I care because the rights of trans people are important and they are done a disservice by false narratives.
I have made sure to be open and honest during debates.
I have been abused online because of it.
Jackie, Trans Rights Activist
Author: bomp123
I have looked after a trans patient who I met through the injuries they got when they tried to commit suicide.
I then knew a neighbour’s kid who became trans and requested to be known as a different name. This kid’s parent is employed as a parenting expert running Council courses on parenting and I was intrigued and worried as to how miserable they seemed despite a v supportive family.
My sister is lesbian and on the more butch end of the spectrum when she goes to parties though not in day to day life. I realised she would have had pressure to trans if she was living her childhood now and I feel protective to both my patient (who had life changing injuries) and neighbour’s kid.
I have two daughters who are very girly though I myself am a tomboy I would say. As a paediatrician I particularly strongly object to the treatment of rogd (rapid onset gender dysphoria) and in fact all gender dysphoria with hormone blockers /hormones /surgery in children. Logically any of these treatments should be reserved for age 25 plus when brain is emotionally matured.
Legally treatments should be reserved until age 18 I believe but this is against usual medical practice.
I hate the thought these unhappy kids and teenagers may lose sexual health and function, plus libido and osteoporosis etc etc all because the medical profession is failing them. We must remember our hipppcratic oath – first, do no harm.
I have discussed with my sisters who defend trans rights and tell me I’m wrong (including my sister who is lesbian). I have briefly mentioned to my husband. I have read widely on line. I have posted on twitter once asking whether lockdown may be good for teen trans kids. Otherwise I have not posted as I’m scared of personal and professional repurcussions.
My sisters are slightly distanced from me and critical of my beliefs.
JS, Paediatric doctor and mum of two kids
I am a victim of domestic abuse, I want single sex spaces to be protected.
I have used twitter to amplify the voices of others, and to defend my position and challenge people on their’s.
I have had some mild abuse on twitter.
Jo , domestic abuse survivor
I care about women’s spaces, their safety, privacy and dignity. It seems strange to me that many lefty types have a blind spot when it comes to women.
I also worry about children who don’t conform to typical gender expectations thinking that they are wrong and need to be corrected.
I talk to my friends and family about this issue as much as I think is possible without alienating / boring them.
I discuss this issue on Twitter most days.
On Twitter I am repeatedly told I am hateful, a bigot or some variation of that theme. At times this has impacted in my mental health. I know I am not motivated by hate, but the idea that I am unwittingly upsetting others sometimes gets to me. I have been sent idle threats, but nothing specific enough to scare me.
JustDavidDavid, pro trans, anti gender
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I’m working hard to find my voice
I care about the protection of womens sex based rights and the right to discuss our issues openly and without fear of reprisal.
I have four daughters and am frankly terrified that they are growing up in a world where they cannot even call themselves “girls” or “women” without accusations of being exclusionary or intolerant.
I have joined twitter and am using it to educate and research and gain solidarity and strength from likeminded campaigners.
I plan to attend some real life womens rights meetings once they are able to start up again. I’m a natural introvert and find it very challenging to speak up but I’m working hard to find my voice.
KatieA
I am primarily concerned about safety of women in single sexed spaces e.g. Refuges, toilets. Secondly I am concerned about women’s sports. Women’s sports exist to provide a level playing field and allowing trans women with women to compete distorts this level playing field. It will have a negative impact on the careers and livelihoods of women athletes which is already underfunded and under resourced compared to mens sports.
I have talked with family and friends when the topic arises but not done anything practically.
I care because just today a trans women came out at work. However they won’t be dressing as a woman all the time as it “wouldn’t be practical in their job”. It has made me so unaccountably angry. Putting on femalehood like a costume and then taking it off when it isn’t practical.
An acknowledgement that women have it worse but doing nothing about it and just taking the “good” bits.
I am concerned about consequences at work if I was to be more vocal, particularly as my twitter account is mainly used for work, but not exclusively.
I would be fired
Anna
This matters to me because of the many very serious safeguarding implications. It has illustrated the multiple points of failure of safeguarding frameworks & it will always be the most vulnerable children & adults who will bear the consequences. It is ethically impossible to ignore these. I have been horrified by the treatment of those who are whistleblowing the issues.
I have contributed to the knowledge base of women who are raising their voices. I have ensured that I am very well informed.
There is so much misinformation. Evidence based responses are crucial as well as helping people feel more confident to dispel the avalanche of myths.
I have been utterly disillusioned by many organisations who should have safeguarding at their core. The safeguarding issues I raised with my MP were dismissed out of hand. She did not provide any evidence as rebuttal.
S
I care because I was silenced in a work meeting by managers. It was Trans awareness training within an NHS hospital. My manager came to sit by me and told me not to speak or I’d risk dismissal.
I have shared factual information on the Equality Act regarding sex and gender.
I have had threats of dismissal.
A
Women’s rights were hard won. They shouldn’t be dismantled as though granting them was a favour. I’m sick of black women being used as evidence that black people are not really people. I’m personally insulted at the racist, homophobic and misogyny of most trans narrative.
How have women’s rights and needs advanced incrementally by millimetres, but trans issues are now forefront of public and private policy?
I have shared schools guidance with friends worried about the school decision to turn toilets into mixed sex areas with no consultation.
I have challenged at work (raising safeguarding implications), discussed with family and friends, donated to crowdfunding and amplified the voices of those doing the hard work on social media.
I have been warned off for flagging implications for other protected characteristics. I’ve also been accused of attacking a trans person in a private and left-politics Facebook group for providing alternative information to challenge the statement that trans people started Pride and Stonewall.
Barbarara, Sister, not Cister
This matters to me because I am a woman and the word has been redefined in law to include males. I care because of lived experience including abuse and misogyny.
I can’t raise my voice for fear of losing my career in the NHS.
I have tweeted in support of Maya and JK Rowling and engaged in learning and reading including the excellent feminist board on Mumsnet
I have not experienced negative consequences because my personal online accounts are not connected to my work accounts.
C, Scottish 48yo female NHS physiotherapist
The Gender Dissidents Survey 