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ISSUE152 $3.80

► CONSTRAINTS ► CONFLICTS ► SEDUCTIONS

COURTING ^)IS 'F EDUCATE ► INCEST AND ACCESS

WOMEN FIGHT FOR ---- THE ENVIRONMENT

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TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS IN

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OOTOBER ISSUE 152 1987

FEATURES 12 Targeting the Top Constraints, conflicts and seductions Jesvier Singh 17 Te Puawaitanga Maori and Pacific women’s art 18 Courting Disaster JS Incest, access and the Family Court system Pat Rosier 22 Lesbians Internationally Miriam Saphira talks about her trip 24 Protecting the Coromandel Women fight mining developments Julie Sargisson 30 Unwinding the Kimono Japanese Lesbians Katie Noad 34 Royal Commission on Social Policy Who, what and why Janet Cole 37 The Funeral Short story Eleanor Lysaght

REGULARS 3 Letters and Fronting Up COURTING DISASTER 18 No child protection 4 Broadcast Screening the Doctors 0 Men in Primary Schools 0 South Into Sisterhood 0 “I’m Eating My Heart Out 0 Women Walk 0 63 » Ponsonby Rd l 28 On The Shelf 36 What’s New 39 The Gripes of Roth 48 Classified

ARTS 40 Reviews A Lesser Life 0 The Feminist Encyclopaedia 0 Wing- women of Hera 0 Let Yourself Go 0 Look Homeward Erotica 0 Germaine Greer 0 The Handmaids Tale 0 Threshold 0 Secrets 0 Listing PROTECTING THE COROMANDEL 24 COOL BROADSHEET CALM BROADSHEET COLLECTIVE Sharon Alston, Ali Bell, Tanya Hopmann, Carol and Jillsun,Peta Joyce, Claire-Louise McCurdy, Jenny Rankine, Pat Rosier, COLLECTIVE Shirley Tamihana, Athina Tsoulis, Jude Worters.

Editorial and policy decisions are made by the collective. Main areas of respon­ sibility are: Bookshop, Jude Worters; Design and Layout, Sharon Alston; Editorial, Pat Rosier; Finances, sub­ scriptions, Athina Tsoulis; Resource collection, Claire-Louise McCurdy and Ali Bell; advertising and promotion, Tanya Hopmann.

Cover design and photograph by Sharon Alston. With thanks to Jan O’Connor, Jarvis at Transparent Images and Wall Textiles

These women helped around Broadsheet this month: Janet Charman (poetry reader), Edith Gorringe, Diane Bush, Carol Jillsun, Bev Able.

BROADSHEET is published by Broad­ sheet Magazine Ltd, P O Box 56-147. Dominion Rd, Auckland. Registered Office: 228 Dominion Rd Auckland, Phone 608535.

Printed by Rodney Waitemata Times Mill Lane, Warkworth. Electronic pagination. Laser Type & Design Studio. Typeset­ HANLY GIL PHOTO: ting, Filmest. Photoprints by Shot/.. Members of the collective outside the bookshop. From left (back row): Film separations by Star Graphics. Ali Bell, Pat Rosier, Jesvier Singh, Jenny Rankine, Claire-Louise McCurdy Publication date: 1 October 1987. (Front) Sharon Alston, Shirley Tamihana, Athina Tsoulis, Jude Worters.

BROADSHEET annual subscription As is the nature of collectives, there have been some changes since $38.60. Overseas surface $49. the photograph was taken: Jesvier Singh has left (but she's still Overseas airmail: Europe $80, writing articles - see "Targeting the Top" in this issue.) Jenny Rankine America and Asia $69. Australia is taking threemonths' leave and Peta Joyce is overseas. Tanya and South Pacific $57. Hopmann and Carol Jillsun have joined us. Tanya is working on advertising and promotion. Articles and illustrations remain the prop­ erty of the contributor. Permission must We are all very proud to be part of the m a ga zine 's 15 year history. be sought from Broadsheet and from the Some of our readers have been with us since those first days in 1972. contributor before any item in reprinted. Broadsheet has consistently been years ahead of other media in New Zealand in its coverage of women's issues. We were the first to LETTERS POLICY: The Broadsheet col­ write about child sexual abuse, Daikon Shield dangers, repetition lective may not agree with or endorse views strain injury, nuclear testing in the Pacific, the women's art move­ expressed in letters. Nearly all the letters we are sent get published. Those that are not ment, domestic violence, lesbian rights and other issues. We printed published in full are considered by the Donna Awatere's Maori Sovereignty articles and we published the whole collective and edited in consultation book in 1984. with the writer. We do not publish personal Many of the issues we were writing about in the seventies, like attacks. Letters from men are published only when they correct matters of fact. We violence against women and sexism in education, are now general particularly welcome letters about the con­ social concerns. tent of the magazine. Letters that are ad­ Our coverage of issues is informative, in depth and we don't let dressed to the collective or to the editor are go. We've followed every twist and turn of the abortion struggle. We assumed to be intended for publication. print information on contraception and health that is unavailable Please indicate clearly if they are not. anywhere else. Broadsheet doesn't ignore issues because they're BROADSHEET is on file at the controversial, they might offend advertisers or they've been done Women's Collection. Special Dept. before. Northwestern University Library, For wom en who are isolated evanston, Illinois 60201. USA. in their work for change the magazine is a link with action ISSN 01 10-8603 around the country. For those Registered at the GPO as a magazine. fired up about injustice to 7k Co/kctitf. women it is a mine of contacts and information.

2 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 ■ E.ETTERS

MORE ON AIDS Economics are certainly at to the other. ested in treating the cause Dear Broadsheet, work when you look at the I hope Broadsheet will con­ rather than preventing it, Thanks very much for Pat survival rates for people tinue to provide updates and otherwise I wouldn't have to Rosier's clear, helpful update diagnosed with AIDS: as of an alternative perspective on be telling you this, as they'd on women and AIDS. I’d like August 1986 in the US as a the AIDS situation. This is have made sure people would­ to add a few points. whole the average lifespan for essential not only because n't suffer by recognizing the First, although sexual trans­ a white person is 2 years; for what we know is changing so limits of physical endurance mission of the HIV virus is a a person of colour, 19 weeks. fast, but because government- of these eight hour long five major route of infection, shar­ These trends according to race funded information tends to be day a week occupations which ing needles while using intra­ are unlikely to reproduce them­ wrapped in a cloak of moral­ pay peanuts and cause much venous (IV) drugs is a greater selves in exactly the same ising. mental and physical damage. risk to women, according to way in New Zealand. However, The Health Department Young people should be American figures. The Centres it it essential that Maori recommend, first, cutting very careful as they have for Disease Control reports women are involved and con­ down your number of partners years of activities ahead that, in 1986, 26 per cent of sulted in AIDS prevention to cut down the risk, then (if which would involve constant women with AIDS are known work in New Zealand. My you insist on having more use of their limbs. to have contracted it through impression is that too little than one partner!) to use con­ The tips are: heterosexual intercourse, as consultation has been carried doms. In fact, unprotected sex - To open screw top jars, against 52 per cent who out so far. with one partner is much less place on floor and use undam­ contracted it though needle Finally, I agree with Pat's safe than protected sex with aged hand to unscrew lid. sharing. comments that lesbians are at any number of partners. In the Matches can be struck like­ Secondly, children born to extremely low risk of AIDS, same way, it is not IV drug wise. women who are infected are at providing they do not share use itself that puts you at - Eat most of your food raw, extreme risk, yes, but so is needles or have unprotected risk, but needle sharing. saves hours of preparation, the mother whose immune sex with men. However, there The usual recommendation fiddling with electrical gad­ system is depressed during are lesbians who do both of condoms as a barrier gets and washing up. pregnancy, and in whom the these things, and openness, method puts an exclusive em­ - Learn to be ambidextrous to course of the disease may very tolerance and honesty are as phasis on safe intercourse, take workload off injured well be accelerated. Pregnancy essential in AIDS prevention rather than safe sex, which limb. I wrote this with my in these circumstances is a and education in the lesbian can include the use of the left-hand. I used to be right- huge risk for both the mother community as they are outside other barrier methods I have handed. and the child who is born. As it. According to an article in mentioned above, for instance ARILEV CLARK well, breastfeeding is likely Gay Community News of Octo­ for oral sex (cunnilingus). Waiheke Island to transmit the infection from ber 1986, the 6-7 known There is sexuality beyond the mother to a child who was lesbians in the US that have intercourse and safe sex not infected before birth. been diagnosed with AIDS beyond condoms and chastity! PORNOGRAPHY ACTION Thirdly, 1 would like to have all shared needles in These are areas that AIDS Dear Broadsheet, emphasise that AIDS is not a their use of IV drugs. (It is prevention programmes for A handbook is currently "white men's disease" as it not known how many les- women should be exploring. being compiled by Women has been mistakenly described bains have tested positive for DEBBIE JONES Against Pornography (WAP), in New Zealand recently. It the virus in the US.) Lesbian Wellington Wellington, to help women may be true that prevention is Connection of May/June 1987 who are angry about pornog­ being funded because white comments further on the raphy to take action. Topics men do get it (especially now single possible case of AVOIDING RSI to be covered include: the that straight white men are at woman-to-woman transmis­ Dear Broadsheet, defining of pornography, it’s risk), but it is certainly not sion that Pat also mentions. I wish to help other effects on particular groups, only white men who get it. Quoting in turn the Annals of women to firstly avoid RSI complaints procedures, the Trends in the US show that Internal Medicine, the writer (Repetition Strain injury) and law, a comprehensive list of not only are women and child­ states that the women who secondly, give a few tips on ways women can fight pornog­ ren getting it, but they are was first infected was menstru­ coping around the house if raphy. more likely to get it if they ating at the time they had they have it. To avoid it, WAP would like to hear are non-white. In New York sexual contact. Certainly any check your wrists before from any woman or group of City up to April 1986, blacks sexual contact involving applying for a job that women who has/have taken represented 30 per cent of all blood, especially open cuts involves fast speed work with action against pornography, AIDS cases, Hispanics (Span­ on both partners, would be a fingers - electric typewriting, whether at home, work or ish-speaking origin) 23 per high risk activity. For les­ note processing at banks and publicly. We are interested in cent and whites 46 per cent, bians who know their female so on. If the wrist or fingers learning what action each for men and women combined. partner is infected with the have ever had injury they women took, her feelings But the figures for women- HIV virus, or concludes that could easily weaken under leading up to the action and if only show a huge 5l per cent she is quite likely to be, strain. Don't get a full time there were any repercussions. for blacks, 22 per cent Hispan­ barrier methods can be used, job. Once the damage is done WAP also intends to list in ic and 27 per cent white. as well as avoiding the sexual one is in a trap. First one the book those groups and It is not known exactly transmission routes that Pat wrist goes, then when one is unions which have an anti­ why women of colour are has outlined. These methods forced to use the remaining pornography policy written being infected at such high include using latex gloves wrist, it starts to deteriorate into their constitution. We rates. About half of these and/or small squares of latex under the strain. Then one is would ask any group or union women are known to have (used in dentistry); this means helpless. that has such a policy used IV drugs and so probably that some otherwise unsafe Employers don't care as currently operating, or is shared needles; it has been types of sexual contact are there is another Jane Bloggs intending to implement one suggested that women of possible with less risk, on the street to take our in the near future to notify us, colour are less likely than because the latex barrier place. Most jobs either wreck with its terms set out. white women to be able to prevents body fluids from people, wreck the planet, or R MARCHANT afford their own needles. being passed from one woman both. Doctors are only inter­ Wellington BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 3 VIDEO LIST I am sure I was not the cy, so please write to: Mrs women and their work. I made I am currently compiling a only one dismayed to read a Iris Latham, P O Box 30-222, this for a competition run by list of films and videos made leader by the editor of a Lower Hutt. the International Federderation by women on women's monthly magazine {North and SHONA MACASKILL of University Women, and issues, that are available in South, Nov 1986) who, hav­ Wellington although it is not technically New Zealand. I would be ing "never been hampered by perfect it got second placing. interested to hear from any men" not only dismissed but Women's Journeys looks at women, union or other condemned the "raving femin­ UNEMPLOYED AND six Pakeha women and their organisation which has made ists who get such a large say LABOUR different fields of work: artist, or possesses such items, in some sections of the media Dear Broadsheet, engineer, voluntary worker, with details about their these days." It was "outrage­ Rose Thorn's article on homemaker, furniture maker accessibility to other ous" to her that a "visiting Labour's performance as the and union legal advisor. Each individuals and feminist" made the connection government was informative woman is depicted at her work organisations. Contact: between wolf whistles and and stimulating. Little men­ and tells of her life, her work, Athina Tsoulis , c/- suggestive looks and rape. tion was made however of her struggles. The video is Broadsheet, P O Box 56147, "Sensible women", it appears, Labour's response to unem­ made from a feminist per­ Auckland. would agree. ployment. spective and also includes In the same issue a satir­ The appalling statistics on historical references to past ical piece published a month unemployment are well known women and to women's place earlier by one of the maga­ - 79,000 registered as unem­ in society today. MEDIA DEALINGS zine's own writers was attack­ ployed at the end of May with If anyone is interest in Dear Broadsheet, ed. The author's "feminist atti­ many more thousand on TAP seeing this video or using it An interesting interview tude” will apparently "narrow and other work schemes. The for discussion or seminars with Pat Rosier concerning her range of available tech­ social fall-out from Roger- please write to 10 Beckham women and the medical pro­ nical knowledge (of gynaeco­ nomics is well-documented. Place, Grafton or phone Auck­ fession recently appeared in logy)". The satirist is "neurot­ However, I believe there land 771812 the Christchurch Press. Its ic". Another letter accuses the have been positive responses WALLIS BARNICOAT treatment in print prompted magazine of being "against to unemployment by Labour Auckland "lively debate" (as they say) men". in its term of office. The self- in the journalism department So, who's covering for confidence and life and job down here. who, and what are they trying skills acquired by unemployed FUNERAL CHOICE The Press placed it on the to tell us? people on TAPs schemes have Dear Broadsheet, Home and People (read: VIVIENNE SHAKESPEAR made them valuable program­ I was very interested to "Women's" page). Next to it Christchurch mes. Two schemes - one in read in the June/July magazine was a regular columnist's des­ Rotorua and one in Dunedin - the article by Peta Joyce and cription of her "trendy" adoles­ specifically for physically and Pat Rosier, "Lesbians and cent daughter's mufti-day, a HISTORICAL CRICKET mentally disabled unemployed Death". piece worrying in its banal­ Dear Broadsheet, are particularly worthwhile. In Christchurch a group of ity, let alone the assumption The New Zealand Women's Even ACCESS, once you people who have all exper­ that it would attract a faithful Cricket Council (NZWCC) is get past the glib and costly ienced the grief of death and readership. Below was an very much aware of its sport's advertising, is an attempt to the pain of separation from article from a London paper place in the social fabric of respond to unemployment. one they loved have started a about a "diminutive but domin­ New Zealand and is gathering Probably the most important movement called Funeral ating" woman who happens to information on the develop­ feature of ACCESS is that Choice. We believe in the have spent two years organis­ ment of the game among funds are targeted to those healthy gratification and the ing the first extensive exhi­ women and the council's who need them most, those freedom to express feelings bition of Lalique Art Deco history over almost 55 years. who suffer disadvantage and/or that personal participation in jewellery, and written a book Affiliated associations and discrimination on the job funerals brings. We have on the subject. (Of interest clubs and women now retired market. similar concerns and hopes to solely to women?) from active participation are Projects such as the Small those expressed in the article. Pat is reported as "assert­ being asked to search through Co-operatives Enterprise We have prepared a pamph­ ing" and "insisting” on her scrapbooks, photo albums, Scheme (SCOPE), set up to let and hope that more and views. Clearly people with etc for old minutes, team and help fund groups of unem­ more people will choose a car­ strong opinions - need we personal photos, records of ployed and unskilled people ing alternative to the trad­ say especially stroppy women games (good innings and who want to be self-employed itional funeral. For further - don't just say things. bad), incidents and anecdotes and job opportunity subsidies information write to: Funeral Considering the impor­ that could all help to swell have in the past three years at Choice, Box 10284, Christ­ tance and timeliness of insist­ the story and make it live. least attempted to help church. A stamped addressed ing that women be better For a history such as this unemployed people. envelope would be appreciated informed about their own is not simply a recital of dry This letter is not a as we are a non-profit-making health, it might be asked why statistics but is the story of vindication of Labour policy, group. this wasn't treated as solid those who have written their but as flawed as its response PAULA GROFSKY news. Why was it relegated to deeds into those statistics and to unemployment has been, Christchurch a newspaper back-water? who remember the joys of Labour must be better than The case for a wholesale cricket. Very early club and National, whose plan to scrap slashing of "women's pages" college records will be the unemployment benefit is PORNOGRAPHY was tempered by the comment especially welcomed. socially outrageous. ENQUIRY WELCOMED that without them any dis­ The minutes of the inaug­ HANNAH JOWETT Dear Broadsheet, tinctive female voice within ural meeting of the NZWCC Rotorua We wholeheartedly wel­ the paper would be swallowed. are missing from their records come the announcement of the Insisting on change within and should you have a copy in Committee of Inquiry into the paper was thought to be a your possession they would WORKING WOMEN Pornography announced by more positive immediate step. be very grateful to hear of it. VIDEO the Minister of Justice recent­ As more and more women You may even have attended Dear Broadsheet, ly, as we have been calling become journalists (17 of the that historic meeting. In your May issue there is for an inquiry for years. 20 people in this class are Photocopies of clippings, an article called "Working We welcome statements by women) it becomes evident etc, please, but originals of Women". At the end of the the minister which recognise that change does not follow photos, all dated and origin article is a list of videos the link between degrading automatically. The old story annotated, and with a clear compiled by Hazel Armstrong. images of women and vio­ of women having to play the return address. Good care will I would like to add to this a lence against women, and system was brought up in be taken of returnable items. video I made in 1986, called strongly support his state­ discussion. There is a degreee of urgen­ Women's Journeys: six Pakeha ment that violence and pomo- 4 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 graphy are not acceptable as was an excellent outline of they promote the message I think I the work of Ann Hercus but I that women are sexual sub­ told you 1 believe it failed to comment ordinates to men and condone didn't like on one important aspect of violence against women. her work as Minister of Social The enquiry is long over­ hibiscus Welfare, her support and en­ due as New Zealand's laws pink well couragement for the need for a relating to pornography are a delete report on Maori perspectives confused mish-mash of dif­ within the Department of ferent criteria, procedures and that I've Social Welfare. The resulting outdated Victorian attitudes. looked into report was Puao-te-Atatu, We need a comprehensive it the which articulates the way in law to deal with pornography, which departments might go a law which is concerned centre is forward towards a bi-cultural about stopping degrading veining crimson partnership in the develoment DEADLINES material that invites violence lake of services for New Zealand. Deadline for the Nov against women, not a law Margaret Wilson's loss issue is 24 Sept and for which is based on Victorian Michelle Leggett will, I believe, be just as Dec is 24 Oct. views on nudity or caring keenly felt by New Zealand sexuality. women. Her contribution has Pornography is an issue of your June/July issue an article been to demonstrate that a ADVERTISING concern to all New Zealanders marking the retirement of Ann feminist perspective is approp­ Our advertising rates are as it relates to their growing Hercus from active political riate at the highest points of very competitive and we anger about rape and violence. life. I would like to add a political leadership and she now offer full colour It's about time the govern­ couple of important points. has been a consistent fighter advertising on the cover ment did something aimed at Firstly, the retirement of for the visibility and rights of and spot colour on some preventing rape and violence Ann Hercus coincides with the women. In particular, women pages inside. Basic rate against women by attacking likely retirement of Margaret in the Labour Party structure for black and white adver­ attitudes and ideas in porno­ Wilson as the president of the and organisation owe much to tising inside the mag­ graphy which promote that New Zealand Labour Party. It the work that Margaret azine are: Full page violence. is a year of sadness for New Wilson has done to ensure $600; half $300; quarter We hope the committee of Zealand women when two true equal participation in $150; third $200; classi­ inquiry will active involve the prominent and outstanding political structures. fied $6 per column cm. public, especially groups who feminists retire from active Both of these women have Further details on request. have worked on the issue for political life and I agree with much to give us in the future years and who recognised the Judie Alison that it suggests and I welcome their ability to link between pornography and to all of us as women that the return to the feminist move­ SUBSCRIPTIONS violence years ago. price of political life is too ment, bringing with them These have gone up TRISH MULLINS high for feminist women to their experience of the pol­ again, we're sorry. See Women Against Pornography pay. itical world but with greater the insert in this maga­ Wellington Both Margaret Wilson and energy to devote to the main­ zine for details of the Ann Hercus will, I believe, go tenance and development of new two and three year down in history as women feminism as a political force options. FEMINISTS IN POLITICS unafraid to fight effectively itself. Dear Broadsheet, for the rights of New Zealand SARAH CALVERT I was pleased to see in women. Judie Alison's article Tauranga THE NEW LOOK We (most particularly Sharon) have been work­ ing very hard redesigning the magazine and hope you find the new appear­ ance as exciting as we do. The change is in presentation only; we remain fully committed to maintaining and strength­ ening our strongly femin­ ist editorial policy.

COLLECTIVE CHANGES We are sorry to be losing Jesvier Singh from the collective. Her input to the magazine and to the collective has been invaluable.

VOLUNTEERS There is always a lot to do around Broadsheet. If you have some spare time, particularly on weekdays, please contact us. At the moment we could really use some typing help.

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 5 I\I\J BROADCAST l / l / l

SCREENING THE DOCTORS Pat Rosier has been following the inquiry into treatment of cervical cancer at National Women's Hospital

The inquiry has been under way for several weeks now. Sylvia Cartwright, judge and commissioner, presides over the procedings inscrutably, as I guess she must. Sandra Coney gives her evidence - she's first “on” - confidently, carefully. With hundreds of footnotes she can track down any reference in minutes. The sec­ tion of her cross-examination that I ob­ served was quite nasty, with lawyer Col­ lins (acting for Dr Green) speaking very slowly and deliberately, as though she would not understand otherwise. Sandra refused to give the yes or no answers that he wanted, and at every challenge to the article she and Phillida Bunkle wrote she refers to her sources. More aggro from Collins: “Perhaps if you listen very carefully to the questions we won't have these difficulties,” and, “Did the witness say ‘Yes’? I thought it was too good to be true.” As he gets more aggressive she goes back to her sources. She doesn't apologise and takes as long as she needs. It was a wonderful demonstration of how to be an effective witness under hos­ tile cross-examination, but I wonder at the personal cost of that level of focused con­ WILSON ANNA PHOTO: centration and control. Some of us sitting at the back get chastised during a break for laughing at one of Collins' more asinine attacks. “It distracts the commission”, we are told. for Green, although you wouldn’t have Dr Green has maintained that he gave There are lots of references to an inter­ guessed it from the sloppy TVNZ news patients the information, but they don't all view Sandra and Phillida did with Herbert coverage. First there was Fertility Action's agree with him. (See the article in the Green. Days later when he is cross-exam­ evidence, given so well by Sandra. I Dominion Sunday Times, 23 August.) He ined he denies saying some of the things thought she made ground during Collins' did not tell them about the research, he they attributed to him. A tape is produced. cross-examination but he plodded relent­ says, as he felt it was not in their interests. Judge Cartwright, Green, Collins and lessly on. “I think it is quite unnecessary to frighten Fertility Action's lawyer Rodney Harrison Then there was Professor Alastair people with mention of the word cancer. If go and listen to it in chambers (ie, in Campbell, among other things editor of they do not know the ins and outs of the private). And Dr Green has to admit that he the Journal of Medical Ethics, saying that situation and it is not possible technically did say that he had seen “virtually every patients must be told if they were getting to explain to them and doctors themselves woman at National Women's Hospital” experimental treatment, particularly if are uncertain - how can you explain that between 1956 and 1982“, and that he had there was an effective alternative, and that uncertainty to patients?” Dr Green you are seen about ,1800 women who had “precur­ even with the patient's consent there was wrong. Doctors can and should tell pa­ sor stages of cancer”. no way to justify an experiment that put tients about uncertainties. Things had already been going badly their life in danger. Then there was Professor Ralph

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BROADSHEET MAGAZINE AND BOOKSHOP P.O. BOX 56147 AUCKLAND 3 AOTEAROA (NEW ZEALAND) Richart, professor of pathology at Colom­ difficult to do because you wouldn't get uncertainty should be kept from their pa­ bia University College, New York. He many men coming forward.” (Huh!) But tients? described Dr Green's views as “iconoclas­ treating the lesions is simple. “They tend Professor Campbell had some sugges­ tic” and different from those of almost to be small and readily managed, in con­ tions to safeguard the rights of patients everyone else in the world. “Dr Green's trast to lesions in women, which tend to be where medical research was being carried view that that carcinoma in situ is not a much more diffused and more complex out: prodedures at all hospitals to inform precursor [to invasive cancer] is in my .... The men are the transmitters and the patients of options especially when there opinion untenable.” Richart also dis­ women are generally the sufferers for was disagreement about which was best; agreed with Green's view that does not most sexually transmitted diseases.” Who pamphlets advising patients of their favour nationwide cervical screening of was it who suggested that penises could be rights; more monitoring of treatment re­ all women. “The evidence is irrefutable. labelled “dangerous to women's health”! search by doctors' organisations; estab­ While most of the world is trying to reach But they needn't be if, men would just take lishment of formal ethics committees at every section of their population for cyto- responsibility for keeping them clear of hospitals, accessible to staff, patients and logical screening, there is a continuing transmitable diseases. relatives. He also criticised disciplinary debate in New Zealand whether screening Richart also said that women treated at hearings against doctors and nurses as is effective: maybe all the nations are out National Women's Hospital for cervical “too complex and too closely related to the of step with New Zealand, but the evi­ carcinima by Dr Green should be recalled professional reputation ... to be of much dence is dead set against it.” “yesterday” for for check up and possible help in safeguarding the autonomy of Richart, under cross-examination, had treatment. Judge Cartwright said on 1 patients.” some very interesting things to say that September that she would not make an There's plenty here to be going on with. have not been widely reported, but that are immediate ruling on recall, but that she But no sign that any of it's being done. Of relevant to further developments here. had the inquiry's terms of reference, which course, we have to wait for the Such as: dealt with the possibility of patient recall, commission's report! While women suffer • Pap smears can and have been done by uppermost in her mind. Patients don't, of disease, anxiety, uncertainty. What does it paramedical personnel. (With the rider course, have to wait for recall to take their take to make anything urgent? that “... in developed countries ... it is own initiatives to have their present condi­ Fertility Action have had some funding usually more cost-effective to use the tion checked. If I'd been a patient of Dr for legal and living expenses but have existing medical programme ...”). Green's I'd be at least having my GP do a already used what they've been granted for Note that it's cost-effectiveness he's smear test. legal expenses. They're applying for more, talking about, not competence. but need continued support by donation. • One analysis of ten different popu­ Back to Dr Green's cross-examination, Send to: Fertility Action, P O Box 1678, lations from eight countries shows where he revealed that a second trial, this Auckland Central. The inquiry is public screening women every three years is time of two different forms of treatment, most of the time and it's an educational expected to reduce the incidence of took place between 1972 and 1980. A way to spend half a day. It's on the first cancer by 90%. Invasive cancer strikes team of doctors, himself included, were floor of the Bledislo Building, Auckland at a much higher rate in those not “genuinely in doubt” about whether the (behind the Civic Theatre, where the screened, so “efforts must be made to best treatment for patients with cervical Wellesley St Post Office is) from 10 am reach the entire population.” cancer was radium and radical hysterec­ most days. • Cost to the patient is a factor. Mobile tomy or radium and x-ray therapy. Patients clinics are useful in “reaching those were chosen by the toss of a coin, told what hard to reach populations who some­ treatment they were to get and that if they times don't avail themselves of the objected to the one they were selected for normal conduits of medical care.” they could get the treatment of their choice • In the US treatment is increasingly and be dropped from the trial. “They were outpatient, using cryotherapy, along not experimental subjects and they were with colposcopy as well as smear asked for consent to whatever treatment testing for diagnosis. was proposed.” I hope so, but find it diffi­ cult to give much credibility to Dr Green's Some of Richart's evidence didn't make statements. the dailies at all, that I saw. It is generally Professor Bonham, head of the post­ known that it is “extraodinarily uncom­ graduate school at National Women's mon for a woman to develop squamous Hospital, is to give evidence next. (At time cell cancer of the cervix, vagina or vulva if of writing.) The inquiry is expected to go she has never had sexual intercourse”. As on until December, Judge Cartwright is to is the increase in risk being related to the report by 31 March 1988. But already number of sexual partners or the number there are many serious questions. Like the of sexual partners your partner has had. one raised by the Ministry of Women's What isn't so widely known is that 60% of Affairs, that the training of doctors at male partners of women with abnormal National Women's Hospital could jeop­ smears have been found to have “penile ardise a national cervical screening pro­ SOUTH lesions”, and an additional 20-30% (previ­ gramme if GPs are not set up to regard INTO SISTERHOOD ously negative) have been found to have carcinoma in situ very seriously. Like them on re-examination three months what's happening at National Women's Jan Morrison reports on the later. “It is also clear now that those lesions now? Are women still being treated inade­ contain human papiloma virus and that quately and denied information about tenth Women's Studies Con­ there is a general concordance between the their condition? (Sandra Coney’s concept ference, heid in August in type of virus present in the partner.” of informed consent includes: knowing Dunedin. But it's “extremely difficult” to screen what condition you are suffering from; men, because the structure of the surface knowing the prognosis for that condition if I had been looking forward to the con­ of the penis is very different from that of it's not treated; knowing the options for ference, and it was just as enjoyable as the vagina and cervix. “It is also true that treatment, their likelihood of success, and I had hoped. My friend Lynda from men are rather recalcitrant about entering any adverse side effects.) Do doctors at Christchurch and I set off from Timaru such programmes and 1 think it would be National Women's still think that medical together, feeling light-hearted and re-

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 7 Leach opened with an anthropological means that many women are unaware of BROADCAST account of a pre-European-settlement the issues that Phillida and Sandra Coney Maori woman that was fascinating and are facing. Their efforts for all women, informative. Elizabeth Rehu Murchie"s especially in the area of informed consent, taxed. A weekend away from family and response, as the next speaker, was that the are an important milestone in the field of domestic responsibilities is a rare treat spirits of her foremothers could not be women's rights. Taking on the combined and we were intent on making the most found in their bones! She went on to talk might of the medical and legal institutions of it. about Maori women's strength today. is a daunting and courageous task. More than 250 women gathered to­ The wide variety of workshops and The workshops and papers were inter­ gether at Knox College, a university resi­ papers offered made choices for all the spersed with regular scrumptious food, dential hall and previous bastion of male sessions difficult. For me Alison Laurie's entertainment and the continued enjoy­ supremacy. It felt good to hear the halls workshop “Heterosexism and the Dynam­ ment of the company of women. and corridors of this ornate old building ics of Oppression” was a practical and For Lynda, who has spent the last year ringing with the voices and laughter of powerful exercise in identifying the diver­ at university in feminist studies, it felt like women. sity of oppression. Lynda did not find that a safe, accepting place to be, where her A powhiri by local a Maori women's Tor Wainwright's workshop “Demystify­ feminist theories were being enacted. The group started the conference off in a warm, ing Rogernomics” fulfilled its promise, wonderful variety of women provided her welcoming mood. The Women's Studies but the information provided by the union with challenging role models, giving her Association's struggle to come to terms women had chilling implications. A lack aspirations for her own future. with the issues around biculturalism was of structure in the workshop on pornogra­ For me, coming from a conservative continued on Friday night with the discus­ phy meant that it did not offer the indepth regional town, the feminist atmosphere sion of proposed changes to the constitu­ discussion that I was wanting. was something to be savourd. It soothed tion. Unfortunately the meeting started A high point for Lynda and I was hear­ my soul and fed my spirit, which often late and by the end there were only a few ing Phillida Bunkle speak about the in­ feels desperate for some feminist input. weary women resisting the temptation to quiry into the treatment (or non-treatment) We drove back to Timaru on Sunday go to bed. of cervical cancer at National Womne's night warmed and envigorated. Yes, sis­ Saturday started with a plenary session Hospital. What appears to be a media terhood in the south is certainly alive and on 300 years of women's health. Helen black-out (in the South Island at least) well and we look forward to a repeat per­ formance in Nelson next year.

63 PONSONBY ROAD

A number of women's collectives operate from this address.

The house has been rented from the Auckland City Council for the last eight years. At present Chrissy Duggan from the Council for the Single Mother and Her Child is the administrator, which means she pays the rent (which each group contributes to) and deals with the Auckland City Council, the building owners. The rent is low, the condition of the house pretty bad. "I would like the women who work here to have better working conditions. They do such a bloody good job." There are regular GIL PHOTO: HANLY house meetings with members from all the groups taking part. "Women don’t realise how much they can legal,matters, health, housing, adoption, do on their own." how to find things out and so on and costs Council for the Single Mother Chrissy talks passionately about how $3.50 from P O Box 47 090. Phone CMSC and her Child (CSMC) women see themselves in relation to a on 760-476. CSMC was the first group here. It was man, how they so seldom see living alone, established ten years ago by Joss Shawyer, or in a community, or with a woman as and Chrissy is now the (unpaid) worker. alternatives. "We are conditioned only to The Women's Health She sees her role as helping women learn get another man." Collective to use the resources of their neighbour­ Funding for CSMC comes almost This group is going through major hood. This means a lot of work on legal solely from selling copies of the booklet changes at the moment. They have de­ rights, getting women over the hurdle of "Everything A Single Parent Needs to cided to become more multicultural, feeling powerless and being intimidated. Know". It has sections on social welfare, which means changing the membership of 8 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 the group - at present it has one Maori that surrounds rape and taking some posi­ woman and one Pacific Island woman. tive action to counter it. This year it will be They would like to have equal numbers of IN------a nationwide event with each Rape Crisis Maori, Pacific Island and Pakeha women. Centre organising in its area.The Auck­ The front room of the house, which at land women plan a real community focus, present is used for counselling, naturopa­ with workshops, introduction to self-de­ thy, massage and so on, will be used by fence, videos, education kits, a reclaim the Maori and Pacific Island women. BRIEF night march and concert and the involve­ There are more things happening than ment of other groups. the health collective has room for. They 3. A pressure group to change the present could use the whole house, but also value Labouring On social attitudes and institutions which the presence of the other groups. condone and perpetuate rape. This in­ The aims of the group include offering So we have a Labour Government for an­ volves various tasks, from submissions to other three years. The social policy years, information so that women can make more government on policy and law reform, to informed choices in health matters and now that the economy is on the rails, we are told. the establishment of a boycott of sexist and approaching health in a wholistic way, The three new Labour women MPs - Jenny racist advertisning. with a focus on prevention and healthy Kirk, Sonya Davies, Elizabeth Tennet - make The Rape Crisis office is open from 11 living. Women phone or call in with que­ one more woman in government, as Ann Her- to 2 weekdays and the phone is staffed ries. They hold information on a wide cus and Mary Batchelor did not seek re-elec­ from 6pm to 6am every night. Most of the range of health issues, which everyone on tion and were replaced by men. There are a total work is done on a rostered basis by volun­ the collective takes part in gathering, of 14 women MPs (11 Labour, 3 National) and teers. The phone number is 764-404. through their own reading and through 83 men. The post-election government is not sharing information with other centres, treating its own women well: there are only two women in the cabinet, Margaret Shields and such as Family Planning. New Mothers Support Groups They operate a hot and cold doctor file Helen Clark. Fran Wilde served a very able apprentice­ (NMSG) - you can ring in with your comments and ship as a whip and it is outrageous that she does This group has a salary, funded by the they will be recorded. If you're looking for not have a position in cabinet. Instead she has a doctor in your area ring the centre and Department of Social Welfare on a yearly been sidelined with associate ministerships in basis. They have recently been told that they will pass on information. They have foreign affairs and housing - meeting visiting recently started a dentists' folder and seek dignitaries and assisting Helen Clark. (It could there is a three-year limit on the salary, information about women's experiences be great to have Clark in housing, but hasn't which they have had for two years. This with lawyers, dentists, counsellors, spe­ previous minister Goff already done most of year's money was approved on 1 April and cialists. the major policy changes in that portfolio?) received in July. The Wellington group is The women make submissions and Fran Wilde has shown that she is competent lobbying for permanent national funding. and qualified to be in cabinet, so why isn't she write letters in support of women who The position is job-shared, with a quar­ there? Is there an undeclared limit of two ter of the salary going to a Maori woman to have a complaint or a bad experience with women among the truly powerful? Do the any part of the health system. There is a work with Maori women in ways that suit chaps see her as a threat? Is she being penalised them. paid worker there every day, with wages for bringing in and then working for the Homo­ coming from grants from various govern­ sexual Law Reform Bill? Or her outspoken NMSG sets up neighbourhood groups ment schemes and from charitable trusts. criticisms of Rogemomics? for women with babies under two years. It takes women several months in the job to The voters like her, as shown by the increase The groups run for eight weeks, with a get familiar with all the agencies and infor­ in her majority, but she's obviously not so creche and a leader who is often a women mation, so the aim is always to get long­ popular with the upper echelons of the parlia­ who was in an earlier group and has done mentary team. some training. The women running the term funding. Pat Rosier The library, of books by women do­ group organise the creche and (unpaid) nated by women for loan to women, comes childcare is usually provided by women under the umbrella of the health collective. who have previously been in a group. Contact the health collective at 764- Food Fatness and Group members pay $2 a session to cover 506. the costs of tea, coffee and a donation to Fashion the creche workers. Groups meet in com­ munity houses, church halls, ocasionally The Rape Crisis Collective Food, fatness and fashion was the subject of people's homes. The cost of venues is a Auckland Rape Crisis operate their tele­ a women and health seminar organised by a continuing problem. phone service from one of the rooms in the small group of women in Timaru recently. Often at the end of the eight weeks a house. They offer: Over 80 women came and examined the group will continue informally. At any one 1. Confidential support for women and issues and the conflicts these things cause in time in Auckland there are 6-10 groups children who have been raped or sexually their lives. running. Contact NMSG on 788-672. On Friday night Pat Rosier set the scene abused, with telephone or face-to-face with an overview, both theoretical and per­ talking. They can make women aware of sonal, on the theme of fat phobia. On Saturday their options and support them in their a series of workshops provided the structure for The Womanline Collective self-healing and in any action, such as discussion. Womanline offers a telephone listening, laying a complaint with the police, that The organising group have been working information and referral service. Women they decide to take. Also, they can refer hard for over a year to get funding for a Well- can ring in and talk about anything they women on to other services such as sym­ women Centre in Timaru. We still have hopes need to be listened to about. pathetic doctors or lawyers. that early next year there will be a centre They have a comprehensive referral list 2. An education service which works providing a much-needed focus for women in and welcome comments on professionals South Canterbury. towards breaking down stereotyped atti­ - counsellors, lawyers, accountants etc - as It always seems that there are resources and tudes towards women and myths about places for women in the cities, but so little for this helps them in the referral process. rape by speaking to interested groups and their rural sisters, where the need is just as They also have information on support doing workshops in schools. A major great. We hope that a centre in Timaru will help groups, interest groups, courses and other educational campaign, Rape Awareness redress the balance as well as providing women information services. Week is planned for 5 -10 October this with a source of information and support. Some funding for workers comes year with the aim of breaking the silence Jan Morrison through the COGS scheme, so they have

S BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 9 Conclusion "It took long enough for women to get BROADCAST Some of the groups feel they are put in the the vote, perhaps if we keep on complain­ position of begging for funding. And for ing we will get some more dunnys. (YIP­ the slightest repair to the house. "The little PEE!) The system automatically provides house on the prairie of Auckland City convicted offenders with a place to go at Council (ACC) land has been maintained enormous cost, but doesn't provide a nur­ as well as we can on the grants we get," turing environment for the women and says Chrissy Duggan. "We spend a lot of children they have damaged. some paid work and a volunteer roster to "The ACC, government and the ARA time and money maintaining the ACC staff the phones. Funding that means there should supply resources for women in the investment. The land itself is probably is a turnover of workers every six months shape of women's centres and protected is "a real drag", although the work is very destined for up-market development. play areas for children. Very little commu­ demanding and for some women that is "The only local body facilities that nity wealth goes to women - even the new long enough. women can truly call part of their commu­ lotto funds are going mostly to sports. A training programme for volunteers is nity is the local public dunny. Men who are Women at the women's centre do the just finishing. It takes three months of into violent destruction can and do de­ ‘mopping up’ - necessary, constructive regular evening and weekend meetings to mand and get better conditions and more work helping women." do a training session. Staffing the phone is money for their sports groups, their armies So much for government posturing a priority, the roster covering 9—4 each and the police force to control their vio­ about their commitment to "social equity". week day. Phone Womanline on 765-173. lence, while women go, as usual, unheard. Pat Rosier

^ o

prior to becoming bulimic. "I'M EATING MY Nearly all the women acknowledged a z HEART OUT" fear of being fat, but three-quarters did not P feel that they were considered fat by < Jasbindar Singh talks with Pat friends or family. Most (94%) felt they had g lost control over eating. Nearly 90% of the Rosier about her research and women did some form of exercise and S counselling with women with most of them did something every day. g the eating disorder, bulimia. Eighty per cent of the group felt they had plenty of friends. [= Jasbindar has been working with Nearly all the women (97%) felt that women with eating disorders for sev­ being bulimic made them feel negative - eral years and felt a need for informa­ about themselves and 67% reported a poor tion about bulimic women in New Zea­ self-image, while another 15% said it was land. She designed a questionnaire, variable, they did sometimes. Only 40% contacted women through referrals and felt in control of their lives more than half magazine advertisements, got a lot of the time. The average self-rating on a 0-10 letters and ended up with 175 com­ assertion scale was 5, and on a 10-point pleted questionnaires from women who scale to assess depression the average rat­ identify themselves as currently bu­ ing was 4, a skew towards the depressed limic. This means that they regularly end. binge eat large quantities of food and Just over a third of the women had been follow this with purging - deliberate sexually abused, most often before they vomiting or extreme use of laxatives. (90%) wanted to lose weight and the aver­ were 15, and a number more than once. The women were mainly in their mid­ age difference between their present Only between 8-14% had not known the twenties, with the youngest being 15. weight and their ideal weight was seven perpetrator and known abusers included Thirty percent were living with a partner, kilos. The average weight loss was 0.9%, family members, friends and neighbors. 63% single and 7% separated, widowed or so it wasn't working! The majority of those abused (80%) had divorced. Most (73%) were in regular paid Most bulimic behaviour took place in not sought help and they tended to mini­ work, 12% identified themselves as the afternoons and evenings. mise what had happened. "housewives" and 14% as students. Nearly everyone reported feeling very Most of the women had experience, The common pattern for the onset of negative about themselves after binging some form of side efects, varying froi bulimia was a year or more of binge eating and used words like awful, guilty, fat, self- dizzyness and muscle weakness to en­ before the development of vomiting and/ hating and depressed to describe how they larged salivary glands and loss of tooth or laxative use. Most of the women were felt. After purging about half felt positive enamel from vomiting. bulimic by age 20. The "mean" (in the and half negative.. Most of the women Nearly two-thirds of the women had midle of the range) length of time women (90%) indicated that they binge ate under sought some form of help from a doctor, had been binge eating was seven years and stress. counsellor, hospital or support group. for purging it was five and a half years. High calorie foods like icecream, With some exceptions doctors had little Just under half of the women were chips, biscuits, chocolate - the foods they understanding of the condition and tended binge eating daily or more and for the rest wouldn't normally allow themselves - to make unhelpful suggestions like, it was at least once weekly. Nearly half the were consumed by 90% of women when "You'll grow out of it", or offer pills such group just used vomiting, 12% used only they were binging and 10% said they as anti-depressants. There were many laxatives and 40% used both. would binge on anything. Just over half stories of trying weight groups "over and A very large proportion of the women the women felt they had been anorexic over again" with some weight loss leading 10 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 to feeling good, but then weight gains - in cussed on "being slim" as a solution. At a so many positive reinforcements made a relentless cycle. personal level common focuses of change contingent on being slim. Eighty per cent of the women saw the included: becoming more assertive, being "Many women tell me their lifestyles need for some form of professional help, a less critical of self, better stress manage­ are okay, they are reasonably well-off, few (10%) were definitely against it and a ment, having a sense of direction in life, they have support, yet they are still bu­ few (10%) were unsure whether it would more self care, and coming to terms with limic, still out of control about food. The be helpful. Two-thirds of those who had problems. In the third category common ideology is out there waiting to capture sought some sort of help had found it responses were: being loved, having un­ women's minds. What can an hour's coun­ useful, but they were still bulimic. derstanding and support, having a good selling a fortnight do to change attitudes? The things that the women found most job, hobbies, having a good network of "The women who wrote in have at least helpful were support from family, friends friends, and better living arrangements. taken a step to acknowledge a problem. or loved ones and taking some positive The questionnaire included a test on How many women are there out there action towards gaining more confidence attitudes to food which showed that: 92% suffering in isolation? A really good thing and greater self-acceptance. Other re­ were terrified of being overweight; 83% about the research project was that it made sponses included developing healthy eat­ hated the idea of having fat on their body; connections among women. I wrote hun­ ing habits, exercising, reading to increase 97% were pre-occupied with food; 91% dreds of letters putting people in touch self-awareness, talking to and support felt that food controlled their life; and 87% with each other and with women's groups from other bulimics, professional help and were aware of the calorie content of any in their areas. taking time out. A quarter of the women food they ate. "I see a whole lot of connections be­ said that they have not found anything Jasbindar feels that the findings of the tween things - like food, fashion, exer­ helpful apart from unrealistic and imprac­ survey reinforce her observations as a cise, the Superwoman idea. And feminism tical things such as being with someone all counsellor working with women who are gives the best explanations. As a woman's the time or doing something all the time. bulimic. "We all have a special relation­ feminism increases her obsession with Stress was a difficult area for these ship with food, it's a matter of the degree of food often decreases, but it's really hard to women. Over half felt their only way of worry and obsession. Our feelings about get these ideas across to women. You can "coping" was by binge eating and purging. food and about our bodies exist in the see from the section on the things that have Other strategies used for coping were talk­ framework of the society we live in. There helped them that most of the women are ing to and getting support from friends, are all sorts of social pressures to conform looking for personal solutions - they have physical release through exercise and to fashion and to roles. Ideas about what it the attitude that they have to 'fix up’ them­ keeping a positive outlook. is to be a woman in the eighties are in­ selves in some way in order to 'get better'. Fears of putting on weight and difficul­ grained into women, and for some the It's so hard to get across the ideas about ties in the area of food and health were myths about thinner being better becomes society putting on all this pressure to look given most commonly as the greatest a driving force, the idea that if my weight a certain way, to be a certain way. worry or problem, followed by other per­ was a 'little bit less' than whatever it is, "I think prevention of eating disorders sonal issues such as fear of failure, loneli­ everything would be fine. Most of us have has to go wider than monitoring the media ness, feelings of rejection and life con­ these ideas to some degree, they are so for the images of women it portrays. I cerns like lack of direction and dissatis­ pervasive. really believe we have to reach women faction. "In counselling the hardest thing to when they are young ,say 13 or 14, and do Responses to a question about what change is the mind set that their lives lots of work in the school curriculum on changes in their lives would enable them would be better if they were thinner. 'I felt self-esteem and learning to be critical of to stop binge eating and purging fall into better when I was thinner, I felt more in the media and of society's values. three categories: food, personal change control', is a very real experience for many "As long as young women think of what and changes to social recreational or job bulimic women. We take the ideas from it means to be a woman in the eighties in aspects of life. In the area of food half of society about body image and they get the ways they are encouraged to now, the women said they would need to "cope inside of us, where it is very difficult to eating disorders will flourish." □ better with food" and the other half fo­ dislodge them, especially when there are

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 11 B r ib e d a n d c o r r u p t e d b y p o w e r , state AND MONEY, SPURRED ON BY MANAGED FEMINISTS HAVE INFILTRATED THE CORRIDC F e m in is t s a r e b e in g “professionalized .” V y in g f o r t h e “t FORCED FEMIN WITH MEN IN TE PLACE.

FREE-MARKET ECONOMICS HAS PACKAGED FEMINISM INTO A CONSUMER ITEM: ASSERTIVE­ NESS TRAINING, NEGOTIATION SKILLS AND STRESS MANAGE­ MENT ARE SOLD THROUGH MANAGEMENT SEMINARS. AD­ VERTISERS TARGET THEIR PAY- PACKETS AND POLITICIANS THEIR VOTE. WRAPPED IN CEL­ LOPHANE, THIS FORM OF FEMI­ NISM HAS BECOME THE DOMI­ NANT STRAND -1960S “RADICAL­ ISM” HAS BEEN TRADED FOR 1980S OPPORTUNISM. WOMEN ARE ON THE MOVE - BUT TO WHERE? “TARGETING THE TOP” IS IN DANGER OF BECOMING SYNONYMOUS WITH FEMINISM. THERE IS A DISTURBING SI­ LENCE AND CONSEQUENTLY ACCEPTANCE AMONGST FEMI­ NISTS OF THIS NARROW, CAREERIST ATTITUDE.

JESVIER SINGH WRITES ABOUT THE CONSTRAINTS, CONTRADICTIONS AND SEDUCTIONS FEMINISTS

12 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 LIBERAL AIMS ARE AN IMPLICIT PART OF THEIR “RADICAL AGENDA”

ligned by their “sisters.” Are the personal Feminists must critically examine their motivations, the aspirations and defini­ - role and the implications of involvement tions of feminists in the bureaucracy be­ in bureaucratic structures, which includes yond criticism? Critics are rejected as an analysis of how these structures func­ ignorant and ungrateful - critique has tion in the context of our society. The become synonymous with “trashing” meaning and the implication of what is where dissent is dismissed as personal said must be grasped. Debate, an informed attack. The radical feminist magazine, analysis and an awareness of the tensions S, INFLUENCE Bitches, Witches & Dykes raised this issue and contradictions between “the possible in 1981. That feminists have not moved and the ideal,” is necessary if feminists are beyond such simplifications is indicative to move beyond the limits of reform. ENT HYPE, of the paralysis afflicting feminist debate. The achievements of committed femi­ nists who have gained significant reforms W h a t I s bureaucracy ? OF POWER. at considerable personal cost and under enormous pressure, cannot be denied. Nor “INSTITUTIONS ARE SIMPLY THE WAY can the conflicts and dilemmas they face HUMAN BEINGS ORGANISE THEM­ be swept aside. But as Lesley Lynch points SELVES TO CARRY OUT VARIOUS out in “Bureaucratic Feminisms: Bossism TASKS WHETHER THEY’RE FEMINIST, and Beige Suits,” in Refractory Girl, ca­ STATE-RUN OR BUSINESS.” DP” HAS reers in the bureaucracy are not without their temptations. This well-educated, professional elite of “femocrats” attract T h i s view ignores distinctions between STS TO COMPETE high wages, prestige and the “potent al­ independently-funded, collective organi­ lure (or illusion) of power.” Sacrifice is sations such as Broadsheet or THAW not without its seductions! which attempt to cut across traditional 5 MARKET This is not an attempt to exhort either/or structures, and those that depend upon options of reform versus revolution or bureaucratic processes such as govern­ inside versus outside the system argu­ ment departments and universities. Al­ though the functions of state bureaucra­ BUREAUCRATIC STRUCTURES ARE ments, but nor are these concepts irrele­ NOT EXEMPT FROM FREE-MARKET vant to the 1980s. Rather, the problems cies, government, political parties and ECONOMICS. ROGERNOMICS AND these concepts pose have become much universities differ, essentially the distinc­ CORPORATISATION, WHERE THE BU­ more complex. In the words of one tions are illusory. All impose conflicting REAUCRACY AND PRIVATE ENTER­ woman, “We have to work within the and depersonalizing processes and rela­ PRISE HAVE MERGED INTO A CORPO­ system, because it won’t go away. That’s tionships on employees. They are hierar­ RATE MONOLITH, ARE TESTIMONY TO the reality.” Reform cannot be rejected chical and thrive upon the fragmentation THAT. “BUREAUCRATIC FEMINISM” out of hand, but its limitations must be and supervision of administrative tasks. HAS BECOME THE MAIN FOCUS FOR realized. To subvert structures of the Each has a “gatekeeping process,” - for FEMINIST STRUGGLE IN THE 1980S. Establishment, an analysis and alterna­ example government departments de­ YET IS MY AND OTHERS’ SUSPICION tives need to be formulated which move mand a certain level of education and AND HOSTILITY OF FEMINIST IN­ beyond reform. Feminism offered the universities impose a punishing process of VOLVEMENT IN INSTITUTIONS AND potential for “a qualitively different uni­ degrees, diplomas and doctorates. This is THE BUREAUCRACY JUSTIFIED? verse of discourse and action.” This needs followed by a selection process which to be remembered and re-thought. retains conformists and sifts out noncom- Herbert Marcuse in “Marxism and formists. feminism,” in Women s Studies, empha­ A comprehensive analysis of bureau­ re feminists really able to infiltrate sized that a “radical subversion of values cratic structures is beyond the scope of this and subvert the structures they can never be the mere by-product of new article, but the processes and relationships work within? What are the implications of A social institutions. It must have its roots in between employees within bureaucratic this shift for feminism as a potentially the men and women who build the new structures needs to be examined in order to radical force for social change? Can femi­ institutions.” Structural changes on their grasp the dilemmas and conflicts femi­ nists rely on “change” within structures own are insufficient. A “qualitatively dif­ nists face. This fragmentation of depart­ which have entrenched inequalities? ferent” consciousness is crucial (this will ments, sections, subsections, activities, Wouldn’t this simply justify further state be dicussed further in part two). responsibilities and so on, which consti­ domination and penetration of every tutes bureaucratic activity, divides and sphere of political, economic and social integrates work and the people who proc­ * life? For the purposes of this article feminist and ess work. For subordinates, who are on the feminism, bureaucracy and institution are While trying to clarify these issues, I lower levels of the hierarchy work respon­ have encountered resistance, defensive­ used as umbrella terms unless otherwise specified. Unacknowledged quotes are sibilities, duties and procedures are rigidly ness and even hostility - feminists work defined and performances monitored and their guts out, endure the enormity of those of the women I spoke to. Thanks to: Christine Bird, Ruth Butterworth, Tanya assessed. Supervision (or survelliance) is “White male power” to gain reforms for extensive and more effective as work is the benefit of all women, only to be ma­ Cumberland, Alison Jones, Anet Kate, Claire-Louise McCurdy, Judith Morgan, fragmented. Inevitably, supervision in­ Mandrika Rupa, Shaista Shameem, and creases distrust and suspicion amongst those who wished to remain anonymous. employees. In The Feminist Case Against ,CE WORKING WITHIN INSTITUTIONS.

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 13 “TARGETING THE TOP” IS IN DANGER OF BECOMING SYNONYMOUS WITH FEMINISM the Bureaucracy, Kathy Ferguson points ors - a crucial part of which is advance­ within institutions “means pre-emptive out that “...the vast, open, windowless ment through the hierarchy. Promotion, for strikes can be made at certain points within expanses of desks and files in the ‘clerical its material benefits (more money), pres­ the policy-making area. An individual factories’, while less dirty or dangerous tige and the illusion of authority binds cannot survive for a moment. You have to than the industrial plant, are similiarly subordinates to superiors. Both are locked have a support system.” Attaining consen­ characterized by the more direct and tan­ into the belief that their position and coop­ sus and equal representation within the gible forms of control, because when eve­ eration within the structure is crucial to its hierarchy involves manipulating and ma- ryone has each other under surveillance, maintenance. Claude Lefort in “What is noeurving support, targeting goals, under­ sociability decreases, silence being the bureaucracy?” in Telos points out that standing process and procedure, and “ca­ only form of protection.” through their identification with the goals ressing male egos.” To improve the condi­ Further up the hierarchy, control is less of the bureaucracy, employees make the tions of, and the positions for women, obtrusive and power more potent - both are bureaucracy. The bureaucracy becomes feminists are forced to negotiate and strate- embedded in the work process itself and in “necessary, sacred and irremovable.” gize within the limits set. The irony of relationships between employees. Status feminist criticism of the old boys network and authority are measured by responsibil­ FEMOCRATS is the necessity for feminists to network in ity and the number of employees super­ order to carry out effective action. So the vised. The rituals of procedures, the loyalty WHAT ATTRACTS FEMINISTS WITH A “system” is maintained and maintains it­ and trust which are an implicit part of being “RADICAL” POLITICAL AGENDA TO self. Bureaucratic structures attempt to a “professional” surpasses the need for WORK FOR “SOCIAL CHANGE” WITHIN function rationally, efficiently and impar­ supervision. Promotion demands confor­ BUREAUCRATIC STRUCTURES? tially yet this contradicts its hierarchy and mity through approval, compliance and fragmentation. It both struggles against loyalty. To conform it is essential to inter­ and thrives on contradictions. Challenges nalize the institution’s view of individuals O n e of the key distinctions between and criticism, whether internal or external and society. For example, a beneficiary feminists, says Lesley Lynch, “is how they simply fuel its struggle. (the “client”) must meet the Deparment of perceive the respective roles of the wider Despite the emphasis in this article on Social Welfare’s and its employees’ crite­ Women’s Movement and the bureaucracy feminist women who have manoeuvred ria of what constitutes an unemployed in effecting change.” Feminists who be­ through the hierarchy, the majority of person. lieve significant reform is dependent upon women in institutions remain marginal­ Selection into senior ranks also symbol­ bureaucratic activity are likely to place ized. They are “jammed into part-time, izes the privilege of access to knowledge, more importance on their own roles, low-paid, removable jobs”. The following the bribes (and corruption) of security, whereas others who are more skeptical is a list of public sector employment fig­ comfort, “professionalism,” high wages, place more emphasis on “radical activity” ures compiled by the State Services Com­ success, authority, career advancement outside of the “system”. mission, published in the Herald on 29 and the elitism of influence and invitations Feminists working within bureaucratic September 1986. Women make up 40 into informal networks - the old boys/girls structures include traditional career percent of public sector employees and 70 network. The seductions, constraints and women who have climbed (or crawled) percent were hired in the previous three conflicts of bureaucratic domination are their way through the hierarchy, developed years. a feminist consciousness and used their entangled with each other. Salary Women Men The rigid hierarchy of bureaucratic seniority to make challenges and influence $65,000 + 1 106 structures is also highly integrated. Subor­ policy to benefit women. Others have tar­ 60,000 - 64,999 2 110 dinates do not stand apart within the sys­ geted bureaucracies as part of a conscious 55,000 - 59,999 3 92 tem. They rely on their superiors for initia­ political strategy to instigate reforms. For­ 50,000 - 54,999 10 235 tives, to make decisions and to resolve mer “radicals” are using their political 45,000 - 49,999 29 390 difficulties. In turn superiors expect subor­ skills, experience and networks to filter 40,000 - 44,999 11 1489 dinates to solve the inevitable problems resources to community groups who are 20,000 - 24,999 8176 12113 and conflicts which arise in the implemen­ traditionally disregarded and to challenge tation of obscure policy initiatives. Despite sexist and racist practices within institu­ Women are obviously under-represented the division of labour both are caught in tions. Yet for any organisation, appoint­ in the higher levels - the numbers increase this mutual dependency. It is impossible ments are ultimately based on skills re­ at middle-management level. Yet if we for employees to denounce the system to quired for its function, so their feminist move out of the public service frame of which they are bound without denouncing aims are subordinated to their professional reference, women at middle-management their own function. roles. level have attained a higher level of income The status and wages of subordinates, After years of unpaid or underpaid than the majority of the population. such as typists, clerks, university tutors etc community work, some women have con­ The under-representation of women in are lower. They have little or no authority, sciously opted for the skills, access to re­ the higher levels of institutions is often no decisionmaking power or control over sources, security, comfort and high wages used as evidence for the need for affirma­ the nature of their work. They are depen­ of bureaucratic jobs. Few admit to the more tive action policies for women. This also dants bound and subordinated by a myraid seductive aspects: success, authority, ca­ includes the removal of devices which of rules and regulations. For example, in reer opportunities and status. There are of traditionally exclude women, such as the government departments a grade one course other motivations such as the con­ old boys network and the attitude that employee processes, a grade two or three straints of physical injury, the exhaustion women are incapable of being “bosses”. employee checks and a grade four ap­ and unpredictability of self-employment Yet, increasing the numbers of women in proves. Each process must conform to and economic survival. The recession of institutions will not transform these struc­ rules and procedures outlined in the Public the 1970s and breaking out of “heterosex­ tures - implicit within this view is the Service Manual. ual confinement” forced many feminists belief that women are “inherently” hu­ As participants, subordinates inevitably into the workforce and the marketplace. mane, democratic and sensitive. The tac­ identify with the aims, objectives and aspi­ Despite its elitism, the old girls network tics of corporate women underline the rations of the bureaucracy and their superi­ plays an important role. Networking absurdity of this belief. 14 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 main decisions in terms of policy, of S o f t O p t i o n s ? has worked very well for the powerhold- money and whether our particular niche in ers. There is no way they’re going to THREE WOMEN TALK ABOUT THE CON­ the public service exists at all, rests in the change. I doubt whether real change is FLICTS AND DILEMMAS THEY HAVE hands of a group of White middle class possible in bureaucracies. People feel FACED IN THEIR WORK AND THROUGH men - the cabinet ministers. Any decision CHALLENGES TO DEPARTMENTAL comfortable with hierarchies. They’re of theirs can get rid of us overnight. There POLICY AND PROCESSES. raised to. People actually get very insecure is the formal system of power, then there is when they start to break down. the informal network consisting of who I might have a grandiose view of my “The private sector was much more you know. The old boy network - the work but I do feel I’ve challenged the into profit motive, exploitation of people’s powerbrokers. I’ve seen them in operation. hierarchy and results have come out of that. labour, so the public sector was a soft To process initiatives you have to ac­ I believe if there were enough people in option for me. I found myself philosophi­ knowledge both channels but ultimately there doing that, slowly perhaps things cally and politically able to reconcile my the informal network counts. would start to break down. But institutions beliefs because I work in a section that Important policy which people in the and bureaucracies are innately conserva­ deals in alternatives. There is some discre­ community have spent hours of voluntary tive. Changes are within the limits set. But tionary power in our work. We have a pro­ work on, writing and submitting reports, they’re not always on their terms. I’ve active policy towards women. We con­ will at the last minute, at the last hurdle be always believed in subversive activities sider women to be socially disadvantaged traded off by the powerbrokers. Politics is and actually cutting across the way that and our work is targeted at the disadvan­ very much a horse-trading game. That to things operate. People I work with will taged. me, says something about the 1 imits for any probably respond differently to me be­ The issue of being a lesbian has been feminist. Schemes aimed at filtering re­ cause I’m so absolutely determined to difficult, within the institution and the sources into the community offer the great­ change those ways of operating. But as community (from ‘clients’). When anti­ est possibilities in terms of social change, soon as I go, who knows? Its very depend­ lesbian comments are bandied about it’s yet that is the policy plank which is always ent on the individuals involved. been difficult to decide when to make a traded off in the final round. When budgets Exerting power over other people is a stand and when to just think. ‘That’s an are limited it is the community schemes dilemma for me. I try to be as responsible ignorant comment. I’m going to ignore it. ’ which drop off the end. as I can. Deciding who should get re­ Working in an alternative area I assumed a My optimistic side says the work I do is sources in the community is very difficult. higher level of awareness of oppression, of justified. By filtering resources into the Decisions are based on the department’s lesbianism amongst my colleagues than community it enables those people to work criteria as interpreted by myself. I’m aware there is. The attitude held by some men and for social changes. My cynical side says I have prejudices and my background heterosexual women is that lesbianism is a it’s a tool of social control. It’s giving impacting on me so if I have any doubts its phobia. That attitude puts me in a dilemma. people some room to let off steam and important to consult others. Within the I ask myself ‘Do I want to work in an preventing their involvement in more radi­ department, I don ’ t like to have power over institution with such ignorance?’ It also cal work. Community groups develop an others who the hierarchy considers to be makes me think my challenges haven’t economic base but the trade off is that they beneath me. I try to let them know we’re made much impact, but nor have I gone in must conform to the definitions and dis­ equals. To me the hierarchy is arbitrary and there to champion lesbian rights. course of the institution. They’re no longer totally ridiculous. It will become a greater Through my work I see a lot of injustice, making radical protests. dilemma for me if I get a higher position. It a lot of misery, a lot of depression. I see a But at least some awareness of social saddens me to see people acting in a hier­ lot of things wrong with the system, which issues exists. Steps are being made in archical manner - looking up to me, giving includes racism, sexism and heterosexism. breaking down barriers between the com­ me status I shouldn’t have because of the I try to choose when to react but in practice munity and institutions. But it remains a job, the title. It’s an accident of fate which I’ve got so angry that I’ve had to say political process. The more powerful has given me the privilege to be in that something. Yet you can’t confront people people in the community get the resources. position.” too much - they turn off. It limits the The really disadvantaged miss out. Com­ amount of actual change you can do. munities are forced to be competitive - to UT, Change is a very slow process and requires fight for scarce resources. Thats the way i ve been working with a small a lot of commitment. The changes we want politics work - thats the way bureaucracies group involved with community studies. are not going to happen in our lifetime - work. The aim was to construct a model - a that’s very disillusioning. I have become a part of the process of section functioning according to a set of Women have got tired of struggling bureaucracy. I am a bureaucrat. The com­ principles - nonracist, nonsexist, support­ from the outside. A lot of us have rejected munity regards me as a bureaucrat and so ing community development. Persuading that as an effective option for change. I’m distrusted, and rightly so. I’d feel the members to spell out a philosophy was the Feminists want some rewards for their same way. I have loyalties, obligations and first hurdle. It was essential for clarity for labour. I’ve given a lot of my time volun­ duties to the department. I take them lightly group members, for those who teach and tarily to women’s causes. I don’t feel bitter but I can’t take them too lightly. I also have those who use the services. Constructing about that. However I withdrew from that an obligation to the taxpayer and the com­ and clarifying a philosophical position has position for a number of reasons. I no munity that I work effectively and respon­ been quite radical in terms of how the longer saw demonstrations, marches, vio­ sibly. We’re caught in the middle. We’re institution operates. Spinoffs are actually lent protests against the police as a viable the interface between bureaucracy and starting to happen. Other sections have tactic. It was a way of people letting off community. It has a limited life because the become aware of the issues, questioning steam without actually achieving any­ internal contradictions tear you in a lot of whether the resources they use to pass on thing. I’d been politically active for a long directions at once. I don’t want to get so information don’t reinforce racist and time and it was time for me to reconsider comfortable in any job that I won’t stand up sexist attitudes. what shape that was going to take. I felt the for my beliefs. To me that’s non-nego- Yet in terms of the entire institution our need to look outwards and see what was tiable. section is only a subsection with access to happening in the rest of the world - to get Our power is incredibly limited. I have minimal resources, of a larger section back into the mainstream. To move beyond no illusions about my ability to effect so­ which is one of so many departments. One the tiny hairline splits of dogma. My politi­ cial change and I have no illusions about of the possiblities is that the institution will cal activity had been reactive not pro-ac­ my ability to effect structural change in the use community studies as its credibility tive. department. There is no way we can even and will blithely go on doing what it’s My experience in institutions is that the impinge on that. We’re ants. The process always done. But, at least here was an

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 15 opportunity to set up a structure which you can work for change. Through restructuring there was major distributes minimal resources, and Some feminists believe that changing decentralisation from head office into rela­ changes the institution sufficiently to in­ the world means women being equally tively autonomous regions. One of the crease people’s access to it. represented in the power structures and rationalizations was to facilitate commu­ I haven’t said, ‘I have a set of aims for that that will imply a whole range of other nity involvement and to reduce processing this institution or department’ because at changes. In other words that those struc­ delays between head office and regions. one level I’ve perceived my position as tures will be different with women in them. The department began its restructuring essentially utterly powerless. Pushing That can’t happen because the numbers let process before new initiatives proposed by feminist ideas is not a priority for me, but in are so small and in general the women let a Maori perspectives committee could be providing services to people in the commu­ in are not feminists. The women who do introduced. It entrenched itself knowing nity and increasing their access. Although attempt to transform are rejected. Institu­ that change was about to be pushed on it. A I have made challenges on the use of sexist tions are structured to function in particular new management level was created of language, there is considerable resistance ways. Unless you perform those functions regional executive officers, with a from male staff. On an individual level you don’t last. There’s a certain amount of women’s advisory officer in each region there’s been no change in fundamental rope but you hang yourself in the end.” and two at head office. The women’s posi­ attitudes. Men remain very sexist, very tions were one grade below the regional power-orientated and unashamed. That’s “T executive officers. Maori advisory posi­ true of the majority in power structures. In A realised I had functioned as an “hono­ tions were removed. A cultural develop­ any area where men have the power to rary male” in the department for 20 years. ment unit was created later, at head office. function individually, then both antiracist I had a break, and during that time I became We believe the department had no inten­ and antisexist ideas have made very little a feminist committed to antiracism. In tak­ tion of changing in relation to the needs of impact. ing up a new position when I returned, I Maori people. Lipservice was paid to the It seems to me that if you’re trying to put emphasized to the department that I want­ recommendations of the Maori perspec­ feminism into practice then you are in­ ed to work on the issues of racism, sexism tives committee and the basic principles of volved in change at every level of reality. and involving the community in decision­ the Treaty of Waitangi were ignored. In general, that is too hard. Our lives are making. Although I am committed to em­ Often groups other than the White hier­ full of contradictions and that increases the powering women, my primary focus was archy are put into positions lacking power. difficulties for women in institutions. At to get the department to honour the prin­ An example of this in the restructuring was what level do you decide to place your ciples of the Treaty of Waitangi. That in­ the establishment of women’s positions at energy in terms of change and what do you volves sharing 50 percent of the depart­ an advisory level. Similiarly the cultural do about your survival in the meantime. If ment’s resources with Maori people to development unit allows the White hierar­ you know that one of the consequences of develop their own services, as and how chy to choose what advice, if any, they you taking a strong stand will result in them they want. My intention was to work for a take. spitting you out then what do you do? If limited period and then evaluate the effec­ In comparison to heterosexual women, you’re thrown out, you’re not making that tiveness. It’s important for front-line lesbians have been the most outspoken. It’s challenge either. Decisions have to be change agents to set out their goals, do a job taken me some time to feel totally strong made on what doesn’t matter and what we and get out. You can only work for a about standing up and saying “I’m a les­ are going to regard as the symbolic ges­ limited period before it actually becomes bian”. Involvement in the women’s advi­ tures. On another level what we’re up counter-productive. sory group forced me to bring up lesbian­ against is women’s right to be heard or be After going in totally on my own I’ve ism as an issue. The heterosexual women there at all. If you give up then you have come out with an amazing support group had difficulty coping. It created our great­ validated those who say women haven’t around me. Its not only important to have a est conflict. There have been no open chal­ got it. We are up against it in every possible support group both inside and outside, but lenges about my lesbianism in the depart­ way. its also important to have Maori people as ment. But when I left and asked for my I compromise all the time through all the part of your network. It was inappropriate personal papers, I discovered that my boss things I don’t say, all the opportunities I for us, as Pakehas, to be involved on a had stated that “my decline started when I haven’t taken. If I am in a situation then I major project without consulting Maori announced that I was a lesbian and got will make the challenge. But I do know that people. It is not possible for Pakehas them­ involved with known radicals”. I avoid situations or I don’t initiate situ­ selves to bring about structural change. A few years ago I was very hopeful of ations. Change comes out of where people What we’ve done is opened up the possi­ the possibility of change in bureaucratic are. People have a fit and then go away and bility for some Maori people to slip structures. But now I feel discouraged and think about what you’ve said. Two weeks through the cracks and take hold of some quite cynical. I’m glad I’ve done a dash in or four months later it’s coming from them. power. I see the oppressed people as the the bureaucracy, tested the walls, stretched It pisses you off when it’s males getting the only ones who will actually transform the the place and found out what the nature of kudos for your ideas. These processes take department. White male power really is. There have time. There isn’t any way that you can beat In the process of being out front I got been some positive changes in the process. people into submission. The change has well and truly isolated, labelled and vic­ We’ve opened the department for more got to come from them. The world we live timized. Because of seniority, when work­ Maori people, shared our salaries and in is an unjust, utterly unequal, hostile ing on group projects the hierarchy tried to shared information and resources with place for the vast majority of the popula­ isolate me from other group members. people in the community. tion. Whatever we do will be corrupted and They said things like, “It’s not becoming of Maybe it’s important for feminists to go distorted. You need to go into those a senior officer to be involved in this kind in with set goals and try it out with more situations knowing that, and being able to of work.” Technically, they couldn’t get knowledge about the nature of the beast survive that inevitable failure. rid of me. So, by “coincidence” my posi­ and with realistic expectations. Ideally, If you’re outside the system you can get tion was dis-established through restruc­ groups of people with group goals is more very sick of being powerless - of anxieties turing. The reality was that they didn’t effective, particularly when tackling a about money. You start to be restricted want me any longer. I'd done what I’d gone major project. But I ask myself whether politically because all your energy is going in to do. There wasn’t much point in hang­ any woman client or Maori client would into the basics of survival. Moving into an ing around. I never had any intention of experience any benefits of our work. The institution can feel like a nice rest from becoming a grey bureaucrat. Its been the changes have only been administrative and that. Powerlessness is intolerable and toughest job I’ve ever done. I felt very would happen anyway without us. Maori demoralizing. If you are in a position of vulnerable towards the end and the per­ women, Women of Colour and Pakeha influence you can justify it by believing sonal cost has been very high. women still have terrible experiences with 16 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 CONTINUED PAGE 36 Te Puawaitanga

After the powhiri at the Auckland opening, Matafetu dancing, with Lanu, Maefou and Soli of the Samoan Community Weaving Group, Grey Lynn.

Below: Maori kete at Auckland Society of Arts

Photos: Gil Hanly

TX e Puawaitanga is a national exhi­ bition of Maori and Pacific Island weaving created by weavers currently living and working in New Zealand. The work has been gathered together by the Aotearoa Moana-nui-a-kiwa Weavers Steering Committee for showing throughout New Zealand. It is the first time an exhibition of this type and size has been mounted and it toured widely, showing at art galleries and museums, supported by local weav­ the committee, its administration ers, both Maori and Pakeha, conducting and the weavers themselves have “He whiri harakeke, ka tatanga workshops or giving demonstrations at steaily progressed through to this He whiri tangata, manu tonu.” the various venues. first puawaitanga. This is an exhi­ Te Puawaitanga o nga whakaaro i whakatakotoria i Work on display was created using a bition of works produced in the Tokumaru i te tau 1983. Te kaupapa kia hui te variety of traditional and modem mater­ last three years and is an expres­ hunga raranga, whatu, whiri kia akongia nga mahi sion of the art of Maori and Pacific a o tatou tupuna kia kore ai e ngaro kia mau tonu ials: pandanus, coconut palm leaf, rito ai mo nga uri whakatupu o Aotearoa me nga (young coconut palm leaf), lace bark, Island weaving in New Zealand moutere o te Moana-nui-a kiwa. Koia nei ra te kiekie, harakeke (New Zealand flax), today. The installation makes an Puawaitanga o nga kakano i ruia i Tokomaru e muka (flax fibre), pingao, feathers, important addition to the Te Maori whakaatungia nei ke te Motu. shells, silk, wool, macrame thread and experience. The role and place of The blossoming of thoughts that were spoken at clay. women, in particular, is highlight­ Tokomaru in 1983. The purpose being that The exhibition opened at the Canter­ ed and welcomed. Following the weavers get together and share and teach the bury Museum, Christchurch in March, Te Amokura exhibition of Britain skills of our ancestors of Aotearoa and the Pacific and Europe, Te Puawaitanga at Islands so they will not be lost for coming gener­ showing concurrently with Te Maori - ations. The seeds that were sown at Tokomaru Te Hokinga Mai - The Return Home. home in Aotearoa provides an have now blossomed into this exhibition to be Its final venue was the Auckland Society opportunity for an intimate cele­ shown in Aotearoa. bration of the work of a group of of Arts, concurrently with Te Maori in Na Diggeress Te Kanawa Auckland. dedicated artists. Support and assistance from the Maori and South Pacific Ats Council and the Canterbury Museum made the exhibition possible. The works were selected by: Emily Schuster, Rotorua; Diggeress Te Kanawa, Te Kuiti; Te Aue Davis, Auckland; Matafetu Smith, Auckland; and Tepaeru Tereora, Welling­ ton. Exhibition directors were Cath Brown, Christchurch and Emily Schus­ ter, Rotorua and the curator was Tui Matira Ranapiri of Rotorua. Piri Sciascia, director of the Council of Maori and South Pacific Arts said, "Te Puawaitanga is an exhibition with a future, a bud opened, converted to a smile and a show of love of weaving. The Maori and Pacific Island weavers whose works are exhibited indeed live up to their aspirations. This pilot exhibit­ ion with over a hundred traditional and contemporary items, is testimony to the growing and blossoming streangth of the weavers group of artists. Since the inaugural hui at Tokomaru Bay in 1983

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 17 COURTING DISASTER

lives in one "They don't take for granted SUE of New Zea­ what we see as obvious - that the land's bigger cities with her professionals in any case where two children, Rachel and there is abuse, the counsellors Sam. Rachel is six now, Sam and counsel for the child, must two. Sue is separated from her be female. People who work in husband, Tony, a Pakeha the sexual abuse field assume, professional man and has rightly, that the abuser is male. been in court five times in So even if there's some degree of connection with custody and mistrust of women on the part of WHEELER ELETTE ILLUSTRATION: access arrangements. After the child, maybe because the they had separated Sue dis­ mother did not believe them the covered that Tony had been first time they told, it's still the sexually abusing Rachel and male that's the abuser. If you she was not prepared to allow give a child a male counsellor or unsupervised access. Tony de­ counsel that professional may nies that the abuse ever took know he isn't going to abuse place. them, but the child doesn't know I talked to many people that. Similarly, there is not al­ who deal with cases where ways (and this varies a lot from there is sexual abuse: counsel­ one court to another) a real ling coordinators, lawyers, commitment to culture- sexual abuse counsellors, psy­ matched counselling services". chologists. Some didn't feel they could be named. The A QUESTION OF PROOF: overall impression I got was PUTTING THE MOTHER that they all feel, to varying ON TRIAL degrees, that the system is becoming Sue described it like this: "When you are in more aware of sexual abuse and more Pat Rosier has been court as the mother of the abused child the believing when it occurs, but everyone investigating sexual tactics of the defence are to try and take the agreed that there is still a lot of room for focus of the case away from the abuse alto­ improvement. I talked with them all abuse, custody, access gether and focus on discrediting you. That about the issues that come up from Sue's means that it's really traumatic. And if your story. and the Family lawyer defends your credibility by taking Court system. up all these side issues like how you feed, Auckland lawyer, Linda Kaye, says, "The dress and clothe your children and clean Family Court system is so much better than your house - and presumably if someone it was ten years ago that we have to take women are disempowered in most rela­ was a lesbian they'd spend the whole week care that we're not so overwhelmed with tionships with men, and unless you redress on that - then he helps to keep the focus gratitude and relief that we're afraid to go that, you maintain it. The attitude of the away from the abuse. for more change in case the whole thing court is that you must have a 'balance'. We "So your lawyer has to focus on the collapses on us". She also says, "The level say that there is an imbalance to start with. abuse and let all the rest go past, which is of ignorance about sexual abuse is disturb­ In most cases the judges are male and they tacitly accepting that it's true, or collude in ing. As feminists, we take it for granted that also appoint male professionals. the focus being taken off the abuse. In the 18 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 Family Court the picture builds as they go, established and the psychologist's report so every time you go into court, every time suggested there be an assessment of the you let them get away with all the "batter­ The tactics of father. Counsel for the child suggested that ing" they're doing of the mother, the worse the mother be assessed as well. To main­ the picture looks. tain balance! This implicates the mother in "I had the judge say to me part way the defence are the abuse - in order to maintain what it sees through one of my times in court,' You hate as fairness the court ends up undermining men, don't you?' to take the focus the child and implicating the mother. I en­ "Another problem with trying to prove dorse what Sue says about allegations of something in court is that you can take the sexual abuse being categorised as a strat­ same set of facts and give completely dif­ away from the egy to get custody." ferent explanations for them. What I knew A psychologist made this comment yon to be Rachel's reaction to being sexually abuse and focus one judgement: "There was a strong impli­ abused, her very dependent and clinging cation that the mother was to blame. The behaviour, my husband's lawyer was out to Judge stated that the mother had gone to the prove was as a result of my being a neurotic on discrediting police with a complaint but did not men­ and overprotective mother. tion that a HELP counsellor had first iden­ "I've met women who screamed and the mother tified the existence of abuse in his sum­ carried on in court they got so enraged, and mary of facts. He rebuked or was critical of that was used against them! So, if you're all the mother in the judgement on at least five balm and quiet you're not believed because occasions but never of the father. The fa­ you're not upset enough, and if you make a case. There never is any evidence of sexual ther was cross-examined for less than an fuss then you're crazy and vindictive." abuse apart from the word of the child hour but the mother for one and a halfdays. Heather McDowell, psychologist with unless there is physical damage or infec­ The judge allowed adverse comments on the Department of Social Welfare, com­ tion. So why isn't the court admitting the the mother's housekeeping abilities, social ments that the mother is often seen as more child's evidence? It starts to feel like some affiliations, child rearing style, perfor­ and more "neurotic" as she gets anxious, sort of court paranoia, this refusal to be­ mance as a wife and then praised Counsel perceiving the lack of belief from the court, lieve that young children get sexually for their professional approach. No paral­ and tries to bring in detailed evidence in her abused by their fathers. What is being lel evidence relevant to the father's conduct desperation to convince the court that the protected? A man's right to see his child? was heard." abuse is occuring. The court, in seeing her Does he have any if he has been abusive? as part of the problem, is not going to A major purpose of the Family Court is COUNSELLING believe her and will become less credible supposed to be the protection of the child, of her sense of "proportion". yet many of the judges and lawyers work­ "When you're talking about which coun­ "When you accuse a man of sexual ing in it act as though it's primarily to sellors you're going to deal with," says abuse you're accusing him of a criminal protect fathers from false complaints - that Sue," there's this very weird attitude. When offence," says Linda Kaye. "So no matter just about never happen. The judge said in you actually say that you think the child is what the difference between the standards one case, "It's not the purpose of this court being abused you get this blank look and a of proof in the criminal and family courts to vindicate one side and condemn the long silence. The comments follow: 'Can judges' and lawyers' minds will be working other." Even if that means denying sexual you prove this?' or 'Have you got objective in the 'criminal groove'. If it isn't true it's abuse? evidence?' That carries through when you defamatory, if it's true it's a criminal of­ go into the court room. It’s as though it fence." doesn't exist somehow. By about my third Heather McDowell agrees that in some day in court it was only the fact that Rachel ways this puts the mother on trial - the court had been interviewed by a sexual abuse seeing it as the mother using a sexual abuse A encouraging development is the counsellor, and I had a transcript of that allegation to get custody, or the child as explorations and trials going on in some interview that stopped me thinking I must being used in the conflict between the par­ parts of the country (Hawkes Bay and, in its have imagined it. They make out that it was ents. Heather usually gets asked two ques­ very early stages, Auckland) with the use all a big mistake, the child just touched his tions soon after the issue of sexual abuse of video'd evidence. The child is inter­ penis when he got out of the shower or comes up: "Do you believe it happened?" viewed by a sexual abuse counsellor, the whatever. and "What's your evidence?" And often interview is video'd and the video used in "The system attacks the mother's belief there's a third one, "Is it possible the child court as evidence. Maybe the judges and in what the child has said. You also get the has been coached?" lawyers who at present discount transcripts feeling you are doing something really bad The lawyers and counsellors I spoke to of interviews will find this sort of evidence by making this accusation. Supportive consistently brought up the "bogey of the more compelling. What has to be done to statements from people like 'You're doing false complaint" that the courts seem terri­ convince them all that children rarely lie the right thing', are absolutely of prime fied of. And they consistently made state­ about sexual abuse? And that even if they importance." ments like that of Fred Seymour of have been coached (which also hardly ever One counselling co-ordinator thought Auckland's Leslie Centre: "I have never happens), there are many ways to detect it words like "conciliation" and "mediation" experienced anyone making a false com­ because coaching in a story, such as "He were the best to describe the role of coun­ plaint of sexual abuse. In fact, it is with made me ... and he ..." is like teaching a sellors. "If people want to avoid a court huge difficulty that mothers bring it up." young child a phrase in an unknown lan­ case they may have to shift their position", Lawyer Dale Green, who works a lot as guage, they can’t put it in any other way. So she said, but stressed that all parties are in­ counsel for the child said, "I have not if you ask them to demonstrate with dolls, formed that they have to right to go to court personally been involved in a case where or tell the story in different words they if they wish. The court appoints the coun­ allegations were made vindictively, to gain can't. sellor, who cannot be changed "at the support for a custody case." These state­ "There's an enormous amount of litera­ whim of one of the parties" but can be if the ments were echoed by everyone I spoke to. ture that says it's the mother's fault when a court decides there is good reason. The "A judicial finding that 'x' had commit­ child is sexually abused," says Linda Kaye, example given was it being discovered that ted acts of indecency upon his daughters "so we have to keep hammering away at the counsellor was a neighbor of one of the could be justified only by compelling ad- that one. I have been involved in a case parties. missable evidence," said the judge in one where the allegations of sexual abuse were A different co-ordinator at a court in BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 19 another centre had a different view. She ground'. I felt like shouting at them, 'Just saw no problem with changing counsellors how much abuse do you think is reason­ if either party wanted it, and felt that the “I have never able?"' judges in the court where she worked gen­ Su^'s experience was that "No-one in erally acted as if the allegations may be the court wants to admit that incest hap­ true. They usually ordered further psycho­ experienced pens, particularly when the child is really logical investigation. young, a pre-schooler. We might get a few "In cases where there is no abuse it anyone making men losing their 'rights'. I think it's a ques­ makes sense to have counsellingand try tion of not looking at the child's rights. and settle out of court", says Heather "I think what has got to happen is that McDowell, "but where there has been a false the focus has got to go much more back physical, sexual or emotional abuse of the onto the child. The children's lawyers have woman or a child it's a different ball game. complaint to be more firmly directed that if there's The mother is being responsible in not abuse then they have to deal with that issue compromising on unsupervised access. and protect the child. When I got very upset Counsellors are not always skilled in some of abuse” with Rachel's counsel and wanted to of the power games and dynamics that go change him I was told that I would fail and on." it would go against me if I asked for it." A counsellor can't appear in court or months between when I found out about the abuse and the first court case, and I was divulge anything they have been told in a ACCESS counselling session, including an admis­ still really in shock. I was having to deal sion of the abuse. At Auckland's Leslie with the fact that this man that I knew and This is what it's all about. The father wants Centre counsellors work in pairs and in had been close to had been sexually abus­ access to prove he didn't do it. The mother cases where there has been physical or ing our daughter, a pre-schooler. And here wants to do the best for the child, and will sexual abuse the parents do not have to be I was coping with this dreadful court case often accept access if she feels confident seen together, and often are not. Counsel­ and at the same time having to cope with about the supervision. lors can say that a case is not suitable for the kids. That was just appalling." In one Family Court judgement the mediation, either verbally to the couselling judge said the the child should have "a co-ordinator or in their written report - COUNSEL FOR THE CHILD normal relationship with both parents". which I gather acts as a sort of indirect How can this be established when one is an message. The court appoints a lawyer as counsel for abuser, and not admitting it? Another Linda Kaye has become ambivalent the child. Who has the responsibility to judge: "The best interests of the child lie in "about the trend in the courts towards rec­ actually do it varies. In Auckland Central them having access to the father." onciliation and doing everything by agree­ it's the deputy registrar, who works from a Linda Kaye expresses it rather differ­ ment, in spite of the fact that it seems so list and can consult the judge. On the North ently: "The court has the rather pious view obviously healthy and constructive as an Shore the Counselling Co-ordinators make that "access is the child's right". An abused approach. I had an enormous commitment the appointment. child will often say she loves the father and to it when I first started in family law. What A parent can apply to have the counsel wants (safe) contact. You have to bear in I think is happening now is trial by counsel­ changed but usually the court will express mind that children feel guilty, as though lor instead of trial by court. And counsel­ confidence in present counsel and decline. they brought the abuse, and all the often lors are less accountable than judges. Also, There is no requirement for lawyers doing terrible things that have happened since if counsellors deny the social conditions this work to have any training or education they reported it, on themselves and the that inform their work in the same way as in sexual abuse. Those who do, do it volun­ family. The men are often described as the courts subscribe to the notion of objec­ tarily. 'nice' men. This is exactly the point! They tivity and balance, then they will go on So it's a lucky dip whether your child are. Ordinary, nice men rape, beat their enforcing and reinforcing power imbal­ has a lawyer who believes that she was wives and abuse children. ances. abused. In abuse cases it should be a "My feeling is that it would be more "The major issues that are raised by this precondition that the lawyer believe the valuable for the child and the mother to trend are: who selects the counsellors; on child. (And for the reasons described have a legally and socially supported and what criteria, and what checks and controls above it should be a woman.) That lawyer enforced commitment to healing them and are there on the imposition of their points is the one person in court apart from the reconstructing the family so that it is safe of view; and, who monitors them? mother whose purpose for being there is to from abuse. I don't think there should be "In just the way that people used to say protect the child. "Rachel's counsel said any access at all. There may be a stage after lawyers have a vested interest in prolong­ that he was there to mediate between the the father has admitted the abuse and had ing disputes, now counsellors have an parents, which is ignoring the reality of the treatment when family meetings with a incentive to feel that people need their abuse. In every issue to do with the child professional are appropriate." continued assistance. The public has a they try and find this damned 'middle Many of the professionals share these right to be involved in these issues because ambivalent feelings. One line of thinking is our taxes are paying for court-appointed that if the child sees the father occasionally counselling. it prevents fantasies - either of the father as "Your dependence is reinforced when The system an ogre or the child driving him away - the court has control over where you go for from developing. A frequently-expressed counselling - they don't give you a list of dilemma accompanying this is the fear that five, with a policy statement from each attacks the the child may not feel believed if she is agency and say, 'make your choice', which expected to visit with the father, particu­ would at least be sharing power. There are mother’s belief larly if he has not admitted the abuse. cross-cultural implications, also, as differ­ Supervision of access presents all sorts ent cultures have very different ways of of practical problems. A safe and skilful child-rearing. The welfare of the child is in what the supervisor must believe that the abuse took often subsumed into an attempt to maintain place. And who wants to spend their week­ 'balance' and 'fairness'". child has said end time watching a man (who may well Sue also had her own emotional reac­ feel hostile about the arrangement) with his tions to deal with. "There was about six child? 20 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 Eileen Swann at the Leslie Centre feels "Rachel improved as soon as the abuse that children should not be forced into ac­ One Social Worker Says: stopped. She had been very 'clingy' and cess. She doesn't have faith that the family Over 2-3 years she saw 200-300 wanted to stay close to me all the time. I court will take a strong enough child pro­ children to asses whether they had thought she was just that sort of child at tection line and expressed concern that in been abuse by their father. In first, but now I realise that I was a safe awarding supervised access to some really 20-340 cases she did not establish place. She would sit under the table cling­ abusive fathers the court is not setting a re­ that abuse had occurred. In only ing to my leg. In court all this was por­ assessment date. So from the time super­ one case where abuse was trayed as my fault - 1 was an overprotective vised access is granted there is no check on and neurotic mother. She was up and down the effect of this on the child. established was access stopped by the court, and that was for other when supervised access was taking place. Leslie Centre staff feel it's important to She's very different now. Happier, bubbly, lay criminal charges as often as possible reasons. In most cases access was not supervised. she doesn't moan about everything. She because only then can we be confident that looks after herself better. the family court will take the abuse seri­ Sue still has to deal with the court's ously. They are, however, concerned about "She did want to see him. Her feelings attitudes on a day-to-day basis. "The police how evidence is collected from children about him were mixed, as they often are in visited Rachel's school and she came home and are currently working on the use of abuse cases. If the guy is white and middle and said 'Mummy, why didn't they put video interviews as a way of getting class and he's accused of sexual abuse then Daddy in jail for bad touching?' I didn't children's evidence into court with as little he has got a tremendous motive to go for want her to think that the judge didn’t impact as possible on the child. unsupervised access, because that will believe what had happened to her and the "What I was told when I went to the first 'prove' he's innocent. whole legal system is saying that. It's the lawyer I approached with the counsellor's "After the court case where the sexual same when a child has to go on an access evidence of the sexual abuse was to agree abuse came up Rachel's father didn't come visit that she's feeling nervous about. It's to supervised access," says Sue, "because near her for months. Then he said to me that pretty hard to explain to the child why she if I refused the court would not believe that if I didn't remove the supervision require­ has to go without having her feel that no- the abuse occurred. Refusing access would ment he would take it back to court. Be­ one believes that she was abused." prove that I was bringing this complaint up cause I've got a really good lawyer and just to try and stop the children seeing their because health professionals supported the RE-OFFENDING father. children in court, and I got some of my "So, I'm standing there with the whole power back, he didn't get supervision re­ Most fathers who sexually abuse their chil­ weight of the justice system gouging into moved. dren never get convicted. Their anonymity me saying, 'Allow access, co-operate, al­ "If they had taken supervision off I has to be maintained to protect the chil­ low it or we'll punish you!' And on the other wasn't going to cooperate. I was going to dren. And this means they are free to re­ side there's people who work in sexual defy the court. I was given legal advice that marry, have another family and start the abuse saying 'we're not sure what the effect it would probably mean that I would lose whole cycle again. There is plenty of evi­ of this will be, we don't know...' custody. Also by that stage Sam would also dence that men re-offend. You can't treat "Late in the piece I found out that he had be going on access visits, and I wasn't someone for a behaviour they don't admit threatened to kill her if she told, and I didn't going to send a child who wasn't even to unless they've been found guilty in the dare even bring that up, because the more talking properly off with an untreated child criminal court, so even known offenders you tell them what has happened the more molester. I have had three lawyers tell me can't be prevented from doing it again, par­ incredulous they get. They would see it as that if I defied the court access order I ticularly if they move to another city or me making wild accusations. risked losing custody. town. "Then they'll have a go at the profes­ "My husband has now stopped seeking No-one could offer any solution to this. sionals, the sexual abuse workers, they'll access. Miriam Saphira wasn't really serious when try and undermine them as experts. One "He has got a soft side, a nice, nurturing she suggested a brand mark on the fore­ woman who appeared for me was advised side. I thought that once the abuse had head, but it is a truly "something must be not to say anything negative about him or stopped and he accepted that he wasn't done" issue. Some research on offenders, anything positive about me so she could going to be allowed to abuse her, he might to establish what is going on in their keep her credibility. So no-one dares chal­ go on and relate to her as a father. But that minds? Compulsory treatment? But you lenge the negative rubbish that is thrown at didn't happen. I imagine that for some guys can't order compulsory treatment for the mother by the defence. The father's got it could be like that. When Rachel was someone who hasn't been convicted of rights and all the mother's got is wrongs! visiting him with really good supervision anything, and there is little known effec­ "One of the big things that I don't like she took a lot of power back, she would get tive treatment. Punishment certainly about the Family Court is that it's closed. quite stroppy with him. I think she realised doesn't work, even in the few cases when it This means that the people in charge - that the situation was safe for her, because happens. judges, lawyers - can exercise their preju­ of the supervision. So it's a challenge to the men who don't dices or preferences in any way they like abuse, who have some awareness of the and it's all hidden from the public gaze and issues, to really get to work on this one, as that's dangerous. The judges decide which a few are. The courts must be changed, in witnesses are credible and this gives them It’s lucky dip whatever ways necessary, to provide pro­ great power. tection for the child and the mother. "It is said that you can take a friend to whether your We need to question our child-rearing court if you want to but I wanted to do that practices, too. It's still very common in twice and was advised not to because it Pakeha families for the authority of Dad to would look bad for me. child has a be paramount, and for there to be real pro­ "I felt okay about trying supervised ac­ hibitions on children challenging this au­ cess provided it was supervised absolutely, lawyer who thority in any context. So it's not surprising which meant that someone was to be there that children do not openly resist or tell all the time, she was never to be left on her easily. If we believe that families should be own with Tony. I was told that I had to be believes she safe places for all children we have to teach reasonable about supervision, to which I them the behaviours to keep themselves said that if it isn’t done like that then I don't was abused safe regardless of the threat that may be to want it. present practices and values. □ BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 21 Lesbians • Internationally Lost year at the confer­ ence of the International Lesbian and Gay Associ­ ation (ILGA) in Cologne, Miriam Saphira was made joint Secretary-General of the organisation. This year; she and Paula Wallis were the two (self-fund­ ed) New Zealand repre­ sentatives at ILGA's con­ ference in Copenhagen. Miriam talks about the association, its confer­ ence and visits to lesbian groups in Europe.

T h e aims of ILGA are to provide sup­ port all around the world for gay groups, to network, to provide information and to assist in helping all countries get fair leg­ islation for gays. All ILGA money comes HANLY GIL PHOTO: from member groups - last year's confer­ ence was called "gays in crisis", but the crisis was this year, because we had no funds, the coffers were empty. frequently tell the people that they must in my place. I counted votes during the The various secretariats of ILGA tend not discriminate against homosexuals and plenary sessions and took minutes. That's to be funded, at least in part, by the mem­ lesbians. very tedious because you have to type ber organisations that the people in them Also, for the first time there were two them up afterwards, but they had a very belong to. For example, there is a women's lesbians from Yugoslavia there. Paula and good secretarial room with seven electric secretariat and the woman who does most I are are very keen to set up a group in New typewriters and two photocopy machines. of the work belongs to a group called 7152, Zealand to "twin" with a lesbian group in The conference was in a youth hostel. in Holland, which assists her. ILGA had Yugoslavia. Any lesbians out there with a The warden decided to take his holidays hoped to contribute to my air fare, particu­ Yugoslav background - or anyone who's and leave his second - who is gay - in larly as I went early to go to London to take just interested, please contact me. The charge. We didn't hear any complaints part in the meeting of the secretariats be­ Yugoslavian group read English, although about delegates wearing pro-gay badges fore the conference, but when the books not all of them speak it. around the hostel. We always have two were done it was clear that there was There were about 80 at the conference, whole mornings spent on what are called absolutely no money to do that. 20 women and 60 men. Last year there actions and projects and information The Association was formed in 1978 in were over 100 attending, but more from pools, that's where a lot of ILGA work is Coventry, and called the International Gay the host country. done. Providing information - for instance Association (IGA). L for Lesbians was The theme of this year's conference was about gays in the military and the Asian added just last year. It was very slow to "gays into the nineties". We followed on information pool. Both this year and last pick up the word because the lesbians from workshops that were held last year. there were two Japanese men but no couldn't agree on what word to use. Many At the education workshop we looked at women from Japan. favoured gay women over lesbian. curriculum for school pupils about homo­ The women came from Europe: Hol­ At the conference this year were more sexuality and also discrimination against land, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Yugo­ people from Latin America, and it's the gay teachers. Up till now most education slavia; New Zealand of course, and Can­ first time we've had someone (a man) from workshops have looked at networking of ada. Some of the member groups are male Poland - a group from Vienna translates gay teachers around the world. The mem­ only although there is an ILGA recom­ books and articles into Polish. Homosexu­ ber group of ILGA with the greatest mendation to all member groups that if ality has never been illegal in Poland but number of members is actually a teachers they are a mixed organisation and they it's always had strong social sanctions union in the Netherlands (ABOP) and they have money to send only one delegate, against it. The situation is the same in East send at least two funded delegates to each then it should be a lesbian. I think that Germany, where laws against homosexu­ conference. sometimes falls on deaf ears, which means ality were changed before West Ger­ As joint secretary-general of ILGA my that lesbians must network with each other many’s but it has been difficult to gather in role at the conference should have been to and develop a stronger voice. When it was gay groups unless it is state or church chair various sessions and meetings, but I the International Gay Asociation there organised. While this is still the case, in the actually had bronchitis and very little wasn't a lot of lesbian input. It built up in last couple of years state-run newspapers voice, so Paula went on the chairing pool the early eighties, and then with several

22 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 paedophile groups belonging, the lesbians a closer look at those that involve age of young people over there are questioning left. consent. everything political, they do not want Now there seems to be a bigger lesbian I think a lot of us are not opposed to men another national socialist uprising, al­ presence again. The lesbians chairing who recognise that they are attracted to though some of those attitudes are very were very dynamic, and all the men were youngsters, that recognition I think is re­ strong, and not only in Germany. amazed! The Canadian women raised the ally honest, but I am opposed to inter- The TV interviewer who talked to issue of disablement, which ILGA had generational sex unless the younger per­ people on the street during the Cologne never looked at before. Whereas most son is over 16, or even older where there is gay pride march found Mr and Mrs Ger­ lesbian groups I spoke to had done quite a a 15 year or more age difference. It was many - or certainly Mr Germany - saying bit to make their facilities accessible, the interesting that the paedophiles I talked to "Hitler knew what to do with them", and men still hadn't heard about it. The hostel had a real hang-up on masturbation - they that went on German television. Politi­ was marvellous in its facilities for disabled didn't seem very comfortable with the idea cally it was very timely because the gov­ people, yet they hadn't advertised it as of children learning to masturbate for ernment was considering paying compen­ such. They just lacked the awareness. We themselves and getting into their own sation to homosexuals who were incarcer­ did get it dealt with as an issue at this sexuality, there always seemed to be an ated during the war. A lesbian from Berlin, conference and member organisations idea lurking somewhere in the back­ lisa Kokola. author of several books about will be asked what sort of facilities they ground that some adult should get in there lesbians, presented the information on provide for gays and lesbians who are and teach them behalf of the gay movement of Germany to disabled. They like to quote one or two cases of the government at Bonn. This year we sent a far larger group of young people - usually from about 12 - There's a lot of insecurity in Europe, protest letters than ever before, because who have had sex with older people and with all the missile bases around, and they we had information from countries we later say that it helped rather than hindered have a right to be insecure. I noticed on this hadn't heard from before. For example we them. I think there are one or two children trip that people were much more interested protested to the Peruvian government who have selected an adult they wish to in New Zealand and our anti-nuclear pol­ about the raid on a lesbian meeting with relate to sexually and go to it with seem­ icy. They kept saying "And you haven't the women being beaten in front of the TV ingly no ill effects. But that's the young got nuclear power!" They thought that our cameras and the message going out that person seeking out, not the adult, that stand was because of warships and war, lesbians were criminals and would be might be the difference. Maybe we stul­ but since Chernobyl they have found it treated as such. These women were held tify the sex of a few teenagers for the admirable that we don't have nuclear by the police, not given any documents protection of the majority, and maybe power stations either. They are really and released ten minutes before the one that's how it has to be. aware now of the standard of living nu­ o'clock curfew. Once the curfew starts While I was in Europe I visited lesbian clear power gives on one hand and the you can be shot for being in the streets, so groups. In the Arctic Circle, I went to a threat it is on the other. they could only go to the closest possible lesbian party with all the out lesbians in the Lesbians were really concerned about place for shelter. That's only one example town of Trompso - all ten of them. We met the environment. Yet it interested me that of the sort of thing we protested about. We in a restaurant, where they have a table while they had this concern so many of wrote lots of letters about anti-gay AIDS each Friday night. Then we went dancing them smoke like chimneys. During the legislation - Bavaria, for instance, a prov­ at the seaman's club, which is quite tradi­ festival dance I found it tremendously ince of Germany, has passed a law that no- tional, lesbians often mix with seamen, difficult to stay in the room because of the one may enter unless they are proven anti­ and Norway has a strong sea-going tradi­ smoky atmosphere. body negative, but they can't possibly tion. Apart from the bar staff and two Later I went to a women's travelling police this because they don't have young women all the patrons were seamen house in the country -and noticed that a boundaries. or our lesbian group. They just watched us number of the women there were sprout­ I saw this wonderful cartoon on some­ dance, there were no hassles or anything ing wheat on the one hand and smoking one else's magazine in a German train. It (Norway does have laws about not dis­ cigarettes on the other! And coughing. showed the Bavarian border and a border criminating against homosexuals). It was noticeable all over Europe and at patrol and a man in a stopped car, leaning Then we went on to one of the women's the ILGA conference that there was a out a window blowing up a condom! houses and continued partying, very much concern to keep a "balance" regarding Paedophile groups who are members of into the small hours. They were making AIDS. People don't want it to become the ILGA have been a bone of contention with the most of the long daylight hours they only gay issue. Switzerland has the highest lesbians for a long time. It comes up every have in summer. incidence of AIDS of any European coun­ year. This year there were many men who I went from here to Hamburg, where try. The Swiss government very quickly were horrified at paedophile literature that they were having a lesbian festival. I at­ got off the ground with free condoms and was passed around. One delegate de­ tended a few workshops but my listening information to every household in the scribed a particular magazine as of "high German is not good enough for the finer country. They are a highly organised soci­ moral standard" which led to an enormous points of political arguments! They have a ety. I think they were surprised that they debate about what that actually meant! All lesbian ring throughout Germany, and put have such a high number of cases, but the women bar one and the majority of the out a poster with telephone contacts all Switzerland is a crossroads with a lot of younger men were saying that the maga­ over the country. The festival was an travellers passing through. zine was not of a "high moral standard". It opportunity for everyone from the lesbian The figures are fairly high in Italy and had scientific articles and "this is how I am ring to get together. I talked there - in they seem to be registered as drug addicts. as a paedophile" articles, and then photos English - about ILGA. There was an inter­ But I cannot understand why 70% of AIDS that were not connected with either, pho­ esting play produced. It was a very dra­ cases are drug addicts in Italy when it's tos of young children, or even babies, matic presentation about two women who never that high in other countries. I won­ masturbating. This would be quite all right met in Austria in 1944. There was the der whether it is because it's better socially if the article was about children mastur­ beginnings of a relationship, along with to be a drug addict than a homosexual in bating, but in the context some of the the barbed wire, the sirens. Having to Italy. The numbers of cases seem to be photographs were pornographic in that move broke the possibility of a relation­ quite low in Spain, Norway and Sweden. they were posed. They were for the titilla- ship and each was left wondering what The exciting news I brought back from tion of adults, not children's natural behav­ was happening to the other woman. It was Europe was that next year the ILGA con­ iour. One of the things that came out was very powerful. There's a lot of interest in ference will be in Auckland. No details that some of us feel that we would like to the war now, which seems to have been have been settled yet. □ go back through past resolutions and have stimulated by the rise of neo-nazism. The I Pat Rosier BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 23 PROTECTING THE COROMANDEL

What is your committment to anti- mining on the peninsula? Marje Mining is a short term money­ making industry that destroys long­ term natural resources. It would des­ troy my quality of life, which would Early October 1986, Coromandel Peninsula residents be under-mined by heavy industry. escorted a drilling rig and its entourage from the The people in rural areas are slowly Whangapoua Forest off the Coromandel Peninsula. building a longer term economy than Late November '86, again in the Whangapoua the mining industry has to offer. The Forest, another rig was occupied by Coromandel law is written to line the pockets of the rich and not to assist poorer Peninsula residents. The occupants were violently people. There is nothing in mining hauled off by the police and arrested. The govern­ that goes into perpetuity whereas ment called for a round table discussion between farming, fishing, arts and crafts cope the mining company and the peninsula anti-miners. with the changes in the general During the time of these talks the rigs went in freely, economy, as dairy can change to meat or goats. as the anti-miners had agreed to take no action. My commitment to the anti­ Agreements were reached at these talks but soon mining is a commitment to larger after, the Mineral Exploration Association pulled out social change - more power to the of them. people. The people who hold power are influenced by what is going to bring instant dollars and these aren't Julie Sargisson spoke to five women who were all necessarily wise moves. There are lots part of the blockades. They live in the bush, by the of people who say other things and sea and in the valley around Colville, mostly in their voices don’t get heard. Often simple living conditions with their children. those people don't have the money to fight legal battles. They are powerless on two counts - they don’t have the Photos J ude F rancis finance and the law is biased against them. Chrise The land here has been so ravaged already. The land is where we humans ground ourselves and without that what have we got left?

24 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 Catherine It's definitely a wider global struggle between the wealthy ----- THE STATEMENT ----- and the poor and a conflict between people with vision and people whose On 15 October 1986, the block- view of the world is spiritually bank­ aders in the Whangapoua rupt. Communities have the right to Forest made this statement: self-determination. I don't think I'm an environmental purist - the reason I'm "We, the residents and support­ fighting the mining is because I'm ers of Whangapoua, are oppos­ ed to the mining in this forest. We here on this land. If I'd lived in town I recognise that although this is suspect I'd be working on housing, only prospecting, nearly every women's or employment issues. prospecting licence has lead to The connection with women's a proposal to mine. issues is the ability of human beings The current mining act over­ to define their own lives, which is rides our rights as landowners something women have to struggle and residents. Should this com­ with. That's what we're struggling pany decide to mine there is nothing that the community can with here. do to legally stop them. I got involved in this when they were going to mine Moehau because This is a multi-national company the mountain has this presence in my who have more rights than any life, it gives me energy to see it, I feel of the people here. at peace when I see it. My energy to fight this issue comes directly from M ining is a short We feel that under the current the land. For example at Whangapoua law our best chance of protect­ term money making ing our homes is to stop them a lot of us were very aware of now. Motukere - Castle Rock - Island in industry that We, the residents of Whanga­ the Clouds. It is also called the destroys long term poua, Kouatunu, Whitianga, Sleeping Giant. This really ancient Coromandel, Colville and rock loomed over us and to me it felt resources Thames Coast object to the like we were fighting for something presence of this company on as the deep as the rights of that rock life - ruins projects that take several the Coromandel Peninsula and to be there undisturbed. days. Exhausting. Heaps of organis­ we want assurance that they will When I get really involved in the leave the peninsula today, and ation. Like dealing with a relative that they understand that if they political side of it as the Watchdog being taken to hospital. return, they will encounter the coordinator and try to find my energy Chrise I should have taken that same resistance. from meetings and political state­ shower. My car stayed where it was ments, I find it actually makes me feel for three days. I was glad to be at When the current government ill because it's not enough. I was school to say goodbye to my kids. was in opposition, they backed totally burned out for about six Catherine It was 5 am when I got the Coromandel's call for a weeks. I feel like the land can nourish the phone call and I felt this sort of moratorium on licences. in a way that political theory never As the government, the Prime sick feeling. In one situation I had to Minister promised that the mining can. So to keep it going I have to organise what I was actually going to law would be reformed and in cherish that part of my life that's do with two children and a bottle-fed place by 1986. meditative and in touch with the land. lamb. Monica I look at the mining as Monica I wanted to be there and real­ Because of the delay in the law being part of the destruction of the ised I couldn't. I had two pre-school reform, we are calling for an whole planet - other people's drinking children and there were no baby­ immediate freeze on all mining water, destroying the ecology of the sitters. I decided to stay home prepar­ activities. Otherwise we have no place. If you live close to a mine you choice but to continue our direct ing myself to have fifteen kids - I had action. live in a poisoned environment. about nine. I had no telephone then so Places with a Maori history should I felt isolated and scared about what be respected. I don't believe that they could happen. our names. should dig in hills that are burial How did you organise yourself and Ruth I was gone in 20 minutes. I sites. I think that burial places and pa your children so you could go? remembered that we needed something sites should be left alone. Marje One person had already elected to drink. Bare essentials, fast. It's a Ruth Mining will irrevocably to stay and look after the children. I long way to get there from Colville. damage the land and sea. That’s my had to ring the school. I had a check What does it mean to you to be bottom line. Nothing's worth doing if list of things to take. I had to run labelled a radical, a terrorist - one of it's permanently destructive to the land home and get those and jump in the those women? Having your photo in we stand on. I can't understand car and collect as many people as I the newspaper? politicians giving away something could on the way. If anything was Marje It's a bit of a joke being called essential for short-term gain. There's forgotten it was too bad. a terrorist - more like an annoying no changing it back if you find out Chrise The children could go from itch than a terrorist, which means it's no good. It's too late. school to their father. All the stuff someone threatening life. We were What was your reaction when you that was needed to go was in the bush, just stopping equipment being landed first got the message to go on the like a change of clothes, binoculars, on a piece of dirt plus having the full blockade? cameras and so on. I didn’t have it weight of the state against us. Marje Despair. I didn't want to go with me. Grabbed fruit, rescue Chrise An empowering feeling grew and do that. It totally disrupts your remedy, juice from the store and left throughout the time spent at Whanga-

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 25 poua. It started with the first blockade you from the police, the riggers, the and continued with each experience. It contractors - as a woman? was a very strong statement to send Marje I think I got treated more this rig right off the peninsula down gently. I had my hair pulled but it was seventy kilometres of coast road. Even let go of quickly. It felt like a reaction those who had not been directly of irritation and frustration than really involved raised their hands to support vindictive. what they were seeing. It was a long Chrise It was my experience that we line of cars - a procession. were one huge body until the rig Catherine It was frighteninmg at the pulled up and stopped at the top of the start of the first blockade. There were Kerita (while it was being escorted off only twenty people there and the the peninsula) to retaliate against the helicopter was trying to land. I film crew. As the rigger returned to remember grabbing hold of Pat and his truck, he turned around and pointed Jean and we just sat there and held at us two women and yelled: "If that onto each other while the helicopter fucking bitch gets in the way, run 'em hovered over us. off the edge". We were the first car. I got incredibly tired because I We were between the drilling rig and couldn't eat or sleep and I was actually the cop. I realised how much the fact working flat out the whole time that we were women in a challenging organising press, discussing object­ position threatened him. ives, keeping an eye on my daughter - Catherine When the local police being an organiser. suggested that if we were going to In the second blockade, when we stay the night in the forest we needed were being batoned and thrown off the strong men to protect us from vigi­ rig, I just shouted out to everyone to lantes, we burst into derisive laughter be peaceful, not to fight back and I 11 wasn 't that radical as we realised the gap between his felt really calm and quite inspired by perception of us as women and our the non-violence people maintained. or outside the norm own. Afterwards when I was totally exhaust­ but in fact you're I also had this fight with the head ed I just had to keep working because forest ranger who tried the ultimate there were lawyers to talk to, press treated like you're put-down by saying: "Cathy, you're statements to write - non-stop for the an absolute idiot getting really hard". next three days. When I got arrested and was being Ruth In the second blockade at how the network functions as a processed by the policeman who had Whangapoua I was in the base-house. whole. Whatever your contribution is earlier been hurling me off the rig, he I felt good about that because it freed a it's all part of a whole. wrote down my physical details and local woman to go up to the confron­ Catherine On the second blockade it looked at the colour of my eyes and tation. I answered the telephone and was much easier because I didn't have said: "Oh they're blue" and did this directed people up the site and told to take care of my child. Afterwards I flirtatious little wriggle. It was just them what to expect. realised we had this incredible support bizzarre. The worst time for me was when a through people organising lawyers, Ruth In the first blockade, I spoke to young guy came down from the site transport, food just appeared, blankets the rigger, who was really hostile. I on his motorbike, his ear all bleeding. for a hundred people just came from went and offered him a biscuit and He was very upset, saying "they're the local community. A hundred took a very sympathetic line about his battoning them up there". He’d been telegrams got sent that day by an job. I said I felt very sorry for him but dragged off the rig. We got all this Auckland group of ex-Coromandelites. that if his job was saved, others' jobs news of people being hit on the CB. I felt absolutely supported by my and lives would be damaged/threaten- It sounded really nasty and I didn't local community. I feel that people ed. I expressed a lot of sympathy. He know if it would get worse. I was still looking after the kids at home are a was very upset and obviously going sending people up there. I felt like I vital key to being able to blockade. to cry and bolted for the bus. A lot of was sending them out to be shot. It Ruth I knew if it had gone on his anger came from stress. He'd rather was really horrible. somebody would have immediately express it in violence. He was saying Chrise, you took a very strong worked for me because it was for the they're all hippies or not a proper leadership role on both blockades - anti-mining. woman or something - if he could could you comment on that? Monica, what was it like for you latch onto prejudice he could fuel his Chrise I think the mining companies being in the bush with all these kids? anger. I went over in the proper under-estimate us. At any time any Monica I felt sorry for myself. I woman role and he was left looking at one of us can step into a position would rather have been on the his stress and couldn't deal with it. He required because of what drives us. It's blockade. Here I am a solo mother. wanted to bust a few heads. I wanted like the power of what we protect that But then I realised it was important to make it difficult for him to see us gives us our strength. not to feel sorry for myself because I all the same - as wasters, not "real" While you were there, what did it was doing an important action too, women. mean to have a back up community at giving all those women a chance to What was the arrest like? home , childcare, animal care etc. have their say. And in the end I felt Marje It was very mickey mouse. A Chrise It allowed me to be complete­ really proud of myself. The kids were bit of a joke. The police tried to give ly present with the situation - to let a bit worried because they didn't know us the idea that we would be taken to go and be there. I arrived without any­ what was going on and when their Hamilton instead of Coromandel. thing to sleep in or food and yet Mums and Dads were coming back. They weren't taking us as seriously as everything was catered for and that's Was there any particular response to they pretended to - it makes me feel

26 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 even more who's side they're on. Blakely's seeming concern and integ­ people together in some kind of Catherine Getting arrested was rity with environmental issues that he group. ^ nothing at the time. It was very low should have the chance of trying to Catherine I have to face the fact that key compared to the previous twelve resolve this one. I was present at the this last seven years is just the hours. I've never been arrested before meeting held between those involved beginning. The other day I read about so it was good to get it out of the way in the round table discussions - forest­ this woman who's working with and realise that it was another part of ry, Watchdog, Federated Farmers, and AIDS and she said that if she spent life. the concerned public. Through that her time hating AIDS and its impact What were your feelings when the meeting I became aware of the lack of on people, she lost a lot of energy. information came through that people commitment from those representing Somehow I have to welcome the were being batoned by the police? the mining section. For me they were opportunities for social and spiritual Chrise I was horrified at how vola­ just using the situation as a tactical growth that this issue creates. tile the police behaviour was. It was manouvre. I felt "fuck them - onwards At the blockades and during the explosive. I felt compassion for these and upwards". I don't think any of our door to door survey about the mining ordinary residents, just like myself, previous action was wasted - it was issue, which I was part of, people of being subjected to such outrageous­ all an incredibly inspiring experience all ages and races articulated spiritual ness. There was enormous importance as are all experiences when "ordinary reasons for protecting the Coroman­ in exposing this situation instantly to people" stand up to be counted for del. the outside. what they believe. Was it difficult to get your home Monica It's different in Sweden Catherine I was part of the round scene and your life back together again because politicians have to come and table and part of the decision that we after the blockades? police can't act without the poli­ would talk. We asked people not to Catherine Yes, that's why I got ticians' say. The police are not allow­ take action while the talks were on. sick. I just couldn't balance my home ed to act violently when it is a non­ What we gained from the talks was commitments and political commit­ violent demonstration. In Europe the some level of credibility with the ments. I lost my sense of humour and police acting violently as they did government for what it's worth. But learned the hard way that the other would not have been accepted. I didn't we were glad when the Mineral Explor­ dimensions to my life must be given know the police could come and bash ation Association pulled out of the time and space too. you up and carry you away in a non­ agreement made at the talks because Do you think women have a specific violent demonstration and have the we realised the Blakely agreement role to play? law on their side. alone could not save the Coromandel. Chrise It has been my experience in How did it feel after your release from I still feel the whole blockade scene each situation to date that the women police custody? was really worthwhile because we're have been vital to the grounding of a Marje Anti-climax and frustration fighting a media battle and we also potentially dangerous situation. I don't that it all had taken so much effort and have to be realistic about our resour­ see any alternative to being committed energy to achieve what amounted to ces in maintaining blockades. We to social change. There was a very harassment. The enormous unfairness learn a lot at each blockade about our strong feeling of people-power of the system. It made me think about human resources and we have to see coming from men and women alike. issues in other countries - the bravery the struggle in the very long term. Monica Women are playing a of the people who fight even bigger Not to lose heart if we can't stop specific role.We are the ones giving battles. People in South Africa who every single drilling rig from coming birth to the next generation and we are have that enormous power to face and in. worried about the mining issue in a the incredible violence involved in Ruth I thought it was just like the very natural way because of this. We making a stand on any issue. It tactics the police used. It made me feel don't have to sit down to think about almost seems like you need a different the government and the police were it - it's in us. I have seen through all kind of guts to be that side of the law. out to further the interest of the the non-violent demonstrating I've It's an enormous moral conviction. It mining companies on the peninsula. done, there's always more women. seems to be very different from what They weren't genuinely setting up Marje I think the women see the non­ it takes to be a politician or local talks - the mining companies were violent action thing in much more councillor. just getting the chance to do what detail. Traditional women's roles re­ It didn't feel to me that it was that they wanted to do. quire more horizontal thinking when radical or outside the norm but in fact What are the long term effects of the you're taking a panoramic view, when you're treated like you're an absolute mining and fighting the mining on there’s lots and lots of factors influenc­ extremist. We’ve hardly made any the peninsula to you who have made ing a situation and they're of equal waves in the law reform or national your home there? importance. There's a lot of female consciousness raising at this point. Marje It's a bit of a dilemma. It's leadership there - women seem to There’s no kicks in it - it's just a almost whatever I do to earn a living I have a particular faith in the effective­ chore if you feel that mining's have to incorporate time to support ness of non-violent action. destructive. All channels are constant­ the anti-mining. It's becoming really Ruth It struck me how many women ly tried. It's all wearisome and destruct­ depressing. If I’m going to enjoy the were there - they were by no means a ive and unsatisfying and the nature of life-style I've chosen and become self- minority. I have real admiration for all the industry that exerts that kind of employed, the amount of time required the women there and all the good influence. to be even remotely supportive to the things they did. Men did good things So when they — the company and anti-mining lobby is a lot in terms of too. Watchdog (anti-miners) - then had a financial loss. I feel that sort of time I think the whole mining thing round table meeting (Blakely talks) at could be spent much more would be nowhere without women's Thames during which time we could constructively in, for example, perspective. I think women keep a not block the rigs - how did that working in voluntary organisations grip on the essential. They remember make you feel? that do good things for people. what it's really about - keep it more Chrise I do believe because of Roger At best it can be seen as drawing grounded. □

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 27 O N THE SHELF

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BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 29 Unwinding the Kimono

Some revealing information . about Japanese Lesbians, based on an interview with Minako Hara by Katie Noad ILLUSTRATION: KATE MILLINGTON ILLUSTRATION:

fifteen years ago As the group increased in size, by is part of a nakodo’s role. The group, a small lesbian group started when a word of mouth, the discussions de­ “Wakakusa”, which means young Japanese Lesbian put an ad in a creased, evolving into a dating group grass, was by this time reasonably weekly women’s magazine in Tokyo. with the older lesbian who had placed large, around 200, and as there was It said that there was a place for the ad becoming a “nakodo”, a go- no real theme or aim to hold it to­ women who want to meet women. between or match maker. She had gether it finaly dissolved. A handful of The ad ran a few times and was then had no experience with “omiai” which lesbians involved in Wakakusa are banned by the magazine because up until recently was a very strong in­ now members of the lesbian group they felt it was “against the decency stitution in Japan. For heterosexuals Regumi Studio Tokyo, (see box). The code”. Even so, just the few times the omiai is a meeting or interview ar­ need to end their and other Japanese ad was printed was enough to start a ranged by a nakodo, especially at pa­ lesbians’ isolation meant that they group of women meeting at some­ rents’ instigation, with a view to mar­ could not just fade back into the one’s apartment or house to discuss riage to a selected partner. For les­ woodwork. issues relating to their lives as les­ bians in this group it was motivated by For some time there have been bians in such a conservative and their own request. many separate and unrelated groups homogenous society. To meet at The nakodo lesbian steadily came of lesbians in Japan, usually pursur- someone’s place was the cheapest under more pressure as she tried to ing social activities but not addres­ and safest arrangement. resolve disputes and console, which sing any of the problems as a group

3 0 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 from a political perspective. Isolation is the main cause of the apparent lack of consistent coherence in the Japanese lesbian community. Isolation through invisibility... “Les­ bians before now hadn’t put their sex­ uality first. Always working in women’s issues the word lesbian got lost.” Isolation through imposed si­ lence ... “Especially between women, sexuality is not talked about.” Sexual­ ity is not mentioned in conversation in Japan, except jokingly, and that’s a big reason why lesbians have not bro­ ken the silence earlier. The topic of sex or sexuality is not mentioned at home. There is no sex education for children, except what is portrayed in the violent “manga”, comics purch­ ased by the millions and read avidly by young and old. “If you talk about sex you are separated from the mainstream life, then the place for company of other lesbians? Japanese lesbians a forum for their you to live is marginal.” There is a lot “Lesbians think places like univer­ ideas, opinions and exchange of ex­ of pressure to fit in in Japanese soci­ sities would not accept them or ena­ periences. Dyke weekends have ety, the emphasis is on the group not ble them to hold meetings or publi­ gradually brought more Japanese the individual. Isolation through fear cise because they (universities) fear a lesbians in touch with each other as ... “The possibility of parents opening bad name for themselves. That’s well as lesbians from other countries. your mail and discovering you’re a what we think, we haven’t tried yet.” “At the Dyke Weekends ‘family’ is al­ lesbian ... that type of coming out is Fear of unknown consequences have ways a topic of discussion”. really violent.” Family is a very power­ stopped Japanese lesbians from ap­ It’s difficult for Japanese lesbians to ful and important establishment in proaching universities to use their talk about themselves. “It’s not the Japan. Parents hold the controlling facilities for meetings, dances or con­ custom. We do in private but not in reins easily when many young ferences. Something Mew Zealand front of everyone.” Japanese women are discouraged women take for granted. Homosexu­ Maybe it’s difficult for women from from leaving home because of finan­ ality is not against the law in Japan, other cultures to fathom the reticence cial insecurity. When the cost of living but the word lesbian has developed a of the Japanese lesbians, now that is high it is easier and sometimes gross connotation, “Lezu”. A Lezu they have these avenues, to connect necessary to live at home with all bills play is a pornographic sex show. Les­ with each other. Over 400 question­ paid for and food and other services bian acts as a turn on for men. naires were sent out to lesbians as provided. But is it easier? There are “When writing, most Japanese les­ part of the research for CImi no financial pressures but there is bians use pen names because they Hirosawa’s forthcoming book about much stress for a lesbian who must don’t want any straight person they lesbians. Two hundred were returned. hold up a facade at work or school know, especially their parents, to find There are not only 400 Japanese les­ and at home. When does she get the out.” The monthly lesbian newsletter bians in Japan. Of course that’s just chance to relax and be herself in the Regumi Tsushin, is giving some the tip of the tampon! Even up until

i x RST and information about their forthcoming REGUMI STUDIO TOKYO officially opened on events. March 1st 1987 with a fund raising costume party. At present there are sixteen founding members Regumi Studio Tokyo, (RST), is a network and infor­ directly involved in RST. The seed for RST germi­ mation centre for lesbians, primarily Japanese les­ nated at a workshop at the Movember 1986 Dyke bians. At a later date it will start a telephone service. weekend. The idea had been brought up in an infor­ RST aims to: help end the isolation of lesbians in mal discussion and quickly gained the endorsement Japan; provide a network centre; disseminate infor­ of all the Japanese women attending the workshop. mation; provide a reference and general reading lib­ An open letter was then written giving a short rary; provide a telephone counselling service; or­ herstory of Japanese lesbians up to the present, and ganise monthly activities such as camping, hiking or the reason why RST was needed. It ended with, “To sports; hold parties to introduce new members to make the centre successful we must all become in­ the lesbian community. volved.” Twenty Japanese lesbians of all ages came Before RST came Regumi Tsushin, a monthly to the first planning meeting. A suitable place was Japanese language newsletter, which started in May sought, and found by chance at Joki a space in a 1985 with 35 readers, growing to a readership of building which houses two other women’s groups. 120 in February 1987. It has been produced by vari­ Women’s Action Group and the Rape Crisis Centre. ous editors on a rotation system. As of March this So within the short space of four months Regumi year, Regumi Tsushin has had some changes. Studio Tokyo became a reality! There are now six permanent editors, and the news­ RST is financed solely by donations, membership letter is based at RST. The format of the newsletter fees and fund raising activities. Becoming a has basically remained the same; stories, articles, in­ member means you can attend RST meetings and terviews, etc., but now also includes a report from take part in the decision making.

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 31 recently women have been denied 3.00, followed by a business meeting, access to so many things and were and a presentation of a feminist topic. often house-bound, so now it is Your participation is welcome and especially women who are now open needed. The group exists for women, to new ideas which are coming into and men are invited to meetings only Japan,” as they look for their own di­ after a positive vote taken at a prior rection. Japan is no longer a closed meeting. (Which hasn’t happened in country as it was for 250 years during years). Members are entitled to voting the Edo period up until 1853. “Now rights after attending two meetings in everything com es in and it’s up to us a year. There is a meeting fee of Y500 which to take and which not to.” They for non-members. IFJ has a summer are dropping their obligations and picnic every year in August. Lesbian picking up their rights. Not knowing contact phone number: Anne Biasing the consequences, “we haven’t 03-792-4110 International Feminists reached the point where we’re willing Of Japan c/o AGORA. 1-9-6 Shin- to take a big risk and openly adver­ juku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. tise” to try and reach more lesbians. Since November ’86 lesbians living “We go back and forth. Sometimes the most was spending time in a re­ in or near Kyoto and Osaka have we feel brave and sometimes we feel laxed atmosphere with lots of lovely been meeting regularly at a woman- threatened.” When the book about lesbians. There are very few other owned coffee shop called “Freak”, in Japanese lesbians comes out times and places where we can do Osaka. Women take their own food “maybe it will be reviewed and the this. There is a big discrepancy bet­ and music, and can buy alcoholic and issue will be discussed in the ween the average Japanese woman’s non-alcoholic drinks. The women mainstream media. Some of us are wage and that of a native English who turn up to these evenings are saying, why don’t we use this to come speaking woman’s wage, so travel as­ about 50/50 Japanese and foreig­ out, at least to the people that we need sistance money is available to women ners. to let know? Maybe one little push and who require it and for the sixth everyone will start.” weekend, last March, a sliding scale registration fee was introduced. Women's Bookshop

The English language lesbian Tokyoites often accuse Kyoto newsletter has been given a different people of being behind the times, but name for almost every issue. Discern­ there’s one thing that Kyoto has that ing Dyke is one name among others Tokyo doesn’t, and that is Japan’s such as Disconcerting Dyke and Les­ first and only feminist bookstore — bian Gazette. Produced by volunteers, “Women’s Bookstore”. it moves from one woman’s apart­ It all began three and a half years Sappho is a Japanese lesbian ment to the next. There are some ago when an enterprising Kyoto group with 60 members which meets funds from subscriptions and who­ woman named Nakanishi Toyoko the first Saturday of each month for a ever produces the issue usually has to changed her bookstore into one party at “Melodrama” in Shinjuku. fork out some extra cash. A donation which dealt exclusively with reading They also have a newsletter for their of Y2,000 per year is asked for but it’s material concerning women. “When I members. not compulsory. This newsletter is got married 30 years ago,” says Ms Dyke weekends started in but a babe. The first issue came out in Nakanishi, “the wife’s position was November 1985 and are a regular May 1986. The content is varied, with very weak, patriarchy dominated all three or four monthly event. They are articles, stories and poetry written aspects of a woman’s life in Japan. organized by different volunteers mainly by lesbians in Japan. It is for Women were tied to the house. Ac­ each time, and consist of workshops, women-identified women only. Postal tivities outside the home were nearly discussions, sport, a dance or disco, address: Newsletter, CPO Box 1780, impossible.” sometimes live music, videos or Tokyo 100-91, Japan. At this time Ms Nakanishi joined a exhibitions, information exchange International Feminists Of Japan group of women who were con­ and a big hot Japanese communal (IFJ) is a newsletter which has been tributors to a newspaper column for bath to slip into for a soak and a chat published monthly since January the Asahi newspaper called before bed. Workshops are in 1983. It is funded by IFJ membership “Hitotoki”. This gave them a chance Japanese, English or are bi-lingual. dues of Y2,000 (Y3,500 overseas) a to exchange ideas on the position of Although the bi-lingual workshops year. It is put together by the newslet­ women, and eventually led Ms take a lot of time, effort and patience, ter committee, which any IFJ Nakanishi toward feminism. this struggle helps bring the two lan­ member can join. Our editorial policy With the spread of feminism, many guage groups to a better understand­ is to print all contributions submitted books on women’s issues, both trans­ ing of each other. The Japanese and by members in their entirety. We en­ lations and books written by English language workshop topics courage all IFJ members to submit Japanese, were published, but re­ are usually quite different which illus­ articles, responses, reviews, news mained difficult to find. So, taking a trates the different needs of the two items, on feminist issues. Contribu­ risk, Ms Nakanishi decided to turn her groups. The majority of lesbians who tions must be signed. The newsletter own bookstore into a feminist attend are Japanese or American, al­ is timed to reach members a few days bookstore, giving women a place to though at the March weekend there before each meeting. find reading material on subjects were quite a few Australians and New IFJ meetings are held the first Sun­ much in need. Since then she has Zealanders. Other countries are rep­ day of every month from 2.00- never looked back. resented in smaller numbers. 5.00pm at the Fujin Joho Centre, a There are now about 20,000 books On their feedback sheets from the short walk from the A4 exit of in stock. About a third are translations fourth dyke weekend most women Akebonobashi station, Toei Shinjuku of foreign books on feminism. Books wrote that the thing they had enjoyed line. There is a social hour from 2.00- on education, women’s history,

3 2 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 novels, biographies, and newsletters with their lesbian friends. Generally from various women’s groups are av­ Japanese bars are very small, your ailable. Women’s Bookstore also bedroom is probably bigger! Even so publishes a quarterly newsletter they manage to fit in the counter and which reviews recently published a few tables. If you want to dance feminist books. An English edition is when you go out to these bars, first available. practise at home on top of the phone Nakanishi’s daughter contributed book. They are not discos, they are to the success o the bookstore. When simply bars, and it’s the character of asked how she got involved she re­ the woman who runs it which keeps plied, “As the only woman’s them in business. Rents are high and bookstore in Japan, I wanted to be in­ therefore drinks are expensive relative volved in both the financial aspects to bars in New Zealand, but com­ and the daily management of the pared to other bars in Japan prices bookstore.” Ms Nakanishi speaks En­ are average or comparatively cheap. glish. Of course if you’re a woman with money to burn there’s always the more spacious more up-market bars, decked out expensively in bad taste. Takarazuka Theatre These provide “hostesses” looking very butch dressed in suits, bow-ties, Japan’s colourful and spectacular and cufflinks. The hostesses talk with Kabuki theatre, where all roles are two categories, “otoko-yaku”, those you and entertain you, they are very played by men, has a long history. who play the male roles, and “onna- charming, that’s their job. Expect to Kabuki dates back to the 9th century, yaku”, those who play the female pay at least Y20,000 for the evening. the Heian Period, when it originally roles. Prerequisites for otoko-yaku, It’s a good thing to do once for the ex­ had casts of all women. During the who always wear their black hair perience. Usually you have to speak 17th century, with the influence of short, are taller height and deeper Japanese to get in and don’t expect to Confucianism from China dramati­ voice. The onna-yaku, who usually meet other women there unless your cally lowering the status of women in have long red hair when in Western hostess engineers it for you. It’s best Japan, the Tokugawa Shogunate de­ plays, as a result of bleaching their to go to the other bars if you want to creed that Kabuki would no longer be black hair, have an earlier retirement meet women. a woman’s domain. age at about 25, than the otoko-yaku, Now you’re ready for a night on the It wasn’t until early this century, in who generally retire at about 34 years town there’s just one more thing I 1911, that a woman of considerable of age. should tell you before I give you a list wealth established another all­ Takarazuka stars are showered of bars... it’s almost impossible to find women threatre called Takarazuka, with gifts from their admirers. Some a place just from the address. Even which is the name of the city, near stars have wealthy women patrons Japanese find it very difficult, so I’ve Kobe, where it originated. who, as well as being their advisors, only listed the bar names and phone Today there are four Takarazuka provide them with such things as ex­ numbers. The easiest way is to have a groups which perform in Takarazuka pensive jewellery and clothes, and map with landmarks on it. Addresses City & Tokyo: Hoshi-gumi (star sometimes much more! A young are not by street. In fact most streets troupe); Tsukio-gumi (moon troupe); Japanese lesbian couple living in have no name at all. □ Hana-gumi (flower troupe); and Yuki- Tokyo once spent Y200,000 (approx gumi (snow troupe). While two Aust. $2,000) in six months, wining, groups perform the other two rest or dining, and buying presents such as rehearse. Takarazuka performances gold bracelets for their favourite consist of two parts, first a play which otoko-yaku Takarazuka star. They is usually a Japanese version of a even took trips to Takarazuka City to Western play or sometimes a tradi­ see her, and emulated her style of tional Japanese play, then after an in­ dress. terval, a musical revue with many cos­ The theatres where Takarazuka tume and set changes, and rather perform have a large capacity and tame dance routines. Girls who aspire therefore ticket prices range from to become Takarazuka players first Y1,000 to Y4,200, which is still rela­ have to pass a difficult entrance tively cheap, so with your extra spend­ Shinjuku san-chome MARS Bar 03-354- examination at the age of sixteen, ing money you can scoop up all sorts 7923 Open from 7.00pm every day then will train for two years before of Takarazuka paraphernalia on sale they hit the bright lights and experi­ in the foyer, books, magazines, re­ RIBONE 03-352-4862 Open from 8.00pm to ence the thrill of an almost 100% cords, videos, photographs, cards, 1,00am Closed Mondays women audience of devoted fans handkerchiefs with stars’ faces SANI (Sunny’s) 03-356-0368 Open from who call out their favourite stars’ printed on them, and the list goes on. 8.00pm Closed Sundays names and clap with such en­ thusiasm that they almost break out HIMIKO at Sazai (name of bar) Every 4th in a sweat. Saturday of the month disco for lesbians. (The floor below Mako’s) These days Takarazuka audiences Tokyo's U/ateriny Holes are predominantly teenagers and JODY’S 03-341-9353 Open from 9.00pm to single women in their thirties who are 2.00am Owner is a lesbian but clientele is Shinjuku san-chome is considered mixed above average wage earners, al­ the gay area of Tokyo and that’s though to begin with it was older where most of the women’s bars are. Shibuya JOAN (pronounced Joanne) 03- women who were the main 464-7163 Open from 5.00pm to 11.00pm These bars are run by women, mostly Closed Sundays and public holidays. This is a Takarazuka fans. lesbians, but do allow a few men in. Takarazuka players are split into mixed bar, run by a woman, which has a Usually it’s gay men who have come feminist singer once amonth.

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 33 /COMMISSIONINGC OCIAL POLI

HOW MANY SUBMISSIONS CAN ONE WOMAN WRITE IN THREE YEARS? IS THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT TRYING TO FIND OUT? THE WOMEN'S FORUMS, THE SUMMITS, THE DEFENCE REVIEW, THE HOMOSEXUAL LAW REFORM BILL, THE INQUIRY INTO VIOLENCE ... THE LIST SEEMS ENDLESS. AND WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF YET ANOTHER, STRADDLING THE ELEC­ t's a sunny (windy) Wellington morn­ TION - THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON to 30 years, and there's been very little ing and I'm in Fletcher Challenge terri­ SOCIAL POLICY. JANET COLE WENT explicit debate about them. This will be a TO FIND OUT WHY THIS ONE SHOULD Itory. Digtital numbers in the lift, chrome chance to look at the wider ramifications. BE ANY DIFFERENT. ceilings and shagpile walls - trademarks We don't have a good record for getting of our changing economy. But the office I beyond the superficial. walk into has toys on the shelf and poems tals or in homes. "There are some really important ques­ on the walls. "We're open to people saying 'we don't tions about basic social policies, such as Rosslyn Noonan is one of a five-mem­ like the way you're doing it'" she says. what is the role of paid and unpaid work. ber commission working from February "We've been feeling our way and are We're so proud of our record of full em­ 1986 to September 1988. She says the aware that the processes determine the ployment, but things have changed and commission is aware of what she calls outcome to some degree. As we hear there's been no explicit decisions by the people's "consultation fatigue". people and take on board the information majority of the population. Also other "So we're telling people it's okay to take we feed back possible lines of approach." things such as the Treaty of Waitangi, and out relevant parts from other submissions They're trying to develop a truly acces­ what should a citizen's basic entitlement and just copy them and send them in. We sible method of handling information be?" know a lot of people have already done the where all information from submissions is That seems so abstract ... Rosslyn work." filed on computer and available for perus­ agrees to an extent, but adds that one of the And they are trying to make themselves al unless specified as confidential. And not criticisms of the commission was that as accessible as possible. On floor ten of just written submissions - they're open to none of them were "high-flying acad­ Mayfair House? tapes, videos and oral delivery too. emics"! They see themselves as activists She laughs. "We've had calls and letters Ideally they'd like to issue a number of who are used to "the other side of the from Invercargill to Kaitaia so we're tour­ discussion papers outlining what the com­ desk". Their job is to be practical - to talk ing the country. We're looking for the feel mission sees as important issues. Later to people and to give that information back of things." By the end of June a prelimi­ papers could outline options to clarify to government. nary round of visits - to 32 centres, seek­ people's thinking. Aren't they cynical about the continued ing feedback on the structure and opera­ "Government departments should is­ implementation of economic policies tions - was complete. The second round, sue discussion papers too," Rosslyn says, which pull the social policy rug from where they expect to get the bulk of sub­ "so people can see what they think." under them? missions, is about to begin and will be And new state corporations? Her res­ "Governments continue to govern," she from October to December. If people al­ ponse is direct: "The corporations alone says pragmatically. "This government set ready know what they want to say in a present major questions of social policy. us up and they must have seen some role formal submission that's fine, but there are "Personally I believe there are a lot of for us ... All the commission are optim­ also chances for informal meetings with issues facing New Zealanders about the istic that the more people know about and the commission, in public halls, in hospi­ direction of social policy over the next 20 are involved in the review the less chance

3 4 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 AUCKLAND - Connections from Research by Chris Women’s Resource Network covers Atmore still available for $10 plus $1 the North Shore. Based at Pentlands, 19 postage. Write to WAP, P O Box 475, Wellington. Buchanan St, Devonport, phone 450- 273. Phone staffed weekdays 11-12. Born to Clean Wellington season, Ask for Linda or Pat. Aims to be a The Depot, 2-15 November. focus for women in the community, to network and link with other women's groups, to provide access to infor­ INTERNATIONAL mation and learning opportunities for National Women’s Association women. Has a healer's web. NATIONAL (USA) tenth annual conference, "Leader­ Born to Clean Return season of this ship and Power: Women's Alliances for Values, the Green Party of New Zea­ Working Title Theatre production at Social Change" will be held at the Uni­ land, are promoting the visit of Kim Maidment Little Theatre 14-24 Octo­ versity of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 22 Besly in December to talk about reports ber, Wed - Fri 6.30, Sat 6.30 and 8.30, - 26 June, 1988. The conference goals by women at Greenham Common that Sun 4.30 and 6.30. Bernadette Doolan, include exploring coalition building by indicate that some sort of low level Hilary King, Andrea Kelland and Clare looking at culturally diverse leadership electro-magnetic weapons are being Bear performing, written and directed by models that empower women. Call for used in the vicinity of the peace camps. Renee. Bookings phone Andrea, 370- proposals available from Lori Graven, She has a VHS video and extensive 336. Dept of Professional Development, 315 knowledge of the situation and is inter­ Pillsbury Drive S E University of ested in talking to peace groups and WELLINGTON Minnesota, Mineapolis, Mn 625-8803. others during her visit. Contact her at: Deadline 15 Oct 1987. Inlands House, Southboume, Emsworth, Women’s Health Collective has Hampshire, PO 10 8JP, England. moved to 10 Kensington St. P O Box Old Lovers is the name of an anthol­ 9172. ogy about love between women over 60 New Zealand Historical Society, being planned by two American women. 1989 conference, University of Wai­ Women Against Pornography has It arises from a recent conference for old kato, 26 - 29 January. Conference a new supply of badges for sale at $50 lesbians. They are seeking poems, short theme "The Struggle For Human for 50 or $85 for 100. Limited supply. prose pieces, songs, letters, journal Rights", including women's and indigen­ Badges read: Smash pom; erotica yes entries, photographs and drawings. ous people's rights. Submit titles and pornography no; stamp out pornog­ Anyone interested in contributing send abstracts by 1 May 1988 to The Confer­ raphy, WAP zaps pom; no pornog­ to Old Lovers, c/- Womanspirit, 2000 ence Convenor, History Dept, Univer­ raphy. Some copies of Pornography and King Mountain Trail, Sunny Valley, sity of Waikato, Private Bag, Hamilton. Violence Against Women And Children Oregon 97497, USA by 14 Feb 1988.

FROM PAGE 16 littled. Attempting to cut across the hierar­ work here. So its in our own interests to try the department. Nothing has really chy resulted in team members being ig­ and modify it.” changed. Many of those who work there nored because their status was lower. The Feminists are caught within the find it intolerable. department is obssessed with your status in institution’s need to impose its interests There is the dilemma that some radical the hierarchy. My commitment to Maori and dominate, their own attempts to chal­ Maori women say that the minor structural Sovereignty conflicts against the depart­ lenge inequalities, and taking care of their changes we’ve been pushing for makes the ment’s commitment to maintaining Pake- own interests (this includes remaining department look as if it’s meeting the needs ha control. Conflict and tensions existed on anonymous). Feminists face the dilemma of Maori people, but in reality it hasn’t almost every level. Almost everything we of deciding when to compromise and when changed at all. They argue that this makes opposed, the department stood for.” “your integrity is so challenged that you their struggle against racism harder. have to get out”. That’s frightening for me - to think the The necessity of institutions to maintain “R a d i c a l A g e n d a ?” time I’ve spent and the changes we’ve themselves means they can only adapt pro­ pushed for have made their struggle DESPITE THE REALIZATION AMONGST cesses within their structural limits. Any harder. WOMEN I SPOKE TO THAT “GETTING TO challenge that attempts to move beyond As a lesbian feminist, almost everything THE TOP” WILL NOT IN ITSELF TRANS­ this results in the institution “spitting you I stand for is in conflict with the bureauc­ FORM BUREAUCRATIC STRUCTURES, out”. To be a “change agent ” within an in­ racy. As a lesbian, it was a constant battle. THIS ATTITUDE IS IN FACT AN IMPLICIT stitution is a contradiction in terms. These My first loyalty as a development worker PART OF THEIR ACTIONS. limits need to be realized but we also need was to the community but the department to move beyond reform. To develop an instructs that my first loyalty should be to For example, they believe that more analysis which keeps the tensions and the minister. I have a commitment to shar­ women should move into insitutions to contradictions in view. ing information with anyone and every­ instigate reforms and they rely on the state The push for immediate practical re­ one, but the department has a policy of to correct inequalities. Most of the women sults and the impatience with critical confidentiality. Although I entered the also speak from a position of influence. analysis has cut the radical potential of department as an individual, over time I Their position within the hierarchy is cru­ feminism. Yet challenge and criticism became absolutely committed to working cial to effecting policy changes. In other within the “system” of its treatment of in a group. That’s a real conflict to the words, liberal aims are an implicit part of “clients” can make a real difference to a individualization of the department. their “radical agenda.” person’s immediate well-being. What are That’s how they control and isolate us as Yet feminist attempts to “modify the the alternatives? Can challenges be made women. Trying to develop a team that environment in which they operate so it outside of bureaucratic structures? And to worked on a collective basis conflicted benefits more women” cannot be dis­ return to where we started: What are the against the hierarchical mandate of the missed. Butnorcan their self-interest: “It’s implications of feminists’ focus on reform, department. Collective projects weren’t not because we’re feeling very altruistic for feminism? These issues will be ex­ blatantly rejected, but discounted infor­ about other women. We know from our plored further in part two, to be published mally - they were “put down” and be- own experience that its very difficult to in the November issue of Broadsheet. 3 6 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 Senior researcher, Ted Douglas is a South "Therefore sexism is in every part of social THE COMMISSIONERS Island Maori of the Kaitahu tribe, who has policy too, and we're asking: 'what is the Ivor Richardson worked in the Waikato region and on the impact on women in this area?' and looking Chairperson of the commission. Law­ Tainui Trust. Te Aue Davis is Kaihono at the impact and role of women through yer, judge, past professor of law at Vic­ Maori, working full-time on liaison with everything. I think the role of paid and toria University, has chaired other Maori communities. "It's really a two-way unpaid work is critical to women's role in inquiries. Married. Ann Ballin position," says Mason. "Making the society. Health services too, and who con­ Psychologist, National Chairperson commission's brief known to community trols them." for the international year of the disabled. groups and then ensuring their views are Three of the five commissioners are Other interests include new birth technol­ made known to the commission. women and two have worked in areas of ogy, adoption, drug abuse, broadcasting, "There's already a lot happening in specific concern to women, so that's a start. the arts. Maoridom that the commission has to be I walk back through the shagpile into the Marion Bruce aware of," he says. "So we have to be sun with mixed feelings. This royal com­ Voluntary worker in community wel­ flexible. For example, some want to meet mission, hand-picked by cabinet, could be fare, member of Wellington Hospital us as individuals, but some people only just another way to distract people from Board and several government advisory want to talk to us as part of a group. And comittees, including CHIFS. Widow, economic changes that are causing addi­ grandmother, national superannuitant. that's okay." tional hardships for some already disad­ Mason Durie Accustomed to working from his rural vantaged groups. Rangitane and Raukawa tribes, grew base of Fielding, Mason finds his capital The people on the commission may be up on Aorangi marae, near Fielding. city office hard work, but he's determined attentive, even sympathetic, but what will Medical doctor with a specialist interest in not to lose contact with people and he says, the government do with their findings? mental health. Has been director of psy­ "There's good reason to be based in Wel­ The Roper Report, for example was chiatry at Palmerston North Hospital. In­ lington." volved with many tribal committees. approved of by many groups, but what has But hands up those with a definition of the government done? Increased prison Married. social policy . .. Rosslyn Noonan sentences for some offences and made Degree in history, organised Inter­ They both agree that's a hard one. some promises. national Women's year 1975, worker in "Yeah," laughs Mason, "we spent a long After all the asking of questions and the trade union movement, co-founder of time working out what the terms of refer­ listening to answers, when the submissions ence meant! For example, they talk about Early Childhood Workers Union. Unpaid have been made, the report written and work has included time as a full-time independence and self-reliance and also parent. Wellington City Councillor. about collective responsibility. In some released, when the brouhaha in parliament Married. cases that can be contradictory. What im­ and the press has died down, will we be left plications has it got for the care of old feeling, "So what?" Yet again. THE SECRETARIAT people in our society?" Groups like the Business Roundtable Alan Jones/Robyn Hunt: Disabilities He compares the importance of dem­ are saying there is not enough time to wait consultants. ocracy and implementing the Treaty of for the commission's recommendations. Te Aue Davis: Ngati Maniopoto and Waitangi. "Both are important, but what's Will their influence make the whole thing Ngati Maru. Kaihono Maori. a toothless tiger? Trish Hall: Communications officer. the relationship between them? We have to look at when one outweighs the other." It is not only that we need to say what we want done, the government should be tell­ Contact the commission at PO Box 5192 Rosslyn defines social policy as: "How ing us what their limits are. Most of us are Wellington, Phone 733-810, society - the relationship between indi­ sick of feeding our ideas and ideals into 10th Floor Mayfair House. viduals and groups - is decided. It's «or just what the government does!" committees, to see them eaten up by bu­ And sexism? She takes for granted there reaucrats, then spat out and buried. a government has to ignore their recom­ is sexism in every aspect of society. I hope this one will be different. mendations. "We're working closely with the re­ views currently taking place, such as the reviews of health services, tertiary educa­ tion and the accident compensation com­ mission. They're working on specific as­ • LEGAL-SERVICES* pects of efficiency and we have to look at the wider ramifications of these deci­ DIEDRE MILNE and GEORGE IRELAND sions." At the very least, Rosslyn believes the have purchased the legal firm of commission can provide information for Williams, McDonald & Co. people to organise around, and that's im­ portant in itself. They work hard to ensure their struc­ The firm will continue to offer the full range of tures and processes are faultless. A fund legal services including:- has been set up (of a "significant amount") that anyone can apply to for "anything to do BUYING AND SELLING PROPERTY • BUSINESS PURCHASES with the review really. We want maximum AND COMPANY INCORPORATIONS • DEFENDING CRIMINAL participation and we recognise that some CHARGES • CIVIL LITIGATION • FAMILY LAW • PLANNING APPLICATIONS • LIQUOR LICENSING • WILLS AND ESTATES groups need support to participate," she says. Maori input has been a priority: their publicity is bilingual, their job descriptions OUR AIM IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY LEGAL ADVICE AT COMPETITIVE RATES required "knowledge and understanding of AUSTRALIS HOUSE 36 CUSTOMS ST AUCKLAND things Maori and ideally Maori language." Commissioner Mason Durie is a member PHONE 796937 of the Rangitane and Raukawa tribes.

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 35 THE FUNERAL

SHORT STORY own. There had to be an irresponsible male involved, and getting off scot-free in most cases. It was the only time she’d argued with him in a long time. It was not that he hit her, or anything so uncouth. He The Minister raised his arms dramatically and said, “Let just coldly and savagely told her yet again, what he us pray”. Heads bowed obediently as he beseeched the thought of women who got themselves pregnant out of Almighty to take unto Him the soul of this their brother. wedlock, and then trapped a man into marriage to avoid Catherine opened her eyes a fraction and peeped at scandal. It was very clear that he still blamed her. the flowers on top of the coffin. A little smile curved her He had made the same vicious remarks on their lips for a moment. She was pleased with her choice. A wedding night in 1925. She was sixteen then, ashamed, yellow and white wreath was appropriate for George. terrified, but relieved that she now had his ring on her White roses and carnations on anyone else’s coffin finger and she had been spared the disgrace of having a might suggest purity, but George was far from pure. No, bastard child. she had chosen white because he was so aggressively George was twenty-nine that year, a ruggedly white Anglo-Saxon, pig-headed and arrogant. His handsome man who had been a drover for several years opinions and values had been set in concrete for many before the War. He came home from the hell of Gallipoli, years, and dear God! he was such a bore when he started battle-hardened, and determined that the world now on any one of his favourite hobby-horses. owed him something in return. He jumped at the chance His hypocrisy and his double-standards, and his holier- of managing Becky Palmer’s farm when Bert Palmer than-thou attitudes had grated on her for so long. She died in the flu’ epidemic. hated most of all the way he would rant on about “these Becky’s daughter winced remembering how she had damned women collecting Social Welfare Benefits for mooned after him. He said later of course, that she was themselves and their brats.” Once, she had sharply like a bitch on heat the way she’d “led him on”. He was reminded him that women don’t get pregnant on their never one to blame himself for anything. There was always

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 37 a scapegoat. He worked hard on the farm though, and her throughts. She looked up startled, and said, “Yes he they got a good price for it when he sold it in 1927 after enjoyed being back”. She did not add, “being a big frog Becky died of tuberculosis. in a small pond”. The yellow flowers in George’s wreath glinted in the At last Tom and his wife drove her home. Sara and light shining through the stained glass window. Yellow John followed. The grandchildren, Judy, Kelvin, Marie, was the colour associated with cowards. Not that George young George, and Patsy, came in Judy’s car. was a coward as far as the rest of the world was concerned, She bustled about now, glad to be busy, making tea for wasn’t he a Returned Soldier, a hero? No, it was not and coffee, seeing to the savouries, cutting cakes, serving that kind of cowardice. It was that of the bully, who learned plates of sandwiches to the crowd of guests who swarmed early how to control her, and who used his power over into the house and overflowed into her beautiful garden. her and the children all the long days of their marriage. For an hour or two they stayed, drinking, talking, even She had never been able to stand up to George. When occasionally laughing. They talked about the weather, Tom and Sara were youngsters they went in fear of their the council, the latest news, the price of cars these days. father, not because he thrashed them, but because any Now and then they remembered to talk of George. infringement of his rules brought down a storm of abuse “Wonder what she’ll do with the Jaguar?” said Brian on their mother. McGee, mentally calculating the profit he could make if it The Minister was now talking about George, telling the came into his car sales yard. mourners what a fine man he had been, a pillar of the “Maybe Tom will get it”, said Sam Nicholls. “But then church, and an upstanding citizen. She raised her he is going pretty well as the new chairman I hear. And handkerchief to her mouth, suddenly feeling sick. Tom that Mercedes of his is a new one”. patted her other hand and the nausea passed. “Old George must have been worth a packet”, There were yellow and gold chrysanthemums in the whispered Sally Nicholls. wreath. George loved gold. He was obsessed with money. “I wonder if she’ll stay on here?” said Mary Wilson. The Minister was talking now about George’s generosity! “Perhaps she’ll go back to Auckland to be near the Hah! She almost snorted. He was a mean, miserable family”, suggested Jane Rossiter. son-of-a-bitch who had kept her in chains by controlling The widow smiled serenely and exchanged small talk every penny, including her money from the sale of the with her guests. Everyone agreed that as usual the food farm. He had used that to start his business in Auckland. was superb. At last, towards evening they started to drift A young woman with no training and no experience, away. she had been trapped early and there was no escape. o o o o She could not leave the children, and if she had taken them with her how could she have supported them? Later the womenfolk cleaned up. Now and then someone would say, “All right Mum?” o o o o “Of course I am”, she said calmly. Finally she decided to go to bed, and said goodnight Her mouth was tightly bitter as the coffin finally sank to them. She shut her bedroom door, kicked off her from sight. With Tom on one side and Sara on the other, shoes, and stretched luxuriously, running her fingers followed by their families she allowed herself to be led through her hair. out of the crematorium. Outside in the sunshine, people She sat on the edge of the bed for a few moments, came to the family group to offer condolences. unmoving, smiling quietly, remembering now the events “A fine man, George. We’ll miss him on the Council”, of Monday afternoon. George had come in from his said Stewart Wilson, shaking her hand. council meeting, shouting about that young “George will be sadly missed in the R.S.A.”, said whippersnapper, the borough engineer who had opposed Mortimer Grange. George’s motion once again. He was in full flight, banging “You will come back to the house, won’t you”, she the table with his fist as she moved to pour him a cup of murmered as they filed past. tea. Suddenly he clawed at his collar, clutched his chest, “We were all very pleased when you and George came and fell slowly, almost in slow motion to the floor. back to live here when he retired”, said Margaret He lay there staring up at her, his eyes wide and Johnston. frightened. “Help me”, he croaked. “Yes he was a credit to the town”, added Trevor She stood, frozen, the teapot in her hand. She put it Johnston. down carefully and walked out of the room. She picked “Thank you,” she said. “You will come back for a bite up the phone, and paused for a moment, then without to eat, won’t you”. dialling replaced the receiver with an audible tinkle. She How she had hated coming back here after their years went back to the kitchen and said, in Auckland, but as usual, she had had no say in the “The ambulance will be here soon”, and walked out matter. She remembered George the night of his official again. A minute later she came back with a blanket which farewell from the Company, standing in front of the fire, she draped over him, and then she sat beside him and calmly announcing that he was putting the house on the watched as his eyes clouded and his breathing stopped. market and had bought one in the old home town. She felt his wrist. There was no pulse. She went to Appalled, she had thought of her friends in the Garden summon the ambulance. Club; of the occasional concerts with Sara and young Sitting on the edge of the bed, she smiled again. As Judy who loved the Symphony as much as she did; of soon as she could she’d put this house up for sale. A the art galleries she liked to visit whenever she went into nice flat in Remuera would be fine. And she’d sell the the city. What on earth was she going to do going back damned Jag and everything else that belonged to him. to that dreary little town after all this time? Oh, well, there Full of plans and happy thoughts of a future that was was bound to be a Garden Club there. At least her great hers alone, she undressed and slid under the covers. joy in gardening was something he could not take away. She wriggled her toes and explored the spaciousness. It And her embroidery too. She could always amuse herself was the first pleasure of her new life — a bed to herself. with that. She closed her eyes and murmered contentedly, “George settled back in here so quickly didn’t he?” It “Freedom Day”. was Neville Rossiter, speaking almost as if he had read Eleanor Lysaght

3 8 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 HE GRIPES QF POTH O f ^

recent newspaper grizzle in pain barrier" because of an imperfectly news, although it is merely free Letters to the Editor declared healed arm and shoulder. His own publicity for two commercial giants Athat we never hear or read words likeexplanation was: "one guy stood on peddling junk juice. Thus, a relatively "patriotism" or "discipline" now. the shoulder ... It's all part of the simple profit/loss distinction gets Wrong wrong WRONG. Thousands of game to find out ... the opponents' transformed in complex ways to forests have disappeared into tonnes of weaknesses. We would probably do news/non-news, printable/unprintable, newsprint for millions of sports the same." Charming! Note how acceptable/unacceptable. pages, which overflow with patriotic, players' bits - hamstrings, shoulders, courageous, disciplined chaps. (Most­ Kirk's Wounded Knee - acquire a ly. They get footage, their female sacred significance for the faithful, counterparts - if lucky - get inchage.) while discarded jerseys or boots and so For instance, the coach of our on have the approximate status of the The Herald's Tmest Bluest John rugby league team which unexpectedly Shroud of Turin. Roughan, a Cameron clone, convo­ beat the Australians, reported how he'd As with so many hymns, this form luted on the election trail in Boys' told the lads before the match: "This of religious expression often displays Own language (when chaps had is your life, give it to your country". an inept way with words, never using chums). In one article: "they chort­ And if I may bring the official one where three or four more will do. led", Lange drew himself up", (of national religion in here, a headline Unlike other sections of the press, college pupils) "one imp in the front about the All Black side screamed: sports writers don't have to pretend to row" (!), "dared to venture", "studious­ "BLACK POWER spirit, courage, be objective, so their boyish reverence ly avoided", "seized gleefully". His commitment". spills all over the place. Take the true manliness showed in his nasty After the sainted All Blacks had Herald's D.J.Cameron, and I quote: put-down of a Labour woman MP, his won the World Cup and the Bledisloe "When you are fortunate enough to be reference to a "prim housewife" and Cup, the retiring captain, David Kirk, present at one of the great sporting his comparison of electioneering to happily recorded in his press column moments, with due regard to that what else but rugby. his pleasure at rugby's current popular­ overworked adjective, which was the The campaign's sporting theme, ity. "It is part of the New Zealand way All Blacks' 30-16 defeat of the disguised as opinion polls, continued of life we should all value." Wallabies ... the gold of the World during it (I'll show mine if you ...) Cup or the silver of that impossibly and afterwards (Sucks boo I guessed ornate Bledisloe Cup seem like non­ best!) Most journalists apparently sensical fripperies. This was simply a preferred to leave every stone unturned marvellous, uplifting sporting event while flinging themselves at all those Give me a minute to lace up my ..." And Ayyy-men to you, brother. lovely high-tech polls with graphs and boots - but I think the man's right Alex Vesey (Sunday Times ) devoutly everything - just right for colouring in when he says it's embedded in our gave thanks for the Cup, which "... and playing spacies. lives. Male-centred conservatism is Brought succour to a game which ... Then they all turned round self- typified by the enormous, drooling has been in depression since 1981 righteously and and said how BORing attention from press, radio, TV and when the country was riven by the the election was. Not much else can video to a lot of sturdy fellows Springbok tour ... The consequences be expected when the media treat pushing, shoving, trampling and of this were gnawing at rugby's serious issues like jokers' favourite gouging - ie sportsmanship. The stature." Cameron again, gnawing games and try to transform games into suspense apparently lies not so much through his mouthguard at the events of national, nay, world-shaking in the outcome of a match, but in Wallabies: "... a touch of enthusiastic importance where the money-making speculating whose injuries have togetherness .... They have restoked advertisements jostle for a "photo mended well enough for the Game. the patriotic fires, the inbuilt opportunity". This was the only spark­ "Jones' Ribs Not Broken" sighed one nationalistic arogance... ". ling new piece of jargon I picked up headline with relief, while another Nonsensical fripperies are often from "political" journalists during the mishap was described as a "tragic called news items and fill the gaps election campaign. hamstring". (My neck actually gets between the advertising - which is pretty tragic in the winter). The what a profit-making press is designed captain of the winning league team to attract. For instance competition "had to battle his way through the for the cola market has been treated as

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 39 . :

“Tent Piece (Shelter)”, 1985, environmental construction, acrylic on canvas, enamel on bamboo. Phillipa Blair. From A Survey of Recent Work, 1985 - 1987, Fisher Gallery, Auckland. Collenson Collection.

A LESSER LIFE______struggled to bear and raise children mid­ (which she rather strangely and without Sylvia Ann Hewlett______career, the rigid standards of the 1960’s explanation refers to often as “social ‘cult of motherhood’ are impossible to feminists”) on the other hand, have Michael Joseph $40 hbk combine with the equally rigid standards worried less about attitudes and got on of America’s fiercely competitive work­ with getting maternity leave and child This is a very frustrating book. I was places.” care. interested in it because it’s about They feel obstructed by the lack of I find it strange that she blames feminism - the subtitle is “The Myth of maternity leave and childcare facilities feminists for the situation in America Women’s Liberation” - and I love to (particularly acute in the United States) and gives them credit for advances in read about feminism. and unsupported by the women’s move­ Europe - I don’t think either is accurate. A Lesser Life is about the problems ment which, according to Hewlett, is Sure “equality” has been a real catch-cry of combining a professional career and antagonistic towards motherhood, seeing for a lot of American feminism, but that motherhood. There are many references it as an obstacle to it’s (feminism’s) doesn’t mean that it’s feminism’s fault to women who have jobs rather than goal of equality with men. She claims that the inequality is there in the first careers, but the agony expressed is that American feminists have worked on place. And the whole economic and soc­ Hewlett’s own, and that of women like changing people’s attitudes and made ial system of some European countries her. Highly educated women who claim progress in the area, for example, of has been more the cause of their different the right to stride up the corporate/ sexist language, but failed to improve circumstances than the rise of feminism, academic ladder and get no support in the material conditions of women in unfortunately. this, particularly if they choose to have terms of equal pay and opportunity and Hewlett seems very confused about children. “... as I discovered when I motherhood support. Feminists in Europe feminism. At one point she equates it 40 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 with the natural childbirth movement, at another with pro-breastfeeding. She makes loose connections among all sorts of groups that she sees as putting ideo­ logical pressure on women without actually stating which ones she thinks are feminist She doesn’t seem to have grasped that feminist ideology is based on the premise that the world operates in ways that deny women justice. It may be true that many American feminists have reduced this to ideas of equality in a men’s world, but it is a false step to then blame feminists for the nature of this male-defined world. And I feel that Hewlett does blame feminism, by imply­ ing that because it hasn’t achieved cer­ tain things it is responsible for their lack. The writers of childrearing books in America come in for justified criticism. “The degree to which the child-rearing professionals in America continue to be out of touch with reality is astounding “... a widely read manual on breast­ GIL GIL HANLV feeding ... devotes fewer than two pages to the working mother.” And the insti­ tutions are no better. Barnard College, for example, where Hewlett taught at the which she saw as a lifetime career. Until There’s a couple of pages of very time she had her first child, had no quite recently this was a reasonably safe depressing comments from the women maternity leave provisions and that is a arrangement. Some marriages may not on feminism. None of them had ever women’s college. Some more informat­ have been ‘made in heaven’, but most of identified with it, they all saw it as ion about Barnard: “In 1984 the [econom­ them were enduring and provided a better something “out there". Some phrases: “a ics] department had two full professors, a standard of living for women than paid fairly militant brand of feminism”, “All woman and a man ... the woman was employment.” It goes on to say that I saw was the dirty jeans and the hairy senior to the man ... Yet she was paid times have changed, America’s divorce legs and all they saw was a prim young $45,000 a year and he was paid $59,000 rate is the highest in the Western world lady”, “It was as though you couldn’t be a year. Barnard’s commitment to equal and “While marriage used to be a safe a feminist unless you gave up all the rights for women seems to be largely a bet, for today’s women it cannot be good parts of being female”, “It’s a verbal accomplishment. It is not allowed relied upon to provide a lifetime’s job shame the radicals have dominated the to interfere with the economic facts of security.” movement... it has alienated a lot of life. But in this respect the college I think this is an impossibly romanti­ mainstream support”, “The women’s merely mirrors the nation.” The last cised view of the “past”. For whom has movement on campus never seemed to three sentences in this quote summarise marriage been a “practical division of address the concerns of us mainstream Hewlett’s argument about America. labour”? What about the women “stuck” types; it was always off on some fringe The greatest strength of the book is in violent relationships? And those who issue.” All very sobering. Why did they its information: Hewlett catalogues in have always done paid work because the see it as “them”, why so passive about detail the career interruptions in the lives man either could not or would not others defining the issues, why don’t of women who decide to have children, "provide”? And when husbands do they see that they could be a part of the and makes the injustices they face very provide tinancial support it’s never that women's movement and define their own clear. Her solutions — support for secure - he's the one who can most issues? And why oh why are they so women in their life choices, provision of easily choose to leave, therefore can blind to the lives of women different maternity leave and child care, equal pay most easily set the terms. from themselves? and opportunity - are consistent with I get to the end of this instructive (all Katherine talks about resenting “the feminist ideas but they don't go as far as the information) and annoying (all the way women’s liberation has increased challenging the whole competitive, confusions) book and find that the final the expectations of men” by making it capitalist career structure. chapter is called “Epilogue: Voices from more de rigeur for young lawyers to be Another argument in the book is that the Post-Feminist Generation” There is seen with a “high-achieving woman” women are worse off now because they no such thing as a post-feminist gener­ instead of a “stunning blonde” on his don’t have the security that marriage ation. This chapter is based on the arm. Sexism rules OK? But it does seem once offered as an alternative. A chapter stories of women who were Hewlett’s grossly unfair for feminism to be blamed called “The Economic Fall-out of students in the seventies. There’s for it! Divorce” begins, Marion, who works ten to 12 hours a Over half of American women in exec­ “Once upon a time women could rely day, travels a lot, has a “ninety minute utive positions remain childless, while on marriage to provide a financially commute” and worries whether she can this is true of only around 7% of men. secure way of life. Leaving aside make room in her career for children. That is grossly unjust. But feminism is emotional issues such as ‘Did the And so the women go on, describing not the cause. Hewlett has a black and married couple really live happily ever horrendous work expectations. Laura white view of the situation: “[Women] after?’ it is clear that marriage used to be talks at length about the choices she sees have lost the protections and guarantees a practical division of labour. The open to her, none of them what she of traditional marriage without improv­ husband directed his best energies to really wants. The author comments ing their earning power in the market­ building a career, while the wife worked “Laura’s painful choices seem not to be place.” Again, I think very few women hard at creating a home, an occupation shared by her husband.” ever had either protections or guarantees.

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 41 Then I come across a statement I can given to: health movement novels really agree with: “Formal equality has and novelists; rape, rape crisis to be supplemented by special support centres; sexuality. Next are: black systems if women are to become equal feminism; heterosexuality; music participants in the world of work.” and musicians; radical feminists. Hewlett then acknowledges that a very And between 2 and 3 columns go to: small percentage of women are in the anthropology; battered women; “fast lane” and that all mothers should biological differences; Christian have the sort of support she is asking feminists; equality; gender; les­ for. Great. So she’ll talk about strategies bianism. for getting maternity leave, child care ... These headings give some idea of the after all the “social feminists” of Europe range. It’s a really useful resource which have done it , there are models ... No I would be happy to receive as a present, such luck. This is how the book ends: although I don’t feel inclined to spend “The impetus to write this book came my own $30 on it. I do think it should from my own experience, prompted by be in every school and public library the difficulties and frustrations I encoun­ (with Kate Sheppard revised). It ought to tered when attempting to bear two reassure women to find under anthro­ children mid-career. Why should it be so pology the information that: “Rather hard? I wondered. Now I know. It than weapons the earliest tools invented shouldn’t.” were probably containers for food, and So she wrote a book and it got some sort of sling for carrying babies, nowhere, either. which suggests that the image of Pat Rosier ’woman the gatherer’ as our ancestor is more approbate than ’man the hunter.’” Margot Roth ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FEMINISM New Zealand’s Mary Muller who, in 1869 at the age of 49, began writing Lisa Tuttle - Arrow $29.99 about women’s emancipation under the WINGWOMEN OF HERA pseudonym of “Femina” because her “Women’s Lib. A demeaning abbrevi­ husband disapproved of feminism. So Sandi Hall______ation ...” according to this Encyclopedia, what’s new? Spinsters/Aunt Lute $ 19.95 the words rising off the page like the Although the Encyclopedia doesn’t flash of a piercing feminist eye. This have the Dictionary’s sparkle, it has Before I read this new novel of Sandi useful book has not absorbed me as some very quotable phrases and Hall’s I had expectations based on completely as Kramarae’s and Treichler’s sentences. For example: “... usually several things I knew about it. I knew A Feminist Dictionary did - I’ve been defined as ‘courtesy’ titles Miss and Mrs that it was a science fiction novel. able to set it aside comparatively easily. could more accurately be called Sandi’s first book The Godmothers was In fact I’ve really read it throroughly ‘availability titles’”; or “maternal also a science fiction novel and so I was only as far as H: “Hunt, Hariot 1805- instinct. Probably imaginary”; or expecting an accomplished effort from a 75. American doctor... protested against “vaginal orgasm. Myth used to writer settled in her genre. I knew the her lack of the vote every time... she oppress women”; or “anti-male ... book was published by the alternative paid her taxes. In 1843... organised a usually just a matter of being positive American women’s press Spinsters/Aunt Ladies’ Physiological Society... tried to about women”; or “legal prostitut­ Lute, which led me to expect a novel help women develop... self-esteem.” ion. Definition of MARRIAGE recog­ with more than a smattering of feminist I’ve skimmed the rest and note that nised by feminists as early as Mary sensibilities. I also knew that the book the entries begin at A Woman’s Wollstonecraft (1792)”; or, on the other was selling very well in America. Place and end at Zetkin, Clara (to hand, “Boston marriage. Term used Having read the book I appreciate this me, one of the all-time greats). My rapid in late nineteenth-century America to last fact even more. Though it is a cliche reading suggests that the individual describe the relationship between two to describe a novel as multi-faceted, I women whose lives are described here women, usually feminists and indepen­ found this the case with Wingwomen of (the dead ones, that is) mostly lived to a dent of men ... who shared a life Hera , and recognise its appeal to a wide good age. I suppose you have a better together”. audience. It can be read from a solely chance of being documented if you Tuttle successfully produces clarity in feminist perspective with the science outlive your peers. For one thing you her summaries of the various shifts and fiction aspect peripheral or vice versa. can keep presenting your own version of splits in different areas of feminism. She But one of the book’s successes is the history if there’s nobody much around to has tried, I think, to be even-handed way the two genres cohabit neatly contradict. without compromising her own stance - within the same novel and in fact serve The test of any encyclopedia is to for instance she has different entries for each others’ purposes. look up a topic you can check and/or both feminine mystique and its One of the essential links between already know something about. Well, creator, Betty Friedan who, she says:“... science fiction and feminism is that both New Zealand appears under Women’s has moved away from feminist theory.” use language to challenge and change Suffrage Movement at the top of a Something else I looked at was the reality. Science fiction of necessity list of dates (1893) when different actual amount of space allocated to items challenges language to describe other countries introduced equal voting rights. in a total of 399 pages, 20 of which are worlds, alien people, starships, galaxies, But, alas, the brief entry about one of devoted to a splendid bibliography. At 7 ray guns, warp speeds, moon rises and our early suffragists, Kate Sheppard, is columns the longest seems to be: “Dec­ all the other cosmic paraphernalia of not accurate. It wrongly gives suffrage laration of Sentiments. One of the alternative realities. Feminists challenge year as 1894 and names Sheppard as the most important documents in the history language in order to restructure current author of Women’s Suffrage in New of American feminism.” (It was first pre­ reality by removing barriers that deny Zealand (1907), the title of a book by sented in 1848). Next is “Women’s women an identity and a means to our Patricia Grimshawe, published in 1972. Liberation Movement ”, 5 columns own experience. Or at least, that’s the There is an equally short paragraph about long. Between 4 and 5 columns are theory. Sandi Hall draws threads from 42 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 both science fiction and feminism to weave her story. c The planet Hera is an Eden-like o to paradise - before the fall. It is inhabited (A O by the wingwomen, thanks to the 0) • miracles of parthenogenesis a single M CM C gender race, living together in spiritual o 4 - Qo A ® and emotional harmony with each other 0 ) 0 . c r U C and their planet. Certainly Hera is an Q a> alternative reality that might appeal to O m > even the most pragmatic of today’s £ ī z feminists. But the elders of Hera are dying of a mysterious plague. Thus does Aura journey in search of a cure to the planet Maladar. Maladar has a rigid big WORKING TITLE THEATRE PRESENTS brother-like society where women are subservient to men and must struggle to maintain even a small amount of r BORN TO CLfAN * freedom in their bureaucratic nightmare. • BERNADETTE DOOLAN • HILARY KING • The compare and contrast motif is one • ANDREA KELLAND • CLARE BEAR • that Sandi used in The Godmothers. But • RENEE • whereas there it fell apart under the MAIDMENT LITTLE THEATRE PRINCES ST weight of too many timelines and October 14... 24 different stories, in Wingwomen of Hera Wed - Fri 6.30 Sat 6.30 & 8.30 Sun 4.30 & 6.30 it works to great effect in a simple Bookings 370-336 (10am - 5pm) scenario of what is (Maladar) and what might be (Hera). Yet though the proselytising is obvious it doesn’t necessarily distract the reader, for the ly the homegrown numbers, while the to her adult life in a desperate fear for her novel is held together by a storyline three cover songs seem a bit out of place daughter’s safety. But she is trapped - as complex enough to satisfy and simple on an album imbued with a unique Renee’s play so succintly pointed out, enough to be a ripping good yarn South Pacific sound which shines incest victims are scarred for life. complete with heroes and villians - through both lyrically and musically. Rowan adapted the the play-by­ make that heroines Maxine is a natural, and her “Do monologue into a screen version com­ As the book ends, and I’m not saying Right Woman” is a stunningly heartfelt bining flashbacks, internal monologue how, a conclusion is reached but not a song, beautifully sung, though the (by voice over), and Renee’s device of finish. Yes, it has one of those backing vocals lack some of the power having the woman speak to a photo­ frustrating “we’ve won the battle but not and relaxed ease of some of the other graph of her daughter. the war” scenarios. It’s printed boldly on tracks. Hence it loses its impact and is The drinking, the madness of the back cover in the statement “Coming not quite the great song it has the overcleaning, is dealt with the right next, Newchild of Maladar, book two of potential to be. “Let Yourself Go”, the touch. It doesn’t impose, but it’s there. the cosmic botanists’ trilogy”. Which title track, is all about solidarity. It’s The fear, and damaged body and psyche indicates a certain confidence on the another fine song with interesting of the woman is given an extra publisher’s part. rhythm and percussion arrangements. It dimension with the eery music and This is a confident, well-written is refreshing to hear instruments with choral singing. novel, and I enjoyed it. such exotic names as cabassa, claves, The flashbacks work very well - the Jane Marsick vibraslap, used with real funky flair and scenes of the woman’s childhood com­ as an integral part of the music. municate a chronic combination of “I’m Gonna Keep Ya”, “Right Outta religious life, a distant mother, and a LET YOURSELF GO______Luck”, “Time For Change”, “Giving It father who is sexually molesting her Sweet Harmony Up”, are all well crafted songs and a real from the age of six and raping her till she is a teenager. Till the moment of Produced by Emmatruck Music $14 indication of women’s growing talent in Aotearoa. Hopefully this record will get relief, the humour when the faceless the support it deserves. father dies, and the faceless mother lets This is a fine first album from three Jude Worters loose with the flies and dirt her husband talented women. Hattie St John, Olivia was so fastidious about - the physical Stevens and Maxine Naden are all well realisation of the hypocrisy and cruelty known for their other musical projects, THE SECRET______of a family where the father is sexually before they came together as Sweet warped, and the mother knows the rapes Harmony. Hattie has performed with a Producer/Director, Diana are occuring. (“I always wanted to ask number of Auckland bands, Olivia is a Rowan. Based on the play______Mum how she knew, but I never did.”) founder member of Meg and the Fones, “Secrets” by Renee, adapted The relief of her father’s death is only Maxine has done solo work. temporary, for when she marries and has The idea for the record arose after by Diana Rowan. TVNZ, August. a daughter of her own the whole Leslie Smith from Emmatruck Music nightmare repeats itself in her greatest heard the women play on Waiheke “I was only a kid. I didn’t realise the fear - that of leaving her husband and Island. The album was recorded between oceans of dirt you’ve got to be careful daughter alone, the daughter vulnerable January and April at Harlequin Studio in of.” The woman, played by Elizabeth and therefore prone to “dirtiness”. The Auckland. MacRae, tells of the nasties, fathers and tragedy is that no-one knows the It’s one to be proud of, with an excell­ flies of her existence which she tries woman’s secret. Not those close to her, ent selection of original songs, strong desperately to clear up and clean away. not the doctors at the mental hospital. vocal arrangements and polished music­ The nasty dirt that she was subjected to The most moving scene for me was ianship. The standout tracks are definite­ by her father and which carries through when the woman cries, in extreme close-

BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 43 up, explaining to the absent daughter’s issues from New Zealand and Australian THE HANDMAID’S TALE______photograph, “I thought all fathers and men and women, to babies and the state daughters shared the secret.” No amount of womanhood on the treadmill (Sex and Margaret Atwood - Virago $ 14.95 of statistics - that one in four girls will Destiny issues which caused the uttering be sexually abused before the age of 16, of the “big question”), about couples Novels take you out of the everyday 71 % are under the age of 11 when the being the “law of death”, and there never world, into the world on the page. So abuse begins, 89% of the abusers are big question? - is she going back on her its claims to literary merit. However close male relatives or family friends - views? “Well”, says Germaine, “that’s there is fiction writing which enriches chilling as they are, equals the emotional why I put together The Madwoman s the imagination, and there is fiction impact of that anguished, tragic look. Underclothes - to show that I haven’t writing, like The Handmaid’s Tale, It was a great piece of casting to have changed my views, that I’m saying the which does not. This novel is Mandingo Katherine MacRae play Elizabeth as a same things now that I was back then.” in sanitised feminist form. And it has an young woman. And the submissive, shy And the evidence from the interviews ending which quite cynically puts the look up at the future (and again faceless) past and present seems to support that. reader on hold for the next blockbuster husband-to-be is wonderful. What she said about dealing with the publishing money spinner. That said I The flashbacks, the vignettes of media was most interesting. She said she have to add that I stayed up till one am memory, were very powerful, as were has always wanted to make sure she was to finish it. the moments of the woman’s anguish in “unboring”, but by being entertaining Its themes are fascinating. Women’s close-up. The sets, especially from her (Sue’s voice over) she paid a high price. sexuality is being politically exploited childhood, were faultless. What didn’t She spoke of the time a rather “banal” by a conservative patriarchal state. The work so well was the stage device of off-hand comment on her love-life was handmaid lives under a nasty regime spoken monologue, even if it was high-lighted at the expense of her words where most of the population are supposed to be directed at an absent on the women’s labour movement. But infertile. She is a breeder, assigned to the daughter. A more conventional narrative that she continued to put up with that household of a member of the ruling from childhood to adulthood would’ve kind of reporting in the hope that some elite for procreation purposes. Sexual “sat” better on screen perhaps. Small of the ideas of feminism would “reach titillation fuels the novel till page 120 budgets always limit independent film­ the woman in her kitchen”. when we embark on group sex. To her makers. But the great commitment and But when I think of the interview credit, Atwood keeps it banal. And late talent shows through. with Sue Kedgley now, what I remember night trysts and brothel visits are written Ali Bell is the impression she gave as a person - about in the same world weary style. and the more off-hand comments she There is nothing prurient here: though I gave about herself and her life - not hate to think what Hollywood will do GERMAINE GREER: REVISITED about feminist issues. with the film rights. TVNZ July 1987______I think of this fascinating middle-aged If Sally Miller Gearhart’s The Wander- woman sitting in her stately English ground was a pattern of post-holocaust- farmhouse saying something a bit like feminist-heaven; The Handmaid’s Tale is “Has Germaine Greer gone back on the “I've got good paid help and they double a kind of hell. Gearhart’s sugarplum words of her youth?” - the question as my family” and “let the teenies have gave us parthenogenesis, lesbian joy, poised on all of our lips. Well, if not the babies - they’ll be paying our telepathy, and freewomen-hilltribes. our lips then certainly on Sue Kedgley’s super”. Controversial utterings from the There was even hope for men! Atwood in the TVNZ documentary. The focus high priestess of women’s libertion. But offers institutional rape, mass hysteria, was on Greer as a famous personality, so that’s what made it a riveting docu­ concubinage, and domestic slavery. much that Kedgley’s chic blonde bob mentary. Perhaps I could have given Atwood only bobbed from the comer of the Ali Bell more credit if she’d sent her heroine to frame, and we weren’t even allowed the luxury of watching the bob nod, instead we got one shot of Greer fading into another. Looked a bit odd, but it didn’t SEX WORK: Writings by Women in the Sex really deter from the full force of the Industry grounds discussion of prostitution and programme which is the main thing. pornography in the realities of the Women’s lives. The force being Greer’s career as high $26.95 priestess of the women’s liberation Published by Cleis Press movement in the seventies. She was as usual incredibly honest about aspects of her sex and family life - incurrring the distaste of more than one New Zealand media commentator. We kiwis may think our dads are emotion­ ally disturbed and our mothers need paying off to keep them away but we don’t go on tele saying so. And if that didn’t entertain, there was the excellent old footage of New Zealand in the sixties and early seventies - the bouffantes and hippies providing light relief from the embarrassment of the bullshit and fuck In DIFFERENT DAUGHTERS, 25 mothers of trial. [The fact that “fuck” was allowed lesbians come together to trace the growth of as a swear word, and not as an honest their relationships with their daughters. Writing verb was demonstrated by the bleeps about family, community, religion and during her talk and proved just as neighbourhoods, among other topics, the infuriatingly silly and embarrassing.] authors raise the essential questions mothers of lesbians Confront. $21.95 Distributed by Germaine got to sit back and answer Published by Cleis Press Ben[on Ross questions and chat about a range of Publishers Limited

4 4 BROADSHEET OCTOBER 1987 the wall, but a copout ending in a book ritual with qualms. In a secular, western the audience a certain state of mind. One which so cleverly echoes the miserable world it feels natural to associate rituals thing the opening ritual of Threshold reality of many women’s lives, leaves with religion (and with Christian religion certainly was, was a superbly constructed me feeling cheated. at that) rather than with spirituality. piece of work. Janet Charman I have always felt uneasy about The first challenge of Threshold, feminist rituals, seeing them as feminist therefore, must be not in its physical politics turned into feminist religion and content but in the spiritual intent. Here I wonder if this is a good thing. Thus THRESHOLD______I’m quite certain Juliet and the women when I attended the Threshold opening I involved had no intention of mimicking Exhibition and events at may have had all my worst fears male religion. The intention was to Outreach Gallery, Auckland. confirmed. Here was a ritual that featured celebrate the ages of women and in the lighting of candles and incense, Juliet Batten. particular the older women in our music, chanting, greetings, parading, the society, the survivors who are emerging wearing of robes, eating of cake and through menopause. This celebration is Threshold was a collaborative sipping of wine. All this is highly why I enjoyed the evening. Self- installation based on the theme of reminiscent of the Christian communion congratulation and self-adoration is is women emerging through menopause, service. very important for women, particularly designed by Juliet Batten. This is Yet when I condiser the tools of the because we are often knocked back, told important because although Threshold Threshold ritual, in fact any ritual, it not to be, not to say, see or create. To involved the work of 12 women as well becomes apparent that it could not help actually celebrate our survival is an as Juliet - Barbara Stanley, Melba Bond, but take this form. The Christian fathers empowering act and the ultimate benefit Kate Alexander, Irene Maloney, Leteia were no fools and the way in which, for from rituals. Whether or not this is Potter, Margaret Klaasen, Jill McLaren, instance, the communion service is enough to outweigh the doubts I have Hilary Page, Marie Stewart, Lainee designed was and is intended to draw about the form, self-congratulation does Haddow, Fran Marno, Lenore Webster - from the congregation a specific set of lead to a pleasant evening. Juliet is an artist who has been emotional and intellectual responses. An important aspect of the install­ associated with many feminist art Feminists today, whether reclaiming , ation was the placing of it in the art happenings in Auckland and I feel that it rededicating or reinventing the tools of space Outreach. It must therefore be is her name that will be most associated rituals cannot help but use some of the considered as a work of art. A question I with Threshold. Certainly the install­ same outward motions of patriarchal have for any feminist art exhibition, ation had the look and feel of art religion. (The associations of some of particularly those that are self-proclaim­ connected with Juliet Batten, if only the forms with the repression of their ed, is whether or not they challenge art because of the importance given to the early religious experiences is, however, a as it stands. Visually, the Threshold opening ritual. real difficulty for some women.) We use environment is no challenge. The art I must admit to approaching this them for the same reasons, to create in displayed was informative but boring

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WE HAVE CASH BUYERS Features annual predictions, FOR MOST CITY PROPERTIES planting and fishing codes, monthly new to full moon cycle WE ALSO NEED MORE and how to use it, how it influences LISTINGS FOR CITY AND us, meditation, lore, rituals and SUBURBAN PROPERTIES traditions. Illustrated with N.Z. plants. S u r r e y C r e s c e n t Retailed throughout N.Z. or send JdlR e a l E s t a t e L t d cheque for $11.99 (includes MREINZ Please contact ourLyn Cotman postage) with order to: a/hours 764-115 Moon Calendar Productions 8 TUARANGI RD, GREY LYNN, AUCK 2 P.O. Box 46118, Herne Bay, Ak. PHONE 789-044, rather than visually demanding or orgasms over hair cuts aren’t really my similar theme. Millar’s new book, The stimulating, with the exception of the style. Love of Good Women, has some magnificent robe worn during the ritual. The “No-Man’s Land” stories were great points to make about the liberating But it did challenge some ideas about bloody hilarious, especially the one effects of being economically indepen­ art. By demanding active participation about the woman who fantasises about dent. It's set at the end of World War from the audience Threshold altered the fucking with a gorilla. Food, sex and Two, when American women were formal nature of art as something to be high culture feature in stories like getting work in factories. Gertrude is a put on the wall and stared at. The “Masturbate Theater” and “Aching For character it's easy to empathise with, and immediacy of performance is a challenge Mr Dovebar”, and even “I can’t believe I I got quite involved with her changes of for art and is crucially important. It can wrote this”. self-perception and the consequent also be a flaw, as, for example I could One of my favourites was “The Two changes she made in her life. The men not be present for either the playback Wedding Nights of Euphemia Gray”, are pretty nasty. theatre or the evening of videos, poems, which combined realism with the more Pembroke Park by Michelle song and performance. Performance art is traditional genre of women’s erotica, the Martin is supposed to to be “the first limited to its immediate audience but it historical romance. It’s a “story for every­ lesbian regency novel”. I have read all of does change the nature of art by includ­ body” kind of thing. Lots of real women Georgette Heyer’s regency novels and ing women who have never been with unfashionably full figures (who this one shares some of the character­ included before in the creative process. aren’t usually allowed tp publicly avow istics - a protagonist who tries to follow And not just the audience. In the passion), and grey hair (another no-no), the conventions but has a rebellious opening ritual Juliet introduced the romping around with men, beasts, streak, a stuffy male relative who tries to evening but did not control it, the most violins, chocolate bars and berry order her around and turns nasty when he active parts were led by the other mousse. If there’s nothing for you then can’t, a society concerned with propriety women. Thus although Juliet’s name is your mother might like it. - but is otherwise rather different. It's going to be the one most associated with Ali Bell got two men who are madly in love with Threshold it should be recognised that each other, at least four lesbians (by the her importance is more as a teacher and end), and much more explicit sexuality facilitator than as an artist. than the occasional heaving bosom and This is probably the real significance becoming blush. I found the last couple of Threshold: that it sought to open of pages disappointing but otherwise women’s experience and women’s past loved reading it without finding it the to women; that it sought to open the BOOKS WE DON’T HAVE SPACE___ faintest bit credible. creative process to more than those TO REVIEW ______Zoe’s Book by Gail Pass has a women who proclaim themselves artist. startling and interesting plot twist that I In doing this I think the installation had All titles can he bought or ordered from wouldn’t dream of telling. It revolves unresolved flaws. Rituals are important Broadsheet Bookshop. around an old woman reminiscing about for women but they must be questioned. various members of the Bloomsbury set. Threshold was a caring and sharing I was trying to articulate my very mixed I found references to Katherine Mansfield event, but whether or not it was strong feelings about Carol O ’Biso’s book, and Virginia Woolf disconcerting - they enough to alter society is a question First Light (Heinemann) when a seemed more like gratuitous name- that, at the end, remained unanswered. friend came up with the phrase “spiritual dropping than real additions to the story. Jane Marsick tourism”. Exactly. There is no doubt Katherine V Forrest introduced us to about Carol O’Biso’s sincerity when she Kate Delafield, police inspector and writes about her increasing emotional lesbian in Amateur City\ The new Kate LOOK HOMEWARD EROTICA involvement with the Te Maori exhibits Delafield whodunnit is called Murder By The Kensington Ladies’__ during the American tour, while she was at the Nightwood Bar. It’s a lesbian responsible for the packaging and trans­ bar and the woman murdered is a lesbian. Erotica Society______portation of the taonga. Descriptions of It’s gripping. Ten Speed Press $24.95_____ her actual work are fascinating, it’s the Sarah Aldridge is a real doyen of emotional /spiritual journey that made lesbian novelists. Her latest title, Mag­ After the success of their earlier book. me feel uncomfortable. Not that she had dalena, is a more interesting than usual Ladies Own Erotica, this collection of it, but that she wrote about it in this variation on the amnesia theme. All the short, erotic stories and poems was a way - making a “story to tell” from main characters are lesbian, and on the “planned baby” conceived on “an erotic spiritual experience of another culture. whole they all treat each other pretty retreat” by a bunch of older women from That’s what feels to me like spiritual well. The plot has no surprises, but it’s SanFrancisco who don pen names in tourism. easy to enjoy a book where one of the print and pantomime masks in public. Make what you will of it, I’ve read a chief protagonists is a lesbian and a Reading this book is supposed to be a whole bunch of lesbian novels in the judge. sensuous experience - as the Ladies past few weeks, all but one recent publi­ Shelley Smith is well-known for the write - "We quiver when you turn our cation from Naiad Press. 1 am very aware earlier Horizon of the Heart. Her new pages gently, when your hands cradle our of the limitations in terms of character one, The Pearls, has the most unlike­ spine”. Just so you get a feeling for the development and plot in the genre ly plot I’ve ever come across - two tone. No Nancy Friday's Scented Garden “lesbian novels”, and these books are not women who want to be secret agents but this, it's purely for fun and. presumably, exempt - but 1 enjoy reading them. are kept in the office by a misogynist excitement. The one that isn’t from Naiad is The boss get asked to pose as a him and her It's very het, it’s very from the eyes Journey by Anne Cameron, published and go to a Caribbean island, because (or rather, “ditties”) of a generation that by Avon in 1982. The statement on the one of them (as a man) is the “type” to can write, “We kept him waiting/ before front cover, “They rode, fought and shot sexually attract the wife of the island’s mating/ with endless games/ called pet­ their way across the Canadian frontier”, leader ... and that’s only the beginning! ting." - in the back seat of a '53 Mer­ is misleading, although the two women Unlikely, unbelievable, unconvincing, cury! The “Late Bloomers” section had who ran away together, did have plenty but I did read it to the end while the bath its moments of sexual artistry, the of adventures. The story is more gutsy water got cold. And, yes, the two "homebawdies” was a bit too domestic but not as well-written as Patience and women do fall in love with each other. for my taste - a "Fit-It-Man” and Sarah by Isabel Millar, which has a Pat Rosier

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