Well, well, what an absolute backlash of viciousness and vitriol the Rainbow Poppy paraphernalia has unleashed on the queer community – and, as Pink News quite rightly points out, it’s not even a thing!
Yes, that’s right. A Rainbow coloured glittery badge on eBay, plus a picture of a Poppy with the same multi colours, has sent the terrible Twitter into an absolute frenzy.
The Badge, is in no way affiliated with the LGBT community, and is now not even available.
The Poppy, is a stand alone picture that back in 2016, LGBT+ poet Trudy Howson posted on their website. It never ever went into production and therefore not one was ever sold.
So how bizarre then that a bunch of toxic twitterers used it to claim that our queer community was hijacking the ultimate Remembrance Day symbol.
For me, this is yet another attempt by the anti- LGBT movement to cause division and divisiveness amongst both ourselves and the wider world.
Timelines have been full of angry comments about our community, the badge seller has removed the item, pleaded for a end to the ‘vile’ messages.
And even the Royal British Legion have been forced to reiterate that the Red Poppy is the one that represents all who served our country, and that the Rainbow Poppy is just a myth.
For me personally, ‘Poppygate’ raises a bit of a dilemma, to be honest.
My Marketeer head absolutely hates the dilution and dissection of any brand – whatever it is.
I actually couldn’t bear to wear a certain T Shirt this year – it had so many logos and symbols on it, the message was lost, and it looked like a bloody racing car!
So should we stick with the well-established, well-known and well-respected emblem.
The Red Poppy represents everyone, black to white, gay to straight, man to woman – and everyone in between.
It is also a very high profile and successful way for the British Legion to raise much-needed funds so I wouldn’t want to take away from that.
But…the queer in my heart, says it’s about bloody time the scores of LGBT military, and others, were fully and gloriously recognised for their massive contribution to serving our country.
Most notably, Alan Turing, who cracked the enigma code, ended the second world war two years early and, as even Churchill acknowledged, probably saved 17 millions lives.
Others worth a mention include poets and soldiers Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.
And, of course, the hundreds of LGBT+ soldiers who served throughout these times of conflict who had to keep themselves firmly in the camouflage closet until 2016.
So, I really have no problem with our national Remembrance Symbol giving a well-deserved nod to our queer war folk.
This includes the famous, the infamous, and the thousands of ordinary serving members who are all heroes in my eyes.
For me it’s more about the way we do it.
Shall we make it ‘a thing?’
Speak soon.
Mrs SVJ
Sue Vincent-Jones, writing as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and communications specialist. She blogs about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
Queer News is where Sue writes about her LGBT life – the happy times, and the hot issues. This includes all the volunteer work she does in the queer community, and her role as a founding member of LGBTQymru.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.