French photographer Verner Degray just unleashed these ridiculously hot images of the model Joker
Verner was named “best in photography” 2015, 2016 & 2017 by advocate magazine, after living in Tahiti, French Polynesia, he exhibited his work in prestigious places such as Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego and Tijuana.
Today installed in Cannes, on the Cote d’Azur, Verner continues to offer us by his talent, the pictures of some of the world’s most beautiful models.
On Saturday, our Prince Harry becomes a married man, to actress Meghan Markle. Columnist Jack Strange writes why he’s raising a glass to the new married couple..
If you didn’t know about this, then that’s understandable, seeing as it hasn’t been mentioned anywhere.
Oh wait, it’s been just about everything. The past week, in the build-up to the wedding, we’ve seen interviews with camera crews setting up outside Windsor, and we’ve also watched a real-life soap unfold regarding Meghan’s dad, who sadly won’t be at the wedding because of a heart problem.
Today, it was announced that Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle.
It’s all very excessive to be talking about when you consider it’s only two people getting married, but of course, these aren’t your typical people.
They’re our monarchy; a royal family that have been in the public eye their whole lives. We’ve followed Harry since he was born, seeing him lose his mother tragically at such a young age, and seeing those pictures that leaked from Vegas.
Harry is undoubtedly our most down to earth royal. He’s a younger generation that has fought in the army, fighting for our country, and working endlessly to meet different people in different countries to enrich things such as the Commonwealth.
Meghan Markle, on the other hand, is a young woman that has lived her life in the limelight and happened to meet Harry because of a blind date. Undoubtedly, Meghan is feeling the pressures of this new limelight that has been put upon her. She can no longer act, and she even had to delete social media. Now, Meghan has to fit the role of a royal. Regal, helpful, a Good Samaritan.
But what we have with Meghan and Harry is something unusual. We have an American marrying into a family that have been traditionally British, albeit with German ancestors. It’s unusual, too, for Meghan to have had a public career before this. During the 2016 election, Meghan spoke out against Trump, an opinion that she will probably have to put aside now that she is such a public figure. What could have once been seen as problematic to the diplomacy of royalty has now been modernised.
Let us also not forget that The Royal Family bring the British economy a good source of income. Abolishing them, or dismissing them would be foolish. This wedding between Harry and Meghan alone will boost our economy by £1billion.
That £1billion comes from things such as tourism, PR, money spent in restaurants and on merchandise.
The whole world is watching the United Kingdom right now, and broadcast around the globe.
We should also see this as a testimony to our history. We are alive to witness history. Sure, it ‘may just be a wedding’, but it’s a wedding between two people that have the influence to change how we live, and how the world functions.
As humanitarians, both Harry and Meghan have a responsibility to uphold. Not only are we seeing two people in love tie the knot, but we’re celebrating something good.
We have bigger problems to face, sure, but for one day we should focus on the good. We should enjoy an enrichment of culture.
I, for one, wish the new couple a happy wedding day!
With just one day to go until Lancaster Pride, this year’s pride promises to be the biggest ever.
The incredible artwork created by the late Amy Winehouse’s tattoo artist, Henry Hate.
Lancaster Pride is an LGBT festival organised by Out in the Bay, a local charity providing support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in the Lancaster area, as well as raising awareness for LGBT issues and campaigns.
Speaking about what Pride mean, Robert Mee, the CEO of Lancaster Pride said, “Pride is about everyone coming together to support each other to stand side by side to challenge hate and intolerance and to be able to build a better future of equality for all of us.”
What time does Lancaster Pride begin?
The Lancaster Pride parade officially begins at 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.
Is there a parade?
Lancaster has a parade at this year’s event, and it will be the second in the pride’s history, with the parade taking place from Dalton Square.
The set off place for the parade is Dalton Square and will turn right on George Street and continue along Spring Garden Street. The procession will then turn right onto the A6 and proceed northwards in the right-hand lane.
The parade will then turn right into Church Street and once located inside the pedestrianised area will temporarily halt to allow the participants a breather and to allow the procession to reform.
The procession will turn right onto Gt John St and proceed up the left-hand lane. The procession will then turn left to finish in Dalton Sq.
Speaking at the parade will be Clive Grunshaw, the police and crime commissioner, Erica Lewis a Cat Smith representative, Kara from the multi-faith Church and Doctor Sweeney.
Where is Lancaster Pride?
Most of the day’s events will take place in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall. The postcode is: LA4 4AU.
What does Lancaster Pride cost?
Lancaster Pride is free for everyone to take part in.
What entertainment will there be at Lancaster Pride?
Performing at Lancaster Pride is the singer Whigfield, who you will remember had the massive, number 1 hit, “Saturday Night”. Also appearing is a slew of talent who will be appearing on stage from 11 AM until 6:30 PM in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall.
A recent study has found that men are more concerned about their physical appearance than they are about their mental health.
In a week that highlights mental health issues in the population, suicide prevention charity, Samaritans, have discovered that 41 per cent of men spend less than an hour a week looking after their mental health. 16 per cent of men are unconcerned with their physical appearance.
The survey was carried out with male grooming company, The Bluebeards Revenge.
The survey also found that 66 percent of men spend 1-4 hours a week looking after their physical appearance, whilst only 44 percent of men dedicate time to their mental health.
It is a stark reminder that whilst more people are being encouraged to talk about their problems, men still find it hard to speak up. A recent campaign launched by This Morning and Project 84 brought to light that 84 men a week take their own lives.
But how are us men meant to de-stress and focus on our feelings, when society still tells us to simply ‘man up’, to not ‘be a pansy’, and continuously disparages any emotional feelings we dare to show?
The research by Samaritans found that reading was the most popular de-stressing activity, followed by walking and running.
The frightening research has prompted Samaritans to work closely with The Bluebeards Revenge to encourage more men to speak up on the issue. Now, if you open up cartons supplied by The Bluebeards Revenge, a life saving message from The Lions Barber Collective and Samaritans can be read.
Nick Gibbens, a spokesperson for The Bluebeards Revenge said:
Men are much less likely to seek support for mental health issues than women and this needs to change. Suicide is also the single biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK and, in 2016, 76% of people who died by suicide in the UK were male.
Our research shows men are still much more interested in their physical appearance than their mental wellbeing, and we are in a unique position to change this and get more guys to open up and talk about their feelings.
Upon opening one of our product cartons, men are presented with the vital information they need to actively improve their mental health, allowing them to find the right support to help them improve their lives and fight stigma.
Meanwhile, Paul McDonald, Samaritan’s Director of External Affairs said:
Looking after your emotional wellbeing as well as your physical health is fundamental. Three times as many men kill themselves as women, so it is crucial that men find ways of looking after themselves emotionally, and get into the habit of looking after each other. It is as important as learning to read and write.
Common problems that affect mental health:
The survey looked into what causes the mental health worries for the men, and discovered that financial worries were at the top of the list. That was then followed by relationship problems, family concerns, work pressures and finally poor physical health. Twenty-nine per cent of the participants said social media was a big factor in their mental health.
The survey was conducted with 18 to 65 year old men, and the number of participants were 2,124.
When a friend is in need, it can be hard to know how to react, here are some tips to help you listen and help a friend in need.
MabelAmber / Pixabay 11 ways you can help a friend struggling to cope
1) Ask if everything is okay
“How are you feeling?” Sometimes someone just needs to be asked if they are okay. Asking a simple, “how do you feel?” will let the other person know you are open to chat.
2) Just listen
If your friend starts to talk, let them speak. Don’t interrupt in the first few minutes. If you’re confused about the timeline or the people involved, circle back round to it in your repeat back.
3) Repeat back
Let your friend know that you’ve been listening by repeating back some of what they’ve said to you. In a way, it can help you summarise what you’ve heard. If you’re unclear on something here is where you can explore.
4) Ask open questions
Don’t shut the conversation down by asking a closed question. These are questions that can be answered with a “Yes” or a “No”. Instead look for open questions which will allow someone to open up and talk. They usually begin with “How”, “Why”, “What”. Closed questions begin with: “Is…”, “Can…”, “Did…” and “Are…”
5) Verbal nods
When someone is talking and sharing with you, you’ll want to show that you’re actively listening. You can do this with verbal nods, which are affirmative sounds, like “yes”, “okay” or “I hear you”.
6) Use their language
Sometimes people struggle with the right terminology or words to express themselves. Echo some of the words that stick out to you. It can act as a way of letting someone explain the way they feel more fully.
7) Don’t judge
It can be difficult not to judge someone and their actions based on what you think you’d do in the same situation. But you’re not in their situation so your judgement is pretty irrelevant here. Just listen. This is a really good moment to check how you’re sounding and talking. How is your tone of voice?
8) Don’t make it about you
Be there for your friend, so let them have this moment. Let them get everything they need to off their chest.
9) Don’t tell someone that you “get it” or “I know you feel”.
The likelihood is that you don’t or won’t. Unless you’ve been in exactly the same situation you won’t know what they’re going through. Even if you have been through something similar to your friend, you are both very different people and will deal with situations differently. It’s best to say something like, “I hear you”, “I understand what you’re saying”.
10) Don’t try and fix it
This can be really tough because you might feel like you’ve got the answer, but it’s always best to let people work out their own answers that will work with their circumstances. Also, how often do people really take advice – especially when it isn’t asked for… never. So ask your friend what they think the solution is and then repeat steps 3 to 9.
11) Speak to a stranger
Suggest that they call the Samaritans or Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline. Speaking to a stranger or someone on the end of a phone, who isn’t connected to them in any way can be a way in which your friend might feel more comfortable sharing their problems with. Samaritan’s phone number is: 116 123 or Switchboard is: 0330 330 0630.
For a while, the traditional boxer reigned supreme. Then tighter, more restrictive undies began to flood the market.
Reasons why you need to rediscover boxers
Surely restriction is the exact opposite of what is truly needed for that area of the body. So here are seven reasons why you should reconsider the humble boxer.
1) Let the air circulate
Letting the air get to your pecker can only be a good thing and the problem with briefs or boxers is that they are generally tight. Tight underwear means sweaty bits. Sweaty bits mean rashes, nasty smells and even crotch rot. It’s not pleasant. Boxers allow for a little extra room and a little extra breathing space.
Don’t forget about your fertility. Sperm production is decreased when the balls are hot. It’s why they’re outside of your body and hang low when you’re warm and all but disappear when you’re cold. Keeping them unrestricted and slightly cooler especially if you’re planning to be a sperm donor or biological father could get you better sperm production outcomes.
2) Let the creativity run free
Briefs, trunks and boxer briefs are quite boring let’s face it. Generally, they come in two colours. Black or white. If you’re lucky you might get a grey. Life is a rainbow, your undies should reflect that. Underwear company, McAlson have created a vibrant set of boxers. From more conservative shades to splashes of colour to suit every wardrobe.
3) You can still get cuppage
How do you stop ball slippage when wearing boxers? One of the biggest moans about boxers is the lack of support for your joystick and the family jewels. When the coconuts make a break for freedom from your boxers what can you do? McAlson has an insider trick, quite literally and it’s going to revolutionise your boxer experience. They’ve included a 100 percent cotton invisible support. It combines the looks of a traditional boxer, but the supporting feeling of a brief. It’s actually ingenious.
Reasons why you need to rediscover boxers
4) Just as sexy, maybe even more so
Sometimes, more is best. With briefs or boxer briefs you see it all. The tight material can reveal the outline of your Lil Buddy when maybe what you want is a little more mystique. Let’s face it, there’s no great reveal with a brief. Because boxers are just that little bit baggier, the mystery continues until the full reveal.
5) For all sizes
It doesn’t matter if you have a Washington Monument or a bean sprout, boxers are incredibly accommodating. Boxers are for every size and every man.
6) Muffin top be gone
Thanks to an elasticized waistband you’re less likely to get the dreaded muffin top effect, you’re likely to get with briefs. A better fitting waistband means you’ll get a much more flattering silhouette leaving your bulges to exactly where they should be. Plus how great not to be marked by the clothes you wear.
Boxers by McAlson
7) Less of a fumble
When it comes to toilet time, the less time you spend fumbling around at the urinal the better. Especially if you’re at a service station. Some briefs and boxer briefs are near on impossible to fish out the little guy. Some have horizontal openings, some have multiple layers of fabric to get through. With boxers, you have a simple centre opening, with buttons. It couldn’t really be simpler.
This article was produced in-house by THEGAYUK.com editorial team for McAlson
AVENGERS : INFINITY WAR – 10 years in the making, the culmination of Marvels record-breaking decade. 22 superheroes, the worst baddie of all time in the second most expensive movie in history… and this is just part 1 with part 2 coming next April.
Nutshell – The ultimate bad guy Thanos has been positioning himself over the last 18 Marvel movies and now he is ready to strike. He needs 6 infinity stones in his glove like gauntlet to rule the entire universe and all that is between him and his dastardly plan is every superhero you can possibly think of. Surely this should be an easy job for our 22 finest lycra clad heroes but no way and they start to get killed off shockingly as this dude is truly unstoppable but which of your fave’s will survive…..you will be shocked and surprised
Running Time – 149 minutes – PG.
Tagline – ‘Where will you be when it all ends ?’ – probably in a cinema seat next April for the biggest money making movie in 100 years of cinema.
The Gay UK Factor – So many fit men in one movie. We are hot for Chris Hemsworth, horny for Chris Patt, want children with Chadwick Boseman, an all-night sex orgy with either Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper or Idris Elba or preferably altogether and as for that beautiful young ass of Tom Holland… BUT and it’s a big but nothing could prepare us for the arrival of the new masculine furry faced rugged Chris Evans as Captain America – in a movie of 10 out of 10 gay sex objects this guy gets an 11 plus easily… we have not stopped wanking since we saw it and repeat viewings are guaranteed with extra tissues.
Cast – Start with the list above and then add Robert Downey, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Dinklage, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hiddleston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, William Hurt and hundreds more in the most star-studded cast ever put in one movie this is big in every sense of the word.
Key Player – In a movie of a hundred stars its difficult to pick one but Chis Pratt gets it as he is so damn funny throughout. He gets the best lines and the best action bringing his Quill character from The Guardians Of The Galaxy films to the biggest league ever…hot as hell also. The directing duo of Anthony and Joe Russo deserve much praise as this could have so easily been an indulgent dog’s dinner and it is anything but.
Budget – $240 Million making it the second most expensive movie in history (Behind a Pirates of The Caribbean) but it made a profit in just 3 days of release with the record-breaking biggest opening ever. The film after one week is in the Top 50 grossing films of all time and the question is how high will it go? The most successful superhero movie ever? Will it topple Titanic and even beat Avatar? One thing’s for sure the second part will do even better – records are not being broken they are being totally destroyed.
Best Bit – 0.19 mins; The first time the anti-establishment Guardians of the Galaxy meet the cocky as fuck Thor we get very funny wordplay which they keep up throughout. The best action sequence is probably Doctor Strange, Spiderman, Iron Man and The Hulks first battle in downtown New York but basically, there is not a miss-step here…
Worst Bit – 1.02 mins … except Peter Dinklage’s giant dwarf which just does not work. The best thing from Game Of Thrones is the worst thing here but we forgive him.
Little Secret – Tom Holland was not allowed to ever see the full script as he revealed far too much about the plot of Spiderman Homecoming previously… naughty boy. This beat all cinema opening records set by the Star Wars films and Jurassic World the only one it did not get was best Worldwide opening which is still held by the Fast And Furious franchise. The end message is ‘Thanos Will Return’ you betcha.
Further Viewing – All 18 Marvel films including Black Panther, Antman, X-Men etc plus anything from the DC Universe such as Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman. Advance knowledge does help here.
Any Good – If you like these sort of films you will be in seventh heaven here it’s as great as you expected and hoped for in your wildest dreams. If you are not a Marvel Studio geek then you may struggle here a bit if you have not seen most of the previous movies but sit back and enjoy it anyway. It may to some seem a bit episodic and the action and fight scenes are continuous and unrelenting. It is obvious that this is part one of two but sod it all this is amazing stuff and is a movie that will be talked about for decades. Steal a ticket now for Chris Evan’s hot sexy new look alone
Travel expert, Ray Si takes to the roads to check out Sam Smith in Belgium in a gay travel special.
Sam Smith in concert
If music be the food of love, and travel broadens the mind, then it follows that undertaking a trip to watch a live music concert should make you lovelier and more broad-minded than you were to begin with. There seems to be logic to that, but you would probably have to ask someone with a more academic background. However, it’s a nice thought, so let’s go with it. But it takes more than nice thoughts to make all of the logistical pieces of a trip to an arena show fall into place these days, as was evident when I attempted to secure tickets for Sam Smith’s London O2 show.
Despite springing into action as soon as tickets were announced, I encountered what is becoming a regular stumbling block for gig-goers of late, in that as soon as they come up for sale, a quick scan through the box office website generally reveals that all of the best seats have been bought out by a sister site, and the prices inflated way beyond face value. This was indeed the case, and I did want to see Sam Smith live. What’s a boy to do? A scan through other available tour dates, a quick flex of the credit card to the tune of €66, and I was not only able to secure a 4th-row ticket at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp but give myself the perfect excuse for a short break in Belgium. Not that anyone really needs an excuse to head off to Belgium.
Eurostar waiting in London’s St Pancras
Okay, so in the grand scheme of things, I didn’t really save much money doing it this way, because of course, I now had to include the cost of a hotel and a Eurostar ticket, but what I did end up with was a mini holiday in another country for the price of the original London seat.
Inside the Eurostar
Any trip from the UK to Europe is best done on Eurostar, and believe me, the new trains add a whole extra level of convenience and comfort to your journey. Tickets and check-ins for the train are simplicity itself, and with spacious seats, power sockets, and entertainment (via WiFi) and a generous luggage allowance, the journey couldn’t be more enjoyable. Eurostar’s new Standard Premier is even more spacious, quiet, and has a cute meal and drinks service included.
An upgrade on your Eurostar journey
As a small celebration for getting such a good seat for the show at such a reasonable price, I thought that I’d splash out a little on accommodation and chose The Dominican hotel in central Brussels. Not only was its central location wonderfully convenient, but it is one of those hotels where you can’t help feeling a little bit special. Built on the site of a Dominican abbey, hence the name, this majestic hotel mixes utmost modernity with historical elegance and abounds with antiques and artwork from more classical times.
Inside the Dominican LobbyInside the Dominican Bedroom
There are plenty of options to eat in at The Dominican, but with such a short time to fit in as many new experiences as possible, I wasted no time in finding a great little restaurant in the guise of the wonderfully named Ricotta and Parmesan. Cheesy in name perhaps, but anything but cheesy in nature. It’s actually a wonderful Italian eatery, a blend of traditional flavours served in modern ways, although having mussels on the menu this far from the sea is odd, though it does allow diners to crack a Jean-Claude Van Damme joke or two.
Although Antwerp and Brussels are only an hour apart, to save having to fight through all the other gig goers jostling to get to the same station after the show, I thought it best to book something more convenient for apres-gig accommodation, and the B-aparthotel Moretus was the perfect combination of comfort and practicality. Not for me a fight through the madding crowds just to experience standing room only in a full to the brim train.
And of course, the reason for this trip was to take in the bruised balladry of Sam Smith, no longer the new kid on the block but musically seeming like an old soul, wise beyond his years, and walking a fine line between the melancholic and confessional, and more upbeat and soulful musical waters. And with this current tour spread out across the world right through to the end of the year, my little adventure just goes to show that you don’t have to play the ticket touts’ game, and with a bit of planning, you can use the live show as the jewel in the crown of a fantastic short break.
New research released today by leading breakdown cover provider Green Flag reveals that a whopping 58 percent of drivers are unaware of the MOT changes which come into effect this Sunday.
Under the new MOT rules, drivers could be fined up to £2,500 if they are driving a car with an invalid MOT. A massive nine in 10 (89 percent) of drivers are unaware of this figure, while one quarter (25 percent) are unaware that they will be fined at all.
Recent research by Green Flag found that up to 21 million cars on the roads are faulty and a tendency to “ignore the problem” is racking up bills in British households.
Drivers are spending an average of £574 per year – a national average of £21.5 billion – on car repairs; and 47 per cent of these repairs could have been cheaper if the issue had been addressed sooner, the research revealed.
Nick Reid, Head of Automotive Technology at Green Flag, commented, “Driving a faulty car is a huge issue. Not only is it dangerous for you, your passengers and other drivers on the road; not getting issues seen to only makes them worse, which means a bigger bill for you.
“Our research indicates that, under the MOT changes which come into effect on Sunday, the majority of drivers are going to get caught out, and potentially face fines for their vehicle treatment. We are urging drivers to read up on the new rules and ensure that they book MOTs in early, so if their vehicle fails they have time to get it repaired before putting it through the test again.”
According to the Green Flag research, one-sixth (16 percent) of drivers don’t book their MOT in early, meaning that if it fails they have no time to get it repaired before putting it through the test again.
When asked about getting their car repaired, drivers revealed they wait an average of 10 weeks before they get the issue seen to. More than half (57 percent) of drivers say repairs are too expensive, 27 percent say they don’t have the time and 23 percent say they simply can’t be bothered.
To help drivers overcome the time and expense issue of getting cars repaired, Green Flag has launched Smart Service, available to new and renewing customers of Green Flag. Smart Service is provided by RoadServe and is designed to save drivers time, money and hassle on MOTs, services and mechanical repairs.
RoadServe acts as the reliable middleman between motorists and the garage, so no more confusing conversations or questionable quotes. They’ll handle everything from the moment the car is booked in. To find out more, visit the Green Flag Smart Service site.
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
CREDIT: INSTAGRAM / RJ Aguiar
Will and RJ are no more. Our hearts are breaking. The couple, who we interviewed for our “Class of YouTube” edition back in 2015 have seemingly split according to a post published by RJ (who identifies as bisexual) on Instagram. The post was a picture of the pair holding hands along with the caption, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
Since the split Will hasn’t responded on Instagram.
Many of the duo’s fans reacted with sadness to the news, with one saying, “It breaks my heart, but I really hope you both find happiness!”, while another added, “I wish you both nothing but true happiness; thank you for so many years of beautiful love! For teaching me tolerance; acceptance and how to teach the same to others!”
The pair hasn’t uploaded a video to their daily vlog in over four months. The last one was captioned “New House Tour”. They have nearly a quarter of a million subscribers and have had over 66 million streams on the video platform.
When Rita Ora announced a song with Cardi B, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha, the world imploded, and we were ready for a huge collab that hasn’t been seen since “Lady Marmalade”.
Progressive or regressive? Lyrics from the song, Girls.
Whilst not quite on the level of “Lady Marmalade” – an opinion not shared by me – the song came out on Friday and was consumed quickly by fans of the four rising members in popular culture. But many people were quick to say that song was offensive to the LGBT community.
The track references Rita Ora’s sexuality as a bisexual woman. Lyrics in the song include ‘I’m 50/50 and I’m never gonna hide it’, and talks about an experience with a girl called Lara. After the release, many people were quick to voice their concerns with the lyrics, believing it to be exploitative and even tone deaf.
When I first heard the song, I appreciated the way the song fit the pop mould, but lyrics such as ‘red wine, I just wanna kiss Girls’ did seem problematic even to me. Yet I was misinformed and did not realise that Rita Ora is actually bisexual, instead hearing the lyrics and thinking that the song was pandering to a straight male fantasy.
After finding that out, I realised that the song was not intended to be harmful, but the world of Twitter continued to discuss the song.
Pop star Hayley Kiyok tweeted that the song did ‘more harm than good’, with followers agreeing that the lyrics were clumsy, even if not intended to be, and gave the wrong impression to straight men. The pop star continued to say that the song ‘belittles’ the community, stating that she doesn’t need alcohol to show love of the same sex.
Yet other Twitter users didn’t think the same way, stating that they didn’t even think of how it could be interpreted. Such was the debate and ‘backlash’, Ora took to Twitter to apologise to her fans. In her statement, shared on Twitter, Rita says that the song ‘was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life. I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey.’
Rapper Cardi B also tweeted about the backlash, saying the song was never intended to cause harm, and even revealed that she has been with many women.
Whilst I admit that I thought the song could indeed be problematic, I was seeing it from the angle of many others, that lyrics glorifying a bisexual female relationship could cater to people that only believe women’s bisexuality is ‘a phase’. Yet seeing Rita explain the situation, it’s pretty clear to see that she is writing from personal experience, and why is that a bad thing? It may be because until now, the general public had no knowledge of Rita’s sexuality. But should that really matter? A certain One Direction member can continuously hint at bisexual relationships himself, yet never disclose his sexuality, but instead of backlash, the man gets elated feedback from excitable fans.
Sexuality is a very complex situation, and we all have different experiences in discovering who we are, and realising the people we like. It’s important that the idea of being PC, of analysing everything to a point where backlash can literally ruin a career, does not infringe on artistic expression.
Whilst the lyrics in Girls are a little clumsy, it’s important to remember where they come from; a young woman that has become an LGBT ally, expressing who she is, and writing songs about her own experiences.
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