Disclaimer: this may or may not be serious!

In partnership with Channel 4

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness was – in the words of Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas – “f**king skint”. Since inheriting [insert vast amount of wealth here], the Drag Race UK icons have transformed into Eddy and Patsy from Ab Fab on “crack”, building a two-floor Greggs restaurant in their mansion, as well as a tunnel that connects their mansions and doubles as a party venue complete with airlifts, Dom Pérignon and an occasional cameo from Donatella Versace. Naturally. (All of that might need, erm, verifying?)

Of course, this chaotic aristocracy is all in the spirit of The Inheritance, Channel 4’s delightfully campy and chaotic new game where 13 strangers compete for the riches of an extravagant benefactor, played by the legendary Elizabeth Hurley. Overseen by Robert Rinder as the executor of the will, it’s a cut-throat contest of wit, willpower and betrayal where only the most cunning can claim the fortune.

So, with their inheritance in mind — again, some of this may need verification — Gay Times headed to St. Pancras London, Autograph Collection, to chat with Michael and Tomara about their “batshit crazy” lives as newly wealthy heiresses, including their indulgence of “botox and sausage rolls” and why they’re in no rush to draft a will. (Spoiler alert: they’re getting cryogenically frozen and fully intend to outlive us all).

GT: Michael, Tomara. How does it feel to, finally, be some of the richest – and most fabulous – queens in the UK? As well as our new GT cover stars?

Tomara: It really just feels… correct. I feel like we were destined for this. It was in our – what’s it called? What’s it called? It was our…

Michael: It was our destiny.

Tomara: That’s the one. Thank you, Marouli! It was our bloody destiny.

Michael: It absolutely feels correct, like we were born for this. You couldn’t have found two more grateful slags to take this money.

Tomara: Thank you very much! Cha-ching!

GT: Take me back to when you found out that you would be inheriting this large sum of money. Like you said, you’ve waited your whole lives for this, right?

Michael: Absolutely. My first thought was, ‘That’s us kept in tights for the rest of our lives!’ Know what I mean? Let’s pay the tax bill off and just go f**king crazy.

Tomara: We don’t have to worry about tax ever again.

Michael: So, we screamed, we partied, we got drunk. We literally just thought, ‘This is it – now we’re set for life.’ When we found out, we just went balls to the wall, batshit crazy and had the best night ever.

Tomara: We drank a bottle of tequila – each. We did nearly get the stomach pump, but we didn’t give a f**k, darling, because we’re literally billionaires. Who’s arsed about the liver, hmm? Not me!

GT: “Nearly”? Okay be honest: how many liver transplants have you had since you inherited the money?

Michael: Two and a half?

Tomara: Two and a half, yeah.

Michael: The first one didn’t take.

Tomara: It’s the ‘half’ part that actually did.

Michael: We like things a bit skinnier, so we didn’t want the two fatty livers. We just wanted half.

GT: It’s great to hear that you’ve both been incredibly sensible with this newfound wealth.

Michael: You know us, babe! We’re just being absolutely wild. We’re nearly bankrupt already, but f**k it.

GT: Tell me, what was your first bonkers purchase? How did the Angels of the North spread their wings?

Michael: Oh, babes. You tell ’em all about Greggs.

Tomara: See, what we did is, we were so hungover we didn’t eat for a week. We literally just had tequila in our bloodstream. It was only after the seventh day that we became starving and rang every person in charge of Greggs and said, ‘You’re going to build a whole….’ – it isn’t a salon, what is it? Restaurant. We said, ‘You’re going to build us a whole restaurant in the mansion on the lower floor.’ So now we have, sitting in my mansion, a two-floor restaurant of Greggs.

Michael: Our own personal sausage rolls, babes.

Tomara: But angel, but not just any sausage rolls. They’re actually the shape of angel wings. They’re the shape of… what’s it called?

Michael: The angel eye!

Tomara: The angel eye.

Michael: Yeah, so we’ve got our own Greggs built in and a Botox clinic. They were the first two things we wanted, and that’s all you need to survive: botox and sausage rolls.

GT: That is what doctors say, after all. So, you share a mansion?

Michael: No.

Tomara: No, no. We do have one mansion we like to stay in when we miss each other, but then have another mansion where we like to keep our distance.

Michael: Yeah, when she gets on my tits and I need my space, I’ve got another one. But then we have a little camp little corner that connects our two mansions, like a little tunnel that we like to have a little party in.

GT: The tunnel itself is a party space?

Michael: Absolutely.

Tomara: If you’re into that, Sam, if you’re into that…

GT: How long does it take to travel through the tunnel? Is it a bit of a journey?

Michael: We just get airlifted. Wheels to the sky and a prayer.

Tomara: A Dom Perignon in one hand and a vape in the other, and I just get lifted.

Michael: I love seeing you fly through the sky.

GT: What has been the most unnecessary purchase you’ve made, but also one that feels really essential to who you are as queens?

Michael: A gold-plated lawnmower. We couldn’t just have a normal lawnmower to shave Tomara’s legs.

Tomara: Yeah, I do have that thick, heavy flow of hair. So I needed a good strong staple to just trim it down just a little bit.

Michael: I’m talking caveman size.

Tomara: Yeah, we’re talking a beast of a thing.

Michael: So yeah, we didn’t need it to be gold plated, but we thought…

Tomara: We’ve got the money. Fuck it!

GT: Do you feel comfortable and safe enough to tell me how much this gold-plated lawn mower cost?

Tomara: I think it was two billion. Was it?

Michael: Something like that?

Tomara: These are my moneymakers at the end of the day, so we cannot cut these legs. We needed safety. We needed a safety moment, but still enough to cut through this thick long ass hair. Thank you.

Michael: We don’t ask about the numbers now. We just tap the card and go.

Tomara: We just tap! In fact, we have someone do that for us.

GT: What’s your accountant’s name?

Tomara: I always forget. It doesn’t matter.

Michael: Ginger Johnson.

Tomara: Read it and weep!

GT: With this newfound wealth, you must have many staff members at your disposal?

Tomara: Oh well, as you can imagine, an army!

GT: Do you treat them well? Or are they unionising?

Michael: No, we always treat ’em well. They’re one of us. The more the merrier. You know us, we’re good time girls. We just have a ball from morning, noon at night. But occasionally we get sick of them. So we just need a little break, don’t we?

Tomara: We give them a five minute break. That’s all they get. They get five minutes to have a shit, eat and drink. We are in demand women, and we demand a lot of shit now.

Michael: Yeah.

Tomara: We’ve come from nothing, but now we have everything and we like it. So, we give them a solid five minutes. That’s all they need. Just a nibble of something.

GT: When people have a little bit of money, they’re treated differently. Are there any celebrities or even Drag Race alumni that have, perhaps, changed their attitudes towards you?

Michael: RuPaul did ring us and ask to come round for tea and we said, ‘Mother, anytime. You are welcome.’ So, she’s been on the phone straight away.

Tomara: She can’t get enough. She loves the third mansion.

Michael: Absolutely loves it. Who else, Tomara?

Tomara: Graham Norton likes to come around every so now and then as well.

Michael: All the Drag Race queens are banging the door down. But, I think because we’re just working-class, normal Northern girls, people want us to see us do well, don’t they? Everyone’s just been nice. There’s been no jealousy or horrible bitches. They wouldn’t last two f**king minutes anyway.

GT: What has surprised you about the life of a mega-rich person?

Tomara: You get bored, actually.

Michael: We just blew through this money because we like to be… What’s the word? Instant gratification. We just want more and more and more.

Tomara: So we’re in Cannes one week, next day I’m bored.

Michael: We’re just greedy, greedy, power bottoms.

Tomara: We do wipe our tears with hundred thousand dollar bills, darling. It is And the people that tell you that it’s not – they’re lying! They don’t have enough money.

Michael: People who say that are f**king skint.

GT: So, how would you describe your new life: is it more Downton Abbey, but with drag queens, or Absolutely Fabulous on speed?

Tomara: It’s Ab Fab on speed. We are literally Patsy and Eddie on crack.

Michael: Sweetie, darling!

Tomara: Our knickers are hanging down to our ankles.

Michael: Shopping sprees… F**king binge drinking.

Tomara: Birkin bags! Chanel! Every designer you can handle. We had Donnatella over the other night.

Michael: Names, names, names, sweetie.

GT: So, tell me about The Inheritance. Without giving away any spoilers, what makes this show a must-watch – particularly for queer people? Is it as camp and chaotic as you’d expect?

Michael: Absolutely. All the drama, all the high glam as well. The sprawling surroundings of the big house….

Tomara: The stakes!

Michael: Yeah, the stakes are so high, that’s what it is.

Tomara: The stakes are high and everyone is wanting that money. So there’s a lot of drama involved. And who doesn’t love a show with drama, darling?

Michael: Exactly. And Elizabeth Hurley just looks so sensational! So yeah, it’s fabulous.

GT: What would you say is more important in the show: to be cunning, to have charisma, or a killer set of heels?

Michael: I would say it’s the cunning. Because once you’ve got the money, then the heels come after. You can have as many as you want.

Tomara: The cunning makes me cum. If you are cunning, I’m cumming!

Michael: You are a cunning c**t.

GT: So let me get this right: if you are cunning, then you will be cumming?

Tomara: Put that on a T-shirt.

GT: If the deceased were watching you right now, what outrageous thing would you want her to see? What would Elizabeth Hurley be gagging over?

Michael: She would absolutely gag at the fact that, like Tomara mentioned earlier, we flew Donatella Versace over to the house. We wanted to recreate Elizabeth’s famous paperclip dress. Remember?

Tomara: We’re too big. We couldn’t fit in a paperclip.

Michael: So we’ve ended up with bulldog clips instead.

Tomara: Our asses couldn’t hold it all in with a safety clip.

Michael: Nah. Bulldog clips and a prayer, but we look f**king iconic still.

GT: With immense wealth comes the issue of the will. So, when you one day pass over and enter the Pearly Gates, who are you leaving your wigs, lashes, nails and all of your best-selling “If You’re Cunning, Then You’re Cumming” merch to?

Tomara: No one.

Michael: It’s all going to a museum.

Tomara: You will have to pay a lot of money to get in there and look at our shit. You can still smell us in the wings – you can smell my tights, actually, because we don’t get washed. We just wear a new pair every single time we hit that stage.

Michael: It’s not going to be for a long time anyway because we’re both getting cryogenically frozen. So when we thaw out and eventually die, then maybe it’ll go in a museum. But no one’s getting a motherf**king penny.

Tomara: No one f**king gave us s**t. Everyone can f**k off.

GT: Although you both said you’re almost bankrupt, what are you planning next with whatever fortune you have left?

Tomara: We’re off to Marbs in the morning.

GT: Wait, did you say Mars?

Michael: Marbs! Yeah, we’re going to Mars.

Tomara: We’re actually going to Mars. So if we don’t come back, get that f**king museum working bitch!

The Inheritance on Channel 4. Watch or stream here, Sundays and Mondays at 9pm and Tuesdays at 9.30pm.

The post From Drag Race to Dynasties: Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas on The Inheritance appeared first on GAY TIMES.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHANNEL 4

The combination of Elizabeth Hurley and Judge Rinder in a delightfully campy and devious new series? Yep, we’re so in.

This month, Channel 4 is launching The Inheritance, a new game show following thirteen strangers who are “summoned to a grand stately home” to compete for part of the fortune left in the will of The Deceased, a “fabulously glamorous benefactor” played by Hurley.

As per the official synopsis: “But winning the money won’t be easy. The Deceased had a wicked sense of humour and believed some people will go to great lengths to get what they want, so she designed a mischievous game to ensure only the most cunning can claim her inheritance.”

Robert Rinder will oversee the stipulations of The Deceased’s will as Hurley’s Executor and “trusted legal counsel.”

The thirteen contenders are thrown into The Deceased’s ultimate challenge: completing a series of fiendishly tough tasks designed to test their skill, morals, and cunning. Each assignment comes with a tempting reward — but there’s a catch!

Only one participant can pocket the prize from any given task. To do so, they must outwit their peers and persuade everyone else that they are the only one worthy of the spoils.

Described as a “camp, cut-throat game of wit, willpower, persuasion and betrayal” – again, we’re already invested – The Inheritance isn’t a game of entitlement. It’s a contest of cunning, charisma and strategy, where only the cleverest can seize the prize.

As The Deceased reminds them: “They say all is fair in love and war, but whoever said that didn’t have an inheritance to fight over.”

Ahead of the series premiere, Hurley said she was drawn to The Inheritance due to her enjoyment of The Traitors, and wanted to be part of a show “in which audiences were really invested.”

“I thought Robert Rinder and I would be a good combination,” the Bedazzled icon continued, “and I knew it would be great to shoot in such an exquisite location”.

Rinder, a criminal barrister who rose to prominence as the host of the courtroom series Judge Rinder, teased of the contestants: “They are a rich variety of British life in every respect: age, gender, background.

“As ever, when you get a diverse community and perhaps come with a little bit of subconscious bias about how you think people are going to behave, they always surprise – and they certainly did.”

The Inheritance is available to watch or stream from Sunday 31 August on Channel 4 and will run for 12 episodes.

Meet the thirteen players below, ranging from a comedy-creating scaffolder to a “competitive as hell” chess teacher, and a model turned professional gamer.

Cam

Age: 28
Location: Lancashire
Occupation: Scaffolder

A self-described “morale raiser,” Cam is a comedy creator and scaffolder who’s no stranger to stressful environments and “intense situations.” While he enjoys a bit of competition, Cam is the person who’s “laughing, playing Monopoly, not the person flipping the board.” That said, “I enjoy watching the chaos.”

Catherine

Age: 50
Location: Wales
Occupation: Former police sergeant

Following 22 years of service in the police force, Catherine is stepping into a new chapter that’s worlds apart from her old life — and well beyond her comfort zone. Armed with skills from her years as an officer and countless hours of board-gaming with her sisters, the 50-year-old dog handler believes she has what it takes to thrive in The Inheritance.

Emma

Age: 26
Location: Exeter
Occupation: Paramedic

Not afraid of a challenge, Emma prides herself on being confident, outgoing and positive. The 26-year-old paramedic describes herself as an optimist, but she isn’t a pushover, admitting she can “become quite competitive” in a game setting while always aiming to “try and play fairly.” When it comes to persuasion, Emma believes her “bubbly” personality will give her an edge, suggesting she might win over fellow competitors without them even realising it.

Ferg

Age: 69
Location: Kingston upon Thames
Occupation: Retired market trader

For retired market trader Ferg, joining The Inheritance is a chance to have fun, escape the “pipe and slippers” retirement stereotype and try “something completely different”. He downplays what he’ll bring to the game, but admits he hopes to add “a bit of humour” to boost group morale. Above all, Ferg wants to prove “there’s somebody a bit older who can still go out and do these types of things.”

Hafsah

Age: 28
Location: Manchester
Occupation: Marketing manager

Describing herself as “the ultimate soft girl,” Hafsah is competing in The Inheritance to be adventurous and gain “really good experience.” But don’t let her relaxed energy fool you — the 28-year-old marketing manager is determined to come out on top. With her “ultra competitive” streak and knack for getting her way, Hafsah is a player not to be underestimated.

Hannah

Age: 27
Location: Scotland
Occupation: Wedding planner

With a wedding on the horizon, Hannah is eager to put herself out there, have fun and embark on “a bit of adventure” before entering married life. The 27-year-old describes herself as a team player, but she’s fiercely competitive — so much so that games like Scrabble are off-limits with family due to her passionate reactions. When it comes to persuasion, Hannah admits she can be “quite manipulative,” though always in a friendly way!

James

Age: 35
Location: London
Occupation: Entrepreneur

James is ready to bring his entrepreneurial skills to The Inheritance. With over 10 years in startups and venture capital — which he describes as “gameplay” in itself — the 35-year-old is confident he can “move those skills into this kind of game”. A seasoned board game player, James recalls dinners spent immersed in Catan, Risk, Cluedo and The Traitors. When asked if he’s a “team player,” the London native agreed — but only if it’s his team and “if the team’s moving in the direction I want it to.”

Jesse

Age: 19
Location: Southampton
Occupation: Student and content creator

Coming in as the youngest cast member, Jesse is eager to make his mark on The Inheritance. Describing himself as “confident and very outgoing,” the 19-year-old content creator hopes to showcase his personality and push his limits. The competition’s intense, unique challenges are a perfect match for Jesse, a “very competitive” player who’s skilled at getting his point across.

Mart

Age: 37
Location: Newcastle
Occupation: Development coach

After a three-year adoption journey and becoming a dad, Mart is ready for the “next big thing”. While the challenges of The Inheritance first drew him in, the 37-year-old is approaching the game with hopes of winning the cash prize and giving his son the life he never had. Mart said he’ll bring “positivity, a practical side and a humorous side” to the game — admitting he’s also a bit of a prankster!

Matt

Age: 51
Location: Somerset
Occupation: Coach company owner

Coach company owner Matt is ready to “analyse and test himself” on The Inheritance. Though the 50-year-old is used to being the “only one at the table,” he hopes his “25 years of experience encouraging people into achieving targets” will serve him well in a team environment. Discussing his competitive nature, Matt added that facing daily challenges as a business owner has made him “super reactive” and given him a “winning mentality”.

Pat

Age: 75
Location: Yorkshire
Occupation: Chess teacher

As the oldest contestant on The Inheritance, Pat is thrilled to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Calling the competition “a personal challenge,” she hopes to earn her place in the game while spreading the message that “it doesn’t matter what age you are, you’re still capable of doing a lot more than you think”. With her extensive life experience, Pat plans to bring wisdom to the game and utilise her “strategic decision making” and “guided meditation” skills.

Tia

Age: 26
Location: London
Occupation: Health and wellbeing advisor

Tia, a “naturally competitive” contestant with a love of TV, is ready to make her mark on The Inheritance. The 26-year-old health and well-being advisor credits her Gemini traits for being adaptable and authentic, and says her “expressive” personality could serve as a “power card” in the game. She’s proud of her fighting spirit and drive to win, just like her fellow competitors.

Zara

Age: 36
Location: London
Occupation: Professional gamer

Zara is ready to bring her “gamer girl” expertise to The Inheritance. Originally from the Middle East, the 36-year-old says she manifested her spot on the show. While she admits to being “very silly, friendly and approachable,” Zara isn’t one to be crossed, and has no problem standing up for herself and speaking out when she’s unhappy. With her gaming background, the former model is “quite competitive,” but she also knows when to sit back and observe her competitors before jumping into the game.

Watch The Inheritance on Channel 4, watch or stream Sundays and Mondays at 9pm and Tuesdays at 9.30pm.

The post The Inheritance: Meet the cast of Channel 4’s campy, devious new game show appeared first on GAY TIMES.

We sat down with two queer couples to discuss freedom and growing in love through embracing change.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HINGE
PHOTOGRAPHY LYDIA GARNETT

In 2025, discourse around labels is raising big questions about how we connect and what it means to love one another. While some hold labels dear, embracing the belonging and definition they provide, others are letting their connections be defined by attraction over identity. 

According to Hinge, 48% of queer daters feel frustrated by the constraints of gender and sexuality categories,  a phenomenon known as Label Fatigue. In response, GAY TIMES sat down with two queer couples to explore how loving beyond labels allows them to feel both held and free within their relationships.

Leo (he/him) and Nkem (he/him)

After falling into a relationship founded on mutual friends and shared interests, Leo and Nkem have been dating for three years. Their connection allowed Nkem to better understand his identity as a gay man.

“Leo is the first guy I’ve ever dated and before him, I couldn’t imagine having romantic feelings for a man,” shares Nkem. “Exploring my sexuality through our relationship has felt very easy and organic, like something just clicked in my head.”

Leo adds: “I’ve found that people I share chemistry with often resonate with the same labels I do but labels should never tie you down.”

Hinge’s Love Beyond Labels report reveals that LGBTQIA+ daters are increasingly adopting Label Fluidity – an attitude to dating which focuses on evolution and curiosity, prioritising connection and chemistry over labels.

Like 37% of LGBTQIA+ daters who have updated the sexuality labels they previously identified with, both Leo and Nkem have used different labels throughout their journeys and both faced judgement from others when expressing the shift in how they identify, an experience shared by 60% of LGBTQIA+ daters.

Being together and allowing chemistry to be the deciding factor in their connection, the pair have been able to better understand both themselves and one another.

“Together, we both have a deep respect for each other’s autonomy. I feel very lucky to be with someone who has a deep understanding of the labels I use for myself, seeing how much we have in common led us both to use the same labels and our shared experiences have helped me feel more secure in my identity,” Leo says.

“For any younger daters navigating dating and label fluidity, I would say don’t be too bogged down. If a label appeals to you, allow yourself to imagine a life where you could try it out.” Leo adds.

Macy (she/her) and Naissa (he/him)

Like Leo and Nkem, dating beyond their usual types allowed Macy and Naissa to feel free within their connections.

“Macy’s playful gender exploration throughout our relationship has reminded me to stay curious about my own identity and not be so afraid of change,” Naissa says. “Our relationship has affirmed my own gender identity and I have definitely experienced a shift in my sexuality by not limiting possible attractions and connections.”

While 50% of LGBTQIA+ daters report feeling pressured to perform gender in a particular way to attract a partner, together Macy and Naissa champion fluidity.

“I’ve gone from genderfluid to a trans femme to a trans woman to a trans dyke, all in the space of our three-year relationship, and never felt a lessening of our connection. I think openness is so attractive and has played a big part in the longevity of our relationship,” says Macy.

According to Hinge, 45% of LGBTQIA+ daters are curious about new kinds of connection and yet 55% of daters haven’t acted on these feelings. Naissa shares the positive impact he’s felt after placing less importance on labels.

“I’m at the point in my queerness and relationship where labels mean so much less than they once did. The priority is our connection and how we show up for each other,” he explains. “I think it’s so easy to make assumptions but I’d rather give the benefit of the doubt, and try to see someone for how they are with me.”

Both Macy and Naissa cherish the independence and connection they foster, sharing how their open and honest communication style has allowed them to grow together and flourish amidst their shifting identities.

“Our relationship has taught me to welcome uncertainty without the fear of losing something, and to find joy in stepping into the unknown,” Macy reflects. “I love being able to fall in love with someone again and again, through every version of who they become.”

Naissa agrees: “What’s life without newness and change?”

You can read Hinge’s LGBTQIA+ date report here.

The post Queer couples on what loving beyond labels means to them appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Below, Dr Tristan Barber and Tom Hayes-Isaacs, an activist living with HIV, discuss how advances in medicine now allow many people living with HIV to lead full and healthy lives.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ViiV HEALTHCARE
WORDS MEGAN WALLACE
PHOTOGRAPHY LYDIA GARNETT
FEATURING DR TRISTAN BARBER AND TOM HAYES-ISAACS

Living with HIV has changed significantly over the years, thanks to improved treatment options, greater public education, and the gradual dismantling of discriminatory laws — including outdated restrictions on blood and organ donation, barriers to IVF and sperm donation, and the criminalisation of HIV transmission. HIV research and science is continuing to evolve, so it is always important to keep updated on any new developments from novel treatment options to innovative ways to manage living with HIV.

However, it can be hard to know where to start in terms of research and reliable resources and information. That’s why, in collaboration with ViiV Healthcare, we sat down with Dr Tristan Barber and Tom Hayes-Isaacs. Tristan is a consultant physician focussing in the field of HIV, who has more than twenty year’s experience and will be the new chair of the British HIV Association (BHIVA). Tom is an awareness activist who began blogging about their experiences of living with HIV when they were diagnosed in 2011, and who now continues this mission of battling misinformation and raising awareness with the charity Saving Lives UK.

Below, Tristan and Tom engage in an in-depth conversation around key topics for people and communities living with HIV, as well as allies looking to get better informed. From changing HIV treatment options to advice for people or communities living with HIV at different stages of diagnosis, navigating the patient/healthcare practitioner relationship, and battling stigma, here are key points you need to know, spoken through by experts with lived experience. 

How HIV has changed

“Compared to the 80s when life expectancy was short and there was no successful treatment, the changes in the management of HIV have been incredible” – Tristan Barber

Tristan, as a doctor and researcher, what do you think has changed in the management of HIV and people living with HIV since the 80s? 

Tristan: Many people living with HIV can now live their lives normally. Treatment can be as simple as one pill once a day or different formulations and modalities to suit each individual’s need. They can have children, and work in almost every career. They cannot transmit the virus sexually if on treatment with an undetectable viral load on a blood test. Compared to the 80s when life expectancy was short and there was no successful treatment, the changes have been incredible.

We have gone from having regimens where tablets need to be taken multiple times per day to now having regimens which allow for medication to be taken much less frequently. What new treatment options have become available during your career?

Tristan: I have worked in the HIV field for over 20 years. When I started, we had limited treatment options, many with lots of side effects and toxicities. I have worked on and seen the development of new drug classes, particularly the integrase inhibitors which are now in first line treatment options around the world in all major guidelines. I have also seen the development of PrEP, an antiretroviral that can be taken daily or as needed to prevent someone acquiring HIV through condomless sex. 

Tom, you were diagnosed 14 years ago, in 2011. How has treatment changed recently since your diagnosis?

Tom: HIV treatment has changed dramatically over the past forty years, but even in the fourteen years I’ve been diagnosed the pace of change hasn’t slowed down.

Back in 2011, I was taking one pill once a day – something that was very important to me to aid with my adherence (taking treatment at the same time each day). Unfortunately, that older medication had some pretty unpleasant side-effects. I’ve changed a couple of times since then, and now I’m very happy and not experiencing side effects on a newer combination pill.

The patient/doctor relationship

“Your quality of life is more important than starting an awkward conversation” – Tom Hayes-Isaacs

From your medical perspective, Tristan, how has the relationship with your patients changed over time? 

Tristan: The community has always been at the forefront of advocating for HIV treatment and care. Some key slogans support this particularly ‘nothing about us without us’. To be honest I don’t even use the term ‘patient’ anymore. These are people, people with HIV, and they are experts by experience. I think in many ways HIV has led on person-centred care, placing people and their loved ones in the centre. In many ways this hasn’t changed, as it was true in the early days also, where HIV services stood up for people experiencing stigma, and provided care in a unique way. Now that HIV is more manageable we continue to strive for this despite funding restrictions that may make it difficult for us to always provide everything we would like to.

And what does a good patient/HCP relationship look like in your opinion? 

Tristan: It should be open, honest, trustworthy, and never complacent! As HIV is a lifelong condition it needs to be a partnership, with both people working together to achieve the best outcome for the person with HIV.

Tom, with the above in mind, how is your relationship with your current doctor and what do you think makes a good patient/doctor relationship?

Tom: I’m very lucky to have a doctor that is both one of the best in her field, as well as a truly wonderful human being. Although I may only see her a couple of times a year, we chat for ages about what’s been going on in both our lives. The actual time spent on HIV is probably in the minority compared to the amount of gossiping! Regrettably, not everyone has the same relationship with their HIV care team. One of the first doctors I had was a very grumpy gentleman who treated the patients like numbers – not people. 

A good patient-doctor relationship must be grounded in honesty and mutual respect. As our doctor you’re asking us to share very personal information about ourselves, our sex lives and more – people aren’t going to do that if they don’t feel safe and respected. As patients we need to recognise that our doctors need us to be onboard and engaged so that we can pick the right treatments and care for the best outcomes.

To both of you, how can people with HIV advocate for their needs? 

Tristan: I think the best way is to be prepared! Keep notes between appointments – what isn’t working for you, what problems have you had, what do you need from the appointment at your clinics? If something isn’t working, say so. Feedback always shows that people like seeing the same doctor, who knows their story, but sometimes I think seeing someone new, even if only for one visit, may give a different perspective, result in different questions or referrals, and can be a way to get a different opinion, even if you then revert back to your long standing and trusted clinician. We all work as a team and want the best thing for those we care for.

Tom: Sometimes we all need to be our own advocate and that can often seem daunting, but no-one knows your needs like you do. Understanding more about your condition, your care and your treatment goes a long way towards making you feel empowered to advocate for yourself. You don’t need to be an expert, but knowing the basics will help you and your doctor have a more constructive conversation and hopefully build a treatment plan that fits all your needs.

If you don’t feel you’re getting the level of care and support that you need from your HIV care team it’s important to know that you have options. You can ask to see another doctor or nurse. You can move your care to another HIV clinic. Don’t be afraid to speak out. Your quality of life is more important than starting an awkward conversation. 

L: Tom Hayes-Isaacs. R: Dr Tristan Barber

Advice for people and communities living with HIV at different stages of diagnosis

“Science and research evolve, and we always have new treatment options” – Tristan Barber

Tristan, as a doctor, what advice would you give to someone recently diagnosed with HIV? 

Tristan: Most people newly diagnosed with HIV have a normal life expectancy. Treatment is well tolerated and simple, and we should be able to find something that doesn’t cause side effects. Once on successful treatment (usually after 6 months), they cannot transmit the virus through sex, and can have children (should they choose to!) who are at extremely low risk of acquiring HIV. We changed the law in the UK so that people with HIV can now donate sperm and eggs to start a family if they choose to. Despite a normal life expectancy, we know people with HIV are at slightly higher risk of some things, like some cancers and infections, and that’s why it’s important to attend for specialist care and report symptoms early. But, in general, life can be lived normally (and well!) with HIV.

And what advice would you both give to someone who has been receiving treatment for a while but may be unaware of treatment options? 

Tristan: Science and research evolve, and we always have new treatment options. People with HIV can be given links and written information to find out more about these. We also have peer support workers and services who can help them find out more about new treatments. People may be advised to switch treatment for a number of reasons – age, interactions with other medicines, side effects, or just new data and new options. The thought of changing therapy can be scary for some people, but for the most, if they don’t get on with a new treatment, they can always be reassured they can switch back, or that there are other options that should work well for them.

Tom: It’s very easy to get comfortable and just accept side-effects from medications, you don’t want to try something else in case it’s worse, you don’t want to rock the boat, you don’t want to cause a fuss with your HIV care team – I get it! The thing is, HIV medication has advanced so much, in the last couple of years alone, that what was cutting-edge ten years ago is now no longer routinely prescribed. Long-term impacts of treatments start to emerge, we discover newer and kinder drugs.

I often compare keeping on top of your HIV treatment to an iPhone (or your Android, if that’s your thing). It’s easy to stick with that old iPhone 6 that’s held together with tape because moving all your photos and apps to a new phone seems like a lot of work, but you’re a good few generations behind now and you’re missing out on all the new features – in this case smaller pills, less frequent dosing, fewer side effects etc. Treat yourself. Ask your HIV care team if there’s a newer, or more optimised, HIV treatment you could be on. There’s no need to put up with a lower quality of life. 

Focusing on quality of life

“Individualising treatment is key to ensuring people get the best option for them” – Tristan Barber

Tristan, picking up on what Tom just mentioned, what are some reasons for changing treatments beyond side effects but instead focussing on quality of life? 

Tristan: As treatment has evolved we have newer options that may include fewer pills, and may cause less long-term issues for someone with HIV. Even though someone may not be experiencing side effects, some of the older drugs may impact on their bones, kidneys, or cholesterol for instance, things that we monitor in clinic regularly. Newer treatments may avoid these issues and help maintain health and quality of life for the long term. 

Tom, from a patient point of view, what advice would you give to stay informed about HIV and treatment options?

Tom: For a lot of people the easiest way to stay informed about the latest HIV treatment options would be to ask your HIV care team. The doctors, nurses, pharmacists and peer support workers will all be able to fill you in on what’s hot and what’s not in the world of HIV treatment. If you’re interested in learning a bit more in your own time, I can heartily recommend the i-base.info website. They make some incredibly useful and well-designed guides to HIV treatment and care. You can also check out Saving Lives UK’s HIV news articles at beyondpositive.org.

Battling stigma and advancing awareness

“A lot of the negative attitudes and perceptions people have about folks living with HIV have barely changed since the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s – and frankly, it’s exhausting” – Tom Hayes-Isaacs

Tom, you’ve been working as an awareness activist for people and communities living with HIV for over a decade. How do you navigate HIV stigma and how is this stigma changing?

Tom: Whilst HIV medicine has changed and advanced at breakneck speed over the past forty years, sadly the same can’t be said for stigma. A lot of the negative attitudes and perceptions people have about folks living with HIV have barely changed since the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s – and frankly, it’s exhausting. 

As someone living openly with, and working in, HIV it doesn’t really have much of an effect on me these days. Water off a duck’s back. But online messages like “You clean?” and “DDF” (drug and disease free) can really have a devastating impact on newly diagnosed people who’re still coming to terms with their diagnosis themselves. If someone is making the decision to share their status with you, please see that as the big trust fall that it is – and respect their privacy and decision.

And how can we advance awareness of U=U?

Tom: Education. Conversation. Representation. Sex and relationship education in schools needs to be much better. HIV awareness, U=U, PrEP and PEP should be part of a robust sexual health education framework – taught consistently at every school, including private and faith schools.

We need to talk more about HIV, and sexual health in general, in our day-to-day life. Let’s not be shy about politely and respectfully asking for someone’s HIV status and when they were last tested before you hook up. Talk to your friends about new HIV news you’ve heard, or TV storylines that covered HIV well.

People with HIV should be involved in designing the services that provide their care and support. Representation of HIV, and different experiences of HIV, at every level ensures that services are appropriate for our needs – and that everyone, both patient and healthcare worker alike, understands topics such as U=U.

Thanks so much for your time, both. Is there anything else they want to add?

Tom: It’s 2025, not 1985. HIV has changed. If you’re living with HIV you deserve to be on a treatment that fits around you, and not the other way around. If you’re unhappy with your current treatment, please speak to your HIV care team – we want you to be living your best life and HIV should be no barrier to that.

This article was sponsored and content reviewed by ViiV Healthcare. ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist pharmaceutical company 100% dedicated to HIV medicines and research. ViiV Healthcare’s mission is to leave no person living with HIV behind.

TB and TH-I received a fee for their involvement. This article is for education and awareness only and does not contain medical advice. Anyone needing medical advice should contact their GP, Sexual Health or other appropriate medical service provider.

Ready to take control of your health? Arm yourself with knowledge, visit here and download a conversation guide to support discussions with a healthcare professional. Knowledge is power.

NP-GBL-HVX-WCNT-250023 | July 2025

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You know the score – queer spaces aren’t just bricks and mortar, they’re the lifeblood. They’re where we connect, create, and just be. In a world that still needs reminding, these independent, queer or community LGBTQ+ venues across the UK are doing the most.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UBER
PRODUCTION ORDER+CHAOS

In an era where so much of queer connection unfolds online, physical spaces still carry a kind of weight that can’t be replicated. For the LGBTQIA+ community, they’ve never just been backdrops – they’ve always been vital.

As our latest report highlights, independent LGBTQIA+ venues are facing mounting challenges. From rising operational costs to safety concerns and funding inequity, these spaces – many of them community-led – now navigate a landscape that often renders them both crucial and vulnerable. Yet, amidst the closures and cautions, there remain a number of venues across the UK not only weathering the storm, but reimagining what queer space can be.

Each of the seven featured below were born from an understanding of what it means to build somewhere to belong.  

The Bookish Type, Leeds

A considered and quiet space nestled above a coffee shop in central Leeds, The Bookish Type was created with the belief that LGBTQIA+ people deserve to see their stories told and celebrated. The shop’s curation is both intentional and expansive, centring trans voices, Black queer authors, and independent publishers alongside contemporary fiction and political writing. For many, it offers the first moment of being truly reflected.

Use the code THEBOOKISHTYPEPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Kafe Kweer, Edinburgh

Kafe Kweer is a sober, queer-led venue that reclaims community space with an emphasis on care and accessibility. Events range from craft nights to activist meet-ups, and while the décor may be modest, the atmosphere is unmistakably intentional. There is something profound about a space that allows people to simply exist without performance or pressure.

Use the code KAFEKWEERPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue. 

Queer Britain, London

Queer Britain stands as the UK’s first national LGBTQIA+ museum—a milestone as overdue as it is necessary. Inside, the exhibitions speak not just to historical milestones but to the everyday textures of queer life: protest badges, handwritten letters, photographs and lived experience woven together with curatorial care. In its refusal to sanitise or simplify, Queer Britain creates a cultural offering that is both educational and deeply moving.

Use the code LONDONQUEERPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Revenge, Brighton

A long-standing cornerstone of Brighton’s queer nightlife, Revenge has spent decades serving not just as a dancefloor but as a community institution. While many clubs have faltered, become homogenised, or quietly disappeared, Revenge has remained rooted. Its longevity is not simply down to heritage, but to its continued relevance: adapting programming, investing in inclusivity and retaining a connection to the people who have always needed it most.

Use the code REVENGEBRIGHTONPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Queer Lit, Manchester

Manchester has always held a certain cultural weight in the UK’s queer history, and Queer Lit contributes to that legacy with a grounded sense of purpose. Located close to the city’s Gay Village, the shop offers more than shelves of literature; it is a meeting place, a resource hub and a platform for emerging writers. Alongside its bookselling function, the space regularly hosts community events and mental health initiatives.

Use the code QUEERLITPRIDE to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Camp, Margate

There is something quietly powerful about what Camp has created on the Kent coast. In a town increasingly marked by gentrification and seasonal flux, this queer-led venue has carved out permanence through community connection. The space serves as a bar, performance venue and community space, offering programming that feels simultaneously rooted in joy and steeped in political awareness. Camp doesn’t exist to mimic urban queer culture – it’s shaping a coastal community on its own terms.

Use the code CAMPMARGATEPRIDE to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

The Queer Emporium, Cardiff

What began as a temporary Pride pop-up has since become one of Cardiff’s most vital cultural fixtures. The Queer Emporium houses a constellation of LGBTQIA+ small businesses – from clothing and floristry to beauty and books – brought together under one roof with the aim of creating sustainable, visible and interdependent queer economies.

Use the code CARDIFFEMPORIUMPRIDE2025 to get a £10 Uber discount on your journey to the venue.

Our call to support independent spaces

At a time when 82% of LGBTQIA+ people report feeling isolated due to a lack of access to affirming spaces, and nearly half avoid venues due to safety concerns, these places are lifelines.

To help remove one of the most significant barriers – getting there – we’ve worked with Uber to offer thousands of free rides to independent LGBTQIA+ venues across the UK. It’s a small but tangible step towards making these spaces more accessible, particularly for those who might otherwise be excluded due to distance, finances or safety fears. Access should never be a privilege; it should be a given.

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To mark Pride 2025, GAY TIMES partners with Garnier Micellar Water to create an immersive exhibit asking ‘what message would you give your younger self?’.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GARNIER MICELLAR WATER

This Pride, GAY TIMES and Garnier Micellar Water exhibit Messages To Our Younger Selves at Outernet London. 

Showcasing heartfelt letters penned by LGBTQIA+ individuals to their younger selves, the exhibition creates a powerful tapestry that chronicles the transformative path toward self-acceptance and pride.

Made in partnership with Just Like Us and Outernet, the exhibition is a direct response to the statistic that 91% of LGBTQIA+ school pupils encounter hostile language about their identity. The intimate messages serve as beacons of resilience and a reminder that brighter days lie ahead.

The exhibition is soundtracked by the iconic queer artist Sarah Nimmo, featuring an instrumental version of her first solo single, ‘UNDERGROUND’, released May 2025.

Developed by a team of LGBTQIA+ creatives and advocates, Messages To Our Younger Selves draws authentically from real-world experiences to demonstrate how positive and meaningful words can reshape lives and build bridges across generations.

Featuring participants including actress Bel Preistley, drag queen Vanity Milan and make-up artist Way of Yaw, the segment invites viewers to reflect on their own youth and the messages they would want to hear.

Messages To Our Younger Selves will run alongside other LGBTQ+ exhibitions in the space, as part of Outernet London’s Pride Month programming.

The exhibition will continue to run at Outernet London in the Now Trending space throughout 2025.

To see when GAY TIMES and Garnier Micellar Water’s Messages To Our Younger Selves will be screened at Outernet London 1st – 12th July, visit their What’s On schedule here.

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From Bel Priestley to Vanity Milan, leading LGBTQIA+ figures reflect on the lessons they wish they had known earlier.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GARNIER MICELLAR WATER
CHARITY PARTNER JUST LIKE US
GARNIER CREATIVE AGENCY FRESHEATHER

This Pride, Gay Times and Garnier are thrilled to unveil a new project celebrating queer coming of age. 

We’ve invited a host of LGBTQIA+ talent to reflect on how they came into their identity, reflecting on all the joy, confusion and breakthroughs which led them to a place of self-love and radical acceptance. 

For three years, Garnier has proudly partnered with Just Like Us, a UK charity which works to support schools and empower younger people within the LGTBQIA+ community nationwide.

As the UK’s #1 skincare product* Garnier’s beloved Micellar water has long been a cult favourite of the LGBTQIA+ community. As a make-up remover and cleanser suitable for all skin types, Garnier Micellar is the perfect product to help individuals embrace the art of self expression – make-up or no make-up, it’s time to celebrate the skin you are in. 

Below, Bel Priestley, Vanity Milan, Mitchell Halliday, Jason Kwan, Way of Yaw and Charley Marlowe share heartfelt pieces of advice to their younger selves. 

Bel Priestley

To my younger self,

Never let someone else’s narrative define who you are.

People will try their hardest to discourage you from being yourself, but you must prevail – no matter what. Never, ever listen to haters; they are always wrong. It gets easier, and you’ll care less and less as time goes on.

You are incredibly strong – even if you don’t always feel that way, it’s true. Being trans is one of the hardest journeys anyone can face, and yet you are becoming the beautiful woman you’ve always wanted to be, with such grace.

Every day, you will grow more into the person you truly are and want to be. One day, you’ll feel fully like yourself – I promise. You’re going to achieve everything you dream of, and so much more. Just stay focused on you. Enjoy the process.

There will be challenges along the way, but don’t let them change who you are. Never forget where you come from or who you are. Let that knowledge empower and motivate you.

You are so special. Never forget that.

Love,

Bel x

Vanity Milan

To my younger self,

I know you’re scared. I know you’re confused. I know you’re constantly checking to see if the world has figured out your secret. You try to blend in, not stand out, and silence parts of yourself that are begging to shine.

But here’s the truth: you were never meant to shrink. There will come a day when you stop apologising for who you are. When you realise that Pride isn’t just a month or a parade. It’s a daily act of showing up for yourself, exactly as you are. You’ll learn that softness is strength. And your queerness? It’s not a burden. It’s your superpower. You’ll meet your people. You’ll fall in love. You’ll laugh, really laugh, without worrying about how you look or who’s watching. And the things you once tried to hide will become the things you’re most proud of.

It took time, but now, when I remove my make-up, I’m not erasing anything. I’m revealing everything. The confidence. The joy. The journey. The Pride. Every wipe is a reminder that I no longer need to hide because being me is worth celebrating.

Removing my make-up doesn’t strip anything away. It brings me closer to myself. Closer to truth. Closer to Pride.

With love,
Your older, prouder, unapologetic you

Charley Marlowe

To my younger self,

If I were to tell you one thing, it would be that there’s a reason you’ll feel the way you do.

There’s a reason you feel different. You’re gay and in hindsight you should have realised that a lot sooner.

I wish you’d been surrounded with more education and acceptance. But you always had a laugh regardless. And that’s made you who you are today. You’re still learning. And you’ll use your platform to advocate for the other members in your community. You are so loved, and I wish I could tell you that there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’ll all be okay.

Love,

Charley

Way of Yaw

To my younger self,

It’s okay not to totally understand yourself right now. It is a beautiful journey of self discovery.

Some people in your life won’t accept you, but you will find amazing people that totally embrace every part of you.

You will try to fit into the stereotypes of masculinity and femininity, but realise you are the best of both. You will see that your outward appearance does not define you.

Don’t allow people’s opinions of you to define you. Instead, let your confidence and authenticity guide you to your true self.

Love,

Yaw

Mitchell Halliday

To my younger self,

Instead of wondering why people aren’t accepting you, start thinking about why you aren’t accepting yourself.

The world might not see it right now, but as soon as you feel it, that will become infectious. Stand in your power, your power is yourself.

Love,

Mitchell

Jason Kwan

To my younger self,

You’re going to realise that not fitting in is your greatest strength. They’re going to say you’re too loud, too expressive, and too much. But all these things will make you the unique creative that you are.

People will soon embrace your expression and celebrate your creativity. So, give yourself time and patience to explore who you are. Have fun with it! You’re going to find an incredible chosen family who will uplift you and support you.

Don’t let those who doubt you define who you are. Keep breaking free and stomping forward. Trust me, it’s so worth the ride.

Love,

Jason

The post This Pride, queer and trans icons write letters to their younger selves appeared first on GAY TIMES.

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.)

The post We’re living through an LGBTQIA+ loneliness epidemic – could running clubs be the answer? appeared first on GAY TIMES.

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.

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