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WNBR by Andrew Bowman
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Tuesday, July 15, 2025
An Extra Set of Eyes
When I was looking for images of Naked Men in London, especially shots including the London Eye, there were a few others I saved. Since I couldn't find a place to easily include them, here they is 😀
I had to include at least one images featuring the UK's famous red phone booths.
Heartstopper: Perfect
'The Beginning of One Thing, Can Be the Rest of Everything.'
I know, the UK based series Heartstopper began a few years ago. The show is essentially over, except for a possible movie. I however, as usual, was late to the party. Heartstopper is a show I really wasn't initially motivated to watch, yet at the same time, knew viewing it was, was inevitable. Being late isn't always a bad thing, I just devoured the first two seasons in the first two weeks of July. I am trying to delay watching season 3 for a bit, given how the punch I felt after the watching the first two seasons.
It was actually watching Joe Locke in Agatha All Along last summer that motivated me to watch. I fell in love with Locke watching him promote on Agatha on television shows, and usually, Heartstopper was brought up by the interviewer. I featured Joe on FH last Halloween during a series of 'witch' themed posts. (HERE:) Since I already featured Charlie, (Locke) I thought today's focus would be on Nick, played by South London born actor Kit Connor.
Given the show has completed it's run, there's not really much to say about the story and the show that hasn't already been written. Just let me say that for me, as far as television shows go, Heartstopper was perfect. Beautifully executed, carefully and skillfully written and directed and perfectly casted. The entire cast top to bottom fit their roles so beautifully, it was almost as each was meant for the part. That's the power of great casting. I love them all, but in addition to Charlie and Nick, I also have a special affinity for Isaac, (Tobie Donovan) and Imogen. (Rhea Norwood)
The characters of Nick and Charlie were created and written by writer Alice Oseman. They first appeared in her debut novel Solitaire, which she wrote when she was just 17 years old and published when she was 19. Oseman later published two ebook novellas based on characters from Solitaire – a sequel titled Nick and Charlie, and a prequel titled This Winter.
I think so many of us, regardless of age or experience, can see ourselves in Charlie or Nick. I was definitely a Charlie and although still closeted throughout high school, did have a Nick. My Nick however, was straight, and I balanced my secret crush and longings with a girlfriend, one I loved, but in a very different way than I loved Nick. In the end, although painful, it was a good thing my Nick wasn't bisexual. We ended up as very good friends and I was an usher at his wedding and the Godfather to his first born daughter.
Kit Connor embodies everything I think so many of our school crushed had. Whether we crushed over someone openly gay, bisexual, or even straight, there are qualities of goodness, and more importantly safety, Connor so beautifully portrays. I know Nick sometimes seems too good to be true, but there are Nicks out there, but they are rare. That rare human being who regardless of their own struggles, strives to be there for others, sometimes especially those existing in the shadows and on the fringe.
Connor began his professional career at just eight, and has been working steadily since. It's clear after Heartstopper, both he and Locke will have long and successful careers. Despite how 'perfect' the show is, I'm sure there must have been some who thought taking these roles may not have been good for either actor, especially so early in their careers. I'm guessing the pressure may have been a little less in London, but in America, it's still sadly often risky for a young actor to be tied to a gay character.
It's not that Locke or Connor were unscathed, Connor in particular was criticized by many online. Connor objected to all the attention on his sexuality, and was criticized for queerbaiting. This lead to Connor deciding to come out as bisexual in a coming out tweet before leaving the social media site. The need to push actors about their sexuality, especially those playing gay or bisexual roles has been going on for years. I feel it's starting to change a bit, but like most LBGTQ issues, not nearly fast enough.
Andrew Bowman: WNBR 2011
'My abiding memory of these events is the smiling - whether from the bike saddles in front of you or people in the street smiling (possibly even laughing) when confronted with so many bums and willies.'
WNBR: London, 2011
Due to the number of stops and starts people are taking pix of each other pretty much the whole journey especially at the tourist attractions. One thing that amazed me on my first ride was the fact that the route goes through so many main thoroughfares and tourists sites. A typical route leaves Hyde Park, goes down Piccadilly through Piccadilly Circus, through theatreland, around Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall passing Downing Street, across Westminster bridge passing the Houses of Parliament.
Different cyclists go along the Southbank and across Tower Bridge - always a great place to take pix, or across Waterloo bridge, up the Strand to St Paul's cathedral. My favourite bit is going through Covent Garden watching all the tourists eating their outdoor lunches suddenly realising what it going on.
Then cycling up the Mall right up to the gates of Buckingham Palace with the unamused face of Queen Victoria looking down on you. 9 times out of 10 the ride takes place on the same day as trooping the colour (which finishes around 2pm) and there was always that thought that the royal family were still in there peeping through the net curtains maybe wishing they could join in the fun.
My abiding memory of these events is the smiling - whether from the bike saddles in front of you or people in the street smiling (possibly even laughing) when confronted with so many bums and willies. Generally the ride is escorted by police who maintain a presence on the busier parts of the route. Just occasionally there is a disapproving scowl from people that think public nudity either should be, or is, illegal - it isn't unless its deliberately seen as a show of exhibitionism intended to offend - hard to argue this when there are 1000s of nudies of all ages shapes and sizes clearly just showing a bit of body confidence and having fun.
Some of the taxi drivers get a bit irate on their horns as well Onlookers and clothed cyclists are encouraged to join in along the way and sometimes do - to lots of cheering. Open-top double decker buses get a great view and its always fun to go past them.
Look for more of Andrew's WNBR images over the summer on FH:
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