Beatrice Faust, a name that may not resonate with everyone today, is a pivotal figure in Australia’s feminist history, best known as the founder of the Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) in 1972. Her contributions to the feminist movement and her controversial views on sexuality and civil liberties are the subjects of Judith Brett's new biography, Fearless Beatrice Faust: Sex, Feminism and Body Politics, which paints a complex portrait of a woman who was both a trailblazer and a polarizing figure.
In 1987, Faust delivered a powerful address at the second Mary Owen dinner in Melbourne, an event organized by WEL, where she began her speech by quoting a Glen Tomasetti song: “Don’t be too polite girls… show a little fight.” In her speech, she applauded the courage of two feminists, Irene Bolger and Alison Thorne, who had faced severe backlash for their activism. Bolger had led a historic strike of nurses and midwives in Melbourne, while Thorne, a socialist feminist, had condemned a police raid on a Melbourne-based paedophile discussion group, which led to her being vilified by the media.
Thorne's condemnation of the police raid stirred controversy, resulting in her being moved to an administrative position after facing public outcry. However, the Equal Opportunity Board later ruled that Thorne had been discriminated against and ordered her reinstatement. Faust celebrated this ruling in her speech, stating that both Bolger and Thorne exhibited “True Grit” in the face of adversity, and emphasized that the raid was an infringement on civil liberties, driven by “wowsers, puritans, Catholics and cowardly governments.”
Faust’s own experiences shaped her views. She openly discussed a romantic affair with an older man at the age of sixteen, an admission that reflected her complex relationship with sexuality. Judith Brett’s biography captures the discomfort of Faust’s audience during her speech, as many feminists were not aligned with her views on paedophilia.
Despite the controversy, Faust’s work has had a lasting impact. WEL played a significant role in teaching politicians to prioritize women’s issues on the political agenda. Campaigners like Faust shattered taboos surrounding abortion, leading to its decriminalization in various Australian states. Her belief that police and the law were used to suppress sexual lives was highlighted by her comparison of the police raid on the paedophile group to past raids on abortion clinics.
Born on February 19, 1939, Faust’s life was marked by tragedy from the start; her mother died just twelve hours after giving birth. This loss profoundly affected Faust, instilling in her a “visceral hunger for love” and a commitment to ensuring that every child is wanted and loved. Raised in a challenging environment, she faced numerous health issues, including chronic asthma and scoliosis, which compounded her feelings of isolation and unworthiness.
Faust excelled academically, attending Mac.Robertson’s selective school and later winning a scholarship to Melbourne University. However, her ambitions to become an academic were thwarted by a male-dominated intellectual culture, leading her to become a public intellectual instead. Throughout her career, she wrote extensively on sex and gender, served as an art critic for the Melbourne Age, and became a sought-after commentator on sexual issues.
Her activism began in the late 1950s, focusing on civil liberties and abortion law reform. Faust had personal reasons for advocating for abortion rights; having undergone three abortions herself due to the restrictive laws of the time, she was determined to ensure that others would not face the same struggles. Her mother’s death from childbirth complications fueled her passion for reform, as she believed no child should be born unwanted.
Faust was a passionate advocate for sex education, believing that understanding one’s own body and sexuality was essential for autonomy. Unlike many feminists of her time, she did not subscribe to the notion that gender differences were solely socially constructed; she argued that biological foundations played a crucial role. This belief informed her views on sexuality, which she saw as healthy and diverse.
As a public intellectual, Faust was unafraid to express her controversial opinions. She identified as androgynous and believed her sexual style was masculine, which gave her a unique perspective on issues like pornography and sexual violence. Describing herself as “a sceptical feminist,” she was critical of what she perceived as misandry within feminist separatism and warned against the dangers of sexual puritanism.
Faust’s views, particularly on paedophilia and pornography, have been met with criticism and are often seen as outdated. However, her fearless approach to discussing taboo subjects has left a lasting legacy. Brett’s biography not only chronicles Faust’s public activism but also delves into her private life, revealing a woman driven by her experiences and desires.
In the context of contemporary discussions around age of consent, sexual assault, and gender identity, Faust’s willingness to engage in difficult conversations is both commendable and controversial. Her life story serves as a reminder of the complexities within the feminist movement and the diverse perspectives that have shaped its evolution.
As Judith Brett’s biography illustrates, Beatrice Faust is a figure whose contributions to feminism, though contentious, cannot be overlooked. Her advocacy for women’s rights, sexual freedom, and civil liberties paved the way for future generations, making her a key player in Australia’s feminist history.
Fearless Beatrice Faust is available from April 23, 2025, and is a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersections of feminism, sexuality, and politics.
