Feministas and friends,  following our last social its pub time again, following the pattern of our sometime-between-monthly discussion groups pub plan.  So….

***Next Tuesday 20th October at  6pm @ the Blind Poet ***

Its on West Nicolson Street, next to the Pear Tree.  As before a relaxed, mixed night (menfolk welcome) open to all for feministey-fun.  If you just want to come along and find out about us, its ideal.  Its a small pub, but i will make a better effort at some sort of sign to identify us.  I just didn’t follow through on the feminist hat plan before – and am now in awe of the Gude Cause women… http://www.flickr.com/groups/1194107@N25/pool/

See you next week xx

EFN Women’s Discussion Group

4th October 3-5pm

Mac Donald Road Library (Off Leith Walk)

Trans-Friendly, Children Welcome,

Venue is wheelchair accessible

Topic: Trans Identities and Feminism

Following the recent headlines about an athlete put through ‘gender-testing’, and some discussion of Julie Bindels comments on transexual and transgender people and politics within the group we are having an open discussion of feminism and trans politics: exploring the discrimintation that people who break gender or sexual “norms” face and whether trans-identities challenge feminist ideas of what women are and present difficulties to feminist politics. I’ll bring along some cuttings and some of Julie Bindels comments to spark discussion. Feel free to bring anything else along!

Julie Bindel

This is for many a sensitive topic, which deals quite closely with peoples personal sense of identity. I’d stress that this is safe-disscussion space, which will be facilitated. Whilst different veiws and opinions are very welcome, respect for peoples different experiences and opinions will be central. The group has a trans-friendly policy welcoming all who identify themselves as women.

On a lighter note – tea and coffee will be around, but feel free to bring cake/biscuits to contribute if you have time. If anyone wants to chat prior to meeting /ask questions/ suggest anything for facillitation do message me!

The Wikipedia Page for Julie Bindel is good, and links to her controversial articles:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Bindel

Heres the recent article about the athletics ‘gender verification test’

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/aug/19/caster-semenya-gender-verification-test

NOTE: I feel this is a really vital/challenging/difficult area for feminists and women’s human rights activists to negotiate, especially if they are cis sexual (i.e. not straightforwardly identifying as male/man and female/woman) and have never had to consider other experiences of gender identity. I’ve been wrestling with the wording… apologies if i hit the wrong note, comments telling me I have are genuinely welcome, preferably with constructive criticism…

Just a announcement/reminder that our first of a new regular pub night is:

the pub!

***NEXT Tues 22nd September at 6pm***

it will be in the Blind Poet on West Nicolson Street, mainly because we have met in the Pear Tree before and its usually so busy/cold we end up in the quieter Blind Poet.  This is a mixed night open to all for some relaxed feministey-fun.  Ideal for new folk, and for oldtimers. Its a small pub, but i’ll make some sort of sign or wear a hat so you can find us.  Do just come along, have a chat and see what we’re about.

It is also a nice prelude to Ladyfest Edinburgh, a weekend of feministy-arty amazingness which will be happening between the 25-27th!

Hey due to some technical (!) issues – the blog has been out of action for a while.  However EFN has not! We have been holding monthly discussion groups.  First sunday of everymonth at the Macdonald Road Library on Leith Walk.  Women and Trans only, i’m afraid (if anyone wants to set uip a mens/mixed group get in touch).  So come along;

7th June, 3- 5pm Women and the Work Place

MacDonald Road Library – (the room on the right as you go in)

Child freindly (we’ll operate a creche, and rotate round – we can borrow books from next door too!)

Trans inclusive, fully accessible venue, with tea and quite often cakes!