Bisexuality: It exists.

        In the 21st Century, society has improved greatly in accepting the LGBTQ community. Same-sex marriage is slowly being legalised across the globe and even though there are still many obstacles and issues at the moment, we are seeing homosexuality having more accurate representation in the media and being shamed less as we learn more about sexual orientations. A problem however which has recently come to my attention is the image of bisexuality. I have heard people belittle the sexuality by claiming that it simply isn't real. Many say that it is just a stepping stone to coming out as gay and others believe it is simply an excuse to be tarty and slutty.
        This seems so absurd to me. Bisexuality is when you are sexually attracted to multiple genders (being attracted to both men and women is the most common but it can include other gender identities). However, some people claim that it simply isn't possible; that it can't exist. Just because you don't understand someone's sexuality doesn't mean that you can't accept it. I can't understand how someone can like apple crumble but that does not mean that the apple crumble is in fact non-existent. Everyone has different sexual preferences and attraction is a spectrum and can not be as easily boxed up and categorised as we may hope it could be. But to simply disregard bisexuality and not acknowledge it as an actual identity can be extremely harmful.
        We all struggle with our feelings enough but to have someone devalue them and disrespect you can be so damaging and suffocating. By saying bisexuality isn't real, you are telling others that their feelings aren't real. Your ignorance is psychologically hurting people whereas simply an education to being aware of alternative sexual orientations can, not only prevent harm, but can also expand your perspective on people and the world around you. So many teenagers are brought up today to be afraid of their sexual identity but more significantly to be afraid of how others will judge their feelings. This is toxic and completely unnecessary. These negative stereotypes of being bisexual meaning to be a "slag" or "too scared of being gay" are outdated and false, many people in the LGBTQ community will disagree. Just because something is unknown to us, doesn't mean we should be judgemental towards it. We need to learn and to empathise- not neglect and discriminate.Below are a couple of recommended links including an article of 28 celebrities who are bisexual- because they do exist.
Fozz.
Recommended Links:
http://www.bisexualindex.org.uk/index.php/HomePage
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/23/celebrate-bisexuality-day_n_5863320.html
       

Male Victims of the Patriarchy

        'Toxic Masculinity' is the socially constructed attitude which shows how the patriarchy can oppress men as well. It involves the pressure of men having to adopt 'masculine' traits which can be harmful to themselves and others- for example violent and emotionally vacant- as it is deemed as shameful and embarrassing to act in a feminine way which many consider possess the opposite of these qualities. This obviously can be damaging and restricting as men are encouraged to be emotionally closed off to the world otherwise they will be excluded and labelled as 'feminine and feeble'.
        This affects social behaviour in everyday situations through what we see on the mass media and how those around us act however the main concerning issue is how toxic masculinity can encourage male domestic abuse victims to stay silent in fear of being called 'weak'. Especially in heterosexual relationships where females aren't regarded as strong enough to hurt the man which leads to lack of sympathy towards male victims. Males account for 38% of domestic abuse victims yet they are twice as likely not to call for help than female victims due to the strains of social pressures- in fact only 10% of male victims tell the police. Abuse can be incredibly traumatic and it knows no prejudice to who it hurts, yet we can show discrimination towards who we choose to help.
        To believe in gender equality is to believe in abolishing negative gender stereotypes such as toxic masculinity. This isn't just a daily societal norm which is holding us back, but an active occurrence which is literally physically and psychologically harming many around the world. This means that we need to forget our injustice and care for all those who are suffering and not belittle anyone's story and feelings because of their gender.
Fozz.

Recommended links:
http://www.mankind.org.uk/
http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk/mens_advice.php.html

Sources:
http://www.mankind.org.uk/pdfs/25_Key_Facts_Aug_2014_(final).pdf

Pick One: Grades or Health?

        In the exam season during school when it seems like you are drowning in coursework, controlled assessments and revision, we all have a necessary need to take a breather and just veg out and relax. We all knew it would be hard- we listened to all the warnings and spent years being subtly prepared for the tsunami of ISAs and essays- yet it still knocked us off our feet and left us lying on the floor filled with anxiety and stress. Which is why we need those personal days even more so when we can just click pause on life with a netflix marathon and a huge duvet. But it seems as though when we do have those quiet moments, we have those voices in the back of our minds reminding us that we still have those final 1000 words to finish on that coursework. We really struggle to switch off and so it leads us to just leave the break for later and keep on working through the procrastination and to not stop until the job is done.
        So we sometimes do just keep on working due to expectations of exams and pressures of school and it can sometimes really take it's toll. Due to little sleep, constant hard work and minimal relaxing, our physical health will obviously start to suffer however some of us feel that we have no choice but to power through as the thought that taking time out and having to catch up later on is too unbearable to even consider- this only leads to further problems. It's similar with mental health too. The stress can lead to problems where your self esteem drops and you have an unbalanced mind which never shuts down. It's not deemed acceptable to ring up school and say, "Things have been getting on top of me lately and I'm currently struggling to cope and I think my mental health could be in jeopardy, can I have a personal day off school?" because then you are told that you just need to "get over it" and "stop over-reacting".
        The issue here is obvious and it's evident through how 1 in 10 students will be affected by mental illness at some point during their academic career. When should we have to choose between our grades and our health? Why should this even be a question that needs to be answered? Students today are the leaders of tomorrow and it is imperative that we don't scar them before they've even started living. 
Fozz.

Make-Up: Our War Paint

                Make-up has always been subtly controversial. We all have varying opinions on it- whether you can wear too much, whether you should wear it to school/work or whether you should even wear it at all. It is mostly women who go through daily rituals of applying mascara and stroking on foundation and it can be so exhausting and expensive. But shouldn't we just be content with our natural beauty? We all have blemishes and spots so why should we cover it up? We know that the flawless models we see on billboards are chiselled and photo shopped to the extreme, so if they aren't kidding anyone, why should we kid ourselves?

                As someone who wears make-up most days of the week, I can honestly say that I wear it simply for myself- and a lot of people seem to agree with me. When I put on my make-up I have a new wave of confidence simmer up to the surface and I feel that bit more capable to take on the day. I have my war paint on and it's in the form of red lipstick. Then when I wipe it all off, I am equally as empowered by the feeling of cleanliness and freshness, a strange vulnerability that also seems to give me a sense of security. Make-up helps me to express myself in my desired way- it's my psychological armour against the different obstacles I have to face. Sometimes I want to feel fierce with red lips and sometimes I want to feel at ease with bare cheeks. People may want to experiment with a new eye shadow and it can take a lot of confidence to step away from your usual routine and go out knowing that people will notice that your appearance is different. Which is why we should surely just leave them to it? We may have our opinions on what looks nice and what doesn't, but that doesn't mean we should necessarily bitch about how someone looks and knock their self-esteem. It's completely up to us how we want to depict ourselves to the rest of the world and if we need a little help with that, that's fine by me.

Fozz.