Blog posts by Laura Woodhouse: 2012
There's nothing radical about transphobia
by Laura Woodhouse // 17 May 2012, 22:40
Laura calls out a new radical feminist conference for excluding trans women and promoting transphobia.
Parental leave: what's the deal?
by Laura Woodhouse // 14 May 2012, 12:13
Laura looks at the issues surrounding parental leave, and explains why it is so important.
Calling out disablist language
by Laura Woodhouse // 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.
Not so Lush
by Laura Woodhouse // 27 April 2012, 13:11
There's lots of debate currently going on through our Twitter feed around Lush's publicity stunt to highlight the cruelty of testing cosmetics on animals. It's a performance piece in which the female actress artist plays the role of the animal...
Rage Against Racism
by Laura Woodhouse // 24 April 2012, 14:02
Black Feminists are organising a demonstration outside the Swedish Embassy next Tuesday, 1 May, in response to the Minister of Culture's engagement with the racist "FGM cake" artwork that caused outrage last week: We are protesting to stop the...
Calling feminists in the North East!
by Laura Woodhouse // 17 April 2012, 10:40
Laura has the details on how you can help organise a feminist event in Newcastle this autumn.
Finnish government welcomes babies to the world!
by Laura Woodhouse // 11 April 2012, 17:07
I just had to link to this post by PhD in Parenting on the baby boxes handed out to new parents in Finland. Apparently you can choose between the box full of useful baby things (which itself turns into...
What Pirates! taught me about women
by Laura Woodhouse // 10 April 2012, 09:16
Laura is unimpressed with Aardman's latest offering.
No girls allowed
by Laura Woodhouse // 8 April 2012, 20:32
Laura wonders why, in 2012, one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world still excludes women from membership.
Weekly round-up and open thread
by Laura Woodhouse // 2 April 2012, 10:36
Time for our weekly round-up of links and an open thread - feel free to add links to stuff we missed!
An apology
by Laura Woodhouse // 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...
Ah, the sweet smell of everyday sexism
by Laura Woodhouse // 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...
Ask A Feminist #7: A personal story
by Laura Woodhouse // 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.
International Anti-Street Harassment Week
by Laura Woodhouse // 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.
Sexist bullying forces mother to cut boy's hair
by Laura Woodhouse // 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.
Campaign to ban cosmetic surgery advertising
by Laura Woodhouse // 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.
Mumsnet rape and sexual assault survey results, and a word on statistics
by Laura Woodhouse // 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.
Feminists in the media
by Laura Woodhouse // 7 March 2012, 10:35
Laura argues that what feminists are asked to comment on reflects the mainstream media's negative view of feminism.
Sex-selective abortion and the right to choose
by Laura Woodhouse // 23 February 2012, 15:14
In light of an investigation by the Daily Telegraph, Laura considers the pro-choice position on sex-selective abortion.
Workfare: yet more contempt from the government of the wealthy
by Laura Woodhouse // 23 February 2012, 10:48
Public anger over the government's workfare schemes has kicked off this week following the widespread online circulation of adverts for "jobs" in Tesco paying only travel expenses and JSA. Laura argues that feminists need to join the fight.
Ask A Feminist #6: A question of nuance
by Laura Woodhouse // 22 February 2012, 16:43
This week's Ask A Feminist tries to reconcile two potentially conflicting feminist beliefs relating to women's dress and speech.
Newsflash!
by Laura Woodhouse // 10 February 2012, 14:59
Women held back from paid work as too busy cleaning!
Ask A Feminist #5: Victims of society?
by Laura Woodhouse // 9 February 2012, 13:00
This week's Ask A Feminist considers how we can argue that culture and society affect women without painting them as unthinking victims.
Ask A Feminist #4: Does my sex life let the side down?
by Laura Woodhouse // 2 February 2012, 12:51
A reader who felt alienated by some of the comments left under Nat's recent post asks whether practising BDSM is incompatible with feminism.
Lords refuse to make single parents pay for use of CSA
by Laura Woodhouse // 26 January 2012, 10:02
The House of Lords last night voted against the government's plans to charge single parents a fee to use the Child Support Agency to collect maintenance payments from absent partners. Like many of the coalition's reforms, this would hit women...
Feminism for the 1%
by Laura Woodhouse // 25 January 2012, 15:36
Tory feminism. I've been avoiding blogging about this because the sheer physical pain that swells up in my fingers when I type those two words in succession, not to mention the blood boiling in my veins when I see...
Ask A Feminist #3: Women and children first?
by Laura Woodhouse // 25 January 2012, 11:40
In the wake of the Costa Concordia tragedy, this week's Ask A Feminist considers whether "women and children first" is a feminist position.
Ask A Feminist #2: No, I don't want you to watch
by Laura Woodhouse // 19 January 2012, 13:29
In this week's Ask A Feminist, reader Jenny is looking for ways to challenge people who think her bisexuality is all about them... Dear Laura, I'd *love* some suggestions for both snappy comebacks and reasoned explanations of The Wrong for...
Tell AIBA boxers don't need skirts
by Laura Woodhouse // 15 January 2012, 19:23
Next week the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) will make its final decision on whether to force female boxers to wear skirts in the ring, in a bid to make them look more "elegant" and help us poor confused members...
Ask A Feminist #1: My friends don't get it
by Laura Woodhouse // 11 January 2012, 19:40
In our first Ask A Feminist feature, a "spectacularly frustrated" feminist reader is looking for ways to convince her friends that feminism is still relevant... Dear Laura, I'm a feminist, secure and happy in that, but seemingly inarticulate when trying...
Spartacus Report reveals overwhelming opposition to disability benefit reform
by Laura Woodhouse // 10 January 2012, 15:40
A group of disability activists yesterday published the Responsible Reform report, or Spartacus Report. The report reveals that the government completely ignored disabled people in its rush to introduce cuts to disability benefits by replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with...
Diane Abbott racism non-story
by Laura Woodhouse // 5 January 2012, 14:26
MP Diane Abbott has been forced to apologise for a tweet she sent yesterday during a discussion with journalist Bim Adewunmi about the use of the terms "the black community" and "black community leaders" in the media. The offending...
Ask A Feminist is back!
by Laura Woodhouse // 4 January 2012, 20:31
Found yourself in a bit of a pickle recently? Suffering from a chronic bout of indecisiveness? Moral dilemma looming? Well never fear, because Ask A Feminist is back! We ran the feature a few years ago, but somehow managed to...
Petition Apple to make a conflict-free phone
by Laura Woodhouse // 3 January 2012, 20:28
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most dangerous places in the world for women, and was referred to by Margot Wallström, the UN's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, as the "rape capital of the world"...
Weekly round-up and open thread: December 26 - January 2
by Laura Woodhouse // 2 January 2012, 17:26
Happy New Year F-Worders! Here's our first round-up of 2012. As usual, a link here doesn't imply endorsement or agreement, and some links may be triggering. Let us know what you've been reading in comments. An overview of Everyday...
Founder of The F-Word, Catherine Redfern, has co-authored a new book with Kristin Aune. Find out more at the 
