Hello everyone
This is my first post on feminism but I have commented before on other threads regarding the use of GN language. I think I have possibly found the worst example to date - worse even than "swimming vagina havers".
There is a female doctor (pronouns are she/her, so I think it's ok to call her 'female') who has launched a survey about the effects of the covid vaccines on the menstrual cycle, after experiencing changes in her period after receiving a covid vaccine.
twitter.com/KateClancy/status/1379847815636135941
The problem is, when inviting contributions to the survey, she refers to 'people who menstruate' or 'menstruators', and to be honest, when I saw this last night, I was baffled. Despite being a biological female, I am not currently a 'menstruator' (I am breastfeeding and on a type of contraception that stops periods. I also am less than a year postpartum, so that could be relevant).
The doctor later clarified that the survey she is compiling can, in fact, be filled in by anyone who has ever menstruated before, so it does include women who are lactating, or on contraception, peri- and postmenopausal women, transmen, etc.
Still though, I had a moment of utter confusion last night wondering whether any of these findings applied to me because I wouldn't call myself a "menstruator" at this particular time (or frankly, ever).
I understand the reasons for GN language in some settings, but it feels like in this case, it has created a whole load of confusion (see twitter replies). Moreover, in a medical setting, there is usually a requirement for language to be clear, concise and unambiguous - which this is not.
I mentioned this to my DP who said to comment on twitter, but there is no way I am going to open that can of words.
I've noticed since that other news outlets reporting on the survey have simply said "women".
Surely, GN wording should and could have been avoided in this case?
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions
Am I am menstruator? GN language in a medical setting
28 replies
BlueBlazerBlack · 03/06/2021 15:44
OP posts:
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.