Blog posts from February 2010
Baroness Warsi is no symbol of Tory progress
by J Whitehead // 28 February 2010, 23:36
For the uninitiated, today is the last day of LGBT month; a time of the year for celebrating, highlighting and reflecting upon issues affecting the LGBT community. Ironically, this coincides with a profile in today’s Independent newspaper of Baroness Warsi...
"A little place where I live safe"
by Jolene Tan // 27 February 2010, 23:24
Human Rights Watch have released a report on the use by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) of Detained Fast Track (DFT), an accelerated procedure for asylum cases, for the cases of women whose circumstances raise complex gender-related issues. Many of...
New review: The Equality Illusion
by Jess McCabe // 27 February 2010, 17:28
Do you think feminism’s job is done? Kat Banyard’s book will remove your rose-tinted glasses, says Jess McCabe The Equality Illusion, subtitled The Truth About Women & Men Today, aims to blow away the myth that feminism's work is over,...
40 years of women's liberation
by Jess McCabe // 26 February 2010, 22:13
It's 40 years since the first women's liberation conference at Ruskin College in Oxford, a significant event in the history of UK feminism. Next month the College is organising another conference to acknowledge the anniversary (more details here). Today the...
Guest post: Help us prove the worth of the women's sector
by Guest Blogger // 26 February 2010, 13:28
Sarah Brown is head of communications at the Women’s Resource Centre. UPDATE: The survey is now open until March 14, and can be accessed in three parts here, here and here. It’s never easy for the women’s sector! At the...
SFX magazine accused of sexism
by Guest Blogger // 26 February 2010, 12:06
Jenni Hill works as a junior editor at science fiction, fantasy and horror publishers Solaris Books, where she very nearly has everyone using the Bechdel test. Very nearly. Author and poet Maura McHugh, who blogs under the name Splinister, has...
Female MCs and women in hip hop culture
by Laura // 26 February 2010, 12:05
Female MCs are 'ruling UK clubs again', according to an article published in The Guardian earlier this week. As with most proclamations that women are now 'ruling' a male-dominated arena - be it a music scene, politics, Hollywood - the...
Reminder: you are no more than your uterine potential
by Lynne Miles // 26 February 2010, 07:54
For me, the biggest problem with denying women access to safe, legal abortion is in the terrible risk to their health it presents. And the realisation (which sneaks up to put you 'back in your place' when you occasionally forget...
Diplomats and migrant domestic workers
by Jolene Tan // 25 February 2010, 21:26
There've been some stories in the news this week about the abuse of migrant domestic workers by diplomats. From The Times:Diplomats at several London embassies have been accused of using migrant domestic workers as “modern-day slaves”, depriving them of food...
Airbrushing for all?
by J Whitehead // 25 February 2010, 17:04
In a world where women are systematically confronted with endless images of airbrushed female “perfection”, I heaved a large sigh whilst shopping in Boots yesterday. A simple trip to print some photos turned into body insecurity 101 when I was...
Misreading Lolita
by Jolene Tan // 24 February 2010, 21:07
I posted an earlier version of this as a Facebook note last September, when Polanski was arrested, but given the award he's just won and a renewed spate of celebrity support for him, I thought I might revisit it.I am...
Bristol Reclaim The Night march
by Helen G // 24 February 2010, 13:39
A guest post by Sian Norris of the Bristol Feminist Network: Friday 26th February is the second year that Bristol Feminist Network will be heading up a Reclaim the Night march. It’s a chance for women and men in Bristol...
Spratz - a feminist kidzine
by Laura // 24 February 2010, 11:07
The CRAP! (Child Rearing Against Patriarchy) Collective's kidzine is now available in readable and downloadable PDF format at the zinelibrary. It's packed full of patriarchy-smashing stories, poetry, games and pictures for children of all ages, plus delightful mottoes such as...
Scotland Yard staff to be trained in psychological effects of rape
by Laura // 24 February 2010, 10:01
Det Chief Supt Caroline Bates, head of Scotland Yard's first dedicated rape intelligence unit, has pledged that every woman reporting a rape will be interviewed by an officer trained in the psychological effects of the crime: "I train my staff...
Guest post: Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice.
by Guest Blogger // 23 February 2010, 10:16
In this guest blog, Bethan Jenkins highlights the launch of Beat Cymru. Bethan is Assembly Member for South Wales West, and chairs the cross-party group on eating disorders at the National Assembly for Wales. She also sit on the Beat...
New review: Lighting a fire
by Jess McCabe // 22 February 2010, 22:57
Christiane Inmann’s history of women’s reading and writing is a delicious read, says Jessica Gjergji As all forbidden fruit should be, Christiane Inmann's cross-cultural history of women's role as readers and writers is mouthwateringly tempting from the moment you open...
Hairy Legs
by Philippa Willitts // 21 February 2010, 12:55
Philippa talks about others' expectations that she would be ashamed of hair on her legs.
New review: Hello Kitty Must Die
by Jess McCabe // 21 February 2010, 11:21
The protagonist of Angela S. Choi’s comic debut novel channels the anger of every woman who has been belittled or demeaned, says Kaite Welsh "I hate Hello Kitty. "I hate her for not having a mouth or fangs like a...
Faith schools could be given chance to opt out of providing effective sex education
by Laura // 19 February 2010, 14:38
The Catholic Education Service claim that their campaigning has led to Ed Balls tabling an amendment to the Children, Schools and Families Bill regarding Sex and Relationships Education that could effectively enable faith schools to opt out of providing sex...
Kathleen Hanna interviewed
by Jess McCabe // 19 February 2010, 13:32
Former riot grrrl Kathleen Hanna is suddenly everywhere again (and very welcome she is too!) Her band Bikini Kill started an archive of stories about what their shows were like, and Hanna has donated her riot grrl archive and correspondence...
A Place of Rage: coming out on DVD
by Jess McCabe // 19 February 2010, 13:21
A Place of Rage - Trailer from Kali Films on Vimeo. Pratibha Parmar's documentary A Place of Rage is coming out on DVD: A Place of Rage is an exuberant award-winning documentary film by filmmaker Pratibha Parmar. A celebration of...
This Is Not An Invitation To Rape Me
by Philippa Willitts // 19 February 2010, 11:22
Philippa writes about an exhibition of artwork on theme of 'This is not an invitation to rape me'.
More Polanski apologists
by Laura // 18 February 2010, 17:25
Struck off my beautiful list: Ewan 'it's none of my business' McGregor Johnny 'he's an old married father so he can't possibly be a threat' Depp Shame on both of you....
Pink Boys
by Philippa Willitts // 18 February 2010, 13:53
Philippa is inspired by a blog post by Mistress Mom with suggestions for what to say to those who challenge you for dressing your son in pink.
Bristol Feminist Network Reclaim the Night
by Jess McCabe // 18 February 2010, 11:32
Bristol is to host another Reclaim the Night march on: 26 February 2010, 5pm, College Green The march will start at 5pm at College Green with a vigil of remembrance, then at 6pm the march through Bristol will start. It...
HerStoria Magazine
by Philippa Willitts // 17 February 2010, 14:38
Philippa talks about a feminist history magazine.
Race to the bottom
by Jolene Tan // 17 February 2010, 00:35
Much has been said about the racism in mainstream Western beauty standards. As Latoya Peterson puts it: the message for white women is "try harder", but the message for women of colour is "never". The legacies of colonialism and the...
The politics of porn and pubes: from the public to the personal
by J Whitehead // 16 February 2010, 20:33
Around six years ago, I had unfortunate sex with an unfortunate fellow. It was unexpected and we ended up fumbling around in his bedroom. When we paused for him to put on a condom (one saving grace), he looked between...
From the IAAF to the IOC: another (not so) fine mess
by Helen G // 16 February 2010, 16:27
After last year's furore about the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) appalling treatment of Caster Semenya and the ensuing "agreement" (as reported in the New York Times), the casual observer might have thought that the matter of so-called "gender...
"Dear Sisters of the Earth"
by Helen G // 16 February 2010, 10:55
"Dear Sisters of the Earth", a history walk celebrating Manchester’s "rebellious and revolutionary women" is scheduled for a week on Sunday, 28th February 2010. The walk will explore the stories of women at Peterloo, the forgotten feminists of the 1830s,...
The case of the decimal place: teenage pregnancy
by Jess McCabe // 15 February 2010, 18:45
The Tories published a report meant to highlight inequalities under Labour, which accidentally overstated the rate of teenage pregnancy among girls in deprived areas by a factor of 10, reports The Guardian. The actual rate of teen pregnancy is 54.32...
More depressing evidence of rape victim blaming
by Jess McCabe // 15 February 2010, 17:12
A survey of just over 1,000 Londoners found depressingly high levels of victim-blaming. The BBC reports that more than half of those surveyed said they believed "there were some circumstances when a rape victim should accept responsibility for an...
Object strip club licensing campaign success
by Laura // 15 February 2010, 16:35
Following a hard-fought campaign by Object, the government announced on Friday that existing lap dancing venues can be compelled by local authorities to apply for a sexual entertainment license. It had already ruled that any new lap dancing venues could...
New Home Office campaign against teen domestic violence
by Laura // 15 February 2010, 12:03
The Home Office has launched a new £2 million TV, radio, internet and poster campaign in response to NSPCC research indicating that a quarter of girls aged 13 to 17 have experienced physical violence from a boyfriend and a third...
Out of hibernation
by Catherine Redfern // 14 February 2010, 15:26
I've been pretty quiet for the last few months as I've been finishing my book (co-written with Kristin Aune) Reclaiming The F Word - The New Feminist Movement (annoyingly the title and some of the information on Amazon is...
Help design the Ladyfest 10 logo
by Jess McCabe // 14 February 2010, 13:55
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Ladyfest. A celebration is in the works for later this year in London, but the organisers of Ladyfest Ten are searching for someone to design a logo for them: Preparations for Ladyfest Ten...
24th BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 17-31 March 2010
by Helen G // 12 February 2010, 20:10
If you're in London between 17-31 March and find yourself with time to spare, the 24th BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival may be worth checking out. The festival opens with the world premiere of the new British drama,...
Call for Submissions: Ending Violence Against Girls & Young Women
by Philippa Willitts // 12 February 2010, 08:50
A call for submissions for a paper on Violence Against Girls and Young Women.
Goldsmiths Ladyfest
by Jess McCabe // 11 February 2010, 23:15
Goldsmiths' student union (in London) is holding another Ladyfest! I don't have very many details I'm afraid, just this flyer - click below to see full-scale version, which I found via Obesity Timebomb. It's taking place over 22-26 February. UPDATE:...
Cheated
by Laura // 11 February 2010, 14:53
Was anyone else appalled by Labour's proposals, announced earlier this week, to give a monetary reward to people who inform on benefit 'cheats'? I think it's a disgusting way to exploit people living in poverty and encourage them to turn...
Protest in support of Yarl's Wood hunger strikers TOMORROW, London
by Jess McCabe // 11 February 2010, 12:47
A protest in solidarity with the Yarl's Wood hunger strike is taking place tomorrow afternoon in London. It's happening between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, tomorrow, Friday 12 February, at: Serco Offices, 18-20 Hand Court (off High Holborn) (Serco is the private...
Talk at Tate Britain: Grace Ndiritu, Questions from the past
by Jess McCabe // 11 February 2010, 11:24
Grace Ndiritu is doing a talk on 12 March at the Tate Britain: Artist Grace Ndiritu works at the intersection of film and performance. This talk uses performance video art using the female body from her Still Life and Responsible...
Fawcett
by Jess McCabe // 11 February 2010, 10:46
The Fawcett Society are hiring, and asked us to post this: Organisation - Fawcett Society Job title - Head of Policy and Campaigns Closing Date - 5pm on Friday 26th February 2010 How to apply - go to our website...
Time to pledge for Ada Lovelace Day 2010
by Helen G // 11 February 2010, 09:43
Ada Lovelace Day, the international day of blogging to draw attention to women excelling in technology and science is scheduled for 24th March and the new Ada Lovelace Day Pledge is up and running! Last year, over 1200 people wrote...
Another round-up
by Jess McCabe // 9 February 2010, 13:37
Bikini Kill are collecting stories for their archive. The former riot grrrls ask: Please add your Bikini Kill story to this blog! It can be totally off the top of your head and doesn’t need to be fancy. Maybe it’s...
Parental Leave and "Choice"
by Guest Blogger // 8 February 2010, 21:36
Troon argues that recent announcements from Labour and the Conservatives of plans to offer families 'radically more choice' in how they balance work and childcare may actually reinforce traditional assumptions about gender roles in childcare On 28th January the government...
Report from the Yarl's Wood hunger strike
by Jess McCabe // 8 February 2010, 16:54
The shocking situation for women at the Yarl's Wood detention centre continues. More than 50 women are on hunger strike, and today the Black Women's Rape Action Project sent out this report that some women have been beaten, and some...
Important questions from Gita Sahgal
by Jolene Tan // 7 February 2010, 23:47
The detention of Moazzam Begg and others in Guantanamo Bay was and is a violation of their human rights, which Amnesty International is right to criticise.Moazzam Begg and his organisation, Cage Prisoners, are not defenders of human rights, and are...
Same garbage, different continents
by Jolene Tan // 7 February 2010, 17:22
Over at Racialicious, Thea Lim discusses an American website, "Classy Asian Ladies", which fetishises Asian women ("Asian" is used in the American rather than the British sense, referring to the Asian continent more generally rather than specifically South Asia). Drawing...
Pope Benedict XVI
by Philippa Willitts // 7 February 2010, 10:47
Philippa talks about the Pope's impending visit to Britain, and whether the £20 million it will cost should be paid for by public money or the Catholic church.
Say NO to nuclear weapons
by Laura // 6 February 2010, 18:10
If you're disgusted by the government's decision to spend billions and billions of pounds producing more weapons and instruments of mass murder you might like to join the women's contingent at The Big Blockade, Aldermaston on Monday 15th February: The...
Asylum seeker mothers fight to be reunited with their children
by Laura // 6 February 2010, 16:53
Mothers in the London-based All African Women's Group are campaigning for the right to be reunited with their children following the successful settlement of their asylum claims. Many of the women, most of whom have experienced rape and torture, felt...
Rape Victims Blamed Again
by Philippa Willitts // 6 February 2010, 10:45
Philippa talks about victim-blaming in a neurobiology of trauma expert.
New review - Girldrive: Criss-Crossing America, Redefining Feminism
by Jess McCabe // 5 February 2010, 15:41
Nona Willis Aronowitz and Emma Bee Bernstein’s book reclaims the road trip and tells a story about what young women across the US think about feminism and the issues facing them as women, says LonerGrrrl When young feminist writer Nona...
New review: The Fossil Hunter
by Jess McCabe // 4 February 2010, 22:29
Kaite Welsh reviews a fictionalised biography of early paleontologist Mary Anning The Fossil Hunter, journalist Shelley Emling's first book, is a fictionalised biography of Mary Anning, a woman whose fossil discoveries helped found paleontology and - although she didn't know...
New feature: Bring the herstory of riot grrrl back into the present
by Jess McCabe // 4 February 2010, 20:45
What has happened to the legacy of riot grrrl? asks Heather McIntosh The feminist-punk movement which was riot grrrl was hugely inspiring for me, and countless other girls and women. Riot grrrl created a platform – but what impact has...
Quick rant: marriage tax breaks
by Laura // 4 February 2010, 19:49
I got sent an invite to a Policy Exchange Debate entitled 'Should the State Support Marriage Through the Tax / Benefits System?'. Apparently, 'the debate about whether the state should support marriage raises many important philosophical and economic issues'. Really?...
New review: Living Dolls: The Return of Sexism
by Jess McCabe // 3 February 2010, 20:10
Natasha Walter’s latest book reflects her change of heart since The New Feminism, but Melanie Newman argues the result is a mixed bag In 1998, Natasha Walter said young women were fed up with being made to feel guilty for...
Comments on features and reviews from December 2009, up now!
by Jess McCabe // 2 February 2010, 19:20
Comments on features and reviews from December 2009 are up and ready to read! Props to Helen G for once again coding and sorting out the comments; the delay this month is all mine, as she was done with...
A False Necessity: Singapore's Maid Trade
by Jolene Tan // 2 February 2010, 17:34
In my gleamingly modern home town of Singapore, trading in women has been refined to a stomach-churningly efficient art. The women in question are foreign domestic workers (FDWs), locally known as “maids”, who travel from poorer countries - principally but...
'Female arts collective' launches; Fat Quarter goes from online to print
by Jess McCabe // 2 February 2010, 13:36
Self-professed women-friendly blog/magazine Fat Quarter is launching its first print issue this month with a party in Mile End, London, promising poetry, rock and roll, cupcakes and zines. And, on the same night, Storm in a Teacup will launch: STORM...
Gym changing rooms: the last bastion of body realism?
by J Whitehead // 2 February 2010, 12:11
Enjoying drinks with colleagues at a leaving party of late, I was surprised to hear giggling over how one colleague had caught a glimpse of another senior colleague “in the buff” whilst changing at our company gym. With much mirth,...
Welcome to Jolene and Joanna, guest bloggers for February
by Jess McCabe // 1 February 2010, 21:58
February is here, and that means we sadly need to say goodbye to our fantastic guest bloggers for January, Syma and Grace. But it also means a massive welcome to our two new guest bloggers for February, Jolene Tan and...
Birds Eye View programme out now
by Jess McCabe // 1 February 2010, 17:08
Birds Eye View has posted its full programme for its next film festival, running from 4-12 March at London's ICA and BFI. Tickets go on sale 10 February. The festival closes with Whip It! - Drew Barrymore's directoral debut, a...
Founder of The F-Word, Catherine Redfern, has co-authored a new book with Kristin Aune. Find out more at the 
