Last night at a brilliant event held by MAC Cosmetics in Bloomsbury Ballrooms , Holborn, Mica Paris, the soul singer and presenter of What Not to Wear accepted a cheque on behalf of Brook. Dita Von Tees presented the cheque as a promoter of Viva Glam VI, the new lipstick, all the proceeds of which go to MAC AIDS Fund which supports children and their families affected by HIV (www.macaidsfund.org).
The money will fund pilot work at Brook services in Manchester and London to reduce stigma and homophobia in relation to HIV, and to provide testing to those young people who are at particular risk of HIV. Find out more at www.brook.org.uk. Dita Von Tees, did a stunning burlesque performance which reminded me of my new years resolution to exercise and remain supple.
2 comments:
I really enjoy your blogs and like the down to earth way that you write. I was interested to see the event you went to on Thursday had burlesque; I have read some articles recently saying that young women are becoming involved in the burlesque scene, seeing it as a way to express their sexuality and gain self confidence.
In an earlier post, you mentioned the porn images that young people are exposed to from the media. So I was just wondering, speaking as a man, would you say burlesque is more for the female performers or the male audience? Sorry, I don't know your sexual orientation - and whether that would make a difference to views on it? For example, my gay friends see it as a celebration of a female form where the woman is in control. Do heterosexual men view it this way?
Thanks for the feedback on my writing. It is useful to know that people are enjoying (or otherwise) the blog. I can write as a man and I don't think that gives me any authority on what men think - it is only my view. But here it is..
Finding ways which we feel comfortable expressing ourselves, feeling in control, letting ourselves go, taking a chance and gaining self confidence is incredibly important. And what some people would never consider doing, others find affirming and rewarding. Our personal job is to make sure we know our own boundaries and don't do things that make us feel uncomfortable, and my professional job is about helping build a culture that values young women and young men's sexuality, their right to express it and that enables them to feel in control.
Is it more for the performers or the audience - I don't know - probably a combination of both, but judging by the reaction to the performance last week, men and women, straight and gay enjoyed the show.
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