Author: bomp123

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Public Sector

Society has got this wrong

I have enjoyed my body for much of my life.  Conning vulnerable people into believing that they can change gender by hurting and harming their own bodies is cruel and wrong.  Girls getting their breasts removed tells us that there is something wrong with how those girls are being treated/growing up.

Society has got this wrong. Drug companies are profiting by mutilating people.  I was inspired by people like Posie Parker as well as the various arguments by different women.  They helped me to clarify my views on women’s liberation.  I was then outraged at the attacks on thinking women and resolved to stand up for us.

Another woman and I were members of Plaid Cymru.  She was investigated then chucked out of the party for disagreeing with the leadership. They were heavily influenced by Stonewall.  Her arguments were strong feminist arguments yet she wasn’t listened to.  

I began retweeting her arguments. We reached thousands of people. I challenged Leanne Wood on facebook and was surprised that our lead feminist was so unfamiliar with women’s arguments on this.  I raised it with Neil McEvoy and he recognised that the women around him thought it was important. I raised it with Rhun Ap Iorwerth AM who said that another female AM  Helen Mary Jones had had stick for raising this.  

I got involved in arguments with Welsh Greens and some listened.  I was surprised at how few people didn’t seem to get the importance of the re-definition of woman.  I was shocked at the political cowardice and group think of so many  people who wanted to be politically inclusive at my expense and who seemed remarkably ignorant about women’s issues.  Yesterday I started a new twitter account without my name, to build a better platform.

I have been blocked by someone who used to discuss things on facebook.  Other friends are wary that I might make their trans friends unhappy.  It’s sad but if everyone shut up it would be very bad for women and girls.

TalkitUp, Woman refusing to put up and shut up, Mouthyloud

Categories
Public Sector

I don’t like the move to erase ‘women’ as a sex

This matters to me because I don’t like the move to erase ‘women’ as a sex and I want to protect the hard won safe spaces for women.

I have not done as much as I would like out of fear of drawing attention to myself.  I have discussed it at work but only with like-minded women.

LW

Categories
Public Sector

As a result of the Victoria Derbyshire show, I was overwhelmed by support and kindness from women I had not met

I care because I have rejected gender stereotypes since my teenage years in the 1970s.  I strongly disagree with having to tolerate men in women’s spaces.  I am particularly angered (on behalf of my daughter) by the takeover of University Feminist Societies by men.

As a Non-Legal Member of the Employment Tribunals (England and Wales) I was astonished that transgender discrimination was featured at the 2019 Regional Training Day.  In 24 years as a member I have never come across such a case.  Nor had any of my colleagues.

I was annoyed at myself for destroying the slides used in the presentation, but on reflection they are normally sent out in advance.  I have searched in vain for any trace of them on the Judicial Internet or my ejudiciary.net email account.

Many colleagues were, like me, horrified at the notion it was fine to call a person “Queer” if that’s what they chose.  We were informed that sex was “assigned at birth”.  At that point I thought “I have to say something here”.

I raised my hand and said “Sex is not assigned at birth. Like many women, I have given birth.  Sex is a clinical observation. It is important for the treatment of many medical conditions.  Often it is known long before birth, at the 20 week scan.  I’ll just leave that there”.  I didn’t expect a response and didn’t get one.  But many of my colleagues indicated subtly that they supported my view.

On another occasion I was identified on Twitter by a BBC production assistant as someone who had rejoined the Labour Party after Jeremy Corbyn announced he would step down as Leader. 

I was invited on the Victoria Derbyshire show to ask a question regarding my Labour Party membership.  During a telephone conversation prior to the show I had a list of questions prepared that I would like to ask.  One of them was “Are transwomen women?”

It was confirmed that that is the question I would ask. I had decided to frame my question around the specific issues of Labour All Women Shortlists and CLP Women’s Officer roles.

I was as nervous as hell but thankfully I am semi-retired. I did wonder if I might put my Judicial Appointment at risk.  I thought of Maya Forstater, whose Crowdfund I had supported.  I felt it would be dishonourable not to take this opportunity.

In the studio, they took away my bag because they didn’t want “the set to look like an airport lounge”.  I wish I had remembered my bottle of water inside, because when I stood up to speak my mouth was so dry I could barely speak.  I got my point across though.  It was received in complete silence.  Keir Starmer said “We should all dial down the rhetoric” (?).  Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long Bailey informed me that “Trans women are women”.   

Thankfully, for me, there have been no negative consequences.  I sat on a case in early March with the Employment Judge who took the training session.  He remembered me from that, but was professional and friendly.  I felt like perhaps I had struck a chord. 

As a result of the Victoria Derbyshire show, I was overwhelmed by support and kindness from women I had not met on Twitter before, and invited to join the Facebook group.  I don’t think I could have lived with myself if I’d passed up that opportunity.  I think I have been blocked by most transgender purists.

Fiona Robertson, Semi-retired former TU Officer, Employment Tribunal Member

Categories
Public Sector

A chilling effect on my ability to discuss and defend those rights

This matters to me because I care about having the ability to speak the truth, to be able to discuss the reality of sex, the material experience and consequences of being female, and the public policy implications of this.

I value my sex-based rights enormously and should be able to name and discuss them without disproportionate consequences. However, gender activists have achieved a near-comprehensive public policy capture and institutions capture which is imposing a chilling effect on my ability to discuss and defend those rights.

I have submitted evidence to various relevant consultations including the GRA consultation, and donated to numerous crowdfunders for legal actions supporting sex-based rights. I also spoke up at work until it became clear it was too professionally risky to do so.

When I questioned why a women’s network at work was being renamed a “Gender Network” and expressed the concern that the network’s focus seemed to be shifting away from centering women’s interests, I was “ghosted” by the network’s organisers:

I was dropped from the mailing list, which effectively excluded me from a group I had previously been active in – without anyone ever responding to my question.

EJ

Categories
Public Sector

Everyone has been appalled and disgusted

The protection of the biological definition of women and of women-only spaces, services and sports matter to me as I don’t want men in any place where I or any other woman or girl could be naked, semi-naked or vulnerable.  I want to restore clear, biology-based definitions of men and women.

I don’t think it is right to compel people to behave or speak in accordance with an ideology that they don’t believe in and which is prejudicial to the interests of women, girls and vulnerable adults.  The current situation seems to be a mix of a quasi-religion that allows no heresy and McCarthyism.  Freedom of speech is in danger.

I want to establish the principle that women have the right to say no to men’s demands and that women don’t have to sacrifice themselves to allow men to have what they want.

I have spoken to colleagues and other people I work with – in the high-profile, prestigious place I work there are lots of people who work there who are not employees of the organisation – about the implications of the organisation’s transgender policy which has been dictated by Stonewall. 

Some people have not understood the problem until I pointed it out.  Everyone has been appalled and disgusted.

HR are completely unresponsive on the transgender policy so I formally contacted a very senior (non-HR) member of the staff who I work with from time to time about the implications of the transgender policy.  He listened very kindly and seemed very concerned, but it turns out that he was mainly interested in whether I had been sexually harassed at work (I haven’t). 

However, the transgender policy has been amended, I assume as a result of my intervention to take out the passage “transgender people can have any sexual orientation.  For example, a transgender man (someone who lives as a man today) may be primarily attracted to other men (and identify as a gay man), may be primarily attracted to women (an identify as a straight man), or have any other sexual orientation”.  

The management evidently took notice when I pointed out that the passage made clear that they knew they were expecting people to change their clothes or use the toilet in the presence of heterosexual people of the other sex and that that could make them legally responsible for any harassment. Apart from that keeping the Stonewall Diversity Champion status and appearing woke seem to be much more important that the safety, privacy, dignity and peace of mind of the staff.

I follow gender critical organisations on Facebook and I used to comment on Twitter, but I got barred for speaking up for women.  I also comment on newspaper articles, primarily in the Times. 

I would have had qualms about doing so at work if I had any desire for promotion or if the criteria for my annual assessment were substantially subjective or if I had longer to go until I retire. I’ve also been very careful to keep all my complaints strictly formal and via my work IT network so that if harassment arises it will be possible to trace its source via the network.

I’ve been barred from Twitter and some of my comments on the Times have been deleted.

S, Adult human female

Categories
Healthcare Parent

I’ve shown my family (who at first thought I was being unkind) current ‘transwomen’

I tell my two children (one of each sex) that there are no such thing as boy or girl toys/books/colours/hobbies. I will not allow anyone to claim their preferences/personality means they were born in the wrong body. I also refuse to be an unwilling participant in AGP paraphilia/fetish. Womanhood isn’t a costume you can wear, a set of behaviours you can mimic or a club you can join.

I’ve shown my family (who at first thought I was being unkind) current ‘transwomen’ Alex, Rachel, Big Steph, Laurel, Morgane and Lily M. Opened their eyes, big time.

I have been accused of being ‘obsessed’. I point out that I am the mother of a 5 year old girl and that I am determined to stop fetishist men having unfettered access to her changing rooms and sports.

Flintster, Woman. Mum

Categories
Lesbians

I was horrified at men approaching me on lesbian dating sites

This matters to me as I feel I would have been put down the trans route if I were growing up today. Typical gender non conforming child who grew into a same sex attracted woman.

I became single after a long relationship and after a long illness I recovered emotionally and physically to go back on the dating scene. I was horrified at men approaching me on lesbian dating sites. Most of them didn’t declare this and I worked it out.

I felt humiliated and a bit scared that I might have met someone in person without knowing they were biological men. It chilled me to the bone. I can now spot them and block them, but it was unpleasant and degrading for me at the time.

One person had been stalking me on line and in my social life – I had that experience from men in my 20’s and 30’s. I found it impossible to understand why they were there in the first place and it led me to question what the hell is going on.

I created a twitter account. I discuss it with friends and family. I also challenge the new norm at work by calling out the ridiculousness of language and mixed sex toilets.

Some friends especially the ‘woke’ younger women are unkind or think I’m old fashioned.

EJ, Proud vintage lesbian who feels like an outsider all over again but this time it’s the heterosexuals who are my allies, magdelen berns appreciation society

Categories
Healthcare Public Sector

The civil service is not impartial while it unquestioningly adopts Stonewall’s ideologies

Women and children’s safety and well-being is being rolled back. In plain sight. The civil service is not impartial while it unquestioningly adopts Stonewall’s ideologies. Women – and lesbians in particular – are afraid of speaking up. I have questioned us using Stonewall for gathering adult experiences on child sex abuse and been accused of being homophobic as a result.

I responded to GRA consultation. I’ve written to and met my MP. I’ve said no at work to the expansion of harmful practices as regards children (giving them unlicensed drugs), and blindly following Stonewall and Mermaids.

I have been accused of being homophobic and of not caring about trans people.

I care because I want to use spaces such as changing rooms, toilets, etc without being harassed and/or intimidated.

I have responded to my child’s school’s consultation on PHSE. I have reminded local organisations about the Equalities Act 2010.

A, terrified public policy woman

Categories
Public Sector

I value my rights and will not sit back while they are stolen

As a girl and woman I am structurally oppressed. I know generations of women and girls have fought and effected change furthering the rights of women and girls. I have joined that struggle and secured sex based rights. I care about this issue because I value my rights and will not sit back while they are stolen .

I have taken direct action , I have written articles I have researched information pertaining to women in prison, female changing rooms etc, I have organised a borough wide meeting alerting the community about the attack on female sex based rights.

I have been blacklisted.

Jill, Community activist

Categories
Others

I feel that the rights of women and girls are being compromised

This is an important issue to me because I feel that the rights of women and girls are being compromised, eg no-platforming of academics, girls being told they have to accept male bodied trans girls into their spaces

I have completed various online petitions/actions, eg GRA, I have emailed my MP to voice my concerns over changes to language, I have joined several like minded groups on social media for support, and shared lots of information, to raise awareness to friends, eg pictures of males competing unfairly with female athletes

I have been ‘ganged up’ on and shouted down when I have tried to defend or make a point in groups on Facebook, eg The Labour Party Forum. I have been called a bigot and TERF purely for not agreeing that trans women are women,

ElleWoman:adult human female