Radio item on Our Bodies, Ourselves

[MichaelHerbert]

"Our Bodies, Ourselves" was probably the most influential feminist book ever written. First published in 1973, this women's health handbook became a world best-seller. Josephine Casserly talks to one of the authors, Joan Ditzion. bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3cszmn3 pic.twitter.com/Mrz0iyKxmC

Prepare to cry.

Thanks to “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves” and all the transgender folks who have been writing and teaching over the past many years, we, a group of cisgender women, now know that we can no longer say “a woman’s body” and mean only one thing. One person’s body may have a penis and testicles, and be a woman’s body. Another person’s body may have breasts or a clitoris, and be a man’s body. The revolutionary point is that we can name our gender identity for ourselves and rightfully expect respect and recognition. “Our bodies, ourselves” grows in meaning daily.

www.ourbodiesourselves.org/2015/11/how-obos-inspired-trans-bodies-trans-selves/

Men have decided.
There will be no further mention of women's bodies.
You will be referred to by the ladybrains we've always said are your defining feature.
You will thank us.

And this:
They have a partnership with a surrogacy org.
We are forbidden from naming our bodies.
But men can farm those unnameable bodies and traffic the children they make.

Progress!

Actually swearing. That's the most dystopian thing I've seen in a while.

One person’s body may have a penis and testicles, and be a woman’s body.

Why don't men's organisations or health orgs supporting men feel compelled to say things like: "one person's body may have breasts and a uterus and be a man's body"? Well, it's nonsense isn't it.

Unbelievably depressing

This makes mr want to weep. This is my battered and well thumbed copy which I bought in the early 80s. I knew so little about my body and it was my guide to exploring it and learning to love it.

I recommend everyone buys an older copy, you can pick it up for under £5 on Ebay and Amazon.

At some point, women are going to have to do the work all over again. It may be more difficult the second time around as the people who oppose us are more well organised. But we can do it.
Women before us also had to work underground and against legal and violent opposition, to be seen as fully human. We have to draw inspiration from them.

Thats a real shame. I listened to the article earlier this week and found it very interesting. Joan Ditzion was talking about how discussion of female sexuality and our bodies was so taboo before the first book was produced and that it was a real turning point in the women's movement and now we can no longer say "a woman's body".

I wonder if she can see the irony there?

I'll see if I can pick up a copy second hand for my daughter (still a young teen). I was planning to get her one for when she is a bit older. I had one and it got lost in several moves. I certainly don't want her to read one full of dicks and feelz.

Clymene I've had that edition too for forty-odd years. Not only was it wonderfully informative but the spirit of real woman-centred feminism shines through on every page

Absolutely Lettera. I haven't read it for ages but I cam remember parts of it almost by heart. And the cover comforts me just looking at it.

OMG it's kind of like Stepford Wives for the new era! 😯

we, a group of cisgender women, now know that we can no longer say “a woman’s body” and mean only one thing. One person’s body may have a penis and testicles, and be a woman’s body

Oh no this really is painful. I was delighted when I saw the name of this thread, I've still got my 1970s copy of Our Bodies Ourselves and I love it. Can't believe those lovely Sisterhood-is-Powerful women have drunk the KoolAid or more likely, been replaced as in The Stepford Wives.

"We can no longer say." Chilling.