Hi Rachel - OK, I said I was withdrawing but your post below is very reasonable so I'll respond.

I apologise for the 'handbag' remark. It was stupid and I wasn't thinking about it properly. This can happen here. As to the phrase being considered sexist or not I realise that this was not the time or place to try that out. I was actually trying to 'lighten' things. How wrong can anyone be. So sorry, and I hope you and anyone else here can accept my apology with the same good will as I give it.

Cheers

Tim 

    

On 9 Oct 2014, at 13:49, rachel warriner wrote:

Tim, 

I think you're misunderstanding the objection. The objection is just about language like 'being pounced on' for simply being a man. That's not what happened. By saying 'Oh, can I say that? Can I say , 'spat with handbags'? Is that a sexist reference?' you are (not very subtly) implying that we are making a fuss and taking offence when we know that it's not really something to take offence to. that we should just take it on the chin if we feel a little put out by language that is thoughtlessly used and assume your good will. I don't want to have to take anything from anybody, i don't see why I should. you knew that that language you were using might be considered to be alienating - though had you simply used the phrase and not made the point that people might take offence over nothing i for one wouldn't have responded - so why go ahead and post it anyway? certainly had you not been so aggressive yourself I would have been willing to elucidate some of the goings on on the other list, but in phrasing your post in such a way as to make it seem like we had been touchy and unreasonable you are being offensive and aggressive towards us. Please do not think this is anger from the UK poetry list - the only effect of that discussion was the realisation that if we don't call out casual misogyny it can make way for extremely nasty and abusive behaviour towards women.