GLF and the Nuclear Family

The latest issue of GT has a really interesting couple of pieces in its 'Big Debate' section considering whether 'we have destroyed the nuclear family'. The two pieces ('yes' and 'no') are written int he context of the Gay Liberation Front and despite a dreadful introduction by Martin Popplewell, are written in a very intelligent (perhaps too much so for many readers) and engaging way. If the lower half is 'fed' by the 'naked' celeb photos earlier in the mag, this section feeds your mind. Well worth a read.

"Buy her, take her home and have a wank"

So said a DJ at the Mayhem night club in Southend during a 'Babes on the Bed Competition'. This information comes courtesy of the Sunday Times (yes I know - 'wank' in the Times, changing times indeed). The News Review section has started serialising a book by Natasha Walter called Living Dolls: The Return of Sexism. It explores ideas of pornography in our society - specifically 'soft' porn. The competition described above was for a Nuts magazine competition with the winner appearing on the cover. What's more interesting is the exploration of feminists' response to these 'sexualised' women, for whom playfully toying with a sequined thong on a shaven crotch in a club is a good way to attract men. It's a relatively superficial exploration but it does try and explore what feminism means for women today and how that fits with liberation. The book can be viewed/bought here and the extract that appeared on Sunday can be viewed here.