Latest Stories from Flo
Trans woman Nikita Dragun was placed in a men’s prison
Despite identifying as a woman since her transition in 2015, Dragun’s arrest highlights continued transphobia and human-rights violations within the US prison system. On Monday, YouTube star Nikita Dragun was arrested and charged with felony assault of a police officer. The influencer was taken to a men’s prison in Miami and held until Wednesday when she was released without bail. Dragun has publicly identified as a woman since her transition in 2015....
RCA’s Virgil Abloh Scholarship fights underrepresentation in the arts
The Royal College of Art has announced a new scholarship honouring the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh – in an effort to support underrepresented communities. A new scheme by the Royal College of Art will see one ‘extraordinarily talented, but financially restricted, Black British student’ offered an annual scholarship to study at the prestigious arts institution. The Virgil Abloh scholarship, named after the late fashion designer, will provide a single...
Opinion – do we really need Christmas adverts this year?
Festive favourite brands like John Lewis and Sainsbury’s are toning down their Christmas adverts as the cost of living crisis looms. But is seasonal marketing truly necessary this year? For years, the start of the festive adverts has signalled the beginning of Christmas. Like most seasonal traditions, the launch of the Christmas ad has crept earlier and earlier. Now, department stores and supermarkets can be expected to drop extravagant marketing campaigns...
Magazine causes outrage with racist World Cup cartoon
A new cartoon by French magazine Le Canard enchainé has been decried for its racist depiction of Qatari footballers. It’s a prime example of football at its worst. A caricature published in le Canard enchainé has caused outrage on social media for its depiction of Qatari footballers as terrorists. The image, displayed in the French magazine’s October issue, depicts a group of bearded men in turbans, wearing Qatar football kits...
Opinion – ‘Queerbaiting’ creates unfair pressure on young celebrities
18-year-old actor Kit Connor announced he was bisexual this week, claiming that pressure from fans and the media had forced him out of the closet. Are we forcing celebrities out of the closet? It sounds like a bizarre question. Just a few years ago, being queer in the public eye was considered career ending. Now, fans of stars like Harry Styles and Taylor Swift are so desperate for their idols to...
Saatchi Gallery’s new exhibition spotlights Black visionaries
The New Black Vanguard features photographers Campbell Addy and Tyler Mitchell, spotlighting Black visionaries at the intersection of art and fashion. The Saatchi Gallery’s latest show, ‘The New Black Vanguard’, is – as its name would suggest – a celebration of Blackness. Photographer Campbell Addy, whose work features in the exhibit and whose vision helped bring it to life, is one of a number of Black photographers working at the intersection...
Kevin Spacey has won lawsuit against Anthony Rapp
The jury’s decision marks a difficult turning point in the #Metoo movement. This week, as a jury concluded actor Kevin Spacey was not guilty of molesting Anthony Rapp – an assault that Mr Rapp alleges took place when he was just 14 – Spacey dropped his head in relief. Hugging lawyers and others, Spacey said he was ‘deeply grateful’ for the court's decision. The lawsuit had been based on Anthony Rapp’s...
Why aren’t we talking about Gen Z drug use?
New research shows that 1 in 3 young people have used drugs in the past 12 months. So why can’t we talk about it? Since the pandemic, the number of young people using drugs has spiked. According to The Mix, an organisation providing ‘essential support for under 25s’, 1 in 5 substance users now take drugs or alcohol to escape problems in their life. Official figures show that drug-related deaths...
Opinion – Elnaz Rekabi deserves her status as Iranian hero
Despite claims that her missing hijab was an accident, Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi has been greeted by fervent crowds after competing in an international tournament. After she competed at an international climbing tournament without her hijab, concerns were mounting for missing climber Elnaz Rekabi. Those close to Rekabi said they had been unable to make contact with her after her appearance at the climbing competition in South Korea, where the absence...
Nicole Mann becomes first Indigenous woman in space
Mann – a NASA astronaut – has become the first Native American to travel into space. Last Wednesday NASA launched its SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station. On board were a team of NASA crewmates; Anna Kikina, Josh Cassada, and Koichi Wakata. Their commander was Nicole Aunapu Mann – a Native American woman and NASA astronaut of almost 10 years. Mann’s journey on the SpaceX Crew Dragon makes her...
