The so-called lads' mags that have sprung up over the past few years aren't only sexually explicit, they are contemptuous of women and therefore harmful argues Rachel Bell. But reactions to MP Claire Curtis Thomas' bill to have them classed as pornography and put on the top shelf have been frustratingly predicatable. She calls for more understanding of the movement and women's voices behind the MP.
Tag: feminism
Challenging the ‘Sex Sells’ Cliché
Everywhere you turn these days there are sexualised images of women's bodies as porn becomes more and more mainstream. Rachel Bell investigates the growing protest movement against the normalisation of porn in everyday life.
Women Unite, Reclaim the Night!
Rachel Bell reports on November's hugely successful Reclaim the Night March in London, and some of the marchers explain their reasons for taking part.
Hidden horrors
Following the New Orleans disaster, reports of widespread rape emerged from the city. They have since been denied by police but confirmed by crisis centres. Is this an attempt to save New Orleans' image or the establishment covering its tracks? Rachel Bell reports.
Run, rabbit, run
Some of the many letters, printed in The Guardian, responsding to my article, It's porn innit?
Betty Bandit 