Meet the CB Team: Ruby Hann

Name, pronouns and role:

Ruby Hann (she/her), Politics Writer

Fun fact:

I have a strange fascination with early twentieth century bodybuilding and iconic strongmen of that era. 

What does intersectional feminism mean to you?

As simply as I can possibly put it: knowing when to stand up and shout out, and when to sit down and shut up! It’s something we all have to consciously practice – an action as well as an identity. 

What is your favourite thing about Clitbait?

Right from the very first meeting, the Clitbait team have been encouraging me to be more bold and less of a perfectionist with my writing. I’m grateful that they’ll always give me a push when I need it. 

What inspires you?

Whilst there are plenty of contemporary and historical public figures that inspire me (Dawn Foster, Shon Faye, Aubrey Gordon – to name a few!), I owe most of my motivation to my friends. I am surrounded by such wonderful people, doing such cool and creative things, they inspire me to try do the same. 

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

I play roller derby, I occasionally give lectures on my academic research, and right now – as I’ve recently moved to a new city – I do a lot of pushing myself out of my comfort zone to meet new people. 

A guilty feminist confession?

I’m a feminist but… I love songs by women with catty lyrics – even when they’re being mean towards other women. Don’t Marry Her by The Beautiful South and Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood are two favourites. 

A personal feminist triumph?

For my undergraduate dissertation I spent a lot of time engaging with the life and work of Rose Allatini (1890-1980.) Allatini wrote a beautiful and radical novel called Despised and Rejected (1918), which calls for an end to the First World War and praises queerness and gender non-conformity. The novel was banned by the British Government and, unfortunately, rather than being remember as a trailblazer Allatini has faded into obscurity. 

Even though very few people ever read my dissertation, I’m proud that they’ve now heard of Rose Allatini too.