Welcome to the monthly installment of “Five Questions”. If this is your first time here, it is the time of the month where I ask people questions and they answer them. As per usual these are not my views and they are views of individuals and not who they work or volunteer for. Also apologies for the weird formatting, I don’t know what happened with it all.
I would like to thank everyone who has got involved in this months questioning.
There is a content note for mentioning the police, pride events, KKK, westbro baptist church, drugs, overdose, depression, prostitution, sexual abuse
Do you think that police should be allowed to be involved in pride events, and why?
Speaking as an American, even with the recent police involved shootings, I think it’s generally a good idea to provide security, especially if a well known hate group like the Westboro Baptist Church or Ku Klux Klan decide they want to protest and turn violent.
Aaron H
At Pride, the only involvement I really see the need for is that they make sure everyone is protected. Such as people from protesters.
Ryan S
Having the police at Pride events is a complicated issue. Pride events are there primarily as a safe space for people to attend and be themselves. For some, the police attending a pride event make it inherently unsafe because many people are targeted by the police due to their profession, race or gender expression.
On the other hand having a police presence is a way for the outside world to see that we have the police on our side and any kind of transphobia and homophobia won’t be tolerated. It can provide an opportunity for the police to protect the people attending pride should there be any sort of counter-protest and allow for the police to interact with people attending pride to understand what the issues facing the attendees are.
Jo G
Theres Pros and cons to having the force at pride events. Take for example Gay Pride weekend yes there should be a police pressence due to theres always idiots who cant handle there drink. To prevent this yes most defiently. But pride events like Trans no there is no need for it theres more chance of a water fight then trouble. Also police pressence has very negative affect on some from The LGBTQ community due to how little theyve done for them or how much rhey have been persecuted in the past/present.
Sam L
Yes, but only for the use of traffic control (setting up the road blocks and signs to divert standard car traffic so as to have the proper space set up for the parade and/or celebrations). They shouldn’t be walking in the parade(s) or have their own float or booth or whathaveyou.
VJ F
I believe police should keep the peace at pride events.
Kriss B
Well if you mean should they be in the march hell yeah! There’s LGBT+ members of the police who have every right be apart of it! Cause I could imagine it’s not easy going into a job like that being lgbt+! But if you mean should they be working at pride then yes 100% (if they are doing there job properly) they need to be there to keep everyone safe from hate crime, fights and all that sort of thing. Not just tho we need them to keep things calm and also they look out for people who have party a bit to hard (drink and drugs), the people who get lost and also just anyone in need. They are there to keep it a safe place!
Daisy T
I think police should be allowed to be at a pride event. I’ve been to pride events where protesters got violent and if it wasn’t for the police it would have gotten a lot worse.
Cassandra M
I think in Canada they fully have a right to be there, we dont have the same issues so much as other countrys and as a member of the LGBTQ group, ive received more positive help from them, than not.
Philip P
Yes, I believe it’s beneficial for the safety of the people attending the parades and events. There’s still so much hate aimed at LGBTQ+ people that, I personally, still feel threatened.
Joseph H
What do you think about tattoos and piercings in the work place?
I generally see no problem with it, although obscene tattoos should be covered, especially when dealing with the general public.
Aaron H
Tattoos and earrings don’t mean what they used to. So long as they aren’t obviously offensive or violent, I don’t see an issue. Ryan S
I think that tattoos and piercings in the workplace should be accepted and allowed but unfortunately tattoos and piercings can sometimes be a barrier to people getting past the interview stage. I think that having tattoos is a way for people to express their individuality and some employers don’t encourage their staff to be individuals.
Jo G
The subject of tattoos at work is something close to me due to not being offered a job due to my beautiful art work. Yes there is place for them in the work place. Its a person indivuality being put into question when they say no to inked people. As long as there not offence tattoos then it shouldnt make any difference. Same opinon goes to piercings. Its just as bad turning some away for a job if it was based on dress sense/hair colour or make up worn.
Sam L
I think it’s ridiculous that they aren’t allowed. There may need to be certain precautions taken for safety and sanitation depending on job environment (keep fresh ones covered if working with food, body fluids, or sick/injured patients, no long dangly things or chains if working around industrial equipment or anywhere else it could get caught), and it should be considered important to have jewelry that fits properly, but overall they should definitely be allowed. Having pieces of metal inside my lip doesn’t impede my ability to scan barcodes or type things into a computer.
VJ F
I think that tattoos, as long as they aren’t objectively offensive, shouldn’t have an effect on a persons job prospects. The same with piercings.
Kriss B
To be honest I’ve got many tattoos (but can all be covered) and 3 piercings but I do not believe that they affect you’re work ability at all. Its the same with scars tho none of it will affect how you work and honestly it’s no one business. I do understand some businesses what their employees to look presentable but as long as they have good hygiene and the right outfit on then it should matter about tattoos, piercings, scars, coloured hair and so on.. The only time tattoos aren’t ok is if is extremely offensive (lgbt+phobic, sexist, racist and so on) on a visible places and if they still agree with the tattoo.
Daisy T
I think tattoos are piercings are perfectly okay in the work place. As long as visibly you don’t have a curse word of gore or nudity if you work with the public.
Cassandra M
I think tattoos and piercings are a case by case basis. Any vulgar tattoos I think employers fully have a right to not hire you. But if it’s a full sleeve its totally fine.
However in Canada, discrimination based on tattoos are very rare.
Philip P
I believe that as long as the tattoo isn’t offensive, for example a giant “FUCK” across your neck or hand ect.. that the tattoo doesn’t affect the workplace in any way at all. The only reason I think that the tattoo shouldn’t be offensive is because most workplaces are accessible to abuse victims and children.
Joseph H
Since the Pokémon go release, do you think there will be a huge market in both augmented reality apps and fitness combined?
While Pokemon Go is still in its infancy, I think that within the next 6-12 months we will definitely see some similar apps for various purposes.
Aaron H
I think augmented reality is already a huge, untapped market and Pokemon Go simply did it the best so far with known license. It was genius. More will come.
Ryan S
I think there will be an inevitable increase in the availability of apps which try to cash in on the Pokemon Go popularity. I’m not sure that all will be as successful, but I have to admit that I would LOVE a My Little Pony version!
Jo G
Yes there already has been there a pokemon go dating application that ive seen about. As long as it carries on having positive affects then why not role out mulitple affects. But as long as they dont expect me to cacth charizard whilst bench pressing then all good. Like i said as long as its not as about just profits and continues to help in physical and mental health then continue with the great work so far.
Sam L
Absolutely. Or at least there will attempt to be. I’m betting a lot of companies will try making new apps to jump on the train after seeing how successful the Pokemon Go game is. Some may be successful with drawing in additional age groups.
VJ F
I believe there will be in an increase in that sort of mobile gaming, just like the wii brought a wave of fitness focused console gaming a few years back. Idk if it will be long lasting or just a nice fad.
Kriss B
I think companies will try and copy pokemon go for its success. Just the nature of buisness.
Cassandra M
I do think it will change the app gaming all together! It’s very popular game and where’s there popular there’s money to be made! Gaming is changing anyways with more realistic gaming and virtual gaming it was only a matter of time apps would be come to same.
Daisy T
I dont think there will be a market with the combination of fitness. People are alreasy complaining they have to walk to hatch eggs, people want to see their favourite games as AR, but dont want to get off their ass.
Philip P
I think, if done right, there could be a massive market for AR applications, and in their nature, they benefit the health and fitness of their users. For example with Pokémon Go, there are walking targets for the eggs, which, for someone like myself who often doesn’t feel comfortable going out and doing exercise, it both motivates me, and provides a distraction.
Joseph H
What is your one (music) album you cannot live without?
Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP. Aaron H
Labor Days by Aesop Rock. He wrote the album while he was a waiter and it’s almost completely about the working class struggles.
Ryan S
Holding on to Strings Better Left to Fray by Seether. It’s the kind of album that works whether you’re horribly depressed or in a bouncy good mood.
Jo G
Linkin Park Hybrid theory such a great album and most people can relate to every word of every song of the album.
Sam L
I have no idea. I listen to completely random stuff, like the Tetris theme B on the panflute (also sounds fantastic on the harp). Maybe Nightwish’s “Wishmaster” album.
VJ F
One music album I can’t live without is Give Up, by Postal Service. I don’t even listen to it often. Maybe once or twice a year, but it’s very good and it’s influenced me in many ways.
Kriss B
Five finger death punch: American capitalist.
Cassandra M
Pink-I’m not dead. Without thinking it.
Daisy T
Bif Naked – The Promise.
Philip P
One album I couldn’t live without would be This Is War by Thirty Seconds to Mars, the message that the band put in to the album, and all associated media, was one of family, one of belonging. Something I often felt like I didn’t have growing up. I still listen to the album daily.
Joseph H
If you could direct a movie about your life, who would play the main character and what parts of your life would you put in it?
I would honestly like to play myself at parts, if at all possible and I would like to basically cover my entire time in public school and focus on the various things I’ve experienced.
Aaron H
Drew Barrymore (although she’d probably need to gain a bit of weight for the role). The key parts would be about their struggle with acceptance and feeling alone (even though they’re in love with a wonderful wife played by Julianne Moore), have them struggle with fighting the myth that non-binary people should be androgynous (for example my boobs are just as non-binary as someone else’s flat chest is) and the struggle of living in two completely separate worlds (a wonderful, complicate queer world versus a straight laced corporate world). It would probably end up feeling a bit like Girl, Interrupted.
Jo G
Robert downey JR. As the truth is I AM IRON MAN. And from when i was 11 to the current day. My life has been full of hurt pain and loss from a young age. But from 11 because thats where i had to choose wether to grow up or stay a kid for ever. Within 2 years i lost 5 of not only my family but my best friends. Life became a Blurry intoxicated and emtional roller coaster. Some said i would end up in Prison or dead. Most where right but it opened my eyes to a world i was missing. Now and since then ive bcome a father have the strongest unbreakable bonds with some of the greatest people ever (Some of which could have a triology of films) If my story wass published on the flicks hopfully it would teach people you dont need to be so angry with the world.
Sam L
I’m an incredibly boring person. I could be realistic about my daily life and have a shortfilm starring Steve Buscemi just eating lettuce and playing solitaire while the Tetris music plays in the background. Occasionally there would be shouts or sounds of other people doing stuff outside or in other rooms,but they would never actually be shown or interacted with.
Orrrrrrr, if I were feeling masochistic enough to be majorly controversial, I’d have a highly-dramatized “documentary” of my personal identity. Whichever actor (who can actually act well) actually wanted to be involved in a scandalous movie (that would probably fight with censorship laws in many countries) would be selected to play a character in a completely different setting from my life but whose development and majority identity discovery bits parallel mine.
VJ F
I would try to play the main character, but it doesn’t really matter lol. As long as he’s black and a good actor. And I’d put things like my hospitalization and my first major breakup. Things that have shaped me.
Kriss B
Hmm im not sure who would play me. I’d want some unknown actress to play me. I’d have major events. I’d have it about my middle school to high-school life which really shaped whom I am now.
Cassandra M
It’s between boo from orange is new black and melissa mccarthy both brilliant and hilarious women! I hope you don’t mind but I don’t feel that comfortable talking about my life, but There would be a lot of comedy in it 😉 .
Daisy T
Tom Felton would star as myself. I think id have it start off with flashbacks on my life, family moments here and there. It would show the fractured relationships I have with most famioy members. The first time I had sex ( forced, threesome while blacked out) Id then have it show the first time I did Heroin. My move to Winnipeg and than my spiral into even deeper drug abuse and then prostitution, overdose. It would end with my first date with Justin and a few flash forwards of our life together.
Philip P
I’d probably cast Chris Pratt, because I feel, although he looks nothing like me, he could effectively portray my personality and life. I’d include every key moment from when I was 15 to now; from the sexual abuse I was victim of, to my birthdays, my relationships, minus one of my ex’s who doesn’t count since we only dated for a month. I’d include my parent’s wedding vow renewal, the relationship – or lack thereof – with my biological father, who failed to ever be there for me regardless of the attempts I made to include him in my life. Most importantly I’d include the development of my own character, who I am as a person, and the various factors that shaped the person I am today.
Joseph H
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tyler Charles Austen 