He’s all about creating positive change in the world, with the principle of helping people to help people. On top of that, Josh Reid Jones is a rough, sexy and charming Straight Mate!
How does the Just Be Nice campaign work?
Josh Reid Jones: Just Be Nice is about making sure people get the help they need, when they need it, for as long as they need it. Think of when you go to hospital and you don’t necessarily know what’s wrong, but you do know you’ll be there until you get well. When it comes to help in other non-medical spaces, the avenues to help are far less clear. So we make sure that people are taken care of, and supported into housing, employment and good mental health. That’s the base level quality of opportunity that we think everyone should have access to. At its core, we’re about changing the way people in organisations can help others, to make help more effective and efficient for the helper and those in need.
What prompted you to begin Just Be Nice?
I saw that people weren’t getting all of the help they needed, but I also saw there was an extraordinary amount of good will, it was just being poorly executed and coordinated. The outcomes were poor, not necessarily for the people who wanted to help, who were getting good ‘feelings’, but for the people who needed help and weren’t getting complete outcomes.
Your orgainsation is about change. Do you think that globally, we are on the brink of big change, particularly in terms of how humans treat one another?
If we are, we’re going about it in a strange fashion. There’s obviously a groundswell of sentiment, where people feel left behind and people are feeling inequality in the world. But at the same time, Trump is still the US President, Johnson is the UK Prime Minister and we have Morrison as our Prime Minister. So there are these people at the top, making decisions, but maybe not the best ambassadors for that sort of change.
Founder of the Just Be Nice project, Josh Reid Jones
“My mum says, “It’s crazy how many blokes will have a crack at you!”
LGBTIQ people still face homophobia and discrimination, with some of the biggest threats being political parties, and religious and cultural groups. How can we all move forward positively?
I think a lot lies around holding people to different levels of accountability. More than you’re accountable to yourself. I’d like to see people be clear about what they want for themselves, because I think you’ll find most people want to be happy and safe. They want water and medical care and all that kind of stuff. It doesn’t matter where you grew up, where you were born and if you’re gay, straight or what job you have, most people actually want that outcome in every country of the world. So if we just embraced that concept and were less worried about how people are dating each other, we’d probably all get along better.
Do you hang out with gay mates?
I was actually in a wedding party two weeks back with gay mates. It was a straight wedding, but only the groom and myself were straight. The other three guys were gay and all good mates. At the end of the night the music was a mix of early 2000’s R&B and we all danced together. I have to say I have wonderful gay friends doing wonderful things all over the place!
What’s the campest song on your iTunes?
When I think of camp songs I usually think of It’s Raining Men, but unfortunately that’s not on my playlist. I don’t even have ABBA, but I do have a couple of those gay anthem House songs, like CeCe Peniston’s Finally from Priscilla. Now that’s a ripper!
Josh Reid Jones
So, who’s your diva?
Its’ Beyoncé for me. I like her sassiness and she has a great groove. She started back when I was first getting into music. I’s have to say Crazy In Love is my favourite.
“Gay guys I know like boobs, so we can bond over that!”
Have you ever been to Mardi Gras?
I’ve never been to Mardi Gras, but I’ve definitely been to gay bars both locally and overseas.
And do guys hit on you?
Yes, but I get hit on outside of gay bars too! In fact it’s a running joke with my mum. I took her overseas one time and she was like “It’s crazy how many blokes will have a crack at you!”
If you were gay, who would you go for?
Ryan Reynolds is my guy. He’s funny, tall, he looks like he’s neat, and he has a nice looking body. He’s a handsome bloke and even looks like he has nice hands. I think we could have a beer and a laugh.
Do you think there are certain things that straight men and gay men have in common?
I think overwhelmingly there’s lot of things. For starters, a lot of the gay guys I know like boobs, so I think we can bond over that! But eating, drinking, having a good laugh and hanging with your mates, it’s all very much the same. We’re all boys underneath, it’s just that the dating apps are different!
“We’re all boys underneath, it’s just that the dating apps are different!”
Your face popped up a lot with Conchita Wurst during this year’s Eurovision commercial breaks. How did that come about?
That was for a broadband company and the context was having different people chat to one another across a huge screen. They had to pick someone out and a few chose me. It was about finding common ground, but then being shocked at how different the people actually were.
Who has been your greatest influence?
It’s kind of obscure, but there’s a guy called Phil Beadle who is an educationalist and author from the UK. I’ve had the pleasure of having some beers and conversation with him over the years. I’ve read his books and he’s been a really positive and relevant influence in my life. Rules for Mavericks: A Manifesto for Dissidence Creatives is a real belter. Personally, I’ve been lucky with a great mum too and the bonus of family around me.
What quote do you live by?
(Laughing) Just Be Nice would be the one!
Josh Reid Jones
How can we make a difference for those struggling?
It’s a tough one because a lot of people only ask for advice when they’re in their deepest darkest time. My work is about making sure that the people around those people have the tools to assist, but I think we need to also mature the conversation toward the people who aren’t struggling right now and keep their eyes up. We need to pay more attention and be really active in the process of helping people. We need that, instead of just saying to those who are struggling, this is what you need to do – while you’re also having the toughest time. But if you’re not having a tough time, it’s a great opportunity to reach out to those people around you. It’s about taking the responsibility for ‘getting better’ away from the person who’s struggling, and putting it into the ego system they live in.
What’s your best grooming tip?
Use a safety razor, where you can change the blades. Don’t use a disposable. They suck! The old school safety razors are much sharper for a better shave. You can buy a double edge razor online and you’ll use it forever. I get mine from Aesop.
What’s been your worst wardrobe malfunction?
I have split multiple pairs of pants in public. I’m also a carpenter by trade, and when I was working on site I’d have these ratty pants, which were basically just a dick-flap! There was nothing underneath with basically two threads holding the entire shorts together. If I were up a ladder, everyone got a good look straight up!
So it’s more a wardrobe wear-out!
Yes, customised for air circulation!
On the beach are you Speedos or boardies?
I wear trunks, Speedos and boardies. If I’m planning on walking to the café, I’ll wear boardies, but if I’m just hanging at the beach it’s Speedos.
Briefs, fitted boxers or freeballs?
Fitted boxers. When I was younger we all wore those horrible satin boxers that were sweaty and covered in stupid patterns like Thomas the Tank or horny devils! Fitted boxers are comfy and I feel like I could do anything in them. If I had to walk down Collins Street in my boxers I could, but in my jocks I’d feel a lot more conspicuous!
How will you spend Christmas?
December is a busy time for us because a lot of families are struggling and we have a drive for help. If people are looking to help out during the Christmas period, please jump on board with the Just Be Nice project! It’s a tough time for a lot of people and we can definitely use the help!
For more on Josh and Just Be Nice, visit: www.joshreidjones.com
Interviewing Josh Reid Jones
