I went op shopping the other day around my local (HIPSTER! I hear you cry. I know guys, I know..) which reminded me of the above.

A friend and I were in St Vinnies looking like stereotypical lesbians in tank tops and flannies when I found the above set of degrading feminist offensive porno playing cards all for the price of bargain $0.50. Cheap right?

Of course I had to have them. Not only was I an avid card collector but I simply couldn’t let them get into male chauvinist hands (who apparently lurk around op-shops?)

Upon conferring with my friend I suddenly realised my dilemma.

I was in an op-shop.

A Christian op-shop.

With Christian volunteers.

Who probably don’t like lesbians.

DRAMA!

Would they persecute me at the stake? Drown me in a pond and cry witch? Who knew.

Working up false bravado and trying not to think about the endless possibilities that could eventuate, I went into my best old ladies charm mode and headed to the counter.

At first everything started off ok. I was addressed with “lovey” and a smile that makes you want to take up knitting crochet and drinking hot coca by a warm fire. That is until she  looked at my product of purchase.

Adjusting her glasses, she wrinkled her already wrinkled nose and turned to her fellow volunteer with a look of sheer terror and disgust.

Suddenly the smile was gone and the thought of crochet and coca turned to stale biscuits and itchy sweaters. Needless to say – shit was awkward.

“That’s fifty cents” she sighed, almost as if I was a burden merely being in the shop.

“Excellent! Have a brilliant day then!” I chirped, before heading out of the store and collapsing in a fit of laughter with my friend.

I think this was the first time I’ve ever really felt homophobia at it’s fullest and whilst at the time I made light of the situation, it honestly did hurt.

To be ostracised, excluded, mocked or shamed on an everyday basis is something I could never handle.

So to all those feeling all of the above – feel more than free to send me a message at anytime if you need somebody to talk to.

And remember, keep kicking against the pricks.

Daily Stars 25 | www.grafizine.com

Dear tumblrites,

I’ve stumbled upon a dilemma which I think some of you may be able to resolve. It wasn’t something I’ve ever really considered before, but now I’ve thought about it I’m a little concerned.

My lesbian friend and I were having lunch today (Zambero on Rundle St has the best burrito’s. Quick plug. Get on it.) talking rather crudely about our latest ventures and checking out the Rundle St talent. Throughout the discussion I couldn’t help but compare it to the way I’ve heard some of my guy friends speak about girls. You know the type I mean. The after the game chat over a few beers, the round COD banter - whatever floats your boat.

It seems totally ironic because the amount of times lesbians are stereotyped as hardcore feminists is ridiculous, but as we sat around and talked about how bangable women are I quickly realised this might not be as true as I thought.

Hence I pose the question to you: Do lesbians objectify women?

I guess, looking at my own actions, the truth is yes, they actually might. Perhaps it’s not in the same context of the usual “make me a sandwich” slurs, but abuse is abuse right?

A quick google search on ‘lesbian’ brought up mostly comforting conclusions, with mostly pages regarding lesbian culture, dating, events and advice, yet images was another thing entirely. I need not explain.

Undoubtedly lesbian pornography can be quite demeaning. But most of this is faniciful male constructions rather than actual reality, yeah?

Yet another google search brought along not so reassuring results. According to a report conducted by Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, “Studies in the US indicate that approximately 22% to 46% of lesbians had been in a physically violent intimate partner relationship.” While no specific stats were provided from Australia, the AIDS Council of NSW Counselling Service, a service used primarily by HIV positive LGBT members, reported that 11% of counselling matters included issues of intimate parner violence. Perhaps this seemingly innocent trash talk does have more ominous consequences.

Is it really all that bad though? Innocent conversations about attractive girls whose pants you may be interested in entering?
Surely there’s a difference between appreciating beauty and objectification.
Does it make a difference if we too are females, as opposed to the masochistic masculinity with which sexism is usually associated?
If anything wouldn’t this make objectification of women by women even worse?

My head’s currently in a spin over all of this. Given the amount of violence and abuse the LGBT community receives from disapproving homophobes, it seems unrealistic and completely ridiculous that internal hate would be occurring. Am I right?

Shoot me an ask if you know/have anything to say about the issue. Lesbian objectification - is it ligit?

[edit: If you want to read more about the aforementioned study the link is: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/research/domestic%20violence%20in%20gay%20and%20lesbian%20relationships.pdf]