A Grown-up Politics of Difference

Abstract

These two statements are taken from currently active feminist groups in the UK, and show the positions taken in relation to the participation in the groups and who can attend meetings. A slightly different policy is adopted in each case, with the London Feminist Network opting for ‘women only’ and the Sheffield Fems adopting the stance of ‘women identifying as women’. The former has come under scrutiny in the organisation of the Reclaim the Night march in London, because the event is exclusively for women (not only does it not include men, it also excludes transsexuals who were born male). The Sheffield Fems are clearly aware of potential questions of inclusiveness and as such have adopted the slightly more ambiguous stance of those who ‘identify’ as women, thereby protecting themselves against this accusation. This follows a debate over whether men should be included or not (for the last two years men have been allowed to attend). What these two examples highlight is that questions of difference matter, yet these same questions are also difficult and problematic to negotiate. Difference, as expressed in terms of differences between women and men, remain politically relevant in the twenty-first century, in a manner which does not deny the blurred spaces between gendered identities identified in earlier feminist accounts of difference (Maguire, 1985) or of the scope of differences which intersect in contemporary cultural, political and social spaces.

Although the Fems appreciate the role of men in feminism, we are primarily a women-only group. As such, we will in general limit participation in our meetings to women identifying as women.

(Sheffield Fems, 2009)

We are a women-only group because we believe it is vital that women have safe and supportive spaces where we can work together politically to campaign for our rights.

(London Feminist Network, 2009)