Can you call a feminist a chick?

I remember once telling a woman I respected, an accomplished business woman, that I was a feminist.

"Urgh, don't go announcing that."

The message I took from that, understandably, was that being pro-women is not a good career move. Probably not an inaccurate call.

Suffice to say I don't run around announcing my position on the status of women quite as bluntly these days.



I harbour more masculine characteristics than most women I know, perhaps not physically, but certainly emotionally and psychologically. I've spent the last seven years rucking and mauling on Saturdays, for instance, and have been more frequently described as "ballsy" than "meek" on a ratio of about 1000-to-one.

It is perhaps a confusing moment for male friends and associates when offence is taken to anti-female or sexually inappropriate statements in my company.

My threshold for most brash and risque statements is some kilometres further than most mannered adults, and when it comes to the topic of a women's potential, their representation in certain sectors or their 'position' in relationships, kitchens or careers it appears my more immediate line-in-the-sand is a problem.

It's confusing, you see.

I had one such incident recently. A hearty, humourous conversation was being had and some moments in the topic changed. Thus, so did my response. From laughter to an abrupt statement: "Okay, I think we've just crossed a line."


BLAH BLAH BLAH

Advice in recent weeks, from both genders, has included "perhaps you need to consider how you interact," "did you make it really clear?",

And perhaps the most disconterting one was only yesterday. A social media post referred to me as a chick.

"So, you don't mind being called a chick, then?"







 my threshold for taking offence is some kilometres further than most others.

Why do politicians think they can use brothels?

For the purposes of this blog I'm going to apply a new definition to the term 'parliamentary privilege'. In its true environment it refers to immunity granted during legislative proceedings - pretty much you can say and do what you like as a Member of Parliament in the context of certain proceedings. Not a flawless definition, but the definition doesn't really matter here anyhow.

The parliamentary privilege I'm talking about is the one that entitles you, as a Member of Parliament, to a considerably salary, considerable staffing, innumerable perks and last but not least the power to shape society.

The privilege your electorate affords you is a significant one.

Yes, yes. The salary doesn't match that of an investment banker and the media attention is sometimes only assuaged by the likes of Kylie hitting our shores post-cancer for her comeback tour, but this is a career choice.