2 months till FiLiA!

EightiesRobot · 2021-08-20T09:19:51+00:00

Who is going? It's my first time and I'm so excited! The line up of speakers looks great: https://filia.org.uk/speakers

KarmaViolet · 03/09/2021 23:27

@cariadlet

Just booked my weekend tickets. I haven't been before but the speakers look really good.

I'll be going on my own which is a bit scary. I'm autistic so can be a bit rubbish with new people but something with a focus is easier for me than having to go somewhere and just make small talk.

They've always been good with adjustments (as long as you actually say what they are - "I'm autistic" isn't very helpful but "I need a reserved seat with a clear view of the captions" is). Given they're volunteers they have a good track record - in previous years there have been palantypists for captions in the main room, volunteers to guide people between rooms, reserved seats, and a quiet / recovery room for sensory overload or PTSD.

greyinganddecaying · 03/09/2021 20:17

I'm going - can't wait! The speakers list is looking better everyday.

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 03/09/2021 17:15

Joanna Cherry’s going!

supercritter · 01/09/2021 14:26

I'm going

wellbehavedwomen · 30/08/2021 22:28

I'm going with my mum and my daughter!

Hope to see lots and lots of you there.

Immunetypegoblin · 30/08/2021 21:15

Ah, I saw the bit that said 16th and ignored the bit with a different month altogether dumbass! Thank you PlonitbatBonit

PlonitbatPlonit · 30/08/2021 20:34

It's a month before, so separate from FiLiA.

Immunetypegoblin · 30/08/2021 19:50

Just seen the WPUK meeting advertised - is it planned as part of FILIA, does anyone know?

shesellsseacats · 29/08/2021 16:38

@KaycePollard

I’ll be there! Accommodation (relatively expensive 😩) booked.

I was at the WPUK conference in London in the Before Times 2 years ago, and it was great. The energy from 1000 women in the room! It took me back to my days as a teenage feminist at Women’s Lib conferences in the late 1970s.

I think that many young women don’t realise the power and fun and freedom of being in a largely woman-only space and event (it happens so rarely) and if they did, they might appreciate radical feminism far more.

I guess men have the experience of being in largely men-only groups much more frequently and take it for granted. It’s rare for women, and we need to celebrate it.

And protect our women-only opportunities.

And I do know that the FILIA conference is not specifically women only, and allows men to attend, but I hope (even as a straight woman) that they’ll be in the tiny minority.

The party is women-only IIRC.

Original poster

EightiesRobot · 29/08/2021 07:57

No maybe if you live up to an hour to an hour and a half away? Just an idea

OP posts:

KaycePollard · 29/08/2021 07:47

Not if you live more than a couple of hours on a train away from Portsmouth @EightiesRobot !

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 28/08/2021 23:00

And I do know that the FILIA conference is not specifically women only, and allows men to attend, but I hope (even as a straight woman) that they’ll be in the tiny minority.

They always have been so far!

Original poster

EightiesRobot · 28/08/2021 22:07

It's possible to just get a day ticket to avoid booking accommodation. With the agenda up you can look to see who is speaking each day. Although it is an early start.

OP posts:

cariadlet · 28/08/2021 20:57

I agree that the accommodation is expensive but we had 2 holidays cancelled last year and didn't even try to book anything this year.

The FiLiA conference is my only holiday in 2 years so I'm treating myself.

KaycePollard · 28/08/2021 19:52

I’ll be there! Accommodation (relatively expensive 😩) booked.

I was at the WPUK conference in London in the Before Times 2 years ago, and it was great. The energy from 1000 women in the room! It took me back to my days as a teenage feminist at Women’s Lib conferences in the late 1970s.

I think that many young women don’t realise the power and fun and freedom of being in a largely woman-only space and event (it happens so rarely) and if they did, they might appreciate radical feminism far more.

I guess men have the experience of being in largely men-only groups much more frequently and take it for granted. It’s rare for women, and we need to celebrate it.

And protect our women-only opportunities.

And I do know that the FILIA conference is not specifically women only, and allows men to attend, but I hope (even as a straight woman) that they’ll be in the tiny minority.

somethinginoffensive · 28/08/2021 18:35

I think I will have to give it a miss, accommodation v. expensive now. Next year....

Mulletsaremisunderstood · 28/08/2021 16:44

Ach, would love to go!!! I'm in Ireland but could fly over for the weekend. So many amazing speakers!!

Interestingly, I just checked out the Portsmouth Guildhall website to try and see the location, where to stay etc., and this event is not advertised on there, even though there are loads of other events shown for the next few months.

Would that be to try and stop protesters or something??Hmm.

Olderbadger1 · 28/08/2021 00:39

Went to the one in Bradford and it was totally glorious. Really really really amazing and inspiring and moving and educational and infuriating and funny and warm and just entirely amazing.

Have booked for this one - and for the party in the evening.

And 2022 it comes to Cardiff. Yippeeeee!

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 27/08/2021 22:27

@MintMe

Just booked for the Sunday. Is anyone else worried it might be targeted?

There were a few protesters last year but it was all pretty pathetic. The security is always excellent.

cariadlet · 27/08/2021 22:22

@MintMe

Just booked for the Sunday. Is anyone else worried it might be targeted?

I hadn't thought about that. I think there's going to be so many women there, that even if a few TRAs did turn up, they wouldn't be able to cause too much of a problem.

MintMe · 27/08/2021 22:19

Just booked for the Sunday. Is anyone else worried it might be targeted?

Immunetypegoblin · 27/08/2021 22:11

I'm going! Booked an Airbnb this week

cariadlet · 27/08/2021 22:07

@somethinginoffensive

I am tempted - any recommendations where to stay?

I went on Booking.com and booked a room. The site said that 4 other similar hotels had sold out for those dates but I don't know if they just post messages like that to pressurise you into panicking and booking.

There's quite a price difference between the dates we need and mid-week prices.

Original poster

EightiesRobot · 27/08/2021 22:02

There are suggested accommodations on FiLiA's website

OP posts:

shesellsseacats · 27/08/2021 21:59

@somethinginoffensive

I am tempted - any recommendations where to stay?

There are 2 other large events in Portsmouth at the same time apparently so rooms are filling up quickly. I'd recommend booking whatever you can, quickly!