Meet the CB team: Irmak Genç

Name, pronouns and role:

Irmak, she/her, Politics Editor

Fun fact:

I am the biggest Arctic Monkeys fan you’ll ever meet! Honestly, bring them up at your own risk, I won’t stop talking about the lyricism in Suck It and See or the psychedelic rock direction of Humbug until someone tells me to shut up.

What does intersectional feminism mean to you?

To me, intersectional feminism is a complex and nuanced approach to equality by acknowledging that all gendered experiences are unique. It’s about listening to each other, flexibility, and validating diverse experiences to make sure that feminism can work for everyone in different ways.

What is your favourite thing about Clitbait?

I love the way Clitbait provides a platform to discuss a range of intersectional feminist topics, from the most serious issues to a fun opinion piece or list of recommendations, all in an accessible and entertaining manner.

What inspires you?

As clichéd as it might be, my mum is my biggest inspiration. She’s a phenomenal athlete: a sailor and race official, having represented Turkey and won a number of titles, as well as officiating at the London 2012 Paralympics, and the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Next year in Paris, she will be the first woman to be the Principal Race Officer of the Olympic Games for the sport of sailing. She taught me how to challenge misogyny and fight for what is important to me in life, and I have a tremendous amount of admiration for her resilience and skill. Seeing her challenge gendered expectations without compromising on who she is inspires me to keep going, even when things seem impossible to fix or figure out. She has been the ‘first woman’ to get a position or an award on many occasions, and is a feminist role model to many; most of all, her daughter.

What things do you do outside Clitbait that you are proud of? 

I’m proud of the work that I’ve been doing with my university’s Feminist Society (@uoefemsoc on instagram if you want to check em out), especially my part in organising some discussion groups such as our collaboration with Back Off Scotland to talk about abortion access in Scotland and the UK.

A guilty feminist confession?

I’m a feminist, but… I love the song Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne – what can I say, childhood obsessions don’t die easily and she is the princess of pop punk.

A personal feminist triumph?

I’ve managed to get multiple family members to stop using femininity as an insult, at least in my vicinity (e.g. throws like a girl, calling someone a pussy), so you know, baby steps.