Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Women and anyone with a cervix

314 replies

Zillyzillyzillymouse · 22/01/2026 17:09

Women and anyone with a cervix is written in my weekly magazine. What absolute rubbish is this? It gives me the rage.

OP posts:
MysteryNameChange · 22/01/2026 17:34

Shit, I've gone full circle, I used to be a mega TERF but I'm not anymore! I have absolutely no problem with women and people with a cervix. I don't think the addition is doing women any harm and it would make trans/non binary types more comfortable. Win win.

Ohthatsabitshit · 22/01/2026 17:33

Catza · 22/01/2026 17:31

If you don't want to be bothered with gender wars, then don't be bothered. Why go out of your way to be bothered by being put off by something which has no consequences to you personally?

Show quote history

Honestly? It’s a bit like asking an atheist why they might be put off attending something that signed off with “God bless you”.

hattie43 · 22/01/2026 17:31

Deranged

Catza · 22/01/2026 17:31

Ohthatsabitshit · 22/01/2026 17:29

Sounds off putting if you don’t want to be bothered with gender wars

If you don't want to be bothered with gender wars, then don't be bothered. Why go out of your way to be bothered by being put off by something which has no consequences to you personally?

Dollymylove · 22/01/2026 17:30

Why, who else except a FEMALE has a cervix?

JHound · 22/01/2026 17:30

EarthlyNightshade · 22/01/2026 17:28

Just "women" would work.
Trans men could dip in to see if it's relevant to them, as health things could be but many things wouldn't be.

Show quote history

It wouldn’t work though would it.

This covers both women who don’t like “people with cervixes” and trans men.

I guess they could say “women and trans men” but I am sure some would take issue with any acknowledging the existence of trans men.

Tomikka · 22/01/2026 17:29

Zillyzillyzillymouse · 22/01/2026 17:09

Women and anyone with a cervix is written in my weekly magazine. What absolute rubbish is this? It gives me the rage.

Is this in an article in your magazine that is in reference to medical checks etc? Possibly to do with a current NHS promotion to increase the take up of smear test?
If a trans man takes it up and enables earlier diagnosis then that’s a benefit

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 22/01/2026 17:29

DoubleShotEspressox · 22/01/2026 17:27

So, you could just say “women” then.

Show quote history

No, because he’s a trans man. ‘Woman’ is the wrong word.

JHound · 22/01/2026 17:29

EarthlyNightshade · 22/01/2026 17:18

I have no problem with inclusive language, but who do you think is being included here?
Only women have cervixes.

Show quote history

Trans men .

Ohthatsabitshit · 22/01/2026 17:29

Sounds off putting if you don’t want to be bothered with gender wars

EarthlyNightshade · 22/01/2026 17:28

JHound · 22/01/2026 17:27

Well people complained about “people with cervixes”.

So they updated it to “women…and anybody with a cervix and people are still complaining.

I don’t see the issue in keeping the original language and then adding extra words to acknowledge trans men.

Edited

Just "women" would work.
Trans men could dip in to see if it's relevant to them, as health things could be but many things wouldn't be.

MyDeepPearlNewt · 22/01/2026 17:28

“Anyone with a cervix” translates to woman and those who have lost their cervix due to cancer or other health conditions.

Tell us what magazine please.

Aposterhasnoname · 22/01/2026 17:28

GoldenRosebee · 22/01/2026 17:17

All people have cervix - in our neck. Cervix just mean opening. Women have another one.

Edited
Show quote history

And that’s exactly why this so called inclusive language is bullshit. It needs to be clear exactly what they are referring to, and in this case, it’s the cervix that only women have

DoubleShotEspressox · 22/01/2026 17:27

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 22/01/2026 17:24

Yes. Hence the cervix.

Show quote history

So, you could just say “women” then.

JHound · 22/01/2026 17:27

Well people complained about “people with cervixes”.

So they updated it to “women…and anybody with a cervix and people are still complaining.

I don’t see the issue in keeping the original language and then adding extra words to acknowledge trans men.

BIossomtoes · 22/01/2026 17:27

I’m fine with it.

Sparklybutold · 22/01/2026 17:26

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 22/01/2026 17:21

My boyfriend has a cervix. He’s a trans man.

They are including trans men. This is a good thing.

There are many instances where sex based language is important. Even your partner should know this as she/he will have important issues related to her/his biological reality. If his whole concept of self is anchored on social reality he will always struggle.

WallaceinAnderland · 22/01/2026 17:25

I'm ok with that.

icantkeepdoingthisnow · 22/01/2026 17:24

I think it’s fine and if that’s what enrages you, you are really very lucky.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 22/01/2026 17:24

DoubleShotEspressox · 22/01/2026 17:22

Biologically a woman then.

Show quote history

Yes. Hence the cervix.

bananafake · 22/01/2026 17:24

parietal · 22/01/2026 17:14

Well it is much better than saying “people with a cervix” and omitting the word “women”. So I’m not too bothered.

That’s what I think. At least women has been reinstated. I loathe people with a cervix. It’s not inclusive to exclude the word women.

Sparklybutold · 22/01/2026 17:22

Murriams · 22/01/2026 17:12

It really doesn't bother me, im baffled by people's rage at inclusive language

And on the merry go round we go… it started with inclusive language and then progressed to erosion of sex based spaces. This isn’t dramatic but has happened and continues to happen. Language is important to convey meaning necessary for policies and the allocation of services.

RunSlowTalkFast · 22/01/2026 17:22

Obviously they're including trans men here. Doesn't particularly bother me.

DoubleShotEspressox · 22/01/2026 17:22

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 22/01/2026 17:21

My boyfriend has a cervix. He’s a trans man.

They are including trans men. This is a good thing.

Biologically a woman then.

DoubleShotEspressox · 22/01/2026 17:21

Murriams · 22/01/2026 17:12

It really doesn't bother me, im baffled by people's rage at inclusive language

Because someone with a cervix - believe it or not - is a woman.