Madonna argues that women's rights have hardly improved since the early 1980s...unlike the gay community
Never one to shy away from speaking out, Madonna has echoed Patricia Arquette's recent Oscars acceptance speech rallying for women's rights in a recent interview with Out Magazine.
Speaking about her struggles as a woman, especially in regards to her portrayal in the media, she argued: 'Gay rights are way more advanced than women’s rights. People are a lot more open-minded to the gay community than they are to women, period.'
She added, 'It’s moved along for the gay community, for the African-American community, but women are still just trading on their ass. To me, the last great frontier is women.'
Her comments are likely to spark debate, much like last month at the Oscars when Patricia Arquette voiced similar opinions backstage after her acceptance speech to rally for equal pay for women.
Expanding on her speech backstage, Patrica Arquette added: 'And it's time for all the women in America and all the men that love women, and all the gay people, and all the people of color that we've all fought for to fight for us now.'
The additional comment wasn't wholly greeted with Meryl Streep whoops, as some took issue with the divisions made within feminism by the Hollywood star, especially in reference to other minority groups.
Madonna's latest comments in Out Magazine tackle her treatment in the press head on, as an older, successful woman who in her own words 'must fit into this box.'
'You’re still categorized - you’re still either a virgin or a whore. If you’re a certain age, you’re not allowed to express your sexuality, be single, or date younger men,' she added.
Once again, Patricia Arquette referred to the struggle of older women - financially - at the Oscars concurring: 'Equal means equal. The older women get, the less money they make.'
It certainly seems to be a hot topic right now with feminist trailblazer Germaine Greer hitting out at both the media - and modern feminism itself - for being ageist against women.
Speaking at Sydney Opera House on International Women's Day, the Guardian reported she spoke out: 'Give me the right to grow up, let me age. In our society elder women have no respect.'
Are Madonna, Patricia Arquette and Germaine Greer right? Are women, especially older women, the most marginalised right now? Let us know your thoughts.
