Heterofatalism

Chanté Joseph, Dr Lisa Portolan
A hand holds a smartphone with a yellow screen and red "X." Flying figures fall off the screen.
  • Talks and Ideas
  • all about women
  • Run time: 60 minutes Subject to change

What does it mean to desire men in a moment of widespread disillusionment?

Are women done with men? As disappointing swipes, draining dates and “embarrassing” boyfriends multiply, a new mood is taking hold — a rising belief that heterosexual relationships are inherently flawed.

Romantic woes have tormented women long before Carrie Bradshaw took a drag, stared down the camera and quipped about the battle of the sexes. But are we entering dire times?

The term “heterofatalism” has gone mainstream, capturing a growing pessimism around straight romance, and it’s influencing everything from dating app use to the quiet rise of celibacy.

Straight women are exhausted by underwhelming dates, constant safety calculations and endless emotional labour. So what do we do with desire? (And don’t get your queer pals started on why “just date women instead” is not the solution.)

Chanté Joseph and Dr Lisa Portolan will unpack this cultural moment with humour, sharp analysis and hard truths. Chanté, who blew the lid off the embarrassment of boyfriends in British Vogue, brings her insider lens on contemporary dating culture, while Lisa, an academic, researcher and author shine a light on how gender, power and emotional labour shape modern digital romance. Together, they explore how women and gender diverse people are reshaping their romantic lives.”

Sydney Opera House Presents

Event details

In an era of widespread heterofatalism, women don’t want to be seen as being all about their man…

Chanté Joseph

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