Brussels is one of the most progressive and liberal cities in Europe, it is a leading gay city with a rich history, thriving nightlife, a French vibe and delicious cuisine.
It also has plenty to explore for the man looking for a men-only scene, a scene which you will find is discrete, varied and welcoming.
Macho Sauna: A very friendly and comfortable suite of rooms accommodating a sauna, a steam room, a gym and a hammam, a terrace, a lounge and a club zone. Choose the time to go carefully, mid-week is perfect if you want to concentrate on the facilities but the weekend is when it gets jam-packed and turns into a party zone.
Oasis Sauna: Pretty much the opposite of the sleek modernity of Macho Sauna, instead it is housed in a rather grand building filled with chandeliers, fireplaces, portraits and comfortable armchairs. All the usual facilities are to be found but with more of the atmosphere of an old-time Gentlemen’s Club.
The Stammbar: Open about the fact that it is a “music cruise bar, “ it is fitted out in an industrial style, has cruising areas, a dark room and is open every night. While it plays to the more obvious end of the scene, it is friendly and attitude free, popular with locals and visitors alike and manages to stay on the right side of the divide that separates sleazy and sexy from sordid and grubby.
La Baroque: Best described as compact and bijou but proves that size isn’t everything by being one of the most popular bars on the city’s the gay scene. It is full of colour and atmosphere, but most visitors drink outside. On the weekend, there’s usually a DJ who plays a mixture of club classics and pop music. Give him a wink, and he’ll play your favourite tune.
Station BXL: Midweek is very busy. It has a retro feel, plenty of room for dancing, some dark corners for more intimate encounters and although it might be at the more expensive end of the drink pricing it is undoubtedly a comfortable and rewarding place to spend time.
A study of 2,000 families revealed tempers are most likely to run high over which TV special or film to watch after Christmas dinner.
Similarly, who does the washing up after the feast is another topic likely to cause rifts on December 25th.
Other arguments will which blow up over the Christmas period will involve who gets which bedroom to stay in, who gets to host the family and who sits where around the table on the big day.
Steve Reid CEO of sleep technology company Simba, which commissioned the research, said: “Lots of factors can raise tensions at Christmas time.”
“Whether it’s the pandemonium of having everyone under one roof, packed social calendars, losing the amount of quality sleep we get, or stress about the big day fraying our nerves, each can keep us from being our usual calm, well-rested selves.”
The study also found three in 10 Brits believe they will have an argument with their loved ones at least once a day over their Christmas stay.
Thankfully a Christmas argument is rarely a long-standing affair with 44 per cent of the bust-ups fizzling out in less than 10 minutes.
And over a third think Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a festive feud between friends and family.
Tempers are likely to be frayed for two in five Brits, who regularly spend their Christmas away from home at someone else’s house.
Of these, 40 per cent said their sleeping arrangement was usually uncertain, and only 48 per cent thought they were guaranteed a comfy bed on their stay.
Two-thirds of Brits spending Christmas away from home said their sleep suffers over this period, and 36 per cent thinks this leads them to become more irritable.
Despite this extra discomfort, a third of Brits would much rather be an invited guest over Christmas – rather than overseeing the festivities as the host of their own gathering.
One in seven think having to appear to be in a good mood all the time is the worst thing about Christmas, and one in eight believe the season is marred by the lack of sleep they are able to get.
The average Brit will get just six hours of sleep on Christmas Eve when anticipation is at its height, and one in 10 manage just three or four hours of slumber.
Reid added: “These findings show that it’s natural to feel both ecstatic and exhausted at the prospect of Christmas.
THE 12 FEUDS OF CHRISTMAS
What film or TV show to watch
Who washes up
The temperature of the heating
What time to open presents
How much alcohol to drink
How long to spend at each relatives house
People arriving late
How much to spend on each person
What time to eat Christmas dinner
Staying off phones at the dinner table
Who won the board game
Political conversations, such as Brexit
TOP 10 CAUSES OF A SLEEPLESS NIGHT AT CHRISTMAS
Overindulgence
Stressing about preparation
Drinking too much
Excitement causing me to stay awake
Wrapping presents late
Waiting for children to sleep in order to put presents out
Staying at a relative’s house
Heartburn and indigestion
Children waking up throughout the night
Having guests stay over
HOPE BASTINE’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR KEEPING THE PEACE THIS CHRISTMAS
1. Be prepared: Reduce tension on the big day by getting yourself organised ahead of the time. Christmas Day is loaded with expectation, from the presents to the food to the company, and you can do yourself a favour by ensuring you are calm and organised, whatever role you aim to play in the festivities.
2. Everything in moderation: Christmas is a time to unwind and let go of some of the pressures which have built up over the year. It’s a time to catch up with others and fill our social calendars, but this can come at a cost to our health. Rich food and drink can be enjoyable in the short-term, but over an entire season of goodwill all that excess can have an effect on our health, our mood, and our sleep.
3. Consider your wellbeing: Christmas is a disruption of routine. Gym sessions are replaced with staff parties, salads are swapped for roast dinners and a sensible bedtime is traded for late-night movies. It’s important in this hectic time to remember the essentials, to make time for yourself and to ensure you get good rest.
4. Set realistic expectations of others: Everyone wants their Christmas to be perfect, but the faults and foibles of your family are never more apparent than when gathered around a table together. Grumbles are likely to rise when all those personalities, who might not see each other for the rest of the year, are forced into close proximity, stuffed with turkey and marinated in Bucks Fizz. In moments like this it’s important to take a breather and, keep some perspective, and remember that Christmas is supposed to be fun!
5. Be proactive in tough spots: Just as the festive season is a great time to catch up, it is also an equally good time for prying relatives to have a nosy in your business. Expect and pre-empt these questions. Changed jobs? Moved homes? Broken up with a partner? Try to identify subjects of conversation which are likely to come up which might be mishandled and lead to tension, and consider ways to limit the damage they could do ahead of time. Be proactive, not reactive to tough or uncomfortable conversations.
Buying batteries, wrapping paper for last minute gifts and a card for the mother-in-law are among the top 20 things Brits forget every Christmas, according to research.
A study of 2,000 adults reveals many struggle to remember everything in the lead up to Yuletide.
Buying sellotape for presents, tin foil to wrap the turkey, and trimmings such as cranberry sauce and gravy for the table are among the most forgotten tasks at Christmas.
While others don’t remember to buy a relative’s favourite tipple or crackers to pull over lunch and one in six won’t fill the ice cube trays in preparation for festive drinks.
One in 20 Brits have even forgotten to take the Christmas presents with them when visiting family and friends away from home.
Unsurprisingly, more than half of those polled claim to feel their stress levels rising as the big day approaches.
Gary Kibble of Argos, which carried out the study via OnePoll.com, said, “December can be one of the busiest months of the year, as in addition to preparing for Christmas many adults are juggling work commitments with social arrangements and obligations to go to the children’s nativities, school fayres and church ceremonies.
“It can be almost impossible to fool proof Christmas completely, and yet Brits place so much emphasis on this one day of the year, we want to do everything we can to help.”
The study shows Brits will forget to purchase nice napkins for the dinner table, presents for extended relatives, and even toilet roll to cater for the extra guests.
One in 20 have been known to forget to switch the oven on altogether, while the same percentage have neglected to leave a mince pie out for Father Christmas.
Researchers found more than half of adults have been known to make an emergency trip to the garage on 25th December to pick up some forgotten items.
Batteries, milk and bread are the items most likely to be bought at short notice, closely followed by a bottle of wine, box of chocolate – and sellotape to help wrap last minute presents.
Free-Photos / Pixabay
Four in 10 adults admit to worrying about the stress and expense of Christmas, so much so over half will avoid hosting the event altogether.
Women are the most likely to worry, with 60 per cent saying they are simply too busy in the lead up to the big day to remember everything, and 32 per cent attribute their forgetfulness to working long hours.
Men on the other hand blame nights of partying for their lapses in memory, with a quarter saying they have too many Christmas parties to attend – leaving little time for shopping – and nearly a third claim they have too many people to buy for.
Gary Kibble added: “For many hard-working families, the festive season doesn’t come cheap or easy, so we wanted to give people a helping hand with our £15,000 giveaway so Brits can fool-proof their Christmas.”
This year, Argos is coming to the rescue by sending out 600 of its ‘Fools’ – replicas of the mischievous elves featured in this year’s Argos Christmas advert – across the high streets of the nation wearing £15,000 worth of vouchers to help ‘fool-proof’ Christmas.
“Our Christmas advert has gone down a storm with the public, and now people have the chance to capture a Fool of their own and make sure they don’t wreak havoc on the big day.”
All bargain hunters need to do upon finding one is to tweet a photo of the Fool to be rewarded with a voucher to spend on any of the thousands of incredible products available at Argos.
The Fools will be released in five cities across the UK and some might find their way into some of Argos’s Fast Track same day deliveries – so keep your eyes peeled. Argos’s Twitter and Instagram will be giving out clues about where to find them.
TOP 20 ITEMS BRITS ARE MOST LIKELY TO FORGET
1. Buying batteries
2. Buying sellotape
3. To fill the ice cube trays
4. Wrapping paper for last minute gifts
5. Tinfoil for the turkey
6. Napkins for the dinner table
7. Christmas crackers
8. Buying presents for extended relatives
9. Forgetting to buy the turkey trimmings – cranberry, apple, mint, bread sauce
10. Matches
11. Toilet roll to cater for the extra guests
12. To buy / put on the Christmas jumper
13. To take the Christmas presents with you when visiting family / friends
14. The gravy
15. Relative’s favourite tipple
16. To leave a mince pie out for Father Christmas
17. A vegetarian option
18. Getting a card for the mother-in-law
19. Forgetting to turn the oven on
20. Forgetting to put the vegetables on
ITEMS BRITS ARE MOST LIKELY TO MAKE A DESPERATE DASH FOR:
1. Batteries
2. Milk
3. Bread
4. A bottle of wine
5. A box of chocolates
6. Sellotape
7. Gravy
8. A Christmas present
9. Wrapping paper
10. Bread sauce
Now that Drag Race UK has been announced we can start imagining who would be sensational! Well, there’s such a wealth of drag talent in the UK we’d be spoilt for choice, well here’s our top 10…
10) Lady Lloyd
She’s loud, proud, brash and powerful it’s earned her a status as a loveable loose cannon within the drag world.
9) La Voix
La Voix already wowed audiences on BGT and she’s a regular around the UK… so could she be a contender?
8) Mary Mac
A powerhouse Scottish queen, whose vocals are second to none. Was a part of the Supreme Fabulettes before going on to front her own show at The Admiral Duncan.
7) Yshee Black
Pronounced Why Is She Black this Birmingham-based drag queen is insanely talented and very very funny – get yourself to Church honey…
6) Crystal D’Cantor
This fabulous queen is what British Drag is all about, getting down with the crowd, wearing the biggest wig you can find/afford and animal print. Always animal print. You could write what this queen doesn’t know about backcombing on the back leg of a My Little Pony.
5) Sandra
There probably isn’t a club, bar, backroom or toilet that Sandra hasn’t performed in. Having been on the scene for over 15 years – Sandra has sworn, blown and bitch slapped her way to our top 10 ten. All hail the Whore Of Hampsted.
4) Dave Lynn
Ah Dave Lynn… In a career that’s spanned nearly 40 years Dave Lynn knows how to control an audience like a wireless vibrator. She rose to fame after entering a competition at the now defunct Black Cap and the only queen to have appeared on The Weakest Link with Anne Robinson (praise be) 4 times.
3) Dusty O
Described as queen bee of Soho, you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of Dusty O once she’s up on stage, with mic in hand.
2) Titti La Camp
Basically RuPaul would have no idea what hit her if Titti was in the house – it’d most likely be a chicken leg. Titti La Camp’s routine, is, well the stuff of legend. The audience knows what’s coming up and loves every moment of it. From Michelle McManus to Karen Carpenter.
1) Paul O’Grady as Lily Savage
Possibly the most famous drag queen the UK has ever enjoyed. Although Paul O’Grady is unlikely to don another pair of heels, we think Paul O’Grady could teach even Ru a thing or two about Drag.
Being vomited on, broken luggage and people dying on your flight have all been voted as extreme travel nightmares.
Free-Photos / Pixabay
From cancelled flights and natural disasters to frantic, last-minute searches for accommodations, it can cost the average traveller at least $570 (£444.70)– and upwards of $4,198 (£3276)– when things go wrong on an airline trip, according to new research.
In fact, from being the victim of pickpocketing to cancelled flights, being vomited on by a child or even seeing a fellow passenger die in flight, as many as a third (35 per cent) have experienced what they deem a “travel nightmare,” in which seemingly every part of the trip went wrong.
And when those “nightmare trips” do occur, not only is there a wide range in potential costs, there’s also a high risk of the whole vacation being ruined – half of the respondents who experienced a nightmare said it completely ruined the rest of the trip.
Although many have thankfully never experienced a nightmarish scenario, the study of the travel experiences of 2,000 Americans found that the majority of travellers (59 per cent) report having been on a trip where things really didn’t go as planned.
And it doesn’t have to be a big thing going wrong for traveller comfort and enjoyment while travelling to decline severely. One in six respondents rate themselves “extremely disappointed” even when they don’t get their preferred seat on the plane, with the majority preferring the window seat.
Commissioned by AIG Travel, a global leader in travel insurance and assistance solutions, and conducted by OnePoll, the survey also examined modern travel etiquette on flights and revealed America’s top 10 most commonly experienced traveller faux pas.
The behaviour that passengers find most aggravating is when the person in front of them reclines his or her seat (65 per cent), followed by having their seat kicked by the person behind them (57 per cent).
Also making the top five were travelling with a disruptive baby or child (54 per cent), hogging both armrests (53 per cent) and people who talk loudly on the flight (49 per cent).
While travellers can’t always do something about other passengers’ behaviour, there are ways they can help their own trip go smoothly – or at least be prepared if something doesn’t go according to plan.
To combat potential “travel nightmares,” 60 per cent of travellers make sure to arrive at the airport with plenty of time before their flight, 55 per cent print out all confirmation emails and 39 per cent call hotels and airlines to double-check their reservations.
Surprisingly, though, 74 per cent of travellers have taken the risk and flown without travel insurance.
“We don’t like to think about the things that can go wrong when travelling, and while travel insurance can’t stop someone from kicking the back of your seat, it’s designed to help protect from unforeseen, potentially ruinous events,” said Jeff Rutledge, AIG Travel CEO. “When coupled with 24/7 assistance services, it can also improve the overall travel experience.”
A quarter of travellers find the most difficult part of travelling to be navigating the airport and the security screening process, while 23 per cent say the flights – including any transfers and layovers – are the worst part.
Seven in 10 travellers have experienced a delayed flight, while 44 per cent have had their checked bags delayed and 40 per cent have had a cancelled flight.
“Travel insurance is specifically designed to provide financial protection in these situations – lost or stolen luggage, flight delays or even emergency medical issues,” Rutledge said. “However, even if a claim isn’t made, our Travel Guard plans offer comprehensive assistance for anything from event ticketing to restaurant recommendations, finding a local translator abroad or sending souvenirs home.”
Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn’t protect your seat – and 23 per cent of respondents admit to trying to take a seat that isn’t theirs, with those who want middle seats the most likely to do so.
The survey was conducted online from Aug. 10 to Aug. 28, 2018, by OnePoll with a sample of 2,000 American adults (aged 18 and older) who have travelled by plane. The research was commissioned by AIG Travel.
10 OF THE MOST EXTREME “TRAVEL NIGHTMARES”
Having a man die one row over on the plane
Passengers joked about a bomb threat on the plane, delaying the flight
Being choked by another passenger
Three emergency landings before arrival at the destination
Rerouted when almost there after being struck by lightning
Being vomited on by a child
Breaking a foot after getting tangled in a suitcase strap
Spending five nights in an airport because hotel accommodations fell through
Flying in a thunderstorm and being asked to get in crash position for the landing
Getting robbed/pickpocketed
AVERAGE COST WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG ON A FLIGHT
(Based on dollar figures given by 2,000 respondents.)
Missed flights $570 (£444)
Lost luggage $582.14 (£454)
Medical situations $568.74 (£443)
New accommodations $591.77 (£461)
Lost or stolen passport/wallet $571.04 (£445)
Natural disaster $638.30 (£498)
CaCancelledlights $676.05 (£528)
Total: $4,198 (£3276)
If there’s a top list of Britney tracks to be compiled… leave it to the gays
It came as a shock. Especially for those of us who pretend to still be in our twenties (even if it’s only late twenties) when we were clearly old enough to go clubbing when Britney Spears‘ first hit soared up the charts.
So here are our top 10 Britney hits – to make it on to this list we only used songs that reached at least top three in the UK charts.
10) Born To Make You Happy 1999 / …Baby One More Time
Weirdly this doesn’t even come close to the strongest ballad on her debut album, but it still made number 1 in the UK charts – this song? Huh? and not “Sometimes” which was arguably the summer song of 99.
“Born to Make You Happy” is a typically 90s produced song with not a real instrument in sight and drum loops galore and a reminder that wah wah guitar doesn’t just belong in the 70s. The accompanying video is a proper piece of 90’s music video nostalgia. No real storyline, but the singer looking pretty is key – in at least three costume changes. They could be scenes from three separate songs really.
9) Piece Of Me 2007 / Black Out
We love the self-confessional vibe of the lyrics in this song, detailing all the things that had happened to her during her runaway years. Remember the marriages, the hair shaving, the babies, not controlling her own finances? She may seem to have shiz altogether now, but there was a time during the 00s when Brit Brit went Kray Kray. Afterall she was, as she says in the song, “been on the scene since I was 17”.
8) Opps!… I Did It Again 2000 / Opps!… I Did It Again
More of the same really after her epic hit, “…Baby One More Time”, but we in the UK lapped it up nonetheless, as it became her third number 1. The American’s didn’t like it as much and the song peaked at 9. “Opps!… I Did It Again” was more meaty than”…Baby One More Time” in terms of production but had an epically camp midsection in which she has a conversation with one of the song’s writer Max Martin about a piece of jewellery. The song is so similar to…Baby One More Time you can pretty much sing the lyrics in the chorus of “Opps!… I Did It Again”
7) Me Against The Music 2004 / In The Zone
Britney’s fourth album In the Zone brought an entirely new sound for Spears. “Me Against The Music” was her call to fans, press and the industry to take her seriously as a pop artist rather than just a bubblegum princess. The song saw her team up with Pop Queen Madonna and had a mad bridge to the chorus with so so many words.
6) Everytime 2004 / In The Zone
Britney does pop music. She does it very well – not so much the ballads which can come off a bit cheesy – just listen to “Dear Diary” on her first album if you need any proof, but “Everytime” is beautiful. It is also one of the rare songs that Brit herself has written. Apparently, the song is an answer to Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River”. The two had been pop’s biggest power couple, but split in 2002. The breakup was used by their respective labels to push album sales.
5) Womanizer 2008 / Circus
By 2008 Britney was back on track throwing out albums again after a short break. She released Blackout in 2007, Circus in 2008 and single’s collection in 2009. Womanizer is a catchy girl anthem against cheating womanizing men. The song was deemed by many critics as her definitive comeback single.
4) Gimme More 2007 / Blackout
When Britney had her meltdown in the middle of the 00s, fans weren’t sure whether she’d actually pull through. Everyday brought more news about her antics and the break down of her mental health. So when it was announced that she was working on new material fans were gifted with “Gimme More” with the now legendary saying “It’s Britney Bitch” cemented into pop consciousness forever. However, her first outting of the song on the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards was panned by critics.
The video looked incredibly cheap, almost as though her label had given up hope on Britney’s staying power at the top, how wrong were they were. The song reached number three in the UK and the US. The album went on to sell over 3,000,000 copies worldwide.
3) My Prerogative 2004 / Greatest Hits: My Prerogative
It was Britney second single that wasn’t originally hers (the first was “I Love Rock and Roll” in 2002)- it was a Bobby Brown hit before Britney had it. I’m going to say something controversial here. Hers was better. Soz not soz. It reached number 3 in the UK, but failed to chart in the US. The song starts with Britney breathing the lyrics “People can take everything away from you / But they can never take away your truth / But the question is, can you handle mine?” Little did we know that Britney’s truth was going to become tabloid fodder for years after this track.
2) Toxic 2004 / In The Zone
Did you know this iconic pop song was originally offered to Kylie Minogue? But she rejected it… For Brit it went on to become one her biggest selling singles of all time. It even won her a Grammy, her only Grammy. Accompanying the song was video, which is a calling for every gay boy to pretend to be a flight attendant… okay maybe that’s just me.
1) …Baby One More Time 1998 / …Baby One More Time
Well, it’s the song that launched her career and there’s no other song in the world that can fill a dance floor in just three notes. The album it came from, released in January 1999 went to sell over 25,000,000 copies worldwide, making Britney a somewhat overnight success.
This morning I was on Twitter and I clicked on the #TransAwarenessWeek hashtag and I came across a very insightful tweet from a user, who gave some great tips.
Let me tell you about my own gender expression before we go on. I don’t think of myself as a “man” because I don’t really fit into what society expects of its men. When I was a child all I wanted to do was be called a girl, wear high heels, my mum’s dresses and sing Petula Clark’s ‘Downtown’ on repeat. I was a Grade A queer/trans kid.
Nowadays, I dress in masculine clothes, I have a boyfriend, I have short hair and people assume that I’m a man, and a gay one at that. I enjoy the privileges that, for the most part, that assumed identity affords me. But, it never really feels right when someone refers to me in that way.
That said, I don’t mind if people use the pronouns him/his or he when they refer to me. Although it does jar me if someone calls me a man. Weird.
I also don’t mind it if I’m referred to with female pronouns.
I’m pretty relaxed about the pronouns that are used to describe me.
But for some, words really matter. So here’s some advice to help us all become better allies to our non-binary, gender non-conforming siblings.
It seems that we’ve all got our lives set to transmit only. We need more receiving in our lives. So when someone is telling you something about them, listen.
Someone once wisely told me, “Assumptions are the mother of all fuck-ups” – and they were completely right. How often have you assumed something about a situation only to find that nothing was as you imagined? Pretty often, right?
Your assumptions are based on your own life experience. It doesn’t take into account other people’s experience. So leave your assumptions at the door and again, open your mind.
If a person tells you what their preferred pronoun is, accept it don’t fight it. It’s what they’ve asked you to call them. The decision is effectively out of your hands. It’s the same as when someone tells you their name. You accept it and it becomes part of their identity. Well, pronouns are the same.
Some non-binary, gender fluid and gender non-conforming folks use a number of different pronouns. Some popular ones are: Zim/Zer and Ze, they/them and theirs or even thon, which was actually added to the dictionary in 1964. They as a singular pronoun has been used for centuries.
It’s not particularly new, it’s not trend based, it’s just getting a lot of media attention at the moment.
Blue for boys, Pink for girls… gender stereotyping is all so 1950s and really doesn’t work for today’s society. No one likes living in a predefined box and we don’t live in a black and white world. There’s a whole rainbow out there.
Gender norms and stereotypes, when adhered to, just keeps society attached to a patriarchal system that’s almost impossible to climb and doesn’t work for all of us, particularly LGBT+ people. So lets bin it shall we?
Normalise the conversation surrounding pronouns. Write your preferred pronouns in your social media profiles. As @thalestral says on Twitter, “normalise that shit”.
Also on twitter, stop assuming people’s pronouns based on their profile pic and your binary stereotypes.
Read their profile. Check their pronouns. Don’t assume.
And while you’re there, put your own pronouns in your profile.
This week is anti-bullying week. We’ve compiled some tips to combat bullying.
Bullying takes many forms: name-calling, making negative comments on your work, making someone feel worthless, physical abuse are just some examples.
So we’ve put some tips together to help anyone out there who might be being bullied. It doesn’t matter if you’re being bullied at school, college, university, work or home.
Remember if you are being bullied remember it’s not your fault.
Write Everything Down
Keep a log of every incident; write down the date, time, location, what happened, what they said and any witnesses that were around.
Tell Someone
Tell someone in authority and ask them what they intend to do about it. Tell them any fears you have about reprisals from the bully.
Someone you trust, like a family member or a friend, can also be useful. It means that you’re not dealing with the problem on your own; a problem shared is a problem halved.
Get Support
Don’t try to deal with it and your feelings about it all on your own. Get some support. Consider counselling for some additional support around your feelings.
Now the clocks have gone back, there’s only one day left till Halloween. As the leaves are blown from the trees and dance across the road in the breeze, rain pelts against your windows and the wind howls, it’s the perfect time to settle in, open a bottle of red and creep yourself out with a good horror film. So in this special extended edition of Six of the Best, we have a few suggestions for something you can watch from behind the cushions…
Halloween
Let’s start with an absolute classic. Malevolent monster Michael Myers has become a horror icon, but it all started with this low budget slasher. Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) is stalked by a seemingly unstoppable man who lurks in the shadows before attacking her and her friends on Halloween night. This film slowly winds up the tension by crafting a feeling of paranoia before culminating in a memorable ending. What makes this film so good is its urban setting and it’s “this really could happen” this story. Forget the inferior remake and stick with the original and best. Buy it here
Maniac
Elijah Wood gives a brilliant performance in this exceptional remake of an 80’s slasher flick. A young man struggles with his mental health which leads him to stalk and murder women on the streets of LA. But he falls in love with a beautiful young photographer, which slowly develops into an obsession. This excellent film is shot entirely from the point of view of the murderer and has an outstanding soundtrack, graphic violence and is beautifully filmed. This hidden gem is a more cerebral horror which plays on primal fears. Buy it here
The Strangers
A young couple (played by Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) find themselves trapped in a nightmare when their home is invaded by a group of strangers in masks. Who they are and why they are terrorising the couple is unknown, but this film proves that you are not even safe in your own home. This tense film is full of suspense and will make you check you have locked the door before you go to bed. Buy it here
The Descent
In this claustrophobic British horror, a group of friends go caving and discover more than they could ever have imagined when they find themselves trapped following a tunnel collapse. As they head deeper and deeper into the cave system, they are clearly not alone as they are set upon by something in the dark. Buy it here
Trick ‘r’ Treat
Four tales of Halloween are intertwined in one night of horror. A group of children play a trick on a young girl based on a local legend which goes horribly wrong, some teenage girls are stalked by a masked man through a Halloween street carnival, a school principal has a secret life and a man is terrorised by a very special Trick-or-Treater. The stories all combine in this enjoyable anthology horror. Buy it here
Hocus Pocus
In this camp classic, three witches are accidentally resurrected on Halloween by a group of teenagers. With the help of a talking cat called Binx, the friends battle the witches in an attempt to save the town. With the entire cast camping it up and Bette Midler singing “I Put a Spell on You”, this family film is great fun. Buy it here
Frankenweenie
When Sparky, a young boy’s beloved dog, dies, his grief stricken owner bring him back to life in his makeshift attic laboratory. But when his friends find out, the young boy is blackmailed into bringing other pets to life, which escape and cause havoc. Using beautiful stop motion animation, this gentle Tim Burton animation is both touching and funny. If you loved The Nightmare before Christmas, then you’ll love this too. Buy it here
La Horde
In this French new wave horror, a group of people are trapped at the top of a high rise building which is besieged by the living dead. Making their way down the levels, they are relentlessly attacked by the fast moving monsters. This film is like “28 Days Later” on speed and is full of gore, fast paced action and terrific set pieces. Buy it here
The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
In this modern remake of the 1970’s shocker, a family on a road trip across the dessert find themselves besieged by a group of cannibals. When their baby is stolen by the cannibals the family revert back to their own tribal instincts to fight back. This graphic and violent film is one of the better remakes of the last few years and has blood, guts and shocks aplenty. Buy it here
A study of 2,000 frequent flyers also revealed keeping the volume level at a reasonable level on headphones and helping other passengers hoist heavy bags into overhead lockers will leave a good impression.
Not eating smelly food and keeping your seat upright also made the list as did not hogging the armrest.
Keeping your mouth closed while you munch on airline food was also considered important.
Despite these simple courtesies, nine in 10 Brits have been enraged by the unpleasant behaviour or habits of other passengers on a flight.
Emma Grimster, a spokesperson at TravelSupermarket, which commissioned the study, said: “Flying can be an exciting and even luxurious experience, and in these situations, with the anticipation of a holiday ahead, it seems some people can easily forget their manners.
“Some of us are more frequent flyers than others. Perhaps it is the heightened sense of excitement, or even anxiety of flying at altitude that makes people forget their common courtesy.”
The study also found getting drunk is the most effective method to cheese off other passengers.
Thirty-eight percent said they can’t bear being sat nearby a boozy traveller, and one in four have found themselves subjected to a flatulent flyer making the experience more unpleasant.
With the October half-term just around the corner, more than one third admitted they have been irked by parents who are unable to keep control of their kids during the journey.
Forty percent have been subjected to the cries of a screaming baby while cruising thousands of feet in the air, and one in four have been disrupted by an over-excited toddler.
Personal space is of particular importance on a flight, according to the study.
Fifty-four percent hate having their comfort disrupted by the person behind them digging into or kicking the back of their seat.
And 47 percent have words for the person in front of them putting their seat back all the way.
Stop Talking To Me!
One in five have found themselves sat next to a chatterbox who has talked their ear off for the whole flight.
Thirty-seven percent of those surveyed can’t stand a stranger trying to talk to them during a flight, and three in 10 said they could only tolerate chatter before take-off.
When the irritation gets too much, only one in six have ever gone as far as to complain to a flight attendant about the issue.
Despite these bugbears, 62 percent of those surveyed said they enjoy flying and 62 percent find it a ‘generally relaxing’ experience.
Emma Grimster added: “Many of these points surrounding flight etiquette involve encroaches on noise and space, which is understandable in the limited confines of an aircraft.
“If you are planning to travel with your kids over the half term break, get organised with things to keep them occupied, making the experience as pleasant as possible for both the family and those around you.”
TOP TIPS FOR FLYING WITH CHILDREN FROM EMMA GRIMSTER, SPOKESPERSON AT TRAVELSUPERMARKET
Understand your airline’s luggage allowance for baggage weight and size, as well as for additional items such as buggies and car seats
Pre-book seats together in advance of arriving at the airport
Give yourself enough time to get through the airport and be towards the front of the queue at boarding
Bring activities – perhaps a new book or magazine. Sticker books and drawing materials are a great idea too
Download some favourite programmes to your phone or iPad
Let the children choose a new toy at the airport to keep them occupied on the flight
Bring your own snacks so you’re not waiting around for the in-flight service. It can also be a good idea to have a snack and drink to hand during take-off to help with any ear pressure
Take a change of clothes, as well as wipes and nappies (if needed) close to hand. Check you also have a sick bag in the seat in front, just in case required
Be prepared for a few sideways looks from other passengers and remember we were all children once!
Enjoy the experience through your child’s eyes. You might have flown many times, but if this is your child’s first flight, the wonder will be all new
TOP TEN FLIGHT ETIQUETTE RULES
1. Don’t drink too much
2. Keep your seat upright or reclined to a reasonable degree
3. Ensure your children are well behaved and not making too much noise
4. Hold in your wind where possible
5. Sort out your overhead storage before you sit down so you don’t disturb people by getting up and down
6. Be respectful of others when it comes to the armrests
7. Don’t try and join the ‘Mile High Club’
8. Avoid eating smelly food
9. Eat your meals and snacks quietly with your mouth closed
10. Avoid moaning too much to others if there is a crying baby on the plane
Although it can still be seen as a risk to their careers, even in 2018, there are some incredibly brave, talented and inspiring guys who decided to come out, giving hope to the next generation of actors that they too can be their true selves.
Here are some of the hottest openly gay, bi or queer identifying actors.
Andrew Hayden-Smith
Born: 5th November 1983, Gateshead, England, UK.
Best Known ForByker Grove, Doctor Who.
Came out in 2005 in an interview with a magazine. Andrew is an actor best known for his role as Jake Simmonds in Doctor Who and is set to star in a new drama commissioned by Channel 4 called Cucumber from Queer As Folk writer, Russell T Davies.
Charlie Carver
Born: 31st July 1988 Best Known For: Being one of the twins on Desperate Housewives & Teen Wolf Came Out:On Instagram in 2016. After Desperate Housewives Charlie went on to star in Teen Wolf as Ethan, a gay character who made headlines when MTV aired the first gay kiss, between his character and Danny played by Keahu Kahuanui.
The 27-year-old explained his worries about coming out in the entertainment industry a series of posts on Instagram.
Charlie David
Born: 9th August 1980, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Best Known For: His sexy role in the gay horror series: Dante’s Cove. Since his role on the series Dante’s Cove Charlie has become a film producer and director including titles such as I’m A Porn Star and I’m A Stripper. In 2012 TheGayUK interviewed Charlie along with Elvira The Mistress Of Darkness for their Halloween Special edition.
Chris Crocker
Born: 7th December 1987 Best Known For: “Leave Britney Alone” a viral YouTube video. Came Out: Has always been out. In 2012 he starred in a gay porn film. He made more films with Maverick Men and Lucas Entertainment.
Dan Amboyer
Born: 28th December 1985 Best Known For: Best known for his starring role as Prince William of Wales in the 2011 Hallmark Channel original film William & Catherine: A Royal Romance Came Out: In October 2017. He also announced that he had married his partner, Eric P. Berger.
Daniel Newman
(C) BIGSTOCK
Born: 14th June 1981 Best Known For: staring in the Walking Dead. Came Out: in March 2017, speaking to People he said, “I don’t want to be hidden and have to dodge the question,” he tells PEOPLE of publicly revealing his sexuality. “I’m proud of who I am.”
David Ames
Born: 10th August 1983 Best Known For: British medical soap drama Holby City Came Out: Has always been “out”, although he has appeared in both Attitude magazine in 2009 and Gay Times magazine in 2011.
Jeffery Bowyer-Chapman
(C) BIGSTOCK
Born: 21st October 1984 Best Known For: Playing Jay in UnREAL. Came Out: Has always been open about his sexuality and has played mainly gay/bi-identified characters.
Jim Verraros
Born: 8th February 1983, Crystal Lake, Illinois, USA
Best Known For: American Idol and Eating Out Came out: in 2003 with The Advocate Jim appeared in the first season of American Idol and has appeared in a number of gay movies including, Eating Out, Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild.
Jonathan Groff
CREDIT: Joe-Seer-bigstock-
Born: 21st October 1984 Best Known For: Actor who has starred numerous TV shows and films including, Mindhunter for Netflix and Frozen for Disney. Came Out: Jonathan Groff came out as gay in 2009. He was rumoured to have dated Zachary Quinto from September 2012, until July 2013. He now stars in Looking, along with Russell Tovey and he recently lent his voice for the part of Kristoff Bjorgman in the Disney hit Frozen. He also starred in The Normal Heart.
Jonathan Bennett
(C) BOSSMOSS / DEPOSITPHOTOS
Born: 10th June 1981, Rossford, Ohio, USA Best Known For: Actor who starred in Mean Girls Came Out: Jonathan played Aaron Samuels in one of the ultimate gay cult films, Mean Girls. He appeared in the US version of Dancing With The Stars, three months before he lost his father to brain cancer. He was outed by Julianne Hough during an interview with Extra. He told the Toledo Blade newspaper: “This was his favourite show on television, and when he was sick in hospice the only show he wanted to watch was Dancing with the Stars because he said this show made him feel good. So I’m doing this performance not just for myself but for my father because I know how badly he loved the show and how thrilled he would be that I’m on it. I’m also doing this dance for my mother because she passed away a year before that and they both were huge fans of the show.”
Matt Dallas
Born: 21st October 1982, Phoenix, Arizona, USA Best Known For:Kyle XY Came Out: Came out in 2013, Via a tweet announcing his engagement to Blue Hamilton. Matt Dallas is known for his no bellybutton character Kyle in Kyle XY
Matt Bomer
Born: 11th October 1977, Webster Groves, Greater St. Louis, Missouri, USA Best Known For:Magic Mike Came Out: Came out in 2012 In a speech for his Steve Chase Humanitarian Award, thanking his husband and their children.
Emmy nominated actor, Matt made his television debut in Guiding Light in 2001. He starred alongside Jodie Foster in the 2005 thriller Flightplan. He is married to publicist Simon Halls and the pair have three children together.
Kieron Richardson
Born: 12th January 1986, Eccles, Greater Manchester, England, UK Best KnownFor:Hollyoaks Came out in 2010 September, during an interview with This Morning. Kieron is best known for his role as Ste Hay in the Channel 4 television series Hollyoaks. In 2014 he will make history by playing the first gay character in a British soap to contract HIV, to highlight the growing issue of new HIV Infections in gay and bisexual men. He also hosts a radio show on the World’s largest gay radio station Gaydio.
Luke Macfarlane
Born: 19th January 1980, London, Ontario, Canada Best Known For:Brothers and Sisters. Came out in 2008 during an interview with The Globe And Mail He currently plays the lead role of Jason Howell in the Canadian sitcom Satisfaction.
Nick Adams
Born: 10th June 1983 Best Known For: Theatre actor and starring in the web series Go-Go Boy Interrupted. Came Out: In 2009 He and his boyfriend were denied entry to a nightclub in Manhattan, he says, because of his sexuality. He was holding his boyfriend’s hand when the bouncer denied him entry. Taking to his blog and Twitter Nick caused a huge outcry, which led to the further recognition of him as a personality and, his sexuality.
Michael Urie
Born: 8th August 1980 Best Known For:Ugly Betty Came Out: Michael Urie came to the public’s attention with his fabulously camp character Marc in Ugly Betty. He has since become a playwright and touring actor.
P J Brennan
Born: 11th February 1986 Best Known For: Playing Doug Carter in Hollyoaks. Came Out: Has never officially come out in press interviews, but has not hidden his sexuality.
Ross Adams
Born: 5th May 1982 Best Known For:Hollyoaks Came out: In 2016 he became engaged to his partner, Philip Crusham.
Russell Tovey
Born: 14th November 1981, Billericay, Essex, England, UK
Best Known For:One Life To Love, Younger brother to Chris Evans.
Scott also starred in the campy comedy Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Todrick Hall
(C) TODRICK HALL / INSTAGRAM
Born: 4th April 1985
Best Known For: American Idol / YouTuber
Came Out:
Tituss Burgess
Born: 21st February 1979
Best Known For: Playing Titus in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Came Out: In an interview with Huffington Post, Tituss talked about his comfort in being gay.
Thomas Dekker
Born: 1983
Best Known For:Terminator, the Sarah Connor Chronicles
Came Out: The actor who started his career in the television series of Terminator, the Sarah Connor Chronicles, publicly come out as gay after comments made by entertainment exec Brian Fuller. Fuller made comments that a gay storyline in the hit TV series, Heroes had to be axed following a dispute behind the scenes. The actor’s management allegedly threatened to pull the actor if the storyline went ahead.
Media outlets worldwide immediately went into speculation overdrive, with Thomas centring.
Zachary Booth
Born: 1983 Best Known For:Damages and the gay movie, Keep The Lights On Came Out:
Zachary Quinto
Born: 2nd June 1977, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Best Known For:Heroes and Star Trek Came Out: Zachary Quinto is probably one of the most famous gay actors under 40 in Hollywood having secured the role of Spock in the Star Trek franchise of films. Before that, he played Sylar in the paranormal television series Heroes.
