Jennie Russell & Libby Purves on Times Radio

[SerenityLoveLamb]

Did anyone else catch this?

Both women clearly and unequivocally supported JKR new charity aiming to provide refuge for women away from male presence.

"On this, as on so many things, JKR is completely right"

"Traumatised women need safe spaces away from male bodies that may cause further trauma, no matter how those makes identify"

Not verbatim quotes, but close to. (I'm too slow!)

The male presenter said, "I'm sure there will be thoughts on your comments..."

I don't know much about Times Radio or who listens to it and what comments will be sent in, but it was such a surprise to overhear such clarity and brave and firmly held statements from both women (don't know if they've spoken out before either). I'm really pleased. And go JKR!

"Great to hear Libby and Jenni standing up for JK Rowling. A few years ago they probably wouldn't have dared, things are changing."

I think this is what stood out for me. They spoke without hesitation, didn't have to agonise over their word choice and profess to "see all sides" as they surely would have had to not that long ago. They just said, "she's great, and completely right that single sex provision is really important,* in a few different ways, no waffle at all.

She sometimes turns up there in all kinds of roles. I’ve hear her stand in a few times for various people.

I like Matt Chorley but yeah, he probably doesn’t ‘get’ it.
It is so wearying having to spell it out. Women who have had penises stuck in them against their will, who feel traumatised by it, do not want to be near other people with the same sexual appendage while they are so vulnerable. I think we have to make it as crude as that so they understand. Sometimes I wonder if they haven’t realised that trans women aren’t de-penised usually.

I'm certain Joe Lycett is much too intelligent to criticise anything so obviously good. He's got bigger fish to fry these days anyway.

To be fair I think Matt was up against the time there.

I quite like Purves' novels but I don't think I've come across that one - what's it called?

She's had a few articles in the Times on the GC side: very good to see!

It's Passing Go, here: www.fantasticfiction.com/p/libby-purves/passing-go.htm

The TW character is portrayed as having had gender dysphoria since early childhood and is young, kind and apparently entirely asexual. It's a sweet but not very convincing portrayal.

So sad that we've reached a point that both women, without hesitation, when asked to comment on the new service, replying positively and emphatically, feels like a surprising and brave response.

So sad that it's a very dangerous response too.

Oh, now I remember it! Thank you. It's my least favourite of hers, I think.