Embarrassing Memories

well, not embarrassing to me, though there are many of those..

but I was remembering my ex telling me a story of a Women’s Only conference in Bristol from a long time back, when feminism was the thing of the future for many women (and men).

It was actually quite a shameful conference, in that a transsexual acquaintance was physically kicked out as an insult to women – I was only too aware of the pain she felt.

But in the evening, they had a huge disco of 2000 feminist souls. Half way through, one woman took off her vest and danced topless, disregarding the embarrassment. Soon another took off her vest, and then more until every woman was dancing topless. The sense of a women’s army, of the liberation involved, the sheer joy in being women without shame was overwhelming. Yes! shouted many (it was before the popularity of Gloria Gaynor’s I will Survive, when the thing was to punch your fist n the air and shout I will Survive! in unison).. Ah, to be young in that dawn, but to be a woman was very heaven.

Meanwhile, outside, Old Joe the Porter was coming to the end of his night rounds, ready to go home to the wife and the footy.

Before leaving, he thought he’d just take a look in the disco to make sure everything was all right and safe.

And, yes, oh my God, Old Joe’s tired eyes beheld 4,000 boobs bouncing up and down for a few seconds before mass screaming and a panicked covering up…