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Rosweglyn: role models for the next generation of gay girls Rosweglyn: role models for the next generation of gay girls
(17 days later)
On Saturday, I spent the day hanging out with around 600 screaming, shaking and sobbing teenage girls, overwhelmed at having met their biggest idols. The odd teenage boy made it too, not to mention the parents and older fans who also attended. Had ticket numbers been uncapped, we would have certainly seen thousands of attendees. People flew in from Australia, Mexico, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands for this event , which I hosted. On Saturday, I spent the day hanging out with around 600 screaming, shaking and sobbing teenage girls, overwhelmed at having met their biggest idols. The odd teenage boy made it too, not to mention the parents and older fans who also attended. Had ticket numbers been uncapped, we would have certainly seen thousands of attendees. People flew in from Australia, Mexico, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands for this event which I hosted.
From all the teenage hype, you would be forgiven for thinking that One Direction were about to come on stage. The girls who emerged from behind the curtain to a deafening cheer had even been referred to as the "female version" – this without them ever having released a record or expressed any desire to do so. But this was no pop group; Rosweglyn is a catch-all term for three lesbian couples – made up of Rose and Rosie, Whitney and Megan, Kaelyn and Lucy – who vlog, uploading their opinions, thoughts and everyday actions to YouTube. Unfortunately, Rose never made it to the meet-up after falling ill on the morning of the event. Nevertheless, her fans filled page upon page with good wishes for her, and the gift table was swamped with letters and presents for her and the others.From all the teenage hype, you would be forgiven for thinking that One Direction were about to come on stage. The girls who emerged from behind the curtain to a deafening cheer had even been referred to as the "female version" – this without them ever having released a record or expressed any desire to do so. But this was no pop group; Rosweglyn is a catch-all term for three lesbian couples – made up of Rose and Rosie, Whitney and Megan, Kaelyn and Lucy – who vlog, uploading their opinions, thoughts and everyday actions to YouTube. Unfortunately, Rose never made it to the meet-up after falling ill on the morning of the event. Nevertheless, her fans filled page upon page with good wishes for her, and the gift table was swamped with letters and presents for her and the others.
These six young women have nearly half a million subscribers between them, and their importance to LGBT youth worldwide cannot be underestimated. Why? Because we live in a world where we see little real lesbian interaction or everyday lesbian and bisexual lives portrayed on TV. It's almost as though gay girls don't exist.These six young women have nearly half a million subscribers between them, and their importance to LGBT youth worldwide cannot be underestimated. Why? Because we live in a world where we see little real lesbian interaction or everyday lesbian and bisexual lives portrayed on TV. It's almost as though gay girls don't exist.
Most of the lesbians we see on British television are powerful, funny and highly intellectual (Mary Portas, Sue Perkins and Clare Balding are a few examples). But however brilliant they are as role models and however hard they have fought for our rights today, few teenage girls will relate to them. Meanwhile, in the US, Ellen DeGeneres, who is 56 and came out in the 90s, is still flying the lesbian flag on TV. So where is the next generation of gay girls hiding?Most of the lesbians we see on British television are powerful, funny and highly intellectual (Mary Portas, Sue Perkins and Clare Balding are a few examples). But however brilliant they are as role models and however hard they have fought for our rights today, few teenage girls will relate to them. Meanwhile, in the US, Ellen DeGeneres, who is 56 and came out in the 90s, is still flying the lesbian flag on TV. So where is the next generation of gay girls hiding?
In film, music videos and TV shows, especially those traditionally consumed by a young demographic, we are used to seeing women stripping and frolicking with one another. Whether it's Rihanna and Shakira in a music video or soap stars and glamour models on the covers of lads' mags, the message that pop culture sends to youngsters is that lesbian relationships are all about sex. Furthermore, their overly sexualised antics are there for everyone – and men in particular – to enjoy.In film, music videos and TV shows, especially those traditionally consumed by a young demographic, we are used to seeing women stripping and frolicking with one another. Whether it's Rihanna and Shakira in a music video or soap stars and glamour models on the covers of lads' mags, the message that pop culture sends to youngsters is that lesbian relationships are all about sex. Furthermore, their overly sexualised antics are there for everyone – and men in particular – to enjoy.
With Jessie J saying her bisexuality was just a "phase" (I'm in agreement with my colleague Laura Kay in thinking this is a real shame), there are very few queer girls in the media spotlight to whom young women can relate.With Jessie J saying her bisexuality was just a "phase" (I'm in agreement with my colleague Laura Kay in thinking this is a real shame), there are very few queer girls in the media spotlight to whom young women can relate.
In light of this glaring absence, it's no wonder that, when these bedroom-blogging, onesie-wearing, lesbian couples with everyday problems who chatted about Harry Potter, nights out and their awkward, troubled, fun-filled, real lives first appeared online four years ago, word spread fast. When they announced a meet and greet this year, tickets sold out within days.In light of this glaring absence, it's no wonder that, when these bedroom-blogging, onesie-wearing, lesbian couples with everyday problems who chatted about Harry Potter, nights out and their awkward, troubled, fun-filled, real lives first appeared online four years ago, word spread fast. When they announced a meet and greet this year, tickets sold out within days.
Rosweglyn have provided a welcome alternative to what traditional media serve up for us on a daily basis. Not only are they visible, but their videos have become a true source of support for anyone lonely, worried or confused about their feelings. For instant reassurance that you're not the only homosexual in the world – a feeling that far too many experience and all too often leads to people considering drastic measures to combat their isolation and lack of support – all you need is an internet connection.Rosweglyn have provided a welcome alternative to what traditional media serve up for us on a daily basis. Not only are they visible, but their videos have become a true source of support for anyone lonely, worried or confused about their feelings. For instant reassurance that you're not the only homosexual in the world – a feeling that far too many experience and all too often leads to people considering drastic measures to combat their isolation and lack of support – all you need is an internet connection.
There are plenty of "out" lesbians uploading videos about their lives, but these six girls are arguably the most successful vloggers portraying everyday lesbian life – and that's without any of them filming in just their underwear. (As any internet user will no doubt be aware, that is also available in abundance.) With the media unprepared to get with the times by changing their attitude and normalising lesbian lives, it is no wonder that the generation growing up with so few accessible role models is finding its own heroes.There are plenty of "out" lesbians uploading videos about their lives, but these six girls are arguably the most successful vloggers portraying everyday lesbian life – and that's without any of them filming in just their underwear. (As any internet user will no doubt be aware, that is also available in abundance.) With the media unprepared to get with the times by changing their attitude and normalising lesbian lives, it is no wonder that the generation growing up with so few accessible role models is finding its own heroes.