Pet Shop Boys, The Truck-Driver And His Mate

The Readers Wifes twenty-third choice of song with LGBT significance: Pet Shop Boys, The Truck-Driver And His Mate. For 2012 LGBT History Month.

“A great big howling BRUTE of a record it’s the closest we’ll probably ever get to hearing the fellas ROCK OUT.”

Anti-LGBT vote has one more vote before it is passed

Sign the allout.org petition to protest against the bill to criminalise any writing supporting LGBT people in Russia.

“Imagine for a moment the new St. Petersburg – where newly empowered “thought police” can fine you for any mention of the well known fact that famed Russian composer Tchaikovksy, a St. Petersburg native, was gay.”

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Pure Love, February 14, 2012

Polari’s reviewer Little Bastard nearly gets caught in a mosh pit at Pure Love’s debut gig.

“Always the perfect front man, Frank threw himself around the stage, spat in his own face, jumped into the crowd to sing an intimate ballad (yes, a whole ballad!) and crowd surfed, complaining afterwards “I’m too old for this shit”, as he tucked his shirt back in.”

Why should we not aspire to happiness?

In an opinion piece for the Independent, IanMcKellen issues a challenge to Lord Carey and those who oppose same-sex marriage.

57% of respondents reported that other performers were homophobic, 20% point to producers and 37% to backstage crew members.

Claire Harvey

Claire Harvey, selected by Bryon Fear for Polari Magazine’s list of LGBT Heroes. For UK LGBT History Month 2012.

“I find her passion, enthusiasm and determination an inspiration. With LGBT History Month’s focus on sport this year, I cannot think of a more befitting hero who actively champions equality and diversity in an often homophobic environment.”

The Singing Nun, Dominique

The Readers Wifes twenty-second choice of song with LGBT significance: The Singing Nun, Dominique. For 2012 LGBT History Month.

“Struggles with her faith, her fame, her sexuality and drugs, not to mention a hounding from the Belgian authorities over unpaid taxes, all took their toll. When nuns go bad.”

Jonathan Kemp at Idea Store Bow, February 27, London

In celebration of LGBT History Month, Jonathan Kemp reads from his novel TwentySix

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Released February 27, 2012

The Ting Tings latest album is exciting and inventive mix-tape affair.

Pop is a dirty word in the music industry, and there is a danger that this album, like most truly great pop albums, will get ignored.

Edward Carpenter

Selected by Jim MacSweeney from Gay’s the Word for Polari Magazine’s list of LGBT Heroes.

“This is a man who in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century was a committed socialist; a pioneering sex reformer who wrote on homosexuality and the emancipation of women; interested in environmentalism and an advocate of sustainable farming; an anti-vivisectionist and supporter of animal rights.”

Lou Reed, Walk on the Wild Side

The Readers Wifes twenty-first choice of song with LGBT significance: Lou Reed, Walk on the Wild Side. For 2012 LGBT History Month.

“With its myriad references to drugs, prostitution and yer actual oral sex (“giving head”) one can only wonder at how in God’s name Lou’s timeless, wistful tribute to a coterie of Andy Warhol disciples ever made it past the censors at the BBC.”