{"id":9237,"date":"2021-03-03T13:21:17","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T12:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=9237"},"modified":"2021-03-03T13:21:17","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T12:21:17","slug":"same-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=9237","title":{"rendered":"Same Love"},"content":{"rendered":"

Same Love<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

February is LGBT+ History Month in the UK; a time where we can celebrate and amplify the voices of those within the LGBT+ community around us.<\/p>\n

For those within the community, the struggle has spanned centuries, and their fight still continues to this day. Although the world is beginning to be more open about gender identity and sexuality, those within the LGBT+ community in many countries still face persecution, and many still face discrimination in the UK.<\/p>\n

Section 28, a law passed in 1988 to stop councils and schools from \u201cpromoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship\u201d was only abolished in 2003. For many, this law still feels as though it exists in many communities even in 2021.<\/p>\n

In a time where sexual and gender identity is mostly celebrated in the media, it can be easy to forget that although celebration online is one thing, danger still lurks for those in the LGBT+ community.<\/p>\n

Hate crime still occurs in our everyday society and many people feel afraid to be themselves because of the violence many of the LGBT+ community have faced, and continue to face.<\/p>\n

Media, thankfully, has embraced the LGBT+ community, and we are beginning to see more representation on our screens. From Drag Race to Pose to It\u2019s A Sin, the stories of those within the LGBT+ are beginning to be amplified.<\/p>\n

Yet, shows like It\u2019s A Sin, the Russell T. Davies drama which has been dominating headlines and television screens for the past few months, are still gaining backlash. It\u2019s A Sin revolves around a group of friends who identify as queer battling through the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and has been praised by many as not only an accurate depiction of the LGBT+ community, but also of the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS present during the period in question.<\/p>\n

But headlines in the media have shown that although we\u2019re more tolerant as a nation than we have been, stigma surrounding homosexuality and the presentation of LGBT+ relationships still persists even if it\u2019s unintentional.<\/p>\n

Juxtaposing articles from tabloid newspapers have hit social media recently, with many drawing comparisons between the discussion of sex scenes in Netflix\u2019s hit show Bridgerton, compared with the discussion of Channel 4\u2019s It\u2019s A Sin sex-scenes. Bridgerton shows mainly heterosexual sex-scenes, whilst It\u2019s A Sin has predominantly same-sex sex-scenes.<\/p>\n

Yet, hundreds of people noted that while Bridgerton\u2019s sex scenes were branded \u2018the hottest sex scenes ever\u2019 by The Sun, the same tabloid newspaper called It\u2019s A Sin sex-scenes \u2018explicit\u2019 and \u2018raunchy\u2019, claiming that there was \u2018So much sex\u2019.<\/p>\n

Although it may not seem too significant a headline, it can be misleading. Even unintentionally, headlines<\/p>\n

like these can form a narrative that homosexual relationships are taboo, and that heterosexuality is the norm. It shouldn\u2019t matter who loves who, should it?<\/p>\n

The Sun has since apologised for the misleading headline and has since updated it to include words such as \u2018Liberating\u2019. Yet, it\u2019s unlikely the juxtaposing headlines will be forgotten anytime soon.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s A Sin has become Channel 4\u2019s most watched drama series in its history, indicating that the stories of the LGBT+ community are stories millions want to see. Creating and producing stories with LGBT+ characters creates a community of tolerance, rather than bigotry and hatred.<\/p>\n

Some shows have decided against the traditional ways of encouraging love and acceptance. It\u2019s A Sin covers homophobia at the height of the HIV\/AIDS crisis, but there are shows which choose not to address homophobia.<\/p>\n

Schitt\u2019s Creek, which features prominent LGBT+ characters and a healthy gay relationship at its core, swept awards at the 2020 Emmys for its final series. The show has garnered worldwide adoration for the fact that the show celebrates the LGBT+ community without showing homophobia.<\/p>\n

Showrunner and actor Dan Levy, who plays main character David, noted at Vulture Festival 2018 why there was no indication of homophobia in the show, \u201cI have no patience for homophobia\u2026 [in Schitt\u2019s Creek] we show love and tolerance\u201d.<\/p>\n

There are still stories which have yet to earn a platform, but as shows with LGBT+ representation gain in popularity, there is a hope that there will be more opportunity for these voices to be heard. As shows like It\u2019s A Sin, Pose and many others continue to do well, it indicates to studios that these are the stories we want to see. It indicates further that amplifying these voices should not be a \u2018risk\u2019.<\/p>\n

We must also amplify the voices of the BAME members of the LGBT+ community, a section of the community often under-represented.<\/p>\n

NBC News announced recently that, according to US LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD\u2019s annual \u201cWhere We Are on TV\u201d report, it is the first time we\u2019re seeing more LGBTQ people of colour than white LGBTQ characters on our screens.<\/p>\n

The report did note, however, that there are still improvements to be made. LGBTQ activist and editor for the queer media outlet Xtra, Tre\u2019vell Anderson noted, \u201cuntil there\u2019s every type of LGBTQ person represented on screen, there\u2019s still work to be done\u201d.<\/p>\n

Changes still need to be made to the way the LGBT+ community is treated. Understanding is becoming more a part of everyday life, but more still needs to be done.<\/p>\n

During this year\u2019s LGBT+ History Month, I implore you to use the time to learn about the LGBT+ community and to amplify their voices.<\/p>\n

By Tirion Davies<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Same Love February is LGBT+ History Month in the UK; a time where we can celebrate and amplify the voices of those within the LGBT+ community around us. For those within the community, the struggle has spanned centuries, and their fight still continues to this day. Although the world is beginning to be more open about gender identity and sexuality, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[274,228],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6cWjO-2oZ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9957,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=9957","url_meta":{"origin":9237,"position":0},"title":"June\u00a0 Letters","author":"Alan Williams","date":"12th July 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"(The Editors are not responsible for opinions expressed, although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information. The editors reserve the right to protect the anonymity of anyone who wishes to contribute articles or letters for the magazine provided they are aware of the identity of any\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Letters"","block_context":{"text":"Letters","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=138"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12845,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=12845","url_meta":{"origin":9237,"position":1},"title":"Community Council News","author":"Alan Williams","date":"1st February 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Community Council News A notice of resignation has been received from Cllr Rhiannon Tanner and an advertisement for a replacement will appear shortly. 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