I'm Jack Monroe. Ask me anything.

[MxJackMonroe]

Hi Mumsnet.

It seems every time I am in the news, a MN thread about all things transgender crops up. I didn't see the last one (yesterday?) as I don't come on here very often these days - people who eavesdrop etc etc. I was cooking in a tent in a muddy field all day, having a ball, not googling myself on the internet!

The thread was deleted - which was nothing to do with me, nor my lawyer. The day I call him about a MN thread is the day I pack everything in for good. So far only the Mail and Hopkins have had legal action taken against them, and both for quite serious statements. I'm not rich enough nor quite bothered enough to call him every time someone says mean words on the internets.

ANYWAY. Threads about me tend to get deleted. So here's a new one. Because there are clearly some questions that keep coming up, criticisms that I could answer, speculation I could clarify and untruths that could do with correction.

So I'm taking questions. I'm an adult and I take an awful lot of criticism and unkindness online, on the chin. I am pretty mentally stable right now, and feel this could be a constructive discussion.

In order to stop this descending into pandemonium, using general 'chair' rules, to start with I'll take one question from each user - if it's quiet and everything gets answered, feel free to add follow up questions.

It doesn't have to be about boobs, dresses, hormones. Literally ask me anything.

MN - please don't delete this thread. I think people have valid things to say and I'm here with my big girl/boy pants on to hear them.

Over to you.

What do you mean by "full drag? "

Yes, but dicks are female right? So why does it matter if they're out?

Cocolepew: What do you mean by "full drag? "

Male drag. Drag works both ways.

Lesbians - the old fashioned type who are sexually attracted to other biological women - are an endangered species.

Dare to announce that you don't want to have sex with transwomen who have penises & you're condemned as a vagina fetishist. I'm old enough & cynical enough not to give a shit but I've heard some awful stories from younger lesbians who are made to feel guilty for being who they are.

That's why it's fine for dicks to be on show in changing rooms and in ladies prisons. or so I keep hearing.

Jack - can you describe gender without using sex stereotypes? Is it possible?

SwissWank: Yes, but dicks are female right? So why does it matter if they're out?*

Do you think exposing strangers genitalia to unaccompanied 6 year olds is okay? Because I don't, regardless as to how the owner of those genitalia identify.

Why would you call it "in full drag?" Surely it is normal clothing?

Yes I know. But what is it? What do you wear in male drag?
(I'm hoping a top hat and swirly moustache, I feel I might be disappointed)

Hi Jack and welcome! Love how you are managing to answer these tricky questions and keep your cool.

A while ago, when the BBC Food website was going to be closed down, as a response to that you said you were going to put all your recipes online so pp could access them for free. I thought that was a very generous thing to do. Did you ever actually do that?

Ah, I see you have taken the "full drag" comment off? (Either that or I am going blind!!! somebody tell me if it is still there!!!!)

Not wishing to labour the point, but if you're sending a 6yo into a communal lavatory by themselves, it doesn't much matter whether there are urinals for the dicks or stalls? Stalls worse in some ways, as more secluded should someone wish to do harm to a 6yo? Though the men's has stalls AND urinals, I guess - and more likely to contain dicks (in both senses of the word, ha!), so on balance, the ladies is the best choice for a 6yo.

Just interesting, this perception of risk, innit? I mean that in tones of "I'm interested in it from my pov too, not having a go at you for your perception of risk" - I'm too long in the tooth for internet rucks...!

Hello Jack, can I claim my rightful place as class swot? I did my first voluntary shift in a food Bank this morning. I have a bit of time during the school holiday and my choice of volunteering was based on your blogs in the past. I met a great bunch of people and the coffee was good so I am back there next Monday. Well done for coming on here to put your thoughts across.

''I’ve always known I’d be happier if I could wander around topless in the summer, without raising alarm.”

Me too Jack but I'd rather not have to have major surgery in order to do it.

Why are we not all fighting the same fight, for women to be accepted as diverse?

MyMurphy
You can't edit anything once it is posted on Mumsnet. Jack's "full drag" comment is at 16.45.

Do you think exposing strangers genitalia to unaccompanied 6 year olds is okay?

Why is it not okay for a 6 year old boy to see penises in a male toilet but it is okay for a 6 year old girl to see them in a 'female' changing area?

cocolepew This article isn't perfect but it helps describe some of it. I'm not about to go into my own "How I Get Ready" routine right now, but the change at the Observer shoot in front of a team of five people was an education for all of them, I think.

Thankyou Bibbity, thought I was going mad!!!

I might've missed this being asked but on the subject of drag, I'm interested in the photos used with the recent interview. Did you choose to be very stereotypically masculine and very stereotypically feminine or did they push for it? Do you always dress like that? If not, why go for looks that so strongly reinforce the binary rather than one photo in jeans and a shirt or similar?

But why would you say "dressed in drag" when you would be dressed normally? (sorry to labour point but what a strange expression to use if you are any gender?)

Fairenuff: "Do you think exposing strangers genitalia to unaccompanied 6 year olds is okay?" Why is it not okay for a 6 year old boy to see penises in a male toilet but it is okay for a 6 year old girl to see them in a 'female' changing area?

I didn't say it was. In fact I believe I said exposing any strangers genitals to unaccompanied children is not okay. I don't have a penis. If I did I wouldn't wave it at kids in any circumstance. I guess most reasonable people are the same? No?

No. Men are allowed to be naked in female only spaces (including swimming pool changing facilities, clothing shop changing facilities, prisons, hospitals, etc.) provided they identify as non-male.

Nothing to do with trans stuff but I just wanted to say that the best thing I ever saw you do was say to Edwina Currie 'we weren't the fucking Johnsons' in a debate about poverty when you were sitting next to Rachel Johnson! As you were.

Yy faire. That is my whole problem with the transgender issue.

There are men with penises using female only safe spaces. That is not ok.

Hello!
Are you in this group under a pseudonym?! If not, do join us! :)