Let's wind the feminists up shall we?

[Gob]

That'll get us lots of free publicity for our women's climbing symposium, (babies not supplied, please bring your own baby)

[MajGenl.Meade]

Hey Lady G might show up

[Gob]

It worked!

Actually, the more I think about the poster the more I can pinpoint why it makes me feel uncomfortable. I think high heels epitomise what I dislike about traditional ideas of femininity - the idea of making yourself physically less effective to conform to an aesthetic ideal. I think sport is a brilliant way of trying to get rid of that mindset in women (especially the idea that you're only valued for your appearance and its attractiveness to men) so an image like this in a poster seems wrong to me. An image like a chalky gritrashed female hand, complete with chipped nail varnish, could create the same association (women + climbing) without the negative connotations that come with high heels. I suspect I'm overthinking what was probably 5 minutes of design work on photshop though!

I know you didn't and no harm done, but the whole debate is very symptomatic of what it is like to be a woman in today's society. You have to be sexy, sporty, womanly, successful and take all the jibes I just don't think it helps if people use sexualised images to advertise a symposium/workshop that is to help women in a specific subject area/sport where they have been "marginalised" before. There are loads of successful woman climbers, but they aren't the audience, it's about drawing in a variety of women from all walks of life to come to a workshop to share their ideas about climbing. A sexy heel has nothing to do with it. It's similar to doing a workshop for guys on how to raise their new babies and having a big willy on the poster (for the want of better image )

Heike

[Guinevere]

It's a silly image, whether you are a feminist or not.

[Gob]

Yep, that's what they were trying for. They did a poster last year which had the feminists up in arms too.

Seems like they cannot win...

[The Hen]

... And aren't trying.

[oldr_n_wsr]

High heels makes ladies butts look really nice.

[Gob]

FFS women have spent 100,000 years trying to break free of the shackles imposed by biology ... and then in 2012 some naive dimwit thinks it's clever to link an activity that should be about freedom and self expression, with a device whose only function is to convey sexual availability and submission.

[Guinevere]

That is kinda true ....

[Gob]

with a device whose only function is to convey sexual availability and submission.

Remeber ladies, this is what your high heels are for! Please buy more of them.

[MajGenl.Meade]

with a device whose only function is to convey sexual availability and submission.

I thought you were referring to my Speedo

[The Hen]

As much as I adored and worshipped the stiletto in my youth, maturity has seen my heel height dwindle over the years.

I long for the stupidity of being younger with the increased tolerance of pain for a desirable wiggle.

[oldr_n_wsr]

We all enjoy the "desirable wiggle".