Please or to access all these features

Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

14 year old dd wants to do something

37 replies

marvelousdcomics · 01/11/2016 18:14

And she's not sure what.

I already have a thread detailing 5 FTM students at her school and their homophobic bullying towards her, and her gender-critical feminist views. I've shown her the Spartacus threads and some other stuff, and she completely agrees with everything and is extremely passionate about the topic. She really wants to do something, anything, to make people see the 'trans trend' for what it is. It's taking over her life and damaging her friendships.

We have agreed to send the letter template from another thread to our local MP, so that could be an option, but would anyone listen to a 14 year old? She really really wants to help the cause.

Also, on my other thread, some people said she shouldn't have said 'i wouldn't date a transwoman purely because I'm a lesbian and transwomen are biologically male' for which she got insulted for by her apparent friends, because it could be viewed as transphobic and may get her excluded from LGBTQ+ groups. I do understand this and dd already said she doesn't fit in with these groups, but isn't dd right to challenge what so many people are afraid to??

Any opinions welcome, thank you.

OP posts:
RiverTam · 01/11/2016 19:35

Tumblr is trans crntral, though, isn't it? She may well get a lot of unpleasant vitriol thrown her way if she blogs on there!

VestalVirgin · 01/11/2016 19:27

With a blog ... yes, make it anonymous, but also moderate the comments. If you allow them at all.

The internet can be a dangerous place, too.

It might be best to invest in some expert knowledge regarding web anonymity. Disguising your IP and stuff.

That may sound paranoid, but there are some really vile people out there.

steppinstone · 01/11/2016 19:12

That's tough for her but good luck. Blogging is good. I think we need more gender critical young voices. She's going to get a lot of stick though.

Maybe encourage her to do Women's Studies or get into women's literature? Start her off on that to expand her mind and maybe look at Fawcett Society etc. get interested in wider issues. This one might be tough to put her head above the parapet on.

venusinscorpio · 01/11/2016 19:11

Maybe suggest that she also sends the MP's letter to Maria Miller and Justine Greening too?

FloraFox · 01/11/2016 19:08

She could contact Stephanie from transgendertrend. Even if she does not want to Ben publicly involved, sharing her story could help.

marvelousdcomics · 01/11/2016 19:00

Felas, I know that but she loves a good debate Grin To be fair, she got dragged involuntarily into the last one and was on the receiving end of vile insults. I agree with her being a role model - thank you for the idea

OP posts:
Felascloak · 01/11/2016 18:57

Being an out and proud GNC lesbian in LGBT groups could be enough. She doesn't have to get into debates about her terfitude Grin but just being there as a role model might help other girls see that there are options other than trans.

marvelousdcomics · 01/11/2016 18:55

Perspicacia, funny you mentioned Magdalen Burns - dd loves her!

I agree with you about becoming a public figure, and I've told her so. If she were to blog I would make it anonymous for her own safety.

She is also campaigning at school with a small group of friends about the idea they have of gender and its potential damage to vulnerable people.

Thank you for replies so far

OP posts:
PerspicaciaTick · 01/11/2016 18:50

If you are OK with some swearing, she might find Magdalen Bern's YouTube channel worth watching.
However, this topic is very inflammatory and your DD is already suffering. It may be that the best place for her to campaign is to see if she can push the school authorities to stamp out bullying and do some clear communicating with students around the difference between sex and gender...if she can blog great, but I do worry that she could become a target for some very unpleasant people if she becomes a public figure...and she is still young and vulnerable.

marvelousdcomics · 01/11/2016 18:47

That's actually a great idea! I think she'd like that. Thank you.

Any more ideas/opinions welcome

OP posts:
ThatStewie · 01/11/2016 18:41

Has she thought of anonymously blogging her experiences? There are a lot of young women who feel similar and blogging/ Tumblr can help find them.

marvelousdcomics · 01/11/2016 18:38

Bump

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread