The SMH columnist who fretted about young women arriving for dinner in their burqas now argues that Australian boys are being physically, psychologically, and chemically feminised in preparation for an invasion by butch men from developing countries. I think she's serious.

Reading about bullying is at once reassuring and liberating, and bloody horrible, as all the old nausea and dread comes rushing out. I've parked so much information about the subject here there's probably not a whole lot of value in my adding much more, but I may take some notes and add further info and/or insights at some point. In the meantime, ( Read more... )

Teh Moff feels gingerly around the Doctor's gender the way you might wiggle around a loose tooth you can't quite get to fall out:"... dozens of other actors [besides Matt Smith] were seen - of many different ages and backgrounds... not all of the actors who went for the role were white... What does Steven make of those who opposed the idea of the ( Read more... )

I have the rampaging thoughts tonight. Parking some of them here, just to get them out of my system ( Read more... )

Watch out - End of Time SPOILERS in comments!

jvowles wrote a gorgeous thank you to the Doctor Who cast and crew.

By complete contrast, I somehow stumbled across m_wesley's 2007 giggle-inducing review of the The Pit.

Pakistan's hijra will now have a legally defined gender of their own.

A remarkable podcast about William Cooper, the Aboriginal activist who ( Read more... )

I've given in and am reading the newspaper again. Oy.

UN says Aboriginal health conditions worse than Third World: "Basic needs, such as adequate housing, safe drinking water and sanitation and access to education are not being met." How can any Australian in the 21st Century be living in conditions like that?! In fairness, the government has ( Read more... )

Obviously, in a population of millions, there must be some young people who match the "feral animal" stereotype. But the danger of that stereotype is that, when you see someone who looks and sounds like a "chav", you immediately connect them to theft, violence, breeding like rabbits, etc - when in fact you almost certainly know nothing about them ( Read more... )

Update on that Louisiana JP who refused to marry an interracial couple - he's resigned. Plus, they're taking him to court. If there are other petty dictators in public office round the nation, I hope they're taking note ( Read more... )

James Baldwin. The Fire Next Time.
Frances E. Kendall. Understanding White Privilege.
Brian Thacker. Rule No. 5: No Sex On The Bus.

( Books bought and borrowed )

Interracial Couple Denied Marriage License By Louisiana Justice Of The PeaceIt's illegal, of course, and now that a couple has spoken up, everyone's response is basically "... the hell?!" I don't think this guy's going to remain a JP for long. What worries me is that he managed to get away with it for two and a half years. How many other petty ( Read more... )