Victoria Beckham covers the July 2022 issue of Vogue Australia, lensed in Miami-inspired, body-baring, fashion luxury with a Kim Kardashian vibe. Christine Centenera styles Beckham in VB Forever, lensed by Daniel Jackson. [IG] Anders Christian Madsen interviews Beckham./ Hair by Luke Hersheson; makeup by Wendy Rowe

That vibe might exist because Victoria Beckham is so in charge of herself. The interview popped up at the best time.

Last night, Anne found herself reading Emma Specter’s op-ed piece for Vogue Inclusive Language Around Abortion Costs Us Nothing and Makes the Movement Stronger. Specifically the role of women — stated by those who still have the guts to use the word — those people are called out in a big way today by Specter. People like Bette Middler, New York Times columnist Pamela Paul and singer Macy Gray who have said that the overturning of Roe v. Wade imperils the role of women in society are an affront to humanity.

Yes, uber-progressive Democrats are attacking other Democrats for using the word woman. No lie.

Much of today Anne is thinking that I’m not supposed to think of myself as a woman any more. I didn’t even get to vote on that question, but women are banished as a concept. It’s a familiar historical idea, though, a reality that I reflected on this morning.

All over the Bible, men are saying “Be silent, woman!! Repent for being the work of the devil, the scourge of human civilization.” And now Emma Specter is writing the same words in Vogue. There is definitely a theme here.

There’s no problem being a human for me. But trans people are loud and proud to be trans. And lesbians are loud and proud to be lesbians. But for me to relate to the idea of being a woman is an affront to every uber-progressive Democrat out there.

Am I a cis-gender person? Is that my official designation? Or am I a cisgender woman? Or a they?

Someone needs to write a manual on this topic, one I can carry in my handbag to survive in our new word order. Is George Soros behind this modern-day assault on women? I knew it!

All I know is that Anne is still trying to get the Equal Rights Amendment passed. Thank goddess it’s neutral in the name, although the amendment wording itself may require cleanup in aisle five.

In my moment of confusion and misery, in rolls Victoria Beckham to save me from myself. And I love her for it, bowing down to Victoria Beckham, because I’ve been damn disconcerted since reading Specter’s op-ed in Vogue.

Beckham speaks to being heavily influenced by Miami — and the success of her April, body-conscious knitwear collection “for all shapes and sizes”. When the collection went on sale, “We had the best day of sales we’ve had in the history of the brand,” Beckham tells Vogue Australia. “It’s unbelievable.”

Alright, Beckham, don’t put this quote on Twitter — which I left in 2012 over the wrath of Islamists, the NRA, Berners, and right-wing zealots voting as Republicans. VB actually had the nerve to write about living in Miami:

“There’s definitely a less-is-more attitude to dressing there … literally,” she smiles. “At first, I found it quite shocking and then I found it quite inspiring. The women there celebrate their bodies and their femininity. I realised that my midi-length pleated skirt and pussy-bow blouse were not quite appropriate for Miami. In fact, they would have probably carted me off to some sort of home if I would have gone out for the night dressed that way.”

Continuing with the Miami theme and how it was affecting her self-image, Victoria Beckham says she realized that she had started “burying” herself in clothing.” And then VB dares to do it again, committing two mortal sins in one interview.

“I decided I wanted to wear more fitted dresses. I wanted to show more skin. I wanted to celebrate the fact that I’m a woman. And I wanted to stop hiding under clothes.”

What a revolutionary idea, Victoria Beckham. Anne will be mulling your new-found wisdom over in my mind. BUT, as cautioned by comments in this NYT Times June 2022 article: A Vanishing Word in Abortion Debate: ‘Women’, do NOT speak of women on Twitter. You will die, and not at the hands of Red-hats, right-wing Trump-loving wack jobs. You will lie riddled with word-bullets at the hands of your own political family. Women are dead creatures in 2022. So just remember that fact, VB. ~ Anne