Best of the Spectator The Book Club: Julie Bindel
17 snips
May 14, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, writer and activist Julie Bindel, known for her work on lesbian rights, explores the complexities of lesbian liberation today. She reflects on the historical challenges faced by lesbians and why they may not necessarily align with gay men's interests. Julie tackles the issue of 'progressive' misogyny seen in modern activism, and discusses the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling on gender identity, questioning whether it signals the end of conflicts around trans issues.
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Increased Misogyny Against Lesbians
- Lesbians face a rising tide of misogyny worse than general sexism because they exclude men in relationships.
- Younger lesbians actively fight back to reassert their rights against this intensified discrimination.
Myth of Lesbian Legal Invisibility
- Lesbians were criminalised indirectly via laws against cross-dressing and public harassment before explicit laws targeted them.
- Cultural myths obscured historical lesbian oppression, hindering understanding of lesbian identity and rights.
Harassment Dangers for Lesbians
- Men often verbally and physically harassed lesbians in public, demanding sexual performances or threatening violence.
- Julie herself suffered a broken nose after resisting harassment while walking home.
