I’m really mad at Esther Rantzen. I’m sorry she’s dying and I wish her nothing but the best on a personal level. I loved her growing up. But she’s been a totally selfish cow on assisted dying. She wants to order up an Amazon Prime death (at the time of her choosing, at the place of her choosing, in the company of her choosing and by the method of her choosing) and she’s been willing to change the whole face of our society to get it. Even if the Lords approve the Assisted Dying Bill it will be too late for her but the face of the earth will nevertheless be forever changed. There was another way for her to get her shopping-list death. I’m not recommending it and I wouldn’t want it for her but she could have had most of her wish list fulfilled if she’d taken sole responsibility for her death herself.
Thanks for the Sarah McBride discussion. Someone recommended I listen to the podcast (goodness knows, I tried, but that slow way of speaking does not work for me). Reading was much better - better in the sense that I could understand it - but it came across as an hour of deflection. I didn't see any substance in it at all. There was no unique point of view, and there was nothing specific called out as an issue (except to develop sporting rules at the local level). I don't understand the point of interviewing her at all, unless the NYT wanted to give some time to someone to speak on the issue because the movement is fast losing ground in the court of public opinion (and likely lost a major election last year because of it). From that perspective, the interview failed miserably. The topics discussed didn't reinforce the roots of the positions, and the discussion wasn't seeking to grow the audience.
I was glad to hear what you two had to say, because I didn't see any walking back of the TRA behavior in the discussion - but I trust your lived experience and sharply honed eyes.
I've just checked out BBC Sounds for something interesting to listen to while painting - in their 'Collections' there's a "Pride" link and there's not a single Lesbian featured - out of about 10 different shows 8 are on the Trans and 2 are on Gay Men...We've gone from the chant 'No LGB without the T' to 'No LGB at all, it's all about the T'. Does the BBC really want to commit License Fee suicide or is it because Lesbians & Gay men disrupt the entire T ideology? I orgot, we're the only minority they really don't give a shit about. The wrong kind of minority. 'Nothing to see here'...until the receipts come in and the BBC of the 2020's becomes about as respected as Lord Haw Haw after WW2. Could either of you please do a feature on this? Right now you two are about the only place we can hear any lesbian voices!
It’s typical of politicians to give pathetic, non-interviews, as McBride did. But I have no respect for him after reading about his legislative history, which has been characterised (as you might expect) by promoting bills that harm women and girls.
Just came across Fascism and the Women’s Cause by Michael Richmond and Alex Charnley, and listened to their interview on the Acid Horizon podcast (“The Roots of ‘Gender-Critical’ Fascism”). They trace connections between white feminist history and far-right movements — from suffragettes to today’s “gender-critical” voices and link “gender-critical” feminism to white supremacy and fascism. Do you know them or come across their work? Curious what you think — and how influential do you think this kind of framing really is? Thank you
Interested to know why Julie uses preferred pronouns for Strangio but not for McBride.
Also the Kellie Jay Keen discussion again smacks to me of telling women to be kind, like we had last week related to men going in ladies toilets. KJK called McBride a man, and so does Julie. If Julie thinks that because she's not doing it to McBride's face she is somehow "above" other GC women, then it's a very weird take. TRAs will think Julie is just as much of a "transphobic bigot" as KJK. Being kind has never worked, as Julie herself essentially admitted.
Once again love the banter between Julie and Kathleen - makes me laugh so much and their irreverence is a breath of fresh air 😂
I’m really mad at Esther Rantzen. I’m sorry she’s dying and I wish her nothing but the best on a personal level. I loved her growing up. But she’s been a totally selfish cow on assisted dying. She wants to order up an Amazon Prime death (at the time of her choosing, at the place of her choosing, in the company of her choosing and by the method of her choosing) and she’s been willing to change the whole face of our society to get it. Even if the Lords approve the Assisted Dying Bill it will be too late for her but the face of the earth will nevertheless be forever changed. There was another way for her to get her shopping-list death. I’m not recommending it and I wouldn’t want it for her but she could have had most of her wish list fulfilled if she’d taken sole responsibility for her death herself.
Kathleen, will there be an audiobook of your new book? Thanks! 🙏
Yes
Thanks for the Sarah McBride discussion. Someone recommended I listen to the podcast (goodness knows, I tried, but that slow way of speaking does not work for me). Reading was much better - better in the sense that I could understand it - but it came across as an hour of deflection. I didn't see any substance in it at all. There was no unique point of view, and there was nothing specific called out as an issue (except to develop sporting rules at the local level). I don't understand the point of interviewing her at all, unless the NYT wanted to give some time to someone to speak on the issue because the movement is fast losing ground in the court of public opinion (and likely lost a major election last year because of it). From that perspective, the interview failed miserably. The topics discussed didn't reinforce the roots of the positions, and the discussion wasn't seeking to grow the audience.
I was glad to hear what you two had to say, because I didn't see any walking back of the TRA behavior in the discussion - but I trust your lived experience and sharply honed eyes.
I completely agree! There was no substance to the interview.
My food is a bit queer. I’m not much of a cook though. Burn and bin - I’ll remember that tip.
Looking forward to listening! Audio sounds a bit higher pithed than usual. Might be on my end though. 🤔
It does for me too! They sound like the alternate universe straight versions of themselves
😂😂
Sound's off.
0:42 good mornings, Julie Burchill, food at parties
6:56 Julie's week
10:12 Sarah McBride interview
25:36 Jillian Michaels on Pride
31:01 queer food book
46:43 dilezza
"Who . . .gives a fuck. She's . . . dead. eye-roll" Brilliant, Kathleen.
I've just checked out BBC Sounds for something interesting to listen to while painting - in their 'Collections' there's a "Pride" link and there's not a single Lesbian featured - out of about 10 different shows 8 are on the Trans and 2 are on Gay Men...We've gone from the chant 'No LGB without the T' to 'No LGB at all, it's all about the T'. Does the BBC really want to commit License Fee suicide or is it because Lesbians & Gay men disrupt the entire T ideology? I orgot, we're the only minority they really don't give a shit about. The wrong kind of minority. 'Nothing to see here'...until the receipts come in and the BBC of the 2020's becomes about as respected as Lord Haw Haw after WW2. Could either of you please do a feature on this? Right now you two are about the only place we can hear any lesbian voices!
It’s typical of politicians to give pathetic, non-interviews, as McBride did. But I have no respect for him after reading about his legislative history, which has been characterised (as you might expect) by promoting bills that harm women and girls.
Is Michael Gove a lesbian? Question came to mind in your hilarious stories of being drunk at in unherd event. Keep making us lesbians laugh.
Just came across Fascism and the Women’s Cause by Michael Richmond and Alex Charnley, and listened to their interview on the Acid Horizon podcast (“The Roots of ‘Gender-Critical’ Fascism”). They trace connections between white feminist history and far-right movements — from suffragettes to today’s “gender-critical” voices and link “gender-critical” feminism to white supremacy and fascism. Do you know them or come across their work? Curious what you think — and how influential do you think this kind of framing really is? Thank you
Interested to know why Julie uses preferred pronouns for Strangio but not for McBride.
Also the Kellie Jay Keen discussion again smacks to me of telling women to be kind, like we had last week related to men going in ladies toilets. KJK called McBride a man, and so does Julie. If Julie thinks that because she's not doing it to McBride's face she is somehow "above" other GC women, then it's a very weird take. TRAs will think Julie is just as much of a "transphobic bigot" as KJK. Being kind has never worked, as Julie herself essentially admitted.
I vote for keeping the food talk. It's hysterical.
Love the food talk, Julie and Kathleen. Keep it coming! ❤️
Splendid episode, as always. Thank you both so much.
Just FYI, the audio wasn't quite right - a faint tinny echo behind Julie's voice.
Didn't diminish the top quality of the ep, though!