TL;DR
- Danny Beard discusses toxic masculinity and allyship.
- He critiques the hijacking of the Union Jack by hate groups.
- Luke Mallinder shares experiences of homophobia in construction.
- The duo emphasizes the need for open-mindedness.
- Their conversation highlights the importance of understanding and acceptance.
In a world where hate seems to be the easier option, Danny Beard is here to shake things up. The fabulous performer, known for his sharp wit and even sharper heels, recently sat down with straight ally Luke Mallinder in the latest episode of Attitude and Channel 4’s ‘Tip Toe or Ta-Da’. This digital series, based on Russell T Davies’ suburban thriller, dives deep into the complexities of identity, masculinity, and the hijacking of patriotism.
Beard, who has a knack for turning heads and challenging norms, recounted a rather amusing encounter at a sunbed shop. When he casually mentioned that his enviable quad muscles were thanks to a pair of heels, the man’s reaction was priceless: “All right, yeah. Nice one,” before shutting down completely. This moment perfectly encapsulates the discomfort many feel when faced with non-traditional expressions of masculinity.
Sitting across from Beard, Mallinder, a straight mechanical engineer, brought his own experiences to the table. Sporting bright pink shorts to Thai boxing classes, he’s witnessed firsthand how homophobic language has become casual shorthand on construction sites. “Even a behavior you can do is considered ‘gay’ – it’s supposed to be an insult. Why? Is it just because you’re uncomfortable and you’re trying to fit in?” he pondered, highlighting the absurdity of toxic masculinity.
For Beard, the very word ‘masculinity’ has become tainted, often paired with the term ‘toxic’. “I can’t hear it without my brain putting ‘toxic’ in front of it. And that’s not right either. To me, masculinity is a massive comfortability in yourself, being open, trying new things, just not being shut off all the time. You miss so many opportunities being closed-minded,” he stated, urging a shift in perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/43h7LSbbb_g
The conversation took a serious turn when they addressed the issue of flags, particularly the Union Jack. Beard pointed out a troubling trend: “This right-wing agenda has hijacked the Union Jack. It’s almost become a bit of an intimidation thing. It’s a very strawman argument to say, ‘Well, it’s just a flag, why are you offended?'” Mallinder chimed in, noting the irony that those who claim to defend the flag are the very ones who have turned it into a symbol of hatred. “You’ve only yourselves to blame,” he remarked, underscoring the need for accountability.
Beard’s call for more allies like Mallinder is clear: “We need more people like you, more people who are just open, more people that are willing to actually understand the subject before they just jump on a bandwagon of hate. Everyone’s lives right now in the world – life’s more expensive, it’s hard for so many people – hate feels like the much easier option.”
As they wrapped up their unscripted discussion, it became evident that the path to acceptance and understanding is paved with open dialogue and genuine allyship. So, whether you’re donning a Pride flag or simply being a supportive friend, remember: love will always triumph over hate. Tune into their full conversation on Attitude’s YouTube channel and catch the episodes of ‘Tip Toe or Ta-Da’ streaming on Channel 4 now. Let’s keep the conversation going and spread the love! 💖🏳️🌈