DEBATE NOT HATE: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT GENDER

So grateful to the brave women putting themselves out there to stand up for this issue.

Wish I could be there but I'm a plane ride away

*outs

No problem types that I can see so far.

Dr Julia Long speaking now with her customary calm clarity in explaining the ins and ours of the GRA beginning in 2004.

(Toddler asleep in pram = winning).

Goof luck everyone. I'll be with you in spirit.

Don't forget to have multiple people filming from different angles from before it starts onwards. Particularly entrances and exits to catch nobs in hoodies skulking in and out.

Forgot my photo!

I'm finding that very few people I talk to have any idea that there is any move to change the laws around gender recognition, or, in some cases, any idea that it's currently legally possible to be recognised as the opposite sex.

No-one else I've spoken to had heard of Martin Ponting, or Lauren Jeska, or any trans participants in the Olympics or high-level sport (well, one person had, but assumed they were all intersex like Semenya, and thus merited sympathetic treatment).

There's a sort of feeling of 'Oh, gender stuff, only teenagers and hardline feminists care about that', as though both are coming at it from the same angle but having an in-fight about the details.

I’m here at The Grand, unfortunately I have my toddler in tow 😬. All being well he’ll sleep for me so I can keep posting.

I am extremely grateful to the brave women pushing this forward and not allowing the debate to be silenced. For the first time I start to feel hope that we can be heard. I don't usually post but I do read and wanted to come on to offer support and encouragement for this event.
Thank you

Hope you all have a great day and it goes swimmingly!

Are there any MNers there who want to post updates?

It is brilliant how this discussion is becoming mainstream largely through the efforts of the prime drivers from MN. Most of the women becoming interested and concerned are not what people would call radical feminists; they are the daughters, sisters, mothers, granddaughters, wives, girlfriends with genuine concerns not tran bashers as depicted by some. Looking forward to hearing about the Brighton event. Too far away myself sadly.

I have a very good feeling about this - there won't be trouble.
Plus, if there was, the security at the venue is very good indeed.

Isn't it awful that we have to wish people good luck and are wondering whether everyone will remain safe and able to speak (at a Labour party event) ?

Yes, it's scary, isn't it? I wonder what the type and scale of any resistance will be, given that it will be done in front of journalists, TV cameras and politicians. Don't know whether that makes it more likely, or less likely?

Gutted I can't be there, looking forward to hearing how it all goes though.

Isn't it awful that we have to wish people good luck and are wondering whether everyone will remain safe and able to speak (at a Labour party event) ?
I live in hope that women will be allowed to speak freely and our voices heard.

I wish this could be streamed online for women who aren't close to bath

I agree I wish I could see the discussion. There is a series of clips on YouTube where they filmed a discussion/seminar on gender discussions. It would be great to have the same for this.

I hope it went well for all involved.

Good luck everyone who's going to this today. I wish I could be there.

Hope it all goes smoothly.

Just in case anyone's missed it, the venue tomorrow is The Grand Hotel, Brighton, starting at 11am.

Me too but so am I.

I'm also at the other end of the country. Looking forward to hearing a report from those of you who can make it.

I wish they would tweet / blog their experience of trying to find a venue / trying to find panellists to put the trans side / receipt of threats.

Yes, I would also be interested to hear whether it has been better or worse since the mainstream press reported the previous event.

Bumping since this is tomorrow. I have just seen the line-up and it looks amazing. Wish I could go (but am at other end of country )

Would have loved to have gone but have another appointment @10 am - couldn't get into Brighton before 12 🙁

Hope there's no attacks at this one! Wish I could go, alas being in a different country doesn't help.

I wish they would tweet / blog their experience of trying to find a venue / trying to find panellists to put the trans side / receipt of threats.

It would be revelatory to many .