DELHI PRIDE 2009

India will celebrate it's GAY pride on the 28th of June this year.  Like all GAY prides, India had a bigger turn ups in the 2008 pride then expected.  This year India is expecting a even bigger pride.  According to Ponni, a queer feminist activist, “This year, the march has a little more significance for us as the most of the arguments for the legal case over Article 377 have ended and we’re waiting for the judgment to come, soon after the march takes place.” 

This is a big is event not only for India but for other neighbouring nations too including Bangladesh, as we are too affected by the same law implemented by the British.  So guys do not miss this one.  This could be a begining for us.

The march this year will start around 5.30 pm at the intersection of Barakhamba Road and Tolstoy Marg in CP, and will continue along Tolstoy Marg, ending at Jantar Mantar.

RAMBO IN BOLLYWOOD FILM

The Brits has shown how its done, and now the yanks gets their share too. Yes I am talking Hollywood meets Bollywood.  So don’t be surprised if you see some of the biggest name ever from the Hollywood’s “A” listers in this summers Bollywood blockbusters.  Names such as Sylvester Stallone Denise Richards and Brendon Routh.  All acting in one movie.  Along side Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in the film Kambakkht Ishq.  Rumour has it that the film is apparently going to be shown in this years Cannes film festival, and will be dubbed in English for the event.  So for those of you who do not understand Hindi, do look out for the English version of Kambakkht Ishq.  And those of you who do understands Hindi, watch out for Sylvester Stallone in action with Hindi dialogues.

ALSO IN BOLLYWOOD BLUE

“Blue” is an adoption of the the Hollywood production “The Deep”.  In which Kylie Minogue is appearing playing herself, acting in one scene and performing a song-and-dance routine with the action hero Akshay Kumar.  So there will definitely be a dancing around the tree song.  Also Kylie she has recorded a song with the Oscar-winning composer  Mr A.R. Rahman for the film Blue.

PRIDE DATES

BLACKPOOL PRIDE

16th and 17th of May

Main stage in blakpools  gay village around Dickson Road.

www.blackpoolgayscene.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM PRIDE

23rd and 24th of May

Carnival Parade at 2pm from Victoria Square to to the gay village around Hurst street.

www.birminghampride.com

BRADFORD PRIDE

 30th of May

Centenary Square, City Centre.

Don't miss this first ever major gay event in Bradfords city centre..

www.euitypartnership.com

www.visitbradford.com

OXFORD PRIDE

6th of June

Celebrate the 40th anniversery of stonewall riots and honour the people who fought for gay rights in June 1969.  Hence the theme "1969-the year of flower power and the Stonewall rebellion".

www.oxfordpride.org.uk

SHEFFIELD PRIDE

 20th June

Endcliffe Park from 1pm-7pm

www.sheffieldpride.org.uk

EDINBURGH PRIDE

27th of June

Held once in every two year, so you dont wana miss it.

www.pride-scotia.org

LONDON PRIDE

4th of July

Attended by 850.000 people last year, record yet.  This years theme "come out and play".  Parade begins at 12noon through Oxford street ending in the huge rally in Trafalgar Square.  Be there!!

www.pridelondon.org

LONDON SOHO PRIDE

August date still undecided

This non stop 12 hours of partying in the heart of west ends SOHO is one you do not want to miss.  

www.sohopride.net

BRIGHTON AND HOVE PRIDE

1st of August

"Beside the Seaside" - This years theme. Carnival parade starts at 11am from the Brighton Pier and continues through to Preston Park.  Entrance is absoulately free and the party continues all the way till 8pm and moves on to Brightons Funky Gay scene.

www.brightonpride.org

So there is your Pride dates, as requested by a lot of you the benGAYliz members.  Email me at abs@bengayliz.com with details of how you enjoyed your PRIDE day, with pictures if you want them published in benGAYliz home page.

 HA HA HA...

                                          (Joke sent by an anonymous emailer).

I'm going to rob a bank tomorrow.  I'l dress up in a clown's wig

with make up and only wearing a thong and nipple tassels.

I'll also carry a goat and a can of florescent paint in one arm and,

while in the bank, I'm going to screw the goat and throw the paint

 over the walls, all the time ripping up pages of phonebook and swearing

 my head off. After getting the money, I'll take a dump on the floor

and wee everywere.  I will then escape in a van shaped like a giant

pink willy.  Let's see Crimewatch stage a reconstruction of that!

Did you know?

• Three out of every ten men with HIV don’t even know they have it and today there are more gay men living with HIV virus then ever before.

   
• The lining of your arse is like a sponge and it absorbs liquids, like cum and pre-cum, directly into your blood.  thats's why getting fucked by a positive guy without condom, especially if he cums inside you, is how most men catch HIV.

MUSLIM GAY CHARACTER IN EASETENDERS

Sayed Masood in eastenders, played by Marc Elliot is to come out gay. The plot is due to be shown this month, is already causing  controversy, Asghar Bokhari  from the Muslim Public Affairs Committee told the BBC: "The Muslim community deserves a character that represents them to the wider public because Islamophobia is so great right now. "There's a lack of understanding of Muslims already and I think EastEnders really lost an opportunity to present a normal friendly Muslim character to the British public." 

Personally in responce to Asghar Bokaris comments, I like to bring to Asghar Bokhari's attention, its the Muslims within it's own communities in many muslim countries that has ostracised the gay muslims, not only by negligance but by Homophobia too.  Oddly the Muslim GAY'S (who are the friendliest and normal in every sense)has never been critisied by other communities or riligions. As for representing the community and Islam Muslim gay's are just as IDEAL!! 

BOMBAY DOST RELAUNCHES

India's first LGBT magazine relaunched on the 16th of April. At the Oxford Book Store in Mumbai. With a line up of celebraties attending the event.Including Celena Jaitly(formar Miss India and one of the most popular Bollywood film star), officialy realising the new issue in Oxford Book Store.  This will not be Celina Jaitly's first contribution in Indias LGBT scene.  She recently marched along with her gay folks in Mumbai Gay Pride.  Also her first international movie Love Has No Language, relesed in New Zealand was a gay themed movie.  Where she falls in love with her fellow country man, a Maori descent, but pressured to marry an Indian, who turns out to be gay.  Among other celebraties included India's first openly gay Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, Ashok Row Kavi, the founding editor of Bombay Dost.

 Bombay Dost was first launched in 1990, but due to financial circumstances it stoped publishing in 2002. The new avator of Bombay Dost targets a larger demographics then just the urban homosexual man.

FRANCE RECOGNISES CIVIL PARTNERSHIP

Bangladeshis and other foriegn civil partners living in France as of this month will have their relationship status recognised in France for the first time.  In UK and in some EU countries the french PACS, which is a form of civil union in France is already recognised as civil partnership however until now the french government did not recognised foriegn equilvments like british civil partnership.  Under the new changesforiegn gay partners will no longer be  identified single persons and will ease the texation and even the 60% inheritance tax that a lot of partners may have been a subject of on a deceased partners property.

GAY BANGLADESH

CRUISING IN BANGLADESH

We bring you the latest hot and happening gossip on the invisible and the exciting underground gay scece of Bangladesh.  Now, few years ago if some one had told me, "you know I met some one on the street today and we went back to their place and had a bit of a naughty fun", I would not believe them.  But having seen it with my own eyes I have just one thing to say, YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!.  

In the whole country there is not one single place, could be found particularly just for us gay boys.  Yet surprisingly cruising takes place everywere, in social clubs, cinemas, gym, parks, lakes, river pavements and even on the street. With the modern technologey in the palm of our hands, meeting and socialising has never been easier.  Almost every gay guys in every cities and towns knows each other.  Thanks to the invention of mobile and internet.  Guys usely connects with each other in the chat rooms and by exchangeing contacts amongsts themselves.  And since sex before marrage is completely off the menu in Bangladesh, our streight brothers are often known to pay a visit or two in the neighbourhood too. So if you are a tourist or planning to visit Bangladesh in the near future, then belive me benGAYliz does work and it has already been connecting people around the globe.  Give it a shot and you will know exectly what I mean. 

Dhakas Romna park is still one of the most popular gay cruising ground.  Just after dark in the evening seems the most busiest, then it slows down a bit.  But you really have to be careful with who you flirt with and where you do it.  The city police is usely patroling in and around the park even in the most quietest  of the time.  So best hang around and see what’s going on.  It wont be long before you will see interesting stuff going on in the dark corners and down by the lake.  My best advice to outsiders and visitors don't approach anyone unless you are 100% sure it's safe to do so.  Honestly park is full of caracters and not to mention the genuine by passers  and public.  Who do come in just for a walk or peaceful fresh air.  As the park is really well maintained and trully a nice place to be in, so it does attract a lot of public.  It even has a classy Chinese restauran at the entrance. 

Generally things takes place from just a normal conversation.  Usely it's like "Oh what you doing here? Did'nt expect to find you in here"  So the other person will be like, "I think you are confusing me with some one else".  Then you reply "I am so sorry You know, you are the spitting image of my friend who I havent seen for ages, I wondered what would he be doing here"  Then the conversation just carries on by "by the way I m bla bla bla, whats your name?".  So from my own experience approaching some one is really that simple and it happens everywhere.

Some hotels in Dhaka are also becoming very gay friendly and accommodating now days.  Unfortunately hotels can not be named for obvious reasons but normally the 3* to 5* hotels are the best in facilitating your needs in this prospect. 

Sylhet is undoubtedly the next best city for gay cruising and socialising.  MODHUMITHA, a government funded project located in the heart of the town centre.  Provides a handful of services for it's members including 

• Regular health checkups.
• Information on HIV, STD and sexual health.
• Counseling.
• Entertainment and social gathering, a chance to meet other LGBT and like minded guys.

   

The newly built pavement by the river Surma under Keen Bridge, opposite to the clock tower is truly a peaceful and pleasant place to be.  It's quite well maintained and the panoramic views across the river makes it a true rendezvous hot spot and attracts a vast number of visitors from all walks of life.  This is becoming a popular hangaround with the foriegn Bangladeshis and foriegn visitors.  And if you are lucky and happen to be there on a full moon night, with the cities lights down for a moment or two, then this will stay in your mind for a long time to come. Fridays are the busiest but crusing usely takes place mostly on the other days of the week at night.  Shopping Mall and some public places also tend to be quite cruisy.