderfully expressive face allowing him to make the most of the comedic elements in the piece, and both Jessica Connell and Jarred Dewey prove magnetic during periods spent alone on the stage. With not a weak link amongst them, it’s a shame that there aren’t more moments when the entire cast are on stage – as their movements as a group are slick, mesmerising and clearly the product of a bond built over a long period of development.

    Some aspects of the show do feel a little unfinished, but the rapid pace of the show ensures that nothing drags for long – and the standing ovation at the end showed that the audience clearly enjoyed this spectacular combination of performance and physicality.
    Clever, contemporary and completely original, Circa’s Peepshow is a great performance powered solely by a fantastically talented bunch of performers. It’s a great addition to Underbelly’s line-up this year and I heartily recommend giving it a watch.

  • Why it’s about time Hollywood gave us a Gay Superhero

    With Black Panther breaking records at the box office and another six or seven superhero films due to come out in 2018, Marvel and DC are major power players in the film industry now, and don’t look to be losing their position anytime soon. But where are all the LGBT+ characters? LUKE MARLOW questions.

    LGBT representation in these films has been sorely lacking – and whilst Black Panther has brought some much-needed diversity to the screen, it also cut a reference to a lead character’s sexuality. In addition, last year’s brilliant Thor Ragnarok introduced audiences to Tessa Thompson’s badass Valkyrie – but whilst the actor was keen to play the character true to her bisexual origins, no mention of this was made on screen. With new generations finding inspiration in these films, shouldn’t they be finding representation too? It’s about time we got an LGBT superhero on the big screen – and here are some of the potential Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual heroes who could set the silver screen alight.

    Iceman

    The X-Men comics are hugely popular amongst a gay readership – the tales of a band of outsiders persecuted by the larger world, the parallels to the gay community are clear. Bobby Drake or, to call him by his codename, Iceman, was a founding member of the X-Men and appeared in the very first issue of the comic back in 1963. Whilst the other original X-Men have had torrid romantic lives over the years, Bobby had a number of girlfriends, but none ever stuck. An encounter with a time-travelling younger version of himself (even more complicated than it sounds), led to Bobby accepting what he’d been hiding for so many years – and he’s now an out and proud gay man who’s recently been exploring his new outlook on life in a fantastic series by queer writer Sina Grace.

    Iceman has already been on the big screen – portrayed by Shawn Ashmore in X-Men, X2, X-Men The Last Stand, and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Movie Iceman was shown in a relationship with Anna Paquin’s Rogue – but maybe it’s time Iceman made a reappearance and came out of the closet. The planned solo ‘Kitty Pryde’ movie could be a great time for Iceman’s sexuality to be explored in more detail – and as a fun, witty, everyman he could be a great fan favourite if portrayed properly

    Northstar

    Jean-Paul Baubier, who goes by the codename Northstar, became famous as a member of the Canadian comics group Alpha Flight. Northstar is important as he’s probably the first high profile out gay character, with his sexuality heavily hinted at by writers, but not being clearly stated until 13 years after his first appearance. Jean-Paul then made history by marrying his partner, Kyle in a much-publicised wedding back in 2012 – making him the first Marvel hero to be in a Gay marriage. Witty, sassy and full of snark – Northstar could be a great hero on the big screen. Cast someone suitably elfin like Lee Pace to play him, and not only would you have a modern and contemporary hero, but the potential to portray a stable gay relationship in a medium where they’ve yet to make an appearance.

    Karma

    Film company Fox has made a film of comic book group the ‘New Mutants’, which is due for release in 2019. That film is set to feature all of the founding members of that group, with one notable exception – Karma. Xi’an Coy Manh, is a character from Vietnam – with a power of psychic possession and a harrowing origin tale. First appearing in 1980, Karma came out as a lesbian in a comic published in 2002. She’s not received much focus over the years, but could be a great character to receive some time and attention on the big screen, with her dark origins, struggle to be a responsible figure for her younger siblings, and discovery of her sexuality meaning she could be a great fit for the more “teen” orientated New Mutants film, and I’m hopeful she’ll be top of the list should they get optioned for a sequel.

    Midnighter & Apollo

    Two for the price of one with these two – Midnighter and Apollo are a superhero couple who first appeared in Stormwatch – a book published by Wildstorm comics. Wildstorm has now become a part of DC comics, and Midnighter and Apollo brought into the same universe as Batman, Superman and Wonderwoman amongst others. They may look relatively familiar – Midnighter is an ultra-violent vigilante who dresses all in black, and Apollo is a caped superhero with flight and super strength… However, the difference between two and the more famous Batman and Superman, is that Midnighter and Apollo are openly gay, and in a relationship. They’re a hugely fun pairing who’ve had their romantic ups and downs over the years, and whilst the similarities to Batman and Superman may mean that Midnighter and Apollo may not be showing up in live action films anytime soon, they’re ripe for inclusion in DC’s ever-growing portfolio of animated films.

    Daken

    The son of Wolverine, Daken is hot, frequently shirtless, very angry and openly bisexual. Introduced in 2007, he’s an angsty, troubled character who’s constantly unpredictable and thus always very readable. Confident yet conflicted, Daken is less about forming relationships and more about using sex as a way of manipulating and controlling people, whether they be man or woman. With Hugh Jackman stating that he’s not coming back as Wolverine, there’s room for a clawed killer who can take his place and look damn good doing it – and Daken is definitely my pick.

    Catman

    Yes, not Catwoman (who, for the record, is bisexual – something fleetingly hinted at in The Dark Night Rises, but Catman. Thomas Blake, was initially designed as a villain for Batman to face, but has become a far more balanced and sympathetic character over the years, showing up in the Secret Six book and coming out as bisexual. With it highly likely that the DC movies are going to bring us yet another version of Catwoman – why not stop and switch to Catman instead? He’d bring some much-needed Bi-Visibility to the movie universe, and if written well could be a darkly sexy counterpoint to the straight-laced Bruce Wayne.

    Mystique

    We’ve had two versions of Mystique on the big screen – first played by Rebecca Romjin in the original X-Men trilogy, and then by Jennifer Lawrence from First Class onwards. Whilst the recent films have given Mystique motive and heart, the character is far removed from her comic book self. Mystique, or Raven Darkholme, first appeared in 1978 –  the adoptive mother of Rogue and the biological mother of Nightcrawler, she’s a complicated, fascinating and untrustworthy character who constantly keeps the reader on their toes. Openly bisexual, Mystique and her former partner Irene Adler served as Rogue’s parents – and despite Mystique’s villainy, they were a loving, tender couple, leading to Mystique’s utter heartbreak when Destiny died. As a character who has yet to find any real happiness in the films – isn’t it time Mystique got a girlfriend?

    (Living) Lightning

    Miguel Santos first appeared in a Marvel comic in 1990 – a man whose encounter with a mysterious machine left him capable of both being and controlling lightning. He appeared on and off over the years – and in 2005 was revealed to be gay. He’s recently moved up to the big leagues in the current Avengers: No Surrender event that’s taking place in the comics. With actors like Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr coming to an end of their contracts in the Avengers’ films, and big-name deaths predicted for the upcoming Infinity War,  the timing couldn’t be better for introducing Miguel Santos to the movie universe – and giving us a gay Latino hero with plenty of sparks.

    Batwoman

    Think Batman, but with pops of red on the costume, flowing locks and perfectly applied lipstick – and you’ve got Batwoman. Kate Kane appeared in the DC universe proper in 2015 and she’s a remarkable character. An out lesbian, she’s got a unique look – whether in her brilliantly designed costume or dressed down as her pale-skinned, rockabilly self. She’d certainly brighten up a film universe that’s been rather monotone so far, and her interesting and timely backstory as a marine discharged due to her sexuality, is one that could work extremely well on the big screen.

    Wiccan and Hulkling

    Two for the price of one here – Wiccan and Hulkling are two young lovebirds from the Marvel Universe. With Wiccan’s magical abilities and Hulkling’s shapeshifting skills, these are a powerful and beloved pairing who would look brilliant on film. Their story, as gay teens accepted and loved by those around them, could be a valuable piece of representation on film, and it’d be great to see a new generation of Avengers be built around this pair.

    Constantine

    DC’s sarcastic, magic-wielding and Liverpudlian detective John Constantine is a hugely popular character who’s made a few live-action appearances over the years, with a Keanu Reeves led film that completely missed everything that made Constantine such a brilliant character. A TV series in 2014 provided a brilliant Constantine in the form of welsh actor Matt Ryan, but sadly decided to steer clear of addressing Constantine’s bisexuality. However, Ryan has now made appearances in the tv show Legends of Tomorrow where he’s flirting up a storm with both men and women, and I’m hopeful that he’ll be pulled into the DC cinematic universe before too long.

    Harley Quinn

    Critics hated Suicide Squad when it was released in 2016 – but Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn was a standout star, and the character swiftly became a fan favourite. Whilst the film chose to portray Harley’s doomed and abusive relationship with the Joker, in the comics, she’s moved on from that sadist and found love and companionship in the form of Poison Ivy. Two intensely intelligent characters (Harley has a PhD in Psychology and Ivy one in Botany) with compelling motives, they’re close friends in an open relationship. With the upcoming ‘Gotham City Sirens’ movie mooted to contain both Harley and Ivy – it could be a great place to see their bond forming.

    The Question

    Much like Harley Quinn, Renee Montoya was created for the Batman Animated series, before being pulled through into the DC comic line. A police detective, Renee was outed as a lesbian and later left the police force and became an investigative hero known as The Question. A character who’s gone through huge amounts of change since her debut, Renee is a compelling character who could fit well into the dark and grimy movie world that DC have created so far.

    Rictor and Shatterstar

    Both Marvel characters, these two came together in 2009, 22 years after Rictor’s first appearance, and 18 years after Shatterstar’s. One a mutant with earth quaking abilities, and one a time travelling, dimension hopping superhero, both came to prominence as members of a team called “X-Force”, and with an “X-Force” film scheduled to be released in the next few years, the stars could be aligning for Rictor and Shatterstar’s big screen debut. Here’s hoping they keep Shatterstar in full 90’s garb – ponytail and all!

    Ultimate Colossus

    Piotr Rasputin, or Colossus, has been a mainstay of the X-Men books since his first appearance in 1975. The original version of Colossus is straight, and currently engaged to be married – but an alternate and gay version of Colossus appeared back in 2001 in Marvel’s Ultimate line of comics. This version of Piotr was a Russian arms smuggler – but found happiness as a hero with the X-Men. Colossus has been portrayed on film a fair few times now, but only ever as a minor character. His most recent appearance in the Deadpool film had his Russian accent spot on – so maybe his appearance in the sequel could see his sexuality explored?

    James Howlett

    Another alternate universe character here – this is a Wolverine who appeared in the X-Treme X-Men book back in 2012. This version had a few differences from the Wolverine who’s featured in the main Universe – his claws were gold, and he happened to be in a relationship with Greek God Hercules. This hairy pair were very popular with fans – and with Wolverine likely to be recast now Hugh Jackman has stepped down from the role, why not give us a gay, golden clawed Wolverine?

    Extraño

    First appearing in DC comics back in 1988, Extrano (or Gregorio De La Vega) was a fairly camp stereotype whose biggest storyline was the reveal of him having HIV. In 2016, Extrano reappeared in the DC universe as a mature, handsome sorcerer who could be a great ally for Constantine or a friend for Midnight and Apollo.

    America Chavez

    Given her popularity, it’s surprising that America Chavez hasn’t already made an appearance in the Marvel Movie Universe. First appearing in 2011, she’s a strong-willed, powerful and openly queer latino character. The upcoming animated film Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors is due to feature her, and hopefully, she’ll be pulled into the live action film universe soon enough.

    All Marvel  and DC Comics characters and the distinctive likeness(es) thereof are Trademarks & Copyright of their respective companies. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Retreat, Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, London

    ★★★★ | The Retreat, Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Retreat, Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, London

    Buddha, Cocaine and a Porn Mag are surprising bedfellows in this funny, warm and thoughtful debut play by Peep-Show co-creator Sam Bain.

    Luke (Samuel Anderson) is in a Buddhist retreat – his every day a blissful mix of meditation, mindfulness and isolation in the Scottish Highlands. That is until his brother Tony (Adam Deacon) arrives. With him come memories of a troubled childhood, and reminders for Luke of the life he left behind in London. Is Tony everything that was wrong with Luke’s life, or the only one that can see into his soul? And is Luke’s fellow Buddhist Tara (Yasmine Akram) – beautiful, spiritual Tara, only keen to help Luke achieve karma, or does she hold ulterior motives?

    The Retreat is a play by Sam Bain – co-writer and co-creator of Peep Show, Fresh Meat and Four Lions. Bain spent an earlier period of his life living in a Buddhist retreat, and regularly practised meditation and mindfulness, so my initial fear was that this play could go one of two ways – either be packed full of pro-Buddhist PR, or full of jokes making fun of Buddhism and those who practice it. A misplaced fear, it turns out, as The Retreat treads a far more interesting path – exploring the collision between the Buddhist themes of calm, isolation and peace with the more western rush of drink, drugs, and money.

    Characters Luke and Tony serve as cleverly portrayed devices through which Bain explores his themes, and it works very well indeed – the script raises interesting questions to the audience but never veers into preaching or sneering at any particular life choice. With Bain’s resumé you may assume that The Retreat is packed full of jokes, and you’d be correct – they come thick and fast throughout but are set up naturally by the cast – Adam Deacon’s Tony delivering the vast majority of the punchlines with effortless calm, and a real highlight being a monologue about meditation, Will Smith and Harry Hill that had me, and the audience, in absolute stitches.

    My only real issue with the jokes is that the frequent nature of them meant a fair few were lost by the audience entirely – a shame, given just how high quality the calibre of comedic writing in the script is, and the switch between humour and philosophy can feel rather forced at times. Whether this is due to the script or the performances, I’m unsure – but there’s a good chance it’ll improve as the run goes on. In terms of cast, it’s Samuel Anderson’s Luke and Adam Deacon’s Tony who take the leading roles. Both have impressive CV’s with Anderson having starred in The History Boys, Emmerdale and Doctor Who, and Deacon starring in Brit films such as Kidulthood and Adulthood, as well as directing spoof film Anuvahood. Playing brothers in The Retreat they have an easy chemistry together – instantly believable as siblings who’ve been separated by years of differences and disagreements, and their interactions together are both hilarious and moving. Anderson does his best to make the often-patronising Luke a sympathetic character, and Deacon is a real stand out as Tony – his constant jokes a thin cover for the vulnerable and damaged soul at the heart of the man.

    Yasmine Akram’s Tara is a more supporting role to the two brothers, so lacks in terms of character a little compared to the two leads, but Akram delivers a strong performance with Tara a warm, funny, yet ultimately rather complicated character. Akram’s unforgettable entrance as Tara, covered head to toe in green body paint, is unforgettable– and whilst the real story at the heart of The Retreat is the relationship between the two brothers, Akram is an integral and beautifully delivered part of the evening’s entertainment.

    Fans of Peep Show may not be expecting quite as much warmth and emotion as is on display in The Retreat, but it’s there constantly throughout – with the humour making way for moments of genuine feeling repeatedly throughout the show. That may be, in part, due to the direction by Kathy Burke – an actor and director who, in my opinion, can bring warmth and humanity to any role she comes across.

    There’s no distancing here – the staging, light and sound welcome the audience into this small hut in the Scottish Highlands, with the relatively small size of the theatre allowing the characters to be exposed to the audience – removing some of the distancing that is provided in a regular theatre and making the experience all the more immediate.

    The Retreat is a clever and thoughtful contemporary play that explores modern day issues with warmth and fantastic humour. Strong performances enabled by superb direction allow this intelligent and entertaining script to shine. Go for the laughs and stay for the compelling commentary on life in the 21st Century – it’s not perfect but it’s an enjoyable watch and an impressive debut play by writer Sam Bain

    The Retreat runs at Park Theatre until 2nd December 2017

     

     

     

     

  • The Winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race – Where Are they Now?

    Hey Squirrel Friends, with 2018 promising to bring us two seasons of Drag Race madness (Season 10 and All-Stars 3), we thought it was time to take a look at what the winning queens are up to now – whether they’ve sashayed their way to mainstream success like a modern-day RuPaul, or been left behind like Roxxxy Andrews at the bus stop…

    The Winners of RuPaul's Drag Race - Where Are they Now?

    Bebe Zahara Benet

    via GIPHY

    Kicking things off, it’s time to shout “CAMEROON!” for Season 1 Winner Bebe Zahara Benet
    In the realms of fandom, Season 1 has taken on a mythical status due to just how hard it is to find – not available on streaming or on-demand services, it’s almost as difficult to watch as Valentina in a lip sync. As a result, the queens of season 1 are not as well-known as the ones from later seasons – despite it being an enjoyable season with some great performers such as Victoria “Porkchop” Parker (Hey Porkchop!), Tammie Brown and Ongina. Bebe Zahara Benet won the competition with fierce outfits, big hair and a lot of international influence – and she’s worked consistently ever since. She’s released several singles, recently stomped down the catwalk for Marco Marco, and is still performing Drag on a regular basis

    Tyra Sanchez

    via GIPHY

    Ah, the other Tyra.

    Beautiful, unpredictable Tyra was one of the youngest contestants ever to appear on the show, beating Raven to the crown and going on to be maybe the most controversial winner that Drag Race has seen. Not one to back down from a fight, she’s become embroiled in spats with various other Drag Race alumni and faced outrage for some of her Twitter comments. She recently (falsely) declared fellow Season 2 competitor as dead – resulting in a spat that involved fellow Queens Raven and Tatianna.

    Away from shady outbursts on Twitter though, she’s proven herself to be a real force to be reckoned with – her looks are stunning and she’s in high demand as a Drag Race performer, recently appearing at Drag Con in New York.

    Raja

    via GIPHY

    Season 3 introduced the world to some brilliant performers – Carmen Carrera, Manila Luzon and Stacey Layne Matthews amongst others. Raja gave a knockout snatch game performance as Tyra Banks, stunned with her fashion-forward outfits, and took part in perhaps the sexiest lipsync of all time – cavorting with Carmen Carrera to Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up”. Since winning Season 3, Raja is probably best known for her work with Raven on World of Wonder’s “Fashion Photo Ruview”, which provides fashion critiques on outfits worn by Drag Queens – mainly current contestants and alumni of Drag Race. Outside of drag, Raja (or Sutan) is an in-demand make-up artist, appeared in the music video for Blondie’s “Princess of Mars” earlier this year, and has just completed a summer-long run of her one-woman show, “Gawdess”

    Sharon Needles

    via GIPHY

    Beautiful, spooky and stupid – Sharon Needles won a season often considered one of the show’s best, what with Willam’s shock removal, Phi Phi and Sharon’s fierce rivalry, and literally every moment involving the large and in charge, chunky yet funky, Latrice Royale.

    Sharon’s horror-inspired drag brought something fresh to the Drag Race world – that combined with a quick wit and likeable manner made her a worthy winner, and she’s gone on to be incredibly successful. Since the show Needles has released two albums, hosted evenings of horror films on Logo TV, and even had a day named in her honour in her native Pittsburgh. Recently featuring in a fantastic interview about her love of horror films for the BFI, Sharon continues to be in high demand as a touring artist, and will be returning to the UK in both October and December this year to give us her brand of intelligent, unique and bloody drag.

    Chad Michaels

    via GIPHY

    2012 saw the arrival of All-Stars – a season that invited contestants from the previous four seasons a chance to return and compete for a place in the “All-Stars Hall of Fame”. Forcing contestants to pair up made for hugely entertaining viewing, even if the “She-Mergency” Lip Sync concept fell a little flat. Fourth season Queen and Cher impersonator Chad Michaels fought his way to the top spot, and since securing his spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame, is still in high demand both as a drag performer and as an uncannily accurate Cher lookalike. Recent television appearances included 2 Broke Girls and Jane the Virgin, and whilst Chad’s website is currently in progress, social media shows that he’s still performing – recently appearing at RuPaul’s Drag Con in New York.

    Jinkx Monsoon

    via GIPHY

    It was Monsoon season all over the world in Season 5, when the world’s best (and possibly only) narcoleptic Jewish drag queen took the crown. In a series packed with drama – from the rivalry of Alyssa and Coco through to the unholy trinity that was Rolaskatox, Jinkx’s sweet nature and sheer talent saw her rising above the rest – entertaining as Little Edie in Snatch Game and destroying Detox with an accomplished lip-sync to Yma Sumac’s “Malambo No 1”.

    Since appearing in the show Jinkx has had huge success in the theatre – appearing in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Hairspray, and in Cabaret musical The Vaudevillians. Jinkx also recently voiced a character in the tv show Steven Universe, which sparked some controversy, with some fans upset that a drag queen was voicing a character whose species had, up until then, been voiced by women. Jinkx was more than happy to set the record straight on social media, letting fans know that the character is supposed to be non-binary, something Jinkx identifies as, preferring the pronouns they/them when not in drag. This autumn sees Jinkx appearing in “Hokem Pokem” – a parody of Hocus Pocus starring Peaches Christ and Holestar, and will also be touring the UK throughout November and December in a new production of The Vaudevillians.

    Bianca Del Rio

    via GIPHY

    Season 6 got off to a sickening start with a varied bunch of Queens – rock chick Adore Delano, fishy Queen Courtney Act, and long tall glass of dairy, Milk, amongst others. Costume designer Roy Haylock stood out from the start as the hilarious Bianca Del Rio and won with a combination of humour, sarcasm, and a surprisingly big heart. Able to whip up a dress in under five minutes and read a Queen to filth in a few choice words, Del Rio has gone on to be one of the most successful winners ever. Since leaving the show she’s had several sell-out stand-up comedy tours, starred in her own film (Hurricane Bianca – worth a watch!), with Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia with Hate, due out later this year. Bianca’s about to embark on a tour of Australia and New Zealand this November, before returning to the UK on her “Blame it on Bianca Del Rio” tour, with dates starting in Liverpool July 2018.

    Violet Chachki

    via GIPHY

    Season 7 introduced some serious fan favourites to the world of Drag Race, with characters like Katya, Trixie Mattel and Ginger Minj battling it out to take the crown. In the end, Violet Chachki ruled victorious with her incredible sense of style, her burlesque and bondage-inspired looks combining the vintage aesthetic of Bettie Page with the modern designs of Thierry Mugler. Since leaving the show, Violet has been in high demand as both a model and a performer, and can currently be seen touring the US on the Werq the World Tour.

     

    Bob The Drag Queen

    via GIPHY

    Entering the workroom “Purse First” was Bob the Drag Queen – who’d been inspired into doing drag after watching Season 1 and loving the work of Bebe Zahara Benet. Bob was a clear frontrunner throughout the competition – beating off experienced Queens such as the caustic Acid Betty, and Britney impersonator Derrick Barry. Making it to the final three with lovable Kim Chi and long-legged Naomi Smalls, Bob’s comedy skills saw him snatch the crown and reign supreme. Bob’s been a busy winner – his TV Special Suspiciously Large Woman debuted, he starred in the film Cherry Pop, and has even released his own comic book “Kickass Drag Queen”. He’s currently also touring the US in the Werq the World Tour.

     

    Alaska Thunderfuck 5000

    via GIPHY

    Originally appearing in season five of Drag Race, Alaska returned for All-Stars 2 along with fan favourites such as Katya, Detox, Alyssa Edwards and Adore Delano.

    The competition was ridiculously tough, but Alaska came out on top almost every week– and even a last-minute meltdown (poor performance in a task had her offering a bribe to Detox to let her stay) didn’t stop her from claiming that crown. Since winning she’s released a few singles, both independently and with the “AAA Girls” – (a group consisting of Alaska and fellow drag queens Willam and Courtney Act) and walked in a Marco Marco fashion show. She’s set to be touring across the US with the AAA girls over the next month, but is returning to the UK for a few shows in mid-October.

     

    Sasha Velour

    Season 9 marked a big change for Drag Race – with the show moving to main channel VH1, earning it far more viewers than ever before. A strong cast of characters entered the workshop – and whilst some disappointed (courtesy of Charlie Hides performing an entirely stationary lip-sync, and Miss Valentina demanding to keep it on…), others rose to the top, forming a final four packed full of top talent and tight tucks. A new channel meant a new concept for the finale, with the four top queens entering into a “Lip Sync Tournament”. A quick change by Peppermint and a legendary wig reveal by Sasha Velour led to them battling it out in the final lip sync, with Sasha Velour coming out on top. An artistic, intelligent and sensitive Queen, Sasha was already an established figure on the Brooklyn drag scene, publishing a drag magazine called Velour, and hosting a monthly drag show called “Nightgowns”. Work on these projects has continued into Sasha’s reign,  and she’s spending the next few months touring the US. 2018 will see her heading over to Europe and the UK with her Party Monster Ball – guest starring the drinkable Milk and legendary icon Amanda Lepore.

     

    The Future

    Think you done already done had herses? Well, think again – in a reveal almost as good as Roxxy Andrews infamous second wig, 2018 will see not one, but two seasons of Drag Race airing. January will see All-Stars 3 hit screens, with the Queens rumoured to be competing ranging from Season 1 Winner Bebe Zahara Benet through to Season 9’s Aja. That’ll be followed by Season 10, which should be airing in late spring/summer 2018. Again, Queens for that are unconfirmed – with the exception of Eureka O’Hara, returning after her knee-popping exit in Season 9.

    As the show approaches its 10th Anniversary, the fabulous engine that is RuPaul’s Drag Race shows no sign of slowing down. Filling the screens with love, pathos and a cast of sickeningly talented performers, it’s become clear that the world needs RuPaul’s Drag Race now more than ever.

     

    Can I get an Amen?

     

  • Six Ways to Stamp Out Homophobia in the Workplace

    Looking at the stats, it’s clear that homophobia in the workplace is still a problem – and one that many of us will have encountered.

    One in five LGBT+ people have experienced bullying from colleagues or customers in the past five years, one in five wouldn’t feel confident reporting homophobic bullying in the workplace, and in the UK, 2.4 million people of working age said that they had witnessed verbal homophobic bullying at work. Adding to that,  a massive 26 percent of LGBT+ people are not open to their colleagues about their sexual orientation – so in this age where we have rights that are verging on equal, something’s clearly amiss. In fact, The Human Rights Campaign – a US lobby group, found that a huge 62 percent of millennial LGBT+ graduates went back into the closet when starting their first job – something I was guilty of, and something that can get the careers of LGBT+ people off to an uncomfortable and unpleasant start.

    That in mind, we’ve put together a list of 6 Ways to tackle homophobia in the workplace. Given that most of us are spending 40+ plus hours a week there, it’s more important than ever that the workplace is somewhere LGBT+ people can feel free to be themselves and to contribute openly and equally to the working world.

    1. Know Your Rights

    Homophobic discrimination and harassment is illegal – and has been since 2003. There’s no doubt that a lot of people don’t see their comments as discriminatory or harassing, but if you encounter homophobic abuse, tell someone – speak to your manager or, if they’re the problem, speak to the HR team or someone you trust higher up in the company. Awareness is important – and if they know it’s a problem then chances are training can be put in place to make sure that this doesn’t happen again, either to you or your future colleagues. If you’ve left a job due to discrimination or harassment, then speak to your local Citizen’s Advice – they can offer advice on what to do next, and whilst legal action may be the last thing on your mind, they can advise if they think it something worth pursuing.

    2. Be Open

    By being open I don’t mean arriving for your first day at work riding a rainbow unicycle and singing “I Am What I Am”, but more being yourself in the workplace and taking part in conversations with your colleagues in a way that you’re relaxed with. There’s always going to be questions about your home life when you’re new to a job – and it’s only going to be easier for you if you’re open from the off. That fear of coming out is often far worse than the result – and given that it’s likely you’ll already have done it once, expressing that to your colleagues in a manner of fact way should hopefully be a walk in the park

    3. Deal with Banter

    A macho work culture can be fun at times – but it can also be damaging for those who don’t fit into that stereotype. Much like at school, offensive phrases are often flung around with little malicious intent behind them, but they’re still symbolic of a culture that needs to change. Be straight with people – if you don’t like a comment or phrase, have a direct word with them. Most people will respect that, and if they don’t, your manager or HR partner should be able to advise further, and potentially play a role in re-educating your colleague. Cultures like this can only be changed by raising awareness – so it’s important to say something if you’re not altogether happy.

    4. Explaining the benefits

    Being comfortable and secure in the workplace isn’t just something that will make you feel better – it’s been proven that being able to be yourself in the workplace can hugely increase productivity. It could be worth mentioning this if you feel like you’re feeling homophobia in the workplace, as companies will want the best possible work from their employees, and stamping out homophobia will go a long way to ensure that. Adding to that, companies with diverse workforces can attract a wider range of customers, as well as improving ideas and drive by being full of contrasting and complementary backgrounds, experiences and situations. Making the workplace more colourful can only be a good thing – bosses should be selling and celebrating the diversity of their employees.

    5. Don’t be Alone

    The community can be a big part of gay life – and the workplace is no different. It can all depend on the size of your company, but there’s a strong chance that someone else there will be LGBT+. Like straight media often assumes, being gay doesn’t mean that you’re immediately going to be best friends or lovers, but having shared experiences in the workplace can help. If there’s enough of you, you can look at starting up an LGBT+ network. I’ve attempted to do this in the past and found that there’s a lot of help available out there – including many straight allies who were immensely encouraging. Even if your LGBT+ network just goes for a monthly drink in the pub together, it can be a huge source of support for those inside the group, as well as providing vital visibility for those on the outside.

    6. Change the Culture

    Sounds like a big ask – but encouraging training and education in the workplace can make a huge difference. Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming a huge thing for many companies – and ensuring that LGBT+ visibility and training is part of this channel is vital. Speak to HR and see if there is a “CSR” manager or advocate in the company who you can chat to about training – these things not only benefit companies hugely but also, it’s worth pointing out, can serve as excellent PR. If there’s no CSR person or no training plan available, why not write some yourself? The stats are easily found out there, and organisations like Stonewall (linked at the top) provide fascinating and relevant information on LGBT+ people in the workplace. It’s something I’ve done it in the past – and it was an eye-opener not just for my colleagues, but for me as well – so it’s worth putting the time and effort in – not only can it help stamp out homophobia, but showing a sense or proactivity can in the workplace can only ever be a positive thing.

    The most important thing to remember is that if you’re experiencing homophobia in the workplace you’re not alone and that you have every right to feel happy and secure in every area of your life. If you feel like change isn’t happening, then don’t stay in a job that makes you unhappy – but make sure your bosses know exactly why you’re going. Visibility is vital – these problems only make themselves known when we’re open and honest about them, and use them to drive change forwards in order to make the workplace open, accessible and safe for all.