One of the first things I saw on Social Media today was a picture of Harry Styles modelling in a dress which was shared with the personal narration of 'Whatever they're paying you, it ain't enough...'

I called it out and said 'I'd do it if somebody paid me but I'm genuinely not bothered if somebody judged me. It says more about them and my paymasters'. I was told I wouldn't. 

To put a bit of background on it, I am a 36 year old heterosexual male who has never cross-dressed, but I have been judged for my appearance being different, whether that be as a 'metalhead' or because of my artificial eye. I don't like to see it as it's unjustified, and quite frankly if somebody chooses to cross-dress, and they are happy, it's nobody else's damn business as they don't stand in their shoes.

I decided that £100 was a sensible rate for him to pay me to do so I could get a nice outfit and make it worth my while. I even offered to do pigtails and go to a Rock & Metal bar to socialise for the photos that I would get my professional photographer to take. He jested he would pay to see that. I requested the money and it didn't come.

In the meantime I realised today is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Day. In the meantime, I've decided, sod it, I'm doing it anyway to raise awareness and spark conversation on the issue whilst raising money for charity. Nobody deserves to feel uncomfortable being who they choose to be by their identity (whether background, ethnicity, sexuality, or fashion) if they are causing no harm. I don't feel my own identity or masculinity is changed in anyway by this and couldn't care less if others think it is.

I don't know if Mr. Styles is a transvestite, or gender fluid, and honestly, I'm not bothered, and that is the point. I'm happy for him/her/them and anybody to be what they want to be without think about a societal label skewing their acceptability.

Not being able to be who you want to be causes anxiety and depression, which is the biggest killer of young men under 45.

I'm raising money for The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. 
Sophie Lancaster was a young woman who was murdered for being different. She and her boyfriend were creative, artistic people who dressed in their own unique way. They were attacked by a gang of 5 boys in a park in Bacup, Lancashire on 11 August 2007. The gang attacked Sophie’s boyfriend first and then turned on her, carrying out a brutal and sustained attack. Sophie remained in hospital for 13 days, before following medical advice, the family agreed to life support being switched off. Sophie died on 24 August 2007; she was just 20 years old.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation was established as a lasting legacy to a beautiful life cut short by violence. The charity works to promote tolerance and acceptance for others – however we are different, and champions alternative people in our communities. The Foundation’s mission to stamp out prejudice hatred and intolerance everywhere, can be summed up in one word.

So here's the deal!

• We raise £100. I'll go to The Old Salutation Inn (a historic Rock pub in Nottingham) for a couple of drinks dressed as a women. I'll do my hair in pigtails, wear nice make-up, and I'll wear a nice dress. My mate Joe who is a professional photographer will take pictures to fulfil my part of the bargain.
• If we get to £200, I'll cycle there from home and back, all dolled up.
• If we get to £300, I'll do it on my Motorcycle!