In Honour of A True Populist and Revolutionary.

Today, May 22, is Harvey Milk Day. Polari Magazine honours his memory in an article that explores why he was such an important figure in the fight for gay rights.

“What Milk achieved between 1975 and his assassination in November 1978 changed the history of the gay rights movement irrevocably.”

Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE2 9TG • April 4 – September 9, 2012

This retrospective, argues Michael Langan, shows Hirst for what he is: a man with limited ideas whose best days are far behind him.

“The central problem is that much of Hirst’s work simply doesn’t bear repeated viewing. It’s based on impact as an artistic statement but this is no longer the shock of the new but the kind of impact that, once it’s worn off, leaves a vacuum.”

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Released on October 31, 1977

This 4 act concept album is a rarity in disco music.

“It’s solidly a concept album, arguably the first disco opera or song-cycle, and a black urban update of the Cinderella story for the disco.”

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Released May 21, 2012
This EP is, says Little Bastard, pure gypsy-punk-rock’n’roll classic, matching central American sounds with contemporary pop, jazz and even punk vocals to create an exciting melting pot of sounds.

“It makes me want to don a teddy boy suit and Mexican candy skull makeup while blasting this song out of the window of my Chevy! Yes, it’s that good it makes me want to learn to drive!”

Assumptions and Prejudice Have Changed Little.

A CBS report by Mike Wallace, ‘The Homosexuals’, from 1967 uses arguments that are disturbingly similar to those used today. How much have things changed really?

“It is apparent that what was being said and assumed then about homosexuality publicly is not so different from what is so often being said and assumed now.”

Save California Promotes Fear and Prejudice.

A pro-family, right wing group called Save California is trying to scare parents into making sure their kids stay at home on May 22, Harvey Milk Day.

“The historian John D’Emilio said on the twentieth anniversary of Milk’s assassination, ‘The legacy that I think he would want to be remembered for is the imperative to live one’s life at all times with integrity’.”

Homophobia appears in many guises.

David Watters writes about his experience of homophobia at work and in his personal life. To celebrate IDAHO 2012 Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“We all have our stories of bullying and, in sharing these, I hope that one message resounds – YOU have as much right to live and love as anyone else.”

There were worse things said at school than ‘gay’.

Little Bastard writes about the best friend that betrayed his trust. To celebrate IDAHO 2012 Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“When searching for a homophobic experience in my life to drag up, one that has shaped who I am and that still continues to do that to this day, this story was the only one I could think of.”

The myths are rarely about fact and mostly about prejudice.

Lyndsay Winegarden writes about the prejudices that come out when bisexuality is mentioned. To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia and Transphobia Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“I still get told that I am not bisexual enough because I’ve not completed some list of “must do’s” in order to fit their definition of bisexuality.”

Are we living the dream or the nightmare?

Performer and cabaret artist Alp Haydar asks if there’s an epidemic of hate in our society. To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia and Transphobia Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“In a city that Boris Johnson claims prides itself on it’s open-mindedness, anti-gay hate incidents have risen by 28 percent in the last four years and continue to do so.”