We got to chat with the VERY cool Brooke from the viral group Let's Not Date. If you're not already aware of LND it's a group based around feminist humour. The posts are a great mix of humour and cringe when it comes to the world of dating.
Pictured: Brooke from Let's Not Date.
SP: So what made you start your page Let’s Not Date and how long has it been going?
Before I started the page, I used to post my pieces in which I trolled the strange men in my inbox on my personal profile. Eventually people suggested I start a page! The page’s name is in reference to the game I play which is, to see how many strange things I can say before the man in my inbox stops trying to “date” me. In 2019 I made Let’s Not Date!
SP: What made you specifically want to make a feminist page? And is that what the primary function of it is in your mind?
I’ve always said that my comedy displays the depravity of the human mind with a serious undertone of stopping the unwanted sexual attention. For me, I think comedy is a way to reach people who otherwise wouldn’t have read a feminist post. A lot of people are shocked to see the way women and femme presenting people are treated behind screens. I think it’s important to show that to the world.
SP: Why do you think we need a feminist page? Have you always considered yourself one?
The page touches on issues of the patriarchy in a gender neutral way only feminism encompasses. I hesitate to answer the second question. I was raised in a conservative area and as such, it took me far too long to unlearn that and embrace feminism.
SP: What is your background? Did you see yourself ever doing something like this?
I actually went to school for Education. I never expected to use that degree teaching horny men, but it’s certainly proven useful in my Horny History series. I think though, anyone who knew me when I was younger would be thoroughly unsurprised. I was always a bit of a clown.
SP: You’ve monetized the page and made it something of a full time job. What does a usual day look like as the admin of such?
I have 4 kids. Yes, 4! In general, they are my full time job and this I do in my “free time.” This job had opened up a whole world of freedom for me and my kids with my ability to work from wherever, whenever.
SP: Do you get a lot of hate online? What are some of the more extreme things that have been said to you? Have you ever been scared for your safety because of someone from this page?
I do get a lot of hate. Learning that there are some people who are going to hate me no matter what has been an experience. Most of the hate I receive is from men and most of it is body shaming. In a way, it just proves how very little they pay attention to feminism. I don’t care about whether or not some random man is attracted to me. I perhaps shouldn’t even say this, but, truly the way to insult me is to tell me I’m not funny. I’ve made the decision to not be anonymous because I would like to grow myself and my brand in a way that requires me use my name. There are additional safety steps I’ve had to take to keep my family safe.
SP: What have you learnt from your online community? Since starting LND have you views on dating and how men & women relate changed?
“Oh. This doesn’t just happen to me.” Having a supportive community where we can all talk about receiving unwanted sexual attention and even laugh at it has brought me peace. Everything is better when you aren’t alone. As far as my views on men and women relate, I do not think that a majority of men are sexual predators. “Not all men” as they say. I only aim to showcase the egregious behavior they want to keep secret.
SP: What do you love the most about LND?
Most days I find myself in awe that there are this many amazing people out there who are here for me. Coming from being someone with awful self-confidence and depression; to this space in my life where I am somebody people like, has been inconceivably strange but remarkable.
SP: What are some other cool feminist accounts you would recommend we check out?
Oh gosh! There are so many. Some of my favorite woman led pages are Vagina Devil Magic, Bi The Way, Evey Winters Advocate and Writer, The Carbon Essence and Relentless Indigenous Woman.
SP: Lastly, do you have any exciting plans for LND coming up? Any idea how you plan to evolve it?
I do actually. I am working to have the page collaborate with a menstruation hygiene company to help bring products to those in need. Additionally, I’ll be coming out with new apparel that goes to the same purpose!
My other platforms are Instagram instagram.com/theletsnotdate
Twitter twitter.com/Lets_Not_Date One of my most popular series is my adoption series where I “adopt” the little man babies. Here is my favorite one from that series:
