Posted in interviews, reviews on March 28, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Again, so many thanks to everyone involved – and, you know, if you’d like to interview/review then just say the word. I can be convinced to answer all sorts of ridiculous questions.
First up, some lovely comments from BOLT magazine – queer feminism from Ireland, yes please.
Second – the second part of my interview with So So Gay – because changing the world should be on everyone’s ‘to do’ list.
Posted in alternative music, books/comics, classical music, trans on March 27, 2012 | 4 Comments »
Or, rather, several cunning plans. Would you like to hear them? Of course you would.
First up – the reason posting has been light recently is not only because of the unforgiving schedule. Something’s flipped, you see. I always planned on writing a book about trans issues – well, that’s happening now. And, I’m afraid, all the thoughts are being drained off into that, rather than blogging. But I’m going to try to balance it out a little better, as much as I can. Would you cross your fingers for that? And for the (gulp) novel? Cross them tightly? Thank you.
Musical matters – right, so, alternative music. Many, many thanks to everyone who’s promoted/bought/enjoyed Ashes - sales are steadily creeping up and the reviews have made me somewhat misty-eyed. I’m hoping the sales continue to creep up, because the follow-up album, Aether, is already half-written and I need to raise the recording funds. Cthulhu willing we’ll be set to record at the end of the year.
Obviously, the more performances I can squeeze in the better. Still organising new Transpose nights, and sorting out details for gigs around and about. If you have a cunning plan of your own re: asking me to play then do let me know – all emails to cnlester@hotmail.co.uk at the moment (gremlins in the usual address). All I require is help with transport costs and a friendly reception. I’ll bring the brownies.
Classical music has definitely exploded – in a good way? Maybe. 20th and 21st century music for voice and guitar in London on May 21st and at Manchester Pride in August. London Youth Opera in April. Purcell songs later in the year – and more Strozzi. Always more Strozzi. Seriously, if you don’t know her yet then go wild. Toby Carr and I will be doing a soupçon of recording in May: Maxwell Davies and Britten guaranteed. Expect some blogging about rape culture when it comes to the Britten.
Engaged in a fascinating photography project with Sara Moralo - she’s doing all the hard work, I’m just trying not to freeze up in front of the camera.
All that and the usual ridiculous adventure ride that is bipolar, and teaching, and studying. I hope you’ll bear with me. Who knows? We might even have fun.
Posted in trans on March 26, 2012 | 27 Comments »
Roz Kaveney wrote a fantastic blog on the ‘cotton ceiling’ this morning – to wit: “…the Cotton Ceiling – with reference to knickers – is the term parts of the trans community have inventively adopted for the way that, however theoretically accepting of trans people a lot of progressives may be, when it comes to actually having sex with us, they vote with their …um…feet.” “An example of a wider cissexist trend that not only affects trans women” (thank you, @cayleehogg!), I thought I’d chime in from a genderqueer/androgynous perspective.
I can’t speak for every person who moves through life in a way not traditionally encompassed by the words ‘man’ or ‘woman’ but, for me, this post, this phrase, hit home in a way that brought tears to my eyes.
A popular phrase used to describe the difference between sexuality and gender/sex is “your sexuality is who you want to go to bed with, and your gender/sex is who you want to go to bed as”. If someone knows themselves, is comfortable with themselves, then this is often an accurate assessment. And, broadly, I would agree with Roz when she says: “…one of the major manifestations of the ceiling in our culture is the assumption that to be attracted to someone trans throws your own sexual identity into question…” But not totally. I think there’s something else that happens in regards to the cotton ceiling and divergent/variant gender identities.
The vast majority of Western society is wedded to the idea of the traditional gender binary. Much of the traditional gender binary is constructed based upon notions of which side of that binary the person in question is attracted to. In popular understanding, ‘gay’ and ‘straight’ depend upon ‘men’ and ‘women’ to make sense. So, when a person who has previously inhabited that strict binary finds themselves attracted to someone neither/either ‘man’ nor ‘woman’ it does, indeed, necessitate a reappraisal of orientation/description. And with ‘man’ or ‘woman’ frequently relying, to a greater or lesser extent, upon the further categorisation of ‘gay’ or ‘straight’, there’s a chance that who you go to bed with might alter who you go to bed as. Being attracted to someone who lives contrary to the gender binary can indeed throw a person’s sexual identity into question. Not only in a personal dimension, but in a wider sense. Sexual orientations are social categories as much as anything else – and what happens to a person’s place in their society when they have to explain a new partner who challenges their place in that category?
The number of times I’ve heard “if only you were a cis man”, “if only you were a woman” – from people who’ve desired me as I am, but have been alarmed by the ramifications of that desire. People who have gone to bed with me have had their “friends” mock them for the ambiguity of their orientation, have been questioned as to what you can do in bed with someone who isn’t a man and isn’t a woman – and have had their public status as a man or woman thrown into question by their relationship with me. Too many ‘straight’ men who didn’t want to be ‘gay’, ‘gay’ men who didn’t want to be ‘straight’ and likewise with women. Too many men and women who lacked the proof provided by a sexual partner. Too many people too concerned with the description they’ve given themselves to respect the fact that their self no longer fits the description. Compatibility ignored, chemistry ignored, sexual heat, intellectual flirtation, emotional empathy – pushed aside because the destabilising nature of love and desire outside of the traditional binary is too frightening to explore.
Again, I return to Roz’s words: “This is not – to jump straight in and answer a crude debating point that has been made by the usual ‘radfem’ suspects – a matter of the trans community demanding access to cis people’s vulnerable and reluctant bodies.” Nor is it an argument which claims that we could all be attracted to anyone at all, and that we should ignore the peculiarities and eccentricities of attraction which make us unique. What it is is a statement of fact: the cotton ceiling exists, and it affects trans people of all descriptions. Cis allies would do well to ask themselves how open minded they really are – it’s one thing to support our rights, but do you see us as equals enough to desire, to love? Even if that requires a leap of faith, a change of perspective?
As you all probably know by now, I’m a terrible old romantic. Life is fleeting and love is rare. I hope I’d never find myself in the position of refusing something so precious, simply because I was frightened of change.
Posted in alternative music, interviews, reviews on March 16, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Just what it says on the tin – enjoy!
Posted in alternative music, interviews on March 9, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
The apology first – sorry for the lack of posting. There are ever so many rough drafts clogging up my desktop – but I’m lacking the brains/energy for the final edit. Everything is MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC here and my linguistic skills have…abandoned me, somewhat. (Insert your own “cunning linguist” pun here if you feel the need).
So why not read some other people’s words? First – a review from So So Gay. What he said. All the way.
Secondly, an interview from the Marylebone Journal. So many thanks – over and over.
As for me – a cup of herbal tea and a sit down and a desperate attempt to put my thoughts in order. But not in 6/8. Bloody 6/8…
