If you haven’t heard, Katy Perry is a judge on American Idol the once-popular singing competition that helped catapult people into the spotlight.
While auditioning, 20 year old Benjamin Glaze mentioned he had never been in a relationship or kissed before. In hearing this Perry decided it was her role to change Glaze’s current never-kissed-status, and when he went to peck her on the cheek she purposely turned her head so they met lips. Glaze said that the kiss was “uncomfortable” but said he didn’t feel harassed.
Not only did Perry take a boy’s first kiss, she assaulted him. In a current climate where people are constantly reporting harassment in personal and professional atmospheres, this behavior isn’t cute or quirky. Frankly, this is harassment and even if Glaze doesn’t feel comfortable announcing it in 2018 we should all know it.
Kissing, touching, or catcalling anyone without permission is extremely disrespectful and invading. Just because this harassment happened to someone who identifies as a man doesn’t make it any less of harassment. Perry should use this moment to learn and grow, and touch on female on male harassment. PS Glaze didn’t even make it into the next round, just had his first kiss taken from him and sent home.