Tag: sports

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Scientific concepts I use as a biologist are being turned into mush

I care because women’s needs (safe spaces, scientific data collection, fair sports) are being subsumed in order for people to feel they’re supportive of an oppressed minority.  I am deeply saddened that girls are told if they hate their bodies they can just alter them at will, with no ill effects.  Scientific concepts I use as a biologist are being turned into mush.

The idea of a “lady brain” that transgender theory espouses was used to block my mother and grandmother from challenging majors at university. 

Spaces in “serious” majors were reserved for men.  I do not want a return to this idea that women’s brains are specialized for feminine things.

I have started quiet conversations with those I am very close to and trust completely.  Always in person to see each others faces, and earnestness. I express concerns on Iimited topics at a time, staying focused on objective facts that we can agree upon, and the need for fairness.  I have supported women in Gender Critical online spaces.

I did have one argument with a loved one that meant we could not discuss any related issues for a couple years.  I sense he thought I harbored some illogical bigotry.  A later conversation did address that issue, but there was a long time where some news items or entertainment would cause uncomfortable silence.  I have not brought these issues up with any online friends as I know most would interpret my concerns in the most negative way possible.  They want to maintain standing as “good liberals”.

Trish D, environmental scientist, USA

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Public Sector

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 by 10% of my followers. 18 librarians told me I needed to resign as well as unfollowing me. One librarian attempted to doxx me by looking me up and reporting me to the director.

Jill, Librarian in VA, USA

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Healthcare Parent

As a grandmother I want the future of my my granddaughters…to include full participation in public life

This matters to me because as a grandmother I want the future of my my granddaughters in particular to include full participation in public life.  The onslaught on the rights of women and children will limit that participation by making single sex facilities unsafe by allowing males free access.  They will also be limited by the removal of women only shortlists and the right to single sex sports.

I have spoken to as many people as I can in my daily life and written to my MP and several retail outlets pointing out the dangers of self idenitfication and the removal of single sex provisions.

I have been dismissed as having a bee in my bonnet which detracts from the overall respect I am shown.

Sophie Smith, Mother, grandmother

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Healthcare Public Sector

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 as we defeat climate denial then biology denial pops up. 

Secondly in sport – as a former university athlete I think it is vital that women’s sport is protected as a women’s space.

I struggled to make the team at my university and if biological males who had experienced male puberty and all the advantages that brings had been allowed to compete in the women’s team I’d have had no chance!

I also think it is vital that children are supported to accept themselves for who they are (which ironically is of course what TRAs say) surgery and what is essentially self harm is no way to support a child going through a difficult time. Transition may for a very few young adults be the way forward, but it is an adult decision.

I work for the Scottish Government (in an unrelated area) and so am concerned for my job! I do like tweets, but rarely retweet (there is also a requirement as a civil servant to remain objective and impartial and given the political nature of much of the debate I think it is right and proper that i remain fairly quiet). i have talked with some friends and colleagues about my concerns. I think if I did in a work environment my job may well be under threat.  

Caroline, pro science pro fair sport

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Healthcare Public Sector

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 abuse, threats of doxxing (although I am very careful because I would be sacked), threats of assault.

Clytemnestra , Geordie Mum. Quiet-abiding, rarely raise my head above the parapet

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I respect and support trans women but their experience is different to mine

I’m a 52 year old menopausal woman.  I’ve experienced my life as a woman.  I’ve had to look after myself, deal with sexual harassment, painful periods, pregnancy, childbirth, an equal pay claim and a lifetime of navigating everything from overt to subtle sexism.  I respect and support trans women but their experience is different to mine.  They have experienced a different perspective. 

I don’t discount anyone’s experience but I want my experience as an adult human female to be valid and separate.  It cannot be right that trans women can compete against women in sport.   Please can we have diversity of perspective on this topic?

I’ve been moderately active on Twitter.  I’ve supported financially where possible.  I’ve talked to people – debated.  I’ve tried to support women and trans women where I can.

Not experienced consequences so far…. but I’m worried

Jo C, Adult Human Female

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I am concerned about the impact on female sports

I am concerned about the impact on female sports and female only areas.

Retweeted, liked tweets.

Patrick

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Public Sector

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 is right to compel people to behave or speak in accordance with an ideology that they don’t believe in and which is prejudicial to the interests of women, girls and vulnerable adults.  The current situation seems to be a mix of a quasi-religion that allows no heresy and McCarthyism.  Freedom of speech is in danger.

I want to establish the principle that women have the right to say no to men’s demands and that women don’t have to sacrifice themselves to allow men to have what they want.

I have spoken to colleagues and other people I work with – in the high-profile, prestigious place I work there are lots of people who work there who are not employees of the organisation – about the implications of the organisation’s transgender policy which has been dictated by Stonewall. 

Some people have not understood the problem until I pointed it out.  Everyone has been appalled and disgusted.

HR are completely unresponsive on the transgender policy so I formally contacted a very senior (non-HR) member of the staff who I work with from time to time about the implications of the transgender policy.  He listened very kindly and seemed very concerned, but it turns out that he was mainly interested in whether I had been sexually harassed at work (I haven’t). 

However, the transgender policy has been amended, I assume as a result of my intervention to take out the passage “transgender people can have any sexual orientation.  For example, a transgender man (someone who lives as a man today) may be primarily attracted to other men (and identify as a gay man), may be primarily attracted to women (an identify as a straight man), or have any other sexual orientation”.  

The management evidently took notice when I pointed out that the passage made clear that they knew they were expecting people to change their clothes or use the toilet in the presence of heterosexual people of the other sex and that that could make them legally responsible for any harassment. Apart from that keeping the Stonewall Diversity Champion status and appearing woke seem to be much more important that the safety, privacy, dignity and peace of mind of the staff.

I follow gender critical organisations on Facebook and I used to comment on Twitter, but I got barred for speaking up for women.  I also comment on newspaper articles, primarily in the Times. 

I would have had qualms about doing so at work if I had any desire for promotion or if the criteria for my annual assessment were substantially subjective or if I had longer to go until I retire. I’ve also been very careful to keep all my complaints strictly formal and via my work IT network so that if harassment arises it will be possible to trace its source via the network.

I’ve been barred from Twitter and some of my comments on the Times have been deleted.

S, Adult human female

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Healthcare Parent

I’ve shown my family (who at first thought I was being unkind) current ‘transwomen’

I tell my two children (one of each sex) that there are no such thing as boy or girl toys/books/colours/hobbies. I will not allow anyone to claim their preferences/personality means they were born in the wrong body. I also refuse to be an unwilling participant in AGP paraphilia/fetish. Womanhood isn’t a costume you can wear, a set of behaviours you can mimic or a club you can join.

I’ve shown my family (who at first thought I was being unkind) current ‘transwomen’ Alex, Rachel, Big Steph, Laurel, Morgane and Lily M. Opened their eyes, big time.

I have been accused of being ‘obsessed’. I point out that I am the mother of a 5 year old girl and that I am determined to stop fetishist men having unfettered access to her changing rooms and sports.

Flintster, Woman. Mum

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I don’t want to pretend otherwise to be agreeable

Men are not women, and I don’t want to pretend otherwise to be agreeable. Men don’t belong in our sports or our spaces, and have no right to police our language.

I’ve corresponded with like-minded women, donated $ to women’s orgs and followed the issue on social media.

I have been told I am making mountains out of molehills, that I am a bigot.

Natalia W, Adult human female, Canada