Tag: language

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Academics and researchers Healthcare

I have watched the equalities structures within my organisation become distorted to the point of total ineffectiveness

I work with students, and see them deeply affected and often damaged by their experience of gender dogma, with no neutral sources of help and advice to turn to. I work with colleagues who have been bullied, disparaged and left without support because they have raised safeguarding concerns.

I have watched the equalities structures within my organisation become distorted to the point of total ineffectiveness because of the inability of key officers to handle language, concepts, and legal duties with any clarity.

I have watched my workplace union disintegrate and lose any ability to hold on to the concept of solidarity as it rushed to scapegoat women who questioned its transactivist positioning.

I have children who I wish to protect, and weep for those, not mine, who have not been protected.

I have helped to organise events at my workplace and seconded and spoken to motions in my union. I have tried to bring problems and misconceptions in workplace policy documentation to the attention of the Equalities officer, with no positive result. I have attempted to build alliances with colleagues in order to strengthen our hand. I have spoken to friends, but only when I felt there was room to do so.

I have lost friends, and been warned off the subject by others; I have been forced into painfully uncomfortable workplace dynamics; I have lost work opportunities and chances for advancement because I was unable to comply with the gender ideology of others.   

Katie, Academic in Scotland

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Education Parent

If someone had told me that in 2020, women would be fighting desperately to hang on to the definition of woman I’d have thought they were crazy.

This matters to me because when I was a student in the mid-1980s, I was a feminist (of course!) but I was confident that most of the major battles had been won, and that we were on a trajectory towards genuine equality. If someone had told me that in 2020, women would be fighting desperately to hang on to the definition of woman, in order to protect our hard-won rights, I’d have thought they were crazy.

I have written to my MP, written in support of gender-critical women who raise their voices publicly, written private letters of support to those women; made FOI requests on sex/gender topics; spent several Saturdays leafleting with other women involved in the Fair Play For Women campaign to draw attention to the proposed GRA reforms; completed the govt’s GRA reform consultation questionnaire; completed Edward Lord’s (shocking) consultation on making all City of London visitor attraction toilets mixed-sex; been active on social media; written a (far too occasional) blog; taken every opportunity to talk to family and friends (and selected colleagues) about these issues; attended WPUK and Let A Woman Speak and other events; spoken at Women Say in Hyde Park on IWD 2020; with others, set up a women’s group in our city which meets regularly (before lockdown); am active in a private Slack group for GC professionals in my sector.

As a consequence I have been frozen out of the friendship group I made when my son was a baby, because one of the mothers has a “trans child”. My son has been asked by other students at school (he attends a school which is obsessively proud about its Stonewall status) if his mother is “still a TERF”.

Rachel Bosenterfer, Adult human female. Mother. Loudmouth

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Others

This all just feels like the same old misogyny in a new package, and I’m appalled by how many women are falling for it

I care because the basis of women’s oppression is and has always been their female body. To me, it feels completely wrong and like a new, “progressive” form of misogyny to deny women the language to talk about their own oppression.

The ideology behind the trans movement is logically inconsistent and inherently sexist – that “woman” is an amalgamation of sexist stereotypes, that women could somehow identify out of the violence and oppression perpetrated against them, that men could somehow identify into experiencing life just like a woman, that women who speak up are deserving of hatred, threats, losing their jobs, or violence.

This all just feels like the same old misogyny in a new package, and I’m appalled by how many women are falling for it. Men I might expect, but the women who enforce it are the most painful of all.

I have spoken up on social media and I have donated to feminist organizations. I don’t feel like I have done enough. Most of my speaking up on social media has been under the protection of anonymity, and when it hasn’t been, there was backlash. I’ve also spoken to certain people in my real life about this, and have found that most people tend to agree once I’ve explained my thoughts to them. I have been threatened and called names online.

I have been told that I am a bigot, that I am hateful, and that I need to be “educated” (I hold a doctoral degree in human biology and have never expressed hatred towards anyone identifying as trans).

These things have been said by strangers as well as a close friend. I have had my Twitter account suspended multiple times for saying things like, “Men cannot become women.” I work in a professional career, and although there have been no professional repercussions yet, I really fear professional repercussions if I were to continue to speak out.

D, feminist scientist, USA

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Others

I ran a marathon while carrying a flag that said “SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS”

As a woman, I want privacy and safety when I use public bathrooms, locker rooms, etc. I want sports to be fair; I want young female athletes to benefit from them the same way I did, and I want elite female athletes I look up to to have the wins they deserve.

I fiercely believe that everyone has the right to choose the circumstances under which people of the opposite sex see them undressed as well as the circumstances under which they see members of the opposite sex undressed. This is true for situations that affect me, such as public bathroom usage and the sex of the doctor who performs my pap smear, as well as for situations that don’t and hopefully never will, such as having to share a prison shower with a biological male or being pressured to wax male genitalia.

I will steadfastly defend this right to choose not only for myself, but for women everywhere.

I ran a marathon while carrying a flag that said “SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS” as well as the dictionary definition of the word “woman” (“ADULT HUMAN FEMALE”).

I’ve written to my government representatives. I’ve researched and written speeches, which I’ve delivered at school board meetings of a school district that opened locker rooms to opposite-sex students. I’ve attended demonstrations at athletic events of that school district, distributing flyers and holding up large signs/banners.

I boycott companies who support gender identity ideology. I’ve written to those companies to explain why I’m boycotting them, and I explain my boycotts to others. I’ve signed petitions and used social media to urge others to do the same. I’ve given an interview for a feminist radio show and written an op-ed that was recently printed in a newspaper.

I have been dogpiled on on social media. I’ve been called garbage/trash, a TERF, sh*t, a c*nt, and “the f*cking genitals police.” Someone commented on one of my posts with a picture of an anime girl pointing a gun at the viewer captioned, “SHUT THE FUCK UP TERF.” I’ve been told to STFU, and someone commented on one of my posts with a picture of super glue captioned, “Finally, a line of lipstick made exclusively for TERFs.” Someone commented on one of posts with a meme including an emoji holding a knife that read, “Why be transphobic when you can just DIE.” I was told to “die alone.” Someone told me they hoped I lost “every sponsor or scholarship [I] ever apply for.”

For objecting to male people competing in female sports, I was accused of being “mediocre,” “a terrible athlete,” and told I needed to train harder. Many people insulted the way my parents had raised me, and I was told that I shouldn’t have kids myself. I’ve been accused of having “internalized misoyogny[sic]” and of having the patriarchy “ingrained deep” in me.

Emily Kaht, Just a normal woman who’s finally had enough, USA

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Healthcare

I am horrified that young lesbians are being gaslighted into having sexual relationships with male-sexed bodies

I am deeply concerned about the erosion of the right of women and girls. The changes in language and our ability to describe ourselves accurately. 

I am horrified that young lesbians are being gaslighted into having sexual relationships with male-sexed bodies. To have university campuses have signs up proclaiming that ‘genital preferences are transphobic’ (I’m looking at you, Liverpool!).

I do not agree with women’s sports being infiltrated by male athletes. I do not consider myself to be transphobic, and much like JK Rowling, think we should all be free to live and love as we choose. However…

…as someone who has been ridiculed and bullied for specifically not ‘liking dick’ forever, to now be expected to accept ‘dick’ as the norm is beyond ridiculous.

I work for an NHS service. I am having open conversations with GNC kids and exploring the issue, rather than jump to affirmations. We are talking about this as a service.

I have had arguments with gay male friends over the use of the word TERF.

RA, NHS worker

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Healthcare

I saw a person with severe learning disability develop mental health problems after one of their live-in carers transitioned… and not being able to discuss it because “be kind”.

I care because I saw a person with severe learning disability develop mental health problems after one of their live-in carers transitioned MtF (male to female), and not being able to discuss it because “be kind”.

I work with people with learning disability.  I was working with a man with severe learning disability who was suddenly suffering from anxiety.  Met with staff team (24 hour support) – one of them was clearly a late-transitioning TIM (trans-identifying male) – had previously worked there as “Charles”, now referring to himself as “Charlotte”.  I was discouraged from mentioning this as part of the psychological formulation. 

I also work with women and girls with learning disabilities, and elderly people with dementia, who are reliant on personal support with hygiene etc – always have same sex support.  I am horrified at implications of it becoming same gender under self id.

I’ve been to Women’s Place meetings, posted on Twitter, tried to start conversations at work, but fear professional consequences.  I have successfully had conversations with family and friends where I can be more explicit.

I have had death threats on social media, and the usual abuse, in horrible sexual language.

S, Supporting People with LD and Autism

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Healthcare

As a woman our rights and language are being erased and we are being dehumanised

I care because I read about the children being medicalised at an astonishing rate,  the cotton ceiling, Maria Maclachlan and Helen the Guides leader.

As a woman our rights and language are being erased and we are being dehumanised. Also the implications for safeguarding children either through being medicalised, manipulatiin or women and children only spaces. The creeping “emancipation” of children’s bodies and educational indoctrination of children’s minds is terrifying. There is only one logical outcome to this – distancing children from parental control in order to lower the age of consent.

I don’t have a large social group of friends and I wouldn’t dare say anything at work. You’d get sacked. I specifically joined Twitter to find further info and people with similar views to myself.

AC, Middle age public sector worker

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Healthcare

As a survivor of sexual assault I cannot stand by and allow men to invade the spaces where women should feel safe.

This matters to me because female rights are slowly being diluted by a small majority of misogynistic men. As a survivor of sexual assault I cannot stand by and allow men to invade the spaces where women should feel safe.

I feel angry that these groups of men feel that they can appropriate female language and can call people who are standing up for their rights as Terfs, transphobic, or other derogatory terminology. Mansplaining at its finest, a very dangerous path we are heading down.

I have drawn the attention of friends who were not even aware of what has been happening. I have provided evidence to family and friends about the proposed changes to women’s rights and the dangers that come with allowing men to identify as female. I would like to raise my voice more and am considering an anonymous blog or twitter page so that I can contribute to this safely.

In terms of my friends and family I have found that they have been open to the information that I have provided. However, I am currently employed in a profession that certainly promotes inclusivity and an understanding of the feelings of others so I would be worried about the consequences if I was to speak of these things on a higher platform.

A, Feminist

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Healthcare

I’m angry that our centuries of shared experience of constant male subjugation and harassment is, apparently, forgotten.

I am a woman. I am a mother to a daughter, and I don’t want her to feel she must accept male bodies near her in toilets, changing rooms in school and elsewhere and I don’t want her to be forced to compete in unfair situations in sport.

I have an elderly mother and I fear for her dignity in healthcare provision. I fear for women for whom written language is a problem who don’t access healthcare because they don’t realise they’re people-who-menstruate, etc. I feel bad for women who will be excluded for public life due to religion or disability who can’t access gyms, loos, shop changing rooms, etc. I feel bad for women who miss out from all-women shortlists, etc, because of men taking their place.

I worry about young people being subjected to experimental treatment. I worry for the mental health of those who aren’t resilient enough to cope with words like ‘woman’ without self-harming or committing suicide. I worry about crime stats, and male crimes being recorded as female. And I’m angry that our centuries of shared experience of constant male subjugation and harassment is, apparently, forgotten.

I have only discussed this with a few close women friends or anonymously online. All I have spoken to in real life have expressed the same concerns, including an experienced clinical psychologist.

I haven’t spoken up in my own name. I frequently opt out of the conversation online because I find it distressing and frustrating. Thank you for this opportunity.

WildRedWord, Woman

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Healthcare

We have to be able to ask very difficult questions

This matters to me because if we change the definition of “woman” or “man” to mean anybody who identifies as a woman or man there will be unintended consequences. We need to think through those consequences really carefully.

It matters to me because I’m a child protection social worker. I see an increase in children who’ve experience significant harm now claiming to be trans. Sometimes they’re encouraged by their schools. Those children may develop to live as trans men or women and that is their choice, as adults. However…

we need to ensure a trans identity is not a maladaptive response to trauma, one that may leave the unmet underlying need while the young person seeks increasingly drastic physical changes to their body.

I worry about the fact that we cannot openly discuss this topic. In thinking about harm to the people with the least power and voice (young children) there can be nothing left unsaid. We have to be able to ask very difficult questions.

I worry about trans-inclusive guidance which tells girls that if they feel uncomfortable with someone in their personal space they should ignore that feeling. Children who’ve experienced trauma need encouragement to listen to their feelings, to their intuitive responses. We work with children to help them recognise the danger signals in their body and then act on those (children who’ve experienced harm may have learnt to “turn off” those survival mechanisms, to have a “flop” response to danger.) Yet trans inclusive guidance tells children the opposite. That’s not deliberate on the part of trans groups, but is the result of an atmosphere in which criticism is not allowed and lack of open consultation. 

It matters to me because -I was a girl who didn’t conform to gender stereotypes. As an adult I still don’t conform to traditional ideas about femininity. Trans identities/ non binary/ gnc etc pushes the idea that i may not be a woman, that I am Other.

I have spoken in my local Labour Party CLP meeting, spoken in my local Quaker meeting. I have campaigned through facebook and twitter, handed out FPFW (Fair Play For Women) and WPUK (Women’s Place UK) leaflets at Labour and LibDem Party conferences as well as at a Trade Union event. I have met with my MP.

I have been to meetings aggressively protested by trans supporters who see the campaign for womens rights as fascism.

I’ve been ostracised by some members of my local Labour Party.

I’ve been insulted in the street.

BV