Legendary New York queen of the demi-monde, cabaret and performance artist Joey Arias is coming to London to play the insanely stylish Crazy Coqs nightclub at Zedel in Piccadilly.
CREDIT: Sean Menendez
It’s a rare treat and Joey has a staggering back catalogue with decades of experience performing both in New York and internationally. During his many collaborations with Klaus Nomi he sung with David Bowie on Saturday Night Live in 1979, he’s played Joan Crawford, featured in Wigstock, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and Flawless. He featured in George Michael’s Too Funky video and sold out runs in Las Vegas with Cirque Du Soleil. He’s also a style icon in his own right, transcending drag and he has a unique and haunting singing style that has echoes of Billie Holiday’s rich tones.
Hi and welcome back to London. How does it feel to be here again?
I love London very much, I’ve been coming since the punk days and I’ve seen the changes going on. Some places I don’t recognise but I always look forward to seeing my friends, old and new. Facebook has brought new faces and this is exciting. I love meeting the new always but I always have my pals from the past. That is what London means to me. The people, ‘We The People’.
Can you tell us a bit about what we can expect from ‘Love Bites’?
Well ‘Love Bites’ is a Metaphor for what’s going on in the world! It goes hand in hand. You could love someone or something or just an idea and once in a while you snapped at it or it just didn’t work out the way you thought it was going. I think it’s a great concept for Valentine’s Week.
Looking at your previous sets, your music choices and influences seem wide and varied. Who’s inspiring you at the moment?
I love all music, but I love listening to Jazz a lot, Ornette Coleman and Billie Holiday. Then I go back to 60s Rock with The Ronettes, Beach Boys and I also love music from the British Invasion like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Cilla Black. I also love Cream, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and more! Then we move onto Madonna, Boy George and Sex Pistols. Every so often I put the Radio on and see what’s out there. These days it just comes and goes, it’s all happening too fast. So I would say, maybe some of the great singers like Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye have been in my ear these days. I want to work with my great friend Ben Allison who will re-write some of these tunes to make them my own. I have been working on lots of original tunes. I want to get a new album out soon!
How do the London and New York cabaret and drag scenes compare?
The cabaret and drag scenes are a bit different. It has to do with the venues and the vibe of these two cities. We used to have Leigh Bowery who really pushed the envelope. Susanne Bartsch had Leigh in NYC once a month, so that was a blend of two cultures. Then in NYC you also have Earl Dax presenting ‘Pussy Fagot’ with many other great NYC performers and guests from around the world that happen to be in town. I also love Wet Chiffon that’s in Hackney. Brilliant! I have to say NYC has things going on 24/7, anything goes, and I know London does also. I’ve been to wild parties there… coming home with the sun on my face!
Do you have any favourite places in London?
I used to Love Freedom Cafe! That was amazing! You’re going to laugh but I love Marks & Spencer’s and Boots! I have to go to those places all the time. I love when friends take me to clubs, trashy and chic. I can’t remember the names, and then there are those wild sex parties, Oh my! But I gave them up or they gave me up! Fun, but always be safe!
Really looking forward to playing at Live At Zédel!
Based on the BBC three documentary, Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, a brand-new musical is about to burst onto the stage in spectacular, drag-tastic, feel good fashion, in what is described as a “big glittery dream” and which promises to be one of the most talked about musicals for some time.
Everyone’s Talking About Jamie is written by Tom MacRae (Doctor Who) and has music by Dan Gillespie Sells of The Feeling (who are best known for their album Twelve Stops ‘Till Home). The story charts the journey of Jamie Campbell, a Sheffield lad, who has to decide whether to express himself and who he really is by going to the school prom in drag. Packed with humour, emotion, a strong social message and real warmth, the show is set to have its world premiere at Sheffield Theatres on the 9th February 2017.
With a diverse cast, including Mina Anwar (TV’s The Thin Blue Line, Coronation Street, Shameless) playing Leigh; John McRae (Eastenders, The Catherine Tate Show, New Tricks) who plays Jamie and Tasmin Carroll (Eastenders, Heartbreak High) as Miss Hedge, the show explodes with energy, emotion and a coming of age story unlike any other. TGUK caught up with the shows lead actors during a break in rehearsals.
Photo Credit : Sheffield Theatres (Clockwise – Mina Anwar , John McCrea , Tasmin Carroll)
TGUK – Thank you for taking time out from rehearsals to chat to us… how are rehearsals going?
John – Really well, thank you. We’ve been rehearsing down in London for a few weeks and so to finally arrive in Sheffield and rehearse at the Crucible has really reinvigorated the entire team. I’m loving being back in Sheffield and having the opportunity to really get into the role.
Mina – There’s lots of elements to the show, and were just at the production point where were starting to pull everything together. We’ve tended to do isolated scenes so far, and do a little from here and a little from there, but it’s all starting to really come together now we’re here at the Crucible.
John – And from an acting point of view, it’s great to be able to hear the local accents. What’s great about Sheffield is that everyone is so friendly, so you don’t have to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations; you just go up and talk to them.
TGUK – Everyone’s Talking About Jamie is a brand new, contemporary musical – so what can people expect from the show?
Mina – The show is based on the true story of Jamie Campbell, who was the subject of the BBC3 documentary, Jamie: Drag Queen at 16. It’s about Jamie finding himself, not just in who he is as a person, but finding himself and his place in his family and in his community. The story follows Jamie as he decides whether to go to school prom in drag or not, and about him discovering who he is and how he wants to live his life.
John– It’s a proper pop musical, a big glittery dream of a pop musical, but one which people can take a lot from as they leave the theatre. I genuinely think that it speaks to everyone. It speaks to 16-year-olds; it speaks to mothers, to children, to teachers and to anyone who is in contact with young people who are developing their own sense of identity. It is based in Sheffield, but it has a universal message which is wrapped in such brilliant music.
Mina – The music really is important; it has a proper pop vernacular to it which makes it immediately accessible. Some of the music is really moving and speaks immediately to the audience both in terms of lyrics and melody. We’ve also got some terrific dance numbers, Kate Prince, one of the choreographers from Zoo Nation, is working on the show, and she’s fusing styles of hip-hop, street, narrative dance and big production numbers all into this show.
Tasmin – But it’s also about being true to yourself. It doesn’t lend itself just to the message about people being gay, or address just transvestite / transgender issues; it’s about anything in life that people might face, and it’s about being proud and comfortable with the decisions and choices that you make. The key for young people to know is that there are uncertainties out there as you grow up, but that the overall message from the show is ultimately one that is very positive.
TGUK – Whilst it is a coming of age story, there are also a lot of other elements to it. What, to you, is at the heart of the story?
John – It’s about working out who you are and what you want to be. Often what you want to be is so far away and seems almost out of reach, but it’s about how people go about achieving those dreams. The moral of the story is that you don’t get answers from anyone, it’s that you stay on a journey for what you believe in and that you stay true to yourself and to the path that you’ve set out upon
Mina – It’s about finding your place, both in yourself and in your community. It’s set in a small community in Sheffield where self-expression doesn’t really exist, certainly not in the sense that Jamie would wish it did. It’s a story about family; and ultimately is a very human story, that’s what at the heart of it. It’s about whom we would be if we could go back and make choices to please ourselves rather than making choices to please other people
John – But family doesn’t just mean blood, Mina’s character, Leigh, is Jamie’s mum’s best friend so it’s not all about the conventional family. It is the story of a mother and son and about the balance of a tricky, yet love filled relationship; but what it boils down to is that Jamie comes from a single-parent family and he is an only child, so despite the difficulties that he and his mum have at times, there is just the two of them and they rely upon each other. What was clear, having met Jamie (Campbell) and having watched the documentary, he and his mother have an open and honest relationship, he’s not wholly disenfranchised from others, but whilst he is not the coolest kid in school, he always has his mother to go back to.
TGUK – What makes Everyone’s Talking About Jamie different to other coming of age stories?
Mina – It’s not just about sexuality. A lot of coming-of-age stories are about being gay, but with Jamie, not only is he gay, he is bulimic, he is somebody being bullied. He is the protagonist and we follow his story, but in most coming-of-age stories, you often get the conflict between hero and villain, but this show is not really about that.
Tasmin – It’s a really interesting topic, one which is very contemporary and one which is written from the perspective of young people outwards making it easily relatable. It’s not just for young people, it is also for adults. The inclusion of the music and the dance numbers also takes it away from the realms of the usual coming-of-age stories
John – In many of these types of stories, good advice is often given but bad choices are made. This show is different because Jamie has a dream and a clear-cut idea of what he wants, but gets terrible advice which sets him down the path of self-destruction. He already knows what he wants, it is how to achieve it.
Mina – It’s presented on a much more personal level and you see Jamie growing through coming to terms with the challenges he faces. There are so many different elements to it, but the main one is that it is a story about a lad being a Drag Queen, about how he achieves what he wants and about how that impacts not just on him, but on those around him.
TGUK – Given its topic, what do you think the relevance of plays like this are within today’s society?
Tasmin – I have to say, it’s one of the most perfect pieces of new theatre that I’ve been involved with. It’s incredibly topical, the issue of cross dressing, transsexuals, transvestites, it shows how really important those issues are, brings it more into the mainstream. It goes beyond the threshold of “convention” and allows young people to feel that these behaviours are normal. Ultimately, Jamie comes from a place of real love and he’s just trying to work out how to be himself. He is conscious of his feelings and the way in which it impacts on everyone else, but the real message of the play is an enduring message of love. The story is incredibly well told and I’m sure that everybody, not just people of Jamie’s age group, will take something from it.
John – With everything that’s been in the news recently about Trump, women’s equality, issues about gender identity and the issues facing transgendered people, the themes contained in the play are really important. There is a currently a real challenge to the underbelly of Civil Rights on so many fronts and it’s nice to see the empowerment of someone so standing up for themselves and what they believe in and to see that from the perspective of someone so young.
Mina – It is really exciting, it gives a glimpse into a world that people may not know. We are fortunate to have a really diverse cast, all of whom find inspiration in each other. It’s great to be able to take part in such a friendly musical, especially one which is so challenging. What’s unique about it is that it doesn’t necessarily reinforce stereotypes. What we didn’t want was the representation of stereotypes or reinforcement of what people expect to think, rather than what they should actually know. It’s about making unique representations of each individual. It may well enrich people in terms of the story that they don’t know very well; it may touch them by making them recognise a personal struggle that they have had. Whilst the story centres on the personal struggle that Jamie has, it does zoom out and allow people to stand back and look not just at what Jamie is going through, but how the internal struggle that Jamie is facing can be extrapolated onto any struggle that any person is having.
TGUK – Shows like Priscilla and La Cage Au Folles feature stories about drag, but how does Jamie compare with these types of shows and what makes it different?
Mina – I think some of it is to do with the collaboration of those who created it. Dan Gillespie Sells is very knowledgeable of the musical tradition, and writes such instantly accessible songs. Tom Macrae is an experienced TV writer and Jonathan Butterell is a director of some standing. The music has a nod to different styles and to different genres, but nothing is overtly stated and the story seeps out of the script and the music. There are some songs that will make you weep with sadness and there are others which will leave you with a beaming smile – there is the whole gamut of emotion conveyed in the music and the songs are used to progress the story and characters rather than just providing an excuse for a dance number.
Tasmin – I think that the teenage element is really different. It’s not coming from a place of cynicism, it’s coming from the point of view of someone who is starting to experience life, someone who is on the edge of experience. It’s not about someone who’s middle-aged and looking back, either with or without regret, it’s a prelude to the rest of Jamie’s life.
Mina – Absolutely, and in this story, drag is not a novelty. It’s about a struggle, a hero’s struggle, both with himself and with those around him. Jamie’s journey is not there simply to give the hero something to struggle with; it’s a fundamental part of who he is. The story is not just frivolous and sharp, there is a lot of elements where we see things from inside Jamie’s head, it really breaks the fourth wall so you really get a feel for what life is like for Jamie; but all the features come together and balance out so you have a good element of comedy, a real feel good piece of theatre and a serious undertone to the story.
Tasmin – It’s a real talking point. It can be used to open up a dialogue between a young person and other people in their lives, whether it’s their parents, teachers, school friends or anyone. It’s potentially life changing theatre wrapped up in a perfect pop musical.
Everyone’s Talking About Jamie premieres at Sheffield Theatres on the 9th February 2017 and runs until 25th February 2017. For tickets and information visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or call the box office on 0114 249 6000. You can also follow Sheffield Theatres on Facebook (@shefftheatres) and Twitter (@crucibletheatre).
★★★| Based on the 1990 film of the same name, Ghost follows the story of Sam and Molly, whose life together is cut short when Sam is murdered in a seemingly random street robbery. Sam’s ghost stays close to Molly, but he soon finds out that the cause of his death was no accident and that the reasons behind his murder lie a little too close to home. Getting in contact with Oda Mae Brown, a fake medium who can actually hear him, Sam sets out to convince Molly that he is still with her, and to protect her from danger.
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This musical, with songs and lyrics written by Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics has been around for some time, and this new production has overhauled the show, giving it a clean, contemporary and fresh feel. The show follows the plot of the film closely, complete with the famous scene at the potter’s wheel to the dulcet tones of the Righteous Brothers.
With a strong central performance and a beautifully natural voice, Carolyn Maitland stood out from the cast with her performance of the recently widowed Molly, whilst Jaqui Dubois gave a sass-filled comedy performance as Oda Mae, hitting the right comedy notes and bringing some relief from the on-stage sadness portrayed by the lead characters. Whilst there was nothing really wrong with his performance, Andy Moss (Hollyoaks), for some reason, didn’t particularly convince as Sam, not quite having the gravitas and weight that would really drive the character home convincingly.
The set was impressive for a touring production, which constantly changed and adapted to portray the different locations, and when you throw into the mix the well-constructed lighting scheme by Nick Richings, an immersive sound design and a well-balanced audio which picked up the clear diction of the cast, you had a technically solid production.
But where the show falters, surprisingly, is in its musical numbers. The songs themselves were enjoyable enough to listen to during the show, but despite the pop credentials of the writer, they were instantly forgettable and didn’t contain the usual hook or melody which has you humming them as you leave the theatre. The songs fell somewhere between trying to progress the story and trying to be an entertaining piece of pop, but tended to fall between the two. What was also rather disappointing was the choreography, which was rather simplistic and lacklustre, adding to the feeling that the songs weren’t either show stopping production numbers or narratively progressive.
Despite its faults, his reworked production improves significantly on previous versions of the show, pulling out more of the emotional aspects of the story and proving to be a pleasant, if ultimately fairly forgettable production and one which fans of the film will certainly delight in.
★★★★ | Akron
Two young college men fall in love but are linked to a tragedy that took place years ago in the excellent ‘Akron.’
Hispanic Benny (Matthew Frias) and white All-American Christopher (Edmund Donovan) meet on the football pitch on their college campus. They have an instantaneous attraction to each other, and start dating. Benny still lives at home with his parents which includes his warm loving mom Lenora (an excellent Andrea Burns) and his lawyer father and younger sister. Benny’s parents are very accepting of his homosexuality, but they not quite over the loss of a son who died many years ago.
Benny and Christopher start spending a lot of time together – they really like each other and are a good match. They decide to go to Florida to stay with Christopher’s mom Carol (a good Amy Da Luz) where they plan to spend a perfect and romantic spring break. However, Christopher’s mom opens up to Benny about the tragedy that befell both their families years ago – a tragedy that’s probably worst of it’s kind. It leads Benny to question his relationship with Christopher. He was starting to fall in love with Christopher but the revelation by Christopher’s mom changes everything, enough so to have Benny’s parents forbiding him to see Christopher anymore. Benny has to make some adult decisions, but does he decide with his heart or does he listen to his family?
‘Akron’s’ truly a romantic film about two young men in love and events that make them grow up very fast. It has an undertone of sadness, yet it overcomes this to bring us a film that is heartfelt and emotional. And it’s got a first rate cast – both Frias and Donovan are very good, and Burns is excellent and natural as Benny’s mother. Directors Sasha King and Brian O’Donnell give us a movie, from a script by O’Donnell, that will pull at your heartstrings. Superb music by Bill Snodgrass sets the tone for each scene – creating the music in Dublin, Ireland where he played composed the score and played every instrument himself. Make sure you watch ‘Akron.’
‘Akron’ will be released April 10th on DVD / VOD by TLA Releasing
Everywhere around Bird towers, you will spot something relating to Volkswagen.
More-so relating to the old school ways of the Beetle and bus. Most things during my school days related to the little VW even down to my GCSE art project. Outside of school I could always be found with my head in a VW book or making models of Beetles. I even made a radio controlled Beetle similar to the one Barbra Streisand was in from the film What’s Up Doc? I suppose it isn’t surprising then that there is a 70’s camper van in the garage and a Mk2 Golf on the driveway.
Indoors, I am strict and have nothing car related in the lounge or my bedroom. A petrol head needs a place or two to get away from the motor vehicle. That said, the man lab has plenty of Beetle based memorabilia on the shelves and there is even an engine deck lid stuck to the shed disguising the pots my creepers grow from. There is also a Beetle bonnet behind the garage that I’ll make into something for the garden.
So it might come as a surprise to you that I find the Beetle an absolutely awful car.
Anyone who has owned one will be getting ready to scratch my eyes out with that above statement but I stand by it. Anyone who has just driven one may actually agree with me. They are an acquired taste and are like nothing else out there, from way back in 1948 to the day in 1978 when it was discontinued in Europe, although the convertible did continue until 1980.
The driving position was cramped. The doors were just millimetres from your elbows. The pedals mounted from the floor giving an unusual feel. The extremities of the vehicle were impossible to see and there were no parking sensors in the 70s. The steering wheel almost horizontal and there wasn’t really any kind of dashboard until the arrival of the 1303 with its panoramic windscreen. Come to think of it the passenger compartment was cramped.
One thing I will say is that the heating was good. It’s a complicated system full of levers by the handbrake and relies on engine speed. Badly maintained it is also prone to haemorrhaging vital air reducing the output to the breath of half a dozen kittens. Citroën’s 2CV wasn’t this bad and that relied on little heat exchangers and two cylinders.
Considering its overall length of over 13 ft, it also lacked luggage space of anything reasonable. The bulletproof engine took up the boot area leaving the front compartment under the bonnet to resemble what should have been a spacious area for luggage. Though it was essential in propelling the Beetle forward, the fuel tank sat in the boot area along with the spare wheel. It left you with 4.9 cu.ft of space. despite it not being the easiest car to clamber into, there was some extra space behind the rear seat. The rear seat did fold down but it never turned it into an estate.
The ride could best be described as entertaining and bouncy made even worse when lowered. The 1302 and 1303 models with McPherson struts was better. The swing axle rear end was lively.
After the second world war, AC cars, Ford and Rootes group performed a vehicle analysis on the Beetle. None found the Beetle particularly good. It’s interesting that Baron William Rootes of the Rootes Group who owned Humber taking a dislike to the vehicle. During their testing using a Mk2 Hillman Mink, Rootes were quite keen to penalise the Beetle for the smallest indifferences. Ironic then that the flawed Beetle would go on to become a market leader, world conqueror and champion of the people’s car while his company failed and in 1979 was bought by Peugeot.
Looking at two group tests from 1968 and 1976 one thing remains: the Beetle. In ’68 the Beetle was pitted against the Austin 1100, Ford Escort and Vauxhall Viva. In ’76 it was relegated to the cheap end of motoring with the Citroën Dyane, Honda Civic and Reliant Kitten. The Beetle was consistent in two areas. It was expensive. It was well made. It was also not the best in many areas where others were doing it so much better. FYI in ’76, the Beetle was more expensive than the better packaged VW Polo.
Today the Beetle is still regarded by many as a wonderful car. I’m sure in some ways Disney are responsible for a generation who love the little bug. It’s true that after the first feature film, sales grew in the US.
The Beetle had its heydey in the UK in the 80s when the Cal-look became popular. It continued to grow into the 90s. The scene for the Beetle shows no signs of slowing down. It’s true that the club scene has changed over the last 10 years. The bus that could once be bought really cheaply took over but looking around, there is a resurgence for the Beetle once-more. Probably in some part due to the bus being so expensive and the Beetle being so cheap. The trend at the moment does look set to change. The bus will never be cheap and the Beetle isn’t looking that cheap now either.
Here then is my dilemma. Despite its flawed ways I still want one. I almost bought one 3 years ago. I want to make a Herbie replica and the one I found was perfect. I just wasn’t the highest drunken bidder on a Saturday night.
And why do I want one? There hasn’t been a car made since the Beetle that has so much character. The sound of that engine talks to you. You can’t help to smile when you see one. It’s classless, that can cause great envy. A vehicle designed to move people from A to B and yet it moves them in other ways too.
Watch this space.
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Is your manhood smelling less than rosy? There might be a number of reasons for that hideous cheesy aroma that’s making all the lads faint…
CREDIT: Depositphotos
No one wants a smelly penis. So if you’re wondering why yours is smelling so bad, here are some reasons, as always if you’re really concerned about your health then book yourself an appointment with your doctor.
Just general sweat and dirt…
Are you cleaning down there enough? Guys who tend to do a lot of sport might be getting smelly in their private parts. Make sure after each workout or run that you wash your genitals using fresh, clean warm water. Your groin could be causing the smell rather than your penis. It’s a brilliant place for bacteria to multiply by their millions. It’s dark, damp and warm – the perfect environment.
Crotch rot
Yep, as nasty as that sounds – some sports fanatics will know about crotch rot, it’s caused by wearing dirty underwear or jocks for a prolonged period. Make sure after exercising that you wash your undies, in a hot wash to get rid of any bacteria. BTW it does have a proper name, it’s called Tinea cruris. It causes itching or burning in the groin area and near the anus. It can be caused by athlete’s foot and can be transferred through your clothing. So be careful when putting your trousers on!
Smegma
Smegma is a cheesy, white looking substance that you’re more likely to have if you’re uncut (have a foreskin), although cut guys produce it too. It’s a natural lubricant for the penis, but it does start to smell if you don’t wash it. It’s basically made up of dead skin cells, fatty oils and other debris from penis secretions. That cheesy smell? Well, that’s bacterial breakdown my friends. So give it a wash.
Balanitis
Poor hygiene will cause Balanitis, an inflammation of the head of the dick. The foreskin can also be infected. It can also be created by a thrush infection or other skin condition. See your doctor if this happens.
STIs
Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia can both cause your cock to smell. You might not even know you have either of these infections, but it’s wise to look out for these symptoms:
White discharge from your penis – when you’re not peeing or cumming
A painful, burning when you pee
Penis irritation and needing to pee frequently.
Go see your docs and do not delay.
You’re not washing it properly
If you give your penis the showerhead but not giving it a good old rub, you might not be getting all the smeg off. So as well as the shower head get your fingers over that helmet and give it a good rub!
No roll back…
If you can’t roll back your foreskin or your foreskin is really tight around the head of your penis there might be a build up of dirt and bacteria which you’re not able to wash away. You should probably try and get an appointment with your GP to discuss what you can do about it…
“Our defence of you is a defence of all of humanity and the right of people to practise the life they want to practise, rather than be criminalised, brutalised and murdered, simply because they chose to be gay, they chose to be lesbian, they were LGBT in any form.”
What followed was immediate anger from LGBT people on the left and on the right. The use of the terms “practise” and “chose” is something that can be quite inflammatory because that sort of language is often used by anti-LGBT people who seek to harm us via correction or conversion therapy as well as being the go-to phrase for bigots everywhere. So surely this means “homophobic” Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn must resign immediately?
No. Look, what he said was wrong. I am absolutely sick of seeing it being explained away as Corbyn ‘mis-spoke’ because he had his speech in front of him. He would of practised that speech, ran through it with his team and they would’ve all had input on it. He’s a politician, a smart man who knows the importance of words. This sort of language has a detrimental effect and, as Jeremy has realised, cannot be unsaid.
I am not a fan of Jeremy Corbyn. I think he has destroyed the Party. However, this is a man who has consistently and unrepentantly voted in favour of rights and freedoms for LGBT people. He has supported everything from same-sex marriage to same-sex adoption. He continues to argue for the rest of the UK to get in line. He is not a homophobic man and it would be unfair to accuse him of being so.
What he and his supporters are, however, are hypocrites. This is a man who has openly supported regimes in which LGBT people were persecuted. When he died in 2016, Mr Corbyn referred to Cuban despot Fidel Castro as a ‘champion of social justice’. Castro once referred to being LGBT as a ‘deviation incompatible with the revolution’. Castro bragged of his genius when setting up cruel work camps where many gay men, without so much as a trial, were sent with little food or water to work camps. They received telegrams telling them they’d been called up for service, only to be rounded up with other men like them and captured. How is that social justice, Mr Corbyn?
“Shame on those who in the West divert their sensitivity to the so-called freedoms, rights, and law shown in the debate over gay marriage away from Syrian women, children, and innocents in need of aid. Shame on those who divert their sensitivities to the living space of the whales in the seas, seals, [and] turtles away from the right to life of 23 million Syrians. Shame on those who put their security, welfare [and] comforts ahead of other people’s struggle to survive.”
LGBT rights and animal rights being treated as one of the same. Same-sex marriage considered a ‘comfort’. Yet Corbyn wanted them to join the EU?
Jeremy Corbyn is not a homophobe. Choicegate is a complete storm in a teacup without measured debate. I do not believe he ‘misspoke’ but simply just didn’t consider the power of the language he was using. He is absolutely an ally and the LGBT community on both the left and the right would be wrong in attacking him as being anti-LGBT.
Yet, my biggest gripe is that Mr Corbyn and his supporters are openly lambasting Theresa May’s relationship with Trump whilst they sit back and allow Mr Corbyn to praise people who have committed heinous crimes against their LGBT population. Trump recently reaffirmed commitment to President Obama’s 2014 Executive Order to protect LGBT rights in the work place and then swiftly leaked a proposed Religious Freedom Executive Order which allows LGBT people to be discriminated against by businesses and other entities based on their sexuality. Mr Corbyn would be absolutely right to say that, if the US Government does proceed to introduce anti-LGBT executive orders and laws, that the UK must strongly consider our relationship. But, in the meantime, he must also remember the old adage that one should get their own house in order before telling others what to do with theirs.
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The murderer of PC Gordon Semple, Stefano Brizzi has been found dead in HMP Belmarsh
Convicted killer Stefano Brizzi has been found dead at the prison where he was jailed for the murder of Gordon Semple, He was just months into the 24-year sentence.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed Brizzi had died in HMP Belmarsh. They have not released the reason for his death. The Daily Mail is suggesting that he is thought to have taken his own life.
Brizzi was found guilty of murder on Monday, 14 November. Brizzi, who was 50 at the time, went to great lengths to dispose of 59-year-old Gordon Semple, by dismembering him and getting rid of him in a manner which “amounts to cannibalism”.
The description of the death and the disposal of his body were so traumatic, the family of Gordon did not attend the hearing.
Police investigating Semple’s death also revealed that they found “a number of bottles of chemicals scattered over the hallway floor and in the bathroom,” when they arrived at Brizzi’s address.
On Friday, 1 April, Gordon Semple, who dedicated 30 years of his working life to the police, was on duty and had been at a meeting in London Bridge. Phone evidence has shown that at just after 14:00hrs that day he used the dating app Grindr to arrange to meet Brizzi for sex at his south London flat. That afternoon, Brizzi strangled Gordon Semple to death and over the following week set about systematically disposing of his body in a bid to either avoid being caught or ensuring that Gordon could never be identified.
Last week I experienced something horrific: shopping on Oxford Street.
I avoid clothes shopping until my wardrobe is decimated. I wait until I’m down to a few pairs of socks and my underwear is looking like the type of thing your parents warned you not to wear in case of being run over before I venture out to rectify the situation. I try to ignore the dwindling collection of shirts and trousers that have been ravaged by over washing, deodorant marks and time until I can do it no more.
Last week was the turning point and I had to face the ugly truth: I needed to go clothes shopping. It was my bi-annual clothes procurement mission and I gritted my teeth, revved myself up on caffeine and went for it.
Maybe Oxford Street on a Sunday wasn’t the best choice for a pathological shopping hater but needs must. I needed new basic items and chain stores are the place to go. I just needed to suck up a whole world of pain.
I won’t go into all the messy details. I won’t describe the moment (fifteen minutes in) when my partner offered to go home and leave, as he couldn’t take my mood any more. I won’t describe the inner demon that emerged and the childish tantrums, rages and traumas (for everyone else, not me). I’ll just tell you why it was so bloody awful.
1) Un-priced garments:
It’s a shop. You sell things. If there’s no price on it then you can keep it. I’m not asking around or waiting for some glassy eyed teenager to go and check. I’ve got a life to live. I also hate that concealed price/size thing. A whole stack of shirts, neatly folded, with every one having a tag tucked discretely away so that you have to wade through each one and extricate the size label only to find after 10 minutes that they only have extra small and XXL. Strangely a lot of shops seem to cater solely for the very burly or the painfully thin.
2) Changing rooms:
Bright lights and mirrors at all angles are not something most of us need. I know I’ve got a bald spot. I know that years of smoking have ravaged my skin. I really don’t want this hammering home in an overheated cupboard as I puff and pant and try to ram myself into the sizes I wore 20 years ago.
3) Vacant automaton shop assistants:
Working in retail is tough, I’m sure, especially with people like me about. Being British, I kind of expect you to show that to me though. I don’t mind surly, truculent and disinterested. What displeases me is the false, robotic eagerness to please. It’s terrifying and disingenuous. I don’t trust the fakery, especially when it’s clearly being delivered through a world of pain and has been taught by a smiley man called Bob on an away day in Milton Keynes.
4) Other shoppers:
Faster, quicker and out of my way. They’re the only words I need to say. Unfortunately, shouting them out loud only gets you into trouble so I keep them in and just get angrier and my ulcer grows deeper by the moment. People also seem to be having a good time, lingering over the whole experience, which of course, makes me even angrier.
5) It’s illegal to carry a Taser:
I don’t need to explain that one
The ordeal is over. I have clothes. Project forward in time to six months down the line: that’ll be my next foray into the world of retail. I’d mark it in your diary and avoid the day.
I recently received a question from a reader; “Hi, you always look so great day-to-day, where do you get your inspiration from?”
I look to the stars for help. No, I don’t just stare at the sky and wait for inspiration I mean ‘stars’ as in ‘Celebrities’ of course. Guys lets admit it sometimes we all need a little help when it comes to choosing our outfits and picking out on trend styles that are going to turn heads for the right reasons and not because we’ve left the house looking like a crazy birthday cake.
Celebs have stylists and fashion experts on hand to that are paid to do this job for them every day. It’s only fair that we also benefit from this, right?
But be careful, not all celebrities get it right… Ok, ok you’ve twisted my arm, here my list of on-trend celebs that I take inspiration from when delving into my wardrobe. You’re very welcome.
Fan favourite David Beckham has grown to be one the best dress and most looked up to men when it comes to fashion and style. People sometimes forget what it is he’s actually famous for. No, not marrying Victoria I mean that other thing… Oh, what was it? Oh yes, football. Blah. David’s classic, English gentleman style is relaxed and perfect for everyday wear in or out of the house.
JARED LETO
Embed from Getty Images
Slowly becoming one of my favourite men in the spotlight is Jared Leto. This American actor, singer-songwriter, musician, director, producer, activist, philanthropist and businessman (the man gets around) has his own unique style. It’s a mix of punk rock, hipster and couldn’t give a crap I just pulled this t-shirt from a pile on my bedroom floor. It’s modern, sexy and perfect for days when you want to rough up your look.
Who doesn’t love a bit of this man? He’s come a long way since wildcats but let’s face it, we loved him back then as well. His laid back style is effortlessly sexy and masculine. He pairs simple pieces with a natural pallet and classic lines to make this fashion style a comforting choice for any man to wear at any time.
The god of male designers Tom Ford knows what style is and how to werk it! Before launching the iconic Tom Ford brand he lent his powers as creative director of both Gucci and YSL doing great things with them. His style is glamorous, chic, classic and timeless. Perfect for a gent looking to impress.
A FINAL NOTE
Fashion is unique to each individual. Use this guide as a template and play around with trends, patterns and colours to find your own unique look. Most importantly of all have fun with it!
If you have any questions regarding fashion and trends that let me know and I will do my best to answer
Follow Stephen on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/StephenCroweFit
Melissa McCarthy’s send up of Sean Spicer, knocked it out of the park.
Sean Spicer, the White House Press Secretary has become the latest member of President Donald Trump’s admin team to get the “Saturday Night Live” treatment, as Melissa McCarthy takes him on… and knocks it out of the park.
Last week, Sean Spicer refused to discuss whether President Donald Trump was going to enact an executive order which would drastically role back LGBT+ rights in the US, he said,
“I’m not getting ahead of the executive orders that we may or may not issue,”
Spicer said. “There’s a lot of executive orders, a lot of things the president has talked about and will continue to fulfill, but we have nothing on that front now.”
