PETITION: #losetheladsmags

It’s time for shops to Lose the Lads’ Mags

Today it’s no longer acceptable to have ‘girly calendars’ on office walls. Why? Because they create a sexist and degrading environment for female employees and customers. So why, then, do supermarkets and newsagents still think it’s OK to expose staff and customers to degrading, pornographic lads’ mags – the modern day equivalent of ‘girly calendars’ – in their stores?

A woman who works in Tesco told us, “I hate that Tesco sells these mags and papers like the Sun and the Star. In the store I work in there is a laddish culture and I don’t think having these magazines help that…”

Lads’ mags portray women as dehumanised sex objects. There is extensive evidence this fuels sexist attitudes and behaviours and creates a conducive context for violence against women.

We’ve also obtained brand new legal advice showing that shops selling lads mags’ – like WH Smith and Tesco – are potentially breaching equality legislation. Stocking and displaying lads’ mags and papers with Page 3-style front cover images can constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment under the Equality Act. Employees could take legal action on this basis and, where the magazine is visibly on display, customers could also have a claim. Legally as well as ethically, lads’ mags are well past their sell-by date.

That’s why we’re joining with Object, Women’s Aid, End Violence Against Women and many others to tell shops to lose the lads’ mags.

Sign the petition and ask shops to lose the lads’ mags!

As is the case with ‘girly calendars’, people shouldn’t have to see sexist, degrading lads’ mags when they are going about their work or doing their shopping.

Sign the petition today.

EVENT: York Feminist Network picnic (20th July)

From email:

Hello Huddersfield Feminist Collective!

Just wanted to let you know about a ‘Yorkshire Feminists’ picnic that we (York Feminist Network) are hosting on Saturday 20th July in York.

Details from our Facebook event:

We are hosting a picnic for Yorkshire feminists from across all corners of our fine county!

On Saturday 20th July, from midday onwards, you will find us at the community gardens opposite The Golden Ball (pub) on Cromwell Road in York.

Women, men and children all welcome!

Bring food and drink, as much or as little as you like. As hosts, we shall endeavour to provide as hearty an offering as we are able of some of the ‘picnic essentials’ – sandwiches, cake etc. We will bring as many blankets as we can scramble together, and will also provide all nibbling accessories (cups, plates etc).

Anyone able to bring along a football / a frisbee / any other object capable of providing entertainment for young children, that would be much appreciated.

Continue Reading…

NEXT HFC EVENT: THURSDAY MEET, 30th May 2013 at 7.00pm

The Huddersfield Feminist Collective meets on the last Thursday of each month from 7pm at the Sports(person)man Pub, 1 St Johns Road, Huddersfield, HD1 5AY.

Please come along – it’s informal and fun and you’ll be made welcome! The Sports(person)man pub has kindly offered us a room for our exclusive (whenever possible) use.

Next meeting: Thursday the 30th of May 2013, at 7.00pm. See you there!

SURVEY: Take our Feminist movement survey (UKFeminista)

Tell us about your passions, priorities and needs in our online survey

What feminist activities are you most inspired by? What do you want to campaign on? And what kind of support do you need to organise for a world without sexism?

We want to hear from feminists across the UK about the exciting things you’re doing and how we can help you do them. We’ve developed a short online survey and would love you to take part.

And if you complete it by Friday 7 June you’ll be entered into a draw to win a UK Feminista t-shirt and bag!

Here’s the link to the survey: ukfeminista.

PETITION: Brave’s Merida Gets a Disney Make-Over

Click for larger.

In 2006, The Walt Disney Company bought the computer-animated feature film powerhouse Pixar.  This makes the lead of their most recent movie, Brave (2012), not just a princess, but a Disney Princess.  Merida is having a royal coronation at the Magic Kingdom this morning.

For her coronation, the princess has gotten a good ol’ Disney makeover. On the left is the new Merida (“after”) and on the right is the old Merida (“before”).  Notice any differences? [Rest, socimages.]

Here’s a petition for you to sign to change Merida back (change.org).

Related:

EVENTS: Wendy Houstoun’s 50 Acts (only Yorkshire date, Lawrence Batley Theatre – 22nd May)

The Guardian gave Wendy Houston’s 50 Acts an unusual 4 Stars for her “…personal contribution to the voice of grumpy middle-age. From the frustrations of an unreliable memory to the aggravation of a world fogged by corporate-speak, this multidisciplinary solo show covers a gamut of reasons why a woman over 50 might be angry. Assembled out of 50 short segments of dance, text, film and music, it approaches the subject of ageing through a wonderfully economical and unexpected kaleidoscope of angles.”

Wendy Houstoun’s 50 Acts at thelbt.org.

Wendy Houstoun | 50 Acts

A warm and intimate evening tackling ageism and other modern rubbish…  

A dancer, choreographer and mentor to a generation of artists who remains committed to finding new forms to address her themes. Over the years, her work has developed a uniquely distinctive style that combines movement with text, and meaning with humour.

Wendy has worked extensively as a solo performer and in collaboration with companies and artists such as DV8 Physical Theatre, Tim Etchells and Forced Entertainment, Nigel Charnock, performance artist Rose English and Vincent Dance Theatre.

A maverick and enduring artist, 50 ACTS sees Wendy in a spirited retaliation against ageism and other modern rubbish, small dances and big ideas, stupidity and much, much more.

Book here.

 ’…one of the most forthright and gifted independent performers of her generation’ DANCE MAGAZINE

NEWS: Kat Banyard discusses cosmetic surgery on Newsnight

On email from UK Feminista:

Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign to end cosmetic surgery advertising. Hundreds of you wrote to your MP about clamping down on the cowboy cosmetic surgery industry and its reckless advertising practices. Your actions made a real difference.

Last week Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Medical Director, made recommendations to the Government to institute new measures to clamp down on this unaccountable and unregulated industry.

UK Feminista’s Kat Banyard was invited on to Newsnight to debate the recommendations on the back of our campaign. Watch it here today (from 30 minutes in, available to view until midnight today).

EVENTS: Kirklees Town Halls over the summer

From email:

Kirklees Town Halls has a fantastic summer  season ahead from Comedy, Cabaret, Classical to Drama and Dance

ONLINE BROCHURE: http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls/documents/KirkleesTownHallsEventGuide.pdf

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:-

Magic of Motown  – 10th May – Huddersfield Town Hall

Calendar Girls – 15th to 17th May – Cleckheaton Town Hall

Dewsbury Beer Festival – 16th to 18th May – Dewsbury Town Hall

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic – 17th May – Huddersfield Town Hall

Ken Dodd – 2nd June – Huddersfield Town Hall

Cleckheaton Folk Festival – 5th to 7th  – Cleckheaton Town Hall

BOX OFFICE 01484 223200 / 01484 222444 / 01924 324501

BOOK ONLINE: http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls/

http://www.facebook.com/KirkleesTownHalls

http://twitter.com/KirkleesTownHls

EVENT: What does a feminist (academic) look like?

Via email:

What does a feminist (academic) look like?

A workshop exploring the embodiment of feminist academic identity with guest speaker Mari K Niemi
Monday 17th June 12-3pm (bring your lunch!)
Graham Hills 509, University of Strathclyde http://www.strath.ac.uk/visiting/

Please register and confirm attendance by 31 May by emailing Kirsty Alexander: kirsty.alexander@strath.ac.uk

HELP: A Research Project About The Environment (Leeds)

About: Research exploring disabled people’s views and experiences of the environment

Description:

This research is being conducted by Deborah Fenney, a PhD student based in the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds.

The research is looking into disabled people’s experiences of the environment, and whether there are barriers to doing environmentally friendly activities. Over the past few years, many people have become interested in trying to be more environmentally friendly. Whether or not we agree with this, government and local councils are also trying to encourage us to change our behaviour to help protect the environment. However, being environmentally friendly can be more difficult for some people than for others.

I’m hoping to find out what disabled people think about environmental issues, and any experiences they may have had. If disabled people’s needs are not considered with regard to environmental issues, accessible solutions may be missed. I hope this research will help highlight existing good practice and ideas, as well as where more consideration is needed.

I’m looking to speak to people who:

– live in the Leeds City Council area

– are disabled, or have a long-term physical or mental health condition, or a learning difficulty or disability

and

– are over 18.

Taking part involves talking to me about your experiences, either in person or via telephone or email if these are more accessible for you. The kinds of questions asked and topics covered would be about different environmental issues, any experiences you have had of them and what you think about them. In person, this conversation usually takes around half an hour, and can be held in a place convenient for you. I may be able to reimburse any expenses incurred – please ask!

Alternatively, if you are a member of a group (for example a social or support group) and other group members would also like to take part, I am able to run a focus group discussion covering similar topics. A group discussion would usually take around an hour, although sometimes they take longer.

Link: A Research Project About The Environment (facebook)