Have you heard about the new Tumblr Street Harassment Fashion that documents clothing people wear when they are harassed to challenge notions of victim-blaming? It’s compelling and growing fast. Creator Ellis Gainsboro agreed to answer a few questions so that Stop Street Harassment readers can learn more about the project.
Stop Street Harassment (SSH): Hi Ellis, thanks for agreeing to the interview. What is a three sentence biography for you?
Ellis Gainsboro (EG): I was raised in American suburbia by conservative, working-class, religiously-and-socially-conservative, divorced parents. My life since, has involved a small number of not-so-extreme screw-ups (mostly bad boyfriends and drinking), then afterwards, MUCH reading, educating myself in general, and exploring the world of visual and audio arts. I currently divide my free time amongst painting, recording, spending time with my Significant Other, cooking vegan food, and learning about feminism and social justice issues.
SSH: Was there a particular experience or event that inspired your Tumblr project?
EG: Not really. I have consistently experienced street harassment from the tender age of about 12, but I’ve never had any constructive way to deal with it. Speaking back against it and calling your harasser out on their rudeness is not always the safest action to take, ignoring it feels like you’re letting them win, and basically those are the only two options! It makes me (and many other people, I’m sure) feel so powerless! In addition, when I try to share those experiences with some people, I am often told that I “must have been asking for it,” which is JUST NOT TRUE. NO ONE is asking for it! I don’t care what you’re wearing! I created Street Harassment Fashion so that I could document what happened, what was said, and what I was wearing, as a way to back up my belief that I am not the problem in this situation. The victims of street harassment are extremely varied, and I wanted to have a space on the internet to exhibit that. It’s not our fault and we don’t cause it. The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of those who harass others.
SSH: When you started it, what was your goal/purpose? Has that changed at all based on the response to it?
EG: I wanted to have a place to document the every-day sorts of harassment I get when I am out and about. I wanted to have a link I could share when someone said to me, “Well, you must have been asking for it.” I wanted to document my (and others’) outfits to PROVE that it is NOT what we are wearing that incites this harassment. Already, there is a variety of outfits and looks, different styles, and different fits. Stories with conservative outfits, form-fitting outfits, scarves, bulky jackets, leggings, long hair, short hair, updos, shaved heads. It’s already becoming very clear that the way victims of street harassment dress and style themselves has nothing to do with the reasons that they are harassed.
I don’t think my purpose for this blog has changed since I have started it–I still want to use it as a reference against ignorance and for awareness, but I think that since I have amassed so many followers, with additional new followers every day…It is bittersweet! I am SO grateful for the support and solidarity, but at the same time, it deeply saddens me that so many people can relate.
SSH: What kind of response has the Tumblr had and how do you feel about that?
EG: So far the response has been very supportive, and a bit overwhelming! I didn’t know I would get so many followers so quickly (1,000+ in the first week!) I wasn’t really looking/hoping to find a following of any sort really, but just knowing that other people can relate in some way? That means so, so much to me! But again, it is a double-edged sword, because if people can relate to this blog, it means that they have had some experience with street harassment in their lives (either personally, or second-hand at least). This is a much bigger problem than I can tolerate on my own, and something needs to be done about it.
SSH: Is there one particular story/photo that stands out to you and why?
EG: Since Street Harassment Fashion is young, all of the posts so far carry equal weight in my mind. The posts about my own experiences are important because they happened to ME: I was there, it was a direct part of my personal life, and I will never forget how I was made to feel emotionally as a result of those interactions. The posts submitted by others are just as important though, as they demonstrate very clearly that the street harassment I receive is not isolated to my own experience. It solidifies the fact that this happens to so many people, under so many different circumstances, and that it is not the fault of the victims. I am so grateful that others have been brave enough to submit their stories and pictures. I think it is so important to have a variety of posts from a variety of people about street harassment.
SSH: Is there anything else you want to add?
EG: Yes! I want to reiterate again that the victims of street harassment are NOT TO BLAME. If any of your readers have been the victims of street harassment, and would like to share their stories with me and my followers, or if they just need an ear to talk to and someone to empathize with them, they can send me an email at streetharassmentfasion@gmail.com.
