Grayson Perry interview

[Shewholovedthethebanhills]

I thought his answer to the question on gender stereotypes was refreshing: “As a transvestite, I’m heavily invested in gender stereotypes, because otherwise I wouldn’t have a barrier to cross. It would just be dressing.”

Sorry forgot the link!

theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/nov/09/grayson-perry-on-art-cats-and-meaning-of-life-if-you-dont-have-self-doubt-youre-not-trying-hard-enough

I love GP.

Always refreshing and candid.

That's the thing though, isn't it? Remove gender and this whole ideology comes crumbling down. That's why the TRA ideologues don't want anyone to look to closely.

Saw this too and thought the same.

TRA need gender stereotypes otherwise what is left for them?

It is not much fun ‘dressing up’ in baggy jeans and a fleece with big chunky boots (my current outfit)

Just to say, I like my current outfit too!!!!

Exactly. I thought it was refreshing to hear someone who describes himself as a transvestite say it so clearly. I’ve always felt that there were some people (not all) who were presenting as female because of the desire to cross a boundary, but that feels unsayable these days. The one thing that rankled is that he admits he is heavily invested in the stereotypes without seeming to give much thought to the harm they perpetuate.

Just read this and came here to post it!

A good read. I enjoy Perry's thoughts. He is often refreshing, honest and thought-provoking.

Agree that some of his stance towards 'gender' seems to conveniently forget the other gender. And no mention of his previously openly discussed motivations for cross-dressing, which involve the reactions and responses of observers.

I don't think Perry sets out to harm people, but he seems perhaps somewhat unwilling to consider the impact of his actions on others. Or at least I haven't seen him acknowledge that.

I've also heard him refer to it as his fetish. I love his honesty.

Full disclosure - I love Grayson's art. I find the man challenging. I'd love to have a beer with him because I both agree and disagree with him but I find him generally so open to debate.

Where he says this (re challeging gender roles and stereotypes):

"But it’s going to take a long time because these things are heavily ingrained in our culture. And for men to change their behaviour – they’re the ones that need to change on the whole – it’s going to take a long time, because it’s a sort of a collective enterprise that’s done mainly unconsciously."

I'd have to ask what he is doing to challenge it because if the answer is 'nothing' I'll be more than a little sad (and I suspect it might be in his best interests to do nothing).

I think he's very interesting, highly intelligent and philosophical and able to really interrogate things and not be mind-controlled by what he's supposed to think. He's always compelling to listen to on the radio, an any subject.

BUT, he doesn't have a clue what it's like being a woman, and I would like him to think a bit more about what his "female" persona actually means and how it feels as a woman to see that. I feel much more comfortable with him being Grayson, a man, and wearing what he wants. I feel less comfortable with the idea of a "female" "alter ego" or the idea of femininity as a fetish. I can't stop him having his fetish but I would like him to address how he thinks women feel about stereotypes imposed on them being a fetish for him.

(To be fair maybe he has and I just haven't heard it)

From the other responses in that interview I’d agree the answer on how he will contribute to change is probably nothing. Like the one on whether it’s okay to spend millions on art and his response that it’s better than spending millions on weapons. Perhaps another case, as someone suggested above, of being invested in the status quo.

Hmmm yes. Traumatised young girls identifying as men and wearing baggy male clothes to escape the objectification of women's bodies and unrealistic beautt standards. Vs middle aged men identifying as women and wearing silky undies and flamboyant clothes and enjoying the attention. It's not hard to see who benefits from the status quo of gender stereotypes.

So is GP saying that he's not a woman, but he likes dressing as a woman?

I'd be happy with that approach.

I wonder which toilets and changing rooms GP uses

Yep. That's what he has always said. he's a transvestite, a heterosexual male with a 'thing' for cross dressing. He is not transwoman.

And to think, I got put on the naught step for saying that a couple of years ago

I think the main thing that struck me was that it was in the Guardian. Not the Observer - the actual Guardian. It may be what he has always said but surely it’s still heresy to many there?

He'd be great to have on as an MN chat guest thread-thingy. Webchat. Whodyamacallit.

I saw his show pre Covid and it was all about taking sides and divisions, esp brexit.

What was very interesting is that he created some sort of heirarchy thing and firmly placed "sex" as a division.

Or non division - I can't remember the context but he was clear that sex is real.

He's also described talking to trans people as part of the talk.

@ArabellaScott - Philippa Perry did one a couple of years ago so there would be a pleasing symmetry! @mnhq, how about it?

I did used to admire GP but now I find him a little disturbing
I admit it's refreshing that he acknowledges that he is a cross dressing man and that it is a fetish but, given the clothes he wears and the presentation, I find that fetish disturbing. I also don't like others being forced to feed the fetish given that shocking other people is part of it

I used to like Grayson Perry but find it disturbing that he doesn't dress as a woman but as a little girl. That crosses over from transvestism (his words) to fetish territory.

[quote Shewholovedthethebanhills]**@ArabellaScott* - Philippa Perry did one a couple of years ago so there would be a pleasing symmetry! @mnhq*, how about it?[/quote]
Oh, really? Fab. Will see if I can find it, ta.

Here tis: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_live_events/3556205-Webchat-with-psychotherapist-Philippa-Perry-on-her-bestselling-book-The-Book-You-Wish-Your-Parents-Had-Read-on-Friday-12-April-at-1pm?watched=1&msgid=86273893#86273893

@AlfonsoTheUnrepentant

I used to like Grayson Perry but find it disturbing that he doesn't dress as a woman but as a little girl. That crosses over from transvestism (his words) to fetish territory.

He does also often say that he gets his fetish satisfaction wearing those little girl dresses.

I admire his honesty whilst still feeling perturbed by his message.