{"id":501,"date":"2021-02-23T10:18:31","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T10:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/kaleidoscope\/?p=501"},"modified":"2021-02-26T10:21:30","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T10:21:30","slug":"lgbt-history-month-23-28-the-songster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/kaleidoscope\/2021\/02\/23\/lgbt-history-month-23-28-the-songster\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBT+ History Month 23\/28: Allies - The Songster"},"content":{"rendered":"

It goes without saying that LGBTQ+ people are amazing.\u00a0 We are.\u00a0 I\u2019ve decided as such and my word is gospel at this point.\u00a0 That being said, I wouldn\u2019t be allowed to say that if it were not for some of the bravest people out there who have made an impact on LGBTQ+ rights and who just happen to not be LGBTQ+ themselves.\u00a0 These people are allies.<\/p>\n

Allies are individuals who support and advocate the rights and equalities of others who are marginalised and discriminated against in society.\u00a0\u00a0 In this instance, heterosexual (straight) people who advocate the rights of LGBTQ+ people.<\/p>\n

Over the past and next few blogs, I will be highlighting key names across the world who are making their voices heard on behalf of the marginalised.\u00a0 In today\u2019s issue, we\u2019re looking at a singer who, love him or hate him, champions LGBTQ+ rights like no other.\u00a0 Here's the story of Harry Styles.<\/p>\n

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The British singer-song writer, Harry Edward Styles, was born in Worcestershire on 01st February 1994 and grew up in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.\u00a0 He has said he had a happy childhood with great support from his parents.\u00a0 When he was younger, styles would record cover versions of songs on a karaoke machine and in April 2010, Styles music career went from one home grown star to national home entertainment with the X Factor.<\/p>\n

Initially a solo artist, Styles failed to get past the initial cuts but was grouped together with 4 other soon-to-be well-known boys and formed One Direction.<\/p>\n

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Following their 3rd place run on the show, the boyband signed with Syco Records and became a worldwide sensation with debut single What Makes You Beautiful<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The group went on to release 5 studio albums to great success, becoming the joint 4th best-selling boy band of all time with over 70million album sales.\u00a0 As a solo artist, he has released the self-titled Harry Styles in 2017 and in 2019 released Fine Line; the latter of which has been dubbed a statement of trans pride with the colouring.<\/p>\n

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Styles\u2019 success continued out of the music studio and onto many fashion scenes.\u00a0 His fashion style is often genderfluid and blurs the line between masculine and feminine and is praised for comfortably expressing himself through his clothing.<\/p>\n

Styles is often questioned on his sexual orientation due to his sense of style and mannerisms and the media, as they do, often speculate his bisexuality because he\u2019s not your 'typical masculine bloke'.\u00a0 Styles often responds to these with a casual retort that he\u2019s not part of the community and is just freely expressing himself through his character and his image.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love every single one of you. If you are black, if you are white. If you are gay, if you are straight, if you are transgender. Whoever you are, whoever you want to be. I support you. I love every single one of you.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 2020, the world was abuzz when Style\u2019s undertook a photoshoot with Vogue and donned a Gucci dress and blazer, followed by a crinoline dress contraption that look positively torturous.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s get to the important stuff though shall we.\u00a0 What earns him the Queero title?<\/p>\n

Styles genderfluid style is something that is shaking up many aspects of life.\u00a0 Fashion, music, toxic masculinity.\u00a0 His approach to being oneself is empowering millions of LGBTQ+ people to embrace their true self and be a part of the big something.<\/p>\n

He is an avid advocate for gay rights, calling them \u2018fundamental, not political\u2019 and with his solid social media following in excess of 36million, Styles regularly keeps everyone in the loop on LGBTQ+ issues.<\/p>\n

His social media accounts have placements of pride flags, and photos of concert goers flying their flags and on one occassion they created the pride rainbow flag with their phones.<\/p>\n

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In 2018 he launched the Treat People With Kindness campaign in celebration of pride, releasing t-shirts with the slogan Treat People With <\/em>Kindness on them.\u00a0 All proceeds went to the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).\u00a0 The line has evolved into sweatshirts and hoodies and other accessories on his store<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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In celebration of Pride, two special Treat People With Kindness T-Shirts have been added to the online store for the month of June. All proceeds will go to support @GLSEN<\/a>'s work ensuring safe & inclusive schools for LGBTQ youth. https:\/\/t.co\/CtzBuWwh4T<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0YiJz1LmZo<\/a><\/p>\n

— HSHQ (@HSHQ) June 5, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n