House of Commons event - anyone else going?

Julia’s talk about being complicit in the language used is really hitting home today.

Even the term ‘gender reassignment’, which is the protected characteristic - to be ‘gender reassigned’ you have to have had a gender in the first place. Gender has to be a Thing for that phrase to make any sense. Those of us who reject gender as a social constraint construct aren’t recognised by that terminology.

Julia was looking at dictionary definitions of transgender - I’d be interested to find out how the definition of gender has changed over time.

Datun Do you know who the other MP who attended is?

Spillikins there was definitely a very optimistic vibe in the room, and defiantly(!) in the pub afterwards.

Qumquat I was speaking to Kate sat at the back too (hi! And thanks for being friendly when I was wide eyed and alone!) she’s definitely a MNer.

When I asked people what had bought this issue to their attention, Mumsnet was top of the list for most people. MN really has been a force for good in allowing this conversation to happen here, bringing the concerns to a wider audience.

SophoclesTheFox

I didn't know there was a chap in a dress there. I wonder who it was.

You must have been sitting right behind me. I was in the front row, across the aisle from Linda (to her left).

qumquat

Yes, Kate's a mumsnetter!

Been reading the twitter and mumsnet catch up, and today, I feel almost....optimistic (?) for the future. More and more people willing to say that no, trans women are not women.

I had to arrive late and leave early and didnt get to speak to anyone which was a shame. I was however sat next to Posie Parker on the floor and can report that her shoes were every bit as amazing as her shirt.

Is 'Kate' a mnetter?

Datun, I wasn't far from you at all! I was sitting the row behind and across the aisle from Linda Bellos. I was sitting next to the chap in a dress with long hair. Ironicially, given what Sheila said about mannerisms, he flicked it in my face a few times. Any ideas who that was?

Wish I'd known it was you to come and say hi!

Posies shirt was gorgeous. I too would like very much to own it.

And I would stay away from Mermaids. I'm sorry, but I would. They have an affirmation at all costs approach, with a view to medicalisation, in my opinion.

DNAnotGRA

It must be incredibly difficult. And I am sure you're on a knife edge.

I feel that honesty is important. Not to agree that someone can actually change sex. Or that you believe in the pink brain/blue brain scenario.

A lot of love and affirmation that it's hard, you understand, etc, without agreeing with the impossible.

Also, maybe look at some detransitioners to work out the mindset.

I understand that you may not want to share details. This can feel incredibly personal.

But this link might help. It covers the different types of gender dysphoria.

4thwavenow.com/2017/12/07/gender-dysphoria-is-not-one-thing/

Sounds brilliant! Wish I still lived in London. Well done to everyone who attended, I love how this has gone from a few threads on MN to a RL meeting in the House of Commons!

Is Sheila Jeffries the American who wrote 'Feel the Fear and do it Anyway', or another one?

But seriously, never mind the solidarity, WIBU to post in S&B ‘help! Can you help me find Posie’s shirt? I MUST own it!’

Home, with one of the Edgware Road's finest lamb kebabs and a bottle of wine 😀

Absolutely amazing evening. The HoC totally validated and legitimised, somehow, everything we're fighting for. Totally different vibe from the WPUK meetings I've been to, and no time for Q&A, but incredible speakers, really diverse, interesting and educational. D Davies said outside that he was riveted and learned so much, he seemed a genuinely nice bloke.

Pub afterwards also very fun - like a massive girls night out 😀 (Noisy but well behaved) Made new friends, had some great chats, met a hilarious woman who wanted Linda Bellos to autograph her boobs (waves to Hungarian lady who sometimes pops into MN), bumped into Datun in smokers corner and met LucyLovesLife (the Deptford blog woman) who seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the attention!

My mum used to 'follow' Sheila Jeffrey's back in the 70s and was quite impressed that I would hear her speak tonight. My mum hasn't quite peaked, she's still at the stage of "those poor misunderstood men", so I asked Sheila what I should tell her. She said show her the pictures that I showed the room of 'gaffs' that men wear to hide their genitals. They were disturbing to say the least! I think I peaked all over again

Thank you, I am battling forward in the face of adversity. I know Stephanie et al and trying my best to stay sane in an insane world

DNA you need to find people braver than me, I could not be gender critical in a formal work setting. I doubt I am the only person in that situation.

What support would be useful for you?

DNAnotGRA

It's incredibly difficult. Any mother wants to help and support her child and if she is gender critical, the conflict arises.

I recommend taking a look at Transgendertrend. It's for parents such as you. They are supportive, yet gender critical. It's a tough act to pull off, but they do it. I believe number one on their list is get the child off the Internet. Easier said that done though, I know.

Also, Lily Maynard. Her blog is very interesting and enlightening. Her daughter identified as trans, but eventually detransitioned.

Each of them have written their own viewpoint throughout the process. If it's possible, see if you can persuade your child to read them too, if you think it's relevant.

There is also an LGBT board on MN, which might be worth a look.

Also, the women here will offer support.

For what it's worth, you and your child certainly have my compassion and support.

Just got home. Phone died! Venice got me on the list but actually no one checked tickets anyway. Just said where we were going and they let us in.

It was a great evening - it felt historic, women standing up, in Parliament of all places, expressing views - mostly, biological facts - that trans activists have tried so hard to silence. Rounds of applause. Standing ovation for Posey Parker. No hate, no violence. No 60s gender roles .

I felt the fangirl vibes too - I was sat on the floor, and looking around kept seeing recognisable faces, sheroes everywhere - and everyone was so friendly, welcoming. The pub afterwards was a fantastic atmosphere - jam packed with women sharing their thoughts and experiences, their worries, and listening to each other, supporting each other.

I’m on a massive high now. We will be heard. We will not be silenced.

I meant to come back to this thread during the night, but got way too distracted on twitter!

I applaud your efforts and full support them, however I would like to ask in what way are women prepared to help and support women/mothers like me who as a child infected by the "transgender mind virus" and desperately trying to rescue him?

No visible protests. I don't think you're allowed to protest right outside. And anyway it's not a good look, right outside parliament.

The building itself is labyrinthian. And we were miles away from the entrance. The protest would have been isolated and laughable.

But the demands to cancel it were unprecedented, apparently.

It was a brilliant night.

The speakers were very funny. A wonderfully entertaining light touch whilst nailing, nailing the point home.

Transwomen are men.

There is no wiggle room.

I had a long conversation with Magdelen Berns. A lovely woman.

And I sat next to Linda Bellos who was laughing and incredulous in turn.

David Davies was supportive, humble and very amusing.

At the pub afterwards there were so many famous and well known faces. It was positively heaving with solidarity.

The best meeting yet.

And Venice intends to roll it out as a regular thing. At the House of Commons.

The security said they had never received so many complaints, emails, phone calls etc.

Apparently apart from Davies, there was only one other MP in attendance. It's a real shame. The contrast between what TRAs said would happen, and what actually happened, was stark.

Normal, everyday, wonderful women. Laughing, supporting, agreeing.

And fighting. Hard.

This is real. It's a huge fight.

And women are tooling up.

I was truly proud to be one of their number.

Thanks for your updates

no protests that I saw, no. Bit disappointed really, i had prepped myself to be icily aloof to it all and didn’t need it!

Were there any protests outside?

On it re retweeting and possibly more controversial tweets as I have lost the plat at this point!

Oops see someone already linked it!