What the Word and Celebration of ‘Pride’ Means to Me

I was asked if I would write something about Pride. I feel ‘alarmed’. My initial question: is there anything that a middle-aged gay man could really add to the array of writings, posters, banners and rainbow shop signs (so many shop signs) that, like Christmas, seem to arrive earlier and earlier every year? I struggle to … Continue reading What the Word and Celebration of ‘Pride’ Means to Me

My Experience of Being in an LGBTQ Blended Family

Pride Month Joan and I set up The Wellbeing Collective in 2014, three years after we had become a couple. I brought two small boys with me from my previous relationship which kicked off a whole world of learning for the four of us, as well as their dad, grandparents and friends.  I recall being … Continue reading My Experience of Being in an LGBTQ Blended Family

The Term “Gender-Neutral” May Not Be as Positive as you Think

A colleague mentioned this idea to me recently and it caused me to really think. I thought I’d share it with you. By calling some lines of clothing “gender-neutral”, we are implying that clothing isn’t normally these things. This might seem pretty obvious at first but read it again and think about it a bit … Continue reading The Term “Gender-Neutral” May Not Be as Positive as you Think

My Evaluation of Queerbaiting

Harry Styles, Kit Connor and Yungblud are three prime examples of celebs who have been accused of queerbaiting.  Queerbaiting is the implication that you identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community (when in reality you don’t) in order to increase profit and sales.  In trying to understand why these people specifically are being put in … Continue reading My Evaluation of Queerbaiting

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron – Book Club 

A Book Review (No Spoilers)  It’s 200 years post-Cinderella and Prince Charming. Teenage girls are now expected to attend an annual Royal ball where men will choose their wife based on the girl’s finery. If you are not chosen, then you ‘disappear’. The story follows Black teenage girl Sophia, who would rather marry her best … Continue reading Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron – Book Club