Blog posts from May 2012
How to run an accessible feminist event
by Philippa Willitts // 31 May 2012, 20:14
Philippa writes about how feminist meetings and events can be made truly accessible to disabled women.
Ukuleles for the ladies
by Guest Blogger // 31 May 2012, 14:00
Cabaret singer and four-string-strummer Tricity Vogue, who will be playing at The Albany in London on 10 June, talks about the ukulele's appeal to women
Assange, the European Arrest Warrant, and the Supreme Court
by Julian Norman // 30 May 2012, 23:20
Guest blogger Julian Norman uses her fancy legal skills to look at Assange's extradition back to Sweden.
Women's magazines
by Julian Norman // 30 May 2012, 23:11
Guest blogger Julian Norman criticizes women's magazines.
Music paste up: Savages, Red Vinyl Fur, Tamara Schlesinger and how everything's gone a bit post punk.
by Cazz Blase // 30 May 2012, 18:30
Hello, and welcome to today's music paste up. First off, a brand spanking new band: Savages. Methinks the spirit of post-punk is strong in this one (as does Paul Lester at The Guardian.) Particularly Joy Division, which is never...
New Review: The Boys, by Francesca Lewis
by MarinaS // 30 May 2012, 10:23
Cartoonish violence. Sexual exploitation. Homphobic language. Semi naked women. Big guns. Can any of these things be justified as "satire" any more? In her controversial review of (controversial) comic writer Garth Ennis's series The Boys, Francesca Lewis argues that...
Why Radio 5 Live's programme broadcast from a Marie Stopes clinic was a great step forward
by Guest Blogger // 29 May 2012, 21:07
A guest post by Georgina Lewis.
New review: Santigold's second album
by Holly Combe // 29 May 2012, 14:42
It's been four years since songwriter, record producer and performer Santigold released her debut self-titled solo album (or, rather, Santogold, as she was known at the time). As Cazz Blase points out in the review we've just published, Master...
Weekly round-up and open thread, 22-28 May 2012
by Alicia Izharuddin // 28 May 2012, 09:15
In case you've missed some feminist-related news and great posts in the past week, here's a selection of the finest. As usual, add links in the comments section and feel free to begin a discussion on a topic you...
More than four in ten young women in London sexually harassed over the last year
by Helen G // 25 May 2012, 09:00
A YouGov survey for the End Violence Against Women Coalition published today reveals the extent of sexual harassment experienced by women in public spaces over the last year.
New review: Joanna Hogg, a very British outsider
by Ania Ostrowska // 24 May 2012, 10:40
The work of Joanna Hogg was selected to feature in the recent BFI season Made in Britain, focusing on British women filmmakers. Her cinematic (as distinguished from television and promotional) output comprises two feature films only, Unrelated and Archipelago....
New feature - The poly-feminist manifesto: towards a feminist non-monogamy
by Jess McCabe // 23 May 2012, 22:44
How do you ensure a community is anti-sexist? It's difficult work whatever the community, no less, it turns out, in the polyamorous community. A group of workshop participants, writing anonymously, have put together a manifesto with the aim of addressing...
Sex work, trafficking and the Olympics: the case for a moratorium
by Guest Blogger // 23 May 2012, 22:00
Stop the Arrests Campaign, a coalition of sex worker rights activists and supporters, is calling for a moratorium on arrests, detention and deportation of sex workers in London with immediate effect until the end of the Olympic Games
"What if I take my problem to the United Nations?" UK Government's record on human rights up for review
by Guest Blogger // 23 May 2012, 18:30
Charlotte Gage is a Policy Officer at the Women's Resource Centre. She is working with a coalition of women's and human rights organisations to raise the issues affecting women in the UK at an international level through CEDAW, and...
Legalities of excluding trans women from women only spaces
by Julian Norman // 22 May 2012, 23:36
Julian Norman looks into the legalities of excluding trans women from women only spaces
New feature: Women born women?
by Jess McCabe // 22 May 2012, 19:58
How is it possible for feminists to reconcile these two statements. The first, of course, is Simone de Beauvoir's most famous quote: "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman." And the second is the entry policy for the...
My pregnant body: sexualisation and sanitisation
by Guest Blogger // 22 May 2012, 17:14
Yasmin reflects on how her pregnant body is viewed and portrayed by others.
New feature: It's not feminism that hurts men
by Holly Combe // 22 May 2012, 02:37
I expect many of you will be familiar with the recent Observer article by Elizabeth Day about philosopher David Benatar's claims that "sexism against men is a widespread yet unspoken malaise." (You may also be familiar with Suzanne Moore's...
Weekly round-up and open thread, 15-21 May 2012
by Lynne Miles // 21 May 2012, 15:27
Here's this week's round-up of some of the bits around the internet we haven't had a chance to blog about. Please add links in the comments section if there's anything you came across that you want to share too....
New review: Her Noise at Tate Modern
by Holly Combe // 20 May 2012, 01:08
The Her Noise theme began as a 2001 curatorial project focused on gender imbalance in sonic art. This led the creators to map women in the field, along with those in electronic music and punk, for a 2005 exhibition....
In praise of slacktivism
by Julian Norman // 19 May 2012, 23:39
Guest blogger Julian Norman praises slacktivism, or why she prefers it over physical engagements of activism.
Gendered assumptions in daily life
by Guest Blogger // 19 May 2012, 11:25
A guest blog by Hennie Weiss & Elin Weiss, looking at the daily interactions in which gender role stereotypes and "typical" gender behaviours are manifested.
There's nothing radical about transphobia
by Laura // 17 May 2012, 22:40
Laura calls out a new radical feminist conference for excluding trans women and promoting transphobia.
17 May - International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
by Helen G // 17 May 2012, 10:10
Today is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia and ILGA-Europe has launched its first Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe 2011 supplemented by the Rainbow Map. These documents are intended to offer an overall picture of the current status of the human rights of LGBTI people in Europe.
She Monkeys opens in London and Dublin
by Ania Ostrowska // 16 May 2012, 15:28
Swedish director Lisa Aschan's last year's début feature She Monkeys (Apflickorna) is coming to selected London cinemas on Friday 18 May (and to the Irish Film Institute in Dublin a week later). Please see Peccadillo Pictures' website for details....
Where have all Cannes women directors gone?
by Ania Ostrowska // 15 May 2012, 23:44
Arguably the most prestigious (and indisputably most glamorous) film festival in the world opens tomorrow in Cannes, the French Riviera. As it is the Festival's 65th birthday, no-one else but iconic (and resurrected) Marilyn Monroe blows the candles on...
Weekly round-up and open thread, 7-14 May 2012
by zohra moosa // 14 May 2012, 22:49
Hi all Here's this week's round-up of some of the bits around the internet we haven't had a chance to blog about. Please add links in the comments section if there's anything you came across that you want to...
Parental leave: what's the deal?
by Laura // 14 May 2012, 12:13
Laura looks at the issues surrounding parental leave, and explains why it is so important.
Gaggle update and call for reviewers
by Holly Combe // 13 May 2012, 22:35
With their debut album From the Mouth of the Cave finally hitting the shops on 4 June, Gaggle have announced that they will be playing the Village Underground on 4 July...
Rape hidden by marriage in Morocco
by Guest Blogger // 13 May 2012, 20:15
Guest blogger Lottie Prince writes about the Moroccan law where rapist can hide behind marriage.
Music paste up: Tune-Yards & St Vincent in conversation, an insight into Portuguese Riot Grrrl, new folk and electronica talents ahoy!
by Cazz Blase // 13 May 2012, 18:30
This weeks music paste up includes two of the most exciting talents in rock music today in conversation: Tune-Yards and St Vincent. Holly and I were also recently sent a link to a very exciting film about a Portuguese Riot...
The indefinable definition of feminism
by Lucy Fenner // 11 May 2012, 23:02
Guest blogger Lucy Fenner discusses her definition of feminism
Slut-shaming and victim-blaming: the journalist, the vicar and the politician #bbcqt
by Philippa Willitts // 11 May 2012, 09:05
Philippa writes about an outrageous discussion on Question Time last night, where nearly every speaker on the recent 'grooming' case managed to blame the victims without mentioning the perpetrators.
Are libraries a feminist issue?
by Cazz Blase // 10 May 2012, 18:45
Are libraries a feminist issue? This is a question that I have been thinking about in the last few weeks. I am due to do a talk at the Victoria Baths Fanzine Convention in Manchester a week on Saturday,...
Rochdale rape ring; on political correctness versus survivor's credibility
by Julian Norman // 10 May 2012, 12:12
Guest blogger Julian Norman speaks about the Rochdale rape ring
Argentina's Senate passes gender identity law
by Helen G // 10 May 2012, 10:57
The Argentinian Senate has approved groundbreaking gender identity legislation.
Drag him away
by Philippa Willitts // 10 May 2012, 10:13
Philippa talks about an interactive billboard campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence, and asks what readers think of the approach.
Sex work and the see-saw of morality
by Guest Blogger // 9 May 2012, 09:59
Guest blogger Vic discusses how she forced to re-examine her feminist principles after her ex-partner revealed that he had slept with a sex worker.
New review: Avengers Assemble
by Ania Ostrowska // 9 May 2012, 09:54
Avengers Assemble, the latest film adaptation of the Marvel comics universe, is taking global box office by storm, or, more to the point, is properly Hulk-smashing its way to the top. With staggering $200.3m (£124m), it is the biggest US...
Weekly round-up and open thread, 8 May 2012
by Helen G // 8 May 2012, 10:32
This week's open thread for discussion and our regular round-up of some of the articles and blogs we've noticed over the last week or so, but not had time to post about.
Flying the flag for women in snooker: Interview with Michaela Tabb part 2
by Philippa Willitts // 6 May 2012, 13:00
The second part of Philippa's interview with snooker referee Michaela Tabb who will referee the World Championship Snooker final today and tomorrow.
Amanda Palmer: Feminist Musical Icon
by Cazz Blase // 5 May 2012, 20:46
TFW bloggers' note: We're aware there are issues with this post and have reached a decision to temporarily suspend further comments until certain matters have been clarified. We apologise for the inconvenience and will provide a further update as...
The First Lady of snooker: an interview with Michaela Tabb
by Philippa Willitts // 5 May 2012, 12:40
Philippa interviews Michaela Tabb, 'The Lady Ref', who has a list of 'firsts' longer than any other referee in professional snooker. They discuss the resentment she faced from others at the start of her career, and how she is encouraging other women to get involved in refereeing pool and snooker professionally.
New Review: The Sex Myth: Why Everything We're Told is Wrong
by Charlene Moore // 5 May 2012, 10:58
Brooke Magnanti wants to expose the truths behind the sex myths which provoke outraged newspaper headlines and panicked public policy. Lindsey Sheehan considers Magnanti's opinions on all things controversial, from lap-dancing to online pornography In the first book published under...
It's the misogyny, stupid
by Julian Norman // 4 May 2012, 23:29
Guest blogger Julian Norman talks about the online bullying of Louise Mensch.
Implications of employment law
by Julian Norman // 3 May 2012, 15:16
Guest blogger Julian Norman shares with us a nugget of legal news with respect to employment law with respect to lap dancing.
Rediscovering my inner pirate
by Guest Blogger // 3 May 2012, 12:00
Director, writer and performer Lucy Foster reflects on the experience of creating The Pirate Project, a play exploring the lives of female pirates.
Win tickets to see EMA this month!
by Holly Combe // 2 May 2012, 22:39
A chance for a reader and a friend to win tickets to see Erika M. Anderson live in the UK. Our first correct answer to the question Where did Erika M. Anderson grow up? came from Julie Field, who opted for the Scala gig in London on 15 May. This competition is now closed.
Guest bloggers for May
by Josephine Tsui // 2 May 2012, 22:28
Heya lovely F-worders! We've got a double showing for you this month in terms of guest bloggers. First we have Julian Norman. Julian is a lawyer, a feminist, an activist, an armchair politician and aspiring mad cat woman. She...
Am I not a feminist at all?
by Guest Blogger // 2 May 2012, 20:10
Guest blogger, Nicky Clark, discusses whether wanting a hair-free body makes her less of a feminist.
Thanks to our April Guest Bloggers
by Philippa Willitts // 1 May 2012, 20:44
Philippa thanks the two April guest bloggers.
Calling out disablist language
by Laura // 1 May 2012, 09:00
Laura highlights what's wrong with some of the most frequently-used disablist language, and suggests ways to avoid using it.
Founder of The F-Word, Catherine Redfern, has co-authored a new book with Kristin Aune. Find out more at the 
