'It was like being videoed making love'

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  9 minutes  |  1740 words  |  Aldo Pusey

MoviesReviewCan one of Britain's best-loved actors make the switch from silver screen to printed page? Julie Walters talks to Emine Saner about her partying years, motherhood, and the alarmingly intimate experience of writing a novelI hear Julie Walters before I see her, a cackle coming from the bathroom of her hotel suite, a fluster when she realises I've arrived, and then she appears, toothbrush in hand, toothpaste foaming from her mouth. [Read More]

Alvin Greene: America's most unlikely politician

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  11 minutes  |  2239 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

US politicsLast month, an unknown, unemployed former soldier astonished America by becoming the Democratic nominee for South Carolina's upcoming senate election. How on earth did he do it?The journey to the home of one of the most enigmatic figures to emerge into the American political scene involves a drive deep into rural South Carolina. The road, bullet straight and lined with tall firs and pines, continues for miles with only an occasional Jehovah's Witnesses church to break the monotony. [Read More]

Are all male fashion designers gay?

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  806 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

Ask HadleyFashionOf course not. Yes there are prominent gay men in the business - but that's something to applaudWhy are all male fashion designers gay? David, by email I'm sorry, I think you have your Guardian columns mixed up. All enquiries expressing concern that a family member might be gay should be addressed to Pamela Stephenson- Connolly, Sexual Healing, c/o this parish, etc etc. Oh, no wait a minute – sorry, I read your email too quickly. [Read More]

Chaka Khan: Idont have time for a man unless he can bring something big to the table, like a

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  591 words  |  Valentine Belue

This much I knowChaka KhanInterviewChaka Khan: ‘I don’t have time for a man unless he can bring something big to the table, like a huge amount of money’Ruth HuntmanThe singer, 64, talks frankly about Black Panthers days, struggles with addiction, Prince, her epitaph and giving Whitney Houston her break I ran away from home at 16. My younger sister and I were very spirited and caused my parents a lot of grief. [Read More]

Dame Joan Sutherland obituary | Joan Sutherland

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  9 minutes  |  1784 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

Joan SutherlandObituaryDame Joan Sutherland obituaryOne of the world's most celebrated operatic sopranos whose voice combined beauty and power'One of God's pranks was to make Joan an overgrown schoolgirl and then give her a divine voice." The grand lady who made that remark was Dame Edith Evans, and anyone who ever saw her on the stage will almost taste the Lady Bracknell tone of her voice. It was more than a witticism; it summed up to perfection the paradox of Joan Sutherland, who has died aged 83. [Read More]

Erasing the hate: the tattoo shop offering former white supremacists a fresh start

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  12 minutes  |  2461 words  |  Valentine Belue

MississippiAt Sickside Tattoo Studio in Mississippi, reformed gang members and white supremacists such as TM Garret seek free cover-ups for ink from their pasts Amid the shrill buzzing of a tattoo gun, Nathan Greer squeezes his eyes shut and lets out a low, rumbling groan. In this small, purple room in the back of a tattoo shop just south of Memphis, Tennessee, the 33-year-old former white supremacist has come seeking a fresh start. [Read More]

Fay Weldons Lives and Loves of a She-Devil taught me how to connect with my inner anti-heroine |

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  6 minutes  |  1190 words  |  Kary Bruening

OpinionGender This article is more than 9 years oldFay Weldon’s Lives and Loves of a She-Devil taught me how to connect with my inner anti-heroineThis article is more than 9 years oldParis LeesNo one could fail to be seduced by its humour. But at 13, what I loved was the potential for transformation the book representedI’d love to tell you that my favourite book is by Flaubert or Angela Carter, maybe even Alex Garland. [Read More]

Masturbation with fruit ... and other teenage lessons I learned from Dolly Doctor | Van Badham

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  765 words  |  Kary Bruening

‘There was a message consistency that came from Dolly – of respect, self-care, boundaried behaviour – that we learned from their careful editorial.’ Photograph: Dolly/Bauer Media‘There was a message consistency that came from Dolly – of respect, self-care, boundaried behaviour – that we learned from their careful editorial.’ Photograph: Dolly/Bauer MediaOpinionAustralian media This article is more than 7 years oldMasturbation with fruit ... and other teenage lessons I learned from Dolly DoctorThis article is more than 7 years oldVan BadhamRecalling evenings spent with friends reading out advice from Dolly Doctor, I’m provoked to profound respect for the writers and editors. [Read More]

Why are pregnant lesbians scary? | Gender

 Posted on May 20, 2024  |  7 minutes  |  1412 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

GenderWhy are pregnant lesbians scary?Dick Cheney's daughter has just announced she is to have a baby, and America's Christian right is appalled. Of course lesbians actually make brilliant mothers, writes Julie Bindel - although she does wish her friends would stop breedingThis week came the news that Christian conservatives across the US must secretly have been dreading. Long in love with the dastardly vice-president Dick Cheney (a key player in one of the most conservative administrations in living memory), they have always struggled to reconcile this with the fact that his daughter Mary is an out lesbian. [Read More]

Iga Swiatek surges back from brink to avoid shock defeat by Belinda Bencic | Wimbledon 2023

 Posted on May 19, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  921 words  |  Kary Bruening

Wimbledon 2023Iga Swiatek surges back from brink to avoid shock defeat by Belinda BencicTop seed saves two match points in 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-3 win‘I needed that win to believe in myself on this surface’Iga Swiatek faced down a trial of physical and mental strength on Sunday night to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final and answer some of the questions about whether she is ready to compete for the title in SW19. [Read More]