That spring [1993], Hole played a women-only festival in London organized by English Riot Grrrl band Huggy Bear.  (Eric was admitted as an honorary woman.)  Courtney had mixed feelings about the sexual separatism, but admitted that it was wonderful to be able to crowd-surf in trust rather than fear of digital rape and possible injury.

Even so, she couldn't avoid getting into a shouting match with members of the audience - she committed the cardinal (in this crowd) sin of referring to a woman journalist as "fat."  Just before Hole went onstage, someone mentioned to Courtney that Linda Duff from the Daily Star was in the house.  As Courtney understood it, Ms. Duff had been responsible for printing the photo of the dead crack baby that was supposed to be Frances Bean.  Courtney had been slugging down vodka-and-grapefruit juice, and she grabbed the mike and roared, "There's a woman here called Linda Duff from the Daily Star and she's blonde and she's fat and I WANT HER GONE!"

"You have no right to call her fat," came an immediate catcall from the audience.

Hole launched into their first song without responding.  But before the song was over, Courtney had decided to apologize.  After all, fat was a feminist issue, and there was no need to alienate a whole clubful of women just to skewer one more parasite.  Unfortunately, the apology didn't come out very well.  "I'm sorry I called her fat.  Maybe having people call her that has made her into the twisted and bitter person she obviously is."

The same catcaller spoke up.  "An apology's not enough!  You shouldn't have said it in the first place!"

Courtney rolled her eyes.  It was no use.  "LOOK," she yelled, "I'M NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT AND I'M NOT THE VOICE OF A GENERATION, SO FUCK YOU!!!"

The crowd cheered, and Courtney hoisted her guitar proudly.