![]()
THE REAL WITCH-HUNT
Fancy a bit of McCarthyism? Oh go on, it's retro. The Sun
newspaper is hunting "Britain's first pregnant man" - providing a
hotline for anyone willing to shop him. Reminds me of those
homophobic states where the national newspapers urge readers to
call in and "out" gay people. And witch-hunts, bullying… stuff like
that.
The Daily Mail has been sniffing around too, with the Mail on
Sunday running a front page feature on the man after locating his
personal blog last week. Though his identity was not explicitly
revealed, enough information was given for any half-decent
journalist (or possibly just someone with "Google") to track him
down. Thank goodness. We can all sleep that little bit better now
this is in the public domain.
Now, if he'd been going around growing babies in other people's
wombs, lots of other people's wombs, covertly, and the Sun
uncovered this, I'd probably say that was in the public interest.
As far as I'm aware though, the man grew the baby in his own womb.
Seems it was quite a personal, private affair. I don't know about
you, but I tend to regard other people's internal organs as their
own business. I'm just an old-fashioned gal!
I spoke to Green Party leader Caroline Lucas last week, and
suggested that she raise the issue in parliament. She understood
the problem immediately, and yesterday sponsored an Early Day
Motion (EDM) condemning the Sun's actions. See here:
"The Sun's shameful attempt to identify a trans man and his child
is nothing short of a transphobic witch-hunt, which once again
raises questions about the nature of tabloid press reporting.
"That the paper thinks this action is acceptable and in the
'public interest' suggests that it has learned nothing from the
Leveson Inquiry and the ongoing debate around ethics in British
journalism.
"This man has made it clear that he wishes to remain anonymous to
protect himself and his child from unwanted attention - and by
pursuing him in this way, The Sun has placed the child and family
at risk of abuse and severe disruption.
"There is also serious concern within the trans community that
other trans people and their families who have no connection to
this case now face increased risk of public exposure and subsequent
attacks.
Took the words right out of my mouth, she did. Three MPs have
sponsored the EDM. So three cheers for Caroline Lucas!
Source
HOW TIMES CHANGE
You wouldn't have seen this 20 years ago: Leeds council is
appealing to gay and lesbian couples to foster children. Read this
refreshing report from the BBC:
"Councillor Judith Blake, Leeds City Council's executive member
responsible for children's services, said lesbian and gay foster
carers and adopters had made a "tremendous contribution" towards
helping the city provide homes for children and young people.
The council welcomes applications from people with diverse
backgrounds: "The main thing is that you are able to give children
and young people the care and support they need to be happy and
fulfilled."
Perhaps they saw the recent research which suggests that children
of same-sex parents are less likely to be abused. After years of
misguided mistrust, and the pernicious idea that gay people are
somehow a threat to children, I think it's wonderful that society
is beginning to value our community's ability to raise children.
Now all we need is proper marriage, and gay people can be just as
conservative as everyone else…
Source
JUST GIVE ME "THE LEZ"
Harry Potter star and model Emma Watson has been branded an owner
of lesbian hair. Lesbian hair! It seems her hair has been detaching
itself from her scalp and sneaking off to the Candy Bar whilst she
is asleep, where it has been photographed draped over a plethora of
high profile women. There have even been reports that Watson's hair
has taken up tennis and plans to become the first lesbian hair to
play Wimbledon. Seriously though, what is lesbian hair? Long and
blonde like Portia Di Rossi? Curly and wild like DIVA editor Jane
Czyzeslka? Sleek red bob, a la Mary Portas? Watson told the
Independent that her short 'do sparked speculation over her
sexuality. She told the Independent: "I had journalists asking me
if this meant I was coming out, if I was a lesbian now." The star
also spoke about hair in a recent interview with French Elle. "I'm
a multidimensional person and that's the freedom of fashion… You're
able to reinvent yourself through how you dress and how you cut
your hair or whatever."
Hear hear. Women have fought many things, but nothing more
important than the freedom of fashion.
Source
Follow Paris on twitter @ParisLees
