[Most Recent Entries] [Calendar View] [Friends]
Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in
Jeffery Pig's LiveJournal:
| Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 | |
| 3:52 am | FUCK!  Fucking thing crashed. I should be glad though to some extent. I shouldn't write when I've had that much caffeine and am sorta seeing my own life and thoughts as quite a cute little story that I'm pretty much detached from. I need to get saving for Rebellion fest and LA in September, and I haven't even sorted out whether I'm getting a UK or US passport or both and how...I'm really bad at this, need to follow through with plans rather than watch myself for amusement. Assuming I do follow through with this, I have the feeling that I might not come back the same person on some level. It's weird. But yes, play and youth work is all fine, I've really enjoyed doing these LGBT community interviews, I've been really infuriated by some of the topics people have brought up because I hurt for these people a lot and I just shove it under the carpet; the world is just fucked. I've learned a lot in the past couple months that I wish I hadn't been prompted to think about. Finally for tonight, I've had too much caffeine. Current Mood: restless Current Music: The Casting Out - live vids on youtube |
| Friday, May 29th, 2009 | |
| 1:55 am | I know I haven't written in a while and that's how I wanted to keep it but hey, no harm in writing really. I had a pleasant surprise in my inbox this morning, El's most recent Uni essay which is really fucking good. There should be a QYN/TYN academic essay blog because I know other people must have written good stuff too. I like the anger and frustration and passion which I see around me at the minute, people's impatience with how crap the world is, and their drive and determination to improve things. I like that STA and GSUK seem to almost be teaming up as a rival to PFC, onwards and upwards! Everyone is so politically aware and intelligent, five to ten years ago I never could have dreamed that I would genuinely like this many people's brains, and so I'm grateful that I'm living in an era and in a space where those discussions are taking place at a grassroots level, about issues that appeal to me, and I'm not a meaningless ant on my own fighting the tide. I have a really jam packed tomorrow, at least a 12 hour working day, but I'm content. Bought two new CD albums last week, the new Manics one and the Star Fucking Hipsters one - SFH are a Leftover Crack spin-off band and they were mint live last week, really glad I went. Anti Flag and The King Blues played together in Kingston and that was really good too, and The Specials in Leeds was a mint night aswell. Goodnight. |
| 1:54 am | Something I wanted to post about an issue that has been flying around Facebook see quotes from my rant on Harri Cole Weeks' Facebook note: If trans kids 'expressing gender variance' because they can't be in the NHS system yet can be protected by law, how come when you get to 18 years old the law no longer protects people expressing gender variance? If PFC, EHRC and the govt can accept that transgender people who are not transsexuals exist, they are to at least some extent saying that the non-transsexual transgender people damn well deserve whatever other people want to do to them, that they deserve to be excluded from equality and liberation for their failure to fit neatly into a box. Even the HBSoC accepts that for some people experiencing gender dysphoria, having an androgynous appearance and identity is enough to alleviate their (less severe than transsexual) gender dysphoria. If for example a trans person (at this point, transsexual or transgender politics irrelevant) is banned from entering single sex spaces such as some rape crisis centres, some forms of accomodation, most shop changing rooms and most sporting opportunities, there's fuck all point in having an equality bill becaue it isn't meeting the equalities needs of the people. If at age 18 someone says 'yeah I'm still gender variant but don't want to be forced into either a sex change or my birth gender', why should they suddenly no longer be covered by a law which DID protect them? Surely that's discrimination against gender variant people based on age! If I'm perceived as being under 18 then am I protected? It's as if gender variance is seen as something that should only be permitted up to a certain age, in the way that having an invisible friend when you're an adult is a mental health concern. Children who express gender variance don't suddenly overnight become binary transsexuals or cisgendered and heteronormatively-behaving. Many of them become adults who have had their gender variance bullied out of them, and they've been made to feel ashamed and embarrassed to express their individuality, and the fact that even transsexuals are encouraging this to continue happening is a disgrace. |
| Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 | |
| 1:32 am | I can't help but feel that for now at least... my work here is done. I'm satisfied with the number of and stature of people who understand what my bugbear of the last 10 years is, who are doing better more constructive things about it than I would ever bother doing. I am fucking lazy and fucking complacent now, but at the same time a hell of a lot more content than I've ever been before in my life. I'm really proud to know some of these people and really impressed that people get it, really glad that I've been loud and been heard and that other people can and want to take things forward. In an almost arrogant way I'm glad I don't feel all that pressure to stay involved in what has sometimes been a martyr-ish way. QYN/TYN, GYUK and GSUK amongst other organisations have other people to say what I've been saying, so there's no point in me talking anymore, in person or online actually. In other news, my mania has been fuelled by news of Rachel Stamp's first gig in over 5 years, Friday April 10th in Islington Academy, London. I meant to see them years ago but for various reasons never got round to it. Woop! |
| Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 | |
| 6:23 pm | Xtastering  |
| Thursday, February 19th, 2009 | |
| 11:07 pm | I have been talking and thinking a fair bit today both at work and when I got back from playing badminton with some random guy rom Gumtree - which was fun. I'm pretty content, happy even, with work the past few weeks, and I hope it stays like that now for the foreseeable future. I'm enjoying being relaxed and carefree most of the time, and being enthusiastic not just for the children but for myself. I still don't know whether I want summer to hurry up or to not come at all. For the past few months when I'm in a good mood it's been quite a bit down to someone, and that's not really fair, when someone else has to pick up the pieces. I know it's not fair, and it does bother me, and I'm aware that it might bother you more than you let on, and I really do appreciate your understanding, sympathy and patience with me El. |
| Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 | |
| 12:30 am | I should write more because I do think more than I did... but in fact I've been talking more and posting more online and so I tend to be ranted out by the time I get round to journalling, and forget what it was that I was thinking about or triggered by that day. To be honest, to a large extent it feels like these things that people are talking about are really far over my head and I don't actually know what to think, or what is the best informed opinion, or what camp I want to put myself in. Maybe I should just put some summary sentences, so that in 5 years time I can have a look back and see what actually became of these questions, rather than being my usual discreet journally self. ID cards - do we need them in addition to passports? Plus the planned laws regarding trans people and ID cards and ID card change/multiple ID cards is a disgusting fiasco which pretty much undoes the decent work of the past few years. I however don't plan on going anywhere that I'm likely to be taunted maliciously or fear for my life if I open my mouth, and I'm grateful for that. Westboro Baptist Church - Fred Phelps et al may be coming to Basingstoke (Hampshire?) on Friday to protest against the screening of The Laramie Project. Basically they're protesting for the right of 'normal' people to murder gay people in cold blood. QYN are protesting it, I have work, I think WBC are a joke as it is. Let them in and be visibly shouting them down - all publicity is good publicity, or ban them from the UK and have that be one step towards the state silencing or buying off ANY radical thought...(which tbh I think it does a fairly decent job at anyway, so continuing that might be a good plan). There's a difference between preaching hate and preaching love - preaching hate has no positive value for anyone - the hated behaviours will happen anyway. Logic can't flatten these viewpoints, what will?! UMSU 'snail' article - an anonymous article in the Manchester student newspaper slags off androgynous people, basically claiming that binary gender is necessary in order to avoid confusion and havoc - genderless people are like snails. Us snails and snail admirers quite like that actually, and if you're scared of your own internalised homophobia you better get that seen to! Scandal Dad at 13 malarkey - I really hope the teenagers and their kid get well supported by the local council and by both sets of grandparents. You can imagine the vicious circle obviously, but I think with a decent amount of support and parenting lessons/practical advice and help they might not be as bad at parenting as plenty of people older than them are. I mean, if it was up to me, I'd want to take a hell of a lot more kids away from their families (including extended families - because chances are the fuckup wasn't just a bad apple, it was the trend) and put them with foster carers or have them for adoption. I'd love to give more kids a better start in life with people who have a better clue. How much you are biologically related to or how much you love some child doesn't mean that you have any idea what is best for it. I think the education should be better, and more thorough, and start from a younger age, but to be honest, people are having unprotected sex and don't actually care if they get an STI or a kid out of it. They're apathetic and have nothing to lose, they don't value their own lives, they don't have any self esteem - no matter how much education you give someone they have to want to listen and choose the right thing for themselves. You can have as many lessons/tv programmes/websites/leaflets etc about sex and relationships, but you have to actually want to be mature if any of it is gonna actually sink in. I also think the emphasis on doing nice things other than unprotected penetrative sex, and valuing the same things you value in your best friends in your sexual partners is a good thing. (copied from my GYUK posts actually) Reclaim The Night March (Manchester) - I'm glad it's been announced as 'open to all genders' officially, with no obvious sectioning off like last year. LGBT people get shit from straight men just the same as straight women do, and it's all rooted in sexism. (=binary centrism=transphobia=homophobia). I intend to be there with the TYN banner and my squealy referee whistle and with any luck some friends who are actual real allies for everything I believe in. In other news, other than my thoughts, work has been pretty good so far this week (ie today) - decent weather, plenty of kids and I really had a good time this past weekend and pretty much all of it was spent in the sole company of El - not that that's a bad thing! We saw High Society, (Maxi looked fit as ever and their set was short as ever), saw Bolt at the cinema (and the hamster Rhino was even better than in the trailers!), had Nandos then saw Reel Big Fish (who were pretty fun but nothing amazing), did some errands collecting a fit 24" wheel old school BMX cruiser and some stuff for work and then saw Complicit at the Old Vic theatre, watched Teeth and Velvet Goldmine after going for a muddy bike ride...so a jam packed weekend! I did almost 8 miles on my new BMX (Putney Bridge to King's Cross) which made my arse hurt, but my knee seems to have handled it fine. Current Music: the king blues - my boulder |
| Thursday, January 29th, 2009 | |
| 1:07 am | Recent life... has been a bit boring and nothingy, repetitive and missing things I enjoy, and I spent last weekend doing 5 different LGBTQ things in London. I really need a life and passion beyond that, but my only other reliable thing - music - is being really rather shit at the moment and I want some inspiration. I mean, identity politics really IS everything, there IS nothing else and nothing beyond that. Somewhat glad and somewhat miffed that you both agree. I know I need to start reading and writing proper stuff for pleasure and prodding other people again, and that's hard when I only wake up in time to go to work, and when I return home it's 9.30pm and I just want to eat junk and have casual conversation with people. I got Skype at the end of last week and it's making me feel a load less angsty, and that means I have more patience to listen to El and not just be civil because it's expected. I know El's having a tough time due to Uni and trans stuff (somewhat related) and I haven't had the patience or desire to be useful lately, I want a constant drip-feed injection of fun when I'm not at work, and it's not been happening. Day job has been annoying but I've got colleagues to share grumbles with, and we start properly this coming Monday - no more trial runs and promo shit, or time wasted in the office, yay! Knee is healing well, I should have plenty of money to do my full motorbike test within the next month or two, and I'm gonna start going to the gym a lot more. So, hopefully this more upbeat time will continue until the weather picks up and I'm naturally more perky and optimistic. Current Music: the king blues - save the world get the girl |
| Friday, January 23rd, 2009 | |
| 12:57 am | Frustration is the buzzword of today Day job is frustrating because when I'm told that something is my project and that I don't need to as permissions etc just need to do it, I'm told that after I've done what's been asked of me that someone else higher up the social food chain wants to change things here and there to things that I as the grassroots person really don't think is productive at this time of year. But what do I know huh? Stick all your strategies and area plans up your arse and don't waste my sodding time and hold me back while you tweak things that I had ready to roll! Jesus. I don't do this office bullshit, I haven't got the patience with adults that I have with kids. Evening jobs are fine really, not at all what I expected 2 years ago but I've come to accept them for what they are. Basicaly means switch off from caring so much. Naveen asked me to get a Skype headset so we could talk more, so I got one, and she didn't show up online at the time we'd agreed last night - rather annoyed me to be honest, but I'm glad I've managed to figure out how to do it with wires and installing and stuff now and not in a rush. I'm glad El's deadlines have been and gone for this week, I have to be honest and admit that in a selfish way. Talking to a stresshead all the time isn't fun. I'll leave it at that. I bought a pair of trainers off ebay and they're fakes, so I've had to get them verified as fakes by a sports shop manager and put in a paypal claim and hope that doesn't take months. meh. I have a packed weekend of queerness, and plan on seeing Scarlet Soho tomorrow night as a break from queerness. I've been to the gym for the first time in over 2 months yesterday, have refereed 3 football games since my knee op, everything seems to be going OK with that, I just need to build the muscle up. Have been to the cinema quite a bit the past month, seen Tale of Despereaux, Yes Man, Role Models and Bedtime Stories. Really looking forward to Bolt coming out too! There's a hyperactive fat hamster in it, I love Disney Pixar! |
| Monday, January 12th, 2009 | |
| 1:19 am | http://www.azarnes.com/fanfic.html I just remembered this from my college years, and it still exists. 'The Dead Come Knocking' or something like that, plus images in my head of Poppy Z Brite books, plus the music scene I was in during those years, is the world I want to live in. Disney Pixar style. I get really tempted every now and then to create a false reality in my head and live in that all the time that I'm not actually at work. |
| Friday, January 9th, 2009 | |
| 12:06 am | Smoked weed -- £10 Did acid or pills -- £5 Ever had sex at church -- £25 Woke up in the morning and did not know the person who was next to you -- £40 Had sex with someone on MySpace/Facebook/Bebo etc -- £25 Had sex for money -- £100 Ever had sex with a Puerto Rican -- £20 Vandalised something -- £20 Had sex on your parents' bed -- £10 Beat up someone -- £20 Been jumped -- £10 Cross dressed -- £10 Given money to stripper -- £25 Been in love with a stripper -- £20 Kissed someone who's name you didn't know -- £0.10 Hit on some one of the same sex while at work -- £15 Ever drive and drank -- £20 Ever got drunk at work, or went to work while still drunk -- £50 Used toys while having sex -- £30 Got drunk, passed out and don't remember the night before -- £20 Went skinny dipping -- £5 Had sex in a pool -- £20 Kissed someone of the same sex -- £10 Had sex with someone of the same sex -- £20 Cheated on your significant other -- £10 Masturbated -- £10 Cheated on your significant other with their relative or close friend -- £20 Done oral -- £5 Got oral -- £5 Done / got oral in a vehicle while it was moving -- £25 Stole something -- £10 Had sex with someone in jail -- £25 Made a nasty home video or took pictures -- £15 Had a threesome -- £50 Had sex in public -- £20 Been in the same room while someone was having sex -- £25 Stole something worth over more than a hundred quid-- £20 Had sex with someone 10 years older -- £20 Had sex with someone under the age accepted by rule of thumb (half your age plus 7) -- £25 Been in love with two people or more at the same time-- £50 Said you love someone but didn't mean it -- £25 Went streaking -- £5 Went streaking in broad daylight -- £15 Been arrested -- £5 Spent time in jail -- £15 Pissed in the pool -- £0.50 Played spin the bottle -- £5 Done something you regret -- £20 Had sex with your best friend -- £20 Had sex with someone you work with at work -- £25 Had anal sex -- £80 Lied to your mate -- £5 Lied to your mate about the sex being good -- £25 Tally it up and title it: "My Fine Is..." whats your score? mine's over 600... |
| Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 | |
| 11:48 pm | Recently... I have been lazing about in front of the TV for the first time in a while, and it has been good. My birthday was good, thanks to all those who turned up at some point over the weekend or texted me wishing me a happy birthday, it was really enjoyable. Since then I've had my knee operation and had a week in London and a week (almost) back home. I've also had a 24 hour tummy bug and some issues with my throat and glands, but they seem to have sorted themselves with the amount of sleep I've been having! But I might as well sleep, seeing as I can't do anything active, and sitting in pubs is about the only other thing I can currently do because my knee is still quite swollen. Had my stitches out today which made me feel a bit queasy, but I generally fel pretty good. Dad's had a pacemaker fitted last week and says he feels it's added years to his life, and my brother finally got home from Uni in Boston, (Massachusetts, USA) where he's apparently played in bands with the bassist from Alien Ant Farm. I'm vaguely missing work and can't wait to be able to run around again, but am glad at the time off at this nasty end of the year! Hope you all have a good Christmas or whatever if anything you celebrate - it's Christmas here, but not for any particular reason religiously... |
| Friday, December 5th, 2008 | |
| 12:00 am | My next few days... Friday Haircut Birthday lunch with parents Get ticket for City game Watch the 'Feminist take on transsexualism' debate or whatever it's called at MMU Get the train to London and see my El and Pendulum! Saturday Watch City game at Fulham Gendered Intelligence Xmas Party Pubs Stay Beautiful clubnight Sunday Cook and eat a Xmas dinner Have a jam with whoever's around Get train back home Monday 7.30am I have to be in hospital to have my first knee operation. |
| Thursday, December 4th, 2008 | |
| 11:56 pm | Random Waffle c&p I feel like a bastard for complaining about anything in my life, because I know that logically I have very little to be unhappy with. I don't ever want to be accused of taking anything for granted, I'm really lucky and grateful that I have the life that I have. I'm not short of material things or friends or cool places to hang out, so I guess I feel guilty for being annoyed at the lack of intellectually stressful things in my head. I know I can do something about that, but I'm waiting for some topic to really grab me and inspire me, I don't want grad school to be a waste and just done for the sake of it, like Uni was, to some extent. My obsessions and addictions aren't satisfying me, and I'm still interested in them, I'm just less bothered and passionate about them. That goes for academic stuff, queer politics, music, I used to love these more than most people. And now I pretty much only love or even vaguely care about people who are still passionate about these things. I still hate the inequality, unfairness and self-preservation-at-the-expense-of-othe I love seeing people's self esteem boosted and life chances improved. I love being part of that process, the few times I see it come together. But when people are apathetic, blocking their own fears and being tossers out of boredom and frustration, it really bothers me. And I do see it as my personal failure, and I do hate them, because I have all of me to invest in humanity, and if they're just going to be bastards and waste time of mine that could be better spent elsewhere, I do hate them and want to wipe them off the face of the planet. Shit, this is all the same topic really. I have all this energy and enthusiasm, and if I don't feel like I've done some good in kids' lives at least 7 days a week, I've wasted my time and failed. I hate myself for that, but at the same time realise that I at least try. But trying sometimes doesn't cut it for me, and I get as frustrated and apathetic and bored of this crap as they do. I don't know what else to do as a job or how to have relationships if I'm not being the knight. My own knights, in books and music and real life, in the end suck, and let me down, because I realise that I'm more and better than all of them when I apply myself. And that worries me! Hehe. I've promised myself I will buy Richard Dawkins and Naomi Klein's newest books with my Christmas money to give me a kick up the arse. |
| Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 | |
| 1:00 pm | Weird dreams of not being able to distinguish between people... and not really wanting to either, because I'm not bothered where nice things come from as long as I get them. I'm having my lunch then am off to see if I can buy a cheap sledge for work because there's still a thick layer of snow outside, but the roads are pretty clear now (apart from side streets) so I have to go to work. In other news, I've just had a phonecall saying my first knee operation is this Monday. Guess it's the ideal time to have an operation really, what with weather being crap and me having 2 weeks off for Xmas booked! I still plan on going into my jobs as much as possible until the holidays though, no point wasting holiday and sick time if I don't really need it! |
| Monday, December 1st, 2008 | |
| 11:51 pm | oh god, another private one?! No, I have a spine I don't know what the point in writing private ones is, because I have spoken to a few people who know me and read my journal about the thing(s) I'm writing about privately here. I guess I'm just embarrassed at actually wanting to record that I feel like this, and I'm not some childish 17 year old anymore so I should know better! I feel really stupid for having feelings for Naveen. And I don't really know her well at all, all things considered. And what does she do that El doesn't? Well, nothing I can't immediately point out. Would I still be as interested in Naveen as a person if knew her as well as I know El? Maybe she is just novelty. Shit. I have no idea. But the fact that things are how they are...it's both cool and frustrating. I'm currently quite detatched and switched off emotionally from caring about...pretty much everything - other than Naveen and El (when prompted). When things like work or stupid people bother me, I'm fired up with anger and passion for a few seconds, then I tell myself to let it go and just walk away and forget it. And I do genuinely forget it. I can't retain any information hardly, and I don't have a 'gut feeling' reaction to it later on. It's only annoying when I go to a gig and enjoy the music and smile, but not feel the intense connection and inspiration I used to feel. But at the same time, this is all fine and I have a good life! And a fair few people who I enjoy spending time with and talking to, and places I can go and really be whatever I want in. I enjoy not having a double life. |
| Friday, November 14th, 2008 | |
| 1:59 am | I want to write things that I don't think I should. This evening I have been made manic by... (a couple huge messages from Naveen which made me smile and cry) AND... this event which I have applied for a ticket to. This event seems to be causing more than a little bit of controversy given the protests against Stonewall's recent nomination for Julie Bindel as journalist of the year at their awards ceremony. It also comes at a time when there seems to be some argument over the role of various Trans organisations, who they represent, and how. So I suspect the following event will be one that is going to be quite fiery. The Manchester Metropolitan University School of law The Manchester Institute for Social and Spatial Transformations A Feminist Perspective on the Transsexual Debate Friday 5th December 2pm-5pm, The School of Law, Manchester Metropolitan University, M16 6HB – just off Oxford Rd. Julie Bindel, Guardian Journalist, nominee for the Stonewall Journalist of the Year 2008, author of “Women Overcoming Violence and Abuse”, and “The Map of My Life: The Story of Emma Humphreys” Dr. Susan Stryker, Women’s Studies, the University of Illinois, Visiting Professor, Harvard University, Author of “The Trans Studies Reader”, and “Transgender History” Chair: Prof. Stephen Whittle, MMU School of Law, author of “Respect and Equality: Transsexual and Transgender Rights” and “The Trans Studies Reader”. Public Attendance Cost: £12 or £5 on benefits (evidence of benefits must be produce at door). Free for MMU Staff and Students, ticketless entrance: your staff or student card must be shown at the door. People who are not MMU staff or students must apply for tickets. Without a ticket you will be refused entrance to this event. To apply for tickets: Email: send Full details , indicating the number of tickets, to David Hulme, d.hulme@mmu.ac.uk. Please send a separate cheque for the correct amount by postal mail to Dave at the address below. Admittance will not be allowed without payment. Postal Mail: send Full details , indicating the number & type of tickets, with a cheque for payment to: David Hulme, The School of Law Office Sandra Burslem Building, Manchester Metropolitan University Lower Ormond St, Manchester M15 6HB. For details of the venue look for Building no.19 on the map at: http://www.mmu.ac.uk/travel/maps/mmu_ma Current Music: John Player Specials - future of tomorrow |
| Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 | |
| 8:41 pm | Meh. Bands I love turn into bands I'm annoyed with and frustrated by, nothing lives up to what I want from it - bands, people, books, education, work... Just been looking round Myspace for some gigs to look forward to, and have found out that Fear Of Music have split and Hell Is For Heroes are splitting in a week. It just disappoints me when bands give up when they get dropped. It wasn't about money or fame when you started, it was about a hobby, a passion, and somehow that got lost along the way. Pretty soon there's gonna be nothing left of what was the music scene from my youth, and I don't know whether to join them in their apparent apathy, or be angry with them. Bands are like people to me, and generally matter more than the vast majority of people. |
| Sunday, November 9th, 2008 | |
| 3:18 pm | Loads of fun music this week actually! So other than Rancid on Monday, I went to LGYM on Tuesday night as I didn't have work and it's always nice to have casual chilled out vaguely useful conversations. Wednesday I went out for a firework display with Monki in Fallowfield followed by good steak and chips in a pub and then ice cream from some Turkish ice cream place in Rusholme, it was really good! Thursday was the Flogging Molly gig, they and their supports were good, though Skindred weren't best suited to the rest of the lineup (but I don't know who else I'd put on a bill with Skindred...). Friday was The Fractions supporting Rancid in Sheffield, which was an early gig so I got back to Manc in time to get a ticket for Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip off a tout for a tenner, stayed for an hour and then went home. That was a good night! Slept in late yesterday and then went to see the Justice DVD screening at Mint Lounge then their set at Warehouse Project cos I was Xtastering for them. That was really good, but I only stayed for the first 45mins cos I was really tired and wanted my bed rather than another 45mins of being squished. Today I might go play football in a friendly for Manchester Jays against Man Met Uni, if I can be bothered because it's raining and do I really fancy a 25 mile round trip just for a game of footy in which knowing my luck I might get hurt in? I have just over an hour to decide really. Work is going well, though Bury have messed me around and changed their Tuesday evening opening to a Monday, when I'm already working for Bolton, and I can't change my Bolton days so I will have to work at a different centre in Bury on Tuesdays or have an evening trimmed off my contract. |
| Saturday, November 8th, 2008 | |
| 5:05 pm | Moving forwards from Bindel and Stonewall to...what? Crossposted - and because I've been writing this journal since 2001 and I have much the same sentiments still. This seems to be going round a few people's heads at the moment, where do we go next? Is there an agreement that there can be an ideological space created that is inclusive of all factions including (above and beyond): Genderqueer Transsexual Lesbian Feminist Humanist Because surely all these groups are actually about increasing the respect for and rights of all human beings. Personally, I don't see the need for myself having a binary gender, or even a gender at all - but I realise that by observing others who clearly do and define as a gender, that there might be a place for that in an inclusive diverse ideology that also includes me. Some feminist and transsexual factions are just as binary as patriarchal society as a whole, speaking about men and women doing womens and mens things, when really people are people first. People wanting gay marriage and gay adoption rights (amongst other things) should first be calling for a real thorough questioning of why we label people men and women, and so gay and straight. Think about how a couple could be in a seemingly 'straight marriage' but might have the same genitalia - and how a couple in a seemingly 'gay civil partnership' might not have the same genitalia - trans people, binary and not, are already fucking with your world, undoing it from the inside. Sure it may be due to medical defects or psychological issues which are then corrected to the best abilities of the medical world, but surely not having MALE and FEMALE (and therefore 'straight' and 'gay') stamped on everybody from birth, and leaving everyone to choose their own bodies and roles as far as is medically possible, would be better for all. |