Queer artist Levandé has teamed up with rapper and songwriter MAR. to create a new pop record about following your dreams.
This Is What Happens When Bi Men Try Grindr For The First Time
Dating is hard for bi men. Navigating a complex web of biphobia, homophobia, gender stereotypes, and societal pressure takes a toll on your love life. In a recent video from Grindr, we got to hear from bi men directly. Four bisexual guys took the opportunity to try the dating app for the first time, which started a bunch of interesting conversations.
It Ain’t Easy Being Bi
In case you didn’t know, bisexual folks make up more than half of the LGBTQ+ population. No shade if you didn’t by the way. Biphobia and bi-erasure have done a lot to ensure that bi folks are much less visible in our community. This is true for all bi+ folks, regardless of gender, but bi men are also subject to plain old homophobia. Surveys have shown that men are considered less attractive to women when they find out they’re bi. One survey found that 63% of women said they wouldn’t date a man who has sex with men. Even if it only happened once. This is true even though 47% of the same women said they have been attracted to another woman. 31% even had a sexual experience with another woman.
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As a result, many bi men have to resort to hiding their identity, dating other bi folks exclusively, or dating men. One 2019 study, published in the Journal of Bisexuality, found that gay men are less likely to hold any attraction prejudices against bi men. Generally, straight women perceived bi men as more feminine, but the same couldn’t be said for gay men. While the lead author of the study has cautioned that further research is needed to confirm this, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to back this up. Just ask bi men.
Bi Men Try Grindr
The clip featured four bi men; Anton Sebel, Dio Reynoso, Joshua Montoya, and Nick Masc. They were certainly familiar with the app but had yet to take the plunge. This gives us the rare opportunity to experience that moment through bi eyes. Each of the guys set up their profiles, selecting their photos, pronouns, filters, and “tribes.” They also chose whether or not they accept NSFW pics. Each guy varied in their responses, so it felt like an even spread of experiences.
As the guys sat back and watched the responses (most of which were photos) roll in, they talked about their love lives. This included topics like non-monogamy and whether they consider themselves tops, bottoms, or versatile. Despite having very different ways of being bi, all of the guys seemed to agree that it’s harder to date straight women. “With girls, it’s much harder than with guys,” said Montoya. “A lot of times I feel like girls have an insecurity if you’re not straight.” Sebel chimed in to agree, saying “It’s way easier with bisexual girls but it straight girls it never works.”
In the end, it seemed like the guys had a great time on Grindr. If only bi men had as much luck dating straight women.
JK Rowling Takes Aim at Trans Youth Organization
JK Rowling is criticizing a transgender youth charity on Twitter. Here we go again.
Janelle Monáe to Receive 2022 Trailblazer Award from Outfest
Janelle Monáe will receive the Trailblazer Award at the 2022 Outfest Legacy Awards for her support of the LGBTQ community.
If You Like ‘Elite’ You’ll Love Netflix’s Indian Adaptation
We may have a small obsession with Elite. You don’t need to roll out the intervention just yet, but it might be time for us to diversify our interests. Luckily, Netflix has the answer and this time it’s coming from India. Class, an Indian adaptation of Elite is coming to the streaming service very soon.
Related | This Teaser for Season 6 of ‘Elite’ Is a Gay Fever Dream
For those uninitiated with Elite, the Spanish show follows the antics of a wealthy group of students at a fictional secondary school called Las Encinas. The show is known for including queer characters from its inception and has gained a loyal LGBTQ+ audience as a result. Elite is also part of an ongoing trend of scandalous high school teen dramas like Euphoria. Having said that, Elite turns up the drama with countless sexual exploits and even murder. Though many fans have stuck with the show despite losing their favorite characters, some fans are tired of the show’s somewhat repetitive format.
India’s Answer to Elite
Here comes Class to save the day. The Indian adaptation of Elite takes place in a wealthy private school in New Delhi. The series follows three students from varying backgrounds as they navigate the complex social dynamics at Hampton International. Class is set to be packed with just as much drama and intrigue. The trailer was released during Netflix Tudum, a global fan event that covers Netflix’s original programming. The cast stars Anjali, Ayesha Kanga, Chayan Chopra, Chintan Rach, Cyaawal Singh, Gurfateh Pirzada, Madhyama Segal, Moses Koul, Naina Bhan, Piyush Khati, Sivaraman, and Zeyn Shaw.
The trailer also teased some queer storylines. Blink and you’ll miss it, but if you keep your finger over the pause button you might see two guys making out. There are also some shots of a gay couple passionately embracing. It’s certainly a relief that the show will not stray away from its queer-friendly roots.
“Class is a universe I always envisioned designing for India,” said director Ashim Ahluwalia in a statement. “Each character’s journey is unpredictable and fascinating. Young people can be highly emotional and impulsive, which makes for great dramatic conflict. Nobody remains unchanged and these layers in the narrative make it a wild, addictive watch.” We’re still waiting for a release date for Class, but given the momentum around Elite, we’re sure it won’t be long. If you can’t wait for the Indian Elite, don’t forget that Elite season 6 is coming on November 18.
Check out the trailer below and stay tuned for more.
Usher Recreates ‘My Way’ Album Cover Photo, and Fans Are Still Thirsty
Usher is aging like fine wine!
Hallmark Finally Has a Leading Gay Couple in a Holiday Movie
The Hallmark Channel is finally announcing the gay holiday movie we’ve been waiting for.
Conservative Tries and Fails to Criticize Gender-Inclusive Airline
Virgin Atlantic made waves recently with a significant announcement. The airline announced it would no longer enforce gendered uniforms, and instead allow all pilots, staff, and cabin crew to choose the uniform they feel most comfortable in. Virgin Atlantic said they created this gender-inclusive policy to give staff the option to choose which of their iconic uniforms “best represents them.”
Related | Meet the NFL’s First Transgender Cheerleader
Virgin Atlantic‘s Gender-Inclusive Policies
The announcement came with a short, stylish video highlighting the uniforms, designed by Vivienne Westwood. In the video, the models strut on a runway and in an airline hanger, vogueing and posing to the beat. They dress in either a red jacket and skirt combo, or a burgundy jacket and pants combo. You may also recognize some familiar faces in the video, including Michelle Visage from RuPaul’s Drag Race and Tyreece Nye, who is a TikTok favorite of ours.
We’ve changed our uniform code to give our crew, pilot and ground teams the option to choose which of our iconic uniforms, designed by Vivienne Westwood, best represents them ???? #SeeTheWorldDifferently pic.twitter.com/dbCP4WxObl
— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) September 28, 2022
Visage made an official press statement about the announcement, saying that wearing “what best represents them” can feel empowering. “This gender identity policy allows people to embrace who they are and bring their full selves to work,” she continued. Tyreece took to TikTok to show their support for this decision while strutting her stuff in her Vivienne Westwood elegance.
@tyreeceinheelsAnd you can’t tell me I don’t look good ????♬ original sound – imjisoofr
Conservative Self-Owns
This is great news to be sure, especially in the wake of increased anti-trans sentiment and violence. However, to be LGBTQ+ online means immediately wincing when we hear good news in anticipation of the backlash. And sure enough, there was a backlash. It was one response, in particular, that gave us genuine pause.
I don’t think he’s ever been on a plane pic.twitter.com/zLI2rxyHIV
— Adam Smith (@adamndsmith) September 28, 2022
Paul Joseph Watson, British far-right conspiracy theorist, and radio host took to Twitter with a self-own so perfect, we couldn’t have made it up. In a now-deleted Tweet, the editor-at-large at Info Wars imagined a world where this change led to an updated bathroom policy. In an attempt at humor, he said that it was “pretty bigoted” for airlines to separate “male and female toilets.”
“I want to see the sh*t show of ‘gender neutral bathrooms’ unfold at 30,000 feet,” he continued. If you’re like basically everyone else on Twitter you’re thinking the same thing. Has Watson ever been on a plane before? Add this ridiculous and fallacious “slippery slope” argument to the conservative self-own pile.
Taking Our Wins
Before we enjoy a selection of hilarious responses to this, let’s take a moment to celebrate this small victory. Despite the many leaps and bounds that still need to be made, this is a good thing. The joy that this change might bring to queer flight attendants and passengers is worth celebrating. The potential for queer folks to see someone celebrated for who they are publicly and professionally is worth celebrating. We take our wins where we can get them. Here’s to you Virgin Atlantic.
Related | The Top 5 Transgender-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
In the meantime, stick around for some of our favorite reactions to the Tweet that instantly backfired.
He says he’s against socialism, but he sure loves being publicly owned.
— That Guy With The Thing (@andrewfinney79) September 28, 2022
He’s another King of Self-Owns. pic.twitter.com/Gh2mDmn83u
— Paul Kovach (@TheRealKovach) September 28, 2022
“excuse me, I have to go and use the ladies room.”
*clambers over three middle row passengers to get to the lady toilet side* pic.twitter.com/MQKo0R8DIm
— Hannah Shaw-Williams (@HSW3K) September 28, 2022
I find it quite frustrating that people LOVE to complain about the idea of gender neutral bathrooms, yet they forget that at least once in their life they’ve use one (on a plane, on a train, at home). Seriously ????????♂️ Get your minds out of the gutter and let people go to the bathroom
— André ✌️(him/he) (@prydonian06) September 28, 2022
Meet the New Marvel Anti-Hero Everyone Is Thirsting Over
The next actor to join the long list of hotties in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Namor the Sub-Mariner, played by Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta.
Neil Patrick Harris and Ron Dorff Launch Sweatpants Collection
“The whole collection puts the spotlight on awesome Dads – and Papas – around the world.”
