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  • INTERVIEW | Dr Daneshmand

    There’s more to Vegas than large hotels, bright lights and 24hr gambling as Dr Daneshmand from The Fertility Center of Las Vegas tells us when we spoke with him this week. Thousands of us are looking to fertility centres to start our own families and if we can fit in a bit of Liza at the LVH (Las Vegas Hotel) in the same day, then why not?

    Having been with my partner now for over nine years the inevitable questions have popped up. Should we get married? If Niall Horan asked me out would I dump you? Do we want kids?

    The latter question got me thinking the most. I like the idea of having children at some point in my life, and it seems I am not the only one. ‘I was one of the key note speakers in a New York city conference called ‘Men Having Babies’, two hundred and fifty male couples were there intending to learn more about surrogacy and parenting’, said Dr Daneshmand.

    ‘In the UK, France and nine states in America where gay marriage is legal, desire for gay couples to come forward has increased. Right now a significant portion of my practice is helping gay couples to become parents. At UCL (University of Central London) where I studied, even 20 years ago, I felt society had to catch up with their views and the stigma they attached. I was a big advocate that a child needs love and it doesn’t matter if you have two dads, two mums, a single mum or a single dad as long as you can provide love to the child.’

    So how does it all work? How do gay men go about having babies? The first step is communication and understanding and Dr Daneshmand seems ready to talk anytime of the day or week. ‘Being thousands of miles away has made no difference for our patients as we’re always there for them. I Skype at weekends, midnight and I’m always available on email. We go over the medical and legal parts of surrogacy and I get an understanding of who they are.’ I asked if he ever took holidays or switched off from his work for a few days. ‘I’d like to be the kind of doctor that I’d like to go to, so no.’ Wouldn’t we all like a doctor like that!

    After learning more about the prospective parents and telling them all about the processes of having a child, it’s then time to find the right egg donor and surrogate mother. ‘All surrogates come from across the US from states which are open to surrogacy like, Nevada, California, Illinois and Oregon’.

    I wondered how a surrogate mother may feel about having a child to hand over to two gay men and if there was ever any refusals. ‘Absolutely there are, but we don’t work with those surrogates. We have a questionnaire which asks “are you willing to work with all couples” if their answer is no, we don’t work with them. It’s something we don’t tolerate in our practice.’

    Once you have your surrogate mother it is then time to sort the legalities of it all. Again Dr Daneshmand is there to help work with the UK and American attorneys to sign all the documents, making it a painless process for the parents to be. Interestingly, ‘It doesn’t require adoption papers as a Pre-Birth Order in states of open surrogacy means the intended parents names are on the birth certificate.’

    We then went into the process of how the child is created. This involves lots of graphic words which I’m sure the doctor will be happy to tell you all about over a cuppa, like he did with me. Lets just say you’ll want to book your flight out there for 7-8 months time. ‘The intended parents usually like to be there for the birth of the child. With in as little as one week you can then travel back to the UK with your new son or daughter.’

    In total, the whole process can take up to a year and a half from first discussions about having a kid to introducing your new child to friends and family. This isn’t the end though. Help and support is always on hand from the “doctor who never sleeps” and once a year a large party is thrown to celebrate the growing numbers of families. ‘Last year we had 1,500 people there and I step back and see all these kids running around and that’s the greatest joy of our profession.’

    Having joined The Fertility Center of Las Vegas 16 years ago, 10 years after the doors first opened by Dr Shapiro, Dr Daneshmand has helped grow its success opening up a second centre in Las Vegas with expansions into LA and Utah coming soon. Invited all over the world to give presentations on IVF treatments and talk about the research both doctors are carrying out, it was a pleasure to chat with a man so genuinely excited to give straight, gay and celebrity, no names were mentioned, the opportunity to have children.

    If you’re thinking about starting your own family or would like to learn more about the process of surrogacy then do visit: fertilitycenterlv.com

    Dr Daneshmand will also be in London on the 3rd November at the Langham Hotel giving free private consultations on egg donation and surrogacy alternatives in the US. If you would like to book a free place then do click here for more details. Langham Hotel Consultations

  • FILM REVIEW | I Do

    I followed the twitter feed on this movie well before it finally arrived on my doorstep to review. David W Ross, the star and force behind the movie, has an engaging twitter presence – playing on his good looks and obvious talent, and witty banter.

    David is a former member of ’90’s boyband Bad Boys Inc and no stranger to the spotlight. Here, he takes on the role of a Brit abroad in New York, living an almost ideal life with his brother, American sister-in-law and a good job/loft/sex life – basically, the good life.

    This is shattered, and I’m not going into details as its one of the films best and most unexpected moments. The film then goes on to investigate what happens when your life is torn apart, only to have it further complicated by eminent deportation. It reviews the bureaucracy surrounding green cards, sham marriages and real love. What happens when your best lesbian friend agrees to marry you so you can stay in the country and shoulder your supposed responsibilities, only to turn jealous when you find true love in the shape of a gorgeous spanish architect?

    The film isn’t a gritty docu-drama, it’s far to good looking for that, it doesn’t do a warts an all expose of sham marriages for green cards, it’s too engaging for that – David has managed to do a balancing act of making a film that highlights issues but is still a bloody good story, and cinematic too.

    The film captures New York and makes it almost another character, the people, the streets, the apartments… for those of us this side of the pond, it all feels familiar enough but we can empathise with the “Englishman in New York” syndrome.

     

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  • INTERVIEW | David W. Ross

    With the release of his brand new film ‘I Do’ on Peccapics this week, we hunker down with the incredibly sexy Mr David W. Ross to talk Hollywood, Boybands and Gay Marriage

    The entire film feels very personal – how much is based on fact and/or personal experience?
    I love that you thought that. I really wanted to have a sense of a fly-on-the-wall and a personal feel to it. Well, I became a photographer for the film. So that’s life imitating art. Mano is based on a guy I fell in love with in America but couldn’t get his work permit so had to move back to the UK. It’s the reason I wrote the film. And Sam, played by my dear friend and awesome actor Mickey Cottrell, is based on a friend I had living in LA. I lived with a lady who was quite eccentric and used to be Avedon’s assistant in the 60s in New York. But overall I was so outraged by the lack of marriage and immigration rights, and saw first hand through shooting rallies in California how families were being effected, that I wanted to tell a story that would move people to some sort of action.

    The casting is superb – Alicia Witt is ideal as Mya, and Maurice Compte is perfect as Mano – how did you go about casting this piece?
    I was lucky enough to get my script to Alicia Witt and Jamie-Lynn Sigler who signed on rather quickly. Then our amazing casting directors did the rest. We had a couple of days of sessions that I sat in on. I read with everyone. And the casting directors also sent us tapes. One was from Maurice and I knew right away that he was Mano. I think the casting directors knew that I DO is not really a gay film and got some amazing people. Casting makes all the difference. Who knew someone like Grant Bowler would come on board!

    Funding: how did you fund the film?
    I was in the normal Hollywood holding pattern for about two years. I had the script but couldn’t get money before the star and the star before the money. One day I got an email from a film maker friend asking for me to check out their project on Kickstarter and donate to their film. I had no idea what crowd funding was but but very quickly realized I could raise money for the film. I started a campaign on February 14th and the next three months were an amazing whirlwind of hard work, very little sleep and a lots of fun. I surpassed my goal of $50,000 and was able to secure more funding from private investors. I did another Indiegogo for finishing funds and again supposed my goal of $25,000. I’ve been so lucky to have such an amazing amount of supporters from all around the world, for this film.

    Social Media: I follow you on Twitter, and remember you’re tweets relating to the film. I’m curious how you feel about social media and the part it can play?
    So you’ve seen my crazy antics!? I love twitter. I’m still blown away by how amazing everyone is and how powerful it can be. I think it’s incredibly useful for getting ideas out there and for indie artists I think it may be the new way to fund projects. I love that I can be having a conversation with someone on there that I’ve never met and we’ve got something in common to talk about. Plus it really shows what a bunch of like minded people can achieve. Social media is the only reason I DO got made at this point and for that I will be eternally grateful.

    Boy band member – hope or hindrance?
    I think that’s changed over the years but I think now it’s all good. I didn’t want to be defined by it for years and really struggled with coming to terms with how I was viewed in the public eye. But these days I’ve lightened up and look at it as a great time of my life where I did something some would call extraordinary and in America they all think it’s incredibly cool, which I find amusing. I think making I DO, from writing to producing it, has really solidified something inside myself about who I am as an artist. I’m glad to be in film but I miss performing and touring. Too much fun.

    And finally – what’s next?
    I’m working on a new script that I intend to direct and also play a small part. I have Helen Mirren as my muse. She’s plastered all over my desktop right now. And the intention is to make it in the UK so I get to come back for a while. I miss drinking beers outside the pub and Sunday roasts with friends.

    I Do is available from Amazon UK on 28th October (available to pre-order now)

    BUY FROM AMAZON NOW

  • Gaga makes a surprise appearance at G-A-Y

    Lady Gaga stunned London club-goers at London’s biggest gay club, G-A-Y at Heaven, to sing her forthcoming single.

    The impromptu performance of Venus took many by surprise as she wasn’t on the billing. However, Gaga is the UK to perform on the X Factor this evening.

    Her previous single Applause from the upcoming album Artpop failed to get to number one, being beaten by Ellie Goulding’s Burn. However, we loved the video

    Lady Gaga will be joined by The Wanted on this evening’s broadcast of X Factor, starting at 8.00PM on ITV1.

  • COLUMN | Some people are gay

    I’m never normally speechless but the other day a work colleague rendered me thus. She happened to mention the Stonewall “Some People Are Gay Get Over It” bus campaign that has re-launched. She wondered why it was necessary at all and considered it a bit of an insult…

    I remained silent, to my shame. There was a lot that I could have said.

    I could have pointed out that homophobic hate crimes still ride high in the crime figures’ hit parade.

    I could have discussed the recent reports about the volume of calls to The Samaritans from men with issues surrounding their sexuality.

    I could have pointed out that although we’re both white and middle class, we work in an area with a high black and ethnic minority population with high social deprivation where homophobia is rife.

    I could have pointed out the high levels of bullying in schools, prevalence of drug and alcohol problems in LGBT people and the high rates of mental illness and suicide that, unsurprisingly, go hand in hand with this.

    Maybe, I could have quoted some of the extremist religious groups and the hatred and bile that they spout about us, to anyone who will listen.

    I could have discussed the long wait for marriage equality and the vitriol that was merrily aired during this debate.

    I could have mentioned the school children on the bus, merrily calling each other ‘gay’ as an insult, the word, naturally, meaning totally crap.

    I didn’t mention any of this. I grunted and carried on typing, followed a few minutes later by a funny little aside about a colleague. I was fulfilling my role, you see: comedic and waspish gay colleague/friend/relative/neighbour. We’re unthreatening and fun to be around. We’re much like the inflatable ‘gay best friend’ recently on sale by a major supermarket. We make hen nights jolly but can be put back in the drawer if we get over blown.

    I think that tomorrow, I may take something unusual to work with me: my soapbox. We’ve got things to discuss.

  • Westboro gets vine

    Now if only these people spend their time doing their hair, makeup or generally keeping fit, the WBC would be a much nicer place to hang out for gays.

    We love a bit of Westboro shenanigans; we find their updates and interest in our sexuality most heartening. That’s why when we found that they had discovered Vine we just had to watch. And predictably, like a hideous car crash or Liza Minnelli on stage, it’s utterly captivating.

     

    https://vine.co/v/hwQM9ewrmeW

  • We’re Conflicted… Gordon Ramsay Shows Off Amazing Muscly Body

    We’re not sure what to think about this, but the man of the swears, Gordon Ramsay has a pretty fit body.

    (more…)

  • INTERVIEW | Trade DJ – Rosco Brady

    Q1: What is your first memory of TRADE?
    When I was 18 I was set to DJ in Stockholm but due to passport issues, I was stuck in London at midnight with no money. My school friends were all going to the Trade 10th Birthday and I had nowhere else to go! Laurence generously put me on the guest list but I was refused entry at the door!!! I was carrying my record box and an overnight bag with me too. After a short wait I was allowed in and I had the wildest most memorable night of my life!!! I was completely, absolutely hooked. I’d never seen anything like it being straight and from the North!!!

    Q2: What is your most embarrassing TRADE moment?
    Going to the toilet mid way through my set! I was playing the 11 minute long ‘Show Me Love’ by Fruitloop at the time and coming back to the DJ booth to realise the door code had been changed. After a mild panic the lighting technician came back just before the record had ended. I quickly grabbed Never Lost His Hardcore and started it at the ‘This is not over yet’ sample which saved the day!

    Q3: What is your ultimate TRADE anthem?
    NRG’s ‘Never Lost His Hardcore’ – the Baby Doc Remix

    Q4: Why do you think TRADE has stood the test of time in club land?
    Trade has an unrelenting hedonistic attitude and atmosphere that you can’t find anywhere else. Coupled with the way everyone is equal, the progressive music policy and stunning visual identity with stunning artwork plus Laurence’s exquisite taste in all areas nothing comes close.

    Q5: What are you most looking forward to at the forthcoming TRADE Birthday?
    Playing my pumping set to a crowd of wonderful people and sampling Trade anthems through modern tracks, which I love doing for the Trade crowd.

    Q6: Who is the most famous person you have kissed at TRADE?
    HRH Laurence Malice!!!

  • INTERVIEW | Trade DJ – Massimo Paramour

    With Trade’s birthday celebrations around the corner some of the regular DJs tell us what they enjoy most about the club night.

    What is your first memory of TRADE?
    It was 1996 and I had just moved to London. I had heard a lot about this party, and I got quite curious, but as I didn’t have any gay friends in the city I had to check it out on my own. I remember that, as I got in, it was like descending into Dante’s inferno; I suddenly found myself squeezed between a multitude of sweaty bouncing bodies. I could barely see around me because of the smoke. The music was quite dark and fast, but incredibly exciting. I felt a bit out of place and overwhelmed at first, but after an hour or so I was completely absorbed by it.

    What is your most embarrassing TRADE moment?
    I remember feeling very embarrassed when people kept coming up to me asking if I needed some drugs or if I was bored, as I was always standing in a corner without dancing; actually I was enjoying the music pretty much, I was in my own world, but sometime I wished I was invisible .Things changed with time, but it took a while!

    What is your ultimate TRADE anthem?
    Celvin Rotane ‘I Believe’, Force Mass Motion ‘Pulse’ and Play This House’ Hard House Mix by Bum Bum Club.

    Why do you think TRADE has stood the test of time in clubland?
    Because of its uniqueness. I saw a lot of clubs in my life, but nothing quite like Trade!

    What are you most looking forward to at the forthcoming TRADE Birthday?
    I’ve always been a big fan of Egg London as a venue, and even though I miss Turnmills a lot, I think it’s the perfect place for such event! I’m also really looking forward to playing there..it’s a dream come true!!

    Who is the most famous person you have kissed at TRADE?
    I’m not into celebs…lol:-)

  • Tom Hardy to play Elton In Rocket Man movie

    Hunk Tom Hardy has been named as the man that will play Elton John in a biopic of the singer’s life.

    Tom Hardy has been named as the man who will play gay royalty, Elton John, in an upcoming biopic, Rocketman, of the singer’s life, which is due to start filming in late 2014.

    It is unknown at this time whether Tom can sing, play the piano, or throw a diva strop but when you’ve got a purdy face like Tom’s who cares!
    David Furnish, Elton’s husband is the producer of the film.

    A press release to announce Tom’s casting described the film:

    “Much like the man himself, Rocketman is a larger-than-life movie musical spectacle that tells the story of a child prodigy turned music legend”.

    We can’t wait.

    According to a recent poll of Gaydar users, Tom’s lips were voted as the most attractive.

  • Olympic Pole Vaulter shows us his pole

    Olympian Pole Vaulter Andrew Zollner has quite simply rocked our world, after nudey pictures of him have leaked onto the internets.

    It’s not every day you see a sight like this… (NSFW) But when you do you have to sit still for a minute and take it all in. Visually you dirty minded boys!

    Gay Daily Hot claims that the pictures is of Zollner, although because of the quality of picture we’re still undecided, but who cares – if it was raining I know where I’d be standing…

    Anyways we always love it when a celeb takes a selfie.

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