Open Microphone Post

With lots of people reading this blog at the moment, how about this: an open microphone post. The idea is that you comment what you’re thinking, what’s frustrating you about the world at the moment, whatever. If you’re going to post a link to a blog post, please write a paragraph in summary. If you want to ask me something (within reason) please go ahead…

Lois: Would Women have caused the Credit Crunch?

Today sees the return of a former guest blogger to discuss an article I spotted but didn’t manage to get round to commenting on. Thankfully, someone else did it wonderfully for me; many thanks Lois! I have a couple of submissions for the next couple of weeks, but if the summer provides any thoughts on Gender, do send them over.

Rosie: A feminist childhood

Guest blogging returns with an offering from Rosie Venner, who some of you will know for her work at Student Christian Movement. This last year they’ve been following the theme of “Liberating Gender”, and so I asked her to write something, so here it is…

Anna: Why I’m making a big deal about Facebook Rape

This weeks Saturday Guest post deals with a trend that annoys me, which is nothing next to how my friend, this posts author, views it. Here Anna looks at a term being used around Facebook and how its use belittles the harsh, often violent, and always distressing (if that’s a strong enough word) reality behind its proper meaning.

Sophia: Explaining Genderqueer

It’s a term being used quite a bit these days, especially on campuses, but what the heck does it actually mean? For those who live on planet YUSU, Trans issues have taken on added importance in recent weeks, with a Gender Neutral Toilets (GNT) motion being passed by the union a week ago. Originally written for Cambridge University SU by the person Wikipedia cites as the first to get a students union to pass a GNT motion, here’s a readable take on the concept of Genderqueer.

Froth: Advertising Angers Me

So this one comes from good friend and author of “Frothing at the Brain”, a blog I think I partly inspired into being. OK, I flatter myself. Anyhow, there’s plenty of feminist rants, but this latest I thought was particularly pertinent given how many people have been trying to give themselves skin cancer over last weekend: “fear not, surgery will save you!”

Equality of the Sexes? Not yet.

Following on from the Bechdell test last week, here’s another guest blog post on the topic of feminism and gender. Lois Cross examines the current state of women’s equality to men, and in particular the pay gap and the culture of maternal career breaks.

Guest Post: Male Bias in Movies

OK, I’m planning to start a regular-ish Saturday guest slot for people making what I consider good points on issues around Gender and Feminism. I don’t write very well on the subject, and wish I did, but also, its an area I wish people talked positively about more often. This weeks guest is Helen, talking about a simple test of women’s roles in films and whether they manage more than just a supporting, romantic/sexual attraction add-on.