The Gender Dissidents SurveyI care because I see the dismantling of women’s hard fought for rights and I care about young people’s mental health as a secondary school teacher
I have done very little online as worried about professional consequences. Have spoken with friends, family and colleagues. Have complained to Greenpeace and Amnesty International by email
Any consequences? No because haven’t dared speak up
AM
This matters because objective reality is important. Women’s rights are being undermined by postmodern misogyny. Woke ideology is sweeping the youth of the middle classes and has captured a lot of government bodies.
I’ve written blog posts (Redline Marxist blog in NZ), I’m in Speak Up For Women, NZ, held public events including touring Meghan Murphy, interviewed Meghan for Redline.
My employer tried to sack me and I left after a mediated settlement. I am a nurse working in sexual health, contraception.
Cassandra (pseudonym), Fighting the new misogyny
Women’s rights were hard won. They shouldn’t be dismantled as though granting them was a favour. I’m sick of black women being used as evidence that black people are not really people. I’m personally insulted at the racist, homophobic and misogyny of most trans narrative.
How have women’s rights and needs advanced incrementally by millimetres, but trans issues are now forefront of public and private policy?
I have shared schools guidance with friends worried about the school decision to turn toilets into mixed sex areas with no consultation.
I have challenged at work (raising safeguarding implications), discussed with family and friends, donated to crowdfunding and amplified the voices of those doing the hard work on social media.
I have been warned off for flagging implications for other protected characteristics. I’ve also been accused of attacking a trans person in a private and left-politics Facebook group for providing alternative information to challenge the statement that trans people started Pride and Stonewall.
Barbarara, Sister, not Cister
This matters to me because through studying history I have seen the struggle that women went through in order to garner our rights. To throw them away on fantastical lies is abhorrent to me.
I have also watched as the TRAs (trans rights activists) have engaged in attacks straight out of Mao’s strategy book attacking individuals whose only crime is stating the truth.
The erasure of women’s rights, the re-writing of history, the erasure of lesbianism and the erasure of safe spaces for the vulnerable is a coordinated attack and one I feel that I must stand against.
I have made Twitter posts and I have driven my husband mad with my rantings about indoctrination of children at school
I have experienced vitriol on Twitter.
A, I was part of the silent majority, now I add my voice
This is crucially important as the only thing that makes us male or female is our bodies and there is no such think as being born in the wrong body. Difference is what makes us human and should be celebrated, not forced in to limiting social constructs that oppress us all and reinforce stereotypes.
Bodies matter in other ways too and male bodies are much stronger, faster and more powerful so should not be allowed to enter women’s sports. Only men rape, so they should not be allowed access to our sex-segregated spaces. Safety, privacy and dignity are desperately important.
I am also very concerned about the meaning of language and that words that are very specific can be changed as casually as the definition of the word Woman, now changed in law by the Scottish Government.
I have attended rallies (threatened by trans activists beforehand, who also told the organisers that we were intending to rush the stage and be violent – a complete fabrication).
I help to organise local meetings that are very peaceful but have been subjected to really vicious and threatening abuse by trans activists and even local politicians standing outside of the venues.
I work as hard as I can to raise awareness of the issues involved, handing out leaflets and standing up whenever I am able, to share details and correct misinformation.
I am in a number of groups that share links and other information, acting within a political party to support and protect women’s rights and fight against the erasure of the meaning of being a woman / female.
I have written to my MP and been ignored.
On a training course the transgender trainer was extremely unpleasant when I said that women and transwomen have different health care needs. They made a complaint to my manager.
I was subjected to very intimidating abuse and threats at meeting venues, monitored by trans activists within my political party and my views closed down immediately when attempting to defend women’s rights.
On Twitter & Facebook I have been told to die in a fire and that I should be raped to death, subjected to outrageously offensive comments and aggression, and reporting these comments to the Twitter and Fb resulted in no action being taken by the perpetrators.
I have had my face filmed very closely by some abusive trans activists (some masked) who were attempting to intimidate me from attending a meeting.
J
I care because it’s the absolute injustice of it. It’s just not fair. If men and women were truly equal then swapping between wouldn’t be an issue, but we’re not and there are a few meagre provisions we’re allowed for our safety and progression and now we’re told we’re bigots if we won’t give them up to narcissistic men with a fetish. The gender stereotypes I fight against for myself and my daughters are now being pushed as intrinsic and deviation from these is seen as a reason for mutilation.
I have posted on Mumsnet, Twitter and my personal Facebook. I have had countless conversations with friends. I am also involved with Safe Schools Alliance.
In December I called a radio phone in and asked Jo Swinson what a woman is, she struggled with the answer and I was allowed to ask further follow up questions.
It was widely reported on (appeared in newspapers and on GMB) and seemed to show the crux of the argument – you can’t have women’s rights if you don’t know what a woman is. In February this year I was fortunate enough to attend the WPUK conference and was inspired by so many wonderful speakers and to be in a room with 1000 women who ‘get it’ and would actually like to get out of the ‘cul-de-sac of identity politics’ and back to the fight against everything else women are facing.
I have had some difficult conversations with friends who feel like I’m being unkind, gay friends especially. I’m at the age where about half my friends have children and that seems to be the dividing line. Pre-kids it’s easier to believe that equality of the sexes exists but once you go through pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, maternity leave, reduced employment opportunities, mental load – the full force of the patriarchy hits home, and men donning some lipstick and claiming womanhood feels incredibly offensive.
Anna, from Warwickshire
I care because I am concerned that changes to the GRA could result in predatory males having easier access to hurt women and girls. I am concerned because ‘Trans’ no longer seems to mean ‘transsexual’ but anyone who ‘cross-dresses’. I am concerned because women can no longer say ‘woman is adult human female’ without being accused of transphobic and biological sex classes are now up for debate. The whole gender identity issue is full of men hating on women and women being forced out of their jobs for speaking about their sex based oppression.
I have donated to crowd funders. Tales to friends. Communicated on Twitter in a Locked account.
I refused to deliver LGBTQ sessions in my place of work which conflate sex and gender. I discuss the issues with work colleagues
I have had arguments with others and have blocked people on Twitter and FB.
I will always fight for women’s rights
I have joined communities on social medias and spoke up.
I have been blocked and threathened.
Preside Kedavra, Psychologist graduate, writer,
I care about the security and sex based rights of women and children and feel that they are being eroded, particularly in work (I work at a University). When our women’s network tried to publish a new menopause policy it was insisted that it contained a paragraph that stated that trans men/women non binary people also suffered with the effects of the menopause. Trans women apparently suffered with ‘psuedo’ symptoms (and this must be recognised within the policy) even when they were born male (and it stated that as fact). I didn’t agree with that. When I complained (during the drafting process) that I did not want to be called ‘cis’ (a female member of staff kept addressing me as that) I was listened to but frowned upon. I definately feel like I am the one that is looked at as ‘the bigot’ in the room when I challenge the way trans women are being slowly entered into policies and other rules that are meant to protect women.
The University /student union introduced a non mandatory trans awareness training course but when I took a closer look at the details, the trainer had blocked me on social media (maybe through a blocking app – many people use these now) so I had no way of knowing any more about the company or the person who was delivering the training. Needless to say I did not attend. I didn’t feel that I could approach the Organisational Development team with my concerns.
I am the women’s officer on our Unison committee. I have tried to raise the issue of gender neutral toilets and how these facilities can be bad for women, nothing is said directly, but again I feel like I am considered ‘the bigot’ in the room for daring to address this. I am usually snapped at (usually by the women on the committee) when I dare to bring it up. I share some articles on twitter (or more often ‘like’ things) but I know there is no way that I could portray my real feelings on any social media post.
I know I would be reprimanded I work if I did this too often.
My University uses Twitter a lot for communication and it would only be a matter of time before someone reported me for any tweets that were considered unsavoury or of having the ‘wrong’ opinion (this is the environment that has been created within the University by trans students).
I am thinking about setting up an anonymous account so that I can be more open about my views.
I have spoken to one female senior member of staff in work about how I feel, she agrees with my view (that there are only 2 sexes) but has also told me that she has to be very careful in her position as she would be reprimanded for not being ‘inclusive’.
I have female friends who are still members of the Labour party and they have a real battle on their hands within the local branches. I left the party this year after my female MP signed the trans rights pledge denouncing A Woman’s Place and LGB Alliance (both of which I support). If you try to address these opinions with her she says trans rights are non negotiable and the conversation is shut down. This is a women with two teenage daughters. I am in my late 40’s and have voted Labour all my life – that will change going forward unless they drastically change their opinion on women’s rights. Being looked upon as a bigot or someone who is not progressive is very, very hurtful. I have stood by gay people all my life and was brought up to treat everyone with respect.
I believe there are women at work who do not approve of my opinions, they don’t say so publicly but my voice has been shut down in certain situations (Unison Committee meetings). It’s nothing in particular or you can put your finger on but I know by the way people react to me (mainly women) I am considered ‘the bigot’. I haven’t pushed issues any further other than Twitter and the Unison Committee but I know that I would be ostrocised at work if I pushed the subject further.Trans students have pushed for a trans policy over the past two years and it has just been introduced on campuses. In my opinion their ‘feelings and opinions’ have trumped everything else and arguing against it will automatically be closed down.
Nia, Wales
I am a woman, who is also a Mother and I think meaningful discussion is better achieved when the other side actually listens. I do not want to be told to shut up when it comes to speaking about very real concerns that face Women’s rights today. I have recently become aware of the mass gaslighting of malicious individuals disguised in what was once a cause I supported fully.
I have only recently begun posting to twitter to try and raise awareness of the issues that face women – I have been watching the subject for a while and didn’t have the courage to speak up in defence of why being Gender Critical is not a crime nor is it hateful. I hope to add to what seems to positive momentum.
I haven’t had any consequences yet, but I have seen scores of examples, which were filled with more hate and violence than anything I’ve seen from those who are Gender Critical, so I am at least aware of what kind of things to expect should I receive any negative reply. I am worried however that doxxing may occur following the recent burst in GC and Radical Feminist accounts.
Kelly
The Gender Dissidents Survey