Almost Alternative

Today I told a guy exactly how far he could fuck off, He said women should look and behave more appropriately, He said my opinion just showed I was one of those "angry women". He said my emotions made my point invalid, That you can't have a serious discussion once a woman gets emotional. He called me an angry woman like it was a bad thing, He thought this would insult and offend. Seriously  the dude has no idea, I pride myself on being that kind of angry. Although his knowledge is so lacking, He hasn't even noticed I'm not a women. He's talking but I don't think he has ever listened. If he paid attention he might notice that I am angry, Lots of people are angry, we are right to be pissed. If he paid attention he would notice my pride, That I know how to express those feelings, I know how to not be trodden on and silenced, By men who have never paid attention, Men who are shocked that they are being made to notice, My femme opinion. If h...

Creatures of Catharsis  Grace Oni Smith milking it for the audience  Creatures of Catharsis promises a night of queer delight and they didn't lie. This was the most wonderful mix of queer performers I have ever seen on one bill. The cabaret was varied and fabulous, a mix like I have never seen together yet every act got a great reception from the audience. This night had everything I feel is missing from most queer events I have been to, it was a celebration of everything queer, yet a protest against the lack of acceptance elsewhere, it offered support for all different types of queer people and it felt like a big supportive family which is pretty amazing going as I had never met most people before and am a bag of anxiety that struggles with strangers.  The night started with the gorgeous and utterly hilarious hostess, Grace who milked the audience for every bit of laughter and possibly other things. You couldn't ask for more in a hostess, charisma by the b...

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Yesterday was IDAHOBIT, previously IDAHO with Transphobia being added in 2009 and biphobia added in 2015. I have been to several IDAHOBIT events but none touched me so much as yesterday's, the theme for it at was family.  A little background, I am Pan/bisexual and gender neutral if I have to label. I am super lucky though. I regularly get crap from people nowadays mainly for my gender but when I was younger it was for liking girls. Crap at school, college, jobs, in the street, anywhere there were people I didn't know well. I have had lesbians hate me because I don't just date women and straight guys who think I'm tainted because I have dated men who have been with other men. My experience of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia has been sometimes violent but luckily not often, possibly more luckily I punch well and it's definitely impacted my life.  I am still lucky though, I was born into a w...

Oscar Wilde We arrived in Belper for the Arts festival, super excited for some Oscar Wilde. I love Wilde, he is definitely on my list for when I time travel. I have read everything I can find by him, many times and plenty about him.  But as he said “Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”  So I thought I had best get on with experiencing some Wilde. We arrived at No.28 Cafe to find there was a time change, a few minor difficulties and the reading wasn't going to be for an hour. We had a chat with a lovely man who was organising the events and he recommended seeing the Mill which I am sure would have been delightful but "The only good thing to do with good advice is to pass it on; it is never of any use to oneself." So we headed into town.   Number 28 Cafe photo by me When we came back the room was laid out with flowers on the tables, simple but inviting. ...