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Daniel Wiedmer of Anderschume Kontiki in Zurich looks at the attitude of the Swiss Military Service towards its gay soldiers. Translated by Christa. "Article 157 of the MStG (Military Penal Code) will not be abolished if the Swiss Government (Diet) and EMD (Ersatz Militar Dienst = Military Service) get their way. Article 157 prohibits gay sex during military service. The EMD has tried to defend itself against the decriminal- isation of homosexuality. It resists the abolition of Article 157 of the MStG which punishes gay sex during military service. On the phone J ii r g Dubs, Head of the Military Penal Division within the EMD, explained to me that soldiers should not come in contact with gays ""in a repulsive manner"". In the Weltwoche1 magazine he put it more succinctly: ""As soon as Article 157, sub paragraph 1, is abolished, there will be a hullabaloo in shower cabins and bedrooms"". How nice if that were so! And yet this is not the problem at all. Jiirg Dubs admits that ""undesirable homosexuals"" could face disciplinary action in the same way as heterosexual soldiers already face (for instance, when having relationships with members of the MFD). Would this not mean that Article 157 is basically unnecessary, many must ask? To understand why this discriminatory article was included in the Military Penal code in the first place we must go back in history: When, in 1927 an advisory body was dealing with the Military Penal Code (MStG), it was understood that the Military Penal Code would come into effect before the Civil Penal Code (StGB). The Diet had today's sub- paragraph 1 built in additionally, which prohibits any kind of homosexual sex. The reason for this insertion was based on an attempt at standardisation2 and unification as many Swiss cantons already prohibited gay sex by law. Without this article a totally different Cantonal Law would have come into force. Since 1941 the Civil Penal Code too has been standardised all over Switzerland, and gay sex between adults is no longer considered a criminal offence. Consequently the one major reason for Art. 157 existence became obsolete. Up to 1987 however the Article went unchallenged. That year the Military Penal Code was due a revision. Abolition of the offending article was debated and defeated. A new argument was put forward supporting the retention of the article, citing the possible threat to order and discipline should Article 157 be abolished. One alleviating provision, however, was created during the revision debate: Article 2 of the Military Penal Code stated that, during holiday periods. Articles 145-179 would not apply. Ten years on the Military Service continues to use the same argument for having Article 157 retained. H.R. Strasser. Chief Information Officer of the EMD, says that ""the Military Service during the hearing on its report of Penal Code revision, had voted expressly for the retention of Article 157 of the Military Penal code. Interestingly, there were opposing voices within the Military Service. Jtirg Dubs comments: ""The decision was only the personal opinion of one judge who managed to influence the hearing in such a way as to actually represent the official opinion of the Army."" What the decision showed was that increasing conservatism within the Army leadership could manage to overrule the progressive attitude of the Military Service lawyers. Psychiatric Cert Gay men who have sexual relationships in the Army and who get caught rarely face prosecution - except when and officer entertains a relationship with a soldier below his rank, as happened to an instruction officer in Colombier some years ago. Usually such men are discharged as ""Unfit"" on the basis of an instruction form the Head Army Doctor: ""If the reputation of the Army o r discipline within the Army are adversely affected, especially through homosexuals who either cannot control themselves or attract attention while on duty (eg. by way of habitus or clique formation)...(those soldiers are deemed unfit for service"".Head of the Army Medical Service, Jiirg Janett,mentions three categories of soldiers who are deemed unfit for service because of homosexuality: Firstly, those young men who, the moment they are being drafted, present a psychiatric certificate. The second group would be soldiers who find it difficult to cope with the taunting and scoffing they might be exposed to and who apply for exemption from service. The 3rd group consists of those soldiers who, on the grounds of their behaviour/ conduct, are sent by their commander to the doctor who, after examination, will declare them unfit for service. Unfortunately, statistics showing how many gay men per fear are being discharged in this way are not kept by the Military Service. A man showing his gayness in the Army need, however, not fear automatic discharge. Gays who function well within the system may even climb high career-wise. That's what H.R, Strasser maintains: ""There is no reason why homosexuals should not reach positions such as the commander."" How far up do they really get - and at what price? Even today the price will still be denial of ones own sexual identity... Original German article appeared in Anderschume Konitki. 1. Weltwoche, No. 5/1988, p. 43 2. ABdN, Official Bulletin of the Diet of 1925, p. 790 3. EdV, Results of the Hearing, Bern, 1983 4. Ibid, P. 576" "Article 157 of the MStG (Military Penal Code) will not be abolished if the Swiss Government (Diet) and EMD (Ersatz Militar Dienst = Military Service) get their way. Article 157 prohibits gay sex during military service. The EMD has tried to defend itself against the decriminal- isation of homosexuality. It resists the abolition of Article 157 of the MStG which punishes gay sex during military service. On the phone Jürg Dubs, Head of the Military Penal Division within the EMD, explained to me that soldiers should not come in contact with gays ""in a repulsive manner"". In the Weltwoche magazine he put it more succinctly: ""As soon as Article 157, sub paragraph 1, is abolished, there will be a hullabaloo in shower cabins and bedrooms"". How nice if that were so! And yet this is not the problem at all. Jürg Dubs admits that ""undesirable homosexuals"" could face disciplinary action in the same way as heterosexual soldiers already face (for instance, when having relationships with members of the MFD). Would this not mean that Article 157 is basically unnecessary, many must ask? To understand why this discriminatory article was included in the Military Penal code in the first place we must go back in history: When, in 1927 an advisory body was dealing with the Military Penal Code (MStG), it was understood that the Military Penal Code would come into effect before the Civil Penal Code (StGB). The Diet had today's sub-paragraph 1 built in additionally, which prohibits any kind of homosexual sex. The reason for this insertion was based on an attempt at standardisation and unification as many Swiss cantons already prohibited gay sex by law. Without this article a totally different Cantonal Law would have come into force. Since 1941 the Civil Penal Code too has been standardised all over Switzerland, and gay sex between adults is no longer considered a criminal offence. Consequently the one major reason for Art. 157 existence became obsolete. Up to 1987 however the Article went unchallenged. That year the Military Penal Code was due a revision. Abolition of the offending article was debated and defeated. A new argument was put forward supporting the retention of the article, citing the possible threat to order and discipline should Article 157 be abolished. One alleviating provision, however, was created during the revision debate: Article 2 of the Military Penal Code stated that, during holiday periods. Articles 145-179 would not apply. Ten years on the Military Service continues to use the same argument for having Article 157 retained. H.R. Strasser. Chief Information Officer of the EMD, says that ""the Military Service during the hearing on its report of Penal Code revision, had voted expressly for the retention of Article 157 of the Military Penal code. Interestingly, there were opposing voices within the Military Service. Jürg Dubs comments: ""The decision was only the personal opinion of one judge who managed to influence the hearing in such a way as to actually represent the official opinion of the Army."" What the decision showed was that increasing conservatism within the Army leadership could manage to overrule the progressive attitude of the Military Service lawyers. Psychiatric Cert Gay men who have sexual relationships in the Army and who get caught rarely face prosecution - except when and officer entertains a relationship with a soldier below his rank, as happened to an instruction officer in Colombier some years ago. Usually such men are discharged as ""Unfit"" on the basis of an instruction form the Head Army Doctor: ""If the reputation of the Army or discipline within the Army are adversely affected, especially through homosexuals who either cannot control themselves or attract attention while on duty (eg. by way of habitus or clique formation)...(those soldiers are deemed unfit for service"". Head of the Army Medical Service, Jürg Janett, mentions three categories of soldiers who are deemed unfit for service because of homosexuality: Firstly, those young men who, the moment they are being drafted, present a psychiatric certificate. The second group would be soldiers who find it difficult to cope with the taunting and scoffing they might be exposed to and who apply for exemption from service. The 3rd group consists of those soldiers who, on the grounds of their behaviour/conduct, are sent by their commander to the doctor who, after examination, will declare them unfit for service. Unfortunately, statistics showing how many gay men per fear are being discharged in this way are not kept by the Military Service. A man showing his gayness in the Army need, however, not fear automatic discharge. Gays who function well within the system may even climb high career-wise. That's what H.R, Strasser maintains: ""There is no reason why homosexuals should not reach positions such as the commander."" How far up do they really get - and at what price? Even today the price will still be denial of ones own sexual identity... Original German article appeared in Anderschume Konitki. 1. Weltwoche, No. 5/1988, p. 43 2. ABdN, Official Bulletin of the Diet of 1925, p. 790 3. EdV, Results of the Hearing, Bern, 1983 4. Ibid, P. 576"

BOOK SHELVED BY PRESS Manchester University Press has recently blocked the publication of a book commissioned by the same Press. "Promoting Homosexuality" by Mick Wallis and Simon Shepherd, a collection of essays about gay politics and culture in the 1980's was originally cleared by the editors but the Press's board got cold feet about "opinion in the Tory party" and concern over the book's possible treatment by the British tabloids. The editors are currently seeking new publishing outlets.

GAY MARRIED MEN A survey carried out during 1987 by Australia's GAMMAline (a telephone counselling service for gay married men) found that 79% of married gay callers were sexually active with other men, often without their wives' knowledge. The results of the survey were published in the National AIDS Bulletin (a publication of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisers) and provided some startling information: Of the 235 counselling calls during the year-long period 89% showed callers living with their wives; 79% of wives were not aware of their husbands' "sexuality crisis”; 86% of male callers were sexually active with their wives; 52% were aware of safe sex practices and 90% were concerned about AIDS. When asked where they went for sex 33% of callers nominated a relationship, 17% said they went cruising and 16% said they used saunas. Massage parlours were used by 5% and a further 12% used casual pick ups for sex. A GAMMA (Gay Married Men's Association) spokesperson was later quoted as saying the results had "terrifying" implications for the spread of AIDS among heterosexuals. The GAMMA group also caters for separated or divorced gay men.

QUEER REPUBLICANS Fifteen protesters from the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) were punched and kicked by an angry mob during the Republican National Convention in New Orleans, USA, mid-August. The fracas broke out while President Ronald Reagan was addressing thousands of Convention delegates and supporters. The fight was carried live by the major TV networks and cable television. The ACT UP activists were surrounded by Republicans who began shouting "Let's get the faggots" and calling the gay protesters "Commies, faggots and queers". Five of the ACT UP protesters were later arrested and charged with disturbing the peace. They were held afterwards for four hours by New Orleans police.

THE DEAF AND THE RIGHT TO SEXUALITY A group for gay and bisexual deaf people was set up in the central Finnish city of Tampere in the autumn of 1987. It works as part of Tampere's gay association Vagabondi. Members are in contact with each other weekly and Vagabondi has obtained a text telephone in order to facilitate communication. Unexpected problems have arisen, however. Although the national association for the deaf has taken a fairly positive attitude towards the group, local associations have not been so forthcoming. Local deaf associations have attempted to ban announcements by the group in a national magazine for the deaf and have announced publicly that they do not wish to be associated with the group.

TORONTO EDUCATION VICTORY Curriculum guidelines for sex education in schools which include a section on education against "homophobia" have been adopted by the Toronto Education Board. The guidelines were included in a Human Rights Curriculum which aims to increase tolerance towards racial minorities and people with 'disabilities' and is due to be implemented in September 1989.

UK AIDS FIGURES The latest figures released by the UK's Department of Health show a total of 1,730 cases of AIDS of whom 949 have died (August 1988). This represents an increase of 61 and 3 3 respectively on the figures for the end of July. Gay and bi-sexual men represent the largest "risk group" of reported cases with a total of 1,426 diagosed. In Northern Ireland there have been 8 reported cases of full­ blown AIDS of whom 3 have died.

ZIRCON PROGRAMME After much heated debate, and following a two year ban, gay journalist Duncan Campbell's film on the Zircon spy satellite was finally broadcast on Friday, September 30th. In the midst of the concluding arguments occurred the tragic suicide of Clifford Smith, the programme's Assistant Producer. The issue at stake was whether or not Campbell would be allowed partake in the accompanying television debate - hosted by Ludovic Kennedy.In the end, Campbell's own comment was pre-recorded (at the mercy of editing). The programme was covered by the British national press. Campbell, confident in his own work, has offered his Zircon Challenge Award to any Tory MP who can prove his film is a threat to British State security.

"5th October The Council of Europe, by a 2/3 majority, adopts extensive recommendations ""On Dis­crimination Against Homo­sexuals"", Strasbourg, 1981. Also today, Pope John Paul II in his first pronouncement on the subject stressed that homosexual activity would continue to be ""morally wrong"", Chicago, 1979. 9th October Film director James Whale commemorated today (see last issue). Also today: English artist Simeon Solomon, whose homoerotic paintings pervaded Victorian art and who was arrested in a London public urinal in 1973, bom in London, 1840. 10th October Justice McWilliam upheld the constitutionality of Ireland’s anti-gay laws, quoting ""current Christian morality"" as a main factor, in a spectacular High Court (Court No. 8) decision, Dublin, 1980. 15th October The Roman poet Virgil was bom today near modem Mantua, 70 B.C. 16th October In every sense our very own, Oscar Wilde, born in Dublin, 1854. 17th October Montgomery Clift bom in Omaha, Nebraska USA, 1920. 18th October Jean-Jacques-Regis de Cambaceres, author of the liberal Code Napoleon, bom in Montpelier, 1753. 19th October Decadent film star and trashy chanteuse Divine bom in Baltimore, USA, 1946. 20th October Arthur Rimbaud, who renounced poetry at the tender age of nineteen and spent many years with an African lover, bom in Charleville, France, 1854. Also today, the National Gay Federation and civil liberties groups opposed the Criminal Justice Bill which was introduced by Fine Gael Minister Michael Noonan as a response to ""escalating crime"", Dublin, 1983. 21st October 150 Save Ulster from Sodomy extremists jeered delegates to the gay rights conference organised by the National Union of Students - first of its kind in Northern Ireland - at Queen's University, Belfast, 1983. Also today: The Italian poet Pietro Aretino, who began life as a male prostitute but progressed (?) to writing obscene yet witty verses, died during a fit of laughter after hearing a dirty joke, 1556. 24th October The Emperor Domitian, who divorced his wife to be with his lover Paris, bom in Rome, 51 A.D. 28th October Evelyn Waugh, whom we are told passed through the ""extreme homosexual phase"", born in London, 1903. 31st October Silent film star and idol to thousands, Ramon Navarro was murdered by two hustlers in Hollywood, 1968. Also today: French artist Marie Laurencin, who oncer asked ""Why should I paint dead fish, onions and beer glasses when girls are so much prettier?"", born in France, 1885. 30th October The 1st Annual Drag Ball - precursor of the Halloween Ball - held at Flikkers (Hirschfeld Centre), Dublin, 1982."

"""Death by Apathy"" Screamed the banner heading in Magill (September) magazine. Not an­ other death by hysteria I thought to myself on viewing the two and a half page article by Patsy McGarry on percep­tions within the AIDS commu­nity that ""Irish people have de­veloped a major ostrich com­plex in relation to AIDS"". Could you blame someone for having such a complex when fed a diet of horror photographs and occasionally selective journalism? Words like ""victims"" and ""deadly virus"" appeared in the article: a deceitful and irrespon­sible touch by either the jour­nalist or sub-editor. That said, McGarry's inter­view of a 27 year old gay man with full blown AIDS made for powerful reading and should be read by everyone. I congratulate McGarry who should have a word with the silly sub-editor responsible for the lousy intro­duction. AIDS-related issues generally dominated the month's newspa­pers. The Evening Press (14 September) carried a piece on the free needle exchange for 200 drug users in New York city. I presume it was lifted from the wire services but found it well written and informative all the same. Mr. Nicholas Kearns, Secre­tary of the AIDS Fund, was quoted in the Irish Times on the same day, urging a reform of the Unfair Dismissals Act and Equality Acts to prevent dis­crimination against HIV+ indi­viduals in the workplace. Ireland has yet to move on the EC communique of February 1987 which urged Government action in relation to equal access to employment for healthy AIDS suffers and HIV+ people. From the sublime to the ridiculous... The Evening Press (16 September) filed a story from New York on Michael Jackson's reluctance about kissing the Blarney Stone, during his recent Irish visit, as he was afraid of getting ""AIDS or something worse"". Did it ever occur to Michael Jackson or his man­agement that we wouldn't wish him to kiss the stone in the first place for fear of a deadly virus being passed onto the general public of this country? The virus in question being stu­pidity and ignorance. There's enough of it about already and it takes enormous patience to deal with this particular strain. In the same paper on 21st September, the reporter Aindreas McEntee brought us a story about plans at University Col­lege Dublin to culture the ""AIDS virus"" at University College Dublin. Finance for the project will come from the AIDS fund. The article was culled from Irish Medical News which quoted Dr. Irene Hillary of UCD and didn't use terminology like the one used above by the Press. McEn­tee will you ever get it right? Original Article: ""Jacko's AIDS fears no Blarney"" From Ray O'Hanlon in New York SUPERSTAR Michael Jackson was very impressed on his recent visit to Ireland but the attractions of the Blarney stone were not for him, it seems.Top rock music magazine. Rolling Stone, claims that the 30 year old singer refused to kiss the stone because he was afraid of getting AIDS. “No way am I going to kiss that. I might get AIDS or something worse”, Jackson is quoted as saying in the current issue of the magazine.The fact that Jackson apparently spurned the gift of the gab is unlikely to deter the thousands of Americans who kiss the stone every year."" Keith Manning of the Evening Press (17 September) delved into the latest book on the legendary Laurence of Arabia (T.E. Laurence). The book is ""A Touch of Genius"" by Malcolm Brown and Julia Cave. Manning also quoted from other sources without clearly distinguishing between other authors' contribu­tions and his own. He was how­ ever clear in reporting the non­ sense of a certain J.E. Mack, ""a distinguished American psychiatrist” who suggested that ""Laurence's desire to be beaten was merely a form of penance to exorcise his guilt obsession""(i.e. homosexuality). The venerable doctor was refer­ring to the allegation that Lau­rence paid someone to flog him as a form of sexual gratifica­tion. Did it strike Dr. Mack that any possible guilt of Laurence's was probably due in the first place to psychiatry's own ob­sessive interference with our sexual orientation? I'm always amazed at a journalist's willing­ness to write this sort of shit without any editorialising or further analysis. The ""Lord Mayor's Interview"" in Hot Press (see GCN, Issue 8) and subsequent rantings in The Irish Times continued to get milage during September with various letters in the latter pa­per (see especially Dermot Moore's response of 15th September). The whole furore also prompted Hot Press (22nd September/dated 6th October) to serialise an ""Investigation into gay life in Ireland”. This first part included a good editorial and the highlight of the feature, an interesting and well-written piece by Kevin Barrington on Senator David Norris and the Constitutional Action. Joe Jackson's travels on the gay commercial social scene (i.e. bars and dance clubs) was quite ""superficial and sweet"", to quote from the article itself. I'll reserve my critique until the se­ries has ended. One little note to my gay brothers and sisters who sniff 'poppers' (amyl ni­trite) while dancing. Beware of the policy at SIDES Dance Club as revealed by Manager Kate: ”1 don't want it here"". The Irish Press (23rd Septem­ber) carried a small news item on the adjournment of Fr. Bernard Lynch's court case in New York. The Irish Press is the only newspaper from this island covering the hearing into al­leged sexual abuse of teenagers by Fr. Lynch. Back to AIDS, the Irish Times (26th September) reported that a ""six year old AIDS victim"" travelled to the Vatican to at­ tend the beatification of an 18th century missionary and pray for a miracle cure. Brendan O'Rourke, the individual con­cerned, would have been better off praying for a change in the Hierarchy's hypocrisy towards gay people; for a miracle cure to the Church's oppression of gay people. Because there's no denying that the Church has singularly worked to keep us low down and oppressed. It's even killed us in the past and I've no doubt it still continues to kill us physically and emo­tionally by denying us our dig­nity as human beings."

CLAUDINE MAGUIRE goes in search of some Leather Lesbians at Chain Reactions, London. "Chain Reactions is an S and M lesbian bar full of ill repute. Any decent, right on or politically sound lesbian wouldn't be caught dead there. Naturally the more we heard about the place the more our curiosity grew until one Tuesday night some friends and I decided to brave the unknown. We descended on Vauxhall Station and made our way toward the Brixton exit. We knew we were going in the right direction because some brave, bright spark wrote ""Chain Reactions"" above the Brixton exit. Had the sign not been there we still would have found the way as five yards ahead of us we saw two cropped heads complete with leather motorbike jackets, leather trousers with a little red hanky coming out of the back right hand pocket, Doc Martens, handcuffs, chains, the works. We looked at each other and nodded, we were definitely on the right track (the dog collar gave it away). The path below the entrance was lined with every sort of motorbike imaginable and having drooled over these for a few minutes we made our way, tongue in cheek, towards the entrance. It was £2.00/1.50 concession in the door. The first thing to hit me in the face (literally) was a topless, bottomless waitress. She wore just a leather bodice with a few dinky little chains hanging on it. I was faced with a choice, leg it now, say three Hail Mary's and save my soul, or stay, act cool and absorb the atmosphere. So we stayed, sauntered (and I mean sauntered) up to the bar. The aforementioned waitress came up to us and said ""If you want a drink I'll serve you"", to which we declined, stuttering and mumbling to our corner in the bar. The place was very dark, the smell of poppers wafted up our noses like old friends ready to kill a few more brain cells. There were about 150 women in the bar wearing every sort of outfit and uniform imaginable. They all wore the customary chains, some had handcuffs, others whips, most wore leather. Nazi hats with chains around the peak were quite popular. I met one woman who I'd seen around and we started talking about S&M. The next thing I knew she'd pulled out her whip and said ""Turn around, I won’t hurt you,"" I nearly dropped dead on the spot and declined, making a hasty retreat to the loo. The atmosphere itself was very cruisy. A good night at the Hirschfeld Centre had nothing on it and it was all women only. Behind where we were sitting was a large wooden grid and behind that was a dance floor. During the course of the night one woman in particular spent a lot of time dancing. Nothing unusual about this you might say except for the fact that she was topless and kind of on the big side to boot. W e spent a lot of time peeking through the grid with our eyes nearly popping out until eventually we turned back to some steady drinking. By that stage we needed it. The other waitress wore Doc Martens, fish net tights, suspender belts, a full bodice and a leather cap complete with chains, handcuffs and whips. You could sit all night watching her. Well I could. Normally on Tuesday night Chain Reactions holds a floor show. The night we went however a band was playing. The women themselves had a very positive attitude about themselves. They were different, they weren't very well liked among other lesbians, they knew it and they loved it. Personally I say fair play to them, whatever turns you on, as for me, I think I'll stick to hot vanilla in the future." "Chain Reactions is an S and M lesbian bar full of ill repute. Any decent, right on or politically sound lesbian wouldn't be caught dead there. Naturally the more we heard about the place the more our curiosity grew until one Tuesday night some friends and I decided to brave the unknown. We descended on Vauxhall Station and made our way toward the Brixton exit. We knew we were going in the right direction because some brave, bright spark wrote ""Chain Reactions"" above the Brixton exit. Had the sign not been there we still would have found the way as five yards ahead of us we saw two cropped heads complete with leather motorbike jackets, leather trousers with a little red hanky coming out of the back right hand pocket, Doc Martens, handcuffs, chains, the works. We looked at each other and nodded, we were definitely on the right track (the dog collar gave it away). The path below the entrance was lined with every sort of motorbike imaginable and having drooled over these for a few minutes we made our way, tongue in cheek, towards the entrance. It was £2.00/1.50 concession in the door. The first thing to hit me in the face (literally) was a topless, bottomless waitress. She wore just a leather bodice with a few dinky little chains hanging on it. I was faced with a choice, leg it now, say three Hail Mary's and save my soul, or stay, act cool and absorb the atmosphere. So we stayed, sauntered (and I mean sauntered) up to the bar. The aforementioned waitress came up to us and said ""If you want a drink I'll serve you"", to which we declined, stuttering and mumbling to our corner in the bar. The place was very dark, the smell of poppers wafted up our noses like old friends ready to kill a few more brain cells. There were about 150 women in the bar wearing every sort of outfit and uniform imaginable. They all wore the customary chains, some had handcuffs, others whips, most wore leather. Nazi hats with chains around the peak were quite popular. I met one woman who I'd seen around and we started talking about S&M. The next thing I knew she'd pulled out her whip and said ""Turn around, I won’t hurt you,"" I nearly dropped dead on the spot and declined, making a hasty retreat to the loo. The atmosphere itself was very cruisy. A good night at the Hirschfeld Centre had nothing on it and it was all women only. Behind where we were sitting was a large wooden grid and behind that was a dance floor. During the course of the night one woman in particular spent a lot of time dancing. Nothing unusual about this you might say except for the fact that she was topless and kind of on the big side to boot. We spent a lot of time peeking through the grid with our eyes nearly popping out until eventually we turned back to some steady drinking. By that stage we needed it. The other waitress wore Doc Martens, fish net tights, suspender belts, a full bodice and a leather cap complete with chains, handcuffs and whips. You could sit all night watching her. Well I could. Normally on Tuesday night Chain Reactions holds a floor show. The night we went however a band was playing. The women themselves had a very positive attitude about themselves. They were different, they weren't very well liked among other lesbians, they knew it and they loved it. Personally I say fair play to them, whatever turns you on, as for me, I think I'll stick to hot vanilla in the future."

"THE FLIKKERS HALLOWEEN BALL. Even the name says it all. Originally conceived as a Drag Ball, the Flikkers Halloween Ball has become much more than a simple excuse for gay men and women to dress up and party. The Ball is without doubt the premier gay social event in Ireland, having become something of an institution in its six year history. This year the Flikkers Halloween Ball will take place on the Bank Holiday Sunday (30th October) at the Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Dublin 2 (off Dame Street). Ball-goers are promised at least seven hours of wonderful fantasy and drag, outrageous behaviour and superb dance music. We have lined up one of Dublin's best D.J.'s, Tommy Cooper, (currently residing and disc-jockeying in London). He will be flying in with Angelo Andreucetti (also ex-Dublin) who has lined up some early, early morning musical surprises. For Ball contestants there will be a top prize of £100 with various smaller cash and consolation prizes donated by a number of businesses including The George and Incognito Sauna. There will be a special prize this year for the most original fantasy costume. The Diceman, Bill Keating (RTE) and Mr. Pussy have agreed to judge the fancy dress contest. Breakfast will be available in the early morning and there will be a wine-bar in operation. Décor-wise, it's a big surprise! The George Bar, Sth. Gt. George's Street, will be hosting a special Pre-Ball Reception for contestants between 8-9pm on the night. A wonderful opportunity to have a pint and giggle over your friend's costume. A WORD OF WARNING. Last year 460 people attended the Ball and half that number were dressed up. Contestants had to register which led to inevitable queues. This year numbers are strictly limited and we anticipate having to turn away people. Our advice to Ball-goers is: Buy your ticket in advance and come early. To facilitate this tickets are on sale in the following Dublin venues - Abbey Discs and Beat Records, Abbey Mall: Incognito Sauna, 1-2 Bow.Lane; and by post from P.O. Box 931, Dublin 4. Tickets for this night of debauchery are priced £5. The proceeds of the night will go towards the National Gay Federation and its affiliated groups. Postal booking please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Further enquiries and reservations may be made by telephoning (01)732693 [3-5pm. weekdays] TAKE A TRIP INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION"