Blog posts from March 2012
New Music Review: Save EMA
by Cazz Blase // 31 March 2012, 15:00
Last year, EMA (aka Erika M Anderson), a 22 year old singer from the US midwest released her debut album Past Life Martyred Saints to much critical acclaim. David Wilkinson offers his take on the album here The single 'California',...
Statement on UN Commission on the Status of Women
by Jolene Tan // 29 March 2012, 09:00
Image shows a feminist fist spray-painted onto a wall. Shared by Eva the Weaver under a Creative Commons license. The Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID), International Women's Health Coalition...
An apology
by Laura // 28 March 2012, 11:25
I'm posting on behalf of the whole F-Word bloggers' collective to apologise for the publication of a guest blog post containing disablist language on Monday. The post, On banter and why it's for everyone, referred to writers and fans...
New review: Happily ever after? The state of the TV dating show
by Mathilda Gregory // 28 March 2012, 09:42
Take Me Out has recently returned for a second series on ITV. Danielle Almond wondered what this latest incarnation of the prime time dating show had to say about mainstream ideas of gender roles. Hosted by lovable northern cheeky chappy...
How dare you make life harder for mothers and children!
by CP Reece // 28 March 2012, 08:30
Image shows old glass medicine bottles. Shared by Tambako the Jaguar under a Creative Commons license. Yesterday I got upset in a pharmacists', because the patent medicine that always works for my daughter when she has a bad cold...
Win Tickets to the Made in Britain season at the BFI Southbank (2 - 30 April)
by Ania Ostrowska // 28 March 2012, 00:27
The BFI Southbank are offering The F-Word readers the chance to win one of three pairs of tickets to their contemporary British cinema season. The first instalment of this new annual series is dedicated to bold contemporary British female...
New review: Emmy the Great at WOW
by Holly Combe // 27 March 2012, 15:00
Led by singer and writer Emma-Lee Moss, with guitarist Euan Hinshelwood, anti-folk act Emmy the Great is both a solo and collaborative project. Though the act has achieved cult success, it has yet to be embraced more widely. Described as...
Weekly roundup and open thread
by Josephine Tsui // 26 March 2012, 16:45
Heya folks! It's our weekly roundup of posts we haven't blogged about. Feel free to add some more in the comments sections. As usual, these do nor represent the F-word's opinions. 1. Impact of austerity on women (Fawcett Society)...
On banter and why it's for everyone
by Guest Blogger // 26 March 2012, 12:07
This is a guest post by Libby, one of our guest bloggers for this month Edited on 27 March to address comment from Jo below. I love me a bit of banter. Intelligent joshing, witty back-and-forth between two or...
On "pro-life" fonts and pro-choice protests
by Guest Blogger // 26 March 2012, 08:36
Chloe George gives us another very good reason to attend the pro-choice protest in London on Friday.
When it comes to issues of equality, it's not size that counts
by Guest Blogger // 25 March 2012, 09:06
A guest post from Lisa Glass criticising framings of gender equality as a minor issue in comparison to other human rights concerns
New review: Barbara Panther
by Holly Combe // 24 March 2012, 13:59
As Cazz Blase mentioned in a music paste-up back in January, Barbara Panther is definitely one we shouldn't have missed last year. Her distinctive and memorable "modern electronic baroque music" has been around for some time so it will...
Where's my woman cave?
by Guest Blogger // 24 March 2012, 11:44
Elin Weiss & Hennie Weiss discuss the phenomenon of 'man caves' in commercial and domestic spaces.
Chav-shaming
by Guest Blogger // 23 March 2012, 14:25
Ciara O'Connor discusses the intersection of classism and sexism in the reaction to Tulisa's sex tape. A sex tape of Tulisa Contostavlos, of X-Factor and N-Dubz fame, was leaked a few days ago. This isn't remarkable in itself; sex tapes...
TGEU's Trans Murder Monitoring project: Press Release, 23 March 2012
by Helen G // 23 March 2012, 14:19
TGEU's Trans Murder Monitoring project has published its latest analysis of the available figures for the reported killings of trans people in 55 countries worldwide.
Ah, the sweet smell of everyday sexism
by Laura // 22 March 2012, 12:20
Last week, I called our gas and electricity supplier, EDF, to reduce our direct debit payments, because we've been paying too much (result!). I also asked them to change my title from "Miss" to "Ms". I couldn't remember whether I'd...
Cinderella Ate My Daughters
by Philippa Willitts // 22 March 2012, 09:30
Philippa recommends a podcast episode about the pinkification of girlhood.
Smashing our heads on the glass ceiling: what Public Service in the North does to intelligent women
by CP Reece // 22 March 2012, 09:03
Image shows a cartoon of a woman, standing on a ladder, looking up at a glass panel blocking her way several rungs up. Shared by Jorge Balarezo under a Creative Commons license. It isn't a formal club, but there are...
March Playlist
by Holly Combe // 21 March 2012, 23:36
Holly introduces the March playlist: an eclectic mix showcasing classics from artists including Martine Girault, Jhelisa, Omara Portuondo and Jill Scott, alongside more recent tracks from artists including Goapele, Jessica 6, Aérea Negrot, Emika and I Am A Camera
First discovering you are pregnant :-/
by Guest Blogger // 21 March 2012, 10:38
Yasmin discusses how she was expected to ignore both her fears and her feminism upon becoming pregnant.
New review: The Selecter's Made in Britain
by Holly Combe // 20 March 2012, 23:05
"I think we were probably the first [band] to start talking about racism and actually take -if you like- the race question out there and start informing people about it." Late 1970s Coventry was not only a place of...
Ask A Feminist #7: A personal story
by Laura // 20 March 2012, 16:55
This week I'm handing over to Linda, who got in touch to ask if she could share her story of being stalked after being left by her ex.
Dennis Waterman: "It's not hard for a woman to make a man hit her"
by Philippa Willitts // 20 March 2012, 09:30
Philippa discusses actor Dennis Waterman's admission that he punched his former wife Rula Lenska, and his manipulative justifications for his behaviour.
International Anti-Street Harassment Week
by Laura // 19 March 2012, 16:01
In recognition of International Anti-Street Harassment Week, Laura reviews an old post that elicited hundreds of comments on street harassment, and explains why this incredibly common form of sexism has to end.
Weekly round-up and open thread
by Jolene Tan // 19 March 2012, 08:39
Image shows a pitcher plant Good morning, and welcome to the weekly thread of links! (And there are a lot of them this week.) Comments are open for you to post anything we missed or just have a feminist chat....
New review: The Princess and the Frog
by Ania Ostrowska // 18 March 2012, 12:50
Back in 1975, in the autumn edition of Screen magazine, the article was published that became the cornerstone of the strand of (feminist and not only) film theory informed by psychoanalysis. Laura Mulvey (who still teaches film theory at...
How responsible are women for their sexualisation in the media?
by Guest Blogger // 18 March 2012, 12:13
Elin Weiss & Hennie Weiss ask if women's sports can be taken seriously when some women draw attention not to their skills, but to their bodies and their appearance.
Strip club
by Guest Blogger // 18 March 2012, 10:54
A guest post by Rosie, in which she talks about how her ideas of feminism clashed with her reaction to her husband visiting a strip club. Some readers may find the subject matter triggering, so please approach with caution.
Women and political blogging
by Guest Blogger // 18 March 2012, 09:17
In this guest post, Alyson Macdonald asks how we get more women blogging, and how we make sure that they get recognition for it.
Sexist bullying forces mother to cut boy's hair
by Laura // 17 March 2012, 12:58
Laura argues that a mother's decision to cut her son's long hair reflects the sexist, homophobic and transphobic nature of our society.
New review: Boy Friend's Egyptian Wrinkle
by Holly Combe // 16 March 2012, 18:30
If you like the atmospheric and shoegazey dream pop of Texan all-woman duo Boy Friend, you might be interested in checking out Cazz Blase's review of Egyptian Wrinkle and quickfire interview to find out about the group's musical inspirations...
Pink is for mums as well as daughters
by Shiha Kaur // 16 March 2012, 15:13
Next Sunday is Mother's Day in the United Kingdom. My local paper is filled with promotions for people who want to treat their mums to Sunday lunch or a spa treatment. But it was only last night when shopping...
Alleged members of Pussy Riot facing up to seven years in prison
by Helen G // 16 March 2012, 13:47
Three alleged members of Pussy Riot, the feminist punk-rock collective, could face lengthy prison sentences following the unauthorised performance of a "punk prayer" in a Moscow cathedral.
Landmark move towards same-sex marriage a step closer
by Helen G // 15 March 2012, 11:01
The Home Office launches an online consultation about civil marriage.
Campaign to ban cosmetic surgery advertising
by Laura // 15 March 2012, 09:57
UK Feminista launches a new campaign, arguing that the rules preventing the advertising of prescription medicines should also apply to cosmetic surgery.
Video: Telling our survival stories
by Philippa Willitts // 13 March 2012, 20:39
Philippa made a video about the unbelievable Twitter response to the Mumsnet rape awareness campaign.
Moving the mountain, one teaspoon at a time
by Helen G // 13 March 2012, 14:10
Possibly my quote-of-the-day today comes from Sophie in 't Veld, Vice-president of the European Parliament's LGBT Rights Intergroup and author of a newly-adopted report on equality in the EU between women and men (the tacit acceptance of the traditional gender...
Why I'll always walk alone
by CP Reece // 13 March 2012, 12:24
Image shows a snowy scene. In the foreground is the silhouette of a woman standing alone on a low wall. Mountains stretch in the background. Shared by Gavin Schaefer under a Creative Commons License. Does anyone remember Jo Chandler? Google...
Weekly round-up and open thread
by Jess McCabe // 12 March 2012, 20:44
Time for our weekly round-up of links and an open thread - feel free to add links to stuff we missed! As ever, linking equals interest not necessarily endorsement. Required reading: The House on Mango Street - Bitch Magazine...
New review: Robots in Disguise at The Lexington
by Holly Combe // 12 March 2012, 18:00
You might recognise them from their appearances as their alter egos, "The Electro and Goth Girls" in series one and two of The Mighty Boosh (2004/05) but that wasn't the beginning, because electropunk-indie-dance duo Robots in Disguise have been...
Mumsnet rape and sexual assault survey results, and a word on statistics
by Laura // 12 March 2012, 12:16
Laura looks at the Mumsnet survey results and comments on the importance of using statistics correctly when campaigning against sexual violence.
Bisexuality and feminism
by Guest Blogger // 12 March 2012, 11:51
This is the first contribution from Libby, one of our guest bloggers for this month I've been involved in bisexual activism and community-building for around seven years. Throughout that time, I've been constantly and happily surprised by just how many...
Miss
by Helen G // 12 March 2012, 11:39
Helen summarises a recent conversation between some of the TFW bloggers regarding a proposal to drop the title 'miss' from official documents.
Women of the World, women of science
by Jess McCabe // 10 March 2012, 23:13
We're all stardust. Yes, you've heard this before. But Jocelyn Bell Burnell explained in more depth today at the Women of the World 2012 festival at the Southbank Centre in London. During the talk, 'This time it is rocket...
Ramblings of a professional feminist
by Josephine Tsui // 9 March 2012, 17:56
However, the whole POINT of my industry is that there are systems that are engineered so that certain always people always win and certain types of people always lose.
New review: The First Time
by Charlene Moore // 9 March 2012, 12:46
Kate Monro set out to ask as wide a selection of people as possible - men and women, old and young, gay, straight, Christian and Muslim - about their personal experiences of virginity. Through her findings, Katherine Dunseath discovered that...
Cambridge should disinvite Dominique Strauss-Kahn
by Guest Blogger // 8 March 2012, 10:36
Meera Patel explains why Cambridge University's Women's Campaign are protesting against Dominique Strauss-Kahn speaking at the Cambridge Union debating society tomorrow.
To begin this paste up I'm in the uncomfortable position of needing to plug myself or, more accurately, things I've written for the F-Word... no, please, don't run away... there's a Björk video coming up by the end of...
International Women's Day Short Film
by Guest Blogger // 7 March 2012, 19:38
To bring the UK's attention to this year's International Women's Day, we decided to create a short film that would give an insight into the lives of 19 different women of all different ages, races and walks of life....
Feminists in the media
by Laura // 7 March 2012, 10:35
Laura argues that what feminists are asked to comment on reflects the mainstream media's negative view of feminism.
1 Year of the Gender Diary
by Guest Blogger // 6 March 2012, 19:34
This is a guest post by the authors of Gender Diary, about how people treat their daughter and son differently.
Women_Mujeres Spanish Film Festival
by Guest Blogger // 6 March 2012, 10:51
Ly Freixes introduces her Spanish film festival, focused on gender equality in Spain and the UK.
Weekly round-up and open thread 05 March 2012
by Holly Combe // 5 March 2012, 22:00
This week's round-up of the articles and blog pieces we've been reading over the past week but didn't get around to covering in detail on the blog. Please feel free to add more relevant links or comment!
Go naked; it's good for everybody (but particularly for women) (Part 2)
by CP Reece // 5 March 2012, 20:16
Image shows a group of participants in the 2010 World Naked Bike Ride in Brighton, in various levels of nudity. The words "Reclaim the Streets" are written across the back of one person. Shared by anemoneprojectors under a Creative...
Piquing your Pinterest
by Philippa Willitts // 5 March 2012, 18:45
Philippa describes how readers can follow The F-Word on Pinterest, the latest in the emerging social media websites. This one is focused on imagery, so users can find an image they like, and post it, known as pinning it, to a virtual pinboard on their page.
Blaming the victim - as usual
by Guest Blogger // 5 March 2012, 12:07
Elin Weiss & Hennie Weiss consider the woman-blaming emphasis of a safe-travel guide.
Go naked; it's good for everybody (but particularly for women) (Part 1)
by CP Reece // 4 March 2012, 19:33
Image shows several topless people on bicycles, viewed from the back. They are taking part in the 2010 World Naked Bike Ride. One is wearing a furry hat/mask and has the words "BEARLY CLOTHED" across her back. Shared courtesy...
Do you want to be The F-Word's theatre and arts editor?
by Jess McCabe // 4 March 2012, 12:35
Do you dream of transforming The F-Word's arts and theatre coverage? If so, we need you. I'm looking to appoint a theatre and arts editor to join our team of section editors. What the roles will involve: helping to...
'Speed Her Up, Slow Him Down' - Durex finally solve humanity's greatest sexual problem. Or not.
by Guest Blogger // 2 March 2012, 23:37
Oh dear, Durex. As though yet another voice in the cacophony telling us our sex lives aren't up to scratch, our vaginas aren't adequate, our orgasms abundant enough or fast enough, and our partners aren't virile enough, was exactly what we needed, Durex have just come out with this.
Win Tickets to the International Women's Day Celebrations at BFI Southbank, 8th March
by Guest Blogger // 2 March 2012, 17:20
The BFI Southbank are offering The F-Word readers the chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to Bird's Eye View's International Women's Day Gala, a high-profile showcase of the best of new and international short films by...
New review, interview and tour announcement: Laura Gibson live
by Holly Combe // 2 March 2012, 13:40
With both La Grande and its title-track video continuing to attract attention, Laura Gibson will be returning to the UK next month to play the following shows: 8 April: DEVON, Totnes Studio Lounge 10 April: LONDON, Lexington 11 April:...
Trigger warnings are nothing to do with censorship. They give people more choice, not less.
by Guest Blogger // 2 March 2012, 08:33
Guest blogger Louise McCudden explains what trigger warnings are and why we should all be using them.
A new month, and new guest bloggers
by Jolene Tan // 1 March 2012, 12:24
Image shows a fountain pen. Shared by jochemberends under a Creative Commons license. Many thanks to Harriet S H and Breish Rowe, our guest bloggers for last month, for their contributions! Despite its heroic leap year efforts, however, February has...
Domestic worker rights under threat - again
by Jolene Tan // 1 March 2012, 10:42
Image shows domestic workers protesting in London. Some are holding signs, reading for example "We are workers, not visitors" and "Domestic work is not slavery". Shared by Charles Hutchins under a Creative Commons license. It was protested last summer,...
Founder of The F-Word, Catherine Redfern, has co-authored a new book with Kristin Aune. Find out more at the 
