Feeling isolated? Getting active alongside your community can help. Here are the queer running clubs to know.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VOLTAROL

PHOTOGRAPHY JADE SMITH

While social media has found new ways to connect humans across the globe, paradoxically, it seems like loneliness is the defining feeling of our times. 

In 2023, the World Health Organisation declared loneliness a ‘global public health concern’ which can be as harmful for people’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

In the UK, according to official statistics, 7% of people report feeling lonely often or always. This figure increases sharply for those who are gay and lesbian (12%) and bisexual (16%), as well as for those whose gender identity is different from their sex registered at birth (19%).

In response to the isolation which so many people face in their day-to-day, folks have been lacing up their running shoes: data from Strava app and survey respondents, indicates a 59% increase in running club participation in 2024, with 58% of survey respondents saying that fitness groups helped them make new friends.

Running groups offer an opportunity to bring people together, fostering communities based around a shared love of running and movement as an antidote to isolation.  

The importance of queer-focused running groups

However, queer and trans folks might be less likely to seek out these groups. While loneliness is a pressing issue in the community, research by the National LGBT Partnership in 2016 found that 56% of LGBT women, 55% of LGBT men, and 64% of non-binary LGBT folks were not active enough to maintain good health.

The reasons for this may be due to the perceived barriers to access, with research suggesting that queer and trans people might not feel like existing exercise facilities are inclusive spaces.

To combat this, several LGBTQIA+ specific running collectives have emerged – creating opportunities for queer and trans people to come together, move their bodies and help combat loneliness by finding community and new friends. 

Dotted across the UK, these clubs are available in so many different cities: from Cardiff Foxes in Wales to Edinburgh Frontrunners in Scotland. Each group offers a space for all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella to run and train without fear of homophobia and transphobia, and to meet people with similar outlooks and perspectives. 

For more details on queer running clubs in your area, please consult Pride Sports. 

Queer running groups as a space for community connection

In London, a vibrant community has developed at Queer Running Club, a group which is hosted on the queer-focused, fitness booking platform BEND Movement. 

BEND is co-founded by Georgie Okell, a fitness trainer whose work focuses on trans and queer inclusion. For Georgie, their running journey began as a “coping mechanism” and a way to improve their mental health. 

Similarly, Emma Kirk-Odunubi is a coach and running analyst for whom running has been a major source of self-discovery. Following the death of her father, she explains that throwing herself into running “saved” her and provided an antidote to the grief she was dealing with. 

In recent years, she’s turned to the sport as a way of exploring queerness. “I only came out 4 or 5 years ago. When I realised that was who I am, I sought out queer running groups, to have that relaxation in a space where you’re not putting on a front.”

For Georgie, there is still not sufficient trans inclusion in the running world – something which groups like the Queer Running Club are trying to change – but they note that running creates a unique opportunity for togetherness.

“I ran [the London Marathon] two years ago and I wore a t-shirt and I’d written on the back ‘trans rights are human rights’” they explain. “Everyone feels part of [the marathon] – if you’re there supporting, if you’re there running, you feel like a part of something so big.”

How Voltarol can support your queer running journey

Now, Emma is training for the London Marathon with Team Voltarol – but how can Voltarol help support you on your training journey by tackling pain?

While there are so many different aspects of training, one hurdle runners can face is that – alongside the dedication, perseverance and joy – there may be a bit of pain. From training through bad weather or going to new lengths in your training journey, your muscles and joints may start to ache or feel stiff. 

As the official pain relief partner of London Marathon, Voltarol is here to help. Voltarol Gel provides up to 12 hours maximum strength pain relief for sprains, strains and sports injuries. (Voltarol Joint & Back Pain Relief 2.32% Gel. Contains diclofenac diethylammonium. Always read the label.)

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This LGBTQIA+ History Month, GAY TIMES speaks to die-hard fans about how they found their biggest loves in life: Arsenal Women and their partners. 

WORDS AND EDITORIAL DIRECTION ZOYA RAZA-SHEIKH
ART DIRECTION JACK ROWE
PHOTOGRAPHER LYDIA GARNETT
PRODUCER OLIVIA WILKES
FEATURING DORY AND JULIA, ROBYN AND ABI, POPPY AND RUBY, CLARICE AND NORHAN
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ARSENAL FC

There’s something special about Emirates Stadium – the buzzing chatter and chants rippling through the crowds as waves of LGBTQIA+ football fans pile into their seats. Music roars from speakers. You can feel the anticipation of something captivating about to happen. Arsenal  Football Club is a place of community, camaraderie and togetherness. Whether you wear the kit or not, the matches are for everyone. So, what’s more special than attending an Arsenal match with your partner? 

Julia and Dory first met on the dating app Hinge. They were both drawn to one another through a love of football, music and Uniqlo. Julia, originally from Aberdeen, hadn’t grown up supporting Arsenal but found herself drawn to the club’s inclusivity when she moved to London. Similarly, Dory initially thought football was a “straight man’s game”, yet, despite the odds, their third date was an AWFC match.

Now, the couple regularly attend women’s matches for dates. “We went to an Arsenal Women’s match together as one of our first dates, and since then, a shared love of football has formed one of the foundations of our relationship,” Julia shares. Continuing, she explains how football games have become more than just a bonding space, but an environment to spark new connections with queer football heads. “We have formed friendships with each other’s friends and family by attending games with them and now enjoy going to matches in bigger groups. I play for South London Laces, a grassroots women’s and non-binary club based in South London, and Dory standing on the sidelines at our matches and cheering the team on has brought us even closer together.”

Julia and Dory

With women’s football becoming enriched with greater LGBTQIA+ representation, Julia and Dory are grateful to be seeing the game moving forward, with Arsenal playing a leading role in queer inclusion. “It’s wonderful to see so many queer and sapphic people enjoy a sport which has historically been closed off to this audience. The community is thriving both at matches and online, and it is great to see so many new fans get into the sport via supporting Arsenal and beginning to play football themselves.”

Arsenal Women’s growth is unprecedented. Founded in 1987 by former footballer Vic Akers, this trailblazing club is  38 years in the making, and its roots all lead back to one thing – community. Born out of Arsenal in the Community, which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, AWFC first emerged as a programme to provide an inclusive, safe space for women, which soon evolved into ‘Arsenal Ladies’. Over 22 years, Akers led the club to an incredible 33 major trophies, notably earning AWFC’s first title, the Premier League Cup, in 1992. Since then, AWFC has been on an immeasurable journey, uniting players of all backgrounds on one pitch. Today, Pride flags flutter from pitch corners of Emirates Stadium, players don rainbow armbands, and the whole club celebrates Pride Month.

Clarice and Norhan

For football fans Clarice and Norhan, Arsenal games quickly became a meeting point for the two to grab a pint and spend quality time together. The couple first found each other four years ago at a lesbian club night, and their connection quickly grew.  Clarice, a lifetime Arsenal fan who grew up supporting and playing the game, introduced Norhan to the team – someone who had always been sporty but never had her own club. “We met at an Easter G.IRL event, as you do. Disguised in a 5,10 bunny with stiletto heels, and another in a Playboy mask. We can both agree that regardless of the masquerade party, even with our eyes closed, we would have found each other thanks to our heavenly energies,” they both explain. 

Since their first meeting, Norhan and Clarice have found comfort amongst LGBTQIA+ Arsenal fans. “Arsenal Women’s LGBTQIA+ fanbase is a safe space for all fans to be comfortable being who they are. Given that the Gay Gooners are the first and largest LGBTQIA+ football supporters group in England, it just goes to show that the fanbase is ever-growing and ever-supporting the community. It’s much more than football; being a fan means that we can all get together and inspire others to be strong individuals,” they share. “We both love the Arsenal women’s growing queer audience, as it diversifies the football culture. We have more of a safe space to voice opinions and extend the typical football culture. I believe that the growing queer football culture breaks old and unfashionable gender roles as it’s not only cis men watching football, it’s more inclusive, vibrant and free.”

Poppy and Ruby

Poppy and Ruby first met at The Bank of Friendship pub after the North London Derby last year. Introduced by mutual friends, the pair felt an immediate connection, empowered by their love for women’s football and Arsenal. Their passion for football has encouraged them to be more confident and open with their identities, embracing their authentic selves. “We love how women’s football is such a welcoming space for sapphic and queer people. It’s great to see so much visibility, and it definitely makes a difference in making everyone feel included in the stands,” they say. Together, the partners share a mutual love for the club and each other and spend weekends watching games and match analysis together. 

As for tips on how to get a girl (or a they/them) at the Emirates, Poppy and Ruby encourage you to be brave and strike up a casual conversation. “We would say start by making friends, shoot your shot and hope for the best… It’s great rejection therapy if anything! You’ll never know if you don’t try,” they say. “Arsenal Women are building a space where sapphic culture is embraced and celebrated. In a world where queer representation in sports is still catching up, Arsenal is setting the standard both on and off the pitch.”

Robyn and Abi

Football fan Robyn Gunn has two big loves: her girlfriend Abi and Arsenal FC. “Abi radiates such a warmth that anyone feels immediately at ease in her presence.  She is the kindest and most caring person as well, so that’s a massive bonus,” Robyn shares. A regular at Emirates Stadium, for her, nothing compares to an easygoing pitch-side date. “What an iconic location. Home to the best team in the world. The atmosphere on match day is unrivalled! Experiencing this on a date or with the love of your life is something to remember. And, you can’t beat a Willy’s Pie for halftime grub,” she says. 

Today, women’s football has grown to unprecedented levels. Arsenal Women’s audience continues to grow (bringing in an incredible 60,160 fans in attendance at one recent event). So, what can we learn from the romantic loves and queer friendships to be found at Emirates Stadium? Well, Robyn and Abi believe there’s some magic to be found in unfiltered queer love and expression: “There’s a huge community of people wanting to come together and enjoy the sport, meet friends, new loves and have fun. Naturally, the more we celebrate this, the more it will bleed through into other clubs.”

Get your tickets for the forthcoming Arsenal v Liverpool match, the penultimate Emirates WSL fixture, FYI, on Saturday, 22 March, here.

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The upcoming genre-bending twisted thriller is a subversive must-watch with just the right hint of camp.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WARNER BROTHERS UK

Within the world of horror, sexual and social norms are subverted in a struggle for survival. Whether making outsiders powerful villains or allowing those who live outside of social expectations to ultimately triumph, the conventions of the wider world no longer matter when the stakes are life or death.

Upcoming horror-thriller Companion is a reminder of the powerful appeal that the genre holds for queer audiences. With a cast that features scream queen Sophie Thatcher and queer faves Harvey Guillén and Lukas Gage, Companion follows AI companion Iris as she battles to find autonomy and live authentically (relatable!). 

Below, we unpack the film’s resonance for LGBTQIA+ and female audiences. 

Female autonomy 

Companion stars our fave scream queen Sophie Thatcher (a breakout star of Yellowjackets) as Iris. 

Iris thinks she’s found her rom-com meet-cute after she bumps into Josh (The Boys’ Jack Quaid) in a grocery store. However, when he invites her for a weekend away, she soon realises the truth: she doesn’t just dress like a Stepford Wife, she’s actually a highly sophisticated AI companion.

What ensues is a struggle for freedom as Iris fights to escape Josh’s control – a process of defying gender and sexual norms that evokes the process of ‘social deprogramming’ which many queer folks and women undergo in order to live as their most authentic selves.

Nuanced depictions of queerness

Among the film’s supporting cast are Harvey Guillén and Lukas Gage, who play Eli and Patrick: a gay couple among Josh’s affluent friendship group. 

The duo provide an explicit representation of queerness within the horror genre, where often LGBTQIA+ identities are subtly queer-coded rather than openly embodied. 

Their identities are never played for laughs and they’re not merely used as props – instead, the characters are an important part of the film’s narrative fabric. 

Companion is released in UK cinemas from Friday. Book tickets here and check out the trailer below.

The post ‘Companion’ reminds us that horror has always been queer af appeared first on GAY TIMES.

76% of LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters wish they had seen more examples of healthy queer and trans relationships in the media – here’s the healthy representation we’ve been looking for. 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HINGE

Hinge found that 80% of their LGBTQIA+ users had difficulty finding resources to help them date – which is where Not-so-Frequently Asked Questions (NFAQ) comes in.

First launched in August 2022, NFAQ amplifies inspiring voices that share their perspectives on how to navigate relationships, self-discovery, gender, and sexuality – all brought to life across social platforms, brand partnerships and IRL activations. The purpose? To curate a growing collection of conversations and questions which aren’t talked about enough. 

With 76% of LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters wishing they had seen more examples of healthy LGBTQIA+ relationships in the media growing up, the latest NFAQ campaign is about the power of positive representation. Giving daters examples of positive and nuanced lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ dating and intimacy beyond heteronormativity and stereotypes, the campaign puts LGBTQIA+ couples front and centre. 

Hinge has invited real LGBTQIA+ couples to share their takes on milestones both small and big that determine the trajectory of dating, relationships and falling in love. Inviting us into their intimate environments, these couples (including writer Roxanne Gay and designer Debbie Milman, musician Tom Rasmussen and writer Hugh ‘Shugs’ Wyld, and illustrator Ashley Lukachevsky and chef Angel Dimayuga) offer their take on questions Hinge heard LGBTQIA+ daters craved opinions from couples on the most – from navigating open relationships, to experiencing new firsts in a long-term commitment, to creating space for fluid gender expression. 

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to dive into these vulnerable expressions of queer relationships and the depths that they can span – all with a little help from Tom and Shugs.

TOM AND SHUGS

Tom Rasmussen (they/them) is a musician and patron of Positive East, East London’s biggest HIV charity, and Hugh ‘Shugs’ Wyld (he/him) is a writer. They married in summer 2022 and have been a couple for nearly a decade, transitioning to non-monogamy after six years together. They are parents to Celine Dion, an English bull terrier.

How did changing pronouns and gender identity labels change your relationship?

Tom: I changed my pronouns to they/them and told Shugs I was non-binary six years ago. I was nervous about telling Shugs, especially as there weren’t many non-binary people in our lives or friendship circle back then. I remember him saying; “I love you and I support you.” But he also asked; “What does that make me, in terms of my sexuality?” From my perspective, as the person who changed the pronoun, I hadn’t thought that other people in my life, including  Shugs, would have opinions and feelings on it. I was maybe a little pissed off lol.

In hindsight, I think it’s natural for the other person to have questions. But there’s probably also a line where they do have to support you. And if that support is conditional then they’re not being supportive enough.

We discussed it for a minute and questions did come up. Then you go to bed together and you wake up and you’re just the same people. In the end, very little changed between us, but what did change was that I felt like I needed to get to know more trans and nonbinary people. That was something  Shugs was supportive obviously, and I think that’s a great way to support your partner – by understanding that their needs might shift.

Shugs: I think for the person that’s receiving that information, like me, it’s important and may sound obvious, but to really listen and not immediately start picking it apart. Give that person the space to talk, take it on board, and don’t feel like you have to have an answer or response in the moment. Then do your work on the side as well. Don’t expect that person to teach you about gender identity if you don’t know anything about it. You can also do that work yourself.

How do you keep your relationship feeling fresh and exciting as it evolves?

 Shugs: We’re nearly ten years into our relationship, and we still find it very important to go on dates with one another. Making sure that, because life will get in the way, we are really clear about carving out fun time for each other. Sometimes we genuinely have to get our calendars out, because Tom is a social butterfly and there’s always stuff going on. It can be easy to count group social time as time together, but it is not the same as quality time together. A dinner party with friends is great and fun but it’s not a one-on-one date. So I’d say book in time alone. We also both really value our early morning walk with Celine, our dog. We have that every morning and that’s an hour and a half of just us two talking – about anything and everything.

Tom: I think the answer to keeping things fresh and exciting past those initial stages is much more mundane than “go on a roller coaster or go on a wild, sexy away weekend!” I think your love and your relationship can only continue to evolve if you are attentive with one another. We are both quite busy people, and we both have quite different schedules. Spending time apart allows you to miss one another and that’s great. But I also do think the practice of actually doing something a bit more routine, where you really focus your attention on one another is the key. I don’t mean talking about the relationship, although that can be lovely. I mean talking about what’s on that person’s mind, like; “is it normal to drink 5 liters of water a day?”, what they are interested in, big or small, what you’re doing that week, the way the world and your world is changing around you. Your values. My practical advice is to value those moments, and I think that carving out intentional time to focus your attention on one another keeps the relationship exciting. Also, if you need more to talk about, get a dog, an allotment, or a baby.

As a gay man / queer person, sometimes I feel pressure to be in a non-monogamous relationship. What if that’s not what I want?

Tom: I understand feeling the pressure, and I think if that’s not what you want, you don’t have to do it! We were monogamous for six years and I loved it and I think it was a crucial thing for us to build trust. Then we decided to open up the relationship. Whatever you decide, I do think if you’re with someone and they’re interested in non-monogamy and you are not, it is better to have that discussion than avoid it, because that could cause resentment.

Shugs: Something I would also say is that, there are different ways to do non-monogamy, and it can be helpful to research what they are in case there is a version that might work better for you. Many people have a preconceived notion that in an open relationship you are constantly sleeping with other people or you’re always on dates, and there can be a bit of a rush for that at the start. But something we said to one another when we decided to go open was that at any point we can put it on ice. We also tried to consciously open our relationship at a moment when we did not feel we had an “issue” to solve. We waited two years because we wanted to feel secure and like it would add something rather than take something away.

Got a Not-So-Frequently-Asked question of your own? Read more takes on LGBTQIA+ dating questions not talked about enough at hinge.nfaq.co

The post IRL couple Tom Rasmussen and Hugh ‘Shugs’ Wyld on how changing gender identity labels impacted their relationship appeared first on GAY TIMES.

This mesmerising film stars Daniel Craig and explores sex as a tender, emotive antidote to gay shame and the vital, life-affirming power of sensuality.

WORDS PATRICK SPROULL
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MUBI UK

Head to MUBI & sign up for the GT Reader offer for 30 days free streaming to watch Queer now

To Luca Guadaganino, the Italian filmmaker and Hollywood’s guiding light on sensual cinema, nothing is ever as it seems. In a cinema landscape starved of eroticism, Guadaganino’s nuanced, granular approach to sex has been a balm. The world of Guadagnino contains invigorating contradictions: cannibalism is romantic, tennis is more than a sport, and, of course, a peach is not just a peach. This playful blurring of what constitutes sex throughout his career makes the (literally) naked intimacy of his newest film, Queer, all the more powerful. It feels like the culmination of something the director has been working towards for years. 

What makes Queer so affecting is that its source material, the William S. Burroughs novella, is anything but. Burroughs’ lead, Lee, a veteran in 1950s Mexico City who subsists on a diet of double tequilas and twinks, is a pitiable figure. He’s unpleasant to be around and decrepit in appearance, yearning pathetically for the attention of anyone around: “An addict has little regard for his image,” wrote Burroughs. But when we meet Guadagnino’s version of Lee, superbly played by Daniel Craig, he is a far cry from tragic; cutting a sharp figure in his white linen suit, one hand in his pocket, Panama hat doffed to passers-by, he is something of an elegant raconteur. 

The novella is semi-autobiographical and semi-complete, written in Mexico when Burroughs fled the USA after being caught in possession of drugs and firearms, and you get the sense that the author, so close to the text, has given up on Lee. Guadagnino, on the other hand, has very much not. Craig’s Lee is a man vibrating with squandered potential, and Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes give him considerable grace, sketching him with more light and shade than Burroughs did. Lee here has frittered his life away on years of military service and a crippling heroin addiction. He spends his days waxing lyrical in bars to a coterie of drinking buddies, performing a more refined form of masculinity than his literary counterpart.

Then Eugene Allerton enters Lee’s life. Guadagnino has him enter in slow motion, foregrounded by a cockfight and soundtracked to Nirvana’s “Come as You Are”; it’s an introduction that takes your breath away. In Burroughs’ novella, Allerton could be indistinguishable from any of Lee’s previous pick-ups, but brought to life by Drew Starkey, he is one of Guadagnino’s greatest figures of attraction; maybe the definitive. Where Lee in the novella is lecherous and driven by heroin-induced libido, Craig’s Lee is genuinely besotted and magnetised by Allerton. He becomes a lovesick young man in that moment, and though we never quite understand what makes Allerton tick, what makes him reciprocate Lee’s attraction, it almost doesn’t matter. What distinguishes Allerton and Lee’s relationship from previous Guadagnino trysts is how willingly the filmmaker, after so long, embraces carnality. 

The sex in Queer comes thick and fast; they are, as Guadagnino put it, “numerous and quite scandalous”. Much has already been made of the nudity and the sweaty, transgressive kick of seeing men fucking; witnessing gay sex handled this authentically and erotically feels like a breakthrough. It is, in some ways, Guadagnino’s horniest film, but in true Luca Guadagnino form, it is a precise, considered horniness. The sex in Queer – Lee’s pursuit and domination of Allerton – feels like the release of years of tension in the director’s filmmaking. When Allerton, reclined on a bed, allows Lee to go down on him, Guadagnino splices the scene with shots of the Mexico City nightscape through every window in the apartment. It playfully recalls Call Me by Your Name’s infamous pan out of the window from Elio and Oliver when they finally fuck. Guadagnino made this decision because, in his words, bearing witness to that scene would have been an “unkind intrusion”; in Queer, Guadagnino’s camera is empathetic and necessary. For once, he allows us to stay in the room. 

Lee’s euphoria, his unabashed horniness for Allerton, is the heart of Queer; the sex is its lungs. Lee is a soul filled with self-loathing, hollowed out by a lifetime of repression, and with Allerton, he begins to slowly colour in the blanks. It’s a testament to Craig’s performance that Lee feels quite so achingly real, an intensely troubled man isolated from himself and others by his queerness. Finding pleasure in Allerton is the light at the end of the tunnel and for Guadagnino, who has always been choosy over whether to consummate his characters’ relationships, it is a startling change of pace. 

Earlier this year, in Guadagnino’s kinetic, uber-hot tennis drama, he took a very different approach. “The tennis is the sex,” said star Josh O’Connor. You’d struggle to find anyone who disagrees. The love triangle at its core – consisting of O’Connor, Mike Faist, and Zendaya – thrashed it out on the court instead of the bedroom. Guadagnino’s constant blueballing of the audience, teasing and never delivering in the conventional sense, was Challengers’ real grand slam. Frustrating as it was, there was no world in which Challengers could be explicit. 

It was the same for Bones and All, Guadagnino’s 2022 romance about two cannibals who fall in love. Sex was never shown and cannibalism took its place; in Bones and All, resisting and eventually consuming a loved one was the greatest act of intimacy. Again, Guadagnino lensed his characters’ physical attraction through something other than explicit sex. Even in his 2009 film I Am Love, the sex scenes are shown but mostly in tasteful close-up – lips pressed against skin, a mouth open in pleasure, a hand gripping a scalp. Sex becomes a jigsaw to put together. 

This all makes Queer’s sensual, complete portrait of lust hit like a wave. Guadagnino has always been a master of portraying love, capable of negotiating the balance between sex and romance. By finally portraying gay sex in Queer, so generously and so fondly, he is giving the act layers upon layers of meaning. It is the height of a career dedicated to portraying sex as erotically and authentically as possible. As Lee throws himself body and soul into his lust for Allerton, so, too, does Luca Guadagnino. 

Head to MUBI & sign up for the GT Reader offer for 30 days free streaming to watch Queer now

The post Queer feels like the climax of Luca Guadagnino’s fascination with sex appeared first on GAY TIMES.

 Looking for the perfect gift for a queer work husband? A throuple? A baby lesbian? We’ve got you covered. 

WORDS AND CURATION BY TOM GEORGE
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PINTEREST

Mariah Carey is defrosting as we speak. Androgynous gingerbread people are being baked by the batch. Dads up and down the country will be fighting to get the last Mean Girls Bratz dolls on eBay for their young daughters and twenty-something gay sons. And you know what that means: the holidays are soon upon us! 

GAY TIMES x Pinterest gift guides

For many, queer allyship is limited to sharing an infographic or commenting fire emojis on their fit pics. But it’s time to step things up…this festive period, we want gifts! And luckily, in collab with Pinterest, we’ve tapped our own queer community for the lowdown on what they’d actually want this December.

Scroll below for the full details of our shoppable gift guides with Pinterest and some much-needed hints on what to buy your queer friends this XXXmas season (keep reading, your LGBTQIA+ besties will thank you later). 

Gifts to show allyship to queer friends

If you want to support a queer creative then wrap up a copy of Jason Okundaye’s Revolutionary Acts or Alim Kheraj’s Queer London. If you’re aiming to show your appreciation for your LGBTQIA+ friends (Pride is 365 days a year, after all!), add some Byoma skincare, an Earl of East candle or Urania’s Queer Magic fragrance to your basket. And if you want to win over their approval with your impeccable tastes then fork out for a pair of Margiela Tabis and the popular Marc Jacobs Oz-inspired tote bags. 

Shop here. 

Our Pinterest gift guides have goodies for all within the LGBTQIA+ community, but if you’re looking for something a tad more specific, something that truly speaks to the non-binary friend or queer work husband in your life, then we’ve found the perfect treats for them too, read on! 

Gifts for your queer work husband 

Every morning he lights up your work day, strolling in half an hour late with an iced oat latte with a shot of vanilla in one hand and a Luar Ana bag that barely fits his Macbook in the other. He’s had a bit of a Brat Summer… and Brat Fall, but even Charli is ready to call the party girl life quits now and he’s looking for some new aesthetics. One that’s a bit more demure. What says, if a finance bro slayed? A double collar shirt from Jordanluca will surely stand out in the boardroom and a pair of Martine Rose for Clarks Oxfords, or the new MM6 spliced Dr Martens. His desk could do with a makeover but nothing a new plant from Beards + Daisies can’t fix. Switch out his staplescore stationary for a Miu Miu notebook and D&G highlighters. Douse him in pheromones (DS & Durga’s Steamed Rainbow scent) and make his morning coffee in a hilariously unchic Drag Race mug adorned by a quote from a drag queen so niche, it’s sure to be clocked by the other single gays in the co-working space. 

Shop here. 

Gifts for a throuple who just moved in together

One, two, three, what do you get Peter, Paul and Mary? Your throuple besties are taking the next step and are getting a place together! But kitting out a house for two is difficult enough. Where do you find a bed big enough for three? A his, hers and theirs vanity? What book shelf could carry all three sets of these queers collections of A Court of Thorns and Roses? And after all that Fortnum and Masons red wine bottle for three is only available for Valentines! Le Crueset’s 40cl cast iron crock pot should be enough space to make a cassoulet pour trois. Laqik offers a lovely and space-frugal triangular table for family dinners; set it with Alighieri’s totem devotion cutlery and blessings will be bestowed to really turn this house into a home. Finish off your house warming hamper with the luxe Anthropologie zaire agate cheese board, a triple set of Earl of East torno candles, some art from queer homefluencer Lone Fox, and a copy of non-monogamy psych bible Polysecure. After all, living with one partner is hard, let alone two! 

Shop here. 

Gifts for the labelless Gen-Z TikToker

Like [redacted], [redacted] and all the other curly haired twinks, he’s not labelling his sexuality and that’s okay! He doesn’t have to label himself for anyone. He does need a lesson in queer culture though because when he told you he discovered this “retro” queer movie – Pride (2014) – that he watched in 52 parts on TikTok, you almost had a nervy b. A copy of James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room wouldn’t go amiss. Naturally, he went to the Sweat Tour, and so an abstract bowl from Troye Sivan’s Tsu Lange Yor, a pair of red Puma Speedcats and pieces from some it boy brands like ERL, SS Daley and Ludovic De Saint Sernin will briefly win over his ever decreasing attention span. He’s been trying to get you to drink this trending Diet Coke and pickle juice drink Dua Lipa promoted, and you relent… as long as it’s made with the spiced Pickle House concoction at Selfridges and followed with a chaser spritz of Selahatin’s eau d’extract oral. If that’s not enough to earn you some rizz, a JW Anderson hedgehog clutch, filled with Pleasing by Harry Styles nail varnishes, will surely do the trick. 

Shop here. 

Gifts for your Boygenius-loving non-binary friend

“You okay, babe?”, you ask, peeking around the door at your friend who usually thrives within the darker, moodier months. “You’ve barely touched your copy of Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfit”. If a new and brooding song from Ethel Cain is not enough to ironically boost their serotonin, perhaps the new I’m Sorry by Petra Collins collection or the Simone Rocha embellished Crocs are. You know just the fix! You lift them out of bed and dress them in Dilara x Heaven by Marc Jacobs, with a big chunky crucifix from The Drays and a cutesy Leo Costelloe bow necklace. Then, you light a witchy Vyrao incense stick and chant lines from Tish Weinstock’s How To Be Goth so that they can be anointed by the divine spirits (Boygenius) and brought back to the dark side. 

Shop here. 

Gifts for the baby lesbian that loves Chappell Roan

She may have only heard of Chappell Roan after “Good Luck Babe!” but she’s learning! She’s a Baby Lesbian™ and she has some catching up to do. First things first: carabiners. Yes you could get a gorpy set from the local camping store but a kitsch accessory or one of the leather belted kilts from Chopova Lowena is far more chic. Next is herstory, everything femme queer from Virginia Woolf to Bottoms. Finally, you play her Down The Drain by Julia Fox so she can perfect that vocal fry, tie those Ramsey Wednesday platform Docs around her ankles and throw on a pink cowgirl hat and switch out those acrylics for an eight-set of short gel nails in pastels. Our girly is H-O-T-T-O-G-O! We couldn’t be more proud. 

Shop here. 

The post Put the white tube socks down! Here’s what to actually get your queer friends this Christmas appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Introducing GT Alliance, a new initiative to create more opportunities for our wider community and collaborators.

Today, GT Group is announcing the creation of GT Alliance, a new initiative that prioritises LGBTQIA+ and diverse-owned creative and production agencies in the creation of partnership campaigns and content.

GT Alliance is an approach that builds a stronger LGBTQIA+ supply chain, supporting community-owned business and enterprise. GT Alliance is our commitment to working with and platforming LGBTQIA+ and diverse production expertise, using our platform in the industry.

With this new initiative, GT is looking to onboard long-term production partners who will be involved in the conceptualisation and activation of branded output moving forward.  

Want to get involved? We are looking for brilliant production partners to work with, on everything from small scale design or content-led projects to larger 360-degree brand partner campaigns. 

We’ll be selecting initial GT Alliance partners from the United Kingdom, United States and Europe. 

If you have your own small creative or production agency, or are a freelance producer, creative or producer-director then get in touch via the contact form here. 

More about GT Alliance

GT Alliance is part of our multi-year strategy that actively contributes toward the communities we platform. 

Our work with brands helps power the wider GT content ecosystem, and with their allyship we are able to create impactful campaigns that uplift the voices we serve. 

Our track record speaks for itself: whether it’s exploring unique subcultures with Google, encouraging queer visibility in sport with Voltarol, discussing important topics like conversion therapy with Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, finding the next generation of music talent with Coke Studio, highlighting the financial challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people with Money Supermarket or exploring the power of self-expression at Pride with Levis. 

In the past, like most media companies, we’ve supported our internal team by working with a range of suppliers across the industry. GT Alliance allows us to collaborate with external creatives, directors, producers and creative production agencies, to create content and activations.

We know our community is creative, insightful and innovative so working with a broader range of collaborators allows for more varied perspectives within our content. It creates new opportunities and allows more voices to be amplified, offering new opinions and connections from across GT Alliance.

We look forward to sharing more creative work through the GT Alliance model that centres topics important to our audience and wider LGBTQIA+ and diverse communities.

You can submit your information to be considered for GT Alliance here. 

The post GT launches new initiative to partner with LGBTQIA+ and diverse-owned production and creative agencies appeared first on GAY TIMES.

 In 2023, Ben and Diogo made it off the apps and into each other’s arms – and now they’ve even immortalised it on a plate.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HINGE

76% of LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters wish they had seen more examples of healthy LGBTQIA+ relationships in the media growing up –  which is why it’s important to celebrate queer love whenever we can. 

Enter: Ben and Diogo. 

Originally from Manchester, Ben moved to London to study graphic design with a dream of becoming an art director. Diogo is originally from Portugal and moved to London four years ago, where he completed an MA in music production. 

The couple – who are 25 and 23, respectively – first met on Hinge back in March 2023. However, this wasn’t the first time they matched. This actually took place six months before, with Ben messaging Diogo, and Diogo committing the cardinal sin of ~not replying~. 

Luckily, however, when Diogo liked Ben half a year later, there wasn’t too much hard feeling. After some back-and-forth, they quickly wound up going on a date to a Camden pub. Adorably, they got on well from the off-set, with Diogo loving Ben’s smile and Ben noting how well the conversation flowed. 

For their second date, Ben made Diogo a home-cooked meal and Diogo turned up with flowers. It wasn’t long (two months!) before they made it official – and they did so in the cutest way. 

Ben’s Hinge prompt, which Diogo replied to, told the story of his coming out – when he cooked his parents a “coming out pie” with the words ‘I’m gay’ spelt out in wilted spinach on top.

In order to take the relationship to the next level, Ben riffed off of this earlier detail from his and Diogo’s digital meet-cute – spelling out “be my boyfriend?” in alphabet potatoes and presenting it to Diogo. Of course, Diogo said yes!

Now, over a year later after meeting on Hinge, they’re still a couple. They describe their relationship as a harmonious blend of creativity, mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s individuality. And to mark their one-year anniversary, Ben gave Diogo a cheeky nod to their early days: a plate printed with the iconic alphabet potato proposal. Because why stop at alphabet potatoes when you can make it dinnerware official? 

Looking towards the future, they’re excited to continue growing and exploring together. Recently, Diogo took Ben to Portugal to meet his family and friends, a trip that turned out to be incredibly special for both of them. Now that they’ve shared that meaningful experience, they’re looking ahead to what’s next: moving in together, traveling, and navigating the ups and downs of life together.

Looking to find your own queer love story? Try out Hinge for yourself by downloading here. 

The post From apps to alphabet potatoes: A queer love story appeared first on GAY TIMES.

When it comes to iconic music moments, few names hold as much reverence as ABBA. With a legacy spanning decades, the band has not only influenced pop music but has also served as a cornerstone of queer culture. ABBA’s latest venture, ABBA Voyage, continues to push boundaries, creating a one-of-a-kind concert experience that blends music, technology, and the sheer joy of coming together. And for one night only, GAY TIMES hosted a pre-concert party like no other in the VIP Oceanbird Lounge at ABBA Voyage.

As part of our partnership, some of the most exciting names in LGBTQIA+ culture descended on London’s ABBA Arena for a celebration of music, unity, and unapologetic queerness. With familiar faces in attendance including the likes of Layton Williams, Romy, Riyadh Khalaf, Tobie Donovan and Jenny Walser from Heartstopper, Stuart Armfield and Francis Haugen, legendary nightlife queen Princess Julia, alongside other community talent. 

Guests were treated to a special pre-concert DJ set by ABSOLUTE., kicking off the evening with the perfect mix of disco, pop, and queer anthems. The vibe was impeccable, with custom cocktails inspired by “The Singer,” “The Dancer,” and “The Fashionista” – a nod to ABBA’s lasting influence on queer culture. 

From the pre-party to the dancefloor, the crowd walked through ABBA Arena’s spectacular light tunnels to the main event – the unforgettable ABBA Voyage, where digital avatars (the famed ABBAtars) of Frida, Agnetha, Benny, and Björn brought decades of beloved hits to life. It was pure pop bliss, with tracks like ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Voulez-vous’, and ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)’ serving as the soundtrack to our special takeover. 

But the night wasn’t just about the music. 

As the evening unfolded, queer icons and allies mingled with fans from all walks of life, everyone united by their love for ABBA’s legacy and their commitment to creating spaces where everyone can be their truest, most fabulous selves. 

At GT, we’ve always known that ABBA holds a special place in queer hearts. As Björn Ulvaeus once told us, “We found out quite early that Dancing Queen had become an anthem, and we were very proud that we’d been chosen by the community.” And on this night, that sentiment rang true once again.

At the heart of ABBA Voyage lies the undeniable power of music to bring people together, and for those who joined us, it wasn’t just a concert – it was an immersive celebration of creativity, freedom and unexpected friendships. For anyone who missed out or would like to experience the magic of ABBA Voyage again, dance floor tickets are available here.

Keep an eye on GT’s socials to see for yourself how members of the queer community came together to celebrate like never before.

Until next time – keep dancing, queens!

The post A Night Like No Other with GAY TIMES and ABBA Voyage appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Fresh from curating a special menu of Cointreau cocktails to celebrate GAY TIMES’ 40th anniversary, we get to know the queer drinks guru and TV personality.

This year we’ve been celebrating a major milestone here at GAY TIMES: the big 4-0. Across four decades, the publication has cultivated a thriving queer community and created a vibrant platform for LGBTQIA+ culture. 

To mark our fortieth anniversary, we’ve been delving into queer history with a little help from the legendary Cointreau orange liqueur and queer drinks guru and TV personality Aidy Smith. The result? Four bespoke cocktails curated by Smith that have been inspired, concepted and created especially for our 40th birthday. 

Taking inspiration from the riches of queer cinema – from the vibrant Priscilla to the early drag stylings of Some Like It Hot – the four delectable beverages span everything from soothing peach to pineapple spritz. 

We sat down with Smith to learn more about the inspiration for these unique recipes, to learn what cocktails represent some of our favourite former cover stars and to discuss his broader career so far.

What makes a good birthday party cocktail?

A good birthday party cocktail should light up the room. Bursting with flavour, it should be really easy to make and most importantly, put a smile on your face. There’s no room for intimidation when it comes to mixology. Everyone should be able to grab their shaker and get in on the action. I live for that!

How did you approach creating these bespoke cocktails for GAY TIMES’ 40th birthday party with Cointreau?

Working with two of the most iconic names within their industry is a pretty exciting situation to be in. I’ve watched GAY TIMES grow over the years to become the force of nature that it is today, equally as much I’ve been exploring the liquid gold of Cointreau ever since I started making cocktails over 15 years ago! The intention here was to pay a nod to our rich and wonderful LGBTQIA+ history while creating a series of cocktails that celebrate our culture, individuality and remarkable influence in all things fashion, music, film, and more. Through taste, smell, visualisation and playing with the senses, I’ve created a series of four drinks, putting my own twist and style on cocktails we’ve all come to know and love over the years. The best part is, they’re so easy to make, anyone can shake them up from the comfort of their home. 

Can you give us a little bit of insight behind the meaning of each cocktail?

I always say the hardest part of creating any cocktail is naming the damn thing. You have to find a clear link between the liquid, taste, look, feel and moment you’re celebrating – there’s so many variables involved it can be mind-boggling. As we tried to come up with clever and relatable names, we kept breaking off to talk about LGBTQIA+ films we loved – and without even realising it, found our theme. Each serve is named after a beautiful on-screen movie or cinematic influence, which in its own right has contributed to LGBTQIA+ progression through storytelling, resilience, love, laughter and ultimately, just living our best lives. Each one is packed full of personality, flare and cheek, in all the best ways possible. 

Divine Peach: Peach Margarita with Cointreau 

Praising the remarkable LGBTQIA+ talent that has graced our airwaves over the last 40 years, this twist on the margarita is incredibly moreish. Think bright juicy peach with a light vanilla orange, all held together by a sassy citrus zing. A satisfyingly unique take on one of the most famous cocktails on the planet with a cute peachy twist. Once you’ve tasted it, there’s no going back. 

Some Like it Hot: Spicy Mango Jalapeño Margarita with Cointreau

Our community is praised for its individuality and uniqueness, never being afraid to go beyond the norm and embrace our true selves for who we are, even if we ruffle a few feathers along the way. This cocktail celebrates so many remarkably unique personalities coming together as one in the name of progression. Think sweet soothing mango and a kiss of vanilla orange, with a fresh burst of lime and a spicy kick of jalapeño which hits you in all the right places. Spicy margaritas have become a global sensation over the last few years, but there is one question which still divides opinion: to rim or not? Well, for this serve, we do. And not just any old rim. My version has a tickle of salty chilli to really tease those taste buds.

Priscilla: Pineapple & Rum Highball with Mount Gay Rum

Embodying one of the first major films to normalise and raise awareness on trans culture, Priscilla is not afraid to showcase her true beauty to the world. Light toffee and tropical notes dance around the glass with a gentle pineapple spritz. Light, minimal sweetness due to Mount Gay Eclipse having no added sugar (for those staying off the sugar), and packed full of thirst-quenching tropical notes. Someone pass me a straw!

Tootsie: Raspberry Passion Fruit Martini with Passoa Passion Fruit Liqueur

What celebration of LGBT+ history is complete without paying a nod to the remarkable drag artists who have brought us so much love, cheer and undeniable laughter for decades? Tootsie is a beautiful example of self-expression and not being afraid to show your true colours. Over the last 40 years our drag queens hard work and resilience have resulted in drag performance being embraced on a mainstream level – and there’s no slowing them down. In this serve, elegance meets sass with a soothing comfort. Silky raspberry holds hands with a vibrant burst of passionfruit and a velvety vanilla glow. Much like watching drag; once you get a taste, you’ll just keep coming back for more. 

Click here to read more about the cocktails and discover the recipes. 

If you had to serve a cocktail to the following former GAY TIMES cover stars, what would it be and why?

Let’s start with Kylie Minogue…

The Clover Club – it’s basically a raspberry Gin Sour and a cocktail that is so full of life. Bursting with the electricity of fresh lemon and balanced out by a fruity and calming pink raspberry – it’s like witnessing both her high and low notes simultaneously. Secret tip, add 20ml of Passoa to the recipe to hit that extra level of PADAM! 

How about Grace Jones?

Rum Old Fashioned – Most people think that whisky is the only spirit to go in an Old Fashioned, but I dare to question that. Rum is the perfect evolution of this drink, especially for those who find whisky too harsh to drink. I’d take some of this legend’s Caribbean roots with a Mount Gay XO and match it with her unquestionable ability to break the norm, think outside of the box and dare to be different. Let’s break the rules. 

What would you serve Orville Peck?

The Sidecar – With a voice like that, I immediately think deep, seductive dark chocolate orange. Country music is often perceived as outdated, but Orville has proven that isn’t the case, just like the Sidecar is a prime example of how Cognac doesn’t belong at the back of the cupboard. Remy Martin Cognac meets Cointreau Orange Liqueur with a kiss of lemon and vanilla syrup. Hands down one of the best cocktails to have ever been invented. 

And finally, what would you make for Ncuti Gatwa?

Passion Fruit Martini – For the man who never fails to make me beam with joy. Ncuti’s on-screen presence is a force to be reckoned with. He’s like sunshine in a glass, which is exactly what this serve reminds me of. I also love how this serve is going through a resurgence of self-expression and twists, much like Ncuti and every new role he continues to absolutely boss. 

What advice would you give to people looking to refine their drinking tastes and learn to make cocktails with one of the Remy Cointreau brands?

Don’t be afraid. I know that shaking up a serve can come across as quite daunting, but I promise you it’s not. In the same way you bake, barbecue and cook anything for that matter, it’s just about following a recipe. Arm yourself with a cocktail shaker, jigger, lemon squeezer and strainer and see what you are capable of. Start with super easy serves and before you know it your confidence will peak and you’ll be shaking like there’s no tomorrow. There’s nothing quite like sipping something you made yourself. Be proud to explore and delight some taste buds in the process.

You present and produce The Three Drinkers travel series on Amazon Prime Video. Now on season three and airing in over 100 countries and territories, it has become one of the highest-rated drinks shows across global streaming platforms. What do you think has been the key to its success?

Honestly? Being unapologetically myself at all times and not being afraid to ask the questions people often shy away from. The vast majority of drinks content we see on our TVs seems to focus on swirling glasses and talking about mundane tasting notes, terroir and soil types. Big yawn. I wanted to do things differently. By putting lifestyle and travel at the centre of my show I’ve been able to capture the viewers’ inquisitive side – call it, armchair travel. This show isn’t just about discovering more about drinks and how to enjoy them, it’s about seeing all that a particular country or region has to offer. From its food, hotels and local crafts to fashion, history, cultural norms and most importantly – the unique personalities of the people which make it what it is. I do everything from milking cows, making shoes and eel-fishing to bathing in seaweed, hosting cocktail classes with drag queens and even something called bog snorkelling, but I’ll let you watch to find out what that entails. I’m also not afraid to lean into who I am as a person. My LGBTQIA+ roots are important to me and I want that story to come across on-screen by exploring or adding my own insights to each destination I visit so I can share something with them too. Ultimately, by ditching the technical talk and embracing who I am as a person with all my weird and wonderful quirks, the story just unfolds naturally and we never quite know what we’re about to capture on camera next! For me, THAT is what makes great TV. 

Presenting the show has allowed you to travel across the globe – as both an LGBTQ+ traveller and drink connoisseur, what would you say are some of the best destinations?

It’s hard for me to narrow these down but I’ll give it a try! On the wine side there’s some remarkable places to visit, from the vineyards of Southern England (yes, we have epic sparkling wine!) to Sonoma and Paso Robles in California and pretty much anywhere in Washington state and Oregon. New York has the Finger Lakes on its doorstep and Stellenbosch is just a stone’s throw away from Cape Town in South Africa. Then there’s New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Australia, Germany, France, the list goes on. As certain parts of the world become more progressive, LGBTQIA+ people are welcomed to wine regions with open arms. Then there’s the spirit side of things. I’d seek out some of the urban distilleries within major cities – New York, London, Barcelona and Dublin all come to mind. In fact, in Season 2 of The Three Drinkers I even did an LGBTQIA+ bar crawl around Dublin, so you’ve already got your itinerary sorted! Ultimately, there’s a growing number of regions around the world that are incredibly progressive. I keep being asked to host a bespoke LGBTQIA+ wine tour in California, so maybe that’s something to consider for 2025! 

As the only TV presenter in the UK and one of just a small handful in the USA with Tourette Syndrome, you spend a lot of time advocating and raising awareness for neurodivergence. How important is it for you to provide representation in the media for such important causes?

When I was a little boy, I was told that people with Tourette’s could never be TV presenters. I was told we’d never be pilots, singers, journalists, police officers, the list goes on. The truth is, this is one of the most misunderstood and mocked conditions on the planet which people have no idea about. What they do believe is based on years of media misrepresentation, comedic jests and social media posts that are so far removed from the reality of what we live with. 

Few people know that 90% of those with Tourette Syndrome don’t swear uncontrollably. Even fewer are aware that based on what we’ve been forced to go through, our emotional intelligence, empathy and cultural awareness are on a whole other level. Ironically, when we follow our passions and the things we love, we become a force of nature. All the excess energy from our tics is re-channeled into those tasks and we become truly unstoppable. Sadly, there is a long way to go before the world understands this. 

In fact, the only reason I present a global TV series is because I created the show myself. From financing, creative and development to casting, presenting and marketing, I’ve been an integral part of each stage. Had I put myself forward for the same show as just talent, my foot wouldn’t have stepped a centimetre through the casting door. Commissioners still feel that those with Tourette’s don’t belong on TV, unless of course we’re there as a source of amusement. I call this the ‘circus freak show’ mentality which we’ve become all too familiar with. 

The reason I speak so openly about my own experiences is because I never want any little person to go through the same torment, harassment and bullying I did growing up, which has resulted in 47% of us considering ending our lives. I want them to follow their dreams, unhinge the shackles that society has placed on them and truly love who they are in a world where they absolutely, unquestionably belong. Put simply, I want them to tic freely. This is why I fight.

What’s next for you in 2024?

Honestly, continuing to do what I adore while finding new ways to keep the excitement alive! Having recently got my ADHD diagnosis I’ve been doing a lot of self-discovery, and you can expect some really cool things on the horizon in relation to the world of neurodivergence across radio and broadcast. There’s a few TV things I’m not allowed to talk about just yet but can’t wait to share, and of course I’ll be continuing to pop those corks and shake up those cocktails to quench your thirst. I’ve just begun a new role delving into the world of LGBTQIA+ travel too, so there’ll be a lot to unpack there (all puns intended). I think the main thing is just continuing to work hard while enjoying what we do. Life is too short to wake up each day and not live life to the fullest – something I’m beginning to realise more and more with each day that passes. Be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to go out there and push the boundaries to make some magic happen. 

Click here to read more about the cocktails and discover the recipes. 

The post Popping corks, shaking cocktails and pushing boundaries: meet Aidy Smith appeared first on GAY TIMES.