She/Her

Watching it back I noticed how often Holden touches Banky in quite a casually intimate way. Like the scene when they are at their art tables and Holden starts rubbing his hand up and down Banky’s back (and then starts pretending to ride him 😅) like Holden come on! You just know Banky was in hell.

But that is kind of the point of Chasing Amy. No one is 100% hetero in that film. Everyone in the film exists on a spectrum of sexuality to a greater or lesser extent.

When Ben Affleck talks about being mad at himself for freaking out about kissing Jason Lee he explains that it’s not just embarrassment at being more uncomfortable than he expected to be but also because he didn’t do the moment justice. The kiss as it stands works for what you say, but Ben feels like it was supposed to be and should have been more intimate and revealing of a moment. Which tracks with what Holden says about also being attracted to Banky.

Forgive me if this is off-topic, but I wanted to get something off my chest...

Re: why some of us aren’t exactly enamoured with Ian Leslie — I find the guy problematic. Not so much because of his views on John and Paul (though I do think it’s fair to ask questions about an established journalist — a straight, white, cishet man – with a publishing contract, drawing so heavily on the unpaid work of others).

But what properly bothers me if I’m honest is his politics.

For instance, I still remember his past, casually mocking reference to Jeremy Corbyn and Imagine with the line: “Corbynism, one interminable John Lennon song.”  

Or the way he criticised mild-mannered sports pundit Gary Lineker (no radical he) for speaking out against the previous government’s “immeasurably cruel” asylum policies on social media.

Leslie’s response? “I don’t understand why Lineker can’t just accept the restriction. Why is it of vital importance that the world hear his political views?” Which kind of misses the point, imho.

As a Brit, I guess I’m especially sensitive to this kind of aggro-centrist energy. These voices dominate our politics right now, and they often seem to take real pleasure in punching down — on the left, on young people, on trans rights, on pro-Palestine activists, and so on.

So when I see Leslie’s stances, it honestly makes me question his ability to empathise with John Lennon — or even with the Paul McCartney who wrote Give Ireland Back to the Irish. (“Sir Paul” is another matter.)

And then it’s jarring because Leslie’s everywhere at the moment! Even in the sacred spaces. Even in the Beatles podcasts I turn to as a bit of refuge from the world. ☹️

And I am trying to be thoughtful about this (honest!). I get that one of the beautiful (and yes, sometimes frustrating) things about Beatles fandom is how broad that church is. There’s space for the outsiders and the insiders, the psychedelic dreamers, the rock purists, the avant-garde heads — and for us peace-and-love crew too.

I’ve listened to your previous interview with Leslie, and I’ll admit — he makes some good points. I’ll probably buy his book too. Who am I kidding. Sigh. Of course I will.

And I do know The Beatles were complicated — deeply problematic in their own ways. But still, it’s hard when people claim to love them, yet seem unmoved by the deep empathy that runs through so much of their work. The “peace and love” stuff really matters to some of us. A lot. ❤️✌️

That’s one reason why I value AKOM so much. I feel my kind of Beatles spirit here — that messy, meaningful mix of art, politics, and empathy.

Anyway. Rant over.

Thanks for reading. And thanks for never shying away from difficult topics. I really and truly admire you for it. And I’m grateful.

Hello Listener,

Thank you so much for this lovely message! Your words of appreciation and encouragement mean so much to us!!!

First off, just to clarify: Ian Leslie has never been a guest on AKOM.  [anon, I saw your second ask correcting yourself on this note! :) just wanted to clarify for readers]

Secondly, we are also deeply troubled by his anti-trans rhetoric. Obviously everyone has the right to their own opinion and the right to speak their mind on topics of the day. But we are a podcast comprised of queer women, all ardent supporters/defenders of our trans friends and family. We find anti-trans rhetoric to be not just actively, demonstrably harmful to real human beings, but also just incredibly stupid on its face.

Since we’re not interested in having a 'trans debate' on AKOM, and would be incapable of pretending we are unaware of Mr Leslie’s views, we therefore have no intention of inviting him on AKOM.

That said, we have bought his book and plan to (eventually) read it. We absolutely respect the decision of fans to buy or boycott it as they see fit, and don’t wish to convince anyone either way.

All of our interactions with Mr. Leslie have been friendly and mutually respectful, and as I (Phoebe) said in an earlier episode of AKOM, I personally have enjoyed his previous writing on John and Paul. I’m pleased that the book is doing well because it is spreading the story of John and Paul to a larger audience (although of course we don't agree with all his opinions on the subject). Although we certainly don’t wish him any ill will, we DO wish that he would reconsider his anti-trans views and reconsider the effects of his (many, many) words on the subject.

All of this to say: we don’t think AKOM is the best platform for him to promote his book. Fortunately he can be heard on numerous other podcasts!

We will continue doing what we do here at AKOM (deep research and thorough discussion in attempt to uncover new angles) for as long as we can find the time and energy.

I just think that if Robert really is only back for a short stint, it will be to tie up loose ends. That's my pessimist side coming out.

Although, of course, now I’m not sure that the idea of playing a gay character would be welcomed, or I might be aversive to that because I don’t want to offend anyone in this direction.