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Does Finland hold the answers for Australia’s early childhood education and care crisis?

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Australia has an early childhood education and care crisis. Actually, there’s a number of crises.

Most parents and caregivers can’t afford not to work. Ironically, early childhood education can be so expensive, it makes working seem pointless.

There’s more.

Many Australian parents are finding it almost impossible to find spots for their children without waiting for a significant period of time.

Emma Douglas from Broome, Western Australia, told ABC’s 7.30:

[I’d] be posting on the Broome babysitting Facebook pages begging, begging, for a babysitter that could fit in with the days that I needed.

Douglas eventually gave up her job due to lack of available childcare. Fortunately after being in Broome for two years, Douglas was able to find a childcare place.

She said the childcare system: “doesn’t feel fair”.

Finland’s childcare system

Image: digograndi, iStock

Unlike Australia’s private childcare system, Finland’s childcare centres are run by local government. It’s also considered a right.

Professor of education at the University of Jyaskyla, Heidi Harji – Luukkainen explained:

So, in Finland, we have a subjective right for children to get early childhood education, which means that the parents are guaranteed placement for the child in early childhood education whenever there is a need.

Additionally, childcare fees aren’t blanket amounts. They’re dependent on a family’s income. Fees can range from A$50 to A$500 a month. In Australia, the system is a bit more complex.

Austalian governments have introduced childcare subsidies. In mid – to – late 2020, the Liberal National Party (LNP), ended JobKeeper for early childhood educators and rolled back free childcare for working families.

Lack of access

Another issue that Australian parents face is finding an early childhood education centre nearby.

Many parents, especially in Australia’s capital cities have to travel almost half an hour to take their child/ren to childcare. This creates stress on both the parents and children. They often have to leave home early in the morning and get home in the evening. Talk about a busy day!

In contrast, Finland has numerous early childhood education centres that are near enough for families.

The history of Finland’s early childhood education system

According to Jacobin, Finland’s successful early childhood education system didn’t happen overnight.

The first kindergarten was established in the capital, Helsinki in 1888. This was established for working -class families. Four years later, education for early childhood teachers began. Since 1995, most Finnish early childhood educators hold a degree. In Australia, the minimum qualification to work in early childhood education is Certificate III.

In 1919, Finnish municipalities were granted the right to establish early childhood education centres. Only a few took the offer. However, after World War Two, early childhood education was formalised.

In 1973, Finland’s government introduced the Child Daycare Act. This made childcare a right for Finnish children. This came about because childcare was only accessible to families who could afford or access it geographically (sound familiar?)

So, yes, Australia can learn from Finland. It’s all about priorities. Early childhood education needs to be considered a right to all children, not just a privilege for some.

What do you think? Should Australia try to adopt Finland’s esrly childhood education system? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Why the ‘Yes’ campaign failed

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On 14 October this year, Australians had their say on Constitutional recognition and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ‘Voice to Parliament’. The majority of Australians voted ‘No’.

Not only did the ‘Yes’ campaign lose nationally, it lost in all States and the Northern Territory. Only the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) had a majority ‘Yes’ result.

Nationally, the referendum result was 61% ‘No’ to 39% ‘Yes’.

In contrast, the ‘Yes’ vote was in the majority at the start of the year.

Interestingly, this was almost exactly the opposite to the same – sex marriage postal vote in 2017. In that vote, 61.6% of participants said ‘Yes’ and 38.4% said ‘No’.

So, what happened?

All fluff, no substance

So, what was the Voice suppose to be? According to ulurustatement.org:

The Voice will be an advisory body that gives First Nations Australians a say on matters that directly affect them

In the months leading up to the referendum, the statement was rarely expanded on. It just became a cliche.

I thought Burney’s speech in July was somewhat compelling, however it was never repeated. Or expanded on.

As I said at the time, I appreciated Burney’s answer on what the Voice would have (supposedly) covered. That included addressing housing, jobs, education and health.

Was it true? Was it a lie? Who knows? Most importantly, how were these supposed to be achieved? It was never explained.

The Uluru Statement

The basis of the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament was based on the Uluru Statement of the Heart.

It was a document created by different Aboriginal leaders. It was one… no twenty… no twenty – six… no a hundred pages. Journalists from Sky News Australia alone were throwing different figures around. (Some supported ‘The Voice’, especially Chris Kenny).

So people couldn’t agree on the length of the Uluru Statement?! If you look at the website, it’s hard to say. The site is set up like a presentation rather than a traditional webpage or PDF.

From what I could gather, most of the pages had historical background and what lead up to the Uluru Statement.

I could be wrong, but to me, ulurustatement.org offered little information of what it was meant to be.

Having said that, Linda Burney MP, Anthony Albanese and other campaigners should have been able to summarise it to the public.

The ‘No’ side was given all the ammunition

With all the vagueness and cliches, critics of the Voice had the upper hand.

Their slogan was simple:

If you don’t know, vote no.

And that’s what over 60% of voting Australians did.

Because of a lack information from the ‘Yes’ side, ‘No’ campaigners could say anything. To be honest, I think there was hyperbole and fearmongering.

For example, in a pamphlet, Liberal MP, Sussan Ley argued that:

It risks legal challenges, delays, and dysfunctional government.

And:

Some Voice supporters say this would just be a first step to reparations and compensation and other radical changes. So, what will be next?

There were fears that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups would be given powers to demand farmland and financial compensation.

Personally, I think the latter points were hyperbolic. And the ‘what next’ is a slippery slope fallacy. However, it was never combatted.

Albanese’s arrogant refusal to give details saw the collapse of the ‘Yes’ vote

In July, Albanese spoke at the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

He said that giving details will repeat the defeat of Australia’s Republic Referendum in 1999.

Ironically, that arrogant statement may have cost a ‘Yes’ win. Albanese attempted back pedal by promising the details before the vote. But it was too little, too late.

Albanese’s arrogance remained in Australia’s mind. It scared people into thinking the risk was too great. And even after the ‘back pedal’, people were still confused.

Was education level a factor?

In the aftermath of the referendum, ABC’s Patricia Karvelas and The Project’s Waleed Aly suggested education level determined the vote.

Aly and Karvelas claimed that university educated voters were more likely to vote ‘Yes’ than those who hadn’t. While this caused controversy, apparently they weren’t wrong. Even Advance Australia’s Liz Storrer claimed that it was true on Sky News Australia.

That was a big mistake. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics only 36% of Australians have a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

So, Labor alienated 64% of Australians. Great way to win a ‘historic’ referendum that would ‘bring the country together. Not.

Australia decided against the Voice and Labor’s reputation is in tatters. From now on, politicians need to listen. They need answer questions honestly. Because doing the opposite only backfires and helps no one.

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Has MP Linda Burney (finally) gave a valid argument for the Voice?

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Later this year, Australians will vote in a referendum. It’ll ask whether Indigenous Australians should have recognition and a representative body, known as ‘the Voice’, enshrined in Australia’s Constitution.

Throughout the debate, I’ve been on the fence. In my opinion, so far, the arguments for the ‘Yes’ case have been weak. The aims of the body have been too vague; just worn out platitudes and phrases.

The ‘No’ case hasn’t been compelling, either. There’s been a lot of fear mongering. A lot like there was during the same – sex marriage debate. On Chris Kenny Tonight, journalist/ commentator, Chris Kenny, frequently criticises opponents to ‘The Voice’ of fear – mongering.

Has MP Linda Burneyprovided a solid argument for the Voice?

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney took to a press conference, arguing for an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament.

Labor MP, Linda Burney addressed the National Press Club during NAIDOC Week. She argued that steps to the Closing the Gap are still needed. Australian governments — both State and Federal — weren’t doing enough. And too often, policies were imposed without consultation.

The first question I want to address today is ‘why is ‘The Voice’ needed? And the simple answer is, because the gap isn’t closing fast enough. For far too long, governments have made policies for Indigenous Australians, not with Indigenous Australians. We need a Voice to change that.

Burney pointed out numerous areas where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over – represented, including:

  • That ATSI people are fifty – five times more likely to die prematurely of rheumatic heart disease
  • ATSI young people are twenty – four times more likely to be incarcerated
  • Homelessness
  • ATSI peopke are twice as likely to die by suicide
  • Only four out of nineteen of Close the Gap’s targets are making progress.

So, what will the Voice do?

This is why I’ve been on the fence. Until now, the ‘Voice’ debatehas bedn clouded with fluff and cliches, at least in the media. To Burney’s credit, she was (seemingly) more informative.

She said the Voice — which should be in the Constitution, not just legislated — was about “advice”.

The body will consist of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across generations, geography and genders. Burney suggested that they focus on four key areas: housing, education, jobs and health.

She said that the body would be tasked in taking “the/long view”, and not be affected by election cycles.

After that, Burney’s speech fell flat. She accused the proponents of the ‘No’ case of “Trump – style politics” and spreading false information. She only called out One Nation’s Pauline Hanson by name.

She didn’t address Indigenous people, such as Senator Jacinta Nampijimpa Price and Warren Mundine who are also against the Voice.

Has Burney’s speech affected my view?

So, has Linda Burney’s speech affected my view? Well…. I was already sympathetic to the ‘Yes’ case. And as I’ve said, kudos to Linda Burney for actually explaining what ‘The Voice’ will (supposedly) do.

Will ‘The Voice’ end up being a bureaucratic mess? That’s a concern still in the back of my mind.

However, if the Indigenous Voice to Parliament does what Burney argues it will, I can see its benefit. If it helps to close the gap, then go for it. If it helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people flesh out what they need from governments and, ultimately improve their lives, then great.

But is it guaranteed?

What are your views? Are you for or against the Voice? Why or why not? Are you on the fence? Let me know your thoughts below.

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200 followers!

I can’t believe it! This blog has 200 followers!

Thank you so much for everyone who follow me here, via email or social media. I really appreciate it.

I hope you all contine to enjoy the journey with me.

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People are seeking mental health help because of TikTok

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This is very interesting.

Since it launched into the world, TikTok has gained popularity, particularly among Gen Z.

It became known as an app where peoe uploaded short videos, including many dances.

But that’s not all it’s known for. According to The Australian, TikTokers are using the app to identify and seek help for mental disorders.

While psychologists are encouraged by the people seeking help, they strongly warn against self – diagnosis.

Common disorders that young people are seeking help for include: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette’s syndrome and autism.

Australian Psychology Society President, Tamara Cavenett was encouraged by the trend:

There has definitely been a huge increase mental health awareness, mental health literacy, and a greater acceptance of seeking help and seeing a psychologist.

People are seeking treatment or recognising there’s a problem and seeing someone, which is hugely positive.

Tamara Cavenett as told to The Australian

Some TikTok influencers don’t just raise awareness their diagnoses. They actively celebrate it. Ella Watkins is one such Australian influencer.

Watkins explained that her parents knew she was autistic. However, for years, she wasn’t evaluated:

My parents always knew that I was autistic, but growing up, they never got me evaluated because it was very stigmatised especially in Tasmania.

Ella Watkins, as told to The Australian

Eventually, Watkins turned to TikTok to discover the markers before seeking an official diagnosis.

TikTok and accusations of faking illnesses

Over the years, TikTokers have created hashtag trends surrounding mental illness. These include: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Tourettes syndrome, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Last year, I.D Vice reported that the pandemic saw a rise in mental health issues. It also saw the rise of mental health content on social media.

In 2020, TikTok found an influx of new creators creating a #wellnesswarriors trend. TikTok also launched #WellnessHub. This allowed users to connect, discover and share health and lifestyle knowledge.

What started as a supportive community snowballed into a trend. More and more creators were accused of appropriating mental illnesses for clout.

This ‘trend’ isn’t new. In the late 1990’s Marc Feldman MD coined the term ‘Munchausen’s by Internet’.

Unfortunately, a number of creators have been attacked. Many have been accused of faking illnesses. As a result, many content creators have been bullied, and even doxxed (having personal information like addresses without consent).

People with Tourettes Syndrome have took to platforms such as Reddit to call out creators who’ve allegedly faked the disorder.

It’s important to note that the I.D. Vice casts doubt over DID as a legitimate diagnoses. Former Seattle Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist, professor and podcaster, Dr Kirk Honda has addressed DID TikTok trend. He validates

Last year, Dr Kirk Honda addressed the DID TikTok controversy on Psychology in Seattle

Social media will continue to be an avenue that people will seek out information. It will continue to be a means where people seek validation for personal experiences, including mental illnesses. However, it can’t be the sole source of information — especially diagnoses.

Mental health needs to be taken seriously by governments and psychological and psychiatric bodies. People of all genders need to be able to seek help, accurate diagnoses and get relevant help.

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It’s only hours before ‘Neighbours’ ends for good

We are only hours away from the end of the longest running soap opera in Australia’s history.

I watched Neighbours when I was a kid, then quite consistently from 2011 onwards. I missed Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene’s (Kylie Minogue) wedding I wasn’t even born). But I saw Toadie (Ryan Moloney) marry Dee (Madeline West). Also his marriage to Sonya (Eve Morey).

And, yes, I did see the marriage between David (Takaya Honda) and Aaron (Matt Wilson).

I saw Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston) die. And Sonya. And Hendrix (Ben Turland).

Storms, family feuds, crime. Drama, drama and more drama. And while some of the plotlines were a bit over the top or silly I couldn’t help but watch the majority of episodes for the past eleven years.

I doubt I’m the only one that has watched it consistently for so long. And I’m sure other Australians have watched it consistently for a lot longer.

Why has Neighbours survived for so long?

The numerous plotlines kept it going. Always something going on in Ramsay Street.

And the characters are largely likable. Who wouldn’t want a friend like Toadie? Or Harold? Or neighbour# like Karl and Susan?

Even the characters people loved to hate were great. Sheila (Colette Mann) or Nicolette (Charlotte Chimes) were endearing (at least in the end).

And the villains? Karma bit them hard. That’s what made it even more gripping!

Some pitfalls

Like everything else in life,vNeighbours hasn’t always been perfect.

Sometimes the plot and dialogue hasn’t been great. For example:

  • Roxy worrying that Harlow was a psychopath (when she had shown no signs before)
  • Leo threatening to sue Therese after the storm at Kyle and Roxy’s wedding, but nothing came of it

Neighbours and the LGBTQ+ community

Neighbours has been overall great in LGBTQ+ representation. Unlike other soapies, Neighbours didn’t kill off LGBTQ+ characters after one or two episodes. And unlike Home and Away (years ago), they didn’t have characters (women) kiss someone of the same – sex once, question their sexuality for a week, then go back to being straight.

Neighbours has kept it’s LGBTQ+ characters in the plotlines. They’ve come out, fought for acceptance and fought bigotry.

There is one pitfall. Why can’t gay or bi women find lasting love? Their relationships are so chaotic. And they don’t last. No women couples married on Neighbours. Why?

Also, is it just me, or does it bother you that the sex lives of gay/ bi was openly talked about on the show, but no one else? That’s just been my thoughts over the past few weeks.

Whether you love or loathe Neighbours, a piece of Australian pop culture history is going to end tonight.

What’s your fondest memory on Neighbours?

UPDATE

Well, that’s it folks! Great ending. Maybe I was a bit harsh in my criticisms before.

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PATRON ONLY: The history of The Wiggles

In 1991, Anthony Field founded The Wiggles.

According to New Idea, Field dedicated The Wiggles’ first album to his niece Bernadette. She’d tragically died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 1988. At the time, he was touring with his original band ‘The Cockroaches’. 

The Wiggles formed

Field was studying Early Childhood Education in the late 1980’s when he met Murray Cook. 

Field, Greg Page and Jeff Fatt met through music. Fatt played keyboard for the ‘Cockroaches’ and Greg Page was their roadie. 

In 1991, initiated by Field, ‘The Wiggles’ released their first self – titled album. Field dedicated it to his niece Bernadette. 

Field also came up with the band name, after a song he’d written. 

Their first song was Get Ready to Wiggle. 

The Wiggles sold 100,000 copies, despite scepticism. Cook, Fatt, Page and Field had to produce the album themselves. No one would agree to invest in them. 

Due to The Wiggles’ success, things started to turn. The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), printed and distributed the album. 

The Wiggles explode

By the late 1990’s, The Wiggles’ career exploded. Everyone wanted a piece of them!

In the mid/ late 1990’s (1996- 1997), the Wiggles started their own TV show. It was featured on the ABC. The 13 – part – series was eventually bought by Channel 7 and Disney Australia.

‘The Wiggles’ gained international attention. They performed in Disneyland in 1998.

Amazingly, The Wiggles’ songs also reached non – English speaking audiences. Their songs were performed in Cantonese and Spanish. 

Unfortunately, by mid 2000’s the original Wiggles started to disband. In 2006, Greg Page left the band after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. 

Murray Cook and Jeff Fatt left The Wiggles in 2012.

Cook has revealed to New Idea that he got very tired of touring:

We toured constantly for ten months of the year for 21 years! I think I was just tired of that part of it. Sometimes, in the middle of a tour, I’d wake up, not having slept much, thinking. ‘Do I have to get up?’. It was quite tiring. There’d be times when you’d be counting the days until the tour was over. 

The original characters

If you know The Wiggles, you know about their beloved characters. 

Since 1991, ‘The Wiggles’ have featured four main characters. They are: Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and Captain Feathersword. 

Dorothy the Dinosaur

Dorothy is a beloved green, yellow spotted dinosaur. Opera singer, Carolyn Ferrie voiced the character. She started playing Dorothy when she started going out with Anthony. 

According to Wiggles Fandom, Ferrie voiced Dorothy from 1996 – 2001, 2005 – 2009, and 2010 – 2018. 

Corrine O’Rafferty has played Dorothy since 2017.

 

Henry the Octopus

Jeff Fatt came up with Henry the Octopus. He played Henry at first. Then, Paul Paddick took over the role.  

 

Wags the Dog

Anthony Field originally played Wags the Dog. Paul Paddick ended up playing the lovable dog.

 

Captain Feathersword

Captain Feathersword has been a Field family affair. He’s been played by both of Anthony’s brothers, John and Paul. 

Captain Feathersword added humour by tickling The Wiggles cast with his feather sword. 

 

 

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About Glycerine Queen Media in 2021

Glycerine Queen Media logo

It’s been a month since ai posted on here. I didn’t mean to be silent for so long. Sorry about that. I’ve been busy and, if I’m honest, I’ve lacked motivation.

The plan for Glycerine Queen Media in 2021

This year, I’m thinking about going back to my original idea for this blog. That is, write a response to anything that grabs my attention, regardless of its source.

I want to write about issues. I want this blog to be a place where I can hopefully shed a light on things that are important. And I want posts to also spark discussion and debate.

Leaving culture wars behind

One wish I have for 2021 is to leave the culture wars behind. Repeatedly responding to LGBTQ+ issues is taxing. And I never know what to think about Black Lives Matter and have on.y limited knwledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.

I’m not saying that I won’t write about these issues. I just want to do ot as little as possible.

This year, I’d like to talk about other social issues: childcare, mental health, education, etc.

Also, if you have anything you want me to look at and potentially write about, please tell me in the comments. I really want this blog to be more interactive. So please, don’t be shy.

So welcome for 2021. Stay safe.

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Australian children face a mental health crisis

Mental health image of brain
Image: iStock

According to Natasha Bita in the Herald Sun, Australian children and teenagers are facing a mental health crisis. (Mental Health 360: Shocking rise in Aussie teens being medicated, 2 December 2020).

1 in 13 teens are taking antidepressants and/or other psychiatric drugs.

Health and youth experts claim COVID-19 is a factor to this worrying trend. 87,781 primary school – aged children and 134,439 teenagers were prescribed medications for various mental disorders over 2018/2019.

What diagnoses children are receiving?

Not surprisingly, anxiety and depression are major issues facing a number of children. What’s worrying is that primary school and preschool – aged children are also being diagnosed.

Yourtown chief executive, Tracey Adams told Herald Sun that domestic violence is exacerbating these rates.

Children are also being diagnosed with other conditions, including ADD/ ADHD, psychosis and conduct disorder.

The increase in conduct disorder diagnoses has surprised and alarmed me. How can more children be diagnosed? Is it over diagnosis; an accusation commonly aimed at ADD/ADHD?

Or is it something else? As I wrote before, alarms surrounding domestic violence have been raised. According to Better Health Channel, parental aggression (particularly from the father) and domestic violence are risk factors that can trigger the disorder.

Government response

To be honest, I think that the Federal and State governments have failed in this area. It’s too little, too late.

Only now has the Government offered Kids Helpline extra funding for fifty more counsellors. Why wasn’t enough support put in before the pandemic hit?

I think this exposes the great flaws in the Australian mental health system as a whole. There isn’t enough support for those who need it, but haven’t reached breaking point.

Parents play vital role

Psychologist and founder of Parentshop, Michael Hawton told Herald Sun that most anxiety in children is “learned”.

If kids are surrounded by parents who are highly rushed and speaking and behaving anxiously, it’s hard for them to not pick up on that.

He also suggested that parents teach children about facing problems head on rather than avoiding them. Emotional reactivity should also be minimised.

Blaming social media and anxious parents doesn’t solve the problem

Many commenters on the Herald Sun article have blamed social media (surprised?). But to me, the issue is much bigger.

There are obviously children and teenagers that need ongoing help. Some may need different therapies, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). There may be children that need to be removed from violent or abusive homes. Victims of bullies need support to have their self – esteem built back up.

Psychologists and/ or Masters qualified Social Workers need to be employed in all schools.

Also, I really do think the Australian mental health system needs an overhaul. Medicare is grossly inadequate in funding mental health.

The Australian mental health system seems to help two types of people: those who don’t need ongoing professional help. Or, the other extreme: those who are at high risk of harm or suicide.

Both State and Federal Governments have failed in dealing with psychological costs of lockdown and COVID-19. Counselling services should have been properly funded in the first place. It isn’t good enough.

Lastly, all mental health costs should be covered by the Government. If not through Medicare, through other means.

 

What are you thoughts? How can people with mental or behavioural conditions be helped?

 

 

 

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Hugh Sheridan’s coming out and the complexity of human sexuality

Word Pride on little blocks
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Australian actor went public came out as… human.

He told Stellar Magazine why he took so long:

I’ve never felt I really knew who I was and I didn’t like the sounds of the labels that people were giving me, so I decided to say nothing.

The Packed to the Rafter’s star also talked about the pressure to keep his relationships with men a secret to make him seem ‘available’ to women viewers. This angered him.

When asked about his sexual orientation, The Packed to the Rafter’s star simply came out as “a human being”.

Love life and being outed by the media

Sheridan opened up about his attractions. As a child, Sheridan opened up about being bullied for being gay. Ironically, at the time, he claimed that he was in love with girls.

It wasn’t until he started he started his acting career that he first fell for a man. Unfortunately, the media caught on and rumours were spreading about his relationship. Sheridan said he felt outed. “It hurt a lot”, he explained.

He also exposed the catch 22 he and a lot of other LGBTQ+ celebrities risk: having to come out or thinking you’re ashamed of who you are.

Sheridan started the Renaissance Project, where people are invited to discuss issues of labels and identity.

On the issue of identity, Sheridan simply stated:

I believe labels are for clothes, not for people.

Sheridan’s coming out is met with support

There has been an outpouring of support for Sheridan. Many have written to him and thanked him. He’s also got love and support from other Packed to the Rafters co – stars.

Rebecca Gibney, who played his mother, Julie Rafter, penned an emotional note of support on Instagram.

I’ve loved this boy the moment I met him 13 years ago. He is one of the most joyful, open hearted, empathetic souls I have ever met and I couldn’t be more proud of his wonderful essay in the latest Stellar magazine where he talks about society’s need to label and how he has never fitted the labels that were given to him.

She concluded:

I’m so blessed to call you my friend. Well done for speaking your truth. Love you to the moon sweetheart.

 

Sexual fluidity: when coming out isn’t that simple

For a while, fluid sexuality has been researched and become public knowledge. University of Utah’s psychology professor,  Lisa M Diamond PhD did a study on women and sexuality. She discovered that women can go through numerous sexual experiences through different stages of their lives.

However it’s often assumed that men’s sexuality is largely static; either gay or straight. Male bisexuality is often erased and those who come out are often not believed.

And men without the need for a label? Well, you don’t really hear about it… until now. It turns out that complexity with sexual identity can affect people of all genders, including men.

 

I think Hugh Sheridan’s coming out is oositive. Not only are more LGBTQ+ people coming out in public, but it also shows that being unsure or without a label is also OK.