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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:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 16:35

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/09/2026 16:19

That makes it a TAAT.

In a while, I'll post all the comments of people saying this and insinuating anyone with opposing views is in the wrong place

So does this.

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Tough. It is in site Stuff because clarification is needed so I have to post the comments I am talking about

OP posts:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 16:34

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/09/2026 16:23

That simply isn't true.

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As I said, I will post the comments saying as much

OP posts:
BewaretheIckabog · 14/09/2026 16:34

I thought it was an advertising board for Tunnocks.

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 16:34

SirChenjins · 14/09/2026 16:21

No 'we' don't - you do. Remember - I statements.

I will post on whichever thread I see fit. Do you need additional clarification on how MN threads work?

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No WE do because members keep alluding to this "purpose".

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/09/2026 16:23

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 16:00

No it wouldn't. It would prove that several regular posters habitually tell people that only GC views are really welcome on that board.

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That simply isn't true.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/09/2026 16:22

Imdonehere · 14/09/2026 16:02

Ooh. I'll have that ❤️ is it male or female? lol

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Don't encourage him.
He's already foisted a troublesome cat on to me.

SirChenjins · 14/09/2026 16:21

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 15:25

No I think we as a site need clarification on whether the board is there to endorse GC views or host debate on issues related to sex and gender. If you dont want one, stop posting on my thread which is in the place for users to speak to site staff.

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No 'we' don't - you do. Remember - I statements.

I will post on whichever thread I see fit. Do you need additional clarification on how MN threads work?

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/09/2026 16:20

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/09/2026 15:53

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

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Grin
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/09/2026 16:19

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 16:00

It's more like rehashing several posts that say the same thing about that board.

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That makes it a TAAT.

In a while, I'll post all the comments of people saying this and insinuating anyone with opposing views is in the wrong place

So does this.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/09/2026 16:18

murasaki · 14/09/2026 15:59

That would be a very odd thing to do.

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Pretty sure against talk guidelines as well.

Meceme · 14/09/2026 16:14

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 15:59

It's a problem when they insinuate people who aren't GC are intruding

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Anyone is welcome to comment but it is a robust board with many very knowledgeable posters. You have to be prepared to back up your ideas!
The discussions can be heated but you would expect that when people are passionate about defending women's rights.
'Be kind' won't cut it.

KittyWilkinson · 14/09/2026 16:10

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 16:00

No it wouldn't. It would prove that several regular posters habitually tell people that only GC views are really welcome on that board.

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They don't. Anyone doing that "habitually" as you claim would be challenged by the moderation team.
Pure invention.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/09/2026 16:06

Imdonehere · 14/09/2026 16:02

Ooh. I'll have that ❤️ is it male or female? lol

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He's a boy - but I only export to Scotland.

KittyWilkinson · 14/09/2026 16:04

HairsprayBabe · 14/09/2026 14:23

Could someone clarify what the Food/Recipes forum is for please?

I'm concerned about The Litter Tray. I thought it was about discarded fast food wrappings in my front garden. People keep posting about their blooming cats. And don't get me started about Fishnet!

murasaki · 14/09/2026 16:03

I don't believe that happens. People would be interested to see some proper arguments in favour of TWAW, as we haven't seen any. #bekind doesn't cut it.

Also, there is at least one trans poster regular. It's not an exclusionary space as I see it, it just is robust and has no time for twaddle.

Imdonehere · 14/09/2026 16:02

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/09/2026 15:53

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

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Ooh. I'll have that ❤️ is it male or female? lol

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 16:00

murasaki · 14/09/2026 15:59

That would be a very odd thing to do.

Show quote history

No it wouldn't. It would prove that several regular posters habitually tell people that only GC views are really welcome on that board.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 16:00

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/09/2026 15:27

Ah. So this IS a TAAT.

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It's more like rehashing several posts that say the same thing about that board.

OP posts:
murasaki · 14/09/2026 15:59

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 15:57

It isnt perfectly clear when users seem to think it is there to endorse GC views and/or has some "purpose" that isn't alluded to in the description. In a while, I'll post all the comments of people saying this and insinuating anyone with opposing views is in the wrong place

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That would be a very odd thing to do.

Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 15:59

Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/09/2026 15:28

If people think it’s primarily for people with GC views, who cares? It’s just an opinion. No one is being evicted from the board because they don’t agree.

It's a problem when they insinuate people who aren't GC are intruding

OP posts:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 15:58

Cotopaxi · 14/09/2026 15:36

It is outlined in the description. It is a feminism topic specifically for discussions regarding sex and gender, to keep that area separate from the general feminism board. That is its purpose. MNHQ set the board up for people to use. Whether you find most people posting on there will either agree or disagree with your opinions is not for MNHQ to police.

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It isnt about agreement, it is about alluding to this "purpose" and/or insinuating that people who aren't GC are in the wrong place.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 15:57

MoistVonL · 14/09/2026 15:48

I disagree - it's perfectly obvious what the board is for. Just like What We're Reading, or Gardening. It's for feminism relating to issues of sex and gender.

If you can't keep up, other spaces are available.

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It isnt perfectly clear when users seem to think it is there to endorse GC views and/or has some "purpose" that isn't alluded to in the description. In a while, I'll post all the comments of people saying this and insinuating anyone with opposing views is in the wrong place

OP posts:
WallaceinAnderland · 14/09/2026 15:55

Then she spoke of this purpose I've seen alluded to before as well as posts outright saying the board is for people with GC views

I haven't seen the post in question but it may be that she said/meant GC views are allowed in this topic. You could report the actual post so that MN know what you are talking about.

To be honest, when it was first set up it was the only forum anywhere on the internet that would allow gender critical views and it was heavily monitored. But times have moved on, people have accepted that womens rights are valid and GC views are allowed to be expressed anywhere on MN provided the content does not breach the general site guidelines.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/09/2026 15:53

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/09/2026 15:16

My cats would like to know what The Litter Tray forum is for.

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

Could Mumsnet clarify the purpose of the sex and gender forum?
MoistVonL · 14/09/2026 15:48

Lexibletheflexible · 14/09/2026 15:25

No I think we as a site need clarification on whether the board is there to endorse GC views or host debate on issues related to sex and gender. If you dont want one, stop posting on my thread which is in the place for users to speak to site staff.

Show quote history

I disagree - it's perfectly obvious what the board is for. Just like What We're Reading, or Gardening. It's for feminism relating to issues of sex and gender.

If you can't keep up, other spaces are available.