Hi, I’m James. You may know me from stumbling into me on a dancefloor. Possibly you’ve heard me laughing loudly in a smoking area, or perhaps you’ve tolerated me telling sub-par jokes stolen from Will & Grace to small groups of disinterested people as my alter ego, Dom Top.
I’ve been tooling around the London gay scene for over seven years now, falling off bar stools in Soho, shaking my body under the Vauxhall lights, and strutting the streets of East London, all clad in a selection of highly misadvised outfits.
I am passionate about all aspects of our gay scene: the clubs, the bars, the music, the parties, the community and the causes. But the thing that drives me most is the people. You won’t find a more diverse cross-section of captivating individuals anywhere else. It’s what led me to QX, where I’ve worked as everything from an advertising executive to a staff writer, until finally settling into the role of Scene Editor this year.
Our gay scene, like the NHS and Dolly Parton, is something to be treasured and preserved. As far as I’m concerned, the London gay community is a family. A much extended, very dramatic, sometimes dysfunctional and often highly incestuous family, but a family nonetheless. Instead of christenings and Christmases, we have parties and Prides.
I want you to think of QX as your weekly family album, if you will. As your new Scene Editor, I’ll try to make sure I choose the best photos.
See you on that dancefloor.
James Egan, Scene Editor
Hey! I’m Chris and I’m your new features editor. When I pitched to Cliff about having my work appear in the magazine I clearly got more than I bargained for.
In my freelance work I’ve covered a range of issues that affect the gay community, from the impact of cuts and closures, to the plight of asylum seekers and those living in countries that criminalise their right to exist. I’ve written regularly for VICE, The Independent, The Advocate and others, tackling all things LGBT.
If there’s something you want to see covered in the magazine – a story, issue, person, etc. – then just drop me an email (or tweet me @ChrisPJGodfrey if that’s more your thing). QX is already a great platform for raising the issues that need to be raised, for celebrating the scene in all its sequined glory and for giving a voice to those who need to be heard. I’ll be sure to continue in this vein.
If you see me out and about be sure to come and say hi!
Chris Godfrey, Features Editor