Get Lippy / The Eve Appeal campaign

[TalkingFeminism]

Was just looking at the Guardian online, and noticed an ad: 'Support the Get Lippy Campaign for the eve appeal'. The ad featured four photographs; the person in the second photograph has a closely cut beard.

I wondered whether 'lippy' was something female-related, so I clicked the link in the ad. Here is the link to the page I landed on: eveappeal.org.uk/getting-involved/take-part-in-an-event/get-lippy/?utm_source=third_party&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=TheGuardian.

The main text says: "Nearly 1/4 of women and people with gynae organs have felt not listened to when seeking medical help for their gynae health. This needs to change! We need to Get Lippy to bust the shame, get everyone comfortable talking about gynae health and enable people with a gynae cancer to get diagnosed as early possible."

I have never seen the female primary sex system referred to as 'gynae organs' before. I very much agree with the need to ensure that health services/campaigns are trans-inclusive, but this cannot be at the expense of clear language - especially bearing in mind women who have lower English literacy, who do not have gynaecologists or are familiar with the term 'gynae', etc.

The main website (eveappeal.org.uk) is much clearer in its messaging, even referring to Women's Stories. It's unfortunate that the ad and initial link did not have the same cut-through.

[CardinalLolzy]

It took a while before I realised this wasn't DJ Lippy /MakeMoreNoise.

"Gynae organs" is new to me too. Really unclear what it means!

[CardinalLolzy]

So whether you can be affected by a gynae cancer, or you love someone who can, buy a Get Lippy product

1 - ffs, of course we're being urged to BUY

2 - 'can be affected by a gynae cancer' is REALLY WEIRD phrasing - what does it mean? Someone who has certain organs? Someone who cares about cancer? 'Having the ability to' is a really jarring way of saying 'you have' a certain type of body.

You have to click on a separate tab to read the clarification that 'There are five gynaecological cancers – womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal – but awareness levels of these cancers is very low.'

Gosh I wonder why.

It's interesting comparing the advice and info given for trans 'gynae' people and that given to the others, under the same headings.
For instance, in the trans info, it says right at the top under Womb Cancer that 'this is relevant to you if you have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the womb).'
It does not say this in the other section for non-trans people. So that could cause some confusion for women who have had a hysterectomy - why are they saying having had a hysterectomy is relevant for trans men but not for women?

I'm not trying to nitpick for no reason - it's a really important topic for everyone and obviously they are trying to be both clear and sensitive - but they shouldn't assume non-trans people will know things that trans people don't. (Or vice versa!)
Anyway, it's made me read up on it, so that's a good thing.

[Nightbear]

I hope no one looks up the meaning of ‘gynae’. It might be triggering.

[womanity]

I’m sure ‘eve’ could trigger a few people too.

[persistentwoman]

I've been a supporter of the Eve Appeal for years and have repeatedly defended them on here - but I'm weary of it. They seem to have a Stonewall supporting employee who is repeatedly let loose on social media to post hostile women erasing language and ideology. It's completely unnecessary. It's so easy to include trans men by saying women and ....... .
This is yet another example of individuals with no care for their target audience using and abusing their employment in a charity to further their own narrow ideologies. And the charity sector is rife with it.

Every time they do this, I put their next fundraising letter in the bin.

[WeeBisom]

I watched the video by Kenny, the trans man, and they say that cervical testing is "such an intrusive process" and they are therefore lucky that they attended a trans friendly clinic. Do they not realise that it's intrusive for many women? Most women really dislike getting smears done!

[Procrastinator3]

Why has the charity sector, particularly those in the women's sector, allowed themselves to be captured by Trans extremists?

[talkingdeadscot]

@Procrastinator3

Why has the charity sector, particularly those in the women's sector, allowed themselves to be captured by Trans extremists?

Because for every GC woman there appears to be many more of the 'be kind' mentality. Add to those the many women who haven't researched properly and just see a 'good cause' and maybe the odd male supporter and the numbers add up pretty quickly. Maybe they've just worked out that it's financially more viable to push the trans ideology not just for now but see it far into the future too. After all, if all the main online platforms are on board with this stuff it's likely it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

[CardinalLolzy]

Have a look at the advice for HCPs on that site for making trans ppl at ease (but not others! )

I do really feel that they need to be doing all they can to be inclusive and get it right without being sneered at, but it could be improved.

[HecatesCatsInFancyHats]

A new descriptor to add to the list! To think life used to be simple when there was one way of describing a thing, rather than 17.

[MissBarbary]

"Gynae" cancer says to me it could include cervical, uterine, fallopian and ovarian cancers i.e any cancer affecting gynaecological organs.

I'm not seeing what the issue.

[Floisme]

@Nightbear

I hope no one looks up the meaning of ‘gynae’. It might be triggering.

Indeed

[toffeebutterpopcorn]

Eve are running Facebook ads now looking for donations. Some are normal (use the words women and girls) and others are tying themselves in linguistic knots not saying those terrible words.

[TalkingFeminism]

@MissBarbary

"Gynae" cancer says to me it could include cervical, uterine, fallopian and ovarian cancers i.e any cancer affecting gynaecological organs.

I'm not seeing what the issue.

The issue is lack of clarity in the message. Health campaigns need to be accessible to those with low levels of English literacy, those who may not be familiar with medical language, etc. The ad and initial link felt like a tortuous way to be inclusive of trans and non-binary people, and seemed to suggest that being inclusive was more of a priority than being clear. Instead of referring to the female reproductive system, they used obtuse terms like 'gynae organs' and 'gynae health'.

Interestingly, I'm yet to see a campaign in relation to prostates or other male bits that takes a similar approach - although I'm happy to be corrected!