Outcast (magazine) - Taking On The Gay Establishment

Taking On The Gay Establishment

The magazine lampooned the 'softly softly' approach of Stonewall and ran a series of exposés about the business dealings of London Mardi Gras (formerly Gay Pride).

In June 2000, it ran its most controversial article, accusing the owners of a rival magazine, The Pink Paper, of running a corrupt HIV charity.

It told the story of how David Bridle and Kelvin Sollis set up Positive Lives "to educate and support gay men living with HIV". Their stated aims were to run a helpline, produce information videos, provide housing and promote safer sex. In reality, Outcast claimed the charity had "done no charitable work whatsoever" and alleged that all the money raised by the charity had "mysteriously disappeared".

Bridle and Sollis threatened to sue the magazine, its printer, its website host and others. Libel expert David Price acted for Outcast pro bono and successfully defended the magazine from all claims.

The Charity Commission investigated the allegations made in the article and concluded:

• The Commission found little evidence that any charitable activity had ever been undertaken by Positive Lives
• The accounts produced for Positive Lives did not show a true and fair view of the charity’s activities
• The charity’s accounts suggest that donated £55,300 to the charity but the reality is that little or no money changed hands
• The Commission found that the trustees of Positive Lives failed in even the most basic duties that would be expected of them

Positive Lives was shut down by the Commission. Bridle and Sollis sold The Pink Paper shortly after.