Such an ironic twist, thanks for all of the details. I can understand the artist's pleasure at the gentleman's addition of a performance art element to her own installation.
Only once did I find access denied irksome. A 3 hr layover in NYC gave me opportunity to visit the UN. There was a bit of chaos upon arrival. A small group chanted nearby, exercising right of assembly. Another small group gathered near a barricade not set up to restrict entry. As a photojournalist I was accustomed to showing credentials and moving around a barricade. As I did, the guard reached for his sidearm. I froze, put up my hands, and said, "Whoa." UN closed. Access denied. Went back to the airport to pout. As you suggested at the start of your delightful essay, no injustice, no human rights violations, no problem.
What an excellent read thanks. And what a petulant fit to complain. People!
I suppose for me discrimination is always about retaining and reinforcing some form of power structure. It’s always lurking under the Who Decides, and Why They Decide.
Maybe bottom up discrimination is less unfair than top down because it undermines power structures? Or increases their fluidity at least?
Here’s a funny thing, here in Swedish society, where the drive to a more balanced gender equality has been doing slightly better than in many other places, restrooms are often shared between men and women, whilst the idea of a women’s only art exhibition wouldn’t really bother anyone.
That's a good way to explain it. The courts (at least, the Supreme Court) seem to allow bottom up discrimination in order to provide equal opportunity and address that power imbalance.
I didn't realise you were in Sweden! Perhaps because you're an Arsenal fan, I pictured you somewhere near London.
It's interesting about the toilets. It's quite accepted to have unisex toilets here in Australia too these days (although nowhere near as common as what it sounds like in Sweden), but I note they always have floor to ceiling doors unlike the partial doors of other public restrooms (I wonder if that's a regulation?). The only thing that bothers me about them is when men leave the seats up (or fail to put them up, too, for that matter 😂).
Spent about 20 years in North London, been here a little longer now. Time eh!
I wonder if the unisex toilets in Australia is as common in urban/rural settings? That seems to be more of a divide these days than the difference between various countries.
A brilliant essay Alia. I had the privilege of stepping behind the curtain when it was still open, and my boys enjoyed waiting outside. I am waiting to see what will happen next!
Fantastic! I'm glad you made it behind the curtain. I hope the butlers treated you like a Queen, Kate. It will be interesting to see what Kaechele has up her sleeve next. And I'm sure the boys did have a good time. There's plenty to look at 😆
Visiting the ladies lounge inspired me to host a ladies only party of my own, with my husband as the butler, and all my girlfriends dressed in their finery! It was a hoot! 😂
My wife and I enjoy the television series Doctor Blake Mysteries. She discovered it and she claims that Craig MacLachlan is in love with her. I wouldn’t be surprised; I’ve known her for forty-three years and what’s not to love about her? We live in Upstate New York in the USA. We’re very frustrated with our government failure to do something, anything about gun violence in our country. B used to go to the annual Pride Parade in nearby Buffalo but I’ve asked her to stop going because I fear it’s only a matter of time before some nut with an assault weapon shoots a bunch of innocent people at the parade. B is confined to a wheelchair and I always feared for her at events like that. It’s really sad what’s happening in the USA, it’s no way for a civilized society to operate. I’m glad for you that the Tasmanian Courts are looking at this matter of the Ladies Lounge. And thank you for liking my comment on Kate Bown’s 2018 mountain climbing account. Quite a few scenes in Doctor Blake take place in the gentleman’s club in Ballarat. I don’t have any strong opinions about gender-exclusive clubs. It’s a rabbit hole I want to avoid. Personally I would always prefer mixed company but each of us would have a different view. It sounds like your courts down under at least take their responsibilities seriously.
Thanks for the like and sharing your thoughts about the Ladies Club. Bye for now!
Ha! Sounds like Craig MacLachlan would be a lucky man 😄 I've never watched the Dr Blake Mysteries but I've heard of the show.
Yes, our court system works a little differently here than in the US, particularly at the High Court end - thankfully, it's less political and - and it generally does well, although no system's perfect.
It's lovely to internet-meet you Rafael. I enjoyed hearing about your wild places near Niagara. I lived in Toronto for a few years and ducked down to Niagara and Niagara On The Lake a few times. That water sure is powerful. I wish now that I had seen the places you describe.
Well, what a silly, silly man. I'm so glad the decision was overturned. As to the broader question, I'm not sure I have any answers. Instinctively I dislike discrimination, but I'm aware that I'm viewing it from a position of privilege and safety. I'd never choose to be a member of a men-only anything.
Thanks for your kind words about Tall and Tiny Tales.
You're welcome, Steve. Yes, it's not a word anyone would want to be associated with, which had me thinking, to participate in the artwork would be to discriminate. In real life, I would see no need to be part of a ladies lounge that excluded men, but I also support the artwork's right to exist. 🤷🏼♀️
Such an ironic twist, thanks for all of the details. I can understand the artist's pleasure at the gentleman's addition of a performance art element to her own installation.
Absolutely. It's the ultimate validation of her aim, isn't it? And now her artwork has become famous! 😂
Only once did I find access denied irksome. A 3 hr layover in NYC gave me opportunity to visit the UN. There was a bit of chaos upon arrival. A small group chanted nearby, exercising right of assembly. Another small group gathered near a barricade not set up to restrict entry. As a photojournalist I was accustomed to showing credentials and moving around a barricade. As I did, the guard reached for his sidearm. I froze, put up my hands, and said, "Whoa." UN closed. Access denied. Went back to the airport to pout. As you suggested at the start of your delightful essay, no injustice, no human rights violations, no problem.
What a tormentative shame. Yes, no injustice, but the feeling of missing out remains. Do you show your photography anywhere Rena?
On IG and the 20 totes holding my pre-digital archives I'm currently editing.
Oh magical film 🤍 What's your IG link? I'd love to see them.
IG is 4sonnenblum :)
What an excellent read thanks. And what a petulant fit to complain. People!
I suppose for me discrimination is always about retaining and reinforcing some form of power structure. It’s always lurking under the Who Decides, and Why They Decide.
Maybe bottom up discrimination is less unfair than top down because it undermines power structures? Or increases their fluidity at least?
Here’s a funny thing, here in Swedish society, where the drive to a more balanced gender equality has been doing slightly better than in many other places, restrooms are often shared between men and women, whilst the idea of a women’s only art exhibition wouldn’t really bother anyone.
It think I’m just thinking aloud now!
That's a good way to explain it. The courts (at least, the Supreme Court) seem to allow bottom up discrimination in order to provide equal opportunity and address that power imbalance.
I didn't realise you were in Sweden! Perhaps because you're an Arsenal fan, I pictured you somewhere near London.
It's interesting about the toilets. It's quite accepted to have unisex toilets here in Australia too these days (although nowhere near as common as what it sounds like in Sweden), but I note they always have floor to ceiling doors unlike the partial doors of other public restrooms (I wonder if that's a regulation?). The only thing that bothers me about them is when men leave the seats up (or fail to put them up, too, for that matter 😂).
Spent about 20 years in North London, been here a little longer now. Time eh!
I wonder if the unisex toilets in Australia is as common in urban/rural settings? That seems to be more of a divide these days than the difference between various countries.
Too tired to type now.
Ah, yes, sleep. No need to bother you're thoughts with toilets 😄
A brilliant essay Alia. I had the privilege of stepping behind the curtain when it was still open, and my boys enjoyed waiting outside. I am waiting to see what will happen next!
Fantastic! I'm glad you made it behind the curtain. I hope the butlers treated you like a Queen, Kate. It will be interesting to see what Kaechele has up her sleeve next. And I'm sure the boys did have a good time. There's plenty to look at 😆
Visiting the ladies lounge inspired me to host a ladies only party of my own, with my husband as the butler, and all my girlfriends dressed in their finery! It was a hoot! 😂
Ha! That would have been a fun novelty. And what a great husband you have to play the butler, although I'm sure he found it amusing too.
Hi Kate! This reminds me of reading of ancient Greece where women practiced mystery rites in the forests and men were excluded. Fascinating stuff.
Thank you for the shout out - and also for a fascinating post!
You're most welcome. I really enjoyed your essay 🙂
My wife and I enjoy the television series Doctor Blake Mysteries. She discovered it and she claims that Craig MacLachlan is in love with her. I wouldn’t be surprised; I’ve known her for forty-three years and what’s not to love about her? We live in Upstate New York in the USA. We’re very frustrated with our government failure to do something, anything about gun violence in our country. B used to go to the annual Pride Parade in nearby Buffalo but I’ve asked her to stop going because I fear it’s only a matter of time before some nut with an assault weapon shoots a bunch of innocent people at the parade. B is confined to a wheelchair and I always feared for her at events like that. It’s really sad what’s happening in the USA, it’s no way for a civilized society to operate. I’m glad for you that the Tasmanian Courts are looking at this matter of the Ladies Lounge. And thank you for liking my comment on Kate Bown’s 2018 mountain climbing account. Quite a few scenes in Doctor Blake take place in the gentleman’s club in Ballarat. I don’t have any strong opinions about gender-exclusive clubs. It’s a rabbit hole I want to avoid. Personally I would always prefer mixed company but each of us would have a different view. It sounds like your courts down under at least take their responsibilities seriously.
Thanks for the like and sharing your thoughts about the Ladies Club. Bye for now!
Ha! Sounds like Craig MacLachlan would be a lucky man 😄 I've never watched the Dr Blake Mysteries but I've heard of the show.
Yes, our court system works a little differently here than in the US, particularly at the High Court end - thankfully, it's less political and - and it generally does well, although no system's perfect.
It's lovely to internet-meet you Rafael. I enjoyed hearing about your wild places near Niagara. I lived in Toronto for a few years and ducked down to Niagara and Niagara On The Lake a few times. That water sure is powerful. I wish now that I had seen the places you describe.
Well written and I appreciate your take on this.
Thank you, Ta. That's kind of you to say.
Well, what a silly, silly man. I'm so glad the decision was overturned. As to the broader question, I'm not sure I have any answers. Instinctively I dislike discrimination, but I'm aware that I'm viewing it from a position of privilege and safety. I'd never choose to be a member of a men-only anything.
Thanks for your kind words about Tall and Tiny Tales.
You're welcome, Steve. Yes, it's not a word anyone would want to be associated with, which had me thinking, to participate in the artwork would be to discriminate. In real life, I would see no need to be part of a ladies lounge that excluded men, but I also support the artwork's right to exist. 🤷🏼♀️