Julie Bindel, a seasoned journalist and radical feminist, has long been a vital figure in the fight for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ equality. From her activism in the 1970s, marching with radical feminists, to her involvement in anti-nuclear protests at Greenham Common in the 1980s, Bindel has seen firsthand the struggles and triumphs of the lesbian community in the UK. In her recent piece published in The Sunday Times, Bindel poses an important and thought-provoking question: “Where are today’s lesbian heroes?”
Reflecting on the trajectory of lesbian activism, Bindel is concerned that the fierce energy that once defined the lesbian feminist movement has faded in the face of contemporary challenges. Her concern is not rooted in the material progress that the lesbian community has achieved over the years—such as the legal recognition of same-sex marriage and the outlawing of homophobia under the Equality Act 2010. Instead, her worry centers on what she sees as a cultural shift that threatens to obscure the distinct identity and rights of lesbians within the broader LGBTQ+ umbrella.
Bindel’s reflections on the past are punctuated by her participation in key activist events. She recalls an iconic protest in 1988, where she and fellow lesbians infiltrated the Ideal Home Exhibition in London, unfurling a banner that read, “An ideal home has two lesbians in it and no men!” This direct action challenged societal views on “family values” and asserted the legitimacy of lesbian relationships. For Bindel, these were the moments when lesbians were visibly and audibly pushing for social change, their voices heard in ways that seemed to have since dwindled.
Today, however, Bindel finds herself at odds with much of the current LGBTQ+ movement, particularly over the rise of gender ideology. In her new book, Lesbians: Where Are We Now?, she questions why young lesbians, in particular, seem to shy away from the label “lesbian” in favor of more fluid terms like “queer.” Bindel criticizes this trend, arguing that terms like “queer” are vague and fail to emphasize the significance of same-sex relationships between women. She contrasts this with the historical struggles of lesbians, who fought against societal repression, including forced marriages and the loss of child custody for those coming out.
Her position has made Bindel a controversial figure, even within the LGBTQ+ community. As she describes in her The Sunday Times article, her past writings on gender and sexuality, particularly her opposition to the merging of “T” for transgender rights with the LGB movement, have sparked significant backlash. She has been labeled a “bigot” by some trans rights activists for voicing concerns about the potential harms of gender ideology to women and girls. This opposition, Bindel argues, stems from a lack of historical knowledge, with many young activists unaware of the battles that lesbians fought for recognition and equality. As she puts it, “Young people are not even taught it,” referring to the gender studies courses that have increasingly shifted focus from feminist history to post-modern, post-Marxist ideas.
Bindel’s book serves as a call to arms, urging the younger generation to recognize the pioneering efforts of those who came before them and to reclaim the language and activism that defined the lesbian feminist movement. She recounts her own experiences as a young lesbian, having faced bullying, violence, and the trauma of sexual assault. But through these challenges, it was feminism that gave her the strength to keep going. “Feminism saved my life,” she declares.
As Bindel continues to fight for women’s rights, she reflects on the political climate and the disconnection she feels from many in her community. Her criticisms extend beyond gender activists to the failure of mainstream political figures, including figures like Ruth Hunt of Stonewall, who she believes have compromised the LGB movement by supporting the inclusion of transgender issues without consideration for the needs of lesbians and gay men. Bindel’s disillusionment with both the left and right has led her to a stark realization: “I went from thinking of myself as someone who fought for women and girls to wondering if I was a bigot, like they said. But I know a man can’t be a woman.”
The rise of gender ideology has created tensions within the feminist and lesbian communities, and Bindel is not alone in her concerns. Other prominent voices, including JK Rowling, have joined her in raising alarms about the erasure of lesbian identities in favor of a more inclusive but less specific LGBTQ+ framework. In fact, Bindel’s friendship with Rowling, who reached out to her in 2020, is a testament to the deepening divide within the broader LGBTQ+ movement, especially on issues related to sex-based rights.
While Bindel’s views may not align with those of every lesbian or feminist, her impact on the discourse surrounding women’s rights and LGBTQ+ issues remains significant. She is not just a historian of lesbian activism but a living testament to it, continuing to challenge and critique the evolving landscape of sexuality and gender.
