It’s not all dildos and lube and orgasms,” author, artist and sex educator Ruby Rare tells me. “As much as I’d like it to be.”
Taken in isolation, this statement might be considered salacious. Trifling. Hilarious, even. But we’re discussing Rishi Sunak’s recent decision to use section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to block Scottish transgender legislation. It’s a major setback for transgender people attempting to gain gender recognition, so it’s not a great moment for comedy. “The way that these topics are used for political gain is so insidious and so depressing,” Rare sighs. “I think mainstream culture will look back at the way that transness and trans people have been vilified in, like, 15-20 years, and be ashamed. So, as much as it’s important that more people are learning about the anatomy of the clitoris and getting STI tests, I find it quite hard to stay hopeful doing what I do. [But it] makes me realise it’s even more important to do it.”
