Genders agree to deplore foul acts
It hasn’t been the greatest week for women in the news in Queensland. I’m not talking about politicians but the average punters in the streets … and, more specifically, what they have been doing to those poor streets.
First it was the report of CCTV footage circulating online showing three women engaged in sex acts on a footpath in Fortitude Valley.
The crude display, described as one of the most bizarre and obscene acts ever witnessed – especially at midafternoon on a ritzy innerBrisbane street, lasted about 10 minutes as the women cavorted in full view of elderly
couples, parents with prams and nearby hospitality workers.
Apparently the women had skipped a $600 bill at Hellenika restaurant, but instead of making a quick getaway, they got away with a quickie.
Just days after this salacious story made the rounds, along came another viral video of two women in Cairns carousing atop a public drinking fountain.
The footage shows what appears to be one woman turning on the water while her friend sits atop the bubbler in a skirt. Yet another (if unexpected) reason why I carry my own bottle of water.
There is neither any way nor any need to defend this sort of behaviour. It’s beyond disgusting.
While police have not taken any action against either group of Girls Gone Wild (or rather, feral), the women have certainly been judged and condemned in the court of public opinion.
As they should be.
This is no way for any woman, man, child or even animal to behave. Seriously, if it was a canine threesome on the street, you’d turn on the hose.
What I do find a little disturbing, however, is the propensity of the public to blame both feminism and the #metoo movement for this vile behaviour.
Apparently, according to internet commenters (I know, always the safest place to get a reasonable read on a situation), these movements have ‘empowered’ women to give a bubbler a lap-dance and the footpath a taste of some afternoon delight.
Yes, because that is definitely something the sisterhood has been fighting for.
Forget about advocating reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, women’s suffrage, sexual harassment and sexual violence. What we really want *Digital Membership + Weekend Delivery costs $5 billed approximately monthly for the first 3 months. After the first 3 months, the cost is $26 billed approximately monthly. Renewals occur automatically unless cancelled in accordance with the full Terms and Conditions. Weekend Delivery is for the Gold Coast Bulletin on Saturday and The Sunday Mail on Sunday. Not in conjunction with any other offer. New customers only. Home delivery not available in all areas. Allow up to 5 days for home delivery to commence. Prices after the first 3 months may be varied in line with full terms and conditions – see www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details. is to get sexy with inanimate objects and then publicly shamed.
I mean, I can see why the push for equality might make this appear a little confusing. After all, we’re far more used to seeing men behaving badly on camera, especially after they’ve had a few drinks. Indeed, I could fill the rest of this page with the names of shamed male footy stars alone – and only Australian ones at that.
But the truth is that for anyone working to gain equality for women in terms of both respect and reward, these incidents are particularly disgusting because it sets back the cause – just read the comments if you don’t believe me.
Instead of using these vile viral videos as an opportunity to create more division – us versus them, man versus woman, black versus white – let’s use it to prove that we can be on the same side.
Feminists don’t want to see women or men behaving this way, and I’m pretty sure most men would concur.
And doesn’t it feel good to stand together on shared common ground? Even if, in this instance, that ground is really gross … but at least we can agree on that.
Read Ann Wason Moore every Tuesday and Saturday in the