New feminist group established in Exeter

A new feminist group called Exeter Feminists has been created. The group, which aims to promote gender equality in the community, hope to help local charities and will hold regular meetings.

Exeter Feminists was created by Ellis Taylor after discovering a lack of feminist groups in the city.

Currently Fawcett Devon, which is linked to Fawcett - the UK’s largest equality campaign, hosts meetings around the county, but there was no other feminist group in the Exeter area.

“I have called myself a feminist for many years,” Ellis explains, who was born and raised in Exeter. “But recently I’ve wanted to meet with like minded people who want to help make a change in our community. It was only when I started looking for a group that I realised there wasn’t really one around.”

Exeter Feminists stress that they wish to help bring feminism up to date, educating people that it is not about female superiority but instead abolishing the gender gap. The new group would like to bring some awareness to every day sexism whilst also supporting large campaigns and local charities. 

“A lot of people have a set idea of what feminism is, and it is often assumed to be a bunch of angry women fighting for the sake of it. It’s the social side of things which we really want to tackle and bring awareness to, things like cat calling in the street, slut shaming, victim  blaming, and rape sexist jokes,” says Ellis.

The group will hold its first meeting at 7pm on Tuesday 22 July at The Oddfellows in Exeter.