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Jennie Russell & Libby Purves on Times Radio

33 replies

SerenityLoveLamb · 12/12/2022 11:07

Did anyone else catch this?

Both women clearly and unequivocally supported JKR new charity aiming to provide refuge for women away from male presence.

"On this, as on so many things, JKR is completely right"

"Traumatised women need safe spaces away from male bodies that may cause further trauma, no matter how those makes identify"

Not verbatim quotes, but close to. (I'm too slow!)

The male presenter said, "I'm sure there will be thoughts on your comments..."

I don't know much about Times Radio or who listens to it and what comments will be sent in, but it was such a surprise to overhear such clarity and brave and firmly held statements from both women (don't know if they've spoken out before either). I'm really pleased. And go JKR!

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MsGrumpytrousers · 13/12/2022 22:03

JoanOgden · 13/12/2022 19:21

It's Passing Go, here: www.fantasticfiction.com/p/libby-purves/passing-go.htm

The TW character is portrayed as having had gender dysphoria since early childhood and is young, kind and apparently entirely asexual. It's a sweet but not very convincing portrayal.

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Oh, now I remember it! Thank you. It's my least favourite of hers, I think.

ICanHideButICantRun · 13/12/2022 19:24

So sad that we've reached a point that both women, without hesitation, when asked to comment on the new service, replying positively and emphatically, feels like a surprising and brave response.

So sad that it's a very dangerous response too.

JoanOgden · 13/12/2022 19:21

MsGrumpytrousers · 13/12/2022 10:31

I quite like Purves' novels but I don't think I've come across that one - what's it called?

She's had a few articles in the Times on the GC side: very good to see!

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It's Passing Go, here: www.fantasticfiction.com/p/libby-purves/passing-go.htm

The TW character is portrayed as having had gender dysphoria since early childhood and is young, kind and apparently entirely asexual. It's a sweet but not very convincing portrayal.

MsGrumpytrousers · 13/12/2022 10:31

JoanOgden · 12/12/2022 11:51

Libby Purves has been openly GC for a while, having originally been pro the GRA when first passed and having indeed written a novel whose protagonist is a very supportively portrayed transwoman. I admire her for changing her mind in response to the facts. Jennie Russell is generally excellent too.

I quite like Purves' novels but I don't think I've come across that one - what's it called?

She's had a few articles in the Times on the GC side: very good to see!

Abra1t · 12/12/2022 22:53

To be fair I think Matt was up against the time there.

PermanentTemporary · 12/12/2022 22:29

I'm certain Joe Lycett is much too intelligent to criticise anything so obviously good. He's got bigger fish to fry these days anyway.

Abra1t · 12/12/2022 22:24

SerenityLoveLamb · 12/12/2022 20:07

I didn't know she is a presenter, he asked her opinion as though she was a guest. I've read a couple of her books and columns and enjoyed them. I could be tuning in again!

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She sometimes turns up there in all kinds of roles. I’ve hear her stand in a few times for various people.

I like Matt Chorley but yeah, he probably doesn’t ‘get’ it.
It is so wearying having to spell it out. Women who have had penises stuck in them against their will, who feel traumatised by it, do not want to be near other people with the same sexual appendage while they are so vulnerable. I think we have to make it as crude as that so they understand. Sometimes I wonder if they haven’t realised that trans women aren’t de-penised usually.

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SerenityLoveLamb · 12/12/2022 20:10

"Great to hear Libby and Jenni standing up for JK Rowling. A few years ago they probably wouldn't have dared, things are changing."

I think this is what stood out for me. They spoke without hesitation, didn't have to agonise over their word choice and profess to "see all sides" as they surely would have had to not that long ago. They just said, "she's great, and completely right that single sex provision is really important,* in a few different ways, no waffle at all.

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SerenityLoveLamb · 12/12/2022 20:08

bumpertobumper · 12/12/2022 14:58

IW is saying jk has only done this so she can be transphobic.



IW is coming across as more obsessional and unpleasant than usual

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Original poster
SerenityLoveLamb · 12/12/2022 20:07

Abra1t · 12/12/2022 12:21

I’m a Times Radio listener, partly because of presenters like LP.

I didn't know she is a presenter, he asked her opinion as though she was a guest. I've read a couple of her books and columns and enjoyed them. I could be tuning in again!

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BoredOfCbeebies · 12/12/2022 20:02

Yes, I heard it too!

Interestingly, the next guest was Joe Lycett who I'm pretty certain does NOT agree with Jenny and Libby. Could have been an interesting "back stage" chat if they crossed paths!

bumpertobumper · 12/12/2022 14:58

IW is saying jk has only done this so she can be transphobic.



WinterTrees · 12/12/2022 14:46

waterwitch · 12/12/2022 13:18

Winter trees and yet apparently there are already TRA’s on Twitter claiming it is transphobic to bar transwomen from accessing this facility

Which beautifully spotlights their unreasonableness, as JKR must have exactly foreseen 😊

Mollyollydolly · 12/12/2022 13:19

I like Matt Chorley ( presenter on Times Radio) but like so many he's utterly clueless on women's rights either through ignorance or choice. I remember him having Ben Cohen on from Pink News a few months ago and I nearly threw they radio through the window it was such a sycophantic interview.

Great to hear Libby and Jenni standing up for JK Rowling. A few years ago they probably wouldn't have dared, things are changing.

waterwitch · 12/12/2022 13:18

Winter trees and yet apparently there are already TRA’s on Twitter claiming it is transphobic to bar transwomen from accessing this facility

MissPollysFitDolly · 12/12/2022 13:03

I didn't know anything about this new charity. JKR is amazing!

Shame on the other charities that have been unable to provide female only services.

Fenlandia · 12/12/2022 12:49

bumpertobumper · 12/12/2022 12:12

@Fenlandia WH did cover the story, Emma interviewed suzanne Moore about it, the last item.
The news broke as they were going on air.

Thanks Bumper, I don't tend to listen live unless someone here flags up something of interest.

WinterTrees · 12/12/2022 12:31

I think one of the genius aspects to this brilliant project is that there is absolutely nothing for anyone to reasonably object to.

JKR is using her wealth to create a much needed designated resource for women at a time when rape is on the increase and sexual violence against women and girls is endemic. It is, as Suzanne Moore said, literally NOTHING to do with trans women. It takes nothing from them. They are simply outside the specific remit of this service, but can access help - should they need to - via Rape Crisis or the other services that have chosen to widen their original single-sex provision.

There are many wealthy trans people and supporters who would be perfectly at liberty to set up a parallel service specifically for trans people. Perhaps JKR's project will inspire them to do so.

Abra1t · 12/12/2022 12:21

I’m a Times Radio listener, partly because of presenters like LP.

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SerenityLoveLamb · 12/12/2022 12:19

Igmum · 12/12/2022 11:51

Thank you @Birdsweepsin it works! How far in is it? (To avoid listening to the full three hours!)

It was on just moments before I wrote the OP if that's any help with the maths. The next guest was Joe Lycett.

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SerenityLoveLamb · 12/12/2022 12:18

Wellies54 · 12/12/2022 12:07

So sad that we've reached a point that both women, without hesitation, when asked to comment on the new service, replying positively and emphatically, feels like a surprising and brave response.

And also sad that in response to two women talking about another woman setting up a charity to support women, the presenter feels compelled to say 'I'm sure some people will have thoughts on that'. In what I felt was a slightly - 'Please don't have a go at me, these are the views of my guests' sort of way.

I have thoughts and they are; Good for JKR and good for Libby and Jennie for speaking up about it too!

Yep. He said it in a very "gosh you've said it now," kind of way.

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bumpertobumper · 12/12/2022 12:13

Suzannes interview with JKR:

https://open.substack.com/pub/suzannemoore/p/an-exclusive-interview-with-jk-rowling?r=co0eq&utmmedium=ios&utmm_campaign=post

Which is why she was the guest on the topic. Jk not doing media.

bumpertobumper · 12/12/2022 12:12

@Fenlandia WH did cover the story, Emma interviewed suzanne Moore about it, the last item.
The news broke as they were going on air.

Fenlandia · 12/12/2022 12:09

Thanks for flagging this up OP; I wonder if Woman's Hour will cover this important story?

Wellies54 · 12/12/2022 12:07

So sad that we've reached a point that both women, without hesitation, when asked to comment on the new service, replying positively and emphatically, feels like a surprising and brave response.

And also sad that in response to two women talking about another woman setting up a charity to support women, the presenter feels compelled to say 'I'm sure some people will have thoughts on that'. In what I felt was a slightly - 'Please don't have a go at me, these are the views of my guests' sort of way.

I have thoughts and they are; Good for JKR and good for Libby and Jennie for speaking up about it too!