Anxiety over outing myself as GC

[Worriedworry]

I need to share something on Facebook apart from my husband and a handful of close friends I don't speak with anyone else about how I feel about the GRA and my feminism in general.

I feel this overwhelming urge to put something out there though. I'm not sure most women on my friends list are even aware of what is happening.

I was about to share the blog post from an Irish woman on WPUK but I just got really anxious and bottled it. What is the matter with me?!

[Oldstyle]

There's nothing wrong with you! None of us relish the idea of 'coming out' as GC because we know that friends and relatives and complete strangers are likely to assume that we are bigots / unkind / lacking compassion etc etc. Why would we not be anxious. But eventually most of us crack and just go for it. After staying under the radar a friend asked me to go and leaflet with her. I said yes and actually it was a relief to officially be on the right side of history. So then I started emailing people with very polite, short messages, linking them to FPfW and to the one-click consultation. No friends lost so far. Some have disagreed with me but at least I've put the alternative view out there. Feels good. Best of luck.

[Oldstyle]

PS And 5 people have completed the GRA consultation because of me which feels FAN-bloody-TASTIC!

[mimivanne]

Oldstyle

Brilliant !

[Clambering]

I felt exactly the same but yesterday posted Posie Parker's brilliant pictures from the Royal Opera House etc. I got one relative saying, isn't that a TERF thing, but two very dear friends posted supportive comments and shared on their pages. And I was nervous about doing it but now I'm glad I did.

[jenthelibrarian]

Do be careful.
I got into deep trouble on Facebook after posting a couple of links without commenting on them.
I got called a bigot and a TERF, discussed in a couple of groups I belong to, have been un-Friended and I've ended up deleting Messenger off my phone to mute it down a bit.
It's oddly scary and an all-round unpleasant experience.

[tellmewhenthespaceshiplands]

Totally normal OP but agree it's almost a relief when you do! However a few friends that I sent a polite, softly-softly message to with some links including the one for the consultation haven't even acknowledged the subject with me. I know they received and read it and they have been in contact about other unrelated things but somehow almost ignoring it feels just as depressing as a potential argument. Almost adds to this feeling that we're sleepwalking into it all.

I will however add that I have discovered a few very GC individuals where I least expected it!

[tellmewhenthespaceshiplands]

Jen that's crap, sorry people have been like that

[speakingwoman]

Perhaps just say very directly that you are against the changes for the reasons outlined by Prof Stock and link to her site with the speech.

[Ekphrasis]

I've had similar anxiety op. Nervously liked a few things. Follow poise and just changed my profile pic as I was worried after her ban.

[Disgustingwoman]

It's intriguing how many of us are doing the same thing. I've changed my profile pic, started following and liking things but still yet to share anything directly. I am talking to people irl and just ordered my T-shirt. Still very concerned about ramifications for my job though. I'm hoping the influx of more coverage in the press will help the general understanding and maybe help us to 'come out' as GC.

[Everythingsgonebonkers]

I've come out as gender critical (or at least against self-ID) on Facebook and I've had very little response either way actually on Facebook but a few friends have then approached me in real life because they have had some concerns about this issue and want to know more.

I have emphasised in my posts that I believe trans people should be free from harassment and discrimination etc but that this law presents a risk of predatory males abusing the system.

Obviously it's very important at the moment to mention the consultation and encourage them to complete at least the quick version on FPFW but it might be useful to share an artlcle by a transwoman such as Debbie Hayton or Kristina Harrison on why they think the proposed reforms are bad for both women and transsexuals.

[qumquat]

I think it depends who you're friends with on FB. I've come out with quite a fanfare of rage on FB this weekend and what I've found is:
-Right-on 'feminist' friends are not responding at all
-Normal 'woman on the street' non right-on friends are going 'wtf? I had no idea. Thanks for telling me!'

This is why it's so important to speak out if you can cope with the anxiety (I've lost a good few nights sleep over it myself). It's a waste of time trying to debate with people in the cult, but people outside it only need to hear a few examples and they get it straight away.

[daughterofanarchy]

I’m out as GC on Facebook. I share articles but I’m careful not to offend and gave to pick my words carefully. Not many people comment and I’ve concluded that the amount of women that seemingly couldn’t care less about the issues is startling.
Will they care when it’s finally too late?

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

I'm out too, most good people understand what opinion is and won't hate you for it.

[Worriedworry]

Thank you for your responses.

I tiptoed in to the 'out' pool by sharing an article in the National Scot. It's quite gently written.

I do have quite a few friends in common with a trans woman who is quite aggressive on twitter and girlfriend is also quite trans active and has shared a few mermaids posts. I suppose I'm just wary of how our mutual friends will react.

[R0wantrees]

Professor Michelle Moore's speech is an important one and good to share.