Non-Binary-ness and Patriarchy | It is the only concept that challenges patriarchy itself, not just its established battlegrounds or tools

It’s fascinating how expectations can be a significant aspect of human nature. We often seek attention and feel disappointed when it isn’t given. We long for love and wish that others would be genuinely interested in what we say; if they’re not, we feel hurt. We might even believe that we are alone in the universe or that the universe exists just for us. We expect not to be forgotten and assume that tragedies reported in the news won’t affect us personally.

Similarly, we have specific expectations about how people should behave based on their gender. For instance, we assume that someone identifying as male should act, dress, and speak in traditionally masculine ways. When someone challenges these norms by wearing makeup, a skirt, or otherwise deviating from expected gender performances, it can lead to discomfort or conflict.

Fiona Rae's Controlled Chaos

© Fiona Rae

One of the most eye-pleasing abstract works I've encountered in a long time was this piece by Hong Kong-born British artist Fiona Rae. This piece is a perfect reflection of her signature style. Bold, vibrant, and colourful, yet intricately detailed and thoughtfully organized. It's the chaos within the artwork that captivates you, drawing you in with a blend of loud and soft expressions that speak to you on multiple levels simultaneously.

Fiona Rae's work, as seen in this piece, is rebellious in the techniques she uses. It breaks away from traditional approaches, utilising many elements simultaneously to express complex, layered ideas. Her technique challenges conventions, combining diverse forms and styles to weave a narrative that is both rich in detail and full of energy.

Rae studied in Croydon, south of London, during the 1980s, followed by her time at Goldsmiths. then her career truly took off in the 1990s.

Reference: https://fiona-rae.com/

 

 

The Polarisation Trap | The push for intersectional justice meets fierce opposition where the tools of arguments and rational conversations are not valid, usable or helpful

In her latest book (2024), Judith Butler argues that engaging with anti-gender individuals is challenging because their beliefs are not grounded in rational thought, literature, theories, or evidence-based arguments. She questions how one can debate with people who reject the very methods of reasoning and evidence that form the basis of intellectual discourse. Butler tells an encounter with an angry protester who told her, "I pray for god to forgive you." When Butler asked the woman if she had read any of her books, the protester replied, "No, I haven't, and I won't." Butler suggests that logical, evidence-backed arguments do not sway anti-gender people. In fact, they actively shield themselves from logic, fearing it as a potential slippery slope.

Evelyn Axell's Valentine (1967) | A Visual Rebellion Against Gender Expectations

I found this art piece at the Tate Modern in London to be one of the most fascinating items on display. It’s a 3D pop art work by Belgian artist Evelyne Axell. When I looked into her background, I was surprised to learn that she started her career in theatre before shifting to painting in the 1960s. Valentine, completed in 1967, really stands out for how boldly it tackles themes of gender and sexuality.

London's Transgender Pride is Tomorrow and Here is a long list of reasons why I am going

Those who are like myself, who are their current gender matches what we were assigned at birth are privileged. Not only, in laws and equality but in surviving sociality norms. The attack on Transgender is part of the attacks on every gender notion that doesn't match the patriarchal forms. In the UK, the resigned government has insisted on excluding transgender on the ban of conversion therapy. The arguments against transgender inclusion and protection are usually based on one main pillar. The de-authenticity of the whole struggle. Transwomen are not women. Transmen are not men. This is how it starts. A recent example can be found here in Macy Gray’s interview with Piers Morgan. Which she had to step back from what she said a few days later. This narrative not only dismiss trans people's experiences, and life, it is uninformed and unscientific. Then, they go further and take the conversation to the threatening of women's spaces section. I am a man and I won't have my say in this. But many women did and here is an example that rationalises that transgender women are not a threat in any form of gender violence.  Then, they will go further, what about sports? Transgender women are taller and stronger not realise how damaging these narratives are and how they are excluding those women who are naturally taller for example. But I’m a man, and not an athletic or professional sports player, I will not have my say, Go read this to check the data and numbers yourself.

From London's Pride to Egypt's "Fetra". The anti gender-ers are killers

Last weekend I made it to my first London Pride as the last two prides were canceled due to Covid. The pride was massive and mostly depoliticised with the participation of pretty much everyone. This depoliticisation also aims to present the LGBT struggle in the West as something from the past and everyone lives happy and equal life which is far from the truth. 

Homophobia in the west including the institutional attacks on transgender in the UK and the US is still reality and it still destroys people’s lives. The ban of conversation therapy that has excluded transgenders in the UK, Poland’s LGBT free zones, Hungary’s anti LGBT laws, and the rise of homophobia in the US has been unprecedented. 

As Owen Jones said in his latest article on the Guardian it’s unavoidable to connect the rise of homophobia and the rise in attacks against women. The Patriarchy targets both. The killing of women in the UK, the US and in Egypt is completely gender based. They are getting killed in the daylight just because they are women. Advocating for women rights in many locations is confronted by hard stubborn anti gender groups and individuals who know very well that deconstructing the patriarchal society and replacing it with an equal inclusive society will un-privilege them. They are willing to fight it til the end. 

In Egypt, lots of boycotting calls came in the pride month, against all the international companies who put the rainbow flag in their social media platforms. Although the local pages of these companies do not show any support to the LGBT people in the Arab countries. Yet, these anti LGBT groups did not stop their boycotting calls. 

Interestingly, this year the calls were more organised, and a Facebook page was created to help support all the groups/companies and businesses that do not support the lGBT rights and more certainly the pride month. Fetra or فطرة which translates into “Human Nature” has more than 130k likes. The slogan is a representation of a common narrative that aims to deauthenticate the normalisation of anything that is not heterosexual or any gender that does not fit into the ordinary male and female norms. Many groups and businesses added Fetre’s logo and colors to their social media platforms. 

Interestingly, Fetrah used the same colors that were used by the anti gender movement which was spotted in various locations including Europe and Latin America. 

This is unprecedented, it is an organised “peaceful” movement that is trying to fight back all the “gay propaganda” but would its influence remain peaceful though? Especially in countries which homophobia kills, and many get their lives destroyed just because they did not look like their perceived genders. 

Nayera, who was killed in June by a guy who refused his marriage proposal, was a text book Femicide which is supported by the traditional anti women rights forces who are benefiting from the patriarchy and its social structure. Were these groups peaceful? Their influence, their ideas, and their impact killed. Sarah who committed sucide in her exile in Canada after the homophobic attack on her for raising the rainbow flag. Isn't she killed because of the influence of this “peaceful” homophobia? Homophobia is never peaceful. Transphobia is never peaceful. Misogyny is Never peaceful. They kill. 

Misogyny in Action | Women get killed on the streets «victims blamed and donations collected for the murderer»

Nayera was an Egyptian girl who was killed in the daylight just outside of her university in Mansoura 200 km away from Cairo. The killer decided to kill her aftter she refused his marriage proposal. An actual footage of the full crime, captured by one of the CCTV cameras, were shared widely on the social media. Many felt sorry for the victim but it did not take long until she was shamelessly blamed. Mabrouk Atteya, a well-know Muslim scholar, posted a video on his facebook page commenting on the incident saying that women should all cover in cloths before leaving their house or they would risk getting killed. The scholar later apologised and tried to rephrase what he said as he was just "concerned" about the safety of women who wear revealing clothes. Of course, he just cares for women's safety, and he is trying to advise women for their own good and protection.