Author: bomp123

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Healthcare Others

I have four nieces whose rights to their boundaries I will defend to the death

This matters to me because women’s rights have been hard fought for over a long period of time and have only been legally recognised for a very short period of time. Sex-based rights are crucial if women are to overcome the systemic barriers to equity that still exist in UK society and are particularly important for girls and young women who need single-sex spaces for reasons of safety, privacy and dignity. #

I don’t have children, but I have four nieces whose rights to their boundaries I will defend to the death. I also care about this issue because I am a lesbian, a same-sex attracted women. I object strongly to the idea that any male can self-identify as a woman and simply announce they are now a lesbian because of their heterosexual attraction to females. I am also infuriated by the deliberate conflation of sex and gender in official documents and by public bodies and organisations, in particular the Blood Transfusion Service and the NHS where an individual’s sex matters more than any specious idea of masculine or feminine.

I have signed a number of petitions; completed consultations on gender self-identification and reform of the Gender Recognition Act; donated to campaigns for women’s rights; and attended meetings organised by pro-women’s rights groups. I have written to my MP asking that she take account of women’s voices before committing to any vote on reform of the GRA. I have also written to my MSPs asking that they too take account of dissenting voices when it comes to the proposed introduction of gender self-identification in Scotland and followed up on their responses. I have also shared links to consultations on social media, asking people to take part in the consultation to get as wide a range of voices heard as possible.

I have been the subject of some anger and negative responses from friends on Facebook in particular and been accused of homophobia, transphobia and bigotry from people I considered good friends. That led me to make a conscious decision not to discuss the subject on Facebook, which I have stuck to now for around a year. However, the revelation this week that the Scottish Government is sticking to its redefinition of the word woman in the Gender Representation on Public Boards Act is making me rethink that decision, which I now consider a bit cowardly.

Frances Traynor, still believes that language matters and that words have meaning

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Others

There is a highly vocal minority who are using the transgender issue for the wrong reasons

I care passionately about this issue as I believe that sadly some men are using it to pursue their own agenda. They are not transgender, they are not really interested in changing there gender, it’s being used a cover to let them access places they should not. I believe it is a tiny, tiny percentage that are doing this. I believe that there are real transgender people who have spent any years of their lives living miserably only to find real happiness when they have changed gender. However, they seem to be the people who are quietly going about their lives, day to day, and finding ways to alter, change and adapt their lives and situations so they can change gender.

There is discrimination for transgender people and they do need the law to help them achieve their desire status, but there is a highly vocal minority who are using the transgender issue for the wrong reasons and the pace of change needs to be slow, carefully thought through and not allowed to infringe women’s hard fought rights.

I discuss these issues on social media using women’s rights groups and with my partner and family.

I have had a couple of transgender ( male to female) people I know remove me from friends lists and no longer in contact with me.

Amnesia, Just a mature woman with a voice, Amnesia

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Others

Much of current gender theory hinges on circular definitions

It’s important to be able to name our oppression.

I feel that basing policy around ‘gender identity’ reinforces stereotypes.

Definitions are a critical component of social justice. Much of current gender theory hinges on circular definitions.

I’m concerned for autistic girls (like myself) who have never felt comfortable with many aspects of femininity thinking we are in fact male.

I’ve participated in discussion on social media, contributed to crowdfunders. Supported prominent GC figures

I’m mostly losing friends online as my activism is limited to this medium.

Abby

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Men

I am testing the hypothesis that a male bioscientist can say things women get banned for. So far the theory holds

I have three sisters, two daughters, eight nieces, a mother, aunts, cousins. I cannot remain silent, not add my knowledge and understanding knowing their secure spaces are under attack by self obsessed men. So long as I have platforms I will speak.

I have blogged about it. I have joined twitter and I am testing the hypothesis that a male bioscientist can say things women get banned for. So far the theory holds and nobody has called me a TERF, yet. But it’s early days.

Not thus far, the woke brigade and the TRAs either have not noticed me or are inhibited by my profession and postings. I did get engaged by one young woke guy and bio argued him into a corner and got him to admit there is no biological basis to being Trans. My posts get lots of likes and my following grows faster than I can keep up. The tide appears to be turning. Reality will out.

Dr Peter R Ashby, Former Biomedical Scientist, Scottish Yes campaigner, WingsEcosse

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Healthcare Self employed / entrepreneurs

There can be no equality; there can be no ‘MeToo’ movement, if we cannot talk about sex

I care about this issue because I know how much women have had to fight for the rights they currently hold and I can see how easily they are being eroded. Single sex spaces and the ability to define women as a sex class are both integral to being able to fight against and record male violence.

There can be no equality; there can be no ‘MeToo’ movement, if we cannot talk about sex and protect single sex spaces. As a parent, I also care about this issue because equating biological sex with gender stereotypes is regressive and endangers all our children. Children should be able to play with and wear what they want, without being told their age appropriate child development means they are ‘trans’. Further, I am appalled that an untested medical pathway is being promoted as a solution to ever younger people, despite having poor outcomes.

I have written to organisations that have elided sex and gender. I have contacted groups that have jeopardised safeguarding including the NSPCC and Girlguiding. I have completed the GRA consultations. I have contributed to crowd funders and signed petitions. I have joined feminist groups and attended events. I have leafleted. I have also discussed this issue with family, friends and colleagues. I have changed our household purchasing habits in response to companies’ capitulating to trans rights activists and sacrificing women’s rights to placate bullying campaigns.

I have had some awkward conversations with friends and received some hectoring on social media. However, generally, in real life, I find most people agree with the need to maintain the definition of woman and to protect single sex spaces.

MM, Writer, Editor, Feminist

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Others

A man cannot be female and vice versa

I don’t feel that it is right for many reasons. A man cannot be female and vice versa. I do not want to compete in female sporting events and compete against a man. I don’t want a man in a female changing room. They should be a separate category.

I’ve shared posts that I feel appropriate and donated to causes and signed some petitions.

Andrea, Separate category not male and not female 

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Others

She reported me to Labour HQ

Female sex based rights are fundamental to our safety.

I argued with a Labour member on my local Labour CLP FB page that men can’t change sex.

She reported me to Labour HQ and 12 hours later I got a letter telling threatening me with disciplinary for not adhering to the Party policy.

It was covered in the Telegraph paper under “Labour member threatened for not believing men can change sex”.

Janey Hutton, Labour can fuck themselves

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Healthcare Others

I see it as child abuse

I care because I see it as child abuse- telling children they are born in the wrong body is wrong  and committing them to a life of medication and ill health to promote an ideology based on fantasy, queer theory and profit is hideously wrong!

I also see an erosion of women’s sex based rights that have been hard fought for over time – if a man can simply declare himself a woman it undermines us essentially;  be it in sport, in refuges or any single sex space that is segregated and held for the safety of girls and women . I am aghast that this ideology has taken such hold. Largely autogynephils who are essentially fetishests proclaiming themselves as women. The entire trans umbrella is now a wide apron allowing far too many to stand under in the name of progressive gender politics but is nothing of the kind- it is instead regressive, abusive  and based mostly on narcissist fantasy fuelled by big pharma and bodies with vested interest.

I have written, joined groups, attempted to bring it up at local labour meetings and more.

Yes. I have been shunned by local Labour largely and treated like a pariah for my views.

Shernaz D, Concerned grandmother and woman

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Healthcare Others

I have a niece who insists everyone refer to them as “they” and they want to get a double mastectomy- they are 17

I care about this issue because gender ideology seems so obviously harmful, with more children and young adults wishing to become permanently medicalized and feeling they have to change their name simply because they don’t want to confirm to rigid sexist stereotypes.

I have a niece who insists everyone refer to them as “they” and they want to get a double mastectomy – they are 17. Other than that, they remind me so much of virtually all of my friends when I was 17. Edgy, into the latest cool look, playing around with image, being provocative in all sorts of ways. The most we did was tattoos, piercings and food-colouring hair.

Double mastectomy?? New name?? Abusing people for using normal pronouns? It’s like a generation has no new ways left to be shocking and this is it.

Ultimately, I care about protecting women’s spaces from this absurdity.

I’ve donated a lot to crowdfunders who aim to protect women’s spaces. Donated to to eg yours Maya, Posie Parker’s, Jennifer James… Many more, but I mentioned JJ because I remember the Labour keep All Women Shortlists female Only campaign was a turning point for me.

Women are excluded from politics, not because they stick some lippy on, but because they are of the sex who fall pregnant, and everything that comes with that.

Unfortunately the JJ campaign seems to be completely stuck in the mud, but that’s where trying to come up against the Labour Party will get you I suppose.

I have replied to more petitions than I can list here.

I have tentatively raised concerns (WRT women’s spaces) with friends and have, to my relief, found many agree with me. My brother is too woke at the moment, but my Dad has been diamond.

Well, my brother said I was “like a racist” because I thought Transwomen shouldn’t be in women’s sports or prisons, and appears to have typecasted me as a bigot, despite myself being very lefty and liberal, so our relationship has soured a bit.

I got “ghosted” by a Canadian friend who works at the BBC, after I stated I wasn’t 101% supportive of R McKinnon (winning women’s world records). I actually thought they might be different.

I haven’t raised the issue with my child’s school or at work at all. I know how risky it can be.

Ophelia Forte, Mum, feminist, gender free

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Others

If we don’t have a word for ourselves then we can’t protect our rights

This matters to me because it is a massive women’s rights issue. It is important for women’s safety, privacy, women’s sports, and women’s rights in general, because if we don’t have a word for ourselves then we can’t protect our rights.

I was very active anonymously on Twitter (before getting permanently banned for referring to a male paedophile as “he” and saying women don’t have penises and other such “hateful conduct”). I have attended local feminist meetings on the subject. I have delicately broached the subject with a couple of friends, but not as forcefully as I would like (I am afraid of being branded a transphobic before being given a chance to say my piece).

I have spoken openly in local and national Labour Party Facebook groups but I haven’t said anything publicly on my own Facebook page as I am afraid of the reaction from a few friends (even though I am certain the vast majority of people would agree with me once they have heard the full story, as I’ve said, I’m worried that one or two of them could write me off before giving me a chance to explain my view).

I was suspended several times from Twitter before being permanently suspended (for such heinous crimes as referring to a male paedophile as “he” or saying women don’t have penises). I have had minor arguments with friends (which has put me off talking to any other friends).

Amy S, 31, Bristol