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.

I've always admired you Jack, and think you get a pretty raw deal here on MN (and in the media).

I'm very conflicted about the whole Trans issue so won't get into that but as someone who suffers (hugely at the moment) from complicated MH issues I wanted to thank you for being open about your breakdown, as it all helps fight the stigma.

I wish you all the best x

Hi Jack, I know that this isn't the type of question you are looking for, but what is your new tattoo about (the one on top of your arm). I was trying to make it out from the observer pictures yesterday but it was cropped so I could only see half of it. It reminded me of Hokusai's 'The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife', from what I could see. Anyway, it really suits you.

It doesn't 'say more about them' at all

I have yet to see a description of gender fluidity that doesn't boil down to 'having a personality'.

Non binary seems quite an odd expression to me when sex is (ignoring intersex) very clearly binary. Does this just mean you don't like dressing a particular way?

why do you pick non binary rather than just 'a woman who wants to look/act/live however she wants'? Can you explain the difference to me?

Good thread OP. Looking forward to seeing your responses, not that I think you owe anyone any responses really.

I liked the Westwood dress .

Another LP here. I always have a bit of cheer when you talk about financial and practical issues that affect us.

Hi Jack,
I don't have a question, I just wanted to say well done for being true to yourself. You inspire a lot of people with your blog, your meal planning and now your complete openness.
From one parent doing the best she can to another, keep it up and thank you!

MrsBB, that wasn't meant unkindly. I am one of the confused ones.

Hats off to you for coming on to answer questions directly. I don't have one, but being a greedy so and so foodie am off to get hold of your chickpea tagine recipe.

If I thought you could answer, my queation would be "Does it have to be so complicated?" I hate stereotypes and feel like we're gradually moving away from them, but there's so much anger and confusion. My son describes himself as asexual which seems almost enviable, so long as he doesn't end up lonely.

Hi Jack

You seem to be associating being female with glamming up (a bit like Eddie Izzard and his reference to his "girl genes" making him like heels) and being male with being muscled & macho.

Do you think that being "binary" mean that someone conforms fully to one of those stereotypes?

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we could just ditch the whole poisonous concept of gender altogether, & recognise that someone's personality / appearance / tastes actually have nothing to do with their sex?

Do you see yourself as some sort of spokesperson or figurehead? Why do you need to make a public announcement at all? You're not all that famous, so I wonder why you feel the need. That's what interests me about it all.

I'll start off by saying love the idea of the cooking blog. Bought the book. I think that you are great: now my question, which is basically the same as Leslie's
why do you pick non binary rather than just 'a woman who wants to look/act/live however she wants'? Can you explain the difference to me?

I ask because my eldest child is now identifying non-binary as they don't feel female and while I try and support them I really have no understanding myself of what it feels to be female, or male, or anything else.

I must be living on cloud cuckoo land as I have no idea who you are.

Is it safe to google you?

you don't owe anyone an answer! I am sad that you feel you had to start this.

I literally dont have any questions- like its none of my business!

MN has an unusually vocal trans hating minority, its really not representative of real life.

so yeah, have a nice day! LOL at "What is your favourite meal to cook?"

Hello!

I didn't see the original thread but saw the thread about the deletion. So I hope my question is not off topic.

What proportion of people do you think are not gender-conforming?

I'm asking because I read an article of yours a while back, and you explained that sometimes you feel 'all woman' and want sweet, soft things, and sometimes you don't. I was a bit shocked, because to me, equating 'all woman' with things like that, made no sense. I could identify with everything you described in terms of feeling that neither gender's stereotypes fit - bodily and in terms of clothes, and all sorts of things.

Do you think that is being trans? And if so, what is it like being cis?

I'm massively impressed you've created this thread and largely concur with those above, you don't owe anyone an explanation of any kind.
PS love the recipes too!!!

Hi, so this doesn't relate specifically to you and it's more a general question/comment about trans people but it is one that always comes up and I'd be interested to hear the opinion of a trans person or somebody who does not identify as their born gender. In 'identifying as' a man/woman/non-binary person etc., are you denying your biological makeup? Or do you accept that biologically you are a woman and that this cannot be changed, but are choosing to reject the expectations and stereotypes that go along with that?

In the thread that was deleted, somebody commented along the lines that you are either born male or female and that, regardless of how you dress/how you behave/whether you have surgery, this is a simple fact of life that cannot be changed. That's not to say that you shouldn't be able to present yourself however you like, but that you cannot actually change your gender any more than you can change into a duck. They were accused of transphobia. I'm just wondering what your opinion is surrounding this and what it means to you? It's definitely something that I do not understand and from the previous thread I am definitely not the only one who would be curious to hear an explanation.

Probably worded horrifically as I will be the first to admit that I don't know much about trans issues or the correct terminology. Essentially, in your opinion/experience, do trans people genuinely believe themselves to truly be their chosen gender, or are they choosing to live as if they were a different gender whilst accepting that biologically they are not.

Hey Jack love the recipes. For the jam tart recipes can I use olive oil instead of sunflower? Well done on coming to answer questions.

Marking my place for later.

bibbitty - I didn't make a public announcement. The Observer asked if they could interview me about the Diversity Awards I Co-founded, and we had a few glasses of wine over lunch and the interview got a bit more interesting. I ignore around 95% of media requests and have never put out a press release in my life. They come to me. I keep an awful lot more under the radar than anyone will ever know about, because contrary to some people's opinions, I do prefer a reasonably quiet life.

No question but I wanted to say sorry that people are unpleasant to you. It's supposed to be about the food :D
You're fab xx

No need for explanations, you're a great person who's helped an enormous number of people. I admire you greatly and love loads of your recipes.
Walk tall, be strong, be peaceful.