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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Health
Olivia Petter

Courtney Act praises labels 'because they help to bring visibility' for LGBT+ community

Getty Images for Warner Bros

Shane Jenek, aka Courtney Act, has said that people shouldn’t shy away from labelling their sexuality.

Speaking on The Independent‘s dating and relationships podcast, “Millennial Love”, the Australian drag queen explained that people should embrace labels such as bisexual and pansexual because they “help to bring visibility to the LGBT+ community”.

"For me, hearing other people talk about labels has been what has helped me understand who I am," Jenek added.

The 37-year-old went on to explain that people respond differently towards him depending on whether or not he is dressed in drag.

“Different people are attracted to me depending on how I look,” Jenek said, adding: “I have a very broad spectrum of attraction.”

Jenek continued by saying that he identifies as pansexual, meaning he is attracted to people of irrespective of their gender, and finds himself drawn to “fun experiences”.

The performer added that he thinks societal views of gender and sexuality are becoming more fluid.

"The UK’s got the most advanced relationship with masculinity, femininity and sexuality," he said, explaining that young people in particular are "a lot more open" than they were when he was growing up.

You can listen to the full episode here.

The Independent's Millennial Love group is the best place to discuss to the highs and lows of modern dating and relationships. Join the conversation here.​

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