Author: Maya Forstater

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Parent

This is medicine’s next big scandal

My child identified as trans a few years ago. I wasn’t worried at first, but the more I learnt about the impacts for her and other transitioning young people, and the impact on women and girls generally, the more concerned I became.

I am now convinced that this is medicine’s next big scandal waiting to break, and that trans activism operates as a cult.

I have been to meetings and participated in sharing info on social media. I try to keep evidence on hand so I can counter misinformation.

My child stopped speaking to me – way before I became active. Anything other than full affirmation was not acceptable. I was not supposed to read gender critical sites, and not allowed to express concerns about the medical pathway, even though I offered (qualified) support.

J, Worried parent of older transitioner

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Education Healthcare

This goes against all the safeguarding I have ever been taught

I care because I am a teacher, parent and Girlguiding leader and this goes against all the safe guarding I have ever been taught. This matters to me because the safeguarding and single sex spaces exist for a reason and they are trying to be removed with no proper debate. From single sex toilet, changing and sleeping provision to irreversible medical intervention to women and girls being pushed out of sport, I care and I object to women and children and lesbians and gay people being overridden like this.

I have written to my MP and MSPs. I have taken part in the Gender Recognition Act consultations in Scotland and the wider UK and shared them with friends. I have discussed this with friends. I came to it from the idea that it was like gay rights and we should all just be nice but then I read and learnt more and was horrified. Some people I really respect still post things like “Trans Women are Women” and I can only assume they haven’t yet educated themselves properly about it because I know they are not homophobic nor anti women and children’s rights. But it is very hard to persuade them.

Some I have persuaded, others we’ve agreed to disagree for now and some have stopped being friends on social media (those I knew least). As they have been told I am a bigot for thinking like this, it makes opening the conversation harder than it ought to be. There are also many people I have not dared discuss it with (I am a teacher and Girlguiding leader) as if I openly disagree with Girlguiding, I will be removed as a leader. I admire the courage of those who have stood up to them.

As a teacher I try to keep the pupils’ minds open if it comes up (it rarely does with my subject).

Saying “I think all gender stereotypes are bad” caused some discussion though and I thought that was a safe statement. I do not think young people should do anything irreversible and hormones and “puberty blockers” are just that.

We need far more support with mental health and the wider difficulties of being a teenager in general. It’s a hard age to be.

Only a couple have stopped following me on social media. As I have a protected account I have been limited use and had limited harm.

If I were to speak out within Girlguiding, I would have to stop volunteering.

I admire those who have spoken out but haven’t done it myself as I’m scared for the consequences.

EB, Teacher, parent, Girlguiding leader

Categories
Education

truth, science and oppression based on biology

This matters to me for so many reasons: fundamentally summed up by truth, science and oppression based on biology

I have spoken to my school re teenage transition, active on social media. Discussed with friends and mp.

I have lost some friends. Had abuse on social media.

Laura, Secondary teacher

Categories
Education

I have refused to deliver curriculum

I am a mother, a parent and a teacher

I have submitted full analyses of all government policy and resource. I have spoken up at meetings when relevant. I have refused to deliver curriculum and implement policy. I have shared my views with friends and family members when they have raised the subject.

I have had some consequences: I have been told by friends that I am bigoted and obsessed.

A Teacher who has dedicated many years to upholding equalities legislation in schools

Categories
Education Healthcare

Transwomen are important & in need of support, but they are not women

I care because I see the need for sex based recording, security & resourcing. We need to be able to have balanced, caring conversations in order to find solutions that respect lived experiences, fears & needs. Transwomen are important & in need of support, but they are not women. Also concerned that this ‘solution’ to gender dysphoria is not easy, simple or effective.

Why aren’t we helping people to be happy with who they are?

I have used social media to amplify GC accounts, tried to have conversations with people who think GC is the enemy, talked to feminists who only saw the trans perspective & shared concerns & examples of behaviours that damage both women & girls & transwomen. I regularly report accounts which are abusive to women & use hate speech.

I am on a block list & regularly find that accounts which used to be mutual have blocked me. I feel unable to speak because the conversation is abusive & accepts no nuance or need for discussion. I’m a middle aged peri menopausal feminist with teenage children, male & female – my perspective is not represented by any of the conversations I see.

Al, Solution driven

Categories
Education

Men generally don’t take it seriously

I care because I work in Education and have personally seen the effect of puberty blockers on a couple of Y7/8 girls, one of whom used to collapse on a regular basis. This had an effect on staff seeing this happen.

I then began reading more about the subject and was extremely worried how this subject and it’s consequences for women and girls was slipping under the radar and changes being introduced by stealth.

I have talked about it with friends and family. Men generally don’t take it seriously as they will not be affected by its consequences.

The worry is that young women want to be fair to everyone as they don’t see the dangerous consequences for themselves.

I have discussed on social media.

AB, Concerned School support member of staff

Categories
Education

I no longer feel comfortable being a member of WEP

I care about this issue because I am concerned that women are losing long fought rights and the small advances achieved by the feminist movement are being threatened.

I have questioned the lack of consultation by The Women’s Equality Party on changes to gender equality law. My local group was not asked for a response

I no longer feel comfortable being a member of WEP

H, Life long feminist

Categories
Education Healthcare

I worry for the long term effects that this ideology will have on children

I care because women as a sex class are fundamentally different to men and the language used recently erases these differences.

The reason women face sexism is due to us having the majority of the reproductive burden and to suggest men could claim to be a woman and face the same thing minimises it.

Finally, I worry for the long term effects that this ideology will have on children as no enough research has been done in this area.

I have spoken to some friends and family regarding these issues, particularly the effects on children. I follow many gender critical people/organisations/communities to stay up to date and educated on the topic.

When speaking to one family member about the topic, I barely scratched the surface before they started calling me a “TERF” and saying they were disappointed in me. I haven’t touched on the topic with my family since.

L

Categories
Education Healthcare Parent

Children need to be allowed to grow up without being manipulated into fulfilling someone else’s idea of what is normal

This matters to me because my eldest son was very gender non conforming. He had an all-female friendship group at school; hated sport; did four dance classes a week; wore bright colours and nail varnish; and dressed-up as female characters on World Book Day and the Golden Jubilee – he made a lovely princess! 

We always told him there’s no right way to be a boy and celebrated his confidence. His two best family friends were ‘trad’ boys and they are still his best friends today. He is now 16, wears mainly black and navy and alongside his one remaining dance class, he does weight training and plans to take up American football!  He’s had a girlfriend, has a diverse friendship group and loves his life as a teen boy. He is horrified when he reads about gender non conforming kids like him being told they are the really the opposite sex. When I read about Mermaids CEO Susie Green’s child, who sounded just like my son as a toddler, my heart breaks. I firmly believe that you don’t really get to know yourself until after puberty.

If an adult wishes to transition, I hope they get the best care and support but children need to be allowed to grow up without being manipulated into fulfilling someone else’s idea of what is normal.

I have written to my MP and various Labour leadership candidates; signed petitions; attended Women’s Place UK and argued gently with friends (either young women or older men in the tech industry) although most of my friendship group and their children agree with me.

A friend from my MA course challenged me about liking ‘transphobic’ tweets. We had a brief, polite discussion and she unfollowed me.

Vee, Teacher

Categories
Education Healthcare Parent

It is so blatantly misogynistic

Why so I care: so many reasons! Because it poses a seismic threat to women and children. Because it is so blatantly misogynistic. But also because it is so crazy and baseless! The sheer madness of it – I’ve never seen anything like it!

What have I done? Mainly stuff on social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Also Instagram.stories which are great because I see the same ppl looking at them – people I wouldn’t expect to be interested!

Have i faced any consequences? Yes loads. A very close friend and his husband no longer speak to me. One of my daughters is angry with me about it and refuses to talk to me about it. Other ppl.have called me mad and obsessed.

Keren, Angry old feminist