"Lucky guy," said many internet commenters. I've never seen sexual assault get such glowing reviews.
Despite how the event is being presented, the fact is this: Katy Perry kissed a non-consenting person. In fact, Benjamin Glaze wasn't just non-consenting. He specifically stated ahead of his audition that he has never kissed anyone and he is saving his first kiss for a relationship. Perry responded by demanding that the 19-year-old come over to her and kiss her. He leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek, but she turned her head at the last minute and planted one right on his lips. Glaze said afterward that he was uncomfortable, he did not want to kiss her, and now he's disappointed that his first kiss has been ruined.
Simply imagine what would happen if the roles were reversed. Imagine a male pop star demanding a kiss from a shy 19-year-old female and then smooching her on the lips without consent. The outrage would be deafening and immediate. He would certainly be fired from the show. We would get another round of lectures from the feminists explaining how this is all symptomatic of problematic sexual dynamics, etc. The guy would be metaphorically (perhaps literally) strung up by the ankles and dragged through the streets. But when the culprit is a woman?
"He kissed a girl and he liked it!"
WALSH: The Rules Of #MeToo Are Clear. Women Can Sexually Harass Whomever They Want.
Despite how the event is being presented, the fact is this: Katy Perry kissed a non-consenting person. In fact, Benjamin Glaze wasn't just non-consenting. He specifically stated ahead of his audition that he has never kissed anyone and he is saving his first kiss for a relationship. Perry responded by demanding that the 19-year-old come over to her and kiss her. He leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek, but she turned her head at the last minute and planted one right on his lips. Glaze said afterward that he was uncomfortable, he did not want to kiss her, and now he's disappointed that his first kiss has been ruined.
Simply imagine what would happen if the roles were reversed. Imagine a male pop star demanding a kiss from a shy 19-year-old female and then smooching her on the lips without consent. The outrage would be deafening and immediate. He would certainly be fired from the show. We would get another round of lectures from the feminists explaining how this is all symptomatic of problematic sexual dynamics, etc. The guy would be metaphorically (perhaps literally) strung up by the ankles and dragged through the streets. But when the culprit is a woman?
"He kissed a girl and he liked it!"
WALSH: The Rules Of #MeToo Are Clear. Women Can Sexually Harass Whomever They Want.