All expressions of gender non-conformity are antagonistic, especially trans femininity. Gender antagonisms aren’t always brash. It’s defiant to take up physical space as a woman or a femme; it’s confrontational to wear nail polish as a man or a masc. Daily antagonisms are both empowering and tend to increase vulnerability. […]
(Re)Tiring Sexuality in a ‘Brave New World’ I recently gave a talk as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) conference, ‘Brave New World’, in central London. Presenters and attendees were encouraged to think of the ways that ‘we’ve arrived’ as out, proud and endorsed queer citizens – now welcome […]
“Hollaback” is an international movement to end street harassment. ¡Atrévete! BA is the Buenos Aires branch, which launched in early 2011. We are one of over 50 partner sites around the world. As an Argentine feminist with connections in the UK, I appreciated the idea of a global movement with […]
Two years ago, I revived my old World of Warcraft Holy Priest and got her up to the maximum level (at that time) of 80. I immediately set about raiding and questing (for the uninitiated, raiding is where large groups of players take on the same set of challenges collectively, […]
It is common for the British to look at the American system of lobbying government and smile disdainfully. Money influencing policy is something others do, not the Mother of Parliaments. It is of course as inaccurate as believing paying MPs will lead to better applicants for the job or that […]
The past few weeks have seen a fair few spats surrounding columnists Suzanne Moore and Caitlin Moran. The pattern was always the same: A columnist says something awful which contributes to the oppression of less privileged minorities, people call them out, and the commentariat closes ranks around them for protection. […]
Thirty to forty years ago, there was a “great debate” pitting biology versus society in relation to the role of gender. Just as there had been in relation to IQ and school success, and in earlier generations about class and race. Which was more important: nature or nurture? The reason […]
As the name already suggests, the LGBT (or “LGBTQ”, or “LGBTQI”) political community is incredibly diverse and complex. Class, race, gender, disability, age, nationality and immigration status intersect with “LGBT” to create multiple and sometimes conflicting interests and experiences. Additionally, there are huge differences in experience between lesbian, gay, bisexual, […]
What are we doing here? Are we building a new society, or are we merely the latest incarnation of a wave of indignant protest? I hope we are the former: the beginning of something special. If that is so, we are currently building our new society in the image of […]