The 5-Minute Interview: Beatrix Campbell, Writer

'I'm entranced by people's testimonies and stamina'

Beatrix Campbell spoke at the launch of the Coalition for Action on Diversity and Equality (Cade) yesterday, which coincides with the Gender Equality Duty due to come into force on 6 April

At the event I talked about...

How this [the introduction of a statutory equality duty and the launch of Cade] was an historic moment. The state has tended to see itself as an independent and neutral arbitrator. Those who endure inequalities are seen as evolutionary failures. The state is the problem not the people.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Travelling to London to meet with the exquisite cast of a play called Blame, which I co-wrote with Judith Jones.

A word I use far too often is...

"Actually". It's a word that provides the space to think aloud to work out what I am about to say.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Social solidarity. I wish people were less afraid, contemptuous and resistant to so many people's experiences with harm and humiliation. Our culture has become inhospitable. If we were able to more easily assimilate other people's experiences then we would be healthier and richer - in a political sense.

The most surprising thing that happened to me...

Happiness and falling in-love with my gal. I just feel blessed every day with this marvellous funny, clever, sexy, gorgeous being.

A common misperception of me is...

That I'm hard because I'm a political street fighter but actually I'm a sweetie pie.

I am not a politician but...

I believe in politics as a means of making a difference and I'm entranced by people's testimonies, by their stamina.

Sara Newman