The absurdity about autism is that we now use the same word for someone who is non-verbal and will never be able to live independently, and someone who is just a bit quirky and feels awkward around people. And it's the latter, of course, who will now speak for the whole group, and talk about autism being a superpower.
I agree with you as someone who was diagnosed with ASD some years ago. I got the diagnosis ridiculously easily on the NHS. While I understand that some traits did affect my life negatively earlier, now that I understand that I have certain traits I get on with life just fine. So, I wouldn't really consider that as a disability, more just having certain traits, and I don't really like to mention that diagnosis anymore. And as a young person I feel like every other new person I meet is neurodivergent, so it has become ridiculous at this point.
I also think it made more sense to have the term Asperger's separately, but it isn't used anymore.
Totally agree with Julie about fertility. Time for a grown up national conversation about the assumption that people are somehow entitled to reproduce...
I was at a "all female tattooists" showcase recently, it was fine (and I think it actually was all female). But I was a bit put off by the trends - anything "feminist" is either twee "slay the patriarchy/male tears" libfem stuff, or headless naked women because every image of a woman is feminist somehow.
I really enjoyed today's discussion with Harriet's input.
We have had some family discussions lately about the inadequacy of the British derived justice system in dealing with sexual assault and partner murder cases. Australia has a lot of both and the numbers are increasing. A well known feminist judge, Dr. Jennifer Coate, is leading some kind of review of our systems and it will be interesting to see her report.
Dr Jennifer Coate is the Acting Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. Most of the other Commissioners are also women. If you're interested, have a look a round the website to see the work already done on sexual assault and the legal process. Of course, Governments have to enact change and that does not always happen. The report on fairer sexual assault processes is listed under 'Projects'.
I can't believe it's been over 60 episodes *and* we got to see lovely Harriet again. If I account for irregularities in my schedule and being away for vacation, this means you've accompanied and made my Friday cleaning almost pleasant well over 40 times. We've been together during bouts of scrubbing, wiping sanitizing, and even when I tried my first steam cleaner (Way overhyped; I do not recommend).
Really enjoyed this conversation and great to see and hear from Harriet. Really admire all 3 women for the work that they have done and are doing for women and lesbians 🤩
Not enough credit is given to the feminists from the 70s, 80s and 90s, wrt the groups, rape crisis centres and general women’s organisations that they built - literally from nothing. I enjoyed the discussion about the issues around justice for domestic violence.
In regard to tattoos, I have 2. One is 43yo, the other is 19yo. The first was obtained at a tattooist parlour that a lot of lesbian feminists (of the time) frequented. The second was done at my local tattooist parlour run by the bikies 😻 I’m not sure why a “queers space” is required, it’s a business transaction and, both experiences were perfectly ok lol.
Then the dilemma. I’m the first born daughter and was GNC from early childhood. My mother was a horrible homophobe and treated me accordingly. My Dad was a genuinely caring man (whose own mother had a bastard of a husband, who left her), who believed in everyone’s capacity to do what ever they wanted. So, my equally GNC younger sister, was respected by our mother, she has a successful academic career, had a heterosexual relationship, but came out as lesbian some 30 years ago. I’m not sure there’s anything to be gained by worrying about what one’s parents think about their children being LGB, I do know individuals can waste a lot of their life angsting about these issues.
Interesting that Harriet was so pessimistic about self defence law. In 2012, the self defence law was reformed in Canada to require judges to make into account 9 different factors. Key to helping most women, was the inclusion of the factors that require the judge to consider the difference (the size, age, gender and physical capabilities of the parties to the incident) and as well (the nature, duration and history of any relationship between the parties to the incident, including any prior use or threat of force and the nature of that force or threat).
For people who are interested, it's section 34 of the Canadian Criminal Code.
My son was recently diagnosed with autism and schizophrenia, fun times, not. Just gone 11 months in the psych ward... Don't think I'd be here now if they'd not taken him in...
And that's another reason why your chats help to fill me up. As if regular life were not mad enough. Australia is so captured. In court recently with a TRA who assaulted us in the street because we held up a sign that said "Save Women's Sport".
Lovely to see and hear from Harriet. I wonder if you recorded a lockdown disco and if we could pay a price to watch :p
Good morning and what a wonderful episode! Enjoyed the conversation! Learned some new things, which is always good. And super bonus, got to see Harriet! More please and thank you! Will Kathleen's partner be coming on too some time, if she likes? And if the hosts like? :-)
I have several tattoos and never came across any issues getting them. (As a lesbian) And they were all done by men who were never disrespectful.
It’s is an art form and I disagree that they look aged. The reason some people tattoos look terrible is the quality, the size the tattooists ability and subject matter.
A good tattoo by an Artist is at least £500+
As for queer tattooist it sounds like two people who are trying to make a career in a very competitive industry, and the only way in is through a target audience.
It’s a tricky topic - mental illness and disability. I agree that it’s very different to being disabled in the more traditional sense. But I am also glad that mental illness is classed as a disability in the equality act to ensure at least *some* workplace adjustments are possible to ask for. I have a mental health condition that has led to me being sectioned multiple times. When I am well enough to work, I need to still be able to attend psychology and psychiatry appointments to ensure I’m staying stable enough to continue functioning in the community. The equality act means that I can ask with confidence for time off or flexitime to attend these appointments. If I couldn’t, then I’d likely be told by my psychiatrist that I couldn’t work. That’s one example of how the EA can work well to ensure that people with mental illnesses are able to participate in the workplace and maintain their health.
But I’m someone who doesn’t ask for other special requirements beyond flexitime for appointments. I imagine it must be very difficult for HR departments to manage if lots of adjustments are requested that aren’t as straight forward as flexitime for appointments.
(On a class-based analysis - I think it’s much easier for people in PMC jobs to just make the flexitime happen for them without needing to apply for a reasonable adjustments under EA. And the culture in such workplaces tend to be hyperaware of “self-care” etc. But when working more traditionally working class jobs such as shift work in shops/catering, receptionists, nurses/caring, factories etc it can be almost impossible to get flexitime of any sort even for appointments because of how rotas and shift patterns are organised. So I think severe mental illnesses being covered by the EA are really vital to enable working class people to attend necessary medical/mental health appointments without being penalised by the employer.)
The absurdity about autism is that we now use the same word for someone who is non-verbal and will never be able to live independently, and someone who is just a bit quirky and feels awkward around people. And it's the latter, of course, who will now speak for the whole group, and talk about autism being a superpower.
I agree with you as someone who was diagnosed with ASD some years ago. I got the diagnosis ridiculously easily on the NHS. While I understand that some traits did affect my life negatively earlier, now that I understand that I have certain traits I get on with life just fine. So, I wouldn't really consider that as a disability, more just having certain traits, and I don't really like to mention that diagnosis anymore. And as a young person I feel like every other new person I meet is neurodivergent, so it has become ridiculous at this point.
I also think it made more sense to have the term Asperger's separately, but it isn't used anymore.
Well said!
Totally agree with Julie about fertility. Time for a grown up national conversation about the assumption that people are somehow entitled to reproduce...
Great episode today!
Totally agree as well. Some people are infertile. That's life. There are many babies who would love to be adopted.
I was at a "all female tattooists" showcase recently, it was fine (and I think it actually was all female). But I was a bit put off by the trends - anything "feminist" is either twee "slay the patriarchy/male tears" libfem stuff, or headless naked women because every image of a woman is feminist somehow.
I really enjoyed today's discussion with Harriet's input.
We have had some family discussions lately about the inadequacy of the British derived justice system in dealing with sexual assault and partner murder cases. Australia has a lot of both and the numbers are increasing. A well known feminist judge, Dr. Jennifer Coate, is leading some kind of review of our systems and it will be interesting to see her report.
Dr Jennifer Coate is the Acting Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. Most of the other Commissioners are also women. If you're interested, have a look a round the website to see the work already done on sexual assault and the legal process. Of course, Governments have to enact change and that does not always happen. The report on fairer sexual assault processes is listed under 'Projects'.
https://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-commissioners/
I can't believe it's been over 60 episodes *and* we got to see lovely Harriet again. If I account for irregularities in my schedule and being away for vacation, this means you've accompanied and made my Friday cleaning almost pleasant well over 40 times. We've been together during bouts of scrubbing, wiping sanitizing, and even when I tried my first steam cleaner (Way overhyped; I do not recommend).
Really enjoyed this conversation and great to see and hear from Harriet. Really admire all 3 women for the work that they have done and are doing for women and lesbians 🤩
That’s a far ranging episode 😻
Not enough credit is given to the feminists from the 70s, 80s and 90s, wrt the groups, rape crisis centres and general women’s organisations that they built - literally from nothing. I enjoyed the discussion about the issues around justice for domestic violence.
In regard to tattoos, I have 2. One is 43yo, the other is 19yo. The first was obtained at a tattooist parlour that a lot of lesbian feminists (of the time) frequented. The second was done at my local tattooist parlour run by the bikies 😻 I’m not sure why a “queers space” is required, it’s a business transaction and, both experiences were perfectly ok lol.
Then the dilemma. I’m the first born daughter and was GNC from early childhood. My mother was a horrible homophobe and treated me accordingly. My Dad was a genuinely caring man (whose own mother had a bastard of a husband, who left her), who believed in everyone’s capacity to do what ever they wanted. So, my equally GNC younger sister, was respected by our mother, she has a successful academic career, had a heterosexual relationship, but came out as lesbian some 30 years ago. I’m not sure there’s anything to be gained by worrying about what one’s parents think about their children being LGB, I do know individuals can waste a lot of their life angsting about these issues.
Loved this episode :)
Interesting that Harriet was so pessimistic about self defence law. In 2012, the self defence law was reformed in Canada to require judges to make into account 9 different factors. Key to helping most women, was the inclusion of the factors that require the judge to consider the difference (the size, age, gender and physical capabilities of the parties to the incident) and as well (the nature, duration and history of any relationship between the parties to the incident, including any prior use or threat of force and the nature of that force or threat).
For people who are interested, it's section 34 of the Canadian Criminal Code.
There's no such thing as loss of control anyway. All these men that kill their wives have a planning stage. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m001xkv0?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
I'm so thankful for your chats <3
My son was recently diagnosed with autism and schizophrenia, fun times, not. Just gone 11 months in the psych ward... Don't think I'd be here now if they'd not taken him in...
And that's another reason why your chats help to fill me up. As if regular life were not mad enough. Australia is so captured. In court recently with a TRA who assaulted us in the street because we held up a sign that said "Save Women's Sport".
Lovely to see and hear from Harriet. I wonder if you recorded a lockdown disco and if we could pay a price to watch :p
Good morning and what a wonderful episode! Enjoyed the conversation! Learned some new things, which is always good. And super bonus, got to see Harriet! More please and thank you! Will Kathleen's partner be coming on too some time, if she likes? And if the hosts like? :-)
Will your book be available as an e-book, please, Julie?
Certainly will
Excellent. Look forward to it. Thanks.
I'm beside myself that Kathleen didn't like White Lotus. I'm with wholeheartedly with Julie on this very important topic!
Glad to meet Harriet. Interesting conversations.
Thank you as usual.
I have several tattoos and never came across any issues getting them. (As a lesbian) And they were all done by men who were never disrespectful.
It’s is an art form and I disagree that they look aged. The reason some people tattoos look terrible is the quality, the size the tattooists ability and subject matter.
A good tattoo by an Artist is at least £500+
As for queer tattooist it sounds like two people who are trying to make a career in a very competitive industry, and the only way in is through a target audience.
Love you guys X
It’s a tricky topic - mental illness and disability. I agree that it’s very different to being disabled in the more traditional sense. But I am also glad that mental illness is classed as a disability in the equality act to ensure at least *some* workplace adjustments are possible to ask for. I have a mental health condition that has led to me being sectioned multiple times. When I am well enough to work, I need to still be able to attend psychology and psychiatry appointments to ensure I’m staying stable enough to continue functioning in the community. The equality act means that I can ask with confidence for time off or flexitime to attend these appointments. If I couldn’t, then I’d likely be told by my psychiatrist that I couldn’t work. That’s one example of how the EA can work well to ensure that people with mental illnesses are able to participate in the workplace and maintain their health.
But I’m someone who doesn’t ask for other special requirements beyond flexitime for appointments. I imagine it must be very difficult for HR departments to manage if lots of adjustments are requested that aren’t as straight forward as flexitime for appointments.
(On a class-based analysis - I think it’s much easier for people in PMC jobs to just make the flexitime happen for them without needing to apply for a reasonable adjustments under EA. And the culture in such workplaces tend to be hyperaware of “self-care” etc. But when working more traditionally working class jobs such as shift work in shops/catering, receptionists, nurses/caring, factories etc it can be almost impossible to get flexitime of any sort even for appointments because of how rotas and shift patterns are organised. So I think severe mental illnesses being covered by the EA are really vital to enable working class people to attend necessary medical/mental health appointments without being penalised by the employer.)