The Guardian - a question that cannot be asked.

[RandySavage]

The Guardian has a current page asking readers what questions they would like to ask Stephen Fry:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/feb/21/post-your-questions-for-stephen-fry
Being a good mumsnetter I posted asking “What is a woman?” The post never appeared - I don’t mean it was delayed (there wasn’t an automatic moderation delay, as I tested by trying another post) or was removed, it simply never appeared.
Could the Guardian have some sort of software that automatically detects and refuses this question? Maybe somebody else would like to have a try, or can think of an acceptable variation.

… I should add that I thought I might have done something wrong, so tried again. Same result.

How about 'What is a girl?'

Or 'What is a boy?'

You're a friend of JKR, what has she said that's transphobic? There's a million quid resting on this.

Or, how big a wanker is Izzard?

Does your aunt have balls, and if so is she your uncle?

I don't have an account so can't, but I wonder if a question in the same vein but with regards to sexuality might make it past the censors.

Ie, "As a gay man, how important is the differentiation between sex and gender to you, if at all?"

I can't imagine many gay men would be up for a bit of cunnilingus, no matter how manly the body attached to said vulva looked.
And I certainly can't imagine that from a cunning linguist such as Fry!
(Sorry, couldn't resist!)

He really doesn't like women.

maybe not but I assume he likes men
and can correctly identify them

somebody has asked him 'Germaine Greer or Judith Butler ?'
I wonder if he can resist showing off with that

What about something to do with his thoughts on compelled speech and beliefs?

ChatGPT throws out 25 variations

1. How do you define a woman in the context of contemporary gender discussions?
2. In your opinion, what characteristics or qualities constitute being a woman today?
3. Can you describe your understanding of womanhood in today's society?
4. What is your perspective on the role of biology in determining womanhood?
5. How do you view the distinction between gender identity and biological sex, particularly regarding womanhood?
6. What are your thoughts on the impact of social constructs on defining what it means to be a woman?
7. How do you reconcile traditional views of gender with modern understandings of gender fluidity, especially concerning womanhood?
8. In terms of policy, how do you define a woman in ways that ensure inclusivity and equity?
9. What is your stance on self-identification versus biological criteria in defining womanhood?
10. How do you believe society should recognize and respect diverse expressions of womanhood?
11. What measures do you support to protect the rights of individuals who identify as women, regardless of their biological sex?
12. How do you propose to address the challenges faced by transgender women in society?
13. In your view, how does the concept of womanhood evolve with changing cultural and social norms?
14. What is your understanding of intersectionality, particularly regarding the experiences of women across different backgrounds?
15. How do you plan to ensure that policies reflect a comprehensive and inclusive definition of womanhood?
16. What importance do you place on listening to the voices of women and those who identify as women in shaping gender-related policies?
17. How do you differentiate between sex-based rights and gender identity rights, particularly concerning women's spaces?
18. Can you elaborate on your views regarding the inclusion of transgender women in women-specific health and social services?
19. How do you intend to support the rights and recognition of non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals in the context of womanhood?
20. What role do you believe education should play in shaping understanding and acceptance of diverse gender identities, including womanhood?
21. How do you address concerns related to gender dysphoria and the recognition of transgender women as women?
22. In what ways do you believe governmental policies should adapt to better support the rights of people who identify as women?
23. What is your perspective on the debate surrounding gender-neutral language versus gender-specific terms like "woman"?
24. How do you plan to combat discrimination and violence against transgender women and cisgender women alike?
25. Can you discuss the importance of bodily autonomy and reproductive rights in the context of defining womanhood?

Not all usable I admit :)

I can't imagine many gay men would be up for a bit of cunnilingus, no matter how manly the body attached to said vulva looked.
And I certainlycan't imagine that from a cunning linguist such as Fry!

Interesting discussion in this youtube vid between Louise Perry and Katie Herzog discussing (from 52:20 minutes) their thoughts about how men are a lot more polarised in their sexuality as being either straight or gay compared to the situation with women. Their thoughts are that women are a lot more distributed along a spectrum. So, if true, not surprising that Stephen Fry might not be one for going down on a vulva.

s

would you potentially have sex with a woman if she identified as a man, might get right to the heart of it.

(I deliberately put in the word potentially, because the normal get out is, I don't fancy ALL men.)

I've just deleted tge Guardian app, to free up storage on my phone. But perhaps someone wd like to post Chat GPT's q 23? "What is your perspective on the debate surrounding gender-neutral language versus gender-specific terms like "woman". ' Smooth the way by suggesting it wd be interesting to him as a linguist.

Though I wd edit 'terms like' to read 'terms such as'. But I am proud of being able to be pedantic when it matters.

Very interesting video @sawdustformypony !
Just having a listen now!
I can't quite relate myself personally, but ofc it's not about me!
I still do find it very fascinating though, as I know a lot of gay men who are essentially totally repulsed by the thought of vagina/vulva - I don't see this mentality replicated very often among other women for some reason.
Though that mindset can and does exist, it certainly isn't nearly as common as it is among gay men for some reason.
I do wonder why that is :S
It'd be nice if there was more solid research on it, but I can't imagine it's something that researchers would be keen on looking into in this day and age as that notion goes entirely against the whole "Sleep with me or else you're a bigot" narrative that goes along with "Some women have penis's".

Super weird to me how those talking points only seem to ever apply to lesbians and never gay men... :S
I genuinely don't think I've ever come across a "If a gay man refuses to sleep with a trans man with a vagina, he's a bigot" - Has anyone else???
Where are all the TERG's? (Trans exclusionary radical gays)
I'm almost positive they exist, I've straight up been told by some gay friends that they find vaginas genuinely repulsive.

Excellent thread.

Have you ever used the word "man" to refer to "male people", and if so, please can we hear an appropriate apology?

In the film Peter's Friends, your character rejected Emma Thompson's character's plea to "fill me with your little babies" by stating that you weren't "in the vagina business".

Do you now feel that this is a bio-essentialist, trans-exclusionary line since any right thinking gay trans ally should obviously first query whether the vagina is, in fact, a male vagina?

Or do you think it's all bollox?

Perfect @ditalini !
Genuinely made me laugh out loud too :')
Bravo~🙌

I think Fry is probably pretty solid on these, which isn't to say it's not worth asking. But he did a Munk Debate about political correctness a few years ago and I'd say he was pretty clear that he thinks a robust social discourse is important.

Could be wrong but I'm sure Fry has had sex with both men and women when younger. You know the old school men and women. If that makes any difference to anyone's questions.

😂🤷‍♀️