Firebrand feminist Gloria Steinem ties the knot

LOS ANGELES - Surprised, shocked and even disappointed, the feminists of America struggled yesterday to come to terms with the sudden wedding of their high priestess, Gloria Steinem.

Steinem, credited with the line "a woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle," which became the rallying call for the 1970s women's liberation movement, was herself amazed at becoming a first-time bride at 66.

"Though I've worked many years to make marriage more equal, I never expected to take advantage of it myself," Steinem said, announcing her weekend marriage to South African-born entrepreneur David Bale, 61, father of actor Christian Bale.

"I'm happy, surprised, and one day will write about it, but for now I hope this proves what feminists have always said - that feminism is about the ability to choose what's right at each time of our lives," Steinem said.

Coming after years of heated feminist debate over whether marriage was merely a necessary evil or a form of prostitution, her decision drew fire as well as congratulations.

"Gloria Steinem's marriage is proof positive of the emotional desperation of ageing feminists who for more than 30 years worshipped the steely career woman and callously trashed stay-at-home moms," said outspoken feminist Camille Paglia.

Steinem, who had previously derided marriage as "designed for a person and a half," or an institution that destroys relationships, said she married for love.

"We are at an age when marriage can be chosen and not expected. Marriage is also much more equal now under the law."

Steinem's attraction to men had never been in doubt. The glamorous face of American feminism and co-founder of Ms magazine in 1972, her past companions included a string of handsome and wealthy admirers.

Once dubbed the "mini-skirted pin-up girl of the intelligentsia" she reassured her sisters in the movement that eschewing men was not a prerequisite for women's lib.

The online bulletin boards of Ms magazine buzzed yesterday.

Amid the stunned cries of "Bravo" lay the mixed feelings of contributors such as "Heart."

"I can't deny that I feel a little disappointed. Something about Gloria's refusal to get married encouraged and inspired me in a really deep and meaningful way, even though here I sit, married as the day is long," she wrote.

Steinem's followers should take heart from the fact that the wedding ceremony at the Oklahoma home of former Cherokee leader Wilma Mankiller substituted the word "partners" for "husband and wife."

Bale works for several environmental and feminist groups.

- REUTERS

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