Friday, 4 December 2015
MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - SAME LOVE feat. MARY LAMBERT (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
This might be my favourite music video and song of all time and I have so much respect for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Macklemore is a big supporter of gay rights and has a gay uncle, who is featured with his partner on the single cover.
Imagine A World Where Being "Gay" The Norm & Being "Straight" Would Be T...
I encourage everyone to invest some short time into watching this video. It's amazing.
I first came across it when I was campaigning for LGBT rights on Facebook in 2013. It was written, directed and performed in a way that could put homophobia into a different perspective and in a way that homophobic people might understand better. The film challenges modern day society and asks: what if the shoe was on the other foot? It's based in a world where it's 'normal' to be in same sex couples and frowned upon to be in a straight couple.
"Some people say they were born the way they were destined to be.Some people say that it's a result of how you were raised."
The protagonist Ashley in the short film commentates that she first noticed she felt 'different' when she was 5 years old and felt an attraction to a young boy. In the real world, this would be encouraged and branded a 'cute little crush.' In the film, it's not. It's frowned upon and it's dangerous,
Not only does the film challenge sexuality, it also challenges stereotypes. It's an old myth that football is suppose to be a man's sport and this claim is still challenged in modern day society in the real world. In the film, it's suppose to be a 'girl' thing which is interesting in itself. When seated at the dinner table with her younger brother and each mum, Ashley reveals that she doesn't want to play football, but wants to act instead. This is frowned upon by one mum.
"I'm not going to have to exposed to that perverted lifestyle, men and women living together. It's a sin, it makes me sick just thinking about it. So revolting." - One mum claims when she reveals that a heterosexual couple as moved into a house on their street, and urges her children to walk the long way to school to avoid seeing them.
Ashley realises for sure that she is a 'breeder' when she touches her male friend's hand and feels an intense connection. She knows she's in love, but she thinks it's wrong. She's scared.
She begins to get bullied by school peers and punished by her parents. Just for feeling different. Just for being a 'victim' of a type of love that she cannot control. She attempts suicide despite her young age.
This film completely flips modern day society on it's back and encourages a level of understanding to almost everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender.
LOVE IS LOVE.
Monday, 23 November 2015
BUT THE BIBLE SAYS...........
It’s no secret that religion plays a big part in the condemning of homosexuality. In this post, I'll be focusing on Christianity and how many people find it hard to accept a gay person’s lifestyle because they believe God is instructing them to do so through the bible.
Now, I’m not religious nor am I gay, so I believe that this gives me an unbiased perspective on the two topics. Alternatively however, this could provoke one to assume that because I lack personal experience or knowledge of either, my voice on the matter might lose its credibility.
There are many statements thrown around by Anti-gay Christian ministers that propagate the myth that homosexuality is unnatural and therefore should be damned: “In the beginning, God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” From this, it’s believed that because God created a male and female first, these two genders are supposed to be together forever with no additions or changes to the heteronormativity this world started with.
If we’re focusing on what’s natural in human’s since the beginning of time, there is a lot we can focus on. Adam and Eve are supposed to be the epitome of 'natural,' and it just so happens that they were also created perfectly healthy and naked. Need I say more?
I'm not completely against religion; I do believe that everyone should have the right to do and follow what gives them happiness (if it doesn't affect anyone else) in this complicated messed up world. I don’t have a problem with those who believe in a God but I do with those who force their religious beliefs onto other people. You don’t believe in homosexuality? Oh okay, cool, no problem, just make sure you personally aren’t attracted or interested in the same sex then.
Another issue lies within those who simply preach certain verses in the bible whilst ignoring the ones that don't suit them. The hypocrisy and self-contradictory is so evident but it’s often overlooked. A man could stand proudly expressing his hatred towards homosexuality and claim it’s a sin although he thieves from shops. A woman could spit verses from the bible about how being gay is wrong but she’s had sex with 10 different men before marriage.I don't think you should be allowed to pick and choose which parts of God's word you want to follow.
God encourages us to “Love thy neighbour” and in the bible there is no small print next to this that says: “unless they’re gay, haha. If they’re gay make sure you give them a really hard time and marginalise them until they stop being gay.” So, love your neighbour then! If they’re male, female, fat, skinny, tall, short, ginger, blonde, brunette, white, black, Asian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered… even if they have a massive dinosaur growing inside their left arm: Love. Thy. Neighbour. This is clearly stated in the Bible, however there are no distinct written directions that ask the followers of Christ to ostracize gay people.
Don’t get me wrong, I really don’t mean to tarnish all of God's followers with the same brush. I'm aware that there are many believers in this world who have the same opinion as me: the bible is an allegorical book from an old era used to contextualise this complicated world of ours and implement some reason behind it all. But, then you have those who treat the bible like the instruction booklet of life, like how to set up your new HD TV. They believe it’s an infallible word from high above that must be followed and they think it’s okay to pick out specific verses as weapons against society’s wrongdoings.
“Gay marriage is wrong!!!!!!!!”
Oh, is it? Why?
“I don’t know but the bible says it is!!!!!!!”
Er right, okay then…
The world is simply changing, moving and conforming. The world 1000 years ago and the world today is different and there is no one on this earth that can change that. The world today and the world in another 1000 years will be different too. It’s just life and we have to move with it. It’s a part of survival. Homosexuality is a present day lifestyle, of course, but it’s one of the past too and I can bet my long ginger hair that it’ll also be in the future. Keep fighting against it if you wish but I promise you, you will be left behind.
Now, I’m not religious nor am I gay, so I believe that this gives me an unbiased perspective on the two topics. Alternatively however, this could provoke one to assume that because I lack personal experience or knowledge of either, my voice on the matter might lose its credibility.
There are many statements thrown around by Anti-gay Christian ministers that propagate the myth that homosexuality is unnatural and therefore should be damned: “In the beginning, God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” From this, it’s believed that because God created a male and female first, these two genders are supposed to be together forever with no additions or changes to the heteronormativity this world started with.
If we’re focusing on what’s natural in human’s since the beginning of time, there is a lot we can focus on. Adam and Eve are supposed to be the epitome of 'natural,' and it just so happens that they were also created perfectly healthy and naked. Need I say more?
I'm not completely against religion; I do believe that everyone should have the right to do and follow what gives them happiness (if it doesn't affect anyone else) in this complicated messed up world. I don’t have a problem with those who believe in a God but I do with those who force their religious beliefs onto other people. You don’t believe in homosexuality? Oh okay, cool, no problem, just make sure you personally aren’t attracted or interested in the same sex then.
Another issue lies within those who simply preach certain verses in the bible whilst ignoring the ones that don't suit them. The hypocrisy and self-contradictory is so evident but it’s often overlooked. A man could stand proudly expressing his hatred towards homosexuality and claim it’s a sin although he thieves from shops. A woman could spit verses from the bible about how being gay is wrong but she’s had sex with 10 different men before marriage.I don't think you should be allowed to pick and choose which parts of God's word you want to follow.
God encourages us to “Love thy neighbour” and in the bible there is no small print next to this that says: “unless they’re gay, haha. If they’re gay make sure you give them a really hard time and marginalise them until they stop being gay.” So, love your neighbour then! If they’re male, female, fat, skinny, tall, short, ginger, blonde, brunette, white, black, Asian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered… even if they have a massive dinosaur growing inside their left arm: Love. Thy. Neighbour. This is clearly stated in the Bible, however there are no distinct written directions that ask the followers of Christ to ostracize gay people.
Don’t get me wrong, I really don’t mean to tarnish all of God's followers with the same brush. I'm aware that there are many believers in this world who have the same opinion as me: the bible is an allegorical book from an old era used to contextualise this complicated world of ours and implement some reason behind it all. But, then you have those who treat the bible like the instruction booklet of life, like how to set up your new HD TV. They believe it’s an infallible word from high above that must be followed and they think it’s okay to pick out specific verses as weapons against society’s wrongdoings.
“Gay marriage is wrong!!!!!!!!”
Oh, is it? Why?
“I don’t know but the bible says it is!!!!!!!”
Er right, okay then…
The world is simply changing, moving and conforming. The world 1000 years ago and the world today is different and there is no one on this earth that can change that. The world today and the world in another 1000 years will be different too. It’s just life and we have to move with it. It’s a part of survival. Homosexuality is a present day lifestyle, of course, but it’s one of the past too and I can bet my long ginger hair that it’ll also be in the future. Keep fighting against it if you wish but I promise you, you will be left behind.
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Brighton Pride 2015
Ah Brighton, it’s such a wonderful and diverse place. After being named England’s unofficial ‘gay’ capital, I was interested in doing some research and finding out just how and why it became so famous and well known for its LGBT movements.
The seaside city has recorded LGBT history since the 1800s, and it’s believed that many men were attracted to the large numbers of Napoleonic War soldiers taking heed in the town. Brighton started gaining its reputation for the gay community by the 1930s, when many gay and lesbian pubs
started to establish themselves. Over 80 years later and the city is not only still known for its gay culture, but also its ability to embrace anyone and everyone regardless of stereotypes or an individual’s beliefs, tastes, appearance or interests.
started to establish themselves. Over 80 years later and the city is not only still known for its gay culture, but also its ability to embrace anyone and everyone regardless of stereotypes or an individual’s beliefs, tastes, appearance or interests.
The city of Brighton is also very known for it’s annual Gay Pride event which promotes equality and diversity, fighting to eliminate the discrimination the LGBT community faces. The event takes place every summer and is held in the first week of August, making it a summer festival.
Not only does the event promote a change in the world, it has also be proven to boost the city’s economy. The parade attracts an estimated number of 160,000 people every year and brings an estimated £13.8 million to the city's economy.
Having attended a few Brighton Pride festival’s myself, I can honestly say it’s the most comfortable and accepted I have ever felt. Although I myself am not gay, it was an honour to be a part of a movement that celebrated such diversity and promoted equal rights.
Why is it any different?
You’re sitting on the train home on a Friday evening. The sun is just beginning to set and you stare out of the window with such blissful content, drinking in the landscape and admiring the sky’s palette of colours entwining as one. You turn reluctantly back to your newspaper, determined to educate yourself on the day’s events before it becomes history… but then someone of the opposite gender catches your eye. You don’t know it yet, but that’s the person you’re about to fall irrevocably in love with.
They’re unlike anyone you’ve ever laid your eyes on before and this strange feeling engulfs you as you smile at them nervously, a light blush sweeping your face. You make small talk and you can feel the chemistry between you both sizzling beyond control. You know only their name, but for now that’s enough because just being in their presence is satisfyingly ample. Your heart starts hammering and little beads of sweat dance across the palms of your hands as you notice your train stop is next. Already? It can't be. It slowly and painfully dawns on you that you have to unwillingly leave this beautiful creature behind.
Quick.
Think.
You exchange mobile numbers before it’s too late.
One date turns into two, and then three, and then four, five, six, seven, eight. You’re in love, you already know it. This is it for you now, you're in too deep. They're all you think about, your mind working like a broken record, singing their name over and over again. Their emotions are infectious and you feel as though you’re one whole person together. You fell in love with them because they taught you how to love yourself, even the parts you try to hide away. You chose them and you know that in any lifetime, in any opportunity and in a single heart beat, you would choose them over and over again. You fell in love with them for who they are as a person, not just their appearance (although, you know that there is no one else on the planet that looks just as good as them.) This is your soul mate, and it’s funny because if you told your old self that ‘soul mates’ actually existed, you would have laughed bitterly. But you have yours now. You’re the girl and the boy that everyone knows will last forever because you love each other and a life without them isn’t a life worth living.
You might be reading this with a hope that this will one day happen to you. You might be reading this with someone in mind. Now, I want you to imagine you that weren’t allowed to love this person. Imagine you were continuously told that your feelings were wrong and that they were a choice, and a bad one. Imagine people muttered disapprovingly under their breath every time you stole a kiss from your loved one at the bus stop, or strolled through the shopping mall with your hands linked. Imagine.
Most gay couples know this feeling all too well, either through first hand experience or relayed stories. When it comes to heterosexual couples, the odds of them experiencing this disapproval is almost little to none. I mean why would they, right? In a society so used to focusing on heteronormativity, it’s the type of business that no one looks twice at.
This leaves me to ponder a question I think about often: why is it any different? Why is Hannah loving Amy any different to Amy loving John? Why is Tyler kissing Michael any different to Michael kissing Ellie? To not allow this love is a breach of basic human rights and something that I don’t think I could ever fully comprehend. I personally believe that love is something this world doesn’t have enough of and whatever sexuality, gender or religion of an individual, we should be embracing all types of this emotion. Love and attraction are both such beautiful things and I don’t believe anyone in this world has a right to tell someone else that what they’re feeling is wrong. To discriminate, bully or oppress someone because of an emotion beyond their control… that’s what’s wrong. It’s something this world needs to obliterate fast so that future generations don’t have to feel so marginalised and punished for feeling something so natural. Love is Love.
They’re unlike anyone you’ve ever laid your eyes on before and this strange feeling engulfs you as you smile at them nervously, a light blush sweeping your face. You make small talk and you can feel the chemistry between you both sizzling beyond control. You know only their name, but for now that’s enough because just being in their presence is satisfyingly ample. Your heart starts hammering and little beads of sweat dance across the palms of your hands as you notice your train stop is next. Already? It can't be. It slowly and painfully dawns on you that you have to unwillingly leave this beautiful creature behind.
Quick.
Think.
You exchange mobile numbers before it’s too late.
One date turns into two, and then three, and then four, five, six, seven, eight. You’re in love, you already know it. This is it for you now, you're in too deep. They're all you think about, your mind working like a broken record, singing their name over and over again. Their emotions are infectious and you feel as though you’re one whole person together. You fell in love with them because they taught you how to love yourself, even the parts you try to hide away. You chose them and you know that in any lifetime, in any opportunity and in a single heart beat, you would choose them over and over again. You fell in love with them for who they are as a person, not just their appearance (although, you know that there is no one else on the planet that looks just as good as them.) This is your soul mate, and it’s funny because if you told your old self that ‘soul mates’ actually existed, you would have laughed bitterly. But you have yours now. You’re the girl and the boy that everyone knows will last forever because you love each other and a life without them isn’t a life worth living.
You might be reading this with a hope that this will one day happen to you. You might be reading this with someone in mind. Now, I want you to imagine you that weren’t allowed to love this person. Imagine you were continuously told that your feelings were wrong and that they were a choice, and a bad one. Imagine people muttered disapprovingly under their breath every time you stole a kiss from your loved one at the bus stop, or strolled through the shopping mall with your hands linked. Imagine.
Most gay couples know this feeling all too well, either through first hand experience or relayed stories. When it comes to heterosexual couples, the odds of them experiencing this disapproval is almost little to none. I mean why would they, right? In a society so used to focusing on heteronormativity, it’s the type of business that no one looks twice at.
This leaves me to ponder a question I think about often: why is it any different? Why is Hannah loving Amy any different to Amy loving John? Why is Tyler kissing Michael any different to Michael kissing Ellie? To not allow this love is a breach of basic human rights and something that I don’t think I could ever fully comprehend. I personally believe that love is something this world doesn’t have enough of and whatever sexuality, gender or religion of an individual, we should be embracing all types of this emotion. Love and attraction are both such beautiful things and I don’t believe anyone in this world has a right to tell someone else that what they’re feeling is wrong. To discriminate, bully or oppress someone because of an emotion beyond their control… that’s what’s wrong. It’s something this world needs to obliterate fast so that future generations don’t have to feel so marginalised and punished for feeling something so natural. Love is Love.
Monday, 2 November 2015
Hi
My name is Shanon, and I’m a heterosexual ally.
It’s a term I never knew even existed until I got more involved with the LGBT community at the beginning of Summer, and it’s one that I will definitely use more in the future.
A straight ally is a heterosexual individual who supports equal rights, primarily to do with LGBT social movements and gender equality. So yes, that means I’m not homosexual myself nor did I even know anyone who was prior to my involvement, but I still look to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in my day to day life as it’s something I feel strongly for.
I believe gay rights is evolving and becoming stronger with each march, shout and rainbow coloured flag, but even in this society I believe there is still so much more to achieve. With this blog, I aim to educate and inform others, regardless of gender or sexuality, and hope to get more people on board.
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