BI FOR RI?
"Fancy a cuddle under my um-bi-ella-ella-ella? Eh? Eh?" - The
magic words which many a lavender lady longs to hear from lovely
pop princess Rihanna. Sexy girl, huh? And just so sure of herself.
Sure, for example, that she's tempting enough to turn heterosexual
ladies into bi ladies. Check this tweet out: "Guarantee to turn a
square into a Bi bitch!!!" Well, I guarantee you that she is just a
big sweetie underneath that tough girl exterior - and all she
really wants to do is share her cupcake with the girls. Whether
they want it or not.
But that's the thing; there are plenty of women who are attracted
to women. She met least one of them at the 02 last year - DIVA's
travel editor Lotte Jeffs. Not sure if you remember her, Rihanna,
but she got a right bapful of you! So why not make some girl's day
and explore your lezzy side with someone who's already onside, so
to speak?
Don't get me wrong. If relentless Rihanna wants to convert
straight women to the joys of bisexuality, good for her - and them.
But I suspect her tweet is more about her controversial image, and
maintaining it. And, of course, power. Though I'd rather she didn't
treat bisexuality like a marketing tool, props to her for owning
her sexual clout. It wasn't so very long ago that women were told
they didn't have sexual desire, fantasies, or sexual agency. In
this respect, Rihanna is culturally significant in the same way
that Madonna is. The difference, though, is that other people said
Madonna could turn a gay man straight and a straight girl gay. When
Rihanna says these things about herself, it's just not as…
powerful.
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DEAR JESSIE
One person who Rihanna won't be turning bi is singer and Voice
judge Jessie J. She's bloody sick of that label!
"The bisexual label irritates me. They'd never write 'Adele - the
straight singer', but that's how the world works. The only thing I
want to be defined by is my music and personality."
I understand your frustration, Jessie. It must be annoying to have
your sexuality constantly referred to when all you really want to
do it sing and have fun. You're a pop star, not Peter Tatchell, and
you're bloody good at it too. You must, also, be under considerable
pressure at the moment, especially as you hope to crack America
next. Good luck to you, girl.
You're waving the flag for us Brits at the moment, and that's
great. And you've got Adele (the straight singer) to help you with
that. I just hope that more people come out and help you fly the bi
flag a little higher. It's looking a little limp at the
moment.
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FINALLY
A quick update on the Boys Scouts lesbian-mom drama which I
reported on a few weeks back. (Jennifer Tyrrell was sacked as a
Scout leader in the States when the organisation learned she is
gay.) The Los Angeles Times now reports that a Boy Scout official
has resigned in support of Tyrrell. Board member David J. Sims, a
lawyer and politician, read about Tyrrell's case in an email.
It was wrong, he said, for her to be removed as the Tiger Cub
leader solely based on her sexual orientation.
In a letter to local Boy Scout officials, he wrote: "I understand
that this action was taken as a result of a standing policy of the
Boy Scouts of America and that said action is legal. However, Ms.
Tyrrell's removal goes against my fundamental beliefs of how we
should treat our fellow human beings and is, in my opinion, wholly
discriminatory. I understand that the Boys Scouts of America is
free to run its organization as it sees fit, however, I can not
formally be a part of it based upon this policy."
Sims comes from a family of former Boy Scouts. His two sons were
Scouts, and his father and grandfather were Eagle Scouts. This, he
wrote, is what made his decision so "exceedingly" difficult and
emotional.
Thank goodness for people like David. The Boy Scouts is about
helping people, and helping oneself. And, don't forget, if gay, bi
and trans people are to tackle discrimination, we need all the help
we can get.
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