Gay Rights

Gay Rights Support Cake story

It's amazing to think that this is going to court as discrimination. It's nice to see that gay rights support is really picking up. Things like this and the legalisation of gay marriage is great to see as it shows how we are growing as a society to become more accepting. However the argument that this prevents the right to religious freedom...

I'm an atheist. Or as my English teacher said, I'm a "lapsed Catholic" (he then told me I'm going to hell) so it doesn't really affect me. But lets look at the bigger picture. I have friends who are Christian, Muslim and other religions. Surely they deserve the right to their religion too?

What I don't see is why the two things need to collide. Didn't God say to love everyone equally? If so, surely that requires not discriminating against people for gender, sexual orientation, skin colour, ethnic background, class... anything! However, taking it in a different light... Doesn't loving everyone equally relate to being pansexual?

Anyway, just a short blog because writers block and ARGH! Might have a couple of blogs soon with a bit more... thought behind them. For now... Have some YouTube videos, a key staple of my blog.

#221Back

Filming to begin in 2015 for 4 new episodes. The question is:

Will they be to the same standard as series 1 and 2 or series 3?

Let's be honest here, series 3 may have been the funniest series as of yet but it was not as good as the first 2 series in it's deduction and well thought out plots. It's a crime drama, not a comedy. This has resulted in the loss of some fans because it's lost it's charm in it's plots. These are the more hard core fans and chances are, this won't be fixed. With the fangirl culture overriding nerd culture, Moffat and Gatiss are being told that it's brilliant and funny and even better than before. In reality, the people who are fans of the Sherlock books are leaving and will not watch series 4 because they feel it's gotten lost to a bunch of 12 year old girls and they're more focused on being Twitter trends than a good show.

Maybe I'm being harsh. But Mary Morstan is an assassin? Where was that in the books? I get it that with the empowerment of women we're trying to make female characters more exciting, more masculine. I like strong female characters but... this is just plain strange.

Also, we still haven't been told how Sherlock faked his death. Let's be honest, this was a MASSIVE let down for everyone. And surely most options rely on Moriarty ACTUALLY being dead. So now we're guessing how they both managed to survive.

Anyway, I love the show, just feeling a little disappointed.

Here's to a good 2016 for Sherlock!

The Worst Advice and Myths in Love, Sex and Relationships - Busted!

Just thought I'd bust a few myths and bad bits of advice so here goes:

You can get HIV from kissing
This is not true. You can only get HIV from unsafe sex. Also, please remember only barrier contraception will prevent the spread of STDs and condoms aren't 100% effective!

Popping your cherry is the same as losing your virginity
Lies! Popping your cherry refers to the breaking of the hymen and only applies to women. The hymen may break during activities other than sex including using tampons, periods in general, exercise, horse riding or might even just disintegrate gradually over time.

All guys want sex
Yes, whilst most guys want sex, some do not. This may be due to religion or high morality or even just a lack of sex drive.

The guy should supply the condom
The girl is also to blame for accidental pregnancy and STDs. Girls can bring condoms to the bedroom/party/wherever the fuck you decide to get it on. Also, the pill, implant, femidons, spray, caps, patch, coil and a few other methods.

Looks are everything
Good news to the people who hate mirrors, looks aren't everything. Pheromones are responsible for who we like. This is a smell that we don't actually know is there but we subconsciously like and know where it comes from. Okay, maybe that's not quite how it works but it's the best way I could think of describing it. Anyway, pheromones know not of looks. Sadly, they also do not know of the terms "jerk" "dickwad" "bad news" or any other things that might be personality related we wish to avoid.

Keep a condom in your wallet
Aaaand 9 months later you'll have a little baby. The wrapper actually gets damaged from this and so this is a bad idea. If you are going to keep a condom in your wallet, replace it every week and throw away the damaged condom.

Two condoms are better than one
Chances are if you're using two... you don't know how to put them on properly anyway. When used properly, condoms are highly effective. Most condom mishaps come from lack of knowledge... Welcome to the education system. Algebra is more important than safe sex.

Pulling out prevents pregnancy
Wrong! Precum is a factor and will be able to get you pregnant. It can also still spread STDs.

Sex education teaches us everything we need to know
So wrong! Schools don't teach us anywhere near enough about STDs, pregnancy, safe sex or other factors in sex ed including sexual orientation and puberty. You're best off doing loads of research yourself.

Random Rant Blog

Where you going then?

Party

It may end up being more boring than your life

which is a thin possibility

This is an actual part of a conversation I had. I find it quite offensive. Yes, I'm always saying I'm bored. Yes, I often AM bored. But there's reasons for this.

Recently I have talked a friend down from suicide. I also had to get myself out of an anxiety attack today and my friend talked me through my panic attack yesterday. One of my friends has been having some issues lately with his self esteem and I've been there to talk to whenever he needs me. Also, this person was in the room when the youth worked at college (who also runs our student union) came in and asked to talk to me in private. If you're wondering why this is, it's because I think my friend may potentially attempt suicide again. I have 2 younger brothers that I have to babysit when my parents go to work and yet I still seem to do more work than you do. I certainly have better attendance. 

Where exactly is the time for me to have fun? There isn't that much of it when you throw in chores and homework and daily life routine. I had fun this morning by playing Just Dance on the wii and the experience calmed me down quite a bit. But that was all I had time for before my brothers came in demanding food. Like seriously, I want to have fun but sometimes life comes at us.

So fuck you. Rant over.

Sex: Outside a Relationship?

So the other day a friend told me that "50% of guys know what they want and don't mind being alone." Implying that guys want sex and don't care if they're in a relationship or not. I don't think this is quite true. The percentage seems wrong and so does the fact that he left girls out of this statement. So here are the rough categories of when people want sex in and out of relationships.

Just sex, no strings attached
No relationship, no commitment. The perks of sex without the downsides that there are to a relationship. No commitment, no having to remember birthdays or anniversaries or valentines day. Also, you don't have to buy gifts or pay for dates. Just condoms.

Relationship, great. No relationship, one night stand it is.
Basically what my friend was describing. The idea that sex is more important than a relationship but obviously a relationship has it's perks. The feeling of being in a relationship and love... Plus the fact that sex is more likely as you don't have to go out and look for a partner.

Sex inside a relationship
One night stands seem pointless and sex is more meaningful in a relationship. You know the person and are more comfortable with them, that's how it's meant to be, right? Not this promiscuous nature that is encouraged by the media and practiced by so many teenagers.

No sex please
Sex isn't for everyone. It might be religion, not feeling ready, conscience, morality or something that you maybe can't place your finger on... You're just not ready for sex yet.

Relationships? Sex? Ew.
Doesn't all this stuff require a little too much emotion? And let's be honest... everybody of the gender that you go for is a bit of a douche.


Short entry but... I felt like I needed to go through this.

Consent

Consent - OMFGItsJackAndDean

"Lets let this out to the right extent, this guy wants you but only with your consent!"

This song is so funny and yet has a serious point to it. Consent is really important in all cases of sexual activity. If one or both parties do not give consent, it is a crime. Make sure you have consent assholes!

Knowing people who have been sexually assaulted, I have seen the sort of effects it can have on people. Some people cope better than others but just because someone can go on living like it was nothing, doesn't mean it was okay. They still didn't want it to happen and I think maybe lack of reporting sexual assault and rape is a large part of why some people still seem to think it's okay.

Welcome to the 21st century. Stop being a prick, it's not okay anymore!

This social prerequisite that having lost your v-card makes you cool... It doesn't.

This social expectation for people to have sex with their partners... It doesn't matter.

The mindset that you should be able to have sex with your partner... Go fuck yourself, why should they want to?

There was a lot of controversy earlier this year about consent after a string of allegations against YouTubers. As a reaction to this, there were also a lot of videos made about consent by famous YouTubers who are of the same mindset: Consent is compulsory, not optional.

John Green, vlogger and author (including the author of "The Fault In Our Stars")

Lex Croucher, vlogger

Charlie McDonnell, vlogger

Charlie's blog: Consent

How To: First Date

This is a brief guide on how to (hopefully) have a successful first date.

The What/Where/When
Before you can get ready to go on a date you have to actually have a plan...

Saturday or Sunday during the daytime is a pretty good time to go on a first date. I'd say meeting up between 11am and 4pm is good. Agree to meet somewhere that is familiar to you both, even if your actual date is further away. You can always travel there together.

As for the what... I think there are some dos and don'ts.

DO:

• Keep it cheap
• Keep it simple
• Keep it social

DON'T:

• Spend loads of money on the date
• Pay for the other person
• Go to a cinema, it's a common date place but sitting in a dark room and not talking for 2 hours won't actually give you much sense of whether or not you find this person interesting and fun to date

My best suggestions are for where to have a first date:

• Coffee shop
• Park
• Ice cream place
• Any other place you can sit and have a non-alcoholic drink

Yeah that'd be my other top tip... No alcohol on the first date.

Getting Ready

Okay, you've got your date, you know where you're going. Now it's the big day and you have to get ready.

Step 1) Have a shower. This will make you all nice and clean and you'll just smell more attractive.

Step 2) Dry your hair. You don't want your clothes soaked and you don't want wet hair when you arrive.

Step 3) Get dressed. Sounds basic. But again there are dos and don'ts.

DO:

• Wear something casual, as if you were going shopping with friends. Jeans and a t-shirt will work well. If you go to college or wear your own clothes to school, wear something you would wear for a normal day there
• Wear something comfortable, you don't want to be uncomfortable as it will affect how you feel about your date

Examples for good outfits: 

Examples for bad outfits: 

Yeah...

Step 4) Girls, put your make up on. Again casual everyday make up. Don't go over the top. If you look like you always do then you won't look like you're trying to hard to impress. 

Step 5) Hair. This is where you can do something different. Making your hair look extra nice (but please still try for casual) shows some difference and some interest in the person but it's not too much. For guys, gel in your hair (but not too much because ouch and ew) might work just to make it look "cool" and for girls... There is so much! A small braid going from the front of your head to the back, a fishtail braid, casual curls or even just straightening it if you don't usually, it can make a huge difference.

Step 6) Go on your date. Don't turn up too early. I'd say if you're more than 5 minutes early, go somewhere out of sight. The toilets or a nearby shop is hopefully a good cover. Also, try not to be any more than 10 minutes late. You'll seem uninterested and it's kinda rude.

Good luck on your date!