Ladylike.

Ladylike. 

Sit pretty. Close your legs. Make some room. 
Sit up straight. Close your mouth. Make some cakes?
You are not a woman, those dirty, horrid things, 
You are a lady – but do you have what that takes?
There’s a rule book, you know. Hope you’ve read every page.
So I’ll hand you the key so you can lock your own cage. 

And hey, you might think some of it was your idea.

Robyn Barclay

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Dear Agony Aunt

Dear Agony Aunt 

Do I look good?
Tell me, I need to know. 
I wake up naked and I dress my face, 
It’s war paint for the workplace.
How to dress in a rush, with a brush, in the car
– Zoella got me this far. 

Am I too fat?
Tell me, I need to know, 
So that I can dress for my figure, 
And figure out what the fuck that means. 
Am I a peach or a pear?
You see, I only have magazines to compare 
and they don’t look like me. 

Am I too loud?
I’ve heard that’s not good.
Maybe I’ll buy one of those rings, 
So that I can match my mood
To the boys around me. 
It’s important to read the room, 
A woman should never assume 
She is safe. 

Am I too hard to define?
Have I crossed a line
That somebody else drew for me?

I’m tired of the conversation. 
How I look, how I am, is my business. 
Beauty’s in the eye of the corporation. 
And I don’t owe anyone anything. 

Robyn Barclay

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Photography to soothe you during self-isolation

I have been trying to think of ways to ease this feeling a bit. My friend Sangavi sent me some really beautiful photos she has taken for us to have a flick through. These all make me feel soothed and allow me to take a second to step back and appreciate friends, nature and art. I hope they do the same for you.
Go make yourself a camomile tea, put on a song that makes you think of a moment when you have felt free, happy and fulfilled, and have a flick through…

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Some Happier Health News

Quite understandably, the vast majority of all health news coverage in 2020 (and, more recently, all news coverage in general) has been focused on Covid-19. But if you’d like to read some happier-than-a- world-pandemic news, I’ve compiled a short rundown of some UK health-related news stories from so far this year that have been overshadowed by the elephant (with a viral infection) in the room…

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What is the Guardian Doing?

Has anyone noticed a weird trend in Guardian articles? Not across the board, no, but specifically the ones about feminism. The Guardian is known as an institution of liberal media, one of a few remaining left-leaning papers that isn’t behind a paywall. So it’s deeply troubling to see that they’ve published multiple pieces calling for the rolling back of rights for trans people…

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I have complicated feelings about Elizabeth Warren

Read about why our wonderful Political Editor, Caitlin Flavell has complicated feelings about Elizabeth Warren… “Following Super Tuesday in the US, the day in which the majority of states vote on which candidate they want to run for President, one issue is being thrown around here and there…”

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colourful

colourful 

they tell you to
taste the rainbow 
they tell you 
there’s nothing to hide. 

the very same people, 
repulsed by your pride. 
if it isn’t a commodity, 
a source of cash flow, 

they’d rather you wouldn’t 
be so open and on show. 
well, that’s too bad, 
I’m sorry to say. 

it’s our space to occupy, 
proud and here to stay. 
this didn’t come easy, 
to forget is to be numb. 

a war hard won,
with battles to come. 
there is strength in numbers, 
so be here with us. 

the red of your blood, 
the orange of a new day, 
the yellow of sunshine, 
the green of the grass,
the blue of the sea, 
the indigo of gems, 
and the violet of light. 

the earth shouts it’s support,
it wants us to thrive. 
and thrive we will, 
whether you like it or not. 

we answer it’s call, 
with “love is love”, 
the planet speaks back 
that “love conquers all”. 

Sophie Nankivell, Poetry Editor

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How Mayor Pete Pretends to be Progressive

In the US, the presidential primaries have kicked off for real, with the first round of votes being held in Iowa. The Iowa Caucus is regarded by most as a good indicator of how the rest of the contest is going to play out. You know what’s really bugging me? Nobody is talking about the Republican primaries, at all. What’s going on with them? Trump might have pulled out of the race altogether, but nobody would know because everyone is talking about the Democratic primaries all the time…

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A Small History of a Big Shop

If you’re the type to keep an eye on bookish trends in Scotland’s capital, you will see that the iconic Lavender Menace bookshop is popping up and installed at book fairs throughout the city. The stall stocks LGBT books, and has been since the late 70s, and has become a historic mark on the queer map of Edinburgh…

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Feminist? Join a union!

Ever felt unappreciated at work? Ever felt unsafe at work, or on your way there? Ever felt uncomfortable when a colleague or service user made a sexist/racist/homophobic comment? Ever wondered how come women, especially women of colour, always seem to end up in the most insecure positions…

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