32 Comments
User's avatar
Julie Hornsby's avatar

Some good news I worked at the Q and A of Islas way at the BFI film festival this year when it was screened and sold out. The film’s director said when asked about Islas reluctance to call herself lesbian, that this had now changed with the making and showing of the film at various festival’s on tour . Basically Islas is now identifying as a lesbian and enjoying herself at the many screenings of the film and her new notoriety … hurrah

Expand full comment
Susan Scheid's avatar

Love this!

Expand full comment
Barb O'Dell's avatar

l absolutely LOVE "all the Sapphlc Trafflc" !!!!!

Expand full comment
Jane Beck's avatar

I do as well. 😎

Expand full comment
Susan Scheid's avatar

I loved this episode, beginning to end. Fabulous commentary on the Cass report (so thrilling to have that out there in the world), yet you managed, after that weighty subject to seg into the absurdity of queer pheasants (Kathleen’s family story was a corker), a must watch movie, and last not least a brilliant “academic” paper choice. Brava, brava, a tour de force from the two of you!

Expand full comment
Running in Rain: Cheryl Hercus's avatar

Absolutely love you two. I love your humour and laughter while still honing in on the seriousness of all this.

Expand full comment
CB's avatar

I once had a hen called Janet, who - one spring - grew long tail feathers, a big comb, and started to crow (badly). She eventually desisted, and I never got a chance to ask her her preferred pronouns. Additional game note: South Brockwells Farm in Sussex are purveyors of excellent pheasant, queer or otherwise. Thanks so much for all you're doing, the world would be a glummer place without this Sapphic traffic - highlight of our week!

Expand full comment
Cate's avatar

Me, too, on a similar hen experience! (See above.) Hens crow about as convincingly as men appear to be women. The difference? Neither they, nor I, believe they've changed sex.

Expand full comment
sue priest's avatar

South Brockwells farm is a fine place - used to keep my horse there!

Expand full comment
Jane Holland's avatar

Sapphic Traffic. I just HAD to pay to subscribe on hearing that... :)

Expand full comment
Jane Holland's avatar

And I wish to register my sincere ancestral embitterment henceforth. Many thanks.

Expand full comment
Ol Rappaport's avatar

Cliff Richard "I'm not gay but my boyfriend is." (quote unverified)

Expand full comment
Teeps's avatar

If therapists are going to be able to implement Cass recommendations we need to withdraw the MoUv2 which currently puts the fear of God into clinicians due to threats of malicious complaints for conversion therapy! I was already disciplined by my professional body just for tweeting about the damage of so called ‘affirmative therapy’ under the MoU I was accused of ‘failing to validate a trans identity’!

Expand full comment
Hannah's avatar

An unexpected and very welcome treat, this episode. And you were nailing it!

I, too, love ‘sapphic traffic’ - and even though I get it that over time it got a bit cringey for Kathleen, please don’t stop saying it. It’s true lez camp. You are making history.

Expand full comment
Kate Sommerville's avatar

I had forgotten 'Isla's Way'. Thanks for the reminder and thanks for comments here informing us that post-age-87-Isla has come out! It's never too late but I agree with Isla in the film that coming out is vastly over-rated! She is a gem. Once I knew some elders of similar style but not so rustic. One was a tram conductor and the other worked in the teletype room af a major newspaper. We aim for an accepting world with niches for everyone. My two elder, honest and witty friends from another age found that but not without effort and sometimes struggle. Both were deeply loved at life's ending.

Expand full comment
Cate's avatar

Starting with queer pheasants (which I initially misread as queer peasants, also fascinating), I haven't laughed as hard all week! Thanks so much for your courage, intelligence and humor. I'm an American fan of both your work, and subscribed to UnHerd largely because of Kathleen's contributions.

I've kept hens for some 20 years, and had one who -- when spring/summer hormones were running high -- would crow (strangled, but earnest) and mount another hen, with whom otherwise she had a platonic relationship. Ginny was a gorgeous, glossy black Australorp, a great layer -- and all hen -- if sometimes deranged by hormones. (Who among us cannot relate?) She is much missed, having passed away three weeks ago from cancer, after a long life during which her femme and butch aspects were each appreciated and celebrated.

Expand full comment
Ari's avatar

Isla’s Way’s trailer looks hilarious. Anybody knows how to stream/watch it?

Expand full comment
Ari's avatar

Thank you, though it seems unavailable to stream everywhere. :/

Expand full comment
Kate Sommerville's avatar

Sadly that seems to be so. I've looked around and can't find a current streaming service or showing. The film was made in 2023, so we might have to wait a while, even in Australia.

Expand full comment
Deb Downes's avatar

Not available to stream in Australia, may need a VPN?

Expand full comment
Katherine Colquhoun's avatar

Please listen to the parents interview on R4 world at one today 10/4/24

In respect of the comments on social services intervention and TikTok grooming -scripted ‘coming out letter’

Expand full comment
Sue's avatar

What a wonderful episode! really appreciate your fury, and your humour, and your insight. More Sapphic traffic please! More lezzering stories! And now, I'm really looking forward to Julie's letter to Kathleen in the form of ancestral wisdom (not embitterment) :-)

Tranimals?? really, that must be the topic of an academic paper somewhere ...

Expand full comment
JM Burda's avatar

In a future episode could you address ‘transgender archeology’ as a field of study. I came across a post on X written by a person pursuing a doctorate in this area. I anticipate that you would have an opinion on it.

Also, Kathleen, I will never pass a Popeyes location again without thinking of your Dad.

Expand full comment