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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:
TinselAngel · 15/09/2026 08:47

Is OP going to the head mistress’s office to try and stop their class mates disagreeing with them? I’ve not been on FWR much recently.

SirChenjins · 15/09/2026 08:47

Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:34

Well if your job takes issue with your views, and they find out you're posting them here, you'll still be in trouble at work. You're only safe because they don't know you're here. Same with people who post racism on the internet under anonymous names. Theyre only safe until their anonymity is compromised.

Show quote history

Racist views aren't protected characteristics in the way GC views are. Do better.

Lins77 · 15/09/2026 08:44

You seem to have a bee in your bonnet about
the Sex & Gender board.

Agree it would be good if someone from MN could come along and put this pointless discussion to bed.

quantumbutterfly · 15/09/2026 08:42

Hmm. Force teaming feminists with racists, might be a flaw in that plan.

Shedmistress · 15/09/2026 08:38

All this drama because one person said one thing.

This IS QUEER THEORY in a nutshell.

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:35

Meceme · 15/09/2026 08:18

And many people have replied. It is a board for everyone, anyone can post there, no exceptions.
However, the 'GC' posters (including myself) may seem to be the majority because for a long time it was one of the (very) few places GC opinions were allowed to be aired.
If you engage in good faith you might find it interesting.

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I am asking staff, not other users. The other users are basically interfering and trying to dominate the thread which shows more about their character and the way GC views are endorsed here than anything else..staff still havent responded.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:34

octopin · 15/09/2026 08:22

For me it’s the only safe place online I can raise concerns about gender identity without having my job put under threat.

Well if your job takes issue with your views, and they find out you're posting them here, you'll still be in trouble at work. You're only safe because they don't know you're here. Same with people who post racism on the internet under anonymous names. Theyre only safe until their anonymity is compromised.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:32

FlirtsWithRhinos · 15/09/2026 08:27

Some posters do refer to GC views as an illness. Frequently.

With respect, you're started posting on FWR very recently. You seem to be drawing conclusions on a very narrow experience. I'm not even sure if you've been reading current threads other than the ones you are posting on, let alone ones from before you arrived.

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I'm pretty sure that if anyone said someone with GC views is suffering from an illness, it would be deleted.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:32

RufustheFactualReindeer · 15/09/2026 08:14

Try email

site stuff board is still a discussion board, other posters are allowed to comment and disagree

Show quote history

Sure but I dont have to respond to them and it doesnt stop staff replying to the thread like they do various others

OP posts:
FlirtsWithRhinos · 15/09/2026 08:27

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

Some posters do refer to GC views as an illness. Frequently.

With respect, you're started posting on FWR very recently. You seem to be drawing conclusions on a very narrow experience. I'm not even sure if you've been reading current threads other than the ones you are posting on, let alone ones from before you arrived.

octopin · 15/09/2026 08:22

For me it’s the only safe place online I can raise concerns about gender identity without having my job put under threat.

Meceme · 15/09/2026 08:18

Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:05

I havent tried to shut anyone down. I've asked for the purpose of the board that users keep alluding to and to ask if it is "for GC people".

Show quote history

And many people have replied. It is a board for everyone, anyone can post there, no exceptions.
However, the 'GC' posters (including myself) may seem to be the majority because for a long time it was one of the (very) few places GC opinions were allowed to be aired.
If you engage in good faith you might find it interesting.

RufustheFactualReindeer · 15/09/2026 08:14

Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:05

I havent tried to shut anyone down. I've asked for the purpose of the board that users keep alluding to and to ask if it is "for GC people".

Show quote history

Try email

site stuff board is still a discussion board, other posters are allowed to comment and disagree

Error404FucksNotFound · 15/09/2026 08:08

Its really not hard to figure out.

The purpose from mn pov is exactly what they have put in the description.

That doesnt mean posters cant use it however they want, as long as posts dont break talk guidelines.

Using a board in a way different from its description is not in itself against talk guidelines and mn arent going to delete posts if someone waa-waas to them that the description says x but this thread is y.

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:05

Anarchy99 · 15/09/2026 07:32

5 pages of a woman trying to shut other women down for daring to have pro women views on a feminist subforum.

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I havent tried to shut anyone down. I've asked for the purpose of the board that users keep alluding to and to ask if it is "for GC people".

OP posts:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 15/09/2026 08:04

JanesLittleGirl · 14/09/2026 22:40

@Lexibletheflexible would I be wrong in thinking that this thread has not gone the way that you hoped it would?

I'm still waiting for the staff to respond. If I wanted to speak to users about this, I'd have posted on a different board. I'm waiting for their official clarification on the purpose of the board.

OP posts:
Differentforgirls · 15/09/2026 08:02

Anarchy99 · 15/09/2026 07:57

Because she is stamping her foot about a subforum she disagrees with. It is a discussion board and she is not being shut down as she has a right to contribute on the threads she has issues with.

However instead of doing that, she ran to HQ to protest and presumably try to shut down the women who are actually trying to fight a much bigger issue to protect anyone biologically female.

Still at it.

Anarchy99 · 15/09/2026 07:57

Because she is stamping her foot about a subforum she disagrees with. It is a discussion board and she is not being shut down as she has a right to contribute on the threads she has issues with.

However instead of doing that, she ran to HQ to protest and presumably try to shut down the women who are actually trying to fight a much bigger issue to protect anyone biologically female.

Differentforgirls · 15/09/2026 07:46

Anarchy99 · 15/09/2026 07:32

5 pages of a woman trying to shut other women down for daring to have pro women views on a feminist subforum.

Show quote history

Many women trying to shut one down actually.

Anarchy99 · 15/09/2026 07:32

Differentforgirls · 15/09/2026 07:28

5 pages of one woman being berated by many for asking a question to someone else.

5 pages of a woman trying to shut other women down for daring to have pro women views on a feminist subforum.

Differentforgirls · 15/09/2026 07:28

5 pages of one woman being berated by many for asking a question to someone else.

JanesLittleGirl · 14/09/2026 22:40

@Lexibletheflexible would I be wrong in thinking that this thread has not gone the way that you hoped it would?

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 14/09/2026 19:23

murasaki · 14/09/2026 18:24

There's also the let it stand so we can see the nastiness thing that does happen on FWR, operation let them speak. Hence the apartheid posts not being reported.

It's quite interesting how, of the two sides, the "RSOH" are the most censorious. Something even as calm and impersonal as "AMABs shouldn't be in women's rugby" would cop you a deletion and sub ban in r/trans.

napody · 14/09/2026 19:07

murasaki · 14/09/2026 18:24

There's also the let it stand so we can see the nastiness thing that does happen on FWR, operation let them speak. Hence the apartheid posts not being reported.

No absolutely, I think it's often best these things are exposed to sunlight.

MoistVonL · 14/09/2026 18:53

murasaki · 14/09/2026 18:24

There's also the let it stand so we can see the nastiness thing that does happen on FWR, operation let them speak. Hence the apartheid posts not being reported.

That's so true - the sheer misogyny in being happy to conflate women's need and right to have places away from men with apartheid!

It's also obscenely insulting to those who suffered under apartheid and segregation. Like trans identifying men have anything beyond chromosomes in common with Steven Biko and Nelson Mandela, FFS.