The Kinks, Lola

The Readers Wifes eighth choice of song with LGBT significance. For UK LGBT History Month.

Lola’s exquisite vignette of a confusingly enjoyable tryst with a Soho transvestite was one of the band’s biggest hits

Paul Baker

Polari Magazine’s editor selects Paul Baker for its list of LGBT Heroes. For UK LGBT History Month 2012.

It is always a great pleasure to read his work because it is so well thought out, so very reasonable and so very human. He is one of the LGBT community’s greatest assets, and one of its greatest spokesmen.

Bronksi Beat, Smalltown Boy

The Readers Wifes seventh choice of song with LGBT significance. For UK LGBT History Month.

‘Smalltown Boy’ declared itself to be an era-rattling slab of atmospheric, immaculate, pumping hi-NRG pop over which soared a tortured falsetto vocal that barely seemed of this world.

Albus Dumbledore

Rita Skeeter of the Daily Prophet selects Albus Dumbledore for Polari Magazine’s list of LGBT Heroes. For UK LGBT History Month 2012.

In an ideal world, Dumbledore’s sexuality would be treated as a fact, and have nothing to do with the price of Puffskeins. But we do not live in an ideal world, as some of the Warner Brothers bio-pic casting decisions over the years have shown to be alarmingly true.

Elton John, Someone Saved My Life Tonight

The Readers Wifes sixth choice of song with LGBT significance. For UK LGBT History Month.

Back in 1969, and unhappily engaged to be married to then girlfriend Linda Woodrow, the pre-fame singer-songwriter was so messed up in the head he was seriously contemplating suicide.

Linda Bellos

Bryon Fear selects Linda Bellos for Polari Magazine’s list of LGBT Heroes. For UK LGBT History Month 2012.

In 2006 she was awarded an OBE for services to diversity, a just recognition of the difference she has made to the equal rights of all minority groups.

Sylvester, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

The Readers Wifes fifth choice of song with LGBT significance. For UK LGBT History Month.

Underneath all his satin and tat, the one and only Sylvester James McCoy exhibited bigger balls than the whole lot of rock music’s supposed “revolutionaries” put together.

Ben Cohen

Paul Baker selects Ben Cohen for Polari Magazine’s list of LGBT Heroes. For UK LGBT History Month.

There are too few people involved in macho sports like rugby and football (gay or straight) who will stick their neck out for us, and so Ben is a much-needed friend and hopefully at the forefront of a growing trend.

Some Of Your Lovin’, Dusty Springfield.

The Readers Wifes fourth choice of song with LGBT significance. For UK LGBT History Month.

Prejudice, alcoholism, struggles with her sexuality and all that industrial strength hair spray would have left their mark on anybody.

Rose Robertson

Paul Baker selects Rose Robertson for Polari Magazine’s list of LGBT Heroes. For UK LGBT History Month.

Rose Robertson set up Parents Enquiry, the first British helpline to support parents of lesbian, gay and bisexual children. She was soon receiving referrals from the police and social workers – and helped thousands of parents to accept their children.