I was one of the first people to write about the disgustingness of lad mags, along with a brave blogger called Charliegirl, so, ten years later, I thought it fitting that I be one of the last. FHM and Zoo have closed, joining Loaded, Nuts, Maxim and Front in the ‘end of the lad mags era.’ … Continue reading A last word on lad mags: The real reason they closed
Tag: feminism
I’m beginning to think we need to find our idols elsewhere
After a youth spent with Jagger and Warhol, Jerry Hall is marrying patriarchal conservatism made flesh, Rupert Murdoch. Of course Jerry’s ex, Mick Jagger, IS the establishment too, accepting his knighthood whereas David Bowie, always the subversive outsider, wanted nothing to do with it. The death of a great idol, David Bowie, and the marriage … Continue reading I’m beginning to think we need to find our idols elsewhere
Challenge Porn on International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women
Sentencing the murderer of teenager Becky Watts, the judge, Mr Justice Dingemans, broke down and cried. The sixteen year old's step brother, Nathan Matthews, inflicted over 40 injuries on the school girl and dismembered her body. November 25 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In court, Matthews confessed to watching porn … Continue reading Challenge Porn on International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women
Speak up like a woman
I had never heard of the BBC broadcaster Barbara Sturgeon and now I want to be one of the girlfriends who do karaoke with her, and I’ve never cared much for that. This week I met Barbara as she trained a group of women, including me, in public speaking. We are to become a group … Continue reading Speak up like a woman
A man’s introduction to feminism
As 2014 was the year that the Fourth Wave of Feminism went mainstream, more men may be wondering what they should and could be saying and doing. Luckily, men, there are a significant number of male-led campaigns and organisations to help you work it out. Because as one young woman at the 2014’s Feminist in … Continue reading A man’s introduction to feminism
Malala and Jennifer Lawrence make it ‘Role models for girls week!’
Wow, a 17 year old school girl has just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Malala Yousafzai is the youngest person to receive the prize. AND SHE IS A GIRL. She was shot in the head by the Taliban for publicly campaigning for girls’ right to education. The Taliban want to keep girls as domestic … Continue reading Malala and Jennifer Lawrence make it ‘Role models for girls week!’
Stalking as sexy? Adam Levine pushes Robin Thicke off top spot as pop hero for misogynists
The fact that most people think feminists are man-haters is just incredulous when male-dominated culture spews women-hating narratives in our faces everyday. In collective women’s raped, tortured, butchered, abused, oppressed, stalked, harassed, shamed and blamed faces, everyday. Misogyny steals our lives and hurts so deep that dying becomes preferable to living. It hurts even more … Continue reading Stalking as sexy? Adam Levine pushes Robin Thicke off top spot as pop hero for misogynists
As Loaded relaunches, a bunch of new books by feminist writers signal the feminist movement is going mainstream
While lad mags were about cowardice, feminism is about great courage in the face of injustice, abuse, suffering and repression.
Why a pole dancing display at a primary school fete is wrong
As well as being a devastatingly crap experience for many women working in the clubs, lap dancing and pole dancing clubs promote all women as sex objects.
Instead of What would you like to be? it’s Which Disney Princess would you like to be?
Cinderella and her princess pals have been taking over girlhood for a while but now it really is time to desist. There is no alternative for little girls to dress up as, no alternative for little girls in the role play castle at school, no superheroine, no female space detective, no astronaut, firefighter or pirate. … Continue reading Instead of What would you like to be? it’s Which Disney Princess would you like to be?
Betty Bandit 