Editor's Letter (JULY)

S

o we are up and running! Thank you again to everyone who helped us with our June issue of Your Gay Galway, we couldn’t have done it without you! It was a team effort and we hope you enjoyed it.

This month we focus on the big screen and check out what queer films are available at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh. Our political writer looks at the recent goings on in Russia, as President Putin passes legislation which will make it illegal to even acknowledge the existence of Gay people to children. In culture & society we look at the issue of alcoholism and ask why the Irish are so good at ignoring it? We will also be looking at a very important recourse available to the community, Jigsaw and we remind you why they are so vital and why they deserve your support.

Once again I would like to thank the writers and illustrator, you were all great, and sure I couldn’t have done it without you! Special mention too, to William Fitzgerald from the Galway Film Fleadh office, who compiled our list of queer films.

Feel free again to get involved with the August edition, it will lead us up to Pride and it will also be the last Your Gay Galway for the foreseeable future. We would encourage anyone interested in writing a piece to get in touch. Also, feedback is welcome and if you have any comment regarding this issue, or any issue of Your Gay Galway, let us know.

www.facebook.com/yourgaygalway or at yourgaygalway@gmail.com

 After all, this is YOUR Gay Galway.

Shauna

Editor        

Directory/ Contact info (JULY)

shOUT! is a group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender  individuals aged between 14 and 23yrs.

·         www.lgbtyouthgalway.com

·         e-mail: shout@youthworkgalway.ie

·         Phone: 087 773 8529

LGBT Pavee is the Gay Traveller information site

·          www.lgbtpavee.com

LGBT Helpline  provide a non-judgmental, confidential, listening, support and information service.

·         www.lgbt.ie

·         Phone: 1890 929 539 Monday to  Friday 7pm to 9pm

AMACH! is a volunteer run organisation which represents and campaigns on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Galway city and county.

·         www.amachlgbt.com

Jigsaw Galway is a free and confidential support service for young people (15 - 25) living in Galway city and county.

·         http://www.jigsaw.ie/galway

Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland:

·         http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie   

Please feel free to contact us at:

·         yourgaygalway@gmail.com

·         www.facebook.com/YourGayGalway (Don’t forget to give us an aul like on Facebook!!)

·         Yourgaygalwayonline.blogspot.com  (check out our online edition)

(Your Gay Galway is an independent, privately funded publication with no affiliation to any groups or organisations.)

Politics: The BIG Russian Step Backwards. (July)

In a time when Ireland is trying to make strides forward in LGBT rights it can sometimes shock to hear stories from around the world. Many countries still have primitive views about people from the Gay community and the hostility directed towards them is indefensible. This month our political writer, Richard Burke, looks at recent legislation which has come to bare in Russia and discuss the negative impact it will have on the LGBT community.......

The 29^th of June 2013 marked a dark day for the Russian LGBT community. One hundred pro-gay rights protestors assembled in Moscow, only for what was intended to be a peaceful protest descended into violence. The Moscow police force arrested dozens of anti and pro gay rights activists for disturbing the peace and the reason? President Putin signed a new law that criminalizes homosexual ‘propaganda’ aimed at minors. The anti-propaganda law introduces fines of up to five thousand rubles (120 euros) for citizens who disseminate information aimed at minors: ‘directed at forming non-traditional sexual setup.’ 

The fines skyrocket to twenty thousand rubles (4,820 euros) if such information is disseminated via the media or internet. The terminology of the official publication of the bill is even more troubling. It suggests propaganda may cause a ‘distorted understanding that gay and heterosexual relations are socially equivalent.’ Putin’s official statement entailed: ‘We are talking about protecting children from the respective information.’ 

This bears an uncanny resemblance to Helen Lovejoy from the Simpsons: ‘Won’t someone think of the children?’ Attempts at levity aside, the knowledge that two members of Pussy Riot are currently serving two year sentences in faraway penal colonies suggests Communism is alive and well in Putin’s vision of Russia. For Russia’s LGBT community the status quo will remain unchallenged. RB

A recent Pew poll determined that only 16% of Russians think homosexuality should be accepted by society. And the acceptance of homosexuality in Russia has decreased, not increased, since 2007.

Cooking corner (Page 10 JULY)

Rainbow Fairy Cakes

Fairy  Cakes                                                     Vanilla Butter Cream                                
3 Large Eggs                                                     75g Butter

100g Castor Sugar                                          140g Icing Sugar

75g Plain Flour                                                Vanilla Essence

Selection of food colouring                         30ml Milk

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 190°c, Gas Mark 5 or 170°c for Fan assisted ovens

Line a 12 cup bun tray with bun liners                                                                                      

Whisk eggs and castor sugar in a large bowl until light fluffy

Sieve in the flour and fold using a metal spoon until all the flour is incorporated

Separate the mixture into smaller bowls and add a few drops of the food colouring into each bowl (I used 7 different colours but it works just as well with a smaller selection)

Add a teaspoon of each colour into each bun liner

Bake for 7-10 minutes

To test of they are done prick with a cocktail stick and if it comes out clean they're done. Leave to cool on a wire rack

While the fairy cakes are cooling you can make the vanilla butter cream

Cream the butter in a bowl until soft

Gradually add the icing sugar and a few drops of the vanilla essence

If the mixture is too stiff add the milk until desired consistency is achieved

When the fairy cakes are completely cool take a small amount of the butter cream and spread on with a knife. I like to add hundreds and thousands to my rainbow fairy cakes as well just to give them that little bit extra!                                                      

  RH

Now there’s a Thought......

The immediate nature of our ever growing collection of communication technologies means we are always connected to others; while we’re eating, while we’re reading; even while we’re sleeping. We don’t take any quality time just to ourselves anymore. If we can learn just one thing from the Buddhists, it’s the importance of mindfulness – the awareness of one’s self in the present.  Take the time to switch off, sit down, close your eyes, feel your feet on the floor, take a deep breath and listen to the sounds outside your window. You’ll be surprised at what floats by your mind’s eye.                                                       

   EM

Little Gay Girls and BIG White Weddings (JULY)

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Do you not feel sad you won’t have the ‘big day’?”

“What big day?”

“The ‘big white wedding day’!!!”

“OH, oh that big day....ahh....No.”

S

o went one of many conversations I’ve had with straight friends over the years. No offense meant of course, just a lack of understanding. What people don’t seem to realise is that most little Gay girls don’t grow up day dreaming about getting married in a church with the big dress and hundreds of people, because ultimately it would have to be to a man.

I just never understood the obsession of sketching out my wedding dress when I was 11yrs old. I suppose I didn’t know why at the time, maybe I just thought I wasn’t much of a drawer. My friends would all be there sitting in a circle shading in bridesmaid dresses and finalising guest numbers. Meanwhile all I could think was there were conquers outside that weren’t gona sort themselves.

But maybe all this is about to change. I mean when I was growing up the idea of two men or two women getting married was....well unlikely at best. Now we have civil Partnerships and the possibility of Gay Marriage is finally on the horizon.

In the not too distance future we might have little Gay 11yrs old girls (and boys) sketching along with their peers. Asking age old questions like...are 4 bridesmaids too many? Is chocolate cake too tacky? And more importantly, will my Doc Martins clash with my dress?

The future is bright, the future is rainbow                                        SME