TO VALENTINE OR NOT TO VALENTINE

A special day for lovebirds or simply a money-making racket to keep the economy ticking over? Either way, there’s no escaping Valentine’s Day; it’s everywhere.

Contrary to popular belief the day is not named after one person, but at least two Saint Valentines who were Early Christian martyrs. The 14th of February only became associated with lovers around Geoffrey Chaucer’s time in the Middle Ages.

From then on it became a day of potential delight – or possible torment and humiliation (if you happen to find yourself sans a lover or admirer that is). It’s a tradition, complete with an array of kitsch iconography of red roses and hearts, that’s spread around the globe like some kind of nasty virus. You may be interested to know that the US Greeting Card Association has estimated that today approximately one billion valentine cards are sent worldwide each year.

The trick to surviving the day may well be to celebrate it in your own unique way – without buying into all the usual clichés. We asked six gay and gay-friendly celebs about their personal take on Valentine’s Day.

TAMARA DEY – singer and performer

Solo singer, vocalist for dance group Flash Republic and now stage performer, Tamara Dey is also well known as a trend-setting fashion plate and socialite. She recently broke up with band-mate Ryan Dent.

Do you consider yourself romantic?

Totally! I am a die-hard romantic. No matter how many times I’ve been in the company of heartbreak.

Do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Yes. Absolutely. If I’m seeing someone I will want to spoil the person I’m with.

Do you think it’s overly commercialised?

Well, all holidays are. Not just Valentine’s. If it means something special to you then that’s what’s important. It’s a special day for me. And it’s a great excuse to spoil each other – although you shouldn’t need an excuse to do that…

What would be your perfect Valentine’s evening?

A night with Johnny Depp. With all the trimmings. He’d be doing all the surprising though. But he’s married so I can’t go there!

Have you ever sent yourself a card or flowers to impress others?

Never. That would defeat the point of the whole thing wouldn’t it?

Do you have a Valentine this year?

I’m single. And I don’t have my eye on anyone at the moment. Hopefully I’ll have a secret admirer – although I hope he doesn’t stay secret for long!

What are your plans for this coming Valentine’s Day?

I’ll just be spoiling the boys in the band.

STUART HILLARY – DJ and producer

The man behind the legendary Joburg nightclub Therapy, Stuart Hillary remains one of the country’s most sought-after DJs while also dabbling in music production.

Do you consider yourself romantic?

Yes. Definitely.

Do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Not really. I find it a bit cheesy. Although I do find myself making some sort of gesture.

Do you think it’s overly commercialised?

Yes. Completely and sickeningly so…

What would be your perfect Valentine’s evening?

Just something spontaneous that happens – that wasn’t planned by either party.

Have you ever sent yourself a card or flowers to impress others?

No! (Laughs)

Do you have a Valentine this year?

Yes, my boyfriend.

What are your plans for this coming Valentine’s Day?

Nothing planned at the moment. Although I have a feeling that perhaps I should!

IAN MC MAHON – Cape Town Pride Festival Chairperson

Ian Mc Mahon has many fingers in the tasty pie that is Cape Town’s gay community – from the city’s nightlife to heading up the annual Cape Town Pride Festival.

Do you consider yourself romantic?

Absolutely I do. I just love the whole lead up to the romance. I do the whole courting and dinner thing…

Do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day?

I do. Although last year I had an anti-valentine dinner at home. It was for all my friends who didn’t have a valentine.

Do you think it’s overly commercialised?

It’s one of those events that can be commercialised, but ultimately the intention is a good one. It’s like Christmas.

What would be your perfect Valentine’s evening?

I think starting with a sun-downer; sipping champagne while the sun goes down. Followed by dinner. And then… a good time (laughs)

Have you ever sent yourself a card or flowers to impress others?

Oh no….

Do you have a Valentine this year?

Yes, someone that I’m dating.

What are your plans for this coming Valentine’s Day?

I want to find something fun to do and end off with a nice restaurant. I’ve started looking. I once did the Spier train on Valentine’s – that was fun.

SOMIZI MHLONGO – Dancer, choreographer, actor and talk show host

Living life his way, Somizi Mhlongo has helped break new ground as an openly gay celebrity and artist while never straying very far from controversy.

Do you consider yourself romantic?

Yes very much. I’m very expressive – emotionally and physically. I don’t have any limits. From sprinkling rose petals all over the house and the bedroom to surprising someone by taking them out to lunch or flying them from Joburg to Cape Town. I can be way over the top.

Do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Yes, traditionally I do…

Do you think it’s overly commercialised?

What isn’t? That’s my question. I don’t see anything wrong with that. It’s an opportunity to let people who might otherwise be scared to express themselves in everyday life to do so on that day… My family background was one where we didn’t tell each other that we love one another very often – on days like Valentine’s we can do that.