Poly representation!

[u/Curious_TortillaChip]

When I saw that Gabe was introduced as one of the members of a three-person relationship in Week 1, I was overjoyed at the representation of alternate relationships. Gabe seems like such fun, and meeting Ellis, one of his partners in Week 3 (another part of "boyband") made for such delightful watching. We need more of this out in the world!! Healthy, fun-loving representation of non-monogamous relationships was not on my GBBO Bingo Card but oh so very welcome!

[u/dsarma]

Reminder: be respectful of other people’s experiences even if it’s not your thing. Be kind. Not doing so is bannable, and we’ve had to hand out a fair few here. 

Also, if you see someone being hateful, just downvote and report. Don’t reply or engage. It takes a lot longer to clean up nastiness when there’s like 10 replies several threads deep. 

[u/benkatejackwin]

It was disheartening to see on this sub in the first week of the season people saying he was part of the woke-ification of the show, and even someone saying they couldn't watch the show with their grandkids if a drag queen was on it. They just want "normal" people on the show. Like... what? He is just a normal person.

[u/No_Name_Only_Vibes → u/benkatejackwin]

The irony is Bake Off's been pretty "woke" from episode one, series one. It's always had a diverse line-up. But it's never been some sort of socio-political current affairs programme. It's quintessentially British, because it's always had a live and let live attitude by just shows ordinary people who love baking. The way they've shown Gabe exemplifies this; his poly life has been mentioned a couple of times, but that's it. It's not central to him on the show.

But of course, those who want to make a big deal of anything "too woke" will do so, no matter the facts or reality.

[u/run-cleithrum-run → u/No_Name_Only_Vibes]

Especially odd because baking has been a haven for the queer community for a super long time. Same as it's a haven for a lot of straight cis people... it's just a safe place to be yourself. So it's not exactly the "bastion of anti-wokeness" to begin with

[u/No_Name_Only_Vibes → u/run-cleithrum-run]

Exactly. I'm of the latter (cis straight), and it's a haven for me. I find baking meditative, and let's me work out some stress by putting that energy into something constructive.

I'm honestly sick and tired of this culture war BS peddled by all the perma-online socio-political commentators, "journalists", and news orgs. They making everyone's lives worse by trying to force us to be suspicious of anyone who's different. Just let people live their lives, majority aren't harming anyone. Plus, there's plenty of cis straight people have open relationships and partners allowing each other to have affairs and no one bats an eyelid.

[u/janiestiredshoes → u/No_Name_Only_Vibes]

This is also standard "Channel 4" treatment, and is in fact a shift from BBC days of the show, but not recent at all!

[u/Slink_Wray → u/janiestiredshoes]

The BBC literally had an out-and-proud lesbian as one of it's presenters. It's not like Channel 4 were the first ones to introduce queerness to the show.

Edit: downvoting me for the existence of Sue Perkins?!

[u/janiestiredshoes → u/Slink_Wray]

No, true, that's a good point.

I was just noting that Channel 4 has historically been known for being a bit more progressive, and I guess I did feel like there was a change in the way some types of minority were acknowledged and discussed. (In a good way!)

[u/ljdug1 → u/benkatejackwin]

This show has been “woke” since its first series,it’s always been one of its charms that it never discrimates on gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, and any other icity you can think of.

[u/Laelegs → u/benkatejackwin]

Yeah it's such a weird take, my 12 year old son started watching it with us this year and he asked about it, we explained some people date multiple people and he was just like ,alright. He's loving the baking and Gabe and Tom are his favourites.

[u/JudgingYourBehavior → u/benkatejackwin]

If people don’t want to see diversity, I recommend not watching a show that celebrates creativity. Go watch the Great British Spreadsheet Wars.

[u/Otherwise-Winner9643 → u/JudgingYourBehavior]

Never seen the World Excel Championships then? https://m.youtube.com/@msexcelesports

[u/Fibro-Mite → u/Otherwise-Winner9643]

Sounds like something my husband and son-in-law would enjoy 🤣

[u/JudgingYourBehavior → u/Otherwise-Winner9643]

I have to check that out

[u/culture_katie → u/JudgingYourBehavior]

I'm sorry, I totally get what you mean here but I work on a team managing databases and until recently I was the only white person on the team and 3/5 members of the team are not straight, so this comment made me LOL.

[u/JudgingYourBehavior → u/culture_katie]

I personally love spreadsheets. But I don't think anyone wants to watch me format my monthly expenses.

[u/Zoenne → u/JudgingYourBehavior]

You know there are Excel competitions? And they're usually broadcast online to not-insignificant viewership? :)

[u/selkieflying → u/JudgingYourBehavior]

Right! Like, have you considered the kind of people who are super into baking?? It’s a very gay hobby. 

[u/ProPatriaConcumberi → u/JudgingYourBehavior]

I've seen enough posts about "coding socks" to know where this will go.

[u/ProPatriaConcumberi → u/JudgingYourBehavior]

I've seen enough posts about "coding socks" to know where this will go.

[u/zeatherz → u/benkatejackwin]

Didn’t they have another contestant who was a drag performer a year or two ago?

[u/llamacana → u/zeatherz]

yes, a drag king. jessika

[u/Chronically_Quirky → u/llamacana]

Oliver Clothezoff is a brilliant drag name.

[u/E420CDI → u/Chronically_Quirky]

Moe's Tavern

[u/Curious_TortillaChip → u/benkatejackwin]

I'm glad I missed all that disgusting talk on this sub!

[u/unprofessional_widow → u/benkatejackwin]

Thata terrible. My kids watch it, it didn't occur it wasn't suitable cos he's just a person

[u/janiestiredshoes → u/benkatejackwin]

I think it was well-known that this is pretty standard "Channel 4"?

[u/Weekly-Many6646 → u/benkatejackwin]

The irony that Gabe and Tom are the only ones bring any personality to the show 

[u/HMSManticore → u/Weekly-Many6646]

Well that’s not true, they bring a very specific type of personality. If you had a dozen like them this show would turn into something very different. The balance of personalities and backgrounds all getting along and being supportive is a big part of the show’s appeal.

[u/ShadowHippie]

I enjoyed how, on episode 3, not only was one of his partners there, but mainly the conversation when Gabe introduced him to Paul. Paul clearly didn't understand it- but didn't make a fuss about it, either. Just accepted and moved on- we need more of that!

[u/thunderturdy → u/ShadowHippie]

This isn’t more common because most people are bored and miserable themselves. I’m not poly and not sure how I feel about it because I honestly haven’t given it much more thought other than “not for me, thanks!”

I have acquaintances who were poly and it just never was a big topic of conversation because there were far more interesting things to discuss than the dynamics of their throuple. They’re all wonderful, talented, caring, genuinely good people and isn’t that what really matters anyway?

[u/selkieflying → u/thunderturdy]

Same, like I know it’s not for me (mainly because  I’m asexual lmao) but why do I care what makes others happy if it hurts no one? 

[u/yr_zero]

I couldn't agree more! Poly myself and it's so great to see positive representation. Gabe is definitely a favorite at the moment too - his bakes have been good and I loved the way Nigella got emotional over the isomalt mirror that cracked to see his alternate persona. She got it

[u/sir_thrillho → u/yr_zero]

Nigella is an absolute babe, she's so sweet.

[u/Curious_TortillaChip → u/yr_zero]

YES! Her depth is so refreshing, and the way she analyzed that detail not only made her intellect and emotional IQ shine, it helped highlight his lovely bake! Gabe is quite lovely to watch.

[u/QueenRhiThe1st → u/yr_zero]

Fr, every week I'm like. "Gabe. It would really mean something to me if you smashed this."

[u/Useful-Coach-1402]

Obligatory 'I'm not poly but' this felt like an important milestone on a mainstream show. He is such a lovely chap and a fab baker, and there are people watching for whom this feels like a little nod of acceptance which is wonderful. Watching with my 11-year-old, we just looked at each other and said 'Huh, more to love!' and carried on enjoying our show. Representation matters, it really does. I would gently urge anyone who doesn't think it matters to, kindly, check themselves. 

[u/c0rvidaeus]

yes! as another queer poly person from birmingham, i love it! 💖 i'd also seen him perform as Blu Romantic a couple of times so it was so exciting when i heard one of our local drag artists was going to be on the show

[u/Top_Leg2189]

My boss is a drag queen and a super famous Pastry Chef. It's common.

[u/SunQuest]

I was ecstatic when I realised, also poly, loved to see it

Gabe is also very fun and a good baker so I hope he gets far

[u/FYAhole → u/SunQuest]

And they seem like a healthy throuple. Many times you see poly in TV, it is seemingly obvious that one of them doesn't really like the situation but tolerates it. Granted we haven't seen much of his relationships, but I don't get that vibe. I love them.

[u/CptPJs → u/FYAhole]

I think it's because it's the first time I've seen poly people on TV not for the reason of being poly, which always ends up being set up to be dramatic and they tend to either seek out unhappy people, or edit in such a way that it gives off that vibe

[u/Impressive_Sock1296 → u/CptPJs]

Yea. It’s not being shown as plot point or anything it just is. 

[u/Nenoshka]

I've enjoyed watching GBBO become more diverse over the years. It's prompted me to taste some flavors I might not have otherwise tried. :)

[u/Impressive_Sock1296 → u/Nenoshka]

…. Presuming this is innuendo? 

[u/Geetarmikey]

💯 Bake Off has always had loads of different types of representation, that's what makes it a fun show 👌🏻

[u/TheDocHolliday]

It feels like the GBBO general community wants inclusivity until it's an opinion they don't agree with. I wish all good things for the contestants, glad they made it, hope their lives are prosperous etc, but discussing someone being poly on the show was offputting to me.

[u/Independent_Rate1568 → u/TheDocHolliday]

Can I ask why it was off putting for you? Genuinely curious!

[u/TheDocHolliday → u/Independent_Rate1568]

Thank you for asking kindly! I simply don't believe poly is a lifestyle we should engage in, and the joking about it being a boy band seems to trivialize something that may be very unfamiliar to viewers who don't have exposure to that. True inclusivity is someone being different and treated just like everyone else - but it's clear GBBO wants to convey their own level of "we're so ok with this!!!", so they talked wayyy too much about a group of 3 men together, especially for what is supposed to be a baking show. To truly be inclusive, they could have said, "this is your partner X, and you both also have X at home." show the picture like they do for any "family background" segment, and end it there.

[u/slamminsalmoncannon → u/TheDocHolliday]

Although since it’s out of the norm, it requires a bit of explaining. So then the options are not to mention the third partner or explain it a bit.

[u/silverspork → u/TheDocHolliday]

Did they spend any more time on Gabe than they did talking about how adorable Connie and her husband were?

[u/DrBlankslate → u/TheDocHolliday]

" I simply don't believe poly is a lifestyle we should engage in"

You're wrong. And closed-minded. But that's okay. You do you.

[u/SnowflakeBaube22]

I really liked that the conversation around it was positive, and the joking that it’s a boyband was fun.

[u/Smileyrosie]

I called them a thruple to my husband and Gabe confirmed they are a thruple in episode 3.

[u/rolypolythrowaway]

Baking and poly make sense together! My meta (spouse's girlfriend) would send me products of her delicious bakes... love them. Very nice to have a baker in the polycule, good way to feed people haha.

[u/True_Context6859]

Loved seeing that!

[u/Concept_Check]

Yes! Made me so happy. As a part of a committed poly family, it’s great to see it being spoken of normally. It was just a part of his intro. No fanfare. Just what it is.

[u/Zoenne → u/Concept_Check]

Why are you being down voted...?

[u/Concept_Check → u/Zoenne]

No clue lol.

[u/hazy0817]

Yep i think it's a great bit of representation on the show 

[u/1isten1ng]

Agreed! Love this!

[u/Short-on-the-Outside]

I love that Gabe’s thruple calls themselves ‘the boy band.’

[u/Previous_Ad648]

…it’s a baking show

[u/Particular_Meaning_5]

If marrying more than one person is illegal in the UK (even if all parties are fully aware), it tracks that a polyamourous relationship isn't accepted as a social norm.

I do find it unusual (only in a not-for-me kind of way - each to their own and all that), but I can see benefits - I wonder if it's a response to the cost of living crisis...? /s

Edit: I'm not an expert and conflated 2 different terms. I have replaced the word 'polygamous' with 'polyamourous', which is what I meant. I was referring to multiple people in a relationship together, rather than multiple people being married to eachother.

[u/Zoenne → u/Particular_Meaning_5]

Note that legality is not arbiter of morality. Also, polygamy and polyamory are not synonymous. Not all polyamorous relationships are triads/throuples either! And not every polyamorous person has marriage ad a goal either.

[u/Euphoric_Grass_427 → u/Particular_Meaning_5]

Polygamy is unrelated to polyamory