Author: bomp123

Categories
Healthcare

I can only explain what being a woman is in biological terms and shared experiences, not by how I feel

I was bought up knowing that I should have the same opportunities as men, although my sex meant I was more vulnerable in some ways. 

When I first started going out to pubs my brother would be dispatched to walk me home, when I moved away to uni my parents sat me down and told me what to do if I was attacked and gave me a rape alarm.  

In the last few years it has seemed more and more as though my biological sex is not the reason for my vulnerability or oppression, but a societally-constructed feeling is.  

I can only explain what being a woman is in biological terms and shared experiences, not by how I feel.

Following JK Rowling’s tweets this week I have finally got round to setting up an anonymous Twitter account so I can educate myself more.   I have spoken to my parents about my views but so may of my friends are woke and I work for the NHS, which has completely fallen for Stonewall’s opinions, so anything further at this stage would ruin my career and thus prevent me working in an area I love.

Despite having an anonymous account, within the first 30 minutes of setting up my Twitter I kept getting redirected to verify my identity, over and over again!   Hmmm, could that be because I was following GC accounts?

K, Frustrated 30-something

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Others

the rights of women and girls are being eroded

I care about this issue because I feel that the rights of women and girls are being eroded. Women are being punished for speaking up about this issue. I would like a future in which women are able to argue in favour of their sex based rights without receiving threats of violence or being labelled transphobic.

I have spoken to family members. I have supported people who speak out on social media. I have lost friends.

Susan, Feminist

Categories
Healthcare Parent

I got the head of my kids’ primary school to implement the Transgender Trend guidance

I was a teenager in the 90s and grew up with 2nd wave feminism. I am big on female anatomy and biology. I have always supported women and children.

I got the head of my kids’ primary school to implement the Transgender Trend guidance. At work I have changed forms which conflated sex and gender. I have been in meetings with the Baroness Nicholson.

I have been writing endlessly to my local MP ( has never replied). I have been to Women’s Place meetings (sometimes with friends). I have radicalised my mother in law. I have lost friends (good, close real life friends) over the GRA (Gender Recognition Act) debate and cannot speak out completely at work.

C

Categories
Men

I object to this because I care about the girls and women in my life

I’m a man. I object to this because I care about the girls and women in my life. Denying sex is madness.

M

Categories
Healthcare

Maintaining single sex spaces is important for my sense of dignity and safety

This matters to me as a mother of both sexes and as a domestic violence survivor. 

Maintaining single sex spaces is important for my sense of dignity and safety. As a parent,  it matters that my children,  both male and female,  are able to use single sex spaces for their privacy and dignity, but especially to protect my daughters from sexual harassment. 

I am deeply concerned that children are allowed to make decisions that can have serious long term consequences and that we as adults allow them, when as adults we should be collectively protecting them from harm. 

I have discussed at work, with friends and on various social media platforms.  But I have to be careful,  because of my work and my volunteering.  I believe I can equally raise my voice in giving girls confidence to question the stereotypes society presents and to remain true to their own beliefs.  I have a few friends,  ironically one with two pre-teen daughters. 

I know the consequences if i spoke up to the wrong people,  and i have to be careful,  which makes me very cross. 

FR, Mother of 3

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Others

I feel that choice and freedoms of women are under attack from all quarters

I care because laws that rely on men choosing to do the right thing rather than those which attach a penalty for doing the wrong thing do not make me feel safe. Even the latter has not kept me safe from men who have stalked me and attempted to assault me sexually.

I feel that choice and freedoms of women are under attack from all quarters at present. This is the most insidious.

I have engaged in social media debate, written an occasional blog post about the issue, engaged in discussion with those close to me.

I have been harassed on social media.

Emily

Categories
Parent

My granddaughter deserves the right to grow up knowing she is female and what that actually means

I care because women’s biological reality is what has been used as an excuse to oppress women – not how we ‘identify’!

It is very important to me to regain women’s right to their own spaces (including but not limited to refuges, prisons, healthcare, social matters, and sexuality), words that describe us (including but not limited to ‘women’ ‘female’ ‘mother’), and the right to discuss what is important without being shouted down, threatened or assaulted.

My granddaughter deserves the right to grow up knowing she is female and what that actually means, without being confused by ‘gender identities’ or by the lack of safeguarding that comes with the TRA agenda.

I have emailed my MP, attended a WPUK event, highlighted the GRA (Gender Recognition Act) consultation on social media, queried myths on social media, supported those who speak gender critical truths, and liked JK on Twitter!

I’ve experienced some vicious attacks on social media, with the loss of some friends.

CE, Woman, mother, grandmother

Categories
Healthcare

My instincts are to welcome gender non conforming ideas and folk because the world needs more kindness and less constraining gender roles

I’m a woman and a feminist. I have studied social science and social theory. I have personal experience of misogyny, sexual harassment, rape, miscarriage, abortion, childhood abuse, mental ill health, IVF and infertility. Those experiences have been embodied.

My instincts are to welcome gender non conforming ideas and folk because the world needs more kindness and less constraining gender roles.

That said, I have experienced being told that using the words woman and mother at a breastfeeding support group is transphobic and I find this ludicrous and offensive.

Non binary and trans folk are of course entitled to use words such as chestfeeding parent etc but the idea that talking about breastfeeding and mothers is transphobic when these are experiences that women (not all women of course) have had forever is ludicrous. Social constructionism in meaningful as a critique but we cannot disembody ourselves even if our dysphoria makes this an attractive option.

I’ve talked to friends. I don’t talk much on social media about this.

Kittycat

Categories
children of trans parents Healthcare survivor

My biggest struggle has been explaining to my 3-year old daughter where grandad has gone and why she had to become gran

I care because human rights are important for everyone. It has become very personal as I now have a daughter, my dad recently identified as trans, I work in mental health which includes young people who identify as trans and females who have been victims of male violence. All of these people have rights – how do we balance them and not sacrifice one excessively for the sake of another group?

I care because I am part of the me too generation. Because I was so socialised to gender roles I allowed my ex to convince me it wasn’t rape. This socialising started before I even recognised my own gender. There has to be a space to think about this – but that space seems to be disappearing. Trans women do experience misogyny but do they have the same internalised misogyny from early childhood? This is not to diminish the massive internalised stigma and dysphoria that they experience – but these are different experiences.

I have discussed with people I trust. I have tried to educate myself – understanding all sides of the argument.

My biggest struggle has been explaining to my 3-year old daughter where grandad has gone and why she had to become gran. All books written for that age group on the topic refer to boys not liking pink (or similar) which goes against everything I try to teach her!

I have occasionally made attempts to discuss aspects at work.

I have been aggressively challenged when reflecting on my feelings about my personal situation (apparently it is not ok for me to have any difficult feelings about my dad identifying as trans – I am 41). I have been accused of misgendering by referring to her as “dad” (this was something I discussed with her and agreed I would do.

I feel this is a hugely important topic but do not dare raise it as the trans lobby is so powerful I worry I would be putting my professional registration at risk. One trans person raising concerns could be all it would take. Even though my experience would suggest most trans people would not share the view that my attempts to balance all needs are transphobic.

D.R., Mental health worker

Categories
Healthcare

This matters to me personally, as a gay man, and professionally as a social worker

This matters to me personally, as a gay man, and professionally as a social worker. I see the erosion of women’s rights and LGB people’s rights happening before our very eyes, and do not want the country to be taking such a regressive step.

I have raised my voice at work with certain colleagues, though they have largely been in agreement and supportive.

I have been called a TERF on social media and blocked by various people online. My main fear is a complaint to Social Work England, the regulator. While I find it ludicrous that someone would complain when a social worker raises legitimate concerns about women’s rights, LGB rights and child safeguarding, I have seen it happen already to a social work academic.

BF, Social Worker