Pash, Civil union or Ignore

I was watching the UK’s finest on Snog, Marry or Avoid last week and I have to say, I was fascinated about the way the program featured its gay contenders in a dedicated episode.

Normally reserved for your typical orange crusted, pink lipsticked, hair extensioned, sailor-suited slags from ‘up north’ – we were afforded an insight on the camp lads of England.

In possibly any other country, this episode could have been cringe inducing, laughable and discriminate at the gays.  Instead, this show, in all its vulgarity, was touchingly human and matter-of-fact that this is a show about appearance, not sexual persuasion.

When ‘Pod’ asks some random guys for initial reactions to the camp lads in their current appearance, they suggest they’d maybe ‘snog’ but mostly ‘avoid’ them.  After a quick scrub, de-louse, pluck and coiff, the genuine reactions from fresh faced lads on the other side of the viewing platform confessed to want to ‘marry’ these boys.  Said with genuine ease.  Edited with finesse and presented without acting like they had to act inclusive – tough gig.

I sat up on the couch, carefully ripping off skin which had sweat-gelled itself to the leather.  I imagined what a show like that would be like in Australia.

The show probably wouldn’t be aired on commercial television, wouldn’t be on at prime time and would be met with awkward moments when a) gay men being asked in the street react to being asked if they would Pash – we don’t Snog, commit to a Civil Union – we can’t Marry, or Ignore – we don’t Avoid, we actively ignore, b) the audience watching the ‘fashion parade of kept looks’ would avoid eye contact of the guy in drag (who actually looks better in chicks outfits to be completely honest) and c) ‘Pod’ would be voiced by some B list celebrity who lisps or mimics stereotypical gay-ness.

You have to love the United Kingdom, Un Konditional, Un Konvention and Un Kompromising.  I’m glad we are part of the Kingdom, I’d just wish we’d kick our realm up the arse and play properly like our parent country.

INFO: Follow John on Twitter @daddydearest_ •  Facebook:Daddy Dearest

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Check out an episode of Snog, Marry, Avoid featuring gay guy, Dan South Shields, below:

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