Now for something completely different…

One of the perks of London is the diversity and quality of the events available at no charge. There are multiple organisations, societies, universities and political parties vying for our attention, and the pickings are generally pretty good.

For example, last night, Lucy, Matt, Geraldine and I attended a talk at LSE given by Prof Judith Butler from the University of California at Berkely, one of the world's most famous feminist sociologists:


The topic for discussion was how sexual and feminist politics have been co-opted by nation states as symbolise their modernity compared to other nations – particularly Islamic states.

One of Professor Butler’s particularly good examples was how Western governments are using tolerance of gay people to justify other bigotries (i.e. Muslim immigrants to the Netherlands must indicate their acceptance of an image of two men kissing).

The two main problems with this, are that (1) it is a discriminatory test - i.e. why don't white Australians have to take a similar test - there is nothing automatic about tolerating homosexuality just because you are white and grew up with koalas - so really it is obviously about trying to find a way to exclude Muslims.

And (2) Should gay people accept nation states using gay identities and beliefs to exclude others on the basis of their religious ones? Especially when those gay identities and beliefs are often ignored or dismissed by those same governments (such as through the denial of legal protection for gay partnerships and families).

It was a very thoughtful topic.

Unfortunately, the respondent (Prof Chetam Bhatt from Goldsmiths in London) was long-winded and unconvincing. It seemed the organisers had chosen an expert in Muslim history to discuss the ongoing associations made by governments between being Muslim and being unenlightened. I think it would have been more useful to have featured an expert on how governments throughout history have hidden behind a charade of tolerance to avoid adopting new ideas.

The Chair (Dr Suki Ali) had already let the discussion between Proffs Butler and Bhatt last far too long by the time the floor was opened up for questions. Unfortunately, Prof Butler being very famous in her field, some people really just wanted to demonstrate how many big words they knew. Dr Ali was unable to control one very waffley show off, and this meant when we finally got two really good questions (‘what is the place in anarchy in resistance to nation state oppression?’ and ‘where does a country’s imaginary mutual exclusivity of Islam and homosexuality leave people who identify as both?') we had run out of time to hear Prof Butler’s response.

Overall, it was an interesting debate. Although not effectively executed, there were times when I found myself nodding and nodding and nodding. I really enjoyed being in such an intellectual atmosphere, and having a smart friend, partner and brother around to dissect it with afterwards was an added bonus.

It shall prove an interesting contrast to tomorrow night, when I try out the newly arrived Speights pub opening up at my Tube station.

I am all for combining some thinking with some drinking.