WHO made a huge fuss now?

Jan 25th, 2022 | By Ophelia Benson
Category: Notes and Comment Blog

It seems like such a self-immolating way to sell one’s new book.

A critic who reviewed my new book made a huge fuss about refusing to use my preferred pronouns in the review. My publishers made the mistake of politely informing the magazine. I would have warned them against it, knowing how vicious transphobes can be to LGBTQ authors. >

— Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) January 25, 2022

Eye roll. Of course Julie Bindel didn’t make “a huge fuss.” Laurie Penny, on the other hand…

Referring to a person by a name or with a pronoun you know will hurt them is a quick, easy way to let the world know who you are. Anyone can make a mistake, but doing it on purpose just shows you up as selfish, petty and crass. Don’t be surprised if you are then treated as such.

— Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) January 25, 2022

They’re not a priority for her, but they are, but she wouldn’t want to make anyone feel coerced, but she would, but everyone should take responsibility for their own use of language, but everyone should also obey orders to remember specialty pronouns.

And then she has the nerve to claim that not using her specialty pronouns will “hurt” her. Please. Of course it won’t hurt her – it will give her that little thrill she seeks of being pretend-persecuted. And who comes across as more selfish and petty here? Does she really think it’s Julie?

'knowing how vicious transphobes can be to LGBTQ authors…'
The critic who reviewed your book is a lesbian. You're in a heterosexual marriage. Also, your book is festooned with endorsements from people calling you 'she'. Have you complained about them?

— Simon Edge (@simonjedge) January 25, 2022

Well, no, because…

Ooops.

2 Responses to “WHO made a huge fuss now?”

#1
latsot
January 25, 2022 at 11:31 am

It’s interesting that Penny hasn’t lifted a hand to rebut the substance of the review which reads – and I’m only slightly paraphrasing here – “This. Is. Shit”.
#2
Ophelia Benson
January 25, 2022 at 11:54 am

snerk