Public Sector

I asked why my work policies misrepresented the Equality Act – I was told must not speak to anyone any further

I was taken aside by my manager and instructed that I must not speak to anyone regarding this issue any further. It matters to me as a feminist and as a woman that women’s specific issues and inequality should be addressed and discussed and I believe that this is not possible if male people are…

I was a Prison Officer so I had a valid contribution to make

I don’t understand the UK today, why has ‘diversity’ mandatory training in all jobs suddenly become something done by Stonewall – who as far as I can tell from Twitter, have invented a new range of people, instead of just male and female. I am, at age 52, glad not to be working and having…

As an HR professional I feel for colleagues trying to navigate through this

I guess I would have called myself a liberal feminist, a live and let live type. I thought trans people had GD and medically/ surgically transitioned. I once worked with a very nice transwoman who presented as a woman, was called she, but used the men’s changing room and toilets. When JK Rowling tweeted in…

I quickly realised it was largely abuse survivors and women worried about their children speaking up

It was, in the first instance a bullying issue for me. I was a Labour Party officer, responsible for membership in our CLP and was appalled at the way a small local group were being allowed to mistreat and slander women. When I started talking to people, I very quickly realised that it was largely…

It seems counterintuitive that in order to feel like yourself, you need to change?

This matters to me because I was raised in a way that was as gender neutral as possible, and having three daughters, it’s important to me that they understand that they are not constrained by their born sex. I have overcome many prejudices in both my personal and professional life to prove that I am…

I felt as a former psychiatrist and seasoned politician I should stand up and be counted

I first became aware of how large an issue this had become about three years ago on Twitter. As a man, it wasn’t something I had seen much of before then. As someone who has always supported women’s rights I think I just assumed that this was no longer a campaigning issue but a matter…

As an ally to lesbians I want to protect their rights to homosexuality

As a woman I am terrified of the erasure. As an ally to lesbians I want to protect their rights to homosexuality. I have only spoken on social media. I’m too afraid otherwise I am too afraid to say something at work. EA, Concerned adult human female, No thank you, USA

It’s toxic for morale in an organisation when someone decides to identify a certain way for cynical reasons.

I work in HR in a large government organisation. It’s toxic for morale in an organisation when someone decides to identify a certain way for cynical reasons. I’ve had several really bad experiences with this. I’m sick of it. I have been very forceful in making sure the actual not the stated wishes for is…

Gender ideology spreads lies and reinforces sexist stereotypes

I care about the truth. Gender ideology spreads lies and reinforces sexist stereotypes. I’m anonymously vocal on Twitter. In real life, I talk about this to everyone (friends, family, coworkers). Most people are not even aware of this issue. Yet when they find out, all agree with my position. I serve in the military. If…

When I can’t use the words women or woman, how can I work in a feminist way?

As a woman and long-time feminist I need the language to be able to describe the sex class I belong to and the issues we all face as females. To have this language taken from us, to be silenced in this way, is profoundly disturbing and authoritarian. Knowing the harsh and unfair consequences that some…

I’m concerned about the future of girls’ sports

I resent my 52 years of experience as a woman including much hardship, abuse, and discrimination being equated with the sudden whim of a 13 year old boy who likes glitter and nail polish. I’m concerned about the future of girls’ sports. I’ve tweeted in support of JK Rowling twice. I’ve been unfollowed on Twitter…

I have joined the equality committee of my union to try to make a difference.

I am worried about the effect of transgender ideology on women’s rights. For example, “gender” replacing “sex” on official forms, equality law being misrepresented with “gender Identity” cited as a protected characteristic when it is not and “sex” omitted, former women’s toilets being made “gender neutral” while the men’s is left as it is and…

It has become almost impossible to speak the truth about sex

I believe the truth matters, and language is important, and it has become almost impossible to speak the truth about sex. I believe I would be at risk of losing my job if I were to state publicly that I don’t believe trans women are female. I don’t have any understanding of what it is…

When one of the trainers declared a propos of nothing in particular ‘we love puberty blockers’ I was absolutely disgusted

Apart from the obvious risks to women inherent in allowing any man to declare himself a woman, I am really concerned about the state and other powerful organisations expecting us plebs to affirm what we know to be untrue out of fear. This goes way beyond anything about trans rights and sets a terrifying precedent. …

I work in a university where there are no female toilets anymore

I care because self id has swept into every single workplace throughout the UK with no change in the law. I work in a university where there are no female toilets anymore, where disabled toilets have been renamed accessible to open them up for Trans/Non binary. A disabled toilet loses all meaning if you open…

It can only serve to make sexism worse by entrenching regressive sex stereotypes

I care because, as a male, I have long been horrified at how pervasive sexism has remained in society, and at how in some respects, we’ve taken steps backwards (e.g. increasingly pink/blue binary for children’s toys and clothes). To the extent that transgender activism deals with “innate gender identity” it can only serve to make…

We are being told that we have to accept that a man with a penis and testicles who identifies as a woman has to be recognised as a woman and it’s nonsense

This matters to me because it feels like women are being erased. We are being told that we have to accept that a man with a penis and testicles who identifies as a woman has to be recognised as a woman and it’s nonsense. I am genuinely afraid for my safety and my place in…

It feels like just as we defeat climate denial then biology denial pops up

I’m particularly concerned on two fronts, first science denialism – biological sex is a material reality and very relevant to medical practice (my husband is a doctor). Females and males experience disease differently and so it is important to ensure that research and practice is able to continue to support this. It feels like just…

To suggest we can identify out of that oppression is disgusting

I care because young people are being sterilised. Because women deserve and need single sex spaces. Because we are oppressed due to our biological sex and to suggest we can identify out of that oppression is disgusting. I retweeted JK on my main account and engaged friends using ‘terf’ etc. I’m too tired to worry…

I didn’t realise how much I cared until I started reading J K Rowling’s essay

I didn’t realise how much I cared until I started reading J K Rowling’s essay. After I read that, and read the abuse she was receiving on social media , I got more and more angry at the state of affairs today in which stating a scientific fact can receive such vulgar backlash. I’m scared…

I care about the fact that as a gay man supposed “gay charities” are now violently homophobic

This matters to me because on a selfish level I care about the fact that as a gay man supposed “gay charities” are now violently homophobic and claim that terms like homosexual are “transphobic” and every gay charity and organisation in the UK thinks homosexual people should accept opposite sex people as partners. Also I…

A colleague suggested drag for under 5s sessions

I am chilled by the unwillingness to debate a rights conflict. The tsunami of misogyny directed at women with the courage to speak makes me sick. I think language is so important; women need our words to describe ourselves, it’s not hateful or unreasonable. I am so disappointed in the left, I feel politically homeless.…

I have spoken in my role as a councillor on Leeds City Council

This matters to me because we need and fought for single sex services, spaces and language and I will not give them up. I have spoken in my role as a councillor on Leeds City Council. I have been reported to the police, to my employer and threatened. Sarah Field, Councillor, Leeds City Councillor

It seems like everything is up for grabs

This matters to me because I see opportunities being stripped from women and girls on a systematic basis. Women’s spaces, women’s sport, women’s identities – it seems like everything is up for grabs. I have voiced my opinion on social media, and made sure that my children hear my side of the argument. Tons of…

Language will be changed to disregard “women”

I care because as a woman I am terrified of the misogyny from people. I am terrified our rights will be removed and language will be changed to disregard “women” I am scared for the future just to appease the minority. I’ve posted on social media and discussed in work. I have been called a…

I have to be careful about my views at work for fear of repercussions especially when trying to raise safeguarding concerns for young children

I care about all rights and equal rights, but I am a woman, a lesbian. I have been called a terf, verbally abused on line and during marches, having to be in a group for fear of reprisal… for saying a sex and gender are not the same, being called transphobic for saying a trans…

I have seen first hand what male predators do and the lengths they will go to to commit their crimes

For the last twenty years I have worked with the victims of sexual assault and in child protection. I have seen first hand what male predators do and the lengths they will go to to commit their crimes. I have no fear of transexual women, fully support them, but I am certain that self-ID will…

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…

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…

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)…

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…

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…

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…

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…