A Vision Of Euro Lesbianism
by Katie Boyle’s Slingbacks, Cardiff, European City of Culture.

Okay, so have you got the flags out of moth balls?? Are the ABBA costumes at the dry cleaners in readiness? Are you annoying everybody at work with your mad enthusiasm for that gayest of gay events? Yes, you know to what I refer…

This year, lesbians have something to draw their attention too. The sheer campness of it all has traditionally attracted gay men (not all, I know, no need to write in all you butch types). 2003 sees a new twist, however. tATu, the recent Chart toppers from Russia are representing their home country. There is much chitter chatter about their performance – will they, won’t they? (Kiss, in case you had no idea). It’s unlikely they will please (or offend) their audience on the night, but the live link ups to back stage may prove fruitful…

“The girls came together to the casting that took place on the Mosfilm Studio. They were selected among the 500 contenders for the project. For the shooting the video “I’ve Lost my Mind” Lena had to loose almost 10 kg and Yulia had to cut her hair and colour it black.
The t.A.T.u. group was formed in 2000 by the scriptwriter and director Ivan Shapovalov who is the producer of the group now. In September 2001 t.A.T.u.’s video “I’ve Lost my Mind” was announced “The Best video of the year” according to the results of MTV-Russia viewers’ voting. On September 6, 2001 at New York Metropolitan Opera, t.A.T.u. got an MTV Music Video Award as the “Viewer’s Choice – Best Russian Video”.
In March 2002 re-release of the album “200 in the Wrong Lane” beats all the records during the first week of sales: 60 000 legal copies sold! Now the number of sold copies of the t.A.T.u. albums is about 1.100.000!”

But gay men everywhere are not being ostracised. There will be the usual dose of camp, glitter, silly lyrics, bad dancing and truly awful costumes. Not to mention instantly forgettable songs. And singers. And good old Terry Wogan will be holding the fort (and the whiskey) whilst making us all aware quite how bad the event is in person. On top of all that, there is actually somebody worth watching too. Steilios Constantas (from Greece) is representing Cyprus and has caught the attention of many fans logging onto the website.

“Stelios was born in Larnaca and started enjoying music when he was very young at the age of five and that was when he bought his first album. Soon after, he began studying music and guitar in Larnaca Music School. For a long period he was playing football his hometown but fortunately his love for music was bigger, so I decided to put this at an end.
His professional music career started about 10 years ago. He had the honour to work with very names such as George Hadjinasios, Marios Tokas, Anna Vissy and Margarita Zorbala. Also with Marios Meletiou and Aristos Moshovakis in Cyprus.
In 1994 his first album “Apopse Stin Skopia” was a tremendous hit in Cyprus. Three more albums followed, which made him well-known.”

“And what of the UK?” I hear you chant. Well, we’re being represented by a duo from musical capital, Liverpool. Jemini will be singing “Cry Baby” on May 24th at the Skonto Olympic Hall in Riga, Latvia. Writer Martin Isherwood has been in the final few up for possible entry into the competition for the last few years. The song is a 70’s influenced pop song and stands a decent chance of doing well, apparently. But then, we always stand a good chance. Who would have thought that old Sonia would have lost? Or Michael Ball? Or Samantha Janus? (OK, so she was hopeless). Anyway, let’s hope it’s a laugh, cos I’m having a Eurovision Party. You’re welcome, of course…
www.eurovision.tv

MARDI GRAS BALL
Our intrepid party girl DEBBIE REES reports

What a FANTABULOUS evening! Everyone was dressed to kill and the atmosphere was amazing. Over 300 people attended this spectacular fund raising event for the 2003 Wales Mardi Gras to be held on 30th August. Clare and Darren, the stars from ‘Red Dragon Radio’ were there helping host the event along with Sue Roderick (Cassie from the local fish bar in the famous ‘Pobwl-y-Cwm TV soap).

My escort for the evening was National PCS Officer for Wales, Peter Harris who looked terribly handsome in his posh suit. We shuffled off to the Ball which started with a champagne reception in Cardiff’s City Hall. Nobody could have imagined this magnificent venue would have entertained such an event 10 years ago. We were seated for a delicious 3 course meal and entertained later by Ceri Dupree and her special guests. It was exciting seeing so many people there supporting the event including HTV Wales reporter Andy Collinson and Lorraine Barrett A.M. from the Welsh Assembly Equality Committee. I felt like I was at the Oscars! The evening finished off with a disco where everyone made new friends and in some cases met up with old flames from 20 years ago! The whole evening was a tremendous success and the pictures below will hopefully give you a feel (please excuse the pun) for the evening.

Andy Collinson is a lovely guy and a real sweetie. Put it this way, if we were both of the other orientation I would be asking him to marry me every day! Mind you in the picture is does look like we’re at our wedding do! Andy is the Chief Reporter at the HTV Newsroom and a real asset to gay media in Wales. Andy says:-
“I thought the whole evening was magical, and reflected what I know was a massive amount of hard work put in by the organisers. I also felt very proud that it was being held at City Hall for the first time. This was a real recognition of the importance of the LGBT community in Cardiff and Wales as a whole. I hope it sent a signal that homophobia is not welcome in our community. The world is moving on. Wales is changing. The community is becoming more understanding and accepting. The Mardi Gras Pink Ball can only encourage that trend. I look forward to Mardi Gras itself and the continuation of that trend.”

Lorraine Barrett, A.M. for Cardiff South & Penarth sits on the Welsh Assembly’s Equality Committee and was there to give her support. Lorraine is a wonderful lady with a big heart who genuinely cares about LGBT issues and has been a great supporter of PCS Proud and the Wales TUC L&G Committee.

The daytime stars from ‘Red Dragon Radio’, Darren Daley and Clare Lloyd who are big supporters of gay rights hosted the evening. I met them for the first time at the Ball and they came across as two fabulous people who really care about our issues and want to do everything they possibly can to help. They’re BIG STARS in my eyes! So don’t forget, tune in guys & gals (if you don’t already) to the Gay Friendly Station – Red Dragon Radio. Here’s to Darren & Clare, well done!

Labour Conference - Swansea
I’ve attended a fair few AGM’s the past couple of months as Guest Speaker and I am pleased to report that I’ve had a very warm reception and response to promoting PCS Proud and it’s work. I was also at the Labour conference as Guest Speaker at the LGB Forum Cymru/Stonewall fringe meeting. Thanks to everyone from PCS HQ Cardiff that came to support me, it was much appreciated.

LGB Forum Cymru Annual Conference 2003
What a fabulous, well put together conference. The conference’s main theme was about Welsh media. It looked at how LGBT people are portrayed in a negative way sometimes and what effect this has on the Welsh gay community. They looked at ways to promote LGBT issues in a more positive way when dealing with the press and actually quoted Proud as one of the positive examples! Hooray for PCS Proud and it’s positive contribution to Wales! I was there with my PCS Proud stall which, I was told looked the prettiest. It certainly gained a lot of attention, including from HTV Wales News’ Chief reporter, Andy Collinson.
There were over 100 delegates from different organisations in Wales supporting the gay issues. For those that don’t know, the Welsh Assembly created and funds the LGB Forum Cymru to promote gay rights. Edwina Hart A.M., Finance Minister of the Welsh Assembly opened the conference. Edwina was the one who got the ball rolling in the beginning when she was Chair of the Welsh Assembly Equality Committee in LGBT issues. She certainly is a lady that makes things happen and is respected very much by the different LGBT organisations in Wales for her massive input and determination to make Wales a safe place to live for the minority groups as well as fighting our corner for equal rights.
There was a party laid on afterwards in the Dylan Thomas Centre by the LGBT Switchboard in Swansea. Miss CC Swan & Friends were the act for the evening and later we toddled off to H20 for some more drinkies where apparently I became the entertainment for the evening! A fabulous time was had by all and I strongly suspect that we all had fabulous hangovers in the morning as well !

UPDATE on Section 28
It’s still with the House of Lords at the moment but it is hoped that it will be heard before the end of this month.

Same Sex Ceremonies
Since November last year, 7 ceremonies have taken place in Swansea which have all been reported as a day thoroughly enjoyed by all including the staff at the registry office! Yet another PCS Proud campaign that won through.

Next of Kin Rights for Hospitals
The Welsh Assembly Equality Committee is currently in talks to recognise same sex partners as next of kin in the Health Service and issuing new guidelines for all hospitals (for example when medical decisions have to be taken). Such a move would be welcomed in the gay community of Wales. It would prevent considerable stress caused to people who have found themselves in this most distressing situation. The parents often take over and sometimes even refuse the partner access to the hospital. Hopefully I will be able to update you all on the progress in a couple of month’s time.
I feel these are very exciting times that we are living in for the LGBT community as things are starting to move forward in our favour – and about time too! It’s been fascinating and very rewarding working with the Welsh Assembly members on gay rights. They are a very forward thinking independent, government body when it comes to equality.

Transgender Breast Cancer Screening
The Wales TUC L&G Committee put forward a query to the Breast Cancer Charity that a person of male birth, who becomes a woman through surgical and hormonal change remains in the NHS process as male and asked for the position to be clarified for the Screening Programme’s position on breast screening for transgender people. Their reply was as follows:
Gender Reassignment
Individuals who are undergoing female to male gender reassignment will continue to be invited for breast screening so long as they are registered as a woman, unless they ask to be ceased from the programme or have had a bilateral mastectomy. Individuals who are undergoing male to female gender reassignment may be screened as a self referral at the request of their GP. Individuals who are registered as indeterminate or female are included in screening batch lists and will be sent a screening invitation unless they ask to be ceased from the programme. (Information and advice for health professionals in breast screening, December 2002, pg. 18)

Shamed - John Jenkins by Debbie Rees
John Jenkins, 22, the Conservative A.M. candidate for Llanelli was forced to resign in March hours after the Western Mail Newspaper alerted Nick Bourne, leader of the Tory Assembly Group, to his comments made in a computer chat room.
Mr Jenkins said homosexuals were mentally ill sexual deviants and he rejected the recognition of ‘ethnic minorities’ human rights as a threat to British identity.
He went on to say that he could not convince himself of anything other than homosexuality being a medical, mental condition. As for adoption, deciding to remain gay is a personal choice. No child deserves to be brought up in this world with two mummies or two daddies. You need a male and a female to reproduce and, like marriage, the state should not legitimise gay adoption.
These statements have caused outrage in the Tory party for and against. His forced resignation caused an even greater split. The Welsh Conservative Party described Mr Jenkins’s remarks as wholly unacceptable. Mr Jenkins apologised, admitting he had been foolish and irresponsible. A comment made by David Loader, former young Tory organiser on the same web site wrote ‘utter idiot – just highlights the fact of calibre candidates in Wales and the lack of’.
It amazes me in the 21st Century how a man of 22 can believe or hold such misguided, repugnant, old-fashioned views. He has played his part in creating homophobia and hatred in our society. The Government should be there to protect us all, not just the favoured few; after all, we all pay our taxes. However, it also demonstrates how the Tory party has moved on a little in equality matters, as in 1988 when Section 28 was brought in by Margaret Thatcher, Mr Jenkins’ sacking would have been a promotion instead! I don’t think we will be seeing anymore of Mr Jenkins in the future – thank God!

You can send your comments, suggestions, articles, questions or anything else you can think of to:

PCS Proud, Ty Cwm Tawe, Land Registry, Phoenix Way, Llansamlet, Swansea, SA7 9FQ

Or you can e-mail the omnipotent Ed: RPaul_Cotton@hotmail.com