This is such a primeval fight, isn't it? And bewildering given we live in the 21st century with all it's accrued knowledge and scientific progress.
If at this point we are having to legally debate what constitutes "woman", then why not man? Or even human? It's the very definition of "the lunatics taking over the asylum" (and I say that with no disrespect to people with mental health issues, of whom I have been one, but of all the madness circulating in my brain at that time, biological nuance was not on the damn list).
I honestcannot quite grasp that the world I was a teenager in, and then a young woman, while not perfect in many ways, was more progressive and hopeful than the one we now live in. The regression I see across the board at 55 is far beyond my understanding apparently, far beyond my "lady brain".
I wonder if the collective subconscious will always be intent on punishing all women because a man wrote that Eve bit an apple and committed the worst transgression ever - seeking knowledge and progress despite being told No by a patriarchal entity (allegedly). Along with freedom from reproductive oppression and legal autonomy down the line.
The current manifestation of this is evolutionary psychology, quackery of the highest order espoused by psychologists at one end and misogynists at the other. The irony of course is that those championing these stupid ideas claim to be on our side and invite us to sup with devil.
When we refuse to capitulate, out come the cattle prods on both sides. It's uncomfortable being crushed between a rock and a hard place, being pitted against each other on a human level and feeling that there are no winners other than those rubbing their hands as they create the "rainbow pound".
Do I sound unhinged? Possibly I am. Once I might be snidely accused of being at the mercy of menstrual vagaries, but I'm past that now, so am I a withered bitter crone?
I'm securing my place in the handbasket, ready to go down fighting for women's rights, which are simply human rights, or should be. I just hope hell is warmer than this.