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Original poster

Who's up for a self-ID day of activism?

246 replies

YesItsADebate · 23/02/2018 15:06

Following on from my swimming thread, I'd like to guage interest to see who would be interested in taking part in a day where we all self-ID as men and take part in various forms of activism.

Some ideas from the other thread:

  • a mass swim in the men's pond in Hampstead;
  • manspreading on public transport;
  • sunbathing/sauntering around in shorts and flip-flops;
  • using the men's loos;
  • using men's changing rooms;
  • applying for membership of men-only golf clubs, gentlemen's clubs, the Freemasons' men's lodges etc.
  • going to men-and-toddler play sessions (with bacon butties!);
  • mansplaining, interrupting other participants in meetings and generally acting with a chauvinistic sense of superiority.

I'm sure you can come up with more. Vaguely planning for the summer when it's a bit warmer! Anyone up for it?

Disclaimer: while the law on Exposure (formerly indecent exposure) only applies to genitals, exposing breasts in public may amount to a public nuisance if it's done with the intent to shock, upset or annoy. I'll have a look a bit later for better guidance.

OP posts:
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StandingOvulation · 23/02/2018 22:27

@YesItsADebate, I'm loving your work, chap.

This is eye opening.

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 23/02/2018 22:15

I am SO up for this. Tell me where and when, I'll be there. DH is also up for self-IDing as a woman.

mamaryllis · 23/02/2018 22:13

Apologies if you aren’t bothered 😁 That’s cool too. I just want everyone to be completely aware (after the last fb debacle we know that there will be a few people who want to infiltrate and splash names around anyway - a closed group makes that much easier as there is no infiltrating to be done - member’s names are listed for anyone to read.

imablackstarnotapopstar · 23/02/2018 22:13

I'm definitely manspreading and scratching my man-fanny on a permanent basis from now on

OfficerGrant · 23/02/2018 22:12

Please change the group to secret

WiggyPig · 23/02/2018 22:12

I'd agree with changing the group to secret.

mamaryllis · 23/02/2018 22:07

You guys know that group is searchable by anyone right? So any TRA can see exactly who you are?

Can I suggest strongly that you change the group type to Secret?

There is no point doing profile checks and messaging people to let them in if every TRA / MRA can see who is in the group and do their own profile check....

Who's up for a self-ID day of activism?
WiggyPig · 23/02/2018 22:05

Jux I always go to the barber, you don't need to self ID as a man to do so, you just need to be wanting a man's haircut.

It's in the Codes of Practice to the Equality Act and everything - they can obviously refuse to cut your hair into a women's style as that's not the service they offer, but they can't refuse to cut a men's style on a woman's head.

Having said that I've been refused in barbers before (excuses ranging from "it's illegal for me to cut a woman's hair" Hmm to "I'm too busy" in a totally empty shop) and I've never challenged it, i've just apologised awkwardly and shuffled off to a different one.

Original poster
YesItsADebate · 23/02/2018 22:01

Good point OfficerGrant. How's this?

Who's up for a self-ID day of activism?
OP posts:
Jux · 23/02/2018 21:55

Ooh, I need a haircut but have put it off for yonks because Idon't have the £30 it'll cost. I'll self-id and go to the barber.

WiggyPig · 23/02/2018 21:53

Asked to join the FB group. My profile is closed though, I'm not even sure I'm message-able.

DaisyDrip · 23/02/2018 21:50

I don't use FB. Could we not have a forum instead?

CanIBuffalo · 23/02/2018 21:38

Thanks Sofie
I could lose my job if there was so much as a sniff of not following the spirit and letter of the Equalities Act 2010 so I guess I'm going to have to get my poker face on.

Sittinonthefloor · 23/02/2018 21:33

Day of action sounds great! My worry is that 'I'm a man' or similar on t shirts could be interpreted as being against TIFs, which I think would be unkind and a mistake. What about just 'protect women's spaces' or something like that? Any photos want to show the key message. Definitely think tshirts + logo better than boobies though!

CanIBuffalo · 23/02/2018 21:33

😂😂😂😂😂

averylongtimeago · 23/02/2018 21:32

I have accidentally joined a fb group for an odd job person.... have now checked the spelling....

CanIBuffalo · 23/02/2018 21:28

I agree with what Knob said.

Elletorro · 23/02/2018 21:26

Hi

I wonder whether a Katherine Hamnet type of style would work? I don’t think she has any trademark on that.

And consider the back explaining that “self id violates dignity and makes a mockery of consent” not snappy I know but it’s about keeping control of the message. This isn’t a benny hill stunt

SpartacusReality · 23/02/2018 21:25

I don't know if there's any way to avoid this with Facebook, but even though it's a closed group I can see the members photos and Facebook names - and as their profiles are not private I can view their timelines (I didn't check everyone's I was just having a nose at the group tbh but was alarmed to see that even in a closed group the members names are listed).

CanIBuffalo · 23/02/2018 21:23

Have requested to join the FB group.
Have recruited DH to accompany me to local leisure centre on #ManFriday.
Am likely to be also able to recruit at least 2 of the DSs.
I won't be trivializing/alienating by behaving in stereotypical 'man' behaviour but I will be identifying as a man - the kind of man my DH and DSs are.
All blokes together just getting on with it.
Hopefully, it'll get the message out there.

Whwhywhy · 23/02/2018 21:23

I fully agree with feminine attire. It has to be primarily about getting in the other sexes space and looking ludicrous.

Remember the general public are pretty unaware (or aware but not thought it through). So it’s not like they will see that badge and get it.

And actually we need to avoid hate speech or ridicule. I support anyone to wear or be called anything they like (as I dismiss gender as a notion); my argument is a about the loss of sex segregated rights and spaces. Just saying I’m a bloke today doesn’t quite capture that?

Dunno just feel it’s important that any action doesn’t feel like being hateful of lifestyle choices but is about the case against the prioritisation of those choices over other people’s biological rights and needs?

YippeeKiYayMelonFarmer · 23/02/2018 21:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SomeKnobend · 23/02/2018 21:18

I would join in if it can be made expressly clear that this is an anti-self-id thing, not anti-trans. I worry it might get misinterpreted. I have no issue with trans women who have actually transitioned sharing changing rooms, toilets, prisons and hospital wards - no penis: no problem! But I am very much against self-id because it allows men who are NOT trans to be treated as trans and I think women and trans women need to be protected against the abuse that this would leave us all open to.