London Radical Feminist Conference, July 2012
Statement from organisers
This July saw radical feminists from across the globe converge in London for the first women-only, radical feminist conference in 25 years.
What happened was important, urgent and necessary. Women of all ages and from many different backgrounds connected, discussed and organised, and the result was truly electrifying.
The agenda of the conference was shaped by some of the most significant issues affecting women today, with a particular focus on male violence against women and girls in all its forms.
Keynote speakers were Professor Sheila Jeffreys and Gail Dines. Panel sessions and workshops addressed topics including male violence against women and girls; prostitution; disability and women’s oppression; lesbian feminism, women-only organising and feminist culture; sharing knowledge across feminist generations; and challenging misogyny, along with several sessions focusing on organising. Some of the speeches may become available at a later time.
The organisers would like to thank all the speakers, panelists, chairs, facilitators, volunteers and delegates for making the event so incredibly vibrant and energising. We also thank all those who helped and supported the conference from a distance.
We believe that this conference, along with others taking place around the world, heralds the mobilisation of a new era of radical feminist activism. In the face of the ongoing economic, political, social and cultural oppression of women, and relentless male violence and misogyny, such mobilisation is essential and urgently needed.
We look forward to more.
You think I just don't understand, but I don't believe you. 
Since you are a lawyer, it might be a good idea in the future to check the anti-discrimination laws of the country that’s hosting a “Radfem” conference and/or the inclusion policy of the venue that you have booked.
“In consultation with the organisers of RadFem 2012 and our legal advisors, Conway Hall has decided not to allow the booking in July 2012 to proceed. This is because it does not conform to our Terms and Conditions for hiring rooms at Conway Hall. In addition, we are not satisfied it conforms with the Equality Act (2010), or reflects our ethos regarding issues of discrimination.
We had sought assurances that the organisers would allow access to all, in order to enable the event to proceed at the venue. We also expressed concern that particular speakers would need to be made aware that whilst welcoming progressive thinking and debate, Conway Hall seeks to uphold inclusivity in respect of both legal obligations and as a principle.
In the absence of the assurances we sought, the event in its proposed form could not proceed at Conway Hall.”
Um, yeah. We disagree.
BTW, are you associated with Astraea? http://www.flickr.com/photos/mixnyc/4855866246/ – because it’s all kinds of depressing how you are happy to shit on female-only space, being associated with a foundation that’s supposed to give a shit about said females.
I didn’t say anti-feminist, but I’d agree with that as well. The creep, it creeps. The lesbian erasure, it erases. You might be cool with that. We aren’t. You are free to disagree with us – and we are free to disagree with you. Let’s see how this plays out.
This Astrea? No, I don’t work for them… but I think it’s a great organization! I’m not surprised that you disagree with their mission statement. Personally, I don’t feel that what they do is anti-feminist. Clearly you do.
“MISSION
The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works for social, racial and economic justice in the U.S. and internationally by funding LGBTQI organizations and engaging in philanthropic advocacy. Astraea’s work helps lesbians and allied communities challenge oppression and claim their human rights.
In pursuing our mission, we raise and disburse funds to programs and initiatives that directly benefit or serve our diverse constituencies; expand the community of individuals and institutions that support lesbian and trans issues; promote community-building, capacity building, and movement-building; and educate individuals about money, philanthropic giving, and the role of grantmaking in achieving common goals.
Our mission is based is on an enduring commitment to feminism, progressive social change and an end to all forms of exploitation and discrimination. We support programs and policies that strive to eliminate oppression based on race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic exploitation, physical and mental ability, anti-Semitism, and other such factors. Only through action will we build a world of peace and justice for lesbians, and for society as a whole.”