In this new world it is hard to get away from the cycle of depressing news constantly revolving around our social media feeds, playing on the radio, and appearing as notifications on our phones. Times feel increasingly desperate, particularly with the “Kamikwasi” budget causing fears of fuel poverty and food scarcity among young people in Britain, and abroad Putin signs an “official” annexation of parts of Ukraine, while riots over the death of Mahsa Amini continue in Iran.
We’ve all been there, staring at our phones, struggling to find the hope in what seems like a hopeless set of stories. Here at Belong, we always look for the inclusive stories, the stories of hope and optimism.
Bisexual community sees growth
A new poll suggests the number of individuals who identify as bisexual is increasing in the UK. Only 66% of respondents said they were only attracted to the opposite sex, one of the lowest recorded levels, with bisexuality being the second most common form of attraction after heterosexuality. Representation has always been important in the fight for equality, and in establishing legitimacy for different sexualities and identities. Greater visibility and connection within wider society takes us ever closer to a society of complete acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.
Is fast fashion starting to slow down?
The rise of retailers such as Shein and Boohoo have recently raised the profile of the damaging effects fast fashion is having on our planet. This week, we saw a solution which is often pushed to the fringes reach further into the mainstream. Fashion rental service Hurr has partnered with John Lewis to deliver a more economical and environmentally friendly way to satisfy sartorial thirst. With rental fashion at our fingertips, the demand for low-cost low-quality fast fashion is dwindling. This is an important step for the climate, as well as for those who are exploited by these brands who exploit the labour of the Global South to satisfy the demands of the West.
Liverpool to host Eurovision
The Eurovision spotlight turns to Liverpool, as the city is officially announced as the next host of the world-famous contest. The competition was due to be hosted by Ukraine, owing to their win in the 2022 contest, but has been given to Liverpool due to the ongoing war. The Mayor of Odesa, Gennadiy Trukhanov said “Next year all musical roads of Europe will lead to your city, and we are happy that not only Eurovision contest will decorate Liverpool, but the city itself will adorn the event too. All of Odesa is looking forward to literally hearing from you!” This is a significant success for one of the most diverse cities in Britain.
