I just wanted to start to say thank you to some of those who have given me the courage to begin to speak out, too. The calmness and persistence in the face of absolute hate and vileness is really something. (And it must become very tiring to know that when you google your own name, the search box will autofill "...should die in a fire", so I wanted to add something psoitive to the mix!)
There's lots here on mumsnet that I am grateful to, but I will start with people I got to know elsewhere first.
Linda Bellos. I have only seen her name recently on this issue, but she's been inspiring me since I was a teenage radical, so very long ago. I can't tell you how happy I am that she is here and still fighting. Linda, thank you.
Glosswitch. She was one of the first they went for. She's brilliant and brave and funny and I am so glad she's writing. Glossy, thank you.
Sarah Ditum. Also funny and brilliant and calm and persistent. If you haven't signed up for her tinyletter, I suggest you do so immediately! Sarah, thank you.
Claire Heuchan. Fantastic, thoughtful, insightful writer. Also introduced me to the fact that the Glasgow Women's Library exists! Claire, thank you.
Miranda Yardley. Calm, devastating, and unbelievably persistent. Currently filleting Peter Tatchell on twitter. Miranda, thank you.
There's plenty more, and I'll add them later, bit by bit, but I wanted to get a start. I have begun threads to express my disappointment and anger at those that have drunk the kool-aid, so I thought I'd come here and express my joy and gratitude to those that are standing up for women. I hope this can become a long list!
And anyone's non-appearance on it doesn't mean they aren't wonderful or their work isn't appreciated, it just means they aren't known to me. This isn't a list of any in-crowd, and shouldn't be read as such. We're all doing what we can!