This morning I obtained a press launch about Taylor Swift-themed cocktails launched by a sequence of bars to have a good time Tay Tay’s current document Grammy haul. Common readers would possibly anticipate this to set off a sarcastic rant about celebrity-themed booze as a result of I’ve kind in that regard, however no. Not immediately, and never about this. I used to be delighted when this launch leapt into my inbox like an enthusiastic, engaged, and scientifically literate younger grownup, as a result of it provides me the prospect to sort out one thing I care deeply about.
However earlier than I get to that, credit score to the bar chain in query – you possibly can strive the no-doubt scrumptious Taylor’s Model cocktails at The Cauldron London, Edinburgh, Brighton, and Wizard Exploratorium in London. Video menu right here.
Proper, right down to enterprise.
The US Presidential Election is looming on the saggy, in all probability incontinent horizon, and everyone knows it’s going to be a shit present as a result of, by their very own admission, the American Proper now not marketing campaign on coverage. As an alternative, as evidenced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ doomed Presidential bid, the Republican Celebration has gone all-in on Tradition Battle politics.
The political proper basically, and American Proper specifically, have been leaning in that path for years, however the transfer to ‘concern of the opposite’ campaigning got here into sharp focus when Donald Trump grew to become US President in 2016, and it’ll solely worsen as he makes an attempt to safe a second time period this 12 months, ostensibly to keep away from going to jail.
That is all outdated information to anybody holding even one eye on present affairs, and also you may be questioning why I’m posting this piece on a bar trade web site. Nicely, it’s due to the info-graphic to the appropriate of this textual content, and the impression I consider all that is having on some members of the bar group.
Briefly, yearly inherently conservative Boomers and Gen-Xers die, and inherently liberal post-Millennial people grow to be eligible to vote. This swing within the underlying cloth of the American voters means it’s turning into more and more troublesome for Conservatives to win elections. The GOP in America wants 100% turnout from its base to be in with any likelihood of gaining or holding on to energy, and they also leverage prejudice and ignorance-fueled hate discovered inside their base to set off that voter turnout.
This technique might be seen in every single place, however to deliver Taylor Swift again into the story, we’d like look no additional than the present ‘The Superbowl is Rigged‘ conspiracy for a first-rate instance – Conservatives in America are scared of Taylor Swift, in case she expresses a political opinion that influences younger voters (nevertheless it’s fantastic when Elon does it, obvs).
For me, the obvious and most heinous instance of this ‘concern the opposite’ tactic was employed by Ron DeSantis, who appeared to base his whole marketing campaign round stoking transphobia. Removed from simply spouting rhetoric, DeSantis handed legal guidelines that forestall trans folks from accessing correctly-gendered amenities and gender-affirming healthcare, and that is simply the tip of an iceberg that may solely be labelled looming fascism in Florida.
As with all parts of American tradition, this anti-trans sentiment has leaked out of Fox Information and located its strategy to the UK. Reported crimes towards transgender folks in England and Wales elevated by 11% in 2023, with even the UK Dwelling Workplace acknowledging the rise is probably going pushed by politicians’ feedback and media protection.
For transgender bar people who work together with liquored-up members of the general public every day, I’d think about waking up within the morning (afternoon) and questioning if immediately’s shift will embody abuse, prejudice, and even violence, have to be scary and infuriating. Particularly if it’s right down to a brief little twat in Florida eager to be President.
This makes me fucking livid, it actually does. I’m 50 years outdated, white, male, straight, and cis, which implies I’ve by no means as soon as skilled a second of prejudice. It’s simply by no means occurred. For a very long time I believed this meant I used to be the unsuitable individual to jot down about transphobia, however then I realised, slowly, as a result of I’m a dummy, that being an outdated privileged fart means I completely ought to write one thing, as a result of the transgender group must know it’s supported and revered from with out, in addition to inside.
I don’t actually know how you can finish this publish, apart from to say I’m an ally, as a lot as I understand how to be, and BarLifeUK is just too. The media-scape will flip right into a hell-scape because the US election attracts nearer, and folks will grow to be more and more riled up, so take care of your bar brothers, sisters, and non-binary comrades.
All hail Taylor Swift, and roll on the day we will vote for some politicians beneath the age of 70.
