Tag: feminism

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Healthcare Lesbians

I sat dripping tears onto my homework and whispered, “I wish I were a boy”

When I was twelve years old I sat dripping tears onto my homework and whispered, “I wish I were a boy” I thank God that I did not grow up nowadays, when some woke guidance counselor would have taken me under her wing, helped me “become a boy,” and ruined my life.

I wanted to be a boy because I perceived boys had more opportunities–because something was wrong with society, not because something was wrong with my body. That suffering children today are being politicized and sterilized appalls me. I do not support the labeling of gender non-conforming behavior in kids as something that needs chemical or surgical treatment.

Also as a queer woman who experiences primarily same-sex attraction, I agree with Rowling that erasing the significance of biological sex erases the reality of same-sex attraction. That the LGB community is willfully, collectively turning a blind eye to this stuns me.

So far I have done little, out of fear. This February, a trans-woman coworker wrote a threatening open letter in my company’s internal newsletter, saying that “harmful and transphobic” reading material had been left in the break room, and that this would be dealt with as harassment if the person was found out. It turned out the material was only an article about a Pagan women’s ritual, and said nothing about transgenderism. I was deeply unsettled by this event on the heels of the ruling against Maya, and sobbed in the shower over fear of job security.

Around that time I discovered and reached out to the LGB Alliance based in Britain. I went on a silent meditation retreat specifically to receive wisdom of what to do, both at work and in my personal life, with the culture wars having taken the turn they have. When I came back I felt the courage to write a letter to my (very SJA) manager expressing my concern about the coworker’s threats.

She told me I cannot be fired for my views, though she also said something vague about how everyone must be “comfortable” at work. HR asked her to serve as oversight for the internal newsletter so that false claims of what constitutes harrassment do not find their way into it again. So that is a small win.

I have made one social media post defending J.K. Rowling–not her views, openly, but just her character and her right to speak. The response was that she may hold her views in good faith, but they are still “appalling,” “hurtful,” and comparable to racism.

Summer 2017 I worked as program manager at an Episcopal camp. It was one of the most humiliating experiences of my adult life. The first week someone on staff brought up gender theory, I made a couple comments of courteous critique, and was met with extreme suspicion. I quickly came to understand that if I were honest with others about my views, I would be fired; a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was in place. As I was dependent on this job for housing as well and had no savings, I would have literally been on the street. Some of my subordinates came to recognize my economic dependency and gender-critical views, and used the combination to flout my authority. They took to being very disrespectful in meetings, knowing that if I called them out, they had “blackmail.” After that experience, instead of facing my predicament honestly—that I can’t make myself believe in much of gender theory, and therefore have to become strong enough to be despised—I buried it and numbed. I shrunk from life and didn’t let anyone get too close to me. I didn’t date because of this gender chaos, even though one of my biggest goals in life is to marry and have a family.

It all started coming to a head when I found out last fall about Maya Forstater’s case. I empathized with Maya being fired for her views on gender, as I knew the same would have happened to me. I donated $20 to her legal campaign. So the negative consequences for me the past three years have largely been stagnation and a sense of self-betrayal for NOT speaking up. When I do, I will probably lose most people in my life–my liberal church, my academic friends, my Facebook groups. And I’m not sure what I’ll build upon the rubble, as it’s hard for a feminist queer woman to just run across the street to the Right. But as a wise person said, “If you want to be loved, you must be willing to be hated.” I’m getting there. I don’t want to live like this for much longer.

E.J., who is very glad there was no one to help me “become a boy” when I was a confused, gender-nonconforming queer girl, USA

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Others

I am strongly invested in women’s rights

As a woman. feminist and mother to three daughters, I am strongly invested in women’s rights.

I’ve spoken to MPs (I’m fortunate to have access), shared information, raised the topic and amplified others’ voices on social media. I also speak with my daughters. I’ve been abused on social media.

Joanne H , Feminist, woman, mother and business owner, Australia

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Self employed / entrepreneurs

I’ve seen male people with money using claims about “gender identity” and “transphobia” to weaponize those sentiments

I’ve understood since I was twelve or so that women and girls are treated unfairly, and been involved in efforts to ameliorate some of that in sport. I’ve similarly understood how the poor, racial and sexual minorities are often discriminated against, and worked to ameliorate that. Although cloaked in the language of “equal rights,” I’ve seen male people with money using claims about “gender identity” and “transphobia” to weaponize those sentiments in ways which cause observable harm to others in sport, social social services, etcetera.

I owe a great moral debt to women and GLB people who have stood up for civil rights, and so see my activism as returning a favor AND ALSO just the right thing to do.

I’m active on social media and have brought it up in a variety of groups I am part of.

I’ve been ejected from local political and online groups for defending female-only spaces, and drummed out of two non-profits which were important to me over these issues.

I write my legislators about issues such as male colonization of female sports, and do such things as letters to the editor which note that sexism and homophobia was the key issue in a local killing, not “transphobia.” A man who hoped to get a woman drunk and rape her freaked out when they discovered “she” was really a man, and what that might mean about the attacker.

I’ve been kicked out of SEVERAL groups for my alleged “transphobia,” although I’ve known and worked with scores of trans people of many ages and both sexes over 20+ years. It has cost me many casual friends, and I’m sure it has cost me business as people avoid or gossip and ostracize me. This is nothing compared to the violence women and Blacks receive, or that I saw against gays and lesbians from the 1980’s forward, so I take it in stride. As a self-employed white man I have a lot of privilege, and can afford to take these hits for many years. I have little fear of male violence, and am not easily intimidated.

Rory Bowman, feels a strong moral debt to feminists and earlier GLBT activists, USA

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Others

I’ve delivered a talk to a local group

I care because women’s rights, protections, safe spaces, sports and the right to discuss and campaign regarding our physical issues – ie menstruation, pregnancy, Abortion, contraception etc. All are being undermined by trans demands. All are suffering from self ID.

I’ve spoken up on social media. I’ve had an exchange of emails with my MP. I’ve delivered a talk to a local group. I’ve connected with other local gender critical feminists to discuss issues. I’ve attended WPUK meetings and conference. I’ve tried to discuss multiple times within the Women’s Equality Party – with leaders, Elected officers, staff and members. I’ve spoken up at an equalities training session – I also discussed with the trainer privately.  I’ve written an article for a local magazine on the difference between sex and gender. I’ve had people contact me privately and I’ve supported them with information including individuals trying to deal with a teenage daughter who’s trans and an adult son.

I have been attacked on social media – often by strangers but also by people I know. These attacks have been vicious including telling me I’m transphobic, a bigot, hateful, a nazi, denying the existence of trans people. I’ve been blocked on Twitter and I’m on block lists. Other women involved in the magazine asked me to avoid discussing trans ideology or implications of self ID on women’s rights – They were concerned about the reaction from TRA’s.

Fodo, Feminist, singer, musician and mother, fodohpf

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Healthcare Others

I fundamentally disagree with genderist ideology and all it entails

I care because I fundamentally disagree with genderist ideology and all it entails.

I believe it to be anti-science, anti-material reality, deeply misogynistic, profoundly damaging to children and the biggest threat to the sex based rights of women and girls that I’ve seen in my lifetime

I write to MSPs, contribute to crowdfunders and take part in consultations. I took part in the Posie Parker action on International Women’s Day 2019 putting “adult human female” t-shirts on female statues. At the beginning of this year I took to the streets with my local feminist group to leaflet and raise awareness about the Scottish GRA consultation.

I’ve personally not experienced any negative consequences so far, but I’m very very careful about who I talk to about this and remain anonymous where possible as I fear comeback.

Nic

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Healthcare Self employed / entrepreneurs

She pushed back against it for herself, but she has friends who id as non binary

I have been a feminist for over 30 years. I care about the lives of women around the world. I am the mother of one daughter. She asked me whether I thought she might really be a boy because she quite likes girls and is oriented to STEM activities. She told me about trans guys online encouraging these ideas. She pushed back against it for herself, but she has friends who id as non binary. I care about these children.

I have educated myself. I tweet and retweet. I speak to family and friends offline. I share information.

I have lost a very good friend from the Brighton scene. I have missed out on a literary opportunity, I think because they viewed my Twitter account.

SDH, Artist and educator

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Self employed / entrepreneurs

I took my eye off the ball whilst practicing as a diversity consultant

I have studied and worked in the gender space for nearly 30 years and was active for ten years before that. I was a Spare rib subscriber and part of a CR Group ( we still meet). I recognized the dangers of postmodernist theory on the practice of feminism but I took my eye off the ball whilst practicing as a diversity consultant. When I read about census changes I got interested, went to an earliish Women’s Place meeting and that was it. I recognized there was a massive fight to be had.

I joined Twitter for which I had had an account not used and started tweeting. I wrote about it in my blog, I’ve written to MPs and met with one, alerted CIPD to what was happening etc.

I get zero response from the industry. I have a project in planning which may not be taken up I because of my stance but I accept there is a price to pay. One colleague at a university where I lecture .. actually  wasn’t asked back this year!  … said  eighteen months ago  ‘ god you’re brave’  which alerted me to the penalties and also the importance of speaking out.

Sarah Rutherford, Gender and Culture Consultant

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Healthcare Self employed / entrepreneurs

I am extremely concerned that trans ideology has very serious issues around child protection

I care because I am a woman and the erasure of women’s rights affects all natal females in terms of our personal care, privacy, safety, sports and careers. I am a parent of a young child and want my son and his peers to grow up free of oppressive gender stereotypes. I also worked with vulnerable children and adults with learning difficulties, including autism, and with the elderly in a hospital setting for many years. As such I am extremely concerned that trans ideology has very serious issues around child protection and child and young adult mental health.

I have contributed to quite a few crowdfunders for women’s rights, sex discrimination and for freedom of speech. I have written to my MP and completed the Scottish GRA consultation questionnaire. I wrote to M&S about their changing room policy. I have signed many petitions and asked my name to be added to letters in support of feminists I follow on Twitter. I retweet a lot but am not confident to share my own voice. I have talked about it with friends, family and some clients at work.

My family and friends (mainly female) don’t like me mentioning it as they don’t understand my concerns and think that I’m overreacting so I tend to avoid it these days. I have to choose who I speak to about the topic quite carefully. This I think is mainly due to their belief that transwomen have all had GRS, that the suicide stats are true and that the ‘born in the wrong body’ ideology is also true. Unfortunately as such they don’t think that the issue will really affect them despite me trying to give them information to the contrary.

Nina C, Self employed/own business

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Media and Arts trans familiy

Seeing her young daughter being compelled to call her dad is one of the worst abuses of power I’ve witnessed

I feel that my niece’s interests weren’t served by becoming absorbed by the gender movement. It hasn’t helped her development as a person and she has made no progress in dealing with her problems and becoming a self sufficient person. Seeing her young daughter being compelled to call her dad is one of the worst abuses of power I’ve witnessed.

I find the dogma around the ideology threatening. I don’t think we have much to hold onto in life except facts and the truth. I want to be able to speak and hear the truth.

I also do not appreciate being asked to pretend that male violence doesn’t exist, just to make men feel relieved at not having to deal with their problems.

I also liked the Liberation part of Women’s liberation, I liked feeling free. Everything now indicates that women ought not to expect that anymore, almost as if there was a mistake and we all got a wrong message, and our desires, thoughts and creations must be suppressed once more.

In professional settings I have spoken about my anger at political parties’ anti-women stances. I have spoken about the betrayal I felt at seeing accomplished and prominent women saying things to the detriment of other women, for their own personal political gain. I’ve brought up the homophobic and misogynistic message promoted by the movement and have been shunned even by my best friends who are gay.

I’ve identified myself as a female centred feminist and tried to spread that notion.

My livelihood has been threatened. I have been informed that my international agents will not be able to be associated with me if I share my views any further.

I have had two important commissions withdrawn because my views could apparently make young people feel unsafe.

I’ve been informed multiple times that I should be learning from these young people, but not because they are gifted and intelligent. It’s as if I need instruction by some red guard and I find this frightening.

I am aware that my contemporaries will not now promote or include me in ongoing or new projects. It has left me cut off and isolated and wondering how I can move forward in such an oppressive and fanciful intellectual environment.

Another negative consequence is that I feel hardened and wary, and this mindset is not conducive to creative life.

C, creative industries

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Healthcare Self employed / entrepreneurs

It really is a men’s sexual rights and privilege movement

I care because I am a woman, and trans ideology and legislation is eroding women’s rights. Once you take a proper look, it becomes very clear that transgenderism is not only a backlash to feminism, and the women’s liberation movement, but that it really is a men’s sexual rights and privilege movement. I also feel sad for the many traumatised people – particularly, gender non-nonconforming, lesbians, gay men, autism spectrum and mentally vulnerable, who are being told they need to have surgeries and take harmful hormones. Any system that tells people, particularly children that their bodies are wrong is abusive

I’m better at visuals than writing, and to shine a light on the insane dogma and gas lighting in mainstream media I started comically editing, trans and queer media propaganda, and creating hilarious gender critical memes – to share on social media, eventually publishing them on a Facebook page. Unfortunately due to too much hilarity and truth, the page kept getting suspended and finally got permanently unpublished by Facebook last month.

I have lost work. I wrote a comment on a Facebook advert about how many trans identified males are autogynephilic, stating that we have over 40 years of peer reviewed science supporting the theory, with links to Blanchardrence etc. Trans activists wrote to my studio. (I’m a yoga teacher) and they said I hate trans people and I got fired by the studio, they also wrote to a teacher I trained with and she took me off her list of trained teachers. Obviously I don’t hate anyone, I just don’t believe the insane dogma.

, Free speech; if I genuinely believe that men cannot become women (etc.) this opinion should not be suppressed. This is not a “phobia”, but an empirical belief.

AB, bloominanna