Feminist Current article
AUGUST 16, 2018 by HOLLY LAWFORD-SMITH & EMILY VICENDESE ,
'Penises don’t kill people, people with penises do
Everyone — including trans activists and allies — should demonstrate zero tolerance for perpetrators of violence and sexual misconduct, regardless of how they identify.'
"Jess Bradley, the first trans officer for the NUS in the UK, was recently suspended after pictures of an exposed penis in various public places were discovered on Bradley’s Tumblr blog. One of the photos appears to have been taken at what looks like Bradley’s desk. The blog, which has since been taken down, was called “Exhibitionizm” — referring to fetishes and fantasies that involve engaging in sexual acts in public (or in places where one might be seen or “caught”), such as flashing or masturbating.
Bradley has not denied ownership of the photos or penis, but has expressed confidence that the law has not been broken. A statement published by Bradley reads: “I am able to tell you that I am confident that none of my behaviour has been unlawful, and that I have not engaged in sexual activity with anyone, or in the view of anyone, without their consent.”
In an article published on Medium, an author writing under the pseudonym “Cursed E” argues that, with regard to the response to these allegations, Bradley is being wronged in two ways: first, by being “kink shamed,” and second, by being construed as representative of all transwomen. On the first, characterizing the deliberate public exposure of genitals for the purposes of sexual titillation to “kink shaming” is troubling. It implies that the act of an adult flashing their penis or masturbating publicly is harmless. As women and girls who have been subject this kind of sexual misconduct can attest, such behaviour is not harmless. Even if the perpetrator does not intend to be seen, risking being seen for the purpose of sexual arousal shows unacceptable disregard for those who are at risk of seeing. (continues)
concludes:
"We are interested in this information if it does indeed exist, but until we are presented with evidence, we think there is sufficient reason to keep certain spaces off limits to males. The burden of proof is on those who would like to make exceptions for some males, and not on us. Cases like Bradley’s are striking not because they represent transwomen, but because they show misconduct that is characteristically male, but not characteristic of females.
In the wake of #MeToo, writers like “Cursed E” should consider cases like Bradley’s as an opportunity to take a stand against male violence and sexual misconduct. Instead of going into damage control and using minimization tactics for political reasons, everyone — including trans activists and allies — should demonstrate zero tolerance for perpetrators of violence and sexual misconduct, regardless of how they identify or their political affiliation. The short term imperatives of securing the privacy, rights, and safety of those who identify as transgender — without jeopardizing the privacy, rights, and safety of females — should be something we can all agree on. And in the long run, males especially should work toward making male violence and sexual misconduct a thing of past, if they wish to obviate the need for sex-segregated spaces."
www.feministcurrent.com/2018/08/16/penises-dont-kill-people-people-penises/
Holly Lawford-Smith is a senior lecturer in Political Philosophy at the University of Melbourne.
Emily Vicendese is a PhD candidate in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne.