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ISSUE 729 15 FEB 2022 exepose.com @Exepose
THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987
In conversation: Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter
Guild justifies removal of manifestos for upcoming elections
Page 6
Image: Oliver Leader de Saxe
Your campus crushes! Pages 5, 14 and 27
Images (top to bottom): Chris Andrew, Wikicommons, Guanaco and subsequent editors, wikicommons
Supported by the:
Oliver Leader de Saxe and Lucy Aylmer Editor and Deputy Editor
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HE Student Guild have announced plans to reform Guild election processes as the nomination period for candidates opens up. Instead of a manifesto, candidates will be required to write a personal statement to explain “why they are suitable for their chosen officer role” and “why they would be the best candidate” to represent students at the University. Exeposé spoke to the Head of Student Engagement at the Student Guild and a representative from the Voice Team who stated that the decision was informed by educational consultants to help improve the Guild election process and student electoral engagement. He further stated that the “ma-
nifesto approach is flawed” due to it being a “winning votes tool”, with candidates making promises that they won’t be able to fulfil. They also argued that the current system is out-of-date because manifestos are made months in advance of the officers obtaining a Guild position. As such, manifesto pledges are largely redundant due to policies either already being achieved or becoming less of a priority. In addition, the Guild expressed that the reform aimed to introduce greater diversity within student engagement, ensuring that all students are represented by Guild Officers. The Guild reinforced that it was less about the number of votes, but rather the quality of votes obtained to ensure all voices are heard. Exeposé questioned the Guild on whether removing manifestos will impact Guild democracy due to incumbent officers obtaining an unfair advantage if the election is based purely on experience. In response, the Guild stated that “incumbents always have an advantage,” as they can use their past achievments in the role as evidence of their skills or in the past to shape their manifestos. The Guild stated that reforming the Guild election process will improve dy-
namism in the Guild by enabling officers to respond to current student issues, rather than outdated policies made in advance of officers acquiring their position. They also stated they wanted to increase the voice for incoming postgraduate and first year students in September. To help address student engagement in the upcoming Guild elections, the Guild have decided to organise workshops to give students more information and to encourage more candidates to apply by briefing them on important information and policies. As a result, the Guild believes candidates will be able to better represent the student body. Alia Manshi, President of The Iraqi Society acknowledged that the reform is reasonable given “student priorities change throughout the year” but “to not have a manifesto is another step towards the Guild becoming a bureaucratic institution. By saying that candidates should simply describe how they are best suited to the role, it feels as though it’s turning into a game of personality politics where we are focussed on the individual and how much we like them, not their actual intentions. I am very disappointed about this change”.
Several other societies have also voiced their concerns. Jewish Society, which has endorsed candidates in the past, expressed doubts about the new election process: “As a society, we think the decision to not have manifestos in the elections this year is a step backwards, as it makes it unclear what each candidate would bring in terms of policies, and could reduce the race to being a contest of personalities whilst leaving students in the dark.” Meanwhile Debate Society, which has a strong contingent of members from an array of political societies, shared their “serious concerns” about the change. They stated that “by removing the ability for candidates to outline their policies in a manifesto, students will no longer be able to select the candidate whose policies serve their interests or the interests of student groups or students as a whole.” They also highlighted that “there is no such thing as a policy-less candidate” and “by not advertising said policies in a manifesto, the Guild effectively ensures voters are uninformed about the policies that are enacted in the coming year.” Continued on page four...
EXEPOSÉ
Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ Editors Print: Bridie Adams & Oliver Leader de Saxe Online: Millie Betts & Anna Wilmot Deputies: Lucy Aylmer, Cassia Grace & Chloe Pumares editors@exepose.com Social Media Executive Emily Im News Editors Print: Megan Ballantyne & Livvy Mason-Myhill Online: Meg Allan & Orla Mackinnon news@exepose.com Features Editors Print: Joshua Hughes & Steffi Haselden Online: Issac Bettridge & Lucy Evans International: Ryan Gerrett & Elen Johnston features@exepose.com Comment Editors Print: Evan Thomas & Kate Hall Online: Rachael Powell & Eirwen Abberley Watton comment@exepose.com Satire Editor Print: Cleo Gravett Lifestyle Editors Print: Danni Darrah & Zoe Sperry Online: Katie Edgar & Sophie Porteous lifestyle@exepose.com Arts + Lit Editors Print: Ella Minty & Ana Anajuba Online: Clemence Smith & Georgia Balmer artsandlit@exepose.com Music Editors Print: Harry Hawkins & Charlotte Bend
Editorial
SPA AWARDS 2020 Best Publication 2021 Best Publication in the South West
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S we approach the half-way mark through second term, elections both big and small are beginning to loom on the horizon. From society AGMs to Sabbatical Officer nominations, student politics across the spectrum is slowly kicking itself into gear. Over the next month and a half we can expect to see student campaign teams stalking the halls of the Forum and Devonshire House fighting for who they believe is the right candidate, your social media accounts will receive a gazillion follower requests and the excitement in the air will be palatable. On this topic, our front-page News story has seen us talk to both the Guild and students across campus as part of our report on the absence of candidate manifestos this year and the potential impacts of this. Later in the section we have equally important investigations, from safe sex (page 3) to sex workers (page 4) to research funding from arms companies (page 3). Yet February also represents something else very important: LGBT+ History Month. As you may have seen from our logo, this issue we will be celebrating queer voices and uplifting often overlooked figures and narratives from the LGBT+ community. As part of this we have a special double page spread interviewing Exeter’s outgoing representative in Parliament Ben Bradshaw (page 6 &
7), where we cover homophobia in his 1997 election run, alongside everything from partygate to starting in journalism. Features also takes a deep dive into the dangers of conversion therapy (page 9), whilst Comment looks at institutional homophobia in the police force (page 10). Exhibit writers have also spent this issue signalling their support for LGBT+ artists and celebrities in both Lifestyle (page 16) and Music (page 21), whilst Tech takes time to shout out queer tech companies (page 25). Arts+ Lit has taken a different tact entirely, exploring the phenomenon of banning books by LGBT+ writers (page 19). And if you want something to relax to this evening, Screen has a piece on trans films that you should immediately add to you watchlist (page 23). To cap off the paper, Science has an incredible piece exploring the queer pioneers who have led the charge into new scientific waters (page 28), while Sport explores whether LGBT+ representation has gotten better across the sport industry (page 31). We hope you enjoy this issue’s LGBT+ History Month content, and if you're in the mood for a laugh, head over to page 13 to read our flourishing Satire section as well as our ‘Campus Crush’ pages which are dotted throughout the paper.
NEWS Grads row across the Atlantic PAGE 4
COMMENT Is Exeter's financial support worth banking on? PAGE 11
LIFESTYLE Bye for now from Zoe PAGE 16
ARTS + LIT Banned any good books lately? PAGE 19
Oliver and Bridie
Images (top to bottom): Atlantic Campaigns, evrywheremedia, Zoe Sperry, Abhi Sharma
Online: Tom Bosher & George Ward
University news home and abroad
music@exepose.com Screen Editors Print: Archie Lockyer & Francesca Sylph Online: Adam Simcox screen@exepose.com Tech Editor Print: Bridie Adams and Oliver Leader de Saxe Science Editors Print: Ellen Rogers & Nancy Stitt Online: Daisy Scott & Imogen Poyntz-Wright sciandtech@exepose.com Sport Editors Print: Oscar Young & Rob Worthington Online: Floris de Bruin & Henry Hood sport@exepose.com Copy Editors Oliver Lamb and Clemence Smith, Proofers Kate Hall, Evan Thomas, Henry Hood, Catherine Stone. Pollyanna Roberts, blood, sweet and tears
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Record number of students and professors leave Hong Kong
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HERE has been a 24 per cent jump in the number of students quitting their studies in Hong Kong since last year. This reflects 2,212 students’ (from the eight public universities in Hong Kong) decision to leave Hong Kong, ending their studies at the same time. Additionally, 290 academic staff left these same eight universities last year. The reasons for this so-called ‘exodus’ of students is rooted in the AntiExtradition Bill protests of 2019 and the highly controversial National Security Law passed in 2020, which prompted many families to emigrate. On top of this, the pandemic (which caused classes for many to move online) meant it became easier for domr to restart their degrees in a different country. It is this combination of factors that has meant that university drop-out rates in Hong Kong are the highest since the record began in 2003.
British higher education leaders want more international students
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IGURES from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), a nonprofit private corporation owned by members (Universities UK and GuildHE), showed that over 600,000 international students were enrolled at higher education providers in 2020-21 — meeting the target set in the country’s global education plan well ahead of time. The data includes particulars about students’ personal characteristics, courses and modules they are undertaking, entry qualifications, economic circumstances, development through higher educatuon and the qualifications they achieve. HESA data is used by higher education finance and administrative bodies for their legal functions, which include finance, regulation and decisionmaking. Much of the data is gathered by the HESA record and HESA is paid for by subscriptions from higher education providers.
Higher education in Denmark to benefit from economic reforms
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RECENT economic reform package in Denmark allows international students to remain longer in the country, facilitating greater job-seeking opportunity, and includes an increase in funding for welfare education by 200 million Krone per year from 2024. This agreement has been praised by scholars including Minister of Higher Education and Science Jesper Peterson, who described it as an "excellent agreement’" for Denmark. Furthermore, President of University Colleges in Denmark, Stefan Hermann commended the "political drive" to invest in welfare fields. However, he also criticized the agreement stating that further funding on top of this would be necessary to increase quality in all relevant welfare education fields. In addition to higher education funding, agreements have been made to aid international recruitment. Improvements included a reduction in the salary requirement to qualify for work permits and residence, thereby allowing greater recruitment of international experts.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
India's universities face tighter rules on edtech collaboration
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NDIA'S higher education regulator the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Education Mnistry are aiming to hold back the bugeoning market of unregulated online courses from private companies, warning universities against distanced learning course and online courses in association with such companies. Violation will involve action against both institutions and edtech players, stated by the UGC in the written communication to higher education institutions. It has highlighted that online diplomas and degrees under such franchise agreements would not be recognised under the regulations of UGC. Some edtech companies were advertising in television, newspapers and social media as the regulator said it had come to their attention. These edtech companies have been offering degree and diploma programmes in online modes in association with some UGC-recognised institutions and universities. After Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that his Ministry was working on a policy to regulate edtech platforms to curb unfair practices. Yet, thus far, there have been no regulation of such platforms by the Government.
By Megan Haynes, Bridie Adams,, Lauren Jones, Livvy Mason-Myhill
15 FEB 2022 | EXEPOSÉ
69.8 per cent of students engage in unprotected sex according to survey
Cassia Grace Deputy Editor
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XEPOSÉ has conducted an anonymous survey of University of Students students to determine their practice and attitudes towards safe sex. Out of the 53 students who responded to our questionnaire, it was found that 69.8 per cent practiced unprotected sex. When asked whether they practiced the ‘pull out method,’ the responses were fairly evenly split; 47.2 per cent stated that they had at some point depended on this rather than protection. One comment on this statistic stated that this number was “not that surprising” and that “people do dumb things sometimes”. Unprotected sex massively increases your chance of contracting an STD, with STS Centre estimating that the likelihood ranges from a 0.1 per cent chance of contracting HIV, to a 51-64 per cent chance of contracting syphilis from one night of unprotected sex.
We also asked students about their use of birth control. 45.3 per cent (of female respondents) said that they used some form of birth control such as the implant, pill or patch. However, 13.7 per cent said that they do not trust their own or their partner’s birth control to prevent pregnancy. One person told Exeposé that “especially if you don’t take it at a regular time, it’s easy to forget to take the pill”. According to the NHS website, no contraception is 100 per cent reliable, with some methods such as the pill or the patch having a chance of “user failure”. When taken correctly, most contraceptives have a 99 per cent success rate at preventing pregnancy. After unprotected sex or if your contraception fails, the morning after pill is often used to prevent pregnancy. WebMD states that Plan B (known in the medicinal world as Levonorgestrel), can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 87 per cent if taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex; taking it within 24 hours is the most effective. Although 41.5 per cent of female
respondents said that they had never taken the morning after pill, 75 per cent stated that they trusted it to prevent pregnancy. Moreover, as previously stated, unprotected sex increases your risk of contracting an STI. Smart Sex Resource recommends you take an STI test whenever you have a new sexual partner, if you or your partner have other sexual partners, you notice any changes in your body, you have sex with someone who has an STI or you had sex without a condom/the condom broke. However, our survey showed that
52.8 per cent of respondents have never taken an STI test. Although 96.2 per cent stated that they had never been diagnosed with an STI, Gov.uk estimates that a case of chlamydia or gonorrhea is diagnosed in a young person every four minutes in England. We spoke to one person who suggested that the reason for low levels of testing in Exeter may be because of stigma: “people may feel a bit embarrassed about taking one [an STI test] because it im plies there is something wrong with you”.
Image: Exeposé data collected using Google Forms
University receives over £4.5 million in research funding from arms companies over five years Oliver Leader de Saxe Editor
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HE University of Exeter has received over £5 million in research and consultancy contracts from six private companies involved in the arms trade as well as the Ministry of Defence over the last five years, Exeposé can exclusively reveal. Data obtained via a Freedom of Information request revealed the University has received money from several major arms and defence organisations, including QinetiQ and Leonardo. Arms and ammunitions are high-
glighted as key areas under the Sustainable Investment and Engagement Policy. This highlights how the University will only invest in entities that exhibit best class standards of behaviour and performance in a broad range of environmental, social and governance issues. Research funding has been provided across a range of subjects, including biosciences, physics and astronomy and engineering, with QinetiQ providing the largest amount of research funding as a private company at £690,099. QinetiQ is the United Kingdom’s eighth largest arms and military services company according
to Campaign Against Arms Trade. The University also received over £3 million in research contracts from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, in addition to over £200,000 from the Ministry of Defence. A University of Exeter spokesperson said: “As a university with a strong global standing, Exeter benefits from strong international research and education, as well as an expanding network of worldwide partnerships. These support research into some of the biggest global challenges of our time, such as climate change and environmental sustainability. “We support researchers to deliver research of the highest standards of excellence and integrity in accordance with the UK Concordat to Support Research Integrity. All research undertaken by the University undergoes ethical consideration,
and where required is reviewed and evaluated by the appropriate University Research Ethics Committee. “The University’s collaborations with these companies have not only allowed students to gain experience at the frontier of science and engineering, but also allowed researchers to make ground-breaking advances in clean energy, artificial intelligence and green technology. “These include working with the University’s Centre for Future Clean Mobility to develop low emission power systems for vehicles; and developing a new family of metamaterials to revolutionise wireless communications and AI-type computing through the A-Meta project led by Exeter’s Centre for Metamaterial Research and Innovation. “The University has never sought to hide our relationship with these companies and has publicised it through regular announcements on our web pages.”
3 NEWS
Main gates of Higher Cemetery closed after being used as a ‘rat run’ Charlie Nadin Contributor
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NE of the main gates to the Exeter Higher Cemetery has been closed to stop it from being used as a ‘rat run’ by drivers after road changes in the area. The main gates at the Hamlin Lane entrance are to remain locked except for when there is a funeral. The small pedestrian gate will remain open, as per the decision of Exeter City Council who own the cemetery. The cause is believed to be road closures and restrictions implemented in Heavitree. An Exeter City Council spokesman clarified: “Cars had been using the cemetery as a cut-through, speeding and driving off the road onto the grass, which was a real safety issue. Pedestrians can, however, still enter from Hamlin Lane.” Councillor Rob Hannaford, raising the issue at a meeting of Exeter Highways Committee, of which he is a member, said: “This again clearly underlines the reality that the traffic network across Exeter is very fragile, and it only takes a few small changes, here and there, to have a big impact on the overall citywide traffic flow. We must be careful about unintentional consequences.” “Displaced traffic is now being funnelled on to other local roads, with additional congestion and pollution. Unless and until we have an affordable and reliable public transport network in Exeter, more people will not make the commitment to actually using it, and continue to make car journeys.”
Image left: from FOI, Image right: Wikicommons, Alan Wilson
4 NEWS
15 FEB 2022 | EXEPOSÉ
No bespoke support for student sex workers at University of Exeter Megan Ballantyne News Editor
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N Exeposé investigation on student sex workers has found that there are no specific provisions for student sex workers available at the University. This is in contrast to Durham University, which introduced a Students Involved in the Adult Sex Industry training session last year. Exeposé spoke to Laetitia Eichinger, a News Editor from Palatinate, the Durham student newspaper, who reported on the sessions. She said, “the training sessions were implemented in order to give students who are involved in the sex work industry the tools to know how to
work in this industry safely by helping them to understand their rights.” Laetitia’s responses do not necessarily represent the views of Palatinate as a whole. In an email sent around by the Durham Student Union, SU representatives stated that “The SU position on students in sex work are clear: support, informed advice, de-stigmatisation and collaboration with expert organisation.” Exeposé received testimony from an anonymous student involved in the sex work industry for four years, in stripping and online sex work. When asked if they thought the University should offer more support to student sex workers, they agreed and suggested the university should provide, “information on sex worker organisations and unions, [and] information on legalities and tax.”
The Guild Sex Work webpage provides links to the The English Collective of Prostitutes’ ‘guide to sex workers’ legal rights,’ NUMS, and ‘Support and Advice for Escorts forum,’ but did not provide its own resources on these topics.
I would absolutely hope that other universities would implement similar sessions Laetitia Eichinger, News Editor from Palinate
The Guild’s website states: “Our priority will always be the safety and well-being of every student in our community. We are committed to providing a non-judgemental, open, and safe setting for all stu-
doctoUniversity of Exeter graduates complete row across the Atlantic for charity Lucy Aylmer Deputy Editor
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ARRIED couple and frontline A&E doctors at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Charlie Fleury and Adam Baker have rowed across the Atlantic in 51 days. They set off from the Canary Islands on 12 December 2021 and arrived in Antigua on 1 February 2022. The doctors who
have both completed their Masters in Extreme Medicine at the University of Exeter, have been raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance, the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital charity, the RNLI and Mind. The pair have raised an impressive £23,682 against their initial target of £100,000. The couple stated that they will “continue the fundraising over the next few months finishing in a gala dinner”. Exeposé reached out to the couple and asked what their greatest challenge was during the expedition. The couple stated that they knew the journey would be “mentally tough” and that they “mostly had calm seas with a lot of counter currents slowing our speed sometimes by 50-75 per cent. This was absolutely punishing on the body as it was like rowing through treacle”. They further stated that the “constant lack of control that
was the hardest part”. The married couple stated that their most memorable part of the trip was being surrounded by nature and crossing the finish line. They stated that their “arrival in Antigua is like nothing we will ever experience again. After weeks of only speaking to each other, the noise of all the crowds celebrating and all the super yachts blasting their horns for us was very overwhelming and humbling." Image: Atlantic Campaigns
“An election without manifestos can very easily turn into a bitter personality contest” Continued from the front page...
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xeposé contacted several students to hear their opinions on the Guild’s decision to remove manifestos in the upcoming Guild elections. Most students appear sceptical about the decision, with one third year Business and Management student expressing that “if any of the current VPs were to run again, I think they’d enter the race with a very unfair advantage.” The student also told Exeposé that the move runs the risk of making a political election personal: “An election without manifestos can very easily turn into a bitter personality contest.” Similar views were expressed by
a Masters student who noted that “by shifting the election criteria to experience rather than ideas, a massive advantage is handed directly to Sabbs who want to rerun who have indisputably the best experience in the role and can laud that over other candidates.” This was further echoed by second-year Philosophy and Spanish student, Sally Franklin who suggested that “it probably makes it harder to vote because you don’t know what they are aiming to bring in, so it’s not necessarily fair”. In agreement, Alice Carr, a third-year Anthropology student stated that “I think they should have manifestos because it’s quite useful to know what they want to change and nice to get a bit more info
on their priorities”. Guild nominations will be open until 28 February, with two candidate info sessions on 22 and 24 February held with both Guild Senior Management and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Tim Quine respectively. All information about Guild Election procedure can be found at: https://www. exeterguild.org/ candidate-hub/
dents to access support, advice, and help. This priority and commitment, of course, includes student sex workers.” There is no mention of specific in-person or online provisions for sex workers at the University. The same anonymous student suggested that there should be a “uni representative for sex workers,” a resource which is not in place at the University currently, meaning that no Guild or Wellbeing Staff have received tailored training for dealing with sex workers. This is despite the fact that a Save the Student survey found that around three per cent of students had participated in sex work. The student also made clear that they, “never heard of any type of support from the University for sex workers.” Multiple student sex workers’ testimonies expressed the opinion
that the University needed to do better at supporting student sex workers. Laetitia from Palatinate agreed: “I would absolutely hope that other universities, including Exeter, would implement similar sessions.” She suggested that in being open about students’ participation in sex work, and supporting students working in the adult sex industry safely, Durham was “upholding their duty to protect.” “Personally, I have heard nothing but support for the training sessions… in my social circles here at Durham.” When asked what support the University offered student sex workers, a University of Exeter spokesperson said: “We work closely with the Students’ Guild on this matter and any student involved with sex work can access our student wellbeing and support services.”
CC — Social Sec of Touch Rugby.
Really posh boy at Spoons on a gap year.
- SM
- NH
There is a boy in East Park Block F who I can't get enough of. Every time I see him, he has a very different haircut, which I love, as it shows he is experimental. Too nervous to speak to him. -J
AB — Plays football for the University. Short king.
Chloe from Canoe Club.
- AK
- JJFW
To the absolute stud playing no. 8 for the BUCS Men's Volleyball Team: the way you smack those balls gets me hot and bothered. See you at the next game. - Secret admirer
RP — We talked last week in Ancient History. Something about fries at the Imp on Sunday? - E-girl admirer
JJ — Ginger and a rugby player. About 5'9, also does Med Science. - Eliza Stinton
The Pura Vida van coffee girls. - CB
In Conversation:
Image: Wikicommons, Chris Andrews
Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter
Oliver Leader de Saxe Editor
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N Thursday 3 February, Exeter’s long-standing standing MP announced he would not be standing at the next election. For 25 years, Ben Bradshaw has represented Exeter in Parliament, becoming a significant Labour minister under both Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. Our Editor, Oliver Leader de Saxe, sat down with the outgoing Labour politician to talk about his long and storied career, and the state of British politics… É: So, before politics, you started as a journalist at the Exeter Express and Echo. How did you get into that career to start with? B: Well, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do to be honest when I left University. I think a lot of people in my gener-
ation did what I did, which was go abroad and teach English for a year. And it was during that year that I had the opportunity of volunteering for a Guardian journalist who was out in Germany doing a number of stories and didn’t speak German, so I acted as her translator. Working for her I thought “this is fun, wouldn’t mind doing this for a living” and then I applied for one of these postgraduate journalism courses when I came back, and on the basis of that I got my first job down here in Exeter on the Express and Echo. Had a very happy time there, and then moved to BBC Radio Devon before being sent by the BBC to Berlin before the beginning of 1989. Back then it was a bit of a backwater in news terms since the wall went up, and within a few months the East Germans were in revolt and the wall was coming down, and I had the biggest story in the world
fall into my lap as a rookie 27-year-old foreign correspondent, so that was my lucky break. Then I did a spell at the World at One and PM at Radio 4, and that was what I was doing when I was selected as the Parliamentary candidate here in Exeter. É: As someone who began their career in local media, do you think in the national discourse smaller regional journalistic outlets can be undervalued? B: Definitely, and the thing I feel sad about is the decline in the vibrancy and health of local journalism. We do still have local journalists in Exeter working on the Express and Echo but digitally and as a newspaper, as well as in local radio too. But when I was on the Echo, we had a newsroom of lots of reporters, lots of subs [sub-editors], we had a daily newspaper… I was able to work completely off-diary and find my own stories, I was
able to go off and talk to the local community and pick up stories. If I had a good enough story, I could sell it to the nationals to supplement my meagre wages. It was a fantastic life, very interesting, and a great training ground, same in local radio. Although, in terms of the BBC, that capacity has more or less stayed in place, though even the BBC, because of the Tory Government, has had to make quite significant cuts because the Tories have frozen and cut the license fee. It is very difficult for local newspapers to sustain a viable business model, but they seem to be managing at the moment. But it is a very different world from what it was back then and I think that is a real danger to democracy because if you don’t have good, strong healthy journalism which scrutinises the decisions that local Government, local organisations, institutions,
the MP, are making, that’s not good for democracy. I worry about that, I really do. É: So how would you go about fixing that? B: I think there are really serious questions about how we tax and regulate online social media platforms because they leach off other people’s newsgathering without paying for it. It has become more and more difficult for good journalism to monetise itself and we haven’t even begun to work out how we do that in a way that would perhaps allow us to have a fund for local journalism. It is happening a bit; the BBC is now collaborating with the private sector at local level to share resources when it comes to local Government coverage and so forth, so that is a step in the right direction. But if we really care about this we have to think much more carefully in the future.
15 Feb 2022 | EXEPOSÉ
7 IN CONVERSATION É: What has been your proudest achievement whilst being a Parliamentarian? B: I think the thing I am most satisfied about and am pleased with is the transformation in the educational attainment in Exeter. Before I was elected, Exeter schools were pretty poorly performing, their physical buildings were dilapidated. We got massive investment into our schools as a Labour Government, every single high school was rebuilt, most primary schools were rebuilt, we got new leadership and we developed a community-led educational trust which includes the University and the College, and named it after the famous Exeter University educationalist Ted Rag, which has done such a fantastic job at transforming the performance of Exeter schools which means either thousands of children’s life prospects have improved as a result and I don’t think there’s anything more valuable you can do in politics than ensure every young person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life. I used to get so depressed on some speech days when I was first elected about the low level of expectation and ambition. You go to an Exeter school now, it makes my heart sink. That’s probably the single most fantastic thing that has happened and this has been translated into the College and University’s performance as well. É: If I’m correct, you were the second openly gay MP in Parliament, and have been tireless in your fight for the rights of the LGBT+ community. It is slightly crazy looking back to that 1997 election campaign and how vitriolic it was. Do you think that most homophobia has been rooted out from Parliament and party politics, or is it something that still lingers beneath the surface? B: I was actually the first ever openly gay MP who was selected and elected as openly gay! But I think we have made huge strides forward since that campaign, and as you say, when I share some of the stuff that was kicking off in that campaign to schoolchildren here in Exeter today they are in absolute amazement. They can’t imagine such a thing is possible. We have come a long way, especially in public attitudes and also in regards to the legislative framework, sweeping away all of the discriminatory barriers to lesbian and gay people has been one of the great moves forward in our country’s history in recent years. And it is true that the changes in attitudes and the changes in legal framework have made it more difficult to behave in a homophobic way because they are subject to the criminal law. But I do think there is still an underlying homophobia out there. You can see that in the big increase in homophobic attacks and other hate crimes since the Brexit referendum, there is still a massive backlash against trans people and trans rights which is really worrying, and reminds me a lot of the backlash lesbians and gay people faced during the 1970s and 80s when Margaret Thatcher passed the infamous Section 28 banning schools from discussing same-sex relationships and there are very clear parallels in the current backlash against trans rights to what happened back then which is a very usual reminder that although progress has been made, there is always more to be done. And in the international field, there are still many countries in the world including in the com-
monwealth where just being gay is a criminal offence. So a lot done, a lot still to do. É: Talking of off-kilter views, as part of this overgrowing crisis of Government, Christian Wakeford defected from the Conservatives into your party, despite not voting in line with Labour values for quite some time. Do you think this is a case of putting pragmatism before party values? And where should the line be drawn for Conservatives that would not be acceptable in the Labour party? B: Obviously if you are signing up to the party you have to sign up for party values, but I wouldn’t get too worked up about Christian Wakeford’s voting record. You vote in Parliament with your party whip. It doesn’t always mean you agree with what you’re doing, but that is just how our party politics works. We received many defections in the 1990s and noughties into the Labour party from the Conservative party because a lot of decent, moderate one-nation Conservative and pro-European Conservatives felt the Conservative party had moved so far to the right that they couldn’t tolerate being part of it and they found the Labour party was far more in tune with their concerns, with LGBT issues, or Europe for example, and they were welcomed with open arms. I think that is a very positive sign and very healthy sign that Conservatives are defecting to Labour, as we’re only going to win an election if we convince Conservatives to vote for us. So we should embrace him and we should be very welcoming. I am absolutely satisfied that he has joined for genuine reasons, he been appalled by the behaviour of the Prime Minister and the failure of Conservative MPs to get rid of him and I think he just had enough, and he feels that what Labour is saying about equality and real change for constituencies like his align with his own views. I think we should warmly welcome him and hope there are more defections in the weeks ahead.
It is the end of an era for Exeter and for me É: What is the biggest regret of your Parliamentary career? B: I think my biggest regret was not sitting David Miliband down, and speaking to him more sternly about what he needed to do to win the leadership campaign. If David had won the support of four more MPs he would have beaten Ed, and the history of the United Kingdom would’ve been completely different. We wouldn’t have had a Tory Government, there wouldn’t have been a Brexit referendum, and my god wouldn’t we have been in a better place. We wouldn’t have had Jeremy Corbyn, we wouldn’t have had Boris Johnson, and I think that is probably my biggest regret. I worked very closely with David. We were in the same department, I wasn’t part of his inner campaign team but it felt to me they weren’t doing enough in terms of talking to MPs, a real sense of not complacency, but taking too much for granted, and that was such a tragic result in 2010, which set the course of history for the country which has been pretty bloody disastrous hasn’t it? É: Speaking to many people I know, although there are many strong
Image: Wikicommons, Graham Simpson
supporters of Starmer amongst the student body, there is also a general disillusionment amongst young people with the direction of British politics. Do you feel the Labour party has left students behind with its move away from hard left values? B: No I don’t think so, and I don’t think one should pre-judge what might be in our manifesto next time. We definitely needed to move away from the toxic politics of Corbyn and the anti-Jewish racism. His toxic positions on security and defence, the way he responded to the Skripal poisoning was absolutely abhorrent and did us so much damage. Anyone who was has ever been out knocking on doors and has actually done practical politics rather than theoretical student politics will know how toxic Corbyn was and how toxic his brand of politics was, and we saw the result at the 2019 election where we were absolutely hammered, our worst defeat since 1935, and I’m confident that the policy programme Keir will build between now and the next election will be very radical and very progressive. It won’t offer everything that everybody wants but you can’t do that in politics, it’s about priorities. I hope young people will think that it’s all well and good asking for X and asking for Y but is that a winning manifesto? In a Parliamentary democracy you have to persuade a winning collation of voters to vote for you otherwise everything is pointless. There is no point having the most wonderful ideals and desires because if you can’t win bloody elections you’re completely wasting your time! And don’t forget: a Labour Government is always, always better than a Tory Government. Get out, get campaigning, and help get rid of these bastards! É: I think it is time to come to the election-shaped elephant in the room. You recently announced you were planning on stepping aside at the next general election. Was this something you had been planning to do for a while now? I wouldn’t say planning, as in this job I don’t think you can ever plan ahead and you don’t know what the election cycle is going to be. But I’ve never been one of these people who has imagined working till I drop or shuffling around Westminster with a walking frame unlike some of these institutionalised octogenarians. And if I stood again, in theory, I would be pushing 70 at the end of the next Parliament so, al-
though it’s never an ideal time to go, now is probably the right time. With a good solid majority in Exeter and a good solid majority on the council, with the Labour party in good hands under Keir Starmer, it is so much easier for me to step back now that the prospect of a Labour Government is not completely unimaginable which is easier than it would have been if Corbyn was in charge. Of course everything is tinged with sadness. I have felt quite emotional the last 24 hours since it became public. It has made it feel more real, but oh my god have I been overwhelmed with the response. All my office spent the whole of yesterday going through Twitter and being completely submerged by lovebombing which is quite an unusual experience for a politician on social media. It has been really lovely, people have been coming up to me in the street and saying really nice things, so it feels right, and it is the end of era for Exeter and for me.
Get out, get campaigning, and help get rid of these bastards É: What issues do you think your successor should prioritise? And what sort of person would you like to see take the mantle of Labour candidate for Exeter? B: I think that will very much depend on what local Labour party members want, but I think in broad principled terms, you want somebody who is absolutely assiduous about doing their case work. One of the best pieces of advice I was given by Exeter’s only previous Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody who was in the house when I arrived — she was currently representing a different seat — was “Ben my dear, just make sure you do your case work” and that is very good advice because it is very difficult to lose a good reputation but it is very difficult to repair a damaged one. Start off well, do your case work well, represent your constituents well, be visible in the constituency, make yourself accessible. One of the most useful things I’ve done in Exeter is riding my bike around so everyone can see me, stop me and talk to me. This means I can focus on the constituency to start with, without getting carried away with Westminster, ministerial or shadow ministerial office duties. Do that first. I think it needs
someone who is a good people person, who can motivate a team as you can’t do it all on your own. You only succeed on the strength and ability of your team. Physical fitness is a much-underrated virtue in politics, particularly in a constituency as hilly as Exeter. General elections can go on for two months, we’re walking 20 miles a day up and down Exeter’s hills canvassing, and that is physically quite demanding. I often say to people, if you want to exercise and go to bootcamp, just come and help in a general election campaign, you’ll lose a lot of weight and get very fit. I think being a good listener as well. The thing I hope people reflect on is: what do you want in an MP? Yes you want all of those things, but you also want someone who will go up to Parliament, and do your city proud, make good speeches, ask the right questions, hopefully be someone in the next Labour Government if we get one and someone who can deliver in Westminster and Whitehall. That is in a way almost the most important thing because actually, a lot of the constituency stuff, a lot of that should be done by local councillors, so your unique position of power is to deliver for your constituency. I hope that is a thing that Exeter Labour members bear in mind when putting their cross in the box. É: How do you think you will spend your well-earned retirement? As my father used to say, I will devote myself entirely to pleasure. My husband and I bought a small holding on Sicily a few years ago and we’ve got a few olive trees and want to grow a few vegetables. I think for a year after the next election I will do nothing. After that I may put feelers out or maybe I will find I am deliriously happy doing nothing. I want to spend more time with my husband and family and friends because they have been on the back burner for the last 25 years. You don’t live forever. I lost a few friends around my age last year, my sister died two years ago so it’s taking time for myself and my loved ones when I stand down. É: And finally, what is your favourite pub in Exeter? B: Currently it would be between The Fat Pig, The Firehouse, The Prospect and Double Locks depending on the season and the weather. Is that a bit of a cop out? It just depends on the season, the weather and my mood. It depends whether I want cider or beer or food, or all three.
Features
15 FEB 2022| EXEPOSÉ
FEATURES EDITORS:
Joshua Hughes and Steffi Haselden
Trump promises pardon for Capitol rioters Joshua Hughes, Features Editor, reviews Trump’s promise of a presidential pardon to those who stormed the Capitol
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T a recent rally in Conroe, Texas, Donald Trump promised to pardon supporters who attacked the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. He stated, “we will give them [January 6 rioters] pardons
because they are being treated so unfairly”. The words of Trump were described by Richard Nixon’s White House counsel as “the stuff of dictators”. The difference in language between Trump and the Democrat
leadership draws attention to the significant divide which exists over what occurred on January 6. On one side, they are hailed as patriots who stood up to injustice, on the other branded as insurrectionists who threatened the democracy of the United States.
Insurrectionists who threatened the democracy of the United States This rally is the latest in the increasing re-emergence of Trump and the words used suggest that he is seriously considering running in 2024. While that election is over two years away, the attention of all presidential hopefuls will be turning towards the 2022 mid-terms. These elections will be crucial, not only for the final two years of Joe Biden’s term as president, but also for the first two years of the next presidency, whether it be Biden or not. The 2022 mid-terms also present an opportunity for presidential hopefuls to build a more national profile.
Image: Flickr, Shealah Craighead
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, for example, has become a powerful voice in the GOP and he will look to increase his platform during these elections. Trump’s ability to draw strength from rallies and connect with his support base is extremely powerful. Even when Trump had won office in 2016, he continued to hold campaign rallies throughout his presidency. Trump has been described by some as a showman, and the rallies he holds are a testament to that. The support he has from his base highlights why he is happy to suggest that the January 6 rioters should be given pardons. A constant feature of Trump’s presidency was the friction between himself and the Republican Party. While Trump ran as an outsider, this led to significant confrontations between him and the establishment. However, the situation in 2024 could be starkly different with the GOP aiming to appease to the January 6 rioters. In the winter meeting of the Republican National Convention, the two most outspoken voices
against President Trump, Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois were slammed in a resolution. It suggested that they were involved with “persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse”. There is a distinct possibility that by the time of the next election, the Republican Party could be much more so in Trump’s control. Projections for the upcoming midterms predict significant losses for the Democrats and this could leave the GOP in an extremely strong position going into the next election. While the Republican Party continues to support the idea that the January 6 attack on the Capitol was justified, there will soon come a time when the party will face an identity crisis. Whether they side with Trump or attempt to move back towards a more moderate position remains to be seen. Trump is an excellent campaigner, and significant Republican gains in the mid-term will give him a boost that could propel him towards the White House and an unprecedented second term.
Government wastes £9 billion on unsuitable and unused PPE
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Steffi Haselden, Features editor, assesses the Government’s mismanagement of PPE provisions
HE Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) annual accounts report revealed that £12 billion was spent on emergency personal protective equipment (PPE) since March 2020 in order to safeguard NHS and frontline workers. However, of this £12bn, £8.7bn was declared either defective, unsuitable, beyond its use-by date or drastically inflated in price. As such, Johnson’s Government has been criticised for employing a “wasteful’ approach to address the pandemic and explicated a grave area of mismanagement of public funds. This “significant loss of value to the taxpayer” has called into question the efficiency and capabilities — or lack there of — of the Conservative Government to effectively tackle the pressures of the pandemic. The Government’s PPE programme had ordered more than 36.4bn items since March 2020, of which approximately 3.4bn units were found to be in excess stock, equating to a cost of £2.2bn. A further £6.96bn worth
of items are currently not being used by front-line services in favour of alternative supplies. 1.2bn items are deemed to be “not fit for use” despite costing £458 million. Moreover, £670 million worth of PPE is not usable in any healthcare setting at all. This marks another grave failure for Johnson’s Government, in a time where his judgement is already being severely questioned. On top of this, there was a recorded £4.7bn worth of price differentials between what the PPE is worth and how much the DHSC paid for it, causing the Liberal Democrats to claim that Johnson’s Government employed “extreme negligence on an industrial scale” in its use of public funds during the pandemic. Lib Dem chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said these statistics demonstrated how the “Government is burning a hole in the pocket of the taxpayer” through its “wastage” of PPE and its misspending of public money on supplies that either prove inadequate or outdated. This exemplifies “carelessness of the highest magnitude” and
is yet another example of the reigning Government’s “damning failures”. Dr Jenny Vaughan, the Chair of the Doctors Association UK, stringently condemns the management of PPE by the Government. He cites that whilst provisions do need to remain high in tackling an unpredictable and ongoing pandemic, with high priority needing to be placed upon ensuring maximum safety for NHS staff and frontline workers, the Government’s mismanagement of it means that “every pound squandered is a point that can be spent elsewhere in the NHS, where every pound counts”. In response to such critiques, the DHSC have claimed that whilst there is an excess stock of PPE, lots of these supplies can be used for other things in a healthcare setting and in instances where they can’t, they will work to either sell, donate, reuse or recycle them and recover these costs in the process. However, it is hard to see how these costs can be recovered in reality, when these supplies were bought at such inflated prices during the most desperate stages of COVID-19.
Additional to the claims of carelessness and ineffiency, the situation is also considered highly vulnerable to fraud, with the DHSC admiting that they failed to maintain “adequate records” of their spending. Furthermore, the Government set up a “high priority lane” in March 2020 as well as endorsing a loosening of procurement rules. This enbaled contracts to be rewarded without direct competition, causing the opposition to question whether or not
Image: Flickr, Simon Davis/DFID
the current Government can and should be trusted with taxpayer money when they appear to be “totally out of touch”. Despite the Conservatives portraying their image as cautious, accountable spenders, the inefficiencies relating to PPE have brought this into question. The Shadow Chief Secretary Pat McFadden went as far as to say that these wasteful spending levels “destroy any claim the Conservatives have to be careful stewards of public finances”.
15 FEB 2022 | EXEPOSÉ
9 FEATURES
The dangers of conversion therapy Bridie Adams, Editor, reviews the implications of conversion therapy for LGBT+ rights THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO SUICIDE WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING.
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T may seem like society has come along in leaps and bounds regarding acceptance of sexual and gender minorities and the LGBT+ community, but there is, of course, still a long way to go. For example, one investigation showed that LGBT+ individuals who are discriminated against are eight times more likely to have attempted suicide, almost six times more likely to present high levels of depression, more than three times as likely to use drugs that are against the law and three times more likely to be at high risk of sexually transmitted disease. According to a study by M Klawitter, gay and bisexual males also face an 11 per cent wage gap compared to straight males who are similarly qualified. But a further human rights issue that affects LGBT+ people, and one that has been a recent source of media attention, is conversion therapy. Conversion therapy (or reparative therapy, sexual reorientation therapy,
Image: Wikimedia commons, Daniel Tobias
‘gay cure’ therapy or ex-gay therapy) perpetuates outdated views of gender and sexuality, and can be both psychological and physical. Conversion therapy alludes to any manifestation of treatment or psychotherapy which sets its sights on changing an individual’s sexuality and, more generally, repressing their identity and personality. It is based on the notion of a sickness that can be ‘cured’, but medical physicians say the fundamental concept is illogical: identities are not health problems.
It is based on the notion of a sickness that can be cured LGBT+ individuals opt to, or are forced to, experience practices referred to by human rights group OutRight Action International as a “manifestation […] of both societal and internalised homophobia and transphobia.” Conversion therapy has a bleak effect on the lives of LGBT+ individuals, and can lead to low self-confidence, depression and suicidal ideation. A 2018 study found that young LGBT+ people who gave first-hand
accounts of this ‘therapy’ were “more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide,” as conversion therapy is so violent and manipulative.
Conversion therapy is violent and manipulative As well as being recognised as dangerous by all major counselling and psychotherapy bodies, United Nations well-being and human rights experts have repeatedly condemned the pseudoscientific treatments of conversion therapy as “harmful”, as they can involve injections, starvation, abuse and prayer in efforts to change LGBT+ people’s identities. For instance, a man named Chris Butler told BBC North West Tonight how, at the age of 19, he was thrown to the ground, abused and forced to participate in an ‘exorcism’ as part of conversion therapy at a church, after he had come out as gay. Almost 700,000 adults in the US have been given some form of conversion therapy sometime in their lives, with groups such as the Texas Republicans reiterating their support for these homophobic practices.
In the UK, data from the National LGBT Survey indicates that around seven per cent of LGBT+ people have been offered or engaged in conversion practices (five per cent said they had been offered some form of conversion therapy, while two per cent had been through it). Activists are anxious that UK proposals, specifically the Government’s pledge to end conversion therapy as part of its LGBT+ equality plan, do not go far enough, with ambiguity around consent giving rise to the most controversy. Not long ago, France made conversion therapy illegal in a move that has sparked global attention and made headlines internationally. It is a historical event for the LGBT+ community in France, which has frequently been named one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, with Paris as one of the most gay-friendly areas.
Conversion therapy has a bleak effect on the lives of LGBT+ individuals But elsewhere in the world, such progress has not been made. Practi-
Image: wikimedia commons, Benson Kua
tioners across Africa are still commonly offering homophobic conversion therapy, as revealed by a six-month inquiry by openDemocracy. openDemocracy revealed that health centres in countries including Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania - including some paid for by foreign economic assistance - have offered undercover reporters conversion therapy treatments. In some areas of the world, conversion therapy is an issue that isn’t dying off. But hopefully, with the positive influence of countries like France, we will one day see the back of these homophobic and transphobic practices.
Comment
15 FEB 2022| EXEPOSÉ
COMMENT EDITORS:
Kate Hall and Evan Thomas
The future of Stonewall
Aran Grover
U
CL has become the first UK university to formally cut ties with the Stonewall Organisation and will no longer submit to its UK Workplace Equality Index or take part in its Diversity Champions programme. According to Stonewall, these programs allow an organisation to assess their “achievements and progress on LGBT equality” and ensure “workplaces are truly inclusive”. Stonewall provides a standard for inclusion and diversity to which organisations must be held. In doing so, this upholds the basic tenets of the 2010 Equality Act. However, recently Stonewall has been surrounded by criticism with regards to trans rights. In June 2021, The Guardian reported that “a founding member has accused it of taking an ‘extremist stance”’. A report accused it of giving incorrect advice on equality law and a cabinet minister allegedly pushed all Government departments
to withdraw from its Diversity Champions programme. Critics have declared Stonewall’s position on trans rights as too aggressive and seeking to shut down discourse. Nevertheless, the only form of aggression highlighted in the article is the advocation of trans rights itself. Matthew Parris, a Stonewall founder, wrote that “We [Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people] want to feel proud […] Trans people cannot yet feel that: they need a support group. […] Gays (to use the lingo) should not be colonising their issues.” Parris implies that advocation for trans rights would discredit the progress already made for gay rights. He evokes a problematic territorialism over who is allowed under the umbrella of Stonewall, ignoring the fact that trans people were crucial players in the riot from which Stonewall derives its name and remain so in gay communities as a whole — which Parris thinks is “a fiction that can make you grind your teeth”. One must only remember the
names of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera to understand the importance of trans people in this fight. The Stonewall bar was not just a place for gay men or lesbian women, but a home for those with experiences of exclusion and ostracisation from mainstream society. Stonewall’s inclusion of trans issues in 2015 was crucial in demonstrating the solidarity and reflecting the diversity already existent in LGBT+ communities.” It is clear that trans people have an equal stake in the issues of the broader gay community and cannot be kept separate. To suggest Stonewall’s advocation for trans rights is a radical move, especially coming from someone in the LGBT+ community, is needlessly divisive and harmfully exclusive. For a university as big and diverse as UCL, taking a stance in agreement with someone like Matthew Parris demonstrates a blatant disregard for years of hard work, cultural history and, in particular, targets trans people — a group which doesn’t need to
Image: geograph.org.uk N Chadwick
be told what oppression feels like. Moreover, UCL’s actions impact the wider LGBT+ community. While immense progress has been made in the last half-century, a Commons Library report stated that 40 per cent of all LGBT+ people had experienced a negative incident outside of the home in 2020, reaching 54 per cent for trans people. This number has been increasing every year since 2015. England and Wales saw sexual orientation and transgender identity hate crimes increase by 19 per cent and 16 per
cent respectively in the year leading up to March 2020. The problem isn’t going away, it’s getting worse. UCL have removed a proverbial ozone layer for LGBT+ people and the knock-on effects could be dire for Stonewall’s continual work for the community, and LGBT+ relations in the UK as a whole. It’s now down to activists and so-called ‘radicals’ to defend basic rights of equality. Nobody knows where this will lead, but it certainly seems a step in the wrong direction. One can only hope other universities don’t follow suit.
Homophobia in the police: a lasting legacy Cassia Grace Deputy Editor
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LTHOUGH younger generations are comfortable with pointing out the failings of the UK police, with the phrase “all cops are bastards” trending throughout 2021, that view is not shared by most people. According to YouGov, 65 per cent of the British public say that they trust their local police force. The ‘bad apples’ excuse is one perpetuated by the right-leaning media and the Tory party; our glorious leader Boris Johnson himself publicly stated that we should in fact “absolutely trust” the police. But where there are a few bad apples, there is almost always a rotten tree. In the last few years, systemic issues of police brutality have focused largely on race and gender-based violence, but institutional homophobia is equally prevalent and has not received the appropriate level of attention. Let’s discuss two high profile cases. Between 1978-1983, 16 men were murdered in London by Dennis Nilsen. Although the evidence led back to Nilsen early in the investigation, he
was never arrested and as such was able to take the lives of more innocent victims. It has since become clear that a large number of these men were gay and that this played a major role in clouding the judgment of the police. Little concern was shown when their families alerted police and instead the men were portrayed as male prostitutes and drug addicts. Realistically, it is impossible to know whether
them such, drive to find the killer faded. Survivors of Nilsen were either ignored or too scared to come forward for fear of homophobic judgment. One s u c h
Images: : maxpixel: Canon EOS 600d Wikimedia Commons: Benson Kua
Images: maxpixel: Canon EOS 600d Wikimedia Commons: Benson Kua
either of these labels applied to the victims, but as a result of police and the media calling
sur vivor named Douglas Stewart stated that “the police lost all interest” as soon as they realised the encounter was of a homosexual
nature. Now, the fact that most of my knowledge on the subject comes from a big-budget critically acclaimed Netflix documentary on the killer, shows that public awareness of
homophobic attacks and police negligence has become far more prominent. Were these police failings perhaps just a product of the homophobic society of the time? And yet, before Christmas this year, it was revealed that Met failings were a clear factor in the murders of three men by Stephen Port. Ignoring clear bodily signs, as well as testimony of their sound characters from family and friends, the victims’ deaths were labelled as “not suspicious” and the result of drug overdoses. Although Port was arrested for perverting the course of justice, his part in the murders themselves was completely overlooked despite clear and abundant evidence pointing towards him, allowing him to
murder two more men whilst on bail. When you read the accounts from family members, forced to escalate their concern over the failing investigation to local MPs, it is clear that this case is simply history repeating itself. The mother of his first victim deplored their attitude, saying they “just couldn’t be bothered”. The sisters of the final victim even took matters into their own hands, recognising the link between the victims before the police themselves and forcing them to continue their investigation.
Where there are a few bad apples, there is almost always a rotten tree So, is the Met police an institutionally homophobic body? Granted, there is an increasing number of LGBT+ members in the police force and Staffordshire police service may have been highlighted by Stonewall as the most “gay friendly” employer in the UK in 2006. But that all means very little if they can’t keep the 2.5 per cent of the UK population who are LGBT+ safe, often as a result of their own biases and failings. Although there is a gap of over 30 years, worryingly little has changed between those two cases. What is that if not systemic homophobia?
11
15 FEB 2021| EXEPOSÉ
COMMENT
Is Exeter’s financial support worth banking on?
Bridie Adams Editor
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HOOSING whether or not to go to university is a massive decision, and is even more difficult for those living in poverty. At my state school, witnessing close friends and classmates instantly rule university out due to financial worries was run-of-the-mill. However, many universities offer financial support in the form of grants and scholarships, which can help low-income students. Often, the issue seems to be a lack of awareness. Most students know of the existence of financial aid sources, but it seems that many of them aren’t well-versed in what particular help is accessible, or they automatically assume that they are ineligible. But university should be within anyone’s reach, despite their circumstances, and believe it or not, beneath Exeter’s diversity-lacking exterior, there are notable services in situ for students who are disadvantaged.
A low-income, singleparent background has meant that I’ve not been able to rely on any parental support The University of Exeter says: “We are committed to supporting students from all walks of life and building an inclusive learning environment. Our range of financial support includes travel bursaries, tuition fee waivers, help with accommodation, paid internships and more” and, for postgraduate
Image: pixabay
studies, “We offer numerous scholarships to encourage exceptional students to apply for programmes at the University of Exeter. These scholarships tend to be highly competitive and merit-based, […] we recommend investigating options early as deadlines and eligibility vary.” Scholarships are competitive awards based upon academic attainment, whereas bursaries are normally non-competitive, automatic and centred on financial need. Bursaries usually award students financial support based upon their personal circumstances if they come from a low-income family. The Access to Exeter bursary is easy to claim, and helpful for students from disadvantaged circumstances. Two anonymous students described it as “very simple” and “stress-free.” However, Megan Batkin, an MA Conflict, Security and Development student, disapproves of aspects of the bursary: “I was a recipient of Access to Exeter, and was disappointed when I realised there is no equivalent support scheme for Postgraduate students. If you go from Undergrad at Exeter to Postgrad you get £1,000 off your tuition fees as a student. A much more useful scheme would be to give students the £1,000 as a bursary instead, because low-income students need that money now, not a discount. I actually had a bit of a nightmare because the Access to Exeter Bursary fund missed me for some reason, so I emailed, they back-paid me for a year’s worth and then added me onto future payments, but I obviously ended up missing a whole year of payments because I was overlooked.” Despite Megan’s experience, under
standard circumstances, the bursary should be automatically paid directly into your bank account if you are eligible, and there is no need to apply. The University, in cooperation with its alumni group, has also created extra funding for those who run into financial hardship within the current academic term. This support is called the Success for All Fund and is accessible to both undergraduate and postgraduate students at Exeter, irrespective of fee-status. This fund is truly the crown jewel of the University’s financial support provisions due to its generous grants and consideration of individual circumstances, as, like the bursary, its first concern is students who are disadvantaged and lacking family support. However, the means-tested fund is also designed to provide added financial support to students who have experiences of brief, unforeseen financial hardship while at university; this means that you may be eligible even if you do not receive the Access to Exeter bursary. Although the University does expect students to make use of their outstanding savings before making an application, you will be considered for the fund if your permissible spending is greater than your income due to financial problems. The fund works to supply financial support to contribute to specific costs which are not already being met, such as lack of money for rent, IT repairs, one-off costs, specialist equipment, graduation costs, costs for specified student groups (e.g., estranged students, care leavers, carers, displaced students and asylum seekers) and additional financial support.
Coming from a low-income, single-parent background has meant that I have not been able to rely on any parental support and have had extensive financial help from the University in all three years of my degree. The Student Funding Team has been compassionate and considerate of my individual situation, and the support has ensured that my life as an Undergraduate student is comfortable.
I felt embarassed to say I received the maximum student loan, let alone a bursary as well Students from disadvantaged backgrounds need to be made aware of the help that is out there, as it really can mount up and make all the difference. Whether this means it is publicised more broadly and explained with more clarity by the University or spoken about in educational and social settings more often by students and staff, we can all work to raise awareness of the available support. Due to ambiguity surrounding eligibility, as the criteria listed on the University’s website is left somewhat open-ended, Megan says she was put off applying for the Success for All Fund: “I was £2,000 into my overdraft at the beginning of third year. I looked into financial support from the Uni, like a short-term grant or something, but I found the process would’ve been really invasive. I was worried because I’d spent a lot on alcohol and takeaways and streaming subscriptions and stuff.” Megan also noted feeling embarrassed and as though she was always the “poor
friend” in her group. The sense of shame Megan described is one that I have also experienced myself. In my first year flat, which was predominantly privately-educated students from wealthy backgrounds, I felt embarrassed to say I received the maximum student loan, let alone a bursary as well. I grew up experiencing financial instability, poverty and second-hand anxiety about income, which made me extremely private about money. I used to completely freeze when asked how much I got for my student loan, as I knew that I was the least privileged of my friends. But gradually I have learnt that my background is nothing to be ashamed of; instead, I’m proud of how far I have come and grateful for the support I have received along the way, financial, emotional or otherwise. The stigma surrounding university financial support needs to go ― and the only way for this to happen is if we keep the conversation going. It is very unfortunate that so many people from less-advantaged backgrounds are either put off or not able to go to university because of financial barriers. But it’s important that we keep on discussing what must be done to make sure that every person can feel as financially secure as possible whilst studying. If you are struggling with money, no matter your background or set of circumstances, I would strongly suggest looking at https://www. exeter.ac.uk/students/financialhelp/ to gain an understanding about the types of support available in Exeter. The Students’ Guild also has an advice service based at the Forum.
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15 FEB 2021| EXEPOSÉ
COMMENT
The University should actually enforce their maskwearing policy Katie Jones
N
O one really likes wearing a facemask. They can be stuffy, tight around your ears, smudge your makeup, fog up your glasses and give you acne breakouts. But they are also an essential defence against spreading COVID-19. Despite this, Government regulations requiring face-coverings in indoor settings were recently removed and the University seem to have reverted back to just letting the virus spread. Despite this, University policy still remains in place and they strongly encourage staff and students to continue wearing masks oncampus. Regardless, their call is in one ear and out the other for far too many, so what is the point of having the policy in the first place?
advised” to continue wearing masks. The Guild echoed this call in an email to all society committees. This would be brilliant if people were listening.
It is on the University to actually enforce their policy You walk around campus and very few people are wearing masks in study spaces. I get it, they’re uncomfortable, but surely a little discomfort is better than spreading a virus that is causing chronic disease in around ten per cent of those infected. Individuals
up and do their part to encourage mask wearing among their students. This is completely hit-or-miss. Some lecturers are brilliant at reminding students and making their classroom as COVID-19 safe as possible. On the other hand, some are far more laissezfaire
about the whole thing. Unsure what the right thing to do is, they’ll open a window but not mention mask wearing. Or, they’ll wear a face shield themselves and tell the class that wearing one is “up to you”. No lecturer wants to play host to a super-spreader event — partly because they’ll end
up with a n e m p t y classroom the following week — so they need to play ‘bad cop’ and implement the University policy. Of course, there are always exceptions. There may be classes such as drama or sign language where face masks don’t work but shields might, so the University should provide shields to those students. And there will be some subjects where it isn’t possible at all, but these are few and far between. They are also a whole host of legitimate reasons for an individual to not wear a mask — they may have limited mobility which makes taking them on-and-off difficult or they may perhaps be autistic and could experience sensory overload. Finding it a bit uncomfortable however, is not a valid reason. Like a seatbelt, we’d all rather not wear it, but there is a small chance it could save your life or someone else’s. It is time for the University to step up and enforce their mask wearing policy. Alternatively, we can add this to the list of ways the University does not fulfil their accessibility promise to immunocompromised students (see past Exeposé articles on ILP’s, autistic students and lack of disability access for reference). If they’re not going to enforce their policy, why have it at all?
Their call is in one ear and out the other for far too many The Government’s claim is that vaccination is the best protection against serious disease, so masks are no longer necessary. Whilst it is true that, once boosted, vaccination provides the best resistance against serious disease in most people, it is not true that we should now throw our masks away. Unfortunately, vaccination only offers limited protection against catching and passing on the Omicron variant. This means those who cannot get vaccinated and immunosuppressed people rely on mask wearing for protection. Wearing masks helps stop the spread of COVID-19 and thus protects the most clinically vulnerable people. ONS data shows that one in 20 people in England had COVID-19 from 16 to 22 January. And whilst cases are falling nationally, they are rising in Exeter. In Pennsylvania and University MSOA, cases have risen by 108 per cent between 16 and 22 January. Removing masks with such a high proportion of virus around is a move that encourages the virus to spread. This is a debate that was had out right at the beginning of the pandemic and its result, a policy of herd immunity, is a policy to kill off the clinically vulnerable population. The University seems to recognise this. In a Registrar email to all students, we were “strongly
should do more to follow University advice, but it is on the University to actually enforce their policy. But how could they do that? They can’t force people to wear them? To that I say, why not? Obviously, we can’t be physically strapping people down and wrapping fabric around their heads, but why not have members of staff reminding people to put a face mask on and handing them out? It is brilliant that they are available around campus, but who actually takes them? It is much harder to tell a person “no” than simply walk past a box on a tiny table by the door. Lecturers also need to step
Images: Kate Hall
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Satire
NFT: non-fungible teaching
Alexander Prins
A
S part of an ongoing effort to reduce in-person teaching while COVID-19 cases surge on campus, it is understood that the University of Exeter is on the verge of relocating its education resources into the metaverse. First advocated by Professor Simian Banal, founding member of the Bored Academic Yacht Club,
early drafts of proposals include the exchange of student loan payments into the ETH (Ethereum currency) on the promise of long-term economic stability, as the pound continues to fluctuate. The move comes as the University continues in its commitment to divest from its fossil fuel interests and reduce its carbon footprint, by instead supporting cryptocurrencies with the environmental impact of only a medium-sized Latin American country.
University to introduce 69-factor authentication Ana Anajuba Arts + Lit Editor
T
HE University of Exeter has announced plans to introduce a 69-factor authentication process to ensure the safety of students. Instead of addressing the many concerns surrounding COVID-19 and the confusion about exams, the University has decided to increase the security of Outlook email by forcing students to go to great lengths to prove their identity. Reports from an unidentified source inside the Chancellor’s office revealed that the plans are as follows. First, a student must walk up to the Forum and stand in the Pret queue for 45 minutes. Once they reach the front of the queue, they must then leave without buying anything and proceed to roly poly down Cardiac Hill. After that, they need to visit the library at precisely 2:30PM, (also known as rush hour) and find a seat on the ground floor. Following 66 further steps known only to the elites who manage to complete the initial few, students will finally be able to log in to Outlook email and download their seminar worksheets. In response to student outrage the University released the following statement: “As a Russell Group university, it is of the utmost importance to protect the security of our research. “Imagine if someone outside the University managed to access lecture PowerPoints? The threat would be astronomical! You wouldn’t be
complaining about security then.” When Exeposé asked about student complaints regarding the failure of mitigation, our number was blocked. One Law student we managed to corner on their way to the Pret queue as they embarked on the first step of the authentication process said: “It’s bad enough having to get a text message anytime I want to read an email. Now I have to queue up in Pret and not even buy anything! This must be a violation of some law.” With its long track record of listening to the concerns of its students, there is no doubt that the University will make an urgent U-turn and scale back these ludicrous measures.
15 FEB 2022| EXEPOSÉ
SATIRE EDITOR: Cleo Gravett
Students refusing to play ball with faculty “super league” Alexander Prins
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HE January transfer window was slammed shut in dramatic fashion last week, with a series of high-profile moves that are believed to pave the way for the formation of a University of Exeter Super League. The first announcements took students by surprise on the morning of deadline day, as the news was broken by Sky Sport’s transfer savant Fabrizio Romano, who tweeted “Criminology Department on loan to Law School is a done deal, announcement expected tonight pending a medical and period of student feedback. Let’s go! ” While many thought Donny
van de Beek’s long-awaited transfer to Everton would still be the biggest news of the day, this was soon topped as the Department of Economics announced a move to join Biology and Geography at the Geoffrey Pope Training Ground. Whisperings of the University’s ‘2030 Vision’ then sparked rumours of further Saudi involvement, with Eddie Howe linked to another lucrative job in “academic-washing”. The following morning, as a brave new world woke to the dawn of a #FreeDonny, further information was leaked to the media from iExeter, that detailed the merger of key University departments into a three-team “Super League”. The proposals involved the Environment and Sustainability
Faculty (ESFC), Health and Medical Sciences Faculty (HMSFC), and regular relegation battlers: the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty (HASSFC). The news provoked outrage from both students and pundits alike, as Gary Neville told BT Sport: “Honestly, I’m raging with it… the powerbase has to be regulated so that there is a fair deal for students, there is a fair deal for departments at all levels ― that grassroots education is looked after...” The University of Exeter Fraternity of Academics (UEFA) condemned the plans, threatening legal action unless assurances are made against fears of “academic overburdening” and a “congested festive fixture list”.
says the distribution of the Rock is “a way for all students to receive something tangible for their money”. The Rock acts as a Freshers’ photo backdrop, a UCU strike picket line and the perfect table to use for a socially-distanced picnic with coursemates. The slow chipping away will begin in June and will con-
tinue until either no rock remains, or there are no students left to receive their gift — whichever comes first.
Exeter rock giveaway!
Katie Jones
A
MIDST frustration from students at the value for money of their degrees, the University of Exeter has announced that all graduates will receive a small piece of the famed ‘Graduation Rock’ along with their degree certificate. The University Image: William Veerbeek
THIS COULD BE YOURS TODAY!*
*Terms & Conditions apply
AS — Indian, short, cute and sexy.
ED — Blonde second-year at EUSC
Let's just fuck, ya?
that I've always had my eye on. - OH
- Anonymous
OMG this is so embarrassing but I have to do it. A tall blond guy who's usually in Cheesies on a Tuesday and is usually with another tall guy but with black hair — they're always together. His hair is quite floppy and he's usually wearing a quarter-zip fleece or a linen shirt. - Anonymous
CS — My next door neighbour and true love. She means everything to me. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. - Tom Capaldi
Assistant Producer on Nora with the BEST fashion sense — I wanna be your lover.
LC — Blonde baddie, basement floor Library. You take my breath away.
- IG
-T
AJS — Does BSc Economics, 6'2" and dreamy blue eyes, often seen in the Library pretending to do work. - OS
JW — third year History. -T
LIFESTYLE
MUSIC
CATCHING ZZZS JUST GOT BETTER Image: Max Pixel
TECH
ARTS + LIT
STUDY BREAK
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SCREEN
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WHEN INDUSTRY MET CREATIVITY Image: Wikimedia Commons
UNCONVENTIONAL ROMANCES Image: Imdb
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Image: Marco Verch Flickr
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LGBT+ SPOTLIGHT Image: Flickr
A BlIZZARD OF TOXICITY Image: Wikimedia Commons
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STUDY BREAK
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Image: The Blue Diamond Gallery
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LIFESTYLE EDITOR Danni Darrah Zoe Sperry
ARTS + LIT EDITOR Ana Anajuba Ella Minty
MUSIC EDITORS Charlotte Bend Harry Hawkins
SCREEN EDITORS Archie Lockyer Francesca Sylph
TECH EDITORS Bridie Adams Oliver Leader de Saxe
STUDY BREAK Puzzles by Matthew and George
lifestyle Bye for now from Zoe Zoe Sperry, outgoing Lifestyle Editor waves farewell to this chapter of Exeposé
I
RECENTLY made the decision to interrupt my studies for the term to focus on my own health — a decision that was wrought with anxiety. I’ve always placed work and studying first before everything else. I’ve had this skewed perception that my university career must be perfectly linear; get through the three years like everyone else. However, there is no conventional path that must be taken in life. There’s this expectation on students to tread on through university stoical-
ly no matter what happens — but when there’s too much to juggle at once, your own wellbeing must always take priority. Thus I’m stepping back — and this involves an incredibly bittersweet goodbye, despite it being for just a couple of months. While it feels good to take a break from the stress of university work, it also means momentarily leaving the life I’ve built so far — a life that involved the incredible opportunity of being Lifestyle Editor. We all have a story to tell, and helping
to compile the voices of the students of Exeter has made this role so fulfilling. So here I am, with my own voice, not only saying thank you, but to also just briefly share my experience in the hopes that it will resonate with someone. But this certainly is no goodbye — “see you later” is a much more fitting phrase — as university is always there to return to. It can be difficult to detach from society’s constant emphasis on the importance of work and productivity; but these twisted messages come from a toxic ideology that assumes humans are machines
made of steel, when in reality, we’re messy, emotional, and vulnerable beings. Putting a pause on life is a privilege not everyone can afford — but when it is an option, too often it is seen as an investment not worth making. But life moves too quickly, and education can always wait; health and wellbeing cannot. So this is a reminder to anyone who needs it that taking time out to focus on self-healing is not a sign of weakness, failure or laziness — it is a sign of strength and bravery. And sometimes it is the hardest decisions that are the ones most worth making.
The impact of LGBT+ role models Bridie Adams, Editor, discusses the impact of LGBT+ celebrities on the wider society
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OR years, famous people including Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga have expressed powerful messages supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) rights, regardless of their own sexuality — whether it’s supporting gay wedding ceremonies or laws about those who identify as transgender. But this decade has seen more famous people than ever proudly coming out and waving the rainbow flag as members of the LGBT+ community. In a world where LGBT+ people are still at greater
risk for violence and attempted suicide, especially when they lack support, representation is essential. The individuals in the personal lives of young people, like family, close friends and classmates, might not be particularly compassionate or understanding. Increased media attention on the LGBT+ experiences of people in the public eye can help young people, potentially making them feel less isolated and alone. In fact, the Trevor Project’s survey of young people said that the actions of celebs positively influence their feelings on being LGBT+.
Best study places on campus Ana Anajuba, Arts+Lit Editor, reveals the best study spots on campus
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HEN students think of the best study spaces, they usually gravitate to the Forum Library. It is obvious why: located in the heart of campus, with plentiful spaces, easy access to resources and close to multiple cafes, it certainly has its perks. However, it is often crowded and hard to find access to tables during the day without booking beforehand. There are many, many more places spread all throughout campus that have their individual benefits for a long study session. My personal favourite is the Peter Chalk Centre. Located just past the Forum, it has many of the same benefits as the Library or other places in the Forum. It also has a café if you feel hungry or multiple well-stocked vending machines and a microwave. Alternatively, if you are opposed to sitting in the study spaces, you can often find an empty room by looking on the electronic board. Another lovely place is Queens. Also close to the centre of campus, it is livelier than the Library which is beneficial when trying to do group work or meet with people. You can also grab some food from Queens café which has an excellent selection of pastries (though they are
usually gone after the morning). It is great for humanities students who can quickly pop to lectures or seminars before returning to their table. Another great place to go to is the Building One Business School. Located close to Lafrowda, it has a surprising amount of quiet and comfortable study space reminiscent of Devonshire House but without the constant walk throughs and a lot less busy. It also boasts a café which I’ve heard serves great affordable food, although it does close relatively early in the afternoon.
STUDENTS GRAVITATE TO THE FORUM LIBRARY Last but certainly not least is the Old Library. Often forgotten and replaced by the shiny new library, many people are unaware of the study spots it can provide. Usually emptier and quieter due to it distance from the centre of campus, it can be a lot easier to find a table to spend your day working. There are a lot less places due to its smaller size and you might find it a bit inconvenient to go to, but it certainly does have its perks.
Some influential people, from Ricky Martin to tity can be either incompatible or complementary Tessa Thompson and Elliot Page, were years into of each other, depending on the individual, goes to their public lives before they came out — but it show how little sense a lot of society’s binaries acseems that celebrities are coming out at increas- tually make. For some, being both gay and a ChrisImage: mprietou, pixabay ingly young ages, representing the experiences tian works well, whilst others see the two identities of young LGBT+ people on a wide scale. as clashing. In a nutshell, the complexity of Some celebrities are also norreligion and sexual attraction shows malising the feeling of questhat people are complicated tioning or being unsettled and don’t fit into the binaries about where you fit that society insists upon. into the community The effect of celebri— for instance, afties talking about their ter Jojo Siwa came sexuality on such a out on TikTok, she public scale cannot be spoke very openly overemphasised for in a cover story inthose who are strugterview for People gling to feel confident Magazine, stating as their genuine selves. that she’s still working Although people are things out when it comes still discriminated against to what specific LGBT+ laand criticised merely for Image: Manasa Rao, bels to use and identify with. expressing who they are, repThe News Minute More famous people who have come resentation onscreen and on the inout in recent months include Ronen Rubinstein, ternet unquestionably makes an impression, who publicly opened up about his bisexuality in and it has had a prominent effect on society. an interview with Variety, and Erin Kellyman, whose sexuality became widely known after images of her with her partner Jordan O’Coy went viral on Twitter. Alexandra Shipp, best known for X-Men and Love Simon, is a further example of an iconic LGBT+ celebrity who opened up recently, sharing the proFor example, there are now more regular and gress she’s made in embracing her LGBT+ identity recurring LGBT+ characters on television and with her Instagram followers in a vulnerable post. streaming series than ever — so you can idenBut things can be more complex for people who tify with more individuals who are like you purely are also open about their religions. When David by tuning into your beloved shows. But as we Archuleta came out, he wrote: “I think we can do recognize all of these famous people who have better as people of faith and Christians, […] to lis- provided inspiration to the community, let us reten more.” Whilst Archuleta supported the union of member to show empathy to those who don’t faith and queerness, CMT host Cody Alan famously feel that they can come out yet. Let us give left the Mormon Church after coming out, as one them affection and support as they come to of the major barriers to his self-acceptance was terms with their identities, knowing there the mismatch between his Mormon religion and is a caring community to greet them with LGBT+ identity. The fact that faith and sexual iden- open arms and hearts when they are ready.
YOU CAN IDENTIFY WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU
EDITOR: Danni Darrah and Zoe Sperry
exhibit | lifestyle
15 FEB 2022 |
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Catching 'zzzs' just got better Anabel Costa-Ferreira discusses the benefits of drinking caffeine before your 20 minute power nap
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LEEP and caffeine are two things most of us prize as students, and they surprisingly do not have to work against each other. It is universally accepted that coffee can keep you awake and drive up your energy levels, therefore giving you the temporary motivation to watch that lecture you slept through accidentally. In a recent YouGov poll, 13 per cent of adults shared they felt they are living in a constant state of exhaustion, with a further 25 per cent responding that they feel weary most of the time. As students with hectic lives and termly changing schedules, it is not as simple as saying we can sleep in longer or realistic to claim we will be asleep by ten. Now this is where the infamous ‘power nap’ comes in, with a new adjustment. Although a nap cannot promise to fix your sleep schedule, it is able to boost creativity and productivity drastically. In fact, within the work of Brice Faraut (a French neuro-
scientist), he discusses how naps can be both physically and mentally beneficial, as there are many unknown dangers associated with a lack of sleep. Although recommended in his research, there are many caveats to napping. It is stated that the best time duration to nap is within a period of 20 to 30 minutes maximum. Why is this the case you may ask? Scientifically, after 20 minutes our bodies reach
deep slow-wave sleep, making the nap more restorative. Whereas, if we were to sleep for over an hour, we would reach REM (rapid eye movement) sleep that would make us still feel tired upon waking. Similarly, there is scientific reasoning as to why napping should occur within the hours of midday to 4PM, as it is at this time (around seven hours after waking) that there is a drop in levels of chemicals
such as cortisol (which keeps us energised). Despite it going against our general perception of coffee’s purpose, it is suggested that caffeine prior to napping improves the quality of sleep. The time it takes for the coffee to take effect, is spent asleep, and as the caffeine blocks the adenosine (which slows your brain) and sleep rids your adenosine, the coffee can have a bigger impact. Together all these factors culminate in an individual feeling far more rested than taking a regular nap. As a tired student keen to take a break from my reading, I chose my busiest day of the week, a Tuesday for a 3PM doze. As someone who found the idea itself bizarre, trust me when I say I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. Not only did I wake up to my alarm 25 minutes after but didn’t feel tempted to sleep longer. I was able to remain productive afterwards and even had the energy to participate in a two hour workshop. Although you may sometimes run the risk of sleeping longer than your initially scheduled 20 minutes, it is a great way to relax and make you alert for the rest of the day’s tasks.
Image: David Mao, PxHere
Early bird or night owl?
Lifestyle writers debate which time of day and night is best to stay productive
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N early bird. That’s not the reputation usually associated with students, who are renowned for staying out until the early hours of the morning most nights. The result is lie-ins fuelled by last night’s alcohol and the energy burnt by dancing all night. I prefer not going out in the week, the reason being I simply love early mornings and the peacefulness they bring. Most of my housemates prefer later starts to their day, but I revel in the quietness of the house and usually get in about an hour of studying before they wake up.
TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION AND PEACE BEFORE CHAOS BEGINS There is something particularly peaceful about the early
morning; the cliché trope often seen in movies, of a character’s morning routine as they start their day, is a time for quiet reflection and peace before the day’s chaos begins.
ESTABLISHES A WELL-NEEDED ROUTINE Although I find myself more productive in the morning, there is a less idyllic side to waking up early: by 3PM, I start to feel as if my day has dragged on forever, meaning quite often a nap is needed in the late afternoon. I envy my friends who can work late whilst we watch TV in the evenings; by this time, the thought of doing another page of reading is insurmountable. Although there are downsides, it is a great feeling to wake up early; it establishes a much-needed routine that students, often with minimal contact hours, lack. It also has its perks: finding a seat to study on campus is so much easier outside of conventional working hours of the day, and the Pret queue pre 10AM doesn’t take half an hour to grab a coffee. If you can bear the sound of an alarm, I’d recommend it. Ella Minty, Arts+Lit Editor
Image: Flickr, Dana Thomas
I
'VE never been a morning person. I vividly remember dragging my way through the school day, only feeling truly awake and engaged during the last period. During ALevels I was terrible for not showing up to morning lessons, instead doing the work out of the textbook late into the evening. But this is what has always worked best for me. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a really good feeling that comes with being awake early in the morning and bashing out work, but I can never get through those days without a monstrous amount of coffee. I find it’s a lot easier to become distracted in the daytime. My phone is filled with more notifications, there are emails coming through periodically and a trip to get a cup of coffee can easily become a 30 minute catchup with a housemate or familiar face on campus. Morning and daytime studying can often, for me, lead to a false sense of achieve-
ment. I might feel tired at the end of the day, but I've often only achieved half of my list of things to do after all the distractions.
DAYTIME STUDY CAN OFTEN LEAD TO A FALSE SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT There’s something tranquil about working at nighttime; it’s just you and your to-do list with little chance of interruptions. There’s nothing better for essay-writing than being totally alone with your notes to organise ideas. I suppose this same scenario is applicable to early risers when no one else is awake, but there’s always that temptation to check the news or your phone when you wake up, whereas at night you’ve likely had your daily dose of social media and can somewhat happily put it aside for the next day. The house goes quiet, I grab a cup of tea, light a candle, put some classical music on and I’m in the zone. Kate Hall, Comment Editor Image: Wikimedia Commons
arts
+ lit
Best LGBT+ books As we head into LGBT+ history month, Arts + Lit writers talk about their favourite reads Benjamin Alire Sáenz Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World
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HE highly anticipated sequel to Sáenz’s YA novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was published in 2012. Nearly ten years later, young adult books aren’t my usual choice anymore, but when the sequel to a novel that had formerly plucked at my heartstrings was released, I knew I had to read it. The book follows two Mexican-American teenagers, Ari and Dante, as they navigate their relationship and struggle with their identity in late 20th century El Paso. Throughout the novel, they figure out what it means to build a relationship in a largely homophobic setting; to be together, they have to hide. The late 20th century setting, unsettled and fearful in the face of the AIDS epidemic, offers a striking juxtaposition when compared to the largely accepting world of 2022. This book encompassed world issues, like Mexican identity, poverty and issues of the LGBT+ community symbolic of the way Ari, the narrator, grows as a character as he becomes more self-aware of the world he is navigating. A heart-wrenching but hopeful read, this is a must for anyone who has read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the World and loved it. Image: Simon & Schuster Children’s UK
Patricia Highsmith The Price of Salt
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ASED on one of Highman’s own life stories, her book The Price of Salt — which has been adapted by director Todd Haynes and screenwriter Phyllis Nagy into the movie Carol — tells the theatrical, riveting drama of Therese, as she enters into a dangerous relationship with an older woman. Image: Benson Kua on Flikr
Arguably Patricia Highsmith’s Image: Trevor finest, The PriceDobson, of Salt Flickris the story of an aspiring stage set designer pinned down by the daily grind of a department-store day job. She meets an alluring suburban housewife named Carol, who is struggling with a separation from her husband. A foreboding and atmospheric tale about love between female characters, The Price of Salt sensitively paints a picture of a young girl coming to accept her sexual instincts. The Price of Salt has a hopeful ending, especially for a LGBT+ story of its time; Carol decides to part ways with Therese, but in the end, she realizes that she cannot do without her and they find their way back to one another.
Ella Minty, Arts+Lit Editor
Andrew Salkney Escape to an Autumn Pavement
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IVINELY titled and beginning with one of the funniest first paragraphs I’ve ever read, Escape to an Autumn Pavement is a modernist masterpiece exploring race, sexuality and cosmopolitanism from the perspective of the Windrush generation in London. Sadly lesser known than his Caribbean contemporaries Sam Selvon and George Lamming, Salkey’s writing speaks in tongues of scathing wit and social commentary,. It is delivered with a nonchalance that perfectly caricatures the paradoxical, intelligent characters he creates in his fiction. Escape is told first person by Johnnie Sobert, a witty and sardonic young man born and raised in Jamaica who emigrated to London and works in a Soho nightclub. He struggles to pay rent on his Hampstead flat to a beastly, racist landlord whose wife Johnnie has an affair with. Also in his building lives Dick; though never explicitly stated, the constant innuendos, quote: “dick’s on the brain again,” and their frequent meetings in the building’s shared bathroom, it is clear he is Johnnie’s lover. The novel follows Johnnie as he wrestles with his sexuality, his paradoxical life not only being a projection of his innerself, but also of world’s colliding. Published a year before the decriminalisation of sexual activity between males in 1967, it documents an uneasy Johnnie facing a world coming to terms with itself. Image: Peepal Tree Press
Bridie Adams, Editor
Joshua Smith
Decolonising the curriculum
Anabel Costa-Ferreira discusses how the University is widening its curriculum to become less Eurocentric
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CROSS the education system, many may argue that there are problems with both how and what we learn. Every discipline, from STEM to humanities, appears to be tainted by a Eurocentric and whitewashed approach to learning. When we discuss the idea of ‘decolonising’ our curriculums, it essentially aims to create a system in which we are taught about multiple cultures and global approaches, as opposed to the highly Westernized manner we are currently taught in. By allowing space for all cultures and ridding ourselves of that Eurocentric lens, we will in fact be building a more accurate picture of the world around us. Although there is no single solution to this prevalent issue, there are important steps that need to be taken to make a start. In humanities, there are now noticeable differences in the curriculum, as departments have actively been making changes. For those of us who take English, many may have studied Oroonoko, which is a text on
the compulsory ‘Beginnings’ module in the first term of the degree. It is a text that tells the tale of a Black slave who is tricked into a position of slavery and the brutal treatment he, alongside his pregnant wife, suffers. Although it is clearly a difficult and tragic reading, especially its ending, it brings about important conversations about the history of slavery itself. Finding time for these dialogues is incredibly important. Colonial pasts are too often dismissed or rewritten to suit the coloniser. Though the inclusion of this text is a step forward, further texts could be added, such as those that explore Britain’s colonial past. Moving onto another discipline, the History Department have produced a statement, which explains that although they cannot cover the entirety of history, they try to teach topics with sensitivity. More importantly it states that whilst they will continue to engage with certain viewpoints they will do so in “an intellectually honest
way.” This truly emphasizes how we do not necessarily have to change all the content we teach; we are able to make critical judgments and use them to deepen our academic understanding.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SEE AND ENCOURAGE INCLUSION To gauge students’ opinions, an online poll with a series of four questions was taken. This brought to light some interesting takes on the situation. To simply answer yes or no to the question “Do you think the curriculum needs to be decolonised?” 87 per cent of respondents agreed — an overwhelming majority. However, when asked whether they felt that this process was already in action showed more of a divided response, as only 62 percent
agreed the process is in motion. Perhaps what we can take from this differing second response, is that although departments have made some significant changes, this needs to be addressed more vigorously. Those who disagreed may have not yet seen noticeable changes in their degrees, but those who had noted elements detailing how their course is being decolonised. Some examples ranged from promoting discussions about colonies and legacies in history classes to the BA English ‘Approaches to Criticism’ module (which is also taken in the first year). Earlier arguments for the need to decolonise, are also made evident in more scientific degrees such as Geography BSc. To further the process of decolonisation, we need to continue to see and encourage the inclusion of more research and content beyond Europe. By ensuring this, a more worldwide inclusive viewpoint can be integrated into our learning and more importantly our character.
exhibit | arts + lit
EDITORS: Ana Anajuba & Ella Minty
Banned any good books lately?
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Chloe Pumares, Deputy Editor, explores the current push to ban LGBT+ books from schools
T’S 2022 and the time for banning books due to their potential ‘harmful’ influence on children is outdated. Places such as Texas have created a long list of books they would like to see removed from schools, with recognisable authors, such as Margaret Atwood, making the list. Matt Krause, a Texas lawmaker, wrote to schools across the state saying “students, parents and taxpayers” wanted to have certain books removed from school libraries. Those books that are on the list are to be removed as they may “make students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress because of their race or sex.” Or any books which convey that someone is “by virtue of their race or sex, inherently racist, sexist or oppressive.” Yet about 62 per cent cover LGBT+ topics. It’s important to note that all those books
on the proposed list are inclusive, liberal books. Yet, those that tackle more conservative beliefs are not under threat at all. It is worrying that Krause’s list aims to stop young people of the LGBT+ community from seeing themselves represented, and the ability to learn more about their identity.
BOOKS USUALLY REFLECT THE SOCIETY IN WHICH THEY ARE WRITTEN This proposed list of banned books is incredibly dangerous, even more so because it is directed at schools, so stifles the education of children.
15 FEB 2022 | 19
Editors’ Picks
Books are an important source of information, they can help educate children in their own time and at their own pace. Removing this extra option for education reduces children’s opportunity to learn more about the world around them. This forces a more narrow view based purely on what they have been taught at school by a teacher. Books usually reflect the society in which they are written, and LGBT+ topics are incredibly prevalent in today’s world. Not only are these books important for representation, but also for education. Including a transgender character in your novel, or writing a love story about a homosexual couple ensures that young people understand the importance of inclusivity. It also helps cultivate a new generation who are accepting of anyone that they meet. Texas’ list is incredibly outdated and I’m glad to say that many schools have refused to remove those books from their school libraries, because it is “an obvious attack on diversity and an attempt to score political points at the expense of our children’s education.” I am glad there are people who care about an inclusive education, although it’s worrying that people still have to fight for that. Have we learnt nothing? Censoring books does not work, people still read them or learn about the topics written in them. If anything, it would make me want to read a book even more to find out what led to it being banned. It’s 2022 — surely it’s time to stop trying to censor the narratives of LGBT+ people. They exist in real life, and thus they exist in literature. Images left to right: Wikimedia Commons, Flickr
When industry met creativity
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Lucy Aylmer, Deputy Editor, discusses the making and moving of street art
T was recently announced that a Banksy mural which surfaced in Port Talbot in 2018 will be relocated to England. The mural mysteriously appeared on steelworker Ian Lewis’ garage one evening. The piece named Season’s Greetings will be taken to be part of an exhibition 220 miles away in Peterborough. Season’s Greetings is a black and white mural displaying a young boy eating the polluted snowflakes of the steelworks. It has attracted visitors far and wide who are intrigued by the prophetic message of the mural.
IT HAS ATTRACTED VISITORS FAR AND WIDE WHO ARE INTRIGUED BY THE PROPHETIC MESSAGE OF THE MURAL Essex art dealer, John Brandler paid a six-figure sum for the piece which was cut from the wall. However, this relocation has been subject to much conflict. Initially, Mr Brandler intended to establish a permanent art museum in the town to capitalise on the Banksy brand and give back to the community. Yet his aspirations were met with sizeable challenges from Neath Port Talbot Council. The Council was sceptical about keeping the artwork in
the steelwork town given that the mural’s message is explicitly anti-pollution. The town produces around 15 per cent of Wales’ carbon emissions and this can largely be attributed to the steelworks. The mural presents a critique of the polluting industries in the town and serves to undermine the steelworks which are the buttress of their economy. Undoubtedly, Port Talbot has been plagued with misfortune and abandonment over the years and inevitably the Council are keen to protect their fragile economy. Banksy’s mural is a classic conflict of interest. Port Talbot’s steelworks have had a long and complicated history. From Tata Steel’s announcement to sell its British operations and the sudden precarity of thousands of jobs, to the reported £347 million loss of Tata Steel in 2021, Port Talbot has had it rough. The message inscribed by Banksy reinforces Port Talbot’s struggles and is understandably
Image: Wikimedia Commons
a message that the Council wishes to reject. But whilst the Council may wish to relocate Banksy’s artwork it seems that“the people of PortTalbot wanted it.” According to Mr Brandler, the Banksy piece would have created jobs and brought an additional 150,000 people into the town. The Banksy mural had the potential to regenerate the town and diversify the economy away from the precarity of the steelworks.
THE MURAL PRESENTS A CRITIQUE OF THE POLLUTING INDUSTRIES IN THE TOWN According to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, Port Talbot has the third highest unemployment rate and is one of the most deprived towns in Wales. Dereliction, escalating energy costs and international competition from China present major challenges for the town and the steelwork industry. Digressing away from the steelworks should be a priority. An international museum centred around the Banksy mural could have marked this change. By prompting a lucrative gentrification project, the museum might have encouraged greater investment in the area and provided a solution to some of Port Talbot’s troubling statistics.
Here are some of our top Arts + Lit picks on campus and around Exeter.
Bill Douglas Cinema Museum — a hidden gem located on Streatham Campus. The musuem boasts a vast collection “celebrating the long history of moving image”. Many societies run by Exeter students put on performances throughout the year with some shown at Northcott Theatre. Theatre. Keep a keen eye out for the upcoming production of Company by Shotgun Theatre. Similarly the Great Hall on campus offers opportunities to watch and listen to performances by orchestras and sets by world famous comedians. Searching for new books to read? Look no fore-ther. With many independent book stores on Fore Street,, it is virtually guaranteed to find Street any genre of any book and support local small businesses at the same time. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum showcases many interesting artefacts. Currently there is an exhibition entitled In Plain Sight: Transatlantic Slavery and Devon which explores the many links between the transatlantic slave trade, Devon and the museum itself. Exeter Phoenix is a multiarts venue with a wide variety of performances throughout the year including interpretive dance and stand-up shows. Additionally, many arts courses are on offer including sculpting and photography. RAZZ Magazine recently announced the upcoming Discover edition which will feature a wide range of creative fiction and non-fiction pieces from Exeter students. Editions can be found around campus, particularly in Queens Building and the Forum.
Ana Anajuba and Ella Minty, Arts & Lit Editors
Images top to bottom: Flickr, Wikimedia Commons
MUSIC
LGBT+ Spotlight Music writers share their favourite artists for LGBT+ History Month
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King Princess
ING Princess' take on the evergreen breakup advice of “time heals all wounds”, 'Only Time Makes It Human,' is an undeniably catchy dance track with heartbreaking lyrics. It's anxiety and sadness, set to a dance beat and handclaps. Written about their breakup with Amandla Stenberg (actor and activist who you may know as Alana in the Dear Evan Hansen movie, or if we must go there, as Rue from The Hunger Games), 'Only Time Makes It Human was the first solo single King Princess released after their 2019 album Cheap Queen, which was also inspired by the breakup. This is referenced fairly explicitly in the songs lyrics: “All of her love became an album and I’m still the one who’s crying”. While King Princess came onto the music
scene five years ago with '1950', a sensitive electropop ode to queer history and secrecy, 'OTMIH' shows them to be more comfortable in contrarian dance pop, with a track that takes the vulnerability of '1950' and matures it, resulting in the perfect bop to bust a move to while a tear runs down your cheek. In the grander scheme of King Princess' discography, 'OTMIH' acts like a companion piece to 2018’s phenomenal single 'Pussy is God', a love song named after an inside joke between them and Stenberg. The catchy hook “and it sucks that I think about her, ‘cause thinkin’ bout her leaves me lonely” is sad for sure, but the beat refuses to be weighed down by lyrical melancholy. King Princess is known for their confident, outspoken personality, as well as a fair smattering of controversy. They’ve rebuffed the 'queer
pop' genre, and have been explicitly hesitant about being seen/used as any kind of LGBT+ spokesperson, stressing that their songs just happen to be about queer relationships — an approach which often divides LGBT+ audiences. The bridge of 'Only Time Makes It Human' shows off some impressive vocal runs lamenting “Who she was, when she was my girl”, acknowledging the whiplash that comes with knowing and loving someone intimately, then having to make peace with no longer being afforded that same closeness when you break up. Overall, it’s about the monstrous ways in which a breakup can cling to you when you wish it wouldn’t, and how only time (you guessed it) will make it human. Cleo Gravett, Satire Editor
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OR those unfamiliar, Lynks is a gimp-suit-wearing, self-described “masked drag monster." Their sharp wit, punctuated by jittery dance beats and a punk sensibility provides a nuanced sound, and what the NME describe as “avant-garde queercore made club-ready." You be the judge of whatever that means, but Lynks is certainly one to watch. The song ‘Everyone’s Hot (And I’m Not)’, is a hilarious takedown of straight dating and clubbing culture. They said “I wrote it on the bus home after a night out where I got pretty violently rejected by a guy I wrongfully assumed was gay." The polemical is an all too familiar feeling for any gay person, grappling with not only the rejection of a potential partner, but the subsequent ‘othering’ of oneself by said partner. The refrain of 'And I’m Not' is the cru-
Lynks
cial line here —Lynks is ‘othered’ in a world of models and corgis — he is the librarian and the Alsatian. Filled with idiosyncrasies like this, Lynks is able to put a personal touch on a such a familiar issue, obviously in a funny way, but their work is not lacking in depth. Lynks effectively comments on the issues of spaces — the one in which the song takes place is not one meant for LGBT+ people, and they are punished for this. Lynks is able to challenge conventional notions of space whilst in the framework of angry rejection. They are part of the Rising Sun collective in Peckham, South London — a group of young creatives living in an old pub. However ‘fresh meat’ this may sound, they hold gigs, parties, and club nights featuring some of the most up and coming acts in music, proving a growing cultural facet of South London’s
music and arts scene. If you ever get the chance, go and see Lynks live, their shows are a celebration of sexuality and embracement of the weird and wonderful. From the kitschy, expressive dancers with their hands all over Lynks, creating a hilarious ironic tension, to the onthe-spot audience choreography, and guest spots from the likes of Charlie Steen of the band Shame, Lynks is able to craft an immensely fun and light-hearted live show, while in dialogue with a serious subject matter. We need artists like Lynks, to provide us with spaces where we can truly be ourselves. Aran Grover
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HE song 'Eugene' by Arlo Parks is a beautiful expression of a typical queer experience — falling for a close friend, or feeling the boundaries between platonic and romantic love become confused. Parks captures the bewildering experience of first encountering queer feelings in a heteronormative world in 'Eugene', a song about a nameless girl who Parks has been close friends with for a long time. When this girl enters into a straight relationship with the man Eugene, Parks begins to feel jealous and left out, and can't decipher her exact feelings for someone she has been friends since she was thirteen. In the first verse, Parks recounts them
Arlo Parks
sharing the moments that so many teenage girls have — she even sits with her while she cries about her toxic relationship with Eugene. The second verse grows more bitter, as Eugene and her friend's relationship becomes more permanent, and takes time out of Parks' relationship with the girl. We see experiences which seemed sacred to their friendship shared with this outsider, like reading Sylvia Plath. The usually soft spoken Arlo Parks even uses the line 'I hate that son of a bitch' about this man who has 'stolen' her friend. I love this song because it embraces the ambiguity of queer attraction which create so much emotional turmoil for queer people. And rather than
Parks' uncertainty in her attraction being invalidating, I find it empowering. Especially as young people, experiencing a non-heteronormative form of attraction can be terrified. Queer people are often expected to know exactly who they are, and declare it without hesitation. Parks' 'Eugene' embraces this liminal space between attraction and friendship, without forcing such declarations. It's beautiful and tender and a must listen to for anyone struggling to figure out who they are. Megan Ballantyne, News Editor
Image credits: Flickr
EDITORS: Charlotte Bend and Harold Hawkins
exhibit | music
15 FEB 2022 | 21
Young at heart Harry Hawkins, Music Editor, shows the long ranging activism of the folk stalwart
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OR bad or worse, a hell of a lot of column inches have been dribbled about the conflict of interest that is present on Spotify — which is a little strange considering the 100 million dollar signing of comedian/UFC commentator/podcaster Rogan in December 2020. With over 1000 episodes already at his belt at this point (many featuring a variety of guests who have, at best, questionable points of view), any damage that could be done from entertaining every point of view under the sun has already been done. The main man I’m interested in is Neil Young. To unknowing Rogan-ites, Neil Young may come across as a bitter old man looking for an audience boost. But observing the Canadian songwriter’s history reveals a man who has constantly taken up challenges in the name of what is right. Neil’s first big break as a musician came with the trippy '60s folk-rock outfit Buffalo Springfield, whose hit ‘For What It’s Worth’ is a description of the attitudes of protesters in the Sunset Strip, but has been retroactively used as an anti-war anthem. His band Crazy Horse is named after a Lakotan leader who fought to protect native land from white Americans. Building a picture here? Neil has always made sure to use music as a tool to spread messages — whether's it's 'Ohio', a lament at the Kent State shootings of 1970 which was flash-written and sent to radio ahead of time, or his recent 2015 concept
album about agricorp Monsanto, it's clear that he always had an ear to the ground as to what is going wrong in the world. In 'Ohio' particularly, Young has some perceptive words: "Tin soldiers and Nixon’s coming. We’re finally on our own." When it comes to music and the music industry, Neil has again not been any slouch. Whilst he may have some views that some could find curmudgeonly (the amusing image of digital music as being like taking a shower made of tiny cubes comes to mind), Young's stance on Spotify in light of recent events has struck a chord with me. His view that Daniel Ek is in it for "numbers — not art, not creativity" feels very true when considering Spotify's funding of military AI Helsing. The full letter on Neil Young Archives, which targets not only Ek but also clearly takes a stance against climate change and the banks who fund fossil fuel companies, is only one part of the long vein of advocacy Young has taken since co-founding Farm Aid in 1985 with fellow country legend Willie Nelson. Back in 2014, when Neil Young raised support for native American nations preventing Shell's attempt at drilling oilsands, he said, “It confuses me to hear people shouting at us that musicians should just shut up and entertain. Where the hell did that lame-ass idea come from? Music was, is and always will be about social condition and cause and change.” Keep rockin' in the free world, Neil. Image: Flickr, Man Alive!
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Musical elements: 'John L' by Black Midi
George Ward, Online Music Editor takes a in-depth look at the fantastic drumming found in the band's off kilter single
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ONDON experimental rock band Black Midi do not have a shortage of unbelievable drum moments. Drummer Morgan Simpson is the core of the band and his frantic energy and incredible skill carry you through both of their albums.
MORGAN'S DRUMS FEEL LIKE A CONSTANT ACCELERATION But when thinking about how percussion is used in their work, 'John L' was the obvious choice. The track is definitely not an easy listen; with its absurd lyrics, bizarre central riff and Geordie Greep at his
usual strange vocals, the song is relentless. Morgan’s drums in the verses feel like a constant acceleration but it is when the chaos stops for brief moments that is most interesting. Morgan’s drums jab in perfect synchronisation with the guitar and bass, like a burst from a machine gun, each time more dramatic and sinister. It makes each instrument feel like part of the percussion, not just the drums. About halfway through the track, there is a bizarre jazz fusion section where these synchronised jabs go from in time to seemingly out of time and back again. The instruments seem to do their own thing, interspersed with one another. This moment shows what is so special
about Black Midi. Just when you think everything is completely random and disconnected, the band come back together again and we can tell that they have been playing with us: they were never out of time and are still completely in touch with one another.
THEY SEEM TO DO THEIR OWN THING, INTERSPERSED WITH EACH OTHER They come together again as their collective percussion instrument, gradually accelerating their jabs until they reach a
crazy tempo, and the song explodes yet again. With each hit of the drum, guitar and bass, it feels like you are being beaten up by the cult leader that the song is describing. It is both satisfying and quite uncomfortable. The band, led in this song by Morgan, are in complete control of the listener and you can hear how much fun they are having with their experimentations in percussion. See this track live and you’ll see how much of the recording must be done live and how none of their energy and synchronisation is lost when they are out of the studio. They are not an easy band to listen to at first but give them time and you’ll find something to love like the insanely impressive percussion in this track.
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screen
Unconventional romances
Following Valentine’s Day, Screen writers share their favourite offbeat onscreen romances
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A GHOST STORY
ATHER than tackling a relationship head-on, David Lowery’s slow-moving A Ghost Story focuses on the afterlife of what appears, on the face of things, to be a steadily imploding marriage. After he’s struck by a car and killed, Casey Affleck’s C, donning the traditional ghostly garb of a pale white sheet, suddenly finds himself supernaturally tethered to the home he and his wife, M, played by Rooney Mara, once shared. At first, the film is about grief, about the way time seems to stand still after the one you love is ripped from your life, but soon it morphs into something else. M moves out, unknowingly leaving C alone to bear witness to the entire history of what was only ever supposed to be their home together. Faced with the sense of smallness that this unending slideshow of life and death inflicts, resignation would appear the obvious response. But Lowery intimates that there’s something more to the world that we must hold onto, that there is something that can fill the silence — that is, all the love we feel and all the pain its absence brings. It’s all those minute pockets of intimacy we struggle so hard to create that imbue life with vibrancy. A Ghost Story is a challenging watch at times, for both its distinct melancholy and testing slowness, but at the same time, I can’t stress enough just how astonishingly tender it is. Adam Simcox, Online Screen Editor
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THE SOCIAL NETWORK
HILE David Fincher may seemingly belong to the ‘Film Bro’ canon of directors (alongside Tarantino, Nolan, and other insufferable men), I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: David Fincher only makes films for the girls and the gays. Only Fincher could turn a film about Facebook into what is essentially a gay romantic comedy. While it probably wasn’t Fincher or screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s intention to inspire several thousand gay fanfictions (fun fact: BookTok’s beloved Red, White and Royal Blue was allegedly The Social Network fanfiction first), the chemistry between Mark (Jesse Eisenberg) and Eduardo (Andrew Garfield) is undeniable (which probably isn’t helped by Andrew confessing his love for Jesse in pretty much every promotional interview). The queer subtext begins when Eduardo rushes to Mark’s side in the aftermath of a breakup, telling him wide-eyed and earnestly, “I’m here for you” after Mark confesses, “I need you.” Lingering glances and sharing clothes transform into jealousy (of Justin Timberlake’s smooth-talking Sean Parker), standing in the rain and a laptop-smashing breakup after Eduardo’s shares are diluted to 0.03 per cent. When you look at the track titles for the film’s score, it becomes harder and harder to deny the presence of queerness — ‘Penetration’ and ‘A Familiar Taste’ to name a few. While some may see The Social Network as simply a film about Facebook, to many queer people, it is a story about love, loss and betrayal.
Images (L-R): A Ghost Story, A24. The Shape of Water, Fox Searchlight Pictures.
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THE SHAPE OF WATER
HEN asked to think of an unconventional romance, The Shape of Water instantly comes to mind. Not because I would recommend it or because it’s my favourite film, but rather because the implied sex scene between a woman and a fish is so traumatic that it has stuck with me for the past four years. For those who don’t know, The Shape of Water is the critically acclaimed love story between a woman and a half man/half fish. After she helps them escape from a government facility, they live in her bathtub. Granted, in typical fashion for director Guillermo de Toro, it is beautifully filmed, has a glorious score from Alexandre Desplat and Sally Hawkins’ seminal role as the mute Elisa once again cements her as an actress to be reckoned with. The fact that most of the film takes place with very little conversation would in any other context be poetic and telling of the strength of their love; both have been rendered voiceless and alone by the outside world but can find solace in each other. In many ways I get it; the typical man/woman trope has been overused, every scenario played out and more importantly, men suck. But, despite all of that, it is ultimately a film about a woman falling in love with a fish and given the intelligence demonstrated by the Tide-pod eating Americans, I worry that this does not set a realistic standard for love and may in fact endanger our fishy friends, who I’m told are very much against cross-breeding.
Francesca Sylph, Screen Editor
Cassia Grace, Deputy Editor
If you liked Call Me By Your Name... Francesca Sylph, Screen Editor, recommends some underrated queer films to watch this month
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EBRUARY marks LGBT+ History Month in the UK and every year, the same three queer films are recommended: Brokeback Mountain, Blue is the Warmest Colour and, of course, Call Me By Your Name. Don’t get me wrong; as a pretentious film student with a love for Sufjan Stevens and being sad, Call Me By Your Name is right up my street. However, I’m sick of seeing it praised over and over again. Especially in light of disturbing allegations against Armie Hammer (see Vox’s article on ‘The rape allegations against Armie Hammer, explained’) and the controversial age difference between Oliver and Elio, maybe it’s time we start recommending less problematic queer films. Although, I’d take Call Me By Your Name any day over Blue is the Warmest Colour (see Vulture’s article on ‘A Brief History of All the Drama Surrounding Blue Is the Warmest Colour’ if you’re interested in diving into that cesspool). If you’re looking for a queer film to watch this month with a similar atmosphere to Call Me By Your Name, but without the controversy, then look no further: here are my recommendations for underrated queer films with summer romances, stunning soundtracks, romantic bicycle rides and lounging by the pool.
My First Summer is a tender and heartfelt story of first love and coming-of-age. This involves 16-year-old Claudia who has been brought up in complete isolation with only her mother for company in their remote rural home. After her mother’s suicide, Claudia hides from the outside world until Grace magically appears in her garden like a breath of sugary sweet air. During a sun-soaked Australian summer, the two girls offer each other the gentleness and compassion that they so desperately need, trading forehead kisses and candy necklaces. A sweet and sensitive portray-
al of sapphic romance, My First Summer will break your heart and then Sellotape it back together again in only 75 minutes. Another notable film is Princess Cyd, which follows headstrong high school athlete Cyd who, desperate to escape her depressed single father, is sent to Chicago for the summer to live with her estranged novelist aunt Miranda. There, Cyd explores her bisexuality with local barista Katie while building a relationship with her aunt, healing some of the pain left in the wake of her mother’s death. Miranda’s kind-hearted but somewhat repressed nature initially clashes with Cyd’s extroverted energy, making the early interactions awkward, but as the two women take the time to learn from and gently challenge each other, they develop a heartwarming maternal relationship. Water Lilies is an early Céline Sciamma film (even before Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Sciamma was a master of lesbian longing and yearning) which tells the story of three 15-year-old girls whose
paths cross at the local swimming pool during a sultry suburban summer. Water Lilies shares the tenderness of My First Summer while also depicting the confusion and trauma of sexual awakening and unrequited love. Shoutout to the apple scene which walked so that the peach scene in Call Me By Your Name could run. Also, shoutout to synchronised swimming, which I personally believe deserves more representation in cinema. Lastly, Brazilian coming-of-age romance The Way He Looks follows Leonardo, a blind teenager who is trying to find independence against the wishes of his overprotective mother. When curlyhaired new student Gabriel arrives, Leonardo’s life, and his relationship with his best friend Giovanna, is tilted upside-down. The Way He Looks has everything you could possibly want from a queer coming-ofage romance, including a soundtrack by Belle and Sebastian and boyfriends on bikes. “If you stole a kiss, how would you return it?” is maybe the most adorable line I have ever heard. The Way He Looks is one of the rare times in which you will be crying from happiness instead of sadness at a queer film as the credits roll. Image: My First Summer, Noise & Light.
exhibit | screen
15 FEB 2022 | 23
EDITORS: Archie Lockyer and Francesca Sylph
Single cinema Exeposé editors discuss their favourite films to watch if you’re single this February After
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Cassia Grace, Deputy Editor
Archie Lockyer, Screen Editor
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F there is one antidote to the Valentine’s blues, I present to you Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, a riff on the lives of the Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley and Jim Morrison. This Judd Apatow written comedy is bound to leave a smile on your face and surprisingly the music isn’t bad either. John C. Reilly is perhaps one of the best American actors in cinema, with amazing dramatic performances in The Sisters Brothers and We Need To Talk About Kevin. Yet his comedic talents are frankly wasted in films like Adam McKay’s torturous Step-Brothers. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story allows John C. Reilly to really shine in his own right, with Reilly being more than able to accurately parody every major musician in America between the ‘50s and the ‘80s. The beauty of Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story also comes from its absurdity. There’s a scene in which Dewey Cox and his bandmates take LSD with The Beatles (all played with a terrible Liverpudlian accent by Jason Schwartzman, Jack Black, Justin Long and Paul Rudd) as The Beatles slowly
fall into fighting, a sequence in the style of ‘Yellow Submarine’ ensues. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is the perfect way to the spend Valentine’s Day with a send up of the last century’s greatest musicians, all with a bizarre, quick wit from John C. Reilly.
Image: IMDb
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ITH Valentine’s Day right around the corner, certain rom coms always make a reappearance to satisfy the romantic cravings of couples. But for many, Valentine’s Day is not the heartwarming occasion that it is for others; the day may bring up more complicated emotions for those who have lost love or are experiencing loneliness. For those people, sometimes all you need is a movie night with your closest friends where you can all pooh-pooh the idea of love, laugh at romantic films that are awful by nature and reminisce about how much better off you are without ‘that person’ in your life. If you’re in need of movie recommendations for your own ‘galentines’ then I’ve got you covered. My number one choice for any singletons at this time of year is, without a doubt, After. This film is so stunningly awful that it is a must watch for anyone wanting a reminder of why they’re better off single. Not only is the acting irredeemably bad, but the movie also has no real plot because the
script instead reads as an episode of Jeremy Kyle. As with many films, After follows the steamy relationship of a couple, Tessa and Harden. But unlike most films, the romance is so unbelievably toxic that you spend most of the movie with your head in your hands weeping at their lack of self respect or morality. At our last count, my flatmate exclaimed “WTF is this film?” and “This is the weirdest shit I’ve ever seen!” at least 12 times whilst watching it, although that may have been because the film strays constantly between an off key Disney channel movie and a porno. So why is it so perfect for singles? You will laugh. A lot. Not because it’s funny but rather because it is so ridiculous. If you’re going through a heartbreak and need a good dose of ‘men suck,’ then Harden is certainly a pretty good example. We’ve all made mistakes in the name of love, but After will serve to remind you that it could have been a lot worse. So all in all, it’s one hour and 46 minutes of free therapy and even better, they keep making more of them!
Trans film spotlight Exeposé editors discuss films that explore transgender identity
The Matrix
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HERE is a plethora of amazing different films exploring what it means to be trans. The Wachowski Sisters’ The Matrix stands out for both being a seminal piece of blockbuster cinema in the late ‘90s as well as cleverly interweaving Lilly Wachowski’s own “closeted point of view” at the time into the science fiction/kung-fu film that is not often associated with the exploration of gender and sexual identity.
THE ORIGINAL MATRIX IS A FANTASTIC PIECE OF CINEMA, WITH ITS MIXTURE The original Matrix is a fantastic piece of cinema, with its mixture of psychedelic visuals and high octane action, with sensational performance from Laurence Fishburne as the ever-wise Morpheus and Hugo Weaving with the role of Agent Smith, roles that both actors have become synonymous with.
THE CHARACTER OF SWITCH WAS TO BE PLAYED BY BOTH A MAN AND A WOMAN
But looking at The Matrix through the lens of Lilly Wachowski’s own experience in which she states how she believed that “the corporate world was not ready yet transness was in the background of my brain” seems to be a prescient tale on how trans ideas can be instilled in blockbusters despite corporate interference. Initially the character of Switch was to be played by both a man and a woman, with a man being the real Switch whilst his avatar within the Matrix is female. The Matrix was a seemingly perfect way for Lilly Wachowski to explore her own feelings, but the character of Switch was forced to become purely female by Warner Brothers. To compensate, the Wachowskis opted for an androgynous look for the character. The Matrix is obviously not the first film we think of when we hear the term ‘trans cinema’ but I think it proves to be vital to highlight it. It shows that the exploration of trans lives is possible in Hollywood, not just by being relegated to biopic or indie dramas. But with the right creative team and hopefully with greater public awareness, we can see a vision like Lilly Wachowski’s in other projects without it being removed by big studios. ARCHIE LOCKYER, SCREEN EDITOR
The Danish Girl
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HE Danish Girl is based on the life of Lili Elbe, one of the earliest trans women to be given a sex-change operation. Its focal point is the relationship between married artists Einar Wegener and Gerda Gottlieb, and how this progresses as Einar transitions into Lili. Without doubt, my favorite scene in The Danish Girl is when Gerda starts to seduce Einar and discovers that he is wearing one of her slips under his suit, one of the first, subtle yet powerful, indicators of a desire to transition. In spite of the fact that psychologists dismiss Lili’s identity and explain her “malady” as insanity, in the end she receives one of the first surgeries of its kind to reassign her sex, reflecting the true to life tale of Lili Elbe’s transition. At the time, none of this had ever been done before; the idea of accomplishing a transition of this kind through surgery was generally unknown. Despite the fact that the surgery is, theoretically, a moment of success in the film, the last surgery which involves transplanting a womb into Lili’s body with the hope that she could carry children eventually proves lethal in a tragic ending. Even more heartbreakingly, the actual, real-life Lili Elbe had put in writing that she longed to become the biological mother of a baby before she passed away.
Although The Danish Girl provides transgender representation in cinema to a certain extent, it misses a trick in the absence of a trans actress in the cast. Instead, the film stars Eddie Redmayne as Lili. Therefore, the struggle to represent Lili Elbe magnifies weak points of both Redmayne and director Hooper, and also a cisnormative gaze on the trans community. David Ebershoff’s 2001 book which is used as a basis for the film is itself a work of imaginative fiction only roughly inspired by Lili Elbe’s true to life narrative, so a superior source for details is Elbe’s memoir Man into Woman: The First Sex Change. This work is not widely accessible, but doubtlessly comes with a more precise insight into Lili Elbe’s life from her own viewpoint. For instance, one of the crucial elements of Lili Elbe’s accounts is that she was intersex — she relates how medical practitioners found her to have parts of a female reproductive system as well as testes — but the movie doesn’t so much as hint at her intersexuality at any time. Intersex individuals are members of the LGBT+ community that are seldom represented on film, and so it is a pity that The Danish Girl failed to take this chance, as well as lacking a transgender woman for the part of Lili. BRIDIE ADAMS, EDITOR
TECH
A blizzard of toxicity Evan Thomas, Comment Editor, discusses Microsoft’s deal with Activision Blizzard THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO SUICIDE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING.
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T’S not just gamers who’ve been paying attention to Microsoft’s recent intended acquisition of the largest third-party game publisher, Activision Blizzard. If the deal goes through, it will have huge implications on future anti-trust reviews across the corporate world. It will also massively change the landscape of gaming — but it remains to be seen whether that will be positive. Many people naively assume that working in gaming is fun. In reality, the past few years have revealed it to be pretty brutal. It’s rife with crunch, burnout and toxic work culture. The king atop this hill of misery? Activision Blizzard. The scandal-ridden publisher has faced serious allegations, leading to the California government filing a suit concerning the company’s culture. It includes mention of racial and gender-based discrimination, sexual assault and verbal harassment. A particularly horrifying section claimed that a female employee committed suicide during a company trip as a result of a relationship with a superior. Additionally, she’d allegedly endured various incidents of sexual harassment, which included co-workers sharing indecent photos of her at a holiday party. It doesn’t appear that Activision Blizzard CEO, Bobby Kotick, will face consequences for overseeing this abuse. Confidence in him may have been in free-fall for the past year, but Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Gaming, has cushioned his landing to the tune of a
$400 million pay-out. This has saved him from what should be a disgraceful resignation. Commentators have taken wide-ranging views on the acquisition. As usual, it’s best to ignore the bizarre console warriors, children (and some adults) who pledge their undying loyalty to a corporation and their hardware, despite receiving no monetary reward for their service.
IT’S BEST TO IGNORE THE BIZARRE CONSOLE WARRIORS They’re all but guaranteed to support studio acquisitions and exclusivity because “my daddy Phil Spencer is better than yours.” This is all while the PC master race chuckle into their glowing, Dorito-dusted keyboards, unconcerned with the quibbles of mere mortals. More objective commentators have suggested this is likely positive for Activision Blizzard employees. Microsoft, wanting to avoid the PR storm that has plagued the publisher for years, will clean up some of the more headline-generating workplace aspects. Now, while it would be great to address the issues that lead to the above allegations, what has largely been overlooked is the barbarous crunch, which could remain intact. Crunch involves coercing workers to grind ungodly amounts of overtime, as a result of chaotic management, to meet unrealistic release targets. It’s just how things are done. But it has dire consequences, leading to loss of motivation, burnout and vet-
eran developers taking their talents elsewhere. Ultimately, this leaves studios bereft of the original developers who ignited the creative spark, replaced with a revolving door of juniors who simply can’t handle the appalling workplace conditions. We can but hope that some effort will be made beyond a bit of workplace yoga, but as with much of the corporate world, progress is merely an aesthetic. Reports of crunch from Microsoftowned 343 don’t necessarily promise leagues of improvement for Activision Blizzard. Without addressing overwork, it will ensure that their creative talent is not allowed to meet its full potential. The impacts the deal will have on competition have not been particularly well-received either. If Sony is a mammoth, Microsoft is a behemoth. They are valued at $150 billion and over $2.28 trillion respectively. While not a direct response to the acquisition, Sony announced its recent intent to acquire Bungie. This studio, previously owned by Microsoft, was considered essential in cementing Xbox’s place in the console landscape due to their work on the Halo franchise. To add to the incestuous nature of the transaction, it was also partnered with Activision until 2019. Sony has insisted this will be the first of many new acquisitions in an attempt to reassert its perceived dominance. The console war is once again heating up, but the space looks set to contract, not expand. The specs of the current-gen consoles, the Xbox Series X (no, Microsoft still hasn’t figured out logical titling) and the
Playstation 5 are similar, and their prices identical. As innovative as a newcomer is, the barrier to entry is simply too high. With the market consolidated by Sony and Microsoft, they’ll only be able to host games from an increasingly limited pool of third parties and without the funds of tech giants, they’ll be unable to price in any competitive way. Yes, the Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 are a lot more powerful than their predecessors, but what’s to say that trend continues for subsequent consoles? We don’t know what Microsoft’s end goal is, but a likely one seems to be consolidation of the market through acquisitions and undercutting competitors with Xbox’s legitimately excellent value Game Pass. Once Xbox are the only player left though, the incentive for continued substantial improvement is a lot more limited. We could well be looking at a dystopian choice of one console, and the games Microsoft allows you to consume because you’re not going to fork out a grand for a PC. This level of monopolisation could translate into a dip in creativity, and where’s the fun in that?
É If these issues affect you, you can get in touch with: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/speakout/staysafe www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing https://www.exeterguild.org/advice Samaritans Helpline: 116-123
Can tech promote good health? Cassia Grace, Deputy Editor, explores the positive effects of technology
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ECHNOLOGY can pose a danger to our health; blue light from your phone keeps you up at night, your wireless charger emits EMF radiation and social media is without a doubt contributing to mental health problems. Technology has come on rapidly in the past two decades and as such it is understandable that people are suspicious of its risks. But in reality, technology is not all bad; new methods to monitor and promote good health are constantly being developed.
Apple Watches are fantastic for promoting good health, in fact they were originally developed for athletes. Not only do they track your heart rate, count your steps and the number of calories lost during exercise, but it also helps you to look after your mental health.
TECHNOLOGY CAN POSE A DANGER TO OUR HEALTH
Apple Watches have a built-in meditation programme and remind you regularly to stand up and breathe. This is a godsend for people living busy lives who might need that occasional reminder to check in with their physical and mental health. Outside of the devices themselves, apps also offer a wide variety of options to improve your health. Without wanting to get into the debate about the pros and cons of calorie counting, I have found MyFitnessPal to be really beneficial, especially at the start of my fitness journey.
Last Christmas, my Grandpa asked for a pedometer. This year he asked for a heart rate monitor. Ignoring the slightly depressing theme, this led to a long conversation where we tried to convince him that an Apple Watch is the way to go.
BLUE LIGHT FROM YOUR PHONE KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT
It let me keep track of not just the general number of calories I consumed, but it also broke down my food consumption so that I could see the health benefits i.e, the amount of vitamins, salt, sugar and protein. For someone looking to put on weight and who struggles to eat intuitively, MyFitnessPal was the perfect solution. Nike Pro is also great for improving your physical health. It’s great for people who may be a bit more nervous in the gym and need someone to guide their workouts.
IN REALITY, TECHNOLOGY IS NOT ALL BAD The app has a variety of workout options so that you can pick one tailored not just to your strength/endurance level but also to the type of workout you want; you could do a HIIT workout, or you could use it to stretch and do yoga.
The options are endless and such it is perfect for everybody. So, technology can clearly help you with your physical health; no matter what your goals are, there are apps that can be tailored to your needs. But physical health is not the only important thing for your body to keep on ticking as it should; other apps focus on bettering your mental health. Headspace is an app that aims to help you deal with stress and anxiety, helping you to sleep better and focus more. The app gives you helpful tips as well as guided meditations and breathing exercises to make you more mindful and better equip you to deal with life’s hurdles. Whenever I’ve been struggling, I’ve worked to fit Headspace into my daily routine; every evening I would light some candles and take 20 minutes to focus on me. Headspace gives you a way to actively work on your mental health, even though you won’t necessarily notice an immediate change, doing something to improve your situation makes a world of difference. as
exhibit | TECH
15 feb 2022 | 25
EDITORS: Bridie Adams and Oliver Leader de Saxe
Queer representation in tech Oliver Leader de Saxe, Editor, explores why LGBT+ figures in tech are so often ignored
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OR years, the prevailing narrative surrounding Silicon Valley and the world of technology has been one of the most obnoxious, mind-numbing heteronormative bro cultures imaginable. The reasons for this are myriad and complex, but are often rooted in a longstanding system of patriarchal values that has seeped its way into every aspect of digital culture like a malignant virus. It would be fair to say, for example, that a distinct lack of female staff at venture capitalist funds which often provide the leg up for the most explosive tech start-ups unsurprisingly benefits the most archetypally male brogrammers possible. It is also fair to say that many who don’t fit this toxically masculine mould can face a barrage of homophobia and misogyny in online spaces, deterring many from even attempting to break into a radioactively unpleasant environment. One clear example of this is a 2017 TechLeavers study which found that LGTB+ tech employees were more likely to experience bullying than their non-LGBT+ colleagues, with 24 per cent reporting public humiliation in the workplace. The result is that the discourse surrounding technology and game development is often painfully stifling for LGBT+ voices. Whilst hetero icons like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos find themselves atop pinnacles fawned over by droves of impressionable and naïve teenagers, the narrative behind the tech industry becomes more and more revisionist day-by-day. It took over fifty years and the diligent campaigning of countless people to posthumously overturn Alan Turing’s conviction for his sexuality despite his many nota-
ble achievements in the field. If it has taken this long for one of the greatest minds in computer science to receive the recognition he deserved, then try to imagine the sheer scale of the struggle for someone trying to breach Big Tech’s firewall of prejudice. Yet the most glaringly obvious truth is that without LGBT+ pioneers leading the way, our modern tech landscape would be a wasteland. From Apple’s CEO Tim Cook who came out in 2014 to Lynn Conway, who as a transgender woman led the Mead–Conway VLSI chip design revolution despite facing discrimination from previous employers including IBM, it would be impossible to imagine a world without these titanic figures who are often forgotten about or whose sexuality or identity is glossed over. Yet I think it is telling that, for these two examples I have given, both remained so guarded for so long, with both having long and fruitful careers before opening up about their identities. This is not an indictment of either figure on this count; for a long time, I have wrestled with my own sexuality and I know first-hand how hard it can be to be public about something so personal. Rather, what I think it speaks to is a wider culture of dismissal and prejudice behind closed doors that needs to be torn out, and that although we have come so far already, there is plenty more to still do. And whilst lots of these prejudices may be systemic, a good place to start would be recognising both the historical and very current presence LGBT+ figures have had in technology and beyond.
Image: Wikicommons, Photocolour
LGBT+ tech organisations Tech writers share organisations which create opportunities for LGBT+ members
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Lesbians Who Tech & Allies
GBT+ individuals who are involved in STEM and other tech areas face greater obstacles than their cis-het counterparts. Yet in spite of inflated rates of workplace bullying and prejudice, queer tech specialists have established means of support and growth, including the organisation Lesbians Who Tech. Founded in 2012, Lesbians Who Tech was presented with a $165,000 award from the Arrillaga-Andreessen Foundation, which was used for a non-profit coding scholarship fund. The firm is popular in the LGBT+ community, and those who make the most of group membership benefit from getting a head start on networking with other homosexual and bisexual women. The community also encourages its members to acquire a knowledge about matters appertaining to homosexuality, which can have a constructive effect on identity development. Whether you’re female, an ethnic minority or a gay individual in tech, locating a community that will bolster your career can be a welcome source of empowerment. LGBT+-friendly policies or institutions that are open and welcoming to all members of the LGBT+ community, like Lesbians Who Tech, generate a climate that is encouraging of queer people and their relationships, whilst being respectful of all individuals as equals. Bridie Adams, Editor
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TransTech Social
RANSTECH Social Enterprises is a non-profit founded in 2014 by actress and entrepreneur Angelica Ross. They work to foster LGBT+ talent with a focus on the economic empowerment of transgender people. It is free to join and members gain access to mentors, training resources, a co-working space in Miami, and importantly, a supportive community helping young trans people entering the world of tech. A central aim of TransTech is to increase employment opportunities for trans people and reduce discrimination in the workplace. In the UK, 30 per cent of trans people reported experiencing transphobia in the workplace in 2020. Ross believes that there is “strength in numbers” and providing a space for trans people to network and grow will help when it comes to jobs later down the line. When Ross was given the opportunity to transition into tech she realised the opportunity the field provided. “Technology saved my life,” she said to CNET. Ross taught herself many of her tech skills. In setting up TransTech, she wants to widen access to the necessary resources to make it in the industry.
Katie Jones
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Out in Tech
UT in Tech is a non-profit community of LGBT+ tech leaders which currently has over 40,000 members. They aim to help LGBT+ people to get ahead in their careers as well as advocating for how technology can be used to create change. This company started in 2015 as a resume writing workshop, pairing LGBT+ students with mentors to help them perfect their CVs. By 2017 there was a class of 15 hopefuls trying to make their way in the world of tech. Today the mentor programme runs all year. 300 students from across America take part in the programme every year, ranging between 17 and 24 years old. Their mission is to unite the LGBT+ tech community, this is partly achieved through the 100 plus events they host each year. They envision a tech industry where there is “equity and belonging for all underestimated groups” to create “a more just future.” They have four core values; kindness, knowledge, belonging and joy. Gary Goldman, senior programme director for Out in Tech, said that “there is still severe underrepresentation of LGBT+ folks in tech leadership roles, especially queer and trans people of colour.” The company aims to “build the confidence and credentials of queer and trans youth.” Chloe Pumares, Deputy Editor
study break | 15 FEB 2022
exhibit | 26
STUDY BREAK CROSSWORD
Across
SUDOKU
Down 7 9 10 11 12 15 17 18 20 22 24 25
To one side (5) Use (7) Mean (7) Consider (5) Absolute (3-3-3) Snake - scarf (3) Get old(er) (3) Bring back to life (9) Concise - brief (5) Shine faintly (7) Non-professional (7) Free - slack - lax (5)
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 13 14 16 19 20 21 23
Down: 1 Paranoia, 2 Strainer, 3 Come to, 4 Beat, 5 Variable, 6 Neck, 8 Axe, 13 Teetotal, 14 Tortilla, 16 Attorney, 19 Sugary, 20 Seal, 21 Then, 23 Moo. Across: 7 Apart, 9 Operate, 10 Average, 11 Think, 12 Out-andout, 15 Boa, 17 Age, 18 Resurrect, 20 Short, 22 Glimmer, 24 Amateur, 25 Loose. Trivia: 1. Rhubarb 2. Karl Benz 3. Gin 4. Brazil 5. Alexander Fleming 6. De Jager
ANSWERS
Unjustified suspicion of others (8) Sieve (8) Regain consciousness (4,2) Overcome (4) Inconstant - a live bar (anagram) (8) Part of the body (4) Cutting tool - cut (3) Abstaining from alcohol (8) Spanish omelette - Mexi can pancake (8) Lawyer (8) Sweet (6) Aquatic mammal (4) Later (4) Cow's cry (3)
Trivia corner
1. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A FRUIT? RHUBARB, TOMATOES, AVOCADOS 2. WHO INVENTED THE MOTOR CAR? 3. WHAT SPIRIT IS USED IN MAKING A TOM COLLINS? 4. WHICH COUNTRY PRODUCES THE MOST COFFEE IN THE WORLD? 5. WHO DISCOVERED PENICILLIN?
6. WHICH DUTCH MAKEUP ARTIST CAME OUT AS TRANSGENDER IN 2020?
TD — Devastatingly gorgeous brunette.
The Lacrosse girl I disappointed with a poor
Been infatuated with her ever since I saw her.
performance after a Wednesday night.
- MJI
-T
Your hairline's like Pythagoras: a triangle, it makes me amorous. My M, you're a Swedish meatball. For you are loved by me and all. I'd buy you an IKEA. So this Valentine's be right here. With me, your anonymous lover. Please don't choose another. - Henry
Pink curly haired girl I walk past in the mornings.
CB — You're fucking gorgeous.
- AB
- FC
Fit guy in Squash society who walked down Sidwell Street the other day — Tall and very attractive. - GW
This guy in my French class MA — My little blonde bestie. I just want your love... Think I deserve it after all the free Prets I've given you. - DM
JJ Watts in my Economics seminars — You're electric and I Watt you to short my circuit. - RH
— Actually the cutest. - Anonymous
Science
15 FEB 2022 | EXEPOSÉ
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SCIENCE EDITORS:
Ellen Rogers and Nancy Stitt
Scientist spotlight: LGBT+ History Month Bruce Raymond Voeller
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Bridie Adams, Editor, details Voeller’s work in HIV and AIDS research and gay activism
S STEM is an area from which LGBT+ individuals may frequently be excluded or pushed out, representation is crucial. Although STEM can be a daunting place for many, throughout history, trailblazers have acted as brilliant inspirations for LGBT+ people in or interested in science. A crucial LGBT+ figure is Bruce Raymond Voeller (12 May 1934 — 13 February 1994). Voeller was a prominent biologist and LGBT+ rights campaigner. A graduate of Reed College,
Voeller earned his PhD in developmental biology, biochemistry and developmental genetics at New York’s Rockefeller University.
He helped in founding the National Gay Task Force Aged 29, although he was married with three children, Voeller publicly acknowledged that he was gay, having sworn to come out prior to his 30th birthday.
He divorced his wife and became president of the New York Gay Activist Alliance. In 1973, after determining that the Alliance was not wide enough in its coverage, he helped in founding the National Gay Task Force (now known as the National LGBTQ Task Force) — the first gay rights group to meet the President at the White House. Consequently, he became a recurrent witness in Congress on homosexuality and gay rights. In addition to objecting to discrimination against LGBT+ Ameri-
cans throughout the 1970s, Voeller was a pioneer in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and was responsible for coining the term ‘acquired immune deficiency syndrome’ in the early years of the AIDS pandemic. Voeller concentrated on testing spermicides and established the Mariposa Education & Research Foundation to manage research in human sexuality and lessen the danger of AIDS. One of Mariposa’s first projects was to order a sculpture to remember the tenth anniversary of the Stonewall riots — known as a forma-
tive event in bringing about LGBT+ rights. Bruce Voeller passed away at his residence in Topanga in 1994 and, following his demise, has been held up as an icon for his work in homosexual liberation and HIV analysis — and as somebody who publicly defined themselves as gay and proud.
Voeller was a pioneer in the fight against HIV and AIDS
Ben A. Barres
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Ellen Rogers, Science Editor, details Ben A. Barres’ battles against gender discrimination in science
EN A. Barres (1954 — 2017) was a neurobiologist at Stanford University and was the Chair of Neurobiology at Stanford University of Medicine from 2008 until his death. Barres transitioned to male in 1997 and was the first openly transgender scientist to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2013. He faced and fought against sexism within STEM for most of his life. From an early age, Barres excelled in mathematics and science. He received a Bachelor’s in Biology from MIT in 1996, an MD from Dartmouth Medical School in 1979 and
then began a neurobiology residency. Barres left his residency to study the role of glial cells in neurodegeneration at Harvard Medical School.
Barres was the first openly transgender scientist elected to the National Academy of Sciences As a researcher, Barres discovered that developing neurons (nerve cells) signalled to oligodendrocytes (glial cells that produce myelin, which insulates nerve cells) and how this de-
termined whether nerve cells lived or died. He also studied the roles of glial cells in the formation, development and regeneration of neurons — vital for understanding neurodegeneration, where many of these processes are dysregulated or fail. His later work focused on synapse formation and signalling involved in the growth and survival of various nervous cell types. Barres experienced gender discrimination from an early age and was denied admission to maths and science courses whilst presenting as female. Whilst he was consistently the top student in his class at MIT, he struggled to find a willing research
supervisor and was often accused of having a boyfriend complete his work. Whilst presenting as female, he lost out on multiple opportunities — including scholarships and awards — to men, even when he had published more and performed better.
Whilst presenting as female he lost out on multiple opportunities After transitioning in 1997, Barres noted that people who were not aware of his status treated him with more respect than when he
presented as female. Some even believed that Barbara (his birth name) was his sister and would frequently compare Ben to Barbara — with the former always being perceived as ‘better’. Barres continued to publish and discuss gender inequality within STEM for the rest of his life, using his experiences to illustrate the sexism within the scientific community. He sadly died in 2017 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer but will be remembered for his determination to live life on his own terms. Hopefully he will serve as an example for young scientists and the scientific community alike in the future.
Sally Ride
Laura Burns discusses the life and legacy of the first LGBT+ astronaut
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ALLY Ride was a pioneering astronaut and physicist. She joined NASA in 1978, when they first allowed women to apply, and went on to become the first American woman in space in 1983. In life, she was notable for her dedication to science and her ability to inspire young people. She founded and helped run a number of outreach programmes, such as Sally Ride Science, a company which creates science programmes aimed at children in middle school with a focus on young women. It wasn’t until her death in 2012
that her obituary revealed her longterm partner of 27 years to have been Tam O’Shaughnessy, a childhood friend who met Ride when they were both tennis players. Ride was a very private person in life and left it up to O’Shaughnessy as to whether to reveal her sexuality after her death. Since this reveal, Ride remains the first and only acknowledged LGBT+ astronaut. There is still a disproportionately small number of women in scientific fields, and an even smaller number who are openly part of the LGBT+ community. Nevertheless, even after her death,
Ride continues to be a role model to young women who want to pursue science, especially those who are LGBT+, and has paved the way for more diverse representation in science.
Ride remains the only acknowledged LGBT+ astronaut Tam O’Shaughnessy continues Ride’s legacy as executive director of Sally Ride Science and also works as a science educator, having written 13 children’s science books.
Images: Flickr
EXEPOSÉ | 15 FEB 2022
SCIENCE
29
Frog regrows amputated leg after drug treatment Nancy Stitt, Science Editor, discusses the exciting study that enabled frogs to regrow their amputated legs
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AVE you ever wondered if humans will ever be able to regrow their arms or legs if they are removed? This technology may not be as far off as you might think. Scientists at Tufts University in Massachusetts have recently published their study in the Journal Science Advances where they treated African Clawed frogs with a combination of drugs, resulting in the regrowth of their amputated leg. Many animals are naturally able to fully regenerate some of their body parts, including the axolotl which, according to Harvard University, can fully regrow their spinal cord and heart, and deer, which are able to regrow their antlers. Even humans can regrow their livers to full size after them being halved, and children can regrow the tips of their fingers. However, humans still have extremely limited regenerative capabilities, and this is a very pressing issue in current medicine. According to
an article in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in the USA, human limb loss is expected to affect 3.6 million people per year by 2050. This limb loss has many causes, including military combat, diabetes, trauma and peripheral artery disease.
In the USA, limb loss is expected to affect 3.6 million people per year by 2050 For the study, the model organism of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, was chosen. This species can fully regrow their limbs in early tadpole stages, but after maturating into adults have very limited regenerative abilities. This significant change after maturation allows scientists to determine the characteristics that allow or inhibit this regeneration. Five drugs were combined
in this treatment to promote limb regrowth, each having a different role: including reducing inflammation, stopping the production of collagen and encouraging the growth of nerves, blood vessels and muscle. To deliver the drugs, a device called a BioDome was used. This device was made up of a silicone outer shell containing silk hydrogels (made from the silk of silkworms).
Frogs wearing the BioDome containing drugs regrew their amputated leg The experimental procedure involved amputating the right hindlegs of 115 African clawed frogs and then placing them into three groups: the first group wore the BioDome containing the mixture of drugs on this wound site, the second group wore a
BioDome that didn’t contain any of the drugs, and the third group did not receive any treatment. The BioDome was worn by the first group for 24 hours before being removed. The regrowth of this leg was then monitored by the scientists for 18 months. The results found were very promising. Frogs wearing the Biodome containing drugs regrew their amputated leg, and were able to stand, swim and push off with this leg. These new legs contained nerves, bone and blood vessels that were very similar to the original legs, with the nerves being found to be functioning normally and the legs exhibiting sensitivity. The other two groups of frogs grew a thin flap of tissue at the site of the leg amputation, known as a ‘spike’. The frogs that wore the BioDome that contained no drugs showed significant sensitivity in their ‘spikes’, whereas the frogs that received no treatment had a complete lack of sensitivity. This is because, according to Nirosha
Murugan, one of the lead scientists in this experiment, the BioDome itself was able to promote regeneration by creating ‘stiffness and pressure’ that lead to conditions that ‘spur growth’. This research has very exciting future applications in human medicine. Murugan discussed the potential of this research, stating that “The fact that it required only a brief exposure to the drugs to set in motion a months-long regeneration process suggests that frogs and perhaps other animals may have dormant regenerative capabilities that can be triggered into action.”
Image: Wikimedia Commons
SpaceX rocket on course to crash into the Moon
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Nancy Stitt, Science Editor, discusses how a Falcon 9 rocket is on course to collide with the Moon
ROCKET launched by SpaceX, an aerospace company founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, has been identified by scientists to be on course to crash into the moon. It is said to be the first unintentional case of a piece of ‘space junk’ colliding with the moon. This ‘Falcon 9’ rocket is described on the SpaceX website as “a reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured…. for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond.” It was launched in February 2015 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, and was carrying the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR)
satellite: a collaboration of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA.
The Falcon 9 rocket will hit the far side of the moon on the 4 March 2022 After completing its mission, the empty upper part of the rocket, weighing four tonnes, did not have enough fuel to return to Earth and has been orbiting uncontrollably for the past seven years. Its movement is mainly affected by the com-
peting gravitational forces coming from the Earth, Moon and Sun. On the 5 January 2022, it was found that the rocket was less than 6000 miles from the moon. Bill Gray, founder of Project Pluto: a software used by astronomers to track near-Earth objects, including asteroids, minor planets and comets, states that the Falcon 9 rocket will hit the far side of the moon, near the equator, on the 4 March 2022. However, it is unlikely we will be able to view this from Earth as, according to Gray, “The bulk of the moon is in the way.” Mark Robinson, Professor of Earth and Space exploration at Arizona State University, estimated
that a rocket of this size hitting the moon at around 5700 miles per hour, would form a crater on the moon’s surface between 10-20 meters wide.
The collision will form a crater on the moon’s surface that is 10-20 metres wide This collision has been described by many scientists, including Bill Gray, as being of great “scientific interest”, mainly because the formation of this crater will reveal more information about the geol-
Image: : Unsplash
ogy of that area of the moon and what lies below the moon’s surface. It is especially valuable because, unlike with meteor collisions, with the rocket we will know its exact size, as well as exactly what time this collision will occur. Excitingly, India’s Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, which is currently in orbit around the moon aiming to demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the lunar surface, may be able to photograph the site of this collision. While this may sound potentially dangerous, Harvard University Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell reassures us, describing the collision as “interesting, but not a big deal.”
‘Doomsday glacier’ may trigger dramatic sea level rise
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Daisy Scott, Online Science Editor, discusses the catastophic melting of one of the biggest glaciers in Antarctica CE acts as a protective cover over the Earth and our oceans. Globally, there are 198,000 gla-
Image: Wikimedia Commons
ciers ranging from several hundred to several thousands of years old and they can be used to indicate how the climate has changed over time. Since the 1990’s, many glaciers around the world have been melting and human activities are the root cause of this. Scientists have said “even if we significantly curb emissions in the coming decades, more than a third of the worlds remaining glaciers will melt before the year 2100.” The Thwaites Glacier, nicknamed the ‘Doomsday Glacier’, is the size of Florida and is located along the coast of West Antarctica and is one of
the biggest glaciers in Antarctica. It is nicknamed the ‘Doomsday Glacier’ because if it were to melt completely, it would spell disaster for many coastal areas as this one glacier would cause global sea levels to rise by up to 68 centimeters.
The Thwaites Glacier, nicknamed the ‘Doomsday Glacier’ is the size of Florida Recently, a large iceberg and sea ice has broken off the melting Thwaites glacier. Usually, it takes
decades or centuries for the entire glacier but there is so much uncertainty as to how fast this collapse could happen and fragments are already rapidly falling off the front. This is partly because the area of Antarctica where the Thwaites glacier is located is so inaccessible. Several scientists around the globe are part of a $50 million international effort to study the glacier from land, sea and underneath for the brief time the glacier is accessible. The melting of glaciers and raising sea levels have a wide array of effects, in urban settings along coastlines, rising sea levels threaten infrastructure necessary for local
jobs and regional industries. Roads, bridges, water supplies and power plants are all at risk. Also, there will be more frequent high-tide flooding which will reach further inland.
If this glacier were to melt completely it would cause global sea levels to rise by up to 68cm We need to reduce the level of human emissions to slow down the rate of glacier melt (especially Thwaites) before sea levels rise even further.
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15 FEB 2022 | EXEPOSÉ
SPORT
NFL calendar reaches its conclusion Oscar Young, Sport Editor, reflects on an eventful period in American football
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Super Bowl predictions
Y the time this edition has been printed, Super Bowl 56 will have been played already and the newest kings of the NFL will be crowned. Since I’m writing this a few days before the game has taken place, I believe the best way to preview the Super Bowl is to give my predictions for the game and see how accurate they are. Inevitably, anyone reading this is going to see just how wrong I am. First, we’ll look at the Los Angeles Rams, representing the NFC. The Rams came in as the favourite, led by stalwart quarterback Matthew Stafford. They boast a stacked lineup on both sides of the ball, with their offense highlighted by Odell Beckham Jr. and Cooper Kupp. Kupp is coming off one of the greatest seasons ever by a wide receiver, with 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, not to mention his game saving catch to eliminate Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. They are anchored defensively by threetime defensive player of the year Aaron Donald and former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller. If the Rams win this game, don’t be surprised to see either of these two winning MVP honours. Stafford, however, is the heart of the team. He was a Detroit Lion for his whole career until this year, consistently let down by a poor supporting cast. This year has seen him take his opportunity, leading the Rams to their second Super Bowl appearance in three years. However, Stafford is 34 now, and the Rams seem to have mortgaged their future to go all in on winning a title in the next few years. Therefore, the pressure is on. Their opposition is the Cincinnati Bengals, representing the AFC. The Bengals are in the opposite position to the Rams, with their window of title contention seemingly just opening. They are a younger group, with their core secured for Image: Your Golf Travel
Brady retires
many years into the future. There are not quite as many big-name Bengals as there are Rams, but look no further than quarterback Joe Burrow to see who can make the biggest impact. Since winning a college football National Championship at LSU, Burrow has come into the NFL and made an instant impact. He has taken a Bengals team that was the laughing-stock of the league for a few years and transformed them into a contender almost instantly. He is helped on offense by former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase, who has broken several rookie receiving records.
Image: Jeffrey Beall
I can't help but feel that Joe Burrow is made for big game pressure Now to my predictions. I am a huge Joe Burrow fan, seemingly along with the rest of the world, and I can’t help but feel that he is made for big game pressure. He will live up to expectations, passing for at least three touchdowns, with Chase catching two. However, the Rams offense and Stafford will also come out swinging and turn it into a shootout. I’m going to predict that each team will score more than 30 points — a bold prediction that is made even more bold when remembering the Rams dismal three point showing in the Super Bowl in 2019. The realist in me says that the Rams will win, but something tells me that Burrow will have the last laugh. I predict that the Bengals will take the victory on a game winning field goal by Evan McPherson as time expires — after some heroics by Burrow, of course. Final score: Bengals 34-31 Rams.
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ELL, it’s now official. After a brief period of uncertainty, Tom Brady has called it quits and wrapped up the greatest NFL career the game has ever seen. Possibly one of the greatest sporting careers ever too. Over 22 years of continuous success, Brady has persistently reminded viewers every Sunday what it means to be great — to the joy of Patriots and Buccaneers fans, and the annoyance of pretty much everyone else. Love him or hate him, though, you have to respect what he’s done. This is now the third article I’ve written for Exeposé about Tom Brady, yet somehow each time I sit down to write, his career never fails to amaze me. We all know Brady to be the greatest NFL player of all time, winner of seven Super Bowls, holding virtually every career record one can get at the quarterback position. However, here are some stats you might not have known that show just how absurd Brady’s success has been in American football. He was drafted out of college in 2000, taken as an afterthought in the sixth round at pick number 199. That year, there were six other quarterbacks taken ahead of him. You heard me right, Brady was passed on in favour of six other players, who were all out of the league over a decade ago. Even more astounding, is that Brady has almost three times as many career NFL wins as these six. Combined. They have since become known collectively as ‘The Brady Six.’ Another one for you — Ja’Marr Chase, the favourite (at the time of writing) to win offensive Rookie of the Year after an outstanding first season, was just one month old when Brady was drafted. Crazy. He has been the absolute model of great-
ness. The seven championships were not just packed into one period of dominance, he won three in his first five years in the league, at that point already going down as one of the greats. There was then a gap of ten years, where he still dominated the league, but came up short multiple times against the Giants in the big game. He then won another three in five years after 2015, cementing the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick Patriots dynasty as the greatest ever. At this point, the only thing that people could hold against him was he had never won without Belichick, his only ever coach. After that, the story pretty much writes itself. He leaves New England, goes South to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and wins the Super Bowl with a historically bad franchise in his first year. I’ll repeat — greatness.
He was drafted out of college in 2000... That year there were six other quarterbacks taken ahead of him The only question left is where Brady stacks up against others in the endless debate over the greatest sportsperson of all time. The likes of Bolt, Ali, Williams and Jordan come to mind. However, it seemed as if ‘father-time’ never caught up to Brady in the same way it has done to even some of these legends. It’s a difficult one, but there’s no doubt he’s in the conversation. In fact, some still believe he might not even be done quite yet…
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15 FEB 2022 | EXEPOSÉ
LGBT+ representation in sport
Henry Hood, Online Sports Editor, assesses LGBT+ progress in the sporting world
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T the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, there were 186 athletes who had publicly come out as LGBT+. This is more than triple the number of publicly open LGBT+ athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympics (56), and almost ten times the number at the London 2012 Olympics (23). The rise in open discussions on LGBT+ has normalised what was once a taboo subject for many, and more and more athletes are feeling comfortable in their sexuality, gender and identity. Today, there is an active athlete in most mainstream sports who is publicly LGBT+. Many athletes use social media to ‘come out’ to fans and the wider sporting world. In 2021, A-League footballer Josh Cavallo and NFL American footballer Carl Nassib both used their social media platforms to publicly ‘come out’, and both were met with widespread support. Nassib mentioned in his post that he hoped his decision would help younger athletes ‘come to terms’ with their own sexuality. The widespread support Nassib received online
is a stark difference to the reaction exNFL player Michael Sam received back in 2014 for a similar announcement, when a fellow NFL player commented “horrible” under his post announcing he was gay. The comment resulted in the player being suspended and penalised, but has arguably reinforced stigmas about ‘coming out’ publicly. While more professional athletes are beginning to publicly express that they are LGBT+, it is still slow progress. Only twenty years ago, Britain’s first ever gay footballer Justin Fashanu tragically committed suicide after his career spiralled downhill. Fashanu had given an exclusive interview with The Sun in 1990 where he announced he was gay. The publication subsequently ran the headline “£1m Football Star: I AM GAY”, and the article focused more on the ‘scandalous’ affairs Fashanu had with male Conservative MPs. Even 40 years after Fashanu’s interview, Nassib and Cavallo both expressed their concerns about the ‘media frenzy’ their announcements would attract.
So, why is the LGBT+ underrepresented in the sporting world? As Fashanu’s tragic story suggests, media coverage is a pressing issue and public announcements can place an unwanted spotlight above them. It can also place an unwanted target on them for the bigoted minority of the sporting world, as is sadly the case with Josh Cavallo, who reported earlier this year that he still suffers homophobic abuse from the crowd during games. Notably, it is different in the women’s professional sphere where many more athletes have come out as LGBT+. Purdue University professor, Cathy Cooky, takes an interesting stance on this, claiming female athletes ‘challenge’ gendered expectations, whereas male athletes "reinforce the roles we expect of them". Stigma and societal expectations remain a hindering aspect for many. In 2021, a French marketing research firm named Ipsos carried out a report on sexual orientation and gender identity in 27 countries spanning all continents, and found that
eight per cent of interviewees identified as LGBT+. Looking back at Tokyo 2021, out of the 11,476 athletes that participated, only 1.6 per cent of athletes identified as LGBT+. Ipsos did also find that Generation Z interviewees were far more likely to identify as LGBT+ than older generations and the rise in LGBT+ Olympi-
Photo: Benson Kua, Wikimedia Commons
January transfer window round-up
Archie Rucker takes a look at the transfer window from a Premier League perspective
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HE transfer window has now slammed shut after what was a very productive month for the Premier League clubs in which they collectively spent a total of £295 million. Much has been said of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted financial power in football, but this January transfer window’s spending has quadrupled that of last year’s. So, which clubs fared best in the market? And who struggled? Firstly, the Big Six — underwhelming. A poignant word to sum up the expenditure and excitement of the Big Six. In fact, the biggest transfer news surrounding any one of those clubs is in fact a departure of a player as opposed to a new arrival. Although Tottenham have always been the brunt of many football fan’s jokes, Arsenal deserve every bit of stick they will receive for the embarrassment surrounding their club captain, PierreEmerick Aubameyang. Remarkably it has appeared that Arsenal paid their former star striker £7 million to move to Barcelona. Many have rightfully questioned how that is remotely possible. However, the Arsenal board are putting their faith in Mikel Arteta, and it was his falling out with Aubameyang that caused this move. With the regards to the rest of the Big Six, Tottenham signed Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur to strengthen their squad, but many Tottenham fans will be frustrated with the departure of Dele Alli who was once so highly rated. Manchester United too have seemingly wasted a promising young talent in Donny Van de Beek as he has
completed his loan move to Everton. Otherwise, United’s bland 1-1 draw at Burnley will once again highlight their need for a centre-back with more speed than Harry Maguire. The only notable transfer into the Big Six has been Luis Diaz to Liverpool for £37.5 million. A fast and hardworking winger who has been on Liverpool’s radar for a while and although Jarrod Bowen would have been at the top of their list, Diaz will make for a worthy back-up behind Mane and Salah. Now it’s time to talk about Newcastle. Since the takeover of Newcastle Football Club in October, the January transfer window has been on the breath of every commentator and pundit as Newcastle has slid into the relegation spots. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they spent more than all the Big Six clubs combined in January. In summary, while they have brought in five new players, there will be a twinge of disappointment within the Newcastle faithful. It is hard for St. James’ Park to really rally behind a striker of the quality of Chris Wood who only has three league goals to his name. Having said that, Newcastle’s 3-1 defeat of Everton last week was a hugely impressive performance driven by the existing quality of Allan Saint-Maximin. Even without the recent result, I personally believe that Newcastle has enough quality to stay up this season. Additionally, the 12th man factor cannot be ignored at St. James’ Park. In a recent interview Watford goalkeeper, Ben Foster, stated the best stadium in the Premier
League is in fact Newcastle’s home due to the passionate support from their fans. Away from Newcastle and the Big Six, as a West Ham supporter myself, I am incredibly annoyed that we have not managed to sign a single player over the whole window. As we continue to push for a top four spot, it appears naïve to head into this period with one recognised striker. Everton were relatively busy and will be delighted with the signings of Dele Alli and Donny Van de Beek but now Lampard’s problem is how to fit them both in the same team. Aston Villa did much of their business earlier on in the window and it must be said that many clubs will be jealous of their acquisition of former Liverpool star, Philippe Coutinho, from Barcelona. There clearly is such a thing as the ‘Gerrard pull’ as he also managed to convince Lucas Digne to
ans in recent years, along with the slow trickle of other LGBT+ professional athletes is suggesting an improvement. Work is being done to make LGBT+ voices heard more and more, and this work must continue so ‘coming out’ can stop being a taboo not only in the sporting world, but for everyone.
leave Merseyside for Birmingham. Despite this article mainly focusing on the Premier League, it must be noted what a coup it is for Rangers to have signed someone with the class of Aaron Ramsey. Back to the Premier League, Wolves have been exceptionally busy this transfer window with a gulf of players both leaving and arriving at the club. Adama Traore’s departure has been a big talking point but considering his lack of end product and Wolves’ depth in attacking areas, he might not be missed too much. The activity of Newcastle’s fellow relegation candidates, Norwich, and Burnley has been contrastingly quiet. Aside from the excellent signing of Wout Weghorst, Burnley failed to strengthen a very weak squad, whereas Norwich’s failure to sign anybody at all but confirms their relegation status.
Photo: Sky Sports
The dark side of football Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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UST as Garth Crooks has his own separate opinion piece on BBC Sport, here's mine. I believe it would be inappropriate to conclude without mentioning the continuing debacle of the surrounding allegations of Mason Greenwood. Without a shadow of doubt, Manchester United were right to suspend the player immediately and it has been obvious that his teammates have completely distanced themselves from him. Without going into detail, the fresh allegations of Man City players appearing drunk in public and disturbing footage of Kurt Zouma physically harming his cats portrays a major issue in football. The recent behaviour has simply not been good enough and is tarnishing this great sport. While many will rightfully point out that these players are paid too much and are therefore spoilt by nature, this will not solve the issue. Instead, I would like to see all football clubs installing an educational programme where players are taught methodically. This would entail what it means to be a role model for so many children as well as general standards of behaviour that are to be maintained. It is not that no players are setting these standards, Marcus Rashford, for example, is a credit to the sport, but rather too many football headlines are being dominated by bad behaviour at the moment. By Archie Rucker
15 FEB 2022| EXEPOSÉ
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Sport
SPORT EDITORS:
Oscar Young Rob Worthington
Exeter Chiefs finally rebrand
Photo: Exeter Chiefs
Siobhan Bahl
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XETER Chiefs recently announced that the club will be changing its logo, which as it stands depicts a Native-American Chief. From July the club will be altering its branding in response to the repeated condemnation of cultural appropriation.
Chiefs recently announced that the club will be changing its logo The club’s “visual identity” will now be modelled off a local Celtic chief, inspired by the Dumnonii tribe. The word Exeter and Chief are both integral to the club’s iden-
tity, and the new logo will represent both these aspects, showcasing a tribe who were based in Devon and Cornwall during the Iron Age. According to the club, the rebrand reflects the historical and cultural fabric of the region, remarking on how Exeter was once called ‘Watertown of the Dumnonii’. It only takes a quick Google search to find numerous petitions that call the club to “drop its harmful use of Indigenous Peoples’ imagery & branding.” Frankly, it is no wonder. The rugby team is iconographic of the region, one of the key images that encapsulates Exeter and its successes. It is highly problematic that such a renowned club has for too long utilised the images of tomahawks, Native American headdresses and named their on-site bar ‘Wigwam.’ Over the past year, the club has come under increasing pressure to make active and responsible change,
to use its position of power to denounce a branding decision born out of racialised thinking, that supports the use and abuse of Native American culture bound into a history of white settler colonialism. These calls have come from within the UK and abroad; in October Wasps asked Premiership Rugby and Rugby Football Union to impose a nationwide ban on Exeter Chiefs fans wearing Native American headdresses. As Wasps commented, “Just because something isn’t offensive to you, doesn’t mean it isn’t offensive […] times and opinions change.” Additionally, Glasgow Warriors asked fans to refrain from wearing headdresses and chanting the ‘Tomahawk Chop’ ahead of the December 2021 Champions Cup game. This was followed by an open letter, written by America’s largest Native group in November, asserting that the “dehumanising monikers, symbols,
imagery, and fan behaviours associated with Native ‘themed’ mascot branding cause Native people, particularly Native youth” deep pain and harm. One may question the motives for Exeter Chiefs’ change of attitude. It was only in October 2021 that Rob Baxter, the director of rugby dismissed the statement released by the Wasps as a ‘non-story’. And in the previous year the club’s internal investigations concluded that “the Chiefs logo was in fact highly respectful.” Is the new logo an act of appeasement to mounting pressure? I would be more inclined to say that the club’s rebranding is rather a marker of the success of social activism, evidence for the effectiveness of coming into dialogue with criticism, listening, learning and doing something with feedback. The rebrand speaks to the wider picture, initiated in the United States of paying attention to the power of images within sports. In 2020 the
For more coverage of Exeter & world sport, head to @exeposesport
then Washington Redskins American Football team changed its name to Washington Commanders, Kansas City Chiefs withdrew its mascot and in July 2021 Cleveland baseball team changed its name from ‘Indians’ to ‘Guardians’. If anything, Exeter Chiefs is slow on the uptake. Nonetheless, it is a crucial contribution to the efforts addressing the ongoing residues of colonialism. When Native American imagery is used by sports teams unaffiliated with Indigenous regions, a degree of conceptual control happens. Exeter’s motifs, images, and cultural markers function as currency for the benefit of others, and in doing so degrade the sources of self-representation for Indigenous communities. It is in rebranding that sporting teams can free Native American culture from the clutches of white settler communities and return it to the hands of the very people it belongs to.