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Original poster

Could Mumsnet clarify the purpose of the sex and gender forum?

212 replies

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 13:31

Can we get some clarification on the actual "purpose" of the sex and gender forum, please?

Many members on there seem to allude to it being for GC people rather than to discuss issues related to gender and sex. They make posts like this one:

"and the overall purpose of the sub forum."

What is this "overall purpose" that some members seem to be privy to and isn't outlined in the group title?

I can show various other posts by regular members who seem sure of the same thing. I think it would help all of us if we understood what the site/staff intended its purpose to be.

Page 8 | Reflections on trans presence at a Dykes Who Hike event | Mumsnet

For those who don't know DWH, it's an informal mainly Instagram-promoted event and the organisers, two women in their 20s, arrange (relatively accessi...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5577863-reflections-on-trans-presence-at-a-dykes-who-hike-event?reply=154749734&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Rollingpinofdoom · 21/09/2026 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 21/09/2026 16:19

LilyMumsnet · 21/09/2026 15:17

We can see we've been replying to your reports - we actually replied to one 56 minutes ago! Can you please check your spam, and ensure we're not blocked in your inbox?

Show quote history

Okay will do. Thanking staff for dealing with that person harassing me in the threads yesterday

OP posts:
MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 21/09/2026 15:17

Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 09:13

I don't get emails about any post ive reported whether it is deleted or not. Ever.

We can see we've been replying to your reports - we actually replied to one 56 minutes ago! Can you please check your spam, and ensure we're not blocked in your inbox?

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 20/09/2026 12:59

Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 09:13

I don't get emails about any post ive reported whether it is deleted or not. Ever.

Go into your settings and make sure you've got Notifications switched on.

FlirtsWithRhinos · 20/09/2026 12:19

Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 11:58

No that's not nearly the same as what was said.

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It is asserting another poster has "an affliction" because she speaks up about the impact of Genderism on women and children, ie because she has Gender Critical Feminist beliefs.

I'm not sure how else you could read it.

I think, with respect, your perspective on this is not neutral.

SirChenjins · 20/09/2026 12:08

Have you emailed them yet @Lexibletheflexible ?

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 11:58

FlirtsWithRhinos · 20/09/2026 11:55

Since this thread has re-animated....

For instance, someone said that anti-GC views are an "illness". In a neutral board, I could then also refer to GC views as an illness and it not be deleted. It would just be my opinion.

Remembering that was a specific concern of yours, I actually screenshotted the next time I saw someone refer to GC views as an illness.

Hopefully this helps reassure you that the "one sidedness" you think you are seeing is more likely to be a combination of comfirmation bias and that you have only in fact been viewing FWR for a very short length of time.

You're welcome.

Show quote history

No that's not nearly the same as what was said.

OP posts:
FlirtsWithRhinos · 20/09/2026 11:55

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 17:26

Yes it does matter because if it is to give GC people a home to have their views and not be challenged, then indeed people who do challenge them are intrusive. If it is a GC board, then that should be transparent. It would then make sense why some personal attacks against individuals and groups stand and other do not.

For instance, someone said that anti-GC views are an "illness". In a neutral board, I could then also refer to GC views as an illness and it not be deleted. It would just be my opinion.

Show quote history

Since this thread has re-animated....

For instance, someone said that anti-GC views are an "illness". In a neutral board, I could then also refer to GC views as an illness and it not be deleted. It would just be my opinion.

Remembering that was a specific concern of yours, I actually screenshotted the next time I saw someone refer to GC views as an illness.

Hopefully this helps reassure you that the "one sidedness" you think you are seeing is more likely to be a combination of comfirmation bias and that you have only in fact been viewing FWR for a very short length of time.

You're welcome.

Could Mumsnet clarify the purpose of the sex and gender forum?
KittyWilkinson · 20/09/2026 11:40

I doubt very much that MNHQ are deliberately refusing to respond to Lexible . Probably the OP has switched off notifications. In which case a direct email will work.

SirChenjins · 20/09/2026 10:00

Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 09:13

I don't get emails about any post ive reported whether it is deleted or not. Ever.

Then email them directly 🤷‍♀️

drspouse · 20/09/2026 09:29

Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 09:13

I don't get emails about any post ive reported whether it is deleted or not. Ever.

You may have turned off your notification preferences so you could also try that.
I get emails about a report but have turned off quote and @ emails.
Or look in spam once you've made a report. They are usually quite quick.

It can depend highly on context. I reported a "it's not racist to be worried about hordes of men coming over here from less civilised countries" post on a thread about parenting mixed race children and it was not surprisingly removed but loads of identical posts remain on threads about small racist villages that coped well when the all male camp down the road contained white squaddies.

BABaby88 · 20/09/2026 09:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Dogdogdogdig · 20/09/2026 09:15

Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 09:13

I don't get emails about any post ive reported whether it is deleted or not. Ever.

In that case, I’d use the email address I provided upthread.

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 09:13

I don't get emails about any post ive reported whether it is deleted or not. Ever.

OP posts:
RufustheFactualReindeer · 20/09/2026 09:04

SirChenjins · 20/09/2026 08:43

The next step is to reply to the email they sent you when you reported the thread, and ask them for an explanation.

At the risk of appearing like a locust the above post is correct

and all anyone from MNHQ is going to say on this thread is something the lines of ‘case by case basis….email us’

Dogdogdogdig · 20/09/2026 08:44

Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 08:39

If a post clearly breaks talk guidelines and you know because you said the same words to someone and it was deleted, yet reports aren't seeming to have that post deleted, what is the next step?

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If I was you, I would email the [email protected] email address and take it up directly with the mods via email.

Shedmistress · 20/09/2026 08:43

Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 08:39

If a post clearly breaks talk guidelines and you know because you said the same words to someone and it was deleted, yet reports aren't seeming to have that post deleted, what is the next step?

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Agreed, sometimes very mild words said about people who call themselves 'trans' whatever that is are deleted whilst worst words said about women who call men 'men' are left forever.

I'd like to know why this is as well.

SirChenjins · 20/09/2026 08:43

The next step is to reply to the email they sent you when you reported the thread, and ask them for an explanation.

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 20/09/2026 08:39

BeckyAMumsnet · 15/09/2026 09:41

Hi @Lexibletheflexible thanks for posting. The board is there to discuss sex and gender in the context of feminism and women’s rights. People with a wide range of views are welcome to contribute, including those who disagree with the prevailing view on a particular thread. There’s no requirement to be gender critical, or to subscribe to any other position, to take part and we have many users on both sides of the debate who regularly contribute.

The intention has always been to make room for discussion between people with different perspectives, and that includes questioning and challenging each other’s arguments.

We introduced the separate board following requests from many users who wanted more room to discuss other aspects of feminism alongside the discussions about sex and gender.

The Talk guidelines apply to everyone, whatever their views. Beyond that, agreement is entirely optional! Hope that clears things up.

If a post clearly breaks talk guidelines and you know because you said the same words to someone and it was deleted, yet reports aren't seeming to have that post deleted, what is the next step?

OP posts:
ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/09/2026 21:18

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/09/2026 15:53

It's for rehoming troublesome cats.
Thought everyone knew that.

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Why is my cat in your garden? Send him home, would you? Cheers.

Wassiss? Wassiss?

NotAtMyAge · 16/09/2026 19:34

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 13:34

What I'd mostly like to know if it is a place to perpetuate, promote and nurture GC views or a place where users discuss issues related to gender, irrespective of their stance on gender and trans related issues?

And of course sex, which after the Supreme Court judgment can't be ignored or sidelined. 😉

HussleMe · 15/09/2026 16:39

plims · 14/09/2026 17:33

If is very clear that you are wilfully misunderstanding.

Honestly I think that’s being very charitable.

helderste · 15/09/2026 16:16

Differentforgirls · 15/09/2026 15:53

Because she got her answer. You had to read through loads of defensive replies to get there right enough. It was like a swarm of locusts.

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It was like a swarm of locusts

Comparing women who are advocating for their own rights to insects?

www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20231030-the-real-life-harm-caused-by-dehumanising-language

FlirtsWithRhinos · 15/09/2026 16:09

Differentforgirls · 15/09/2026 15:53

Because she got her answer. You had to read through loads of defensive replies to get there right enough. It was like a swarm of locusts.

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Thank you, that post will be very helpful to refer to next time sometime starts a thread about the nasty tone of Gender Critical Feminists on MN.

SirChenjins · 15/09/2026 16:06

Differentforgirls · 15/09/2026 15:53

Because she got her answer. You had to read through loads of defensive replies to get there right enough. It was like a swarm of locusts.

Show quote history

The OP got their answer on page 4 - and then continued posting. Then nothing once @BeckyAMumsnet confirmed that the answer on page 4 was as it had always been. Just think how much typing time the OP (and reading time you) could have saved if they had just said ' thanks for confirming that' on page 4 or emailed MN directly, as was suggested on several occasions.

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