FROM THE EDITOR.
There’s something for everyone in this issue!
He plays a troubled soul who’s done time and murders his own mother who, it turns out, framed him for the first murder, which she herself committed!
The man on our front cover this month, David Tag, is very famous in the UK – a fact I didn’t know when I commissioned his shoot! Photographer Dan Collins sent me some images and asked if DNA would be interested in a whole story. I consulted with the DNA team, we all agreed David had a masculineyet-approachable appeal, and so we said, “Yes please!” I assumed “David” (I had no surname at this stage) was a personal trainer or athlete as he is in great shape.
After the shoot, I emailed David to get some biographical info on him to write his profile. His reply mentioned that he was on TV in the UK. I did a Google search on his email name and came up with nothing, which made me think he’d either filmed some TV and it hadn’t gone to air, or it was a low-profile reality show.
When I asked for more info and he came back with Hollyoaks – I was gobsmacked! I’ve never watched it, but I know it’s up there with other revered British TV dramas like Eastenders and Coronation Street.
David has been in Hollyoaks for two years. He plays Sylver McQueen, a troubled soul who’s done time for murder and (spoiler) murders his own mother who, it turns out, framed him for the first murder, which she herself committed!
David has a hairy chest, which he loves, but the show requires he keep it smooth for his regular shirtless scenes. Hmmm, maybe I’ll start watching Hollyoaks! He’s also an absolutely sweetie who chuckles at being called a DILF even though he has no children. “It’s flattering,” he told me.
So, Daddy or not, I hope you enjoy our super sexy shoot with this charming man.
Still in the UK, and DNA’s Entertainment Editor, Marc Andrews sat down for a face-toface with gay pop royalty, Chris and Neil of Pet Shop Boys. Marc has interviewed the Boys several times over the course of his career as a music journalist. While Neil is officially “out”, Chris isn’t, and Marc always gives him the opportunity to do so in interviews. Chris explains his reasons for keeping his private life private in this issue.
In a wide-ranging interview, the duo also discuss their time in Berlin, their new album Hotspot, their ongoing musical and theatre projects, and drop a little goss about fellow artists. They may not be scaling the heights of the charts anymore, but the fact that they are still making music 35 years down the track is testament to their commitment to their art. And the music, if you care to listen, is still fabulous.
Two acts who are scaling the charts are Dua Lipa and Kesha, and I’m incredibly excited about seeing them at Mardi Gras this year. To be honest, as fabulous as Cher’s presence was two years ago, Dua Lipa and Kesha take Mardi Gras’ after-party to a new level of international cool. Both artists have serious LGBT credentials and currently charting hits.
Another highlight of the Mardi Gras Festival this year will be Koori Gras, a program of Indigenous drag queens, singers, cabaret performers and play readings that will give a platform to the Sydney LGBT Indigenous community. This is a community that is absolutely flourishing and worthy of being celebrated by us all. I interviewed “faboriginal” queen Nova Gina, who is one of the Koori Gras stars, for this issue.
Unfortunately, our interview coincided Santiago Albewloith Nova’s diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. by Adrian C Martin. Amazingly, and showing great resilience
and generosity of spirit, our interview went ahead. And, it seems, so will Nova’s Festival commitments regardless of cancer treatments. Respect!
If you are getting into the Mardi Gras mood and have decided to step up your party wear look, I suggested you go no further than pages 38-43 this issue. The DJX range of party harnesses and shorts, jockstraps and sports socks are the look of the season.
For your serious read this month, we bring you an African update (pages 64-67). Uganda has signalled it will reintroduce the infamous “Kill The Gays” bill. Feature writer, Conall Ferguson looks at the influences that have led to this (American evangelists at work again), but notices some positive changes for LGBT people in Africa worth noting.
Enjoy the gorgeous men and the great stories in this issue!