Tag: single sex spaces

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survivor

I am a survivor of severe, organised abuse in childhood

First and foremost, I am a survivor of severe, organised abuse in childhood.

Secondly, I have worked for decades for women and vulnerable people, including as a human rights lawyer for victims of violence, as a writing teacher with mothers in prison and the community and in groups campaigning on consent.

Thirdly, I am a bisexual woman and was on the ‘gay scene’ for years.

Fourth, I am a parent and work often in education and concerned with safeguarding. I care deeply about this issue because whilst I think every consenting adult is free to have their own beliefs and make choices about their body, the TWAW lobby is infringing the human rights of others, with harmful implications and it is constantly threatening and seeking to close down freedom of speech.

I have spoken about this issue on social media and in real life for the past three or more years. I have written countless posts and emails and I have kept a diary on this issue to process my own thoughts before formulating my own speech in what can be a fast paced and abuse-oriented environment on social media.

I have been called a “terf” many times. I have been ostracized by a group of women campaigning with me on abortion rights (though remained good friends with others). On social media I have been told directly that I am “fascist scum” or I have been patronized as an abuse survivor who is somehow biased, disregarding my qualifications as a human rights lawyer and background supporting people. Other negative consequences include the mental health toll of constantly being “gaslit” implying that I am the person in the wrong. A tactic used by those who want to reframe reality the world over and I know that, yet still so sad and wearing!

Anna Morvern, Writer, speaker, teacheryer, translator

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Parent

My daughter is a county level swimmer and self-Id for kids will be abused by ultra competitive parents

This matters to me because my daughter is a county level swimmer and self-Id for kids will be abused by ultra competitive parents, ruining her experience.

Also because single sex spaces need to remain single sex to provide safe spaces for dressing, treatment and recovery.

I have talked to friends and relatives. It did not go to well.

I have been told I’m a rude intolerant woman who have no idea how miserable ALL trans peoples lives are.

Elaine, Mother, swimmer, guide leader, Ireland

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Others

I have been utterly ignored by all editors

This matters to me because single-sex spaces are a human right.

I have discussed the topic in private, and written polite, fact-based letters to the editor.

I have been utterly ignored by all editors. Apparently, the press isn’t interested in readers thinking for themselves and asking critical questions. (Unless they are celebrities, of course.)

Anonymous, Survivor, fed up with misogyny, Germany

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Private sector

As a woman in tech, I totally understand what being a minority is

As a woman in tech, I totally understand what being a minority is. I totally get what discrimination is, including plenty of subtle ways that women in tech experience. I know it sucks. I can only imagine how difficult it is for trans people, I feel for them, and I’d love them to be accommodated in any ways possible.

At the same time, I wish advocates of “Trans Women Are Women” opened their eyes to possible abuse if the laws and rights in this matter are not extremely carefully considered. It goes for so many potential issues, from bathrooms, changing rooms, prisons, shelters… I am all for freedoms, respect and rights for underrepresented groups – but these rights cannot come at the cost of rights and safety of another vulnerable group.

I am totally opposed to possibility of ever going to a gym changing room and suddenly seeing a dick and balls on someone next to me.

I am totally opposed to female athletes being beaten by someone who maybe weeks prior was competing in male’s sports. I cannot imagine the horror of a woman escaping to a shelter from abuser – and her getting abused in there by another male presenting as a woman.

I have not spoken out. I wish I had the courage – but I don’t.

 I have witnessed so much abuse going towards the much more powerful women out there, I simply do not want to bring this on myself.

I understand that many of the “trans activists” women have good intentions. I understand their desire to improve lives of other vulnerable groups. But I really, REALLY wish they admitted we live in a “real world”, and for every genuinely vulnerable trans woman, there will also be a man who will put on woman’s clothes only to abuse the situation. For this reason, amongst other things I am totally opposed for self-identification, for ability to just say one day “I’m a woman” and that’s it. It needs to be a proper process – we don’t just let people change nationality on a whim, and surely gender change is an even bigger part of identity than this.

I’m sure there are ways where we can find middle ground, protect trans people whilst ALSO protecting women’s (female!) rights. It’s making me really sad that TRA present this as a black-or-white issue, if you have any concerns then you are a terrible TERF.

I am grateful for your work, and thank you for speaking out for those of us who do not have the courage for this. Even following you sometimes feels like risky business.

L, Europe

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Others

I worry for vulnerable women

I find the denial of the existence of biological sex so insane. A lot of people, including trans people themselves seem very confused about the differences between sex and gender. I worry for vulnerable women and the issue of single sex spaces, I worry for gay people, I worry for kids pushed into thinking they are trans and I cannot bear the absolutely vile backlash from TRAs towards people who are not 100% on board with their ideas.

I have posted on Facebook, which is set to friends only. I don’t actively use Twitter but if I were to speak about it on there I’d use an anonymous account.

I have lost actual in-real-life friends.

Laura

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Healthcare Self employed / entrepreneurs

I have been smeared and my views have been misrepresented

I care about this issue because it’s an assault on women’s rights. The longer I have been involved in reading, researching and writing about it the more it becomes clear that women’s rights are in a perilous position. Nobody at the top level is keeping an eye on enforcing legislation which protects women and girls. It has been far too easy for lobby groups to make inroads into women’s public safety with no challenge.

It has been an eye-opener to see how little women and girls are respected or even acknowledged by the people who we elect to represent us. It feels like there is no democracy for women who don’t agree that men are women too.

The reasons women need single-sex protections hasn’t gone away but we are having to have the arguments for them all over again.

I have written a personal blog about many of the aspects of trans ideology which impact on women and girls in various different areas of life. I’ve also blogged on Medium, contributed to other publications and written articles for the local press.

I’ve (unsuccessfully) pitched to the national press. I have written a Children’s Rights Impact Assessment of the Allsorts trans toolkit and sent it out to MPs and local councillors. I have contributed to consultations, written to my MP and others, attended my MP’s surgery, provided evidence for inquiries, attended meetings and demonstrations, joined campaigns and spoken at meetings. I’ve done a few tweets.

I have been smeared and my views have been misrepresented. I have been attacked as a person on social media, sometimes with such vitriol I’ve had to take a step back for a while to recover, before joining the fray again. I have suffered a more physical type of threat at  meetings I have attended, and during campaign activities like leafletting. I have lost friends, especially in the early days of speaking up (although overall I have subsequently gained more so I can’t complain…) I have sometimes felt completely stressed out because the whole thing is a head fuck but the responsibility to keep going can feel overwhelming.

Helen Saxby, Writer, blogger, campaigner, helensaxby11/notthenewsinbriefs.wordpress.com

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Others

Sex-based rights matter to me

As a female keeping hard won sex-based rights matter to me. As do single sex spaces in hospital wards, prisons, schools and shops.

I speak and have conversations offline mostly with men.

Jane Bloggs, Raising awareness by talking with the family

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Others

I had an eating disorder and I think body dysphoria is very common

I care from a few different perspectives. As a mother, as I do think that the trans trend is, in a way, conversion therapy convincing gay young people that there are in the wrong body instead of helping them thought the tumultuous period of adolescence.

I had an eating disorder and I think body dysphoria is very common; if you add that to being gay, I think many young people would be at risk of being persuaded to go on a medicalisation route which can potentially alter their bodies and make them infertile.

I also had doubts when I was a young woman on whether I was a lesbian. I am attracted to masculine women and I think it’s sad that many of them would want to become men.

I don’t think it’s right for trans people with male genitalia to enter a female space ever. Whether that is a prison or a public changing room.

I don’t think MTF should compete in female sport or get recognitions aimed at women.

And I’m tired of the gaslighting that a crossdresser is a woman. I will call them what ever name they want.

I don’t think birth certificates should be altered. I think a gender recognition certificate can be a separate one.

I have written to my MP, contributed to consultations and posted on social media both anonymously and under my name.

I have been bullied on social media. I’m sure if I was more visible I would be more exposed.

Tatiana S, Mother and entrepeneur

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Self employed / entrepreneurs

I have an impressionable 12yr old son who I worry would be easily dragged into this madness

I care because I am a woman and the old-fashioned kind of feminist who cares about the rights of women and girls.   I care because I have an impressionable 12yr old son who I worry would be easily dragged into this madness that I view “woke” as.   Also, I don’t like being told what to do – I don’t want to be in the situation where pronouns are always requested. 

I have debated online and with friends.   I have raised issues at governing body meetings at my local school. 

I have been involved in quite hurtful social media spats.   On my Facebook page I posted an article about “Karen” White and commented that penises should not be in a women’s prison.   For this I was called homophobic, disgusting, and a disgrace by a work colleague.  

Vic

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Others

If any man can say he’s a woman then all women and girls are at risk

It matters because if any man can say he’s a woman then all women and girls are at risk in what should be single sex only spaces. I do not want to be at risk from these strange males, most of whom, I found out, do not get any SRS and are heterosexual. I now use disabled toilets wherever possible and I have not used any changing rooms in over 2 years. I would like to go swimming but simply can’t because I don’t want these males near me in changing rooms.

As a lesbian it is also very important to me that heterosexual and bisexual males are excluded from our groups and clubs, etc. It does not matter if they have had surgery, they are still male and I do not want them there.

I’ve mostly talked with family in real life (they agree with me) and online with other people who agree. I have been to one meeting with forwomen scot and it was very good.

I got banned from the lgbt and lesbian groups in my city. People simply stopped talking to me. None of them want to know me simply because I say humans cannot change sex and I won’t date a transgender and I want single sex spaces.

Jodie