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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Spartacus believes in biology.

457 replies

HairyBallTheorem · 16/04/2018 21:03

Transwomen are biologically male. They are born biologically male and they remain biologically male.

I accept that it must be very hard to suffer from gender dysphoria. I wish transwomen well. I support their right not to be discriminated against in housing, employment and in life in general.

But biology matters. It is biology which means that women in Ireland and across South America and in many other parts of the world are the ones who get pregnant and are then forced to give birth against their will by political systems that deny them the right to abortion. It is biology which enables people in cultures which practice FGM to recognise which babies are female and thus decide which ones' genitals need slicing off with rusty razor blades. It is biology which dictates which foetuses are aborted simply for being female, which infants are allowed to die simply for being female. It is biology which means we are, on average, smaller and less physically strong than men and thus at higher risk of domestic violence up to and including murder (2 a week in this country, into the hundreds in Russia which has recently legalised domestic violence).

I am not prepared to lie about biology. Facts matter. The intersection of facts and political beliefs matters.

This is a hill on which I'm prepared to be banned from Mumsnet.

OP posts:
A3000 · 17/04/2018 12:42

Yep. Still Spartacus. Biology is not bigotry.

whoputthecatout · 17/04/2018 12:38

I am Spartacus.

I cross out the word 'gender' on every form I have to fill in, and put sex.
I will continue to do so. It is not acceptable for organisations to display their ignorance in the belief that they are being gentile or inclusive.

Words matter.

A generation on from 1984 we have to fight Newspeak all over again.

Viago · 17/04/2018 12:30

Also i'm Spartacus.

Maybe it could be called Mumsnet Mount, like at Wimbledon. Though I'm fairly sure that hill won't be big enough.

Viago · 17/04/2018 12:29

Wow did anyone else watch woman's video with Ben Shapiro? Zoey Tur saying if you don't say my preferred pronouns you're going home in an ambulance? Shock

Hecalledmecarrots · 17/04/2018 12:29

TRAs can argue over pronouns and whether saying 'you guys' is offensive, because they have nowhere else logical to take their argument.

Language evolves over time, but the fundamental principle of human biology doesn't and never will.

I am still Spartacus, although I'm waiting for the funicular as I've buggered up my knee.

differentnameforthis · 17/04/2018 12:25

Thanks @0phelia

TERFragetteCity · 17/04/2018 12:22

Yep, never thought I would have to say it but I am Spartacus.

Beyond11cisRetinol · 17/04/2018 12:19

Next time (dear goddess please don't let there be a next time!) I vote for "I'm Brian and so's my wife". Much more on topic Wink

0phelia · 17/04/2018 12:14

Why Spartacus?

It's in response to fellow posters being banned.
Other women come along to say the same thing so "ban me too then".

Like all the men standing up to say "I'm Spartacus so kill me too".

sashh · 17/04/2018 12:06

I am Spartacus and so is my cat

Carriemac · 17/04/2018 12:01

I am Spartacus.

I certainly don't hate trans people and I find any suggestion to the contrary deeply offensive.

I support anyone's right to express themselves as they please. I particularly welcome men pushing the boundaries of society's current, rather narrow, view of what it is to be a man.

Human beings are dimorphic and cannot change sex. I will use someone's preferred pronouns as a matter of courtesy but reserve the right to name biological sex (and use the pronouns of that sex) where it is relevant to a point being discussed (eg Male socialisation).

InLoveWithDavidTennant · 17/04/2018 12:00

I am Spartacus

Biology is real. Biology is fact. I refuse to lie!

differentnameforthis · 17/04/2018 11:59

[why Spartacus?]

YogaDrone · 17/04/2018 11:58

I am Spartacus and I've bought a picnic 'cos us feminine types like to feed and care for people right? Wink

  • I believe that transpeople should live without prejudice or persecution, just as I believe that everyone should have this right.
  • I believe in biology. Mammals cannot change sex.
  • I reject gender as everyone is an individual and should be treated as such. Men in frocks - great, women with shaved heads - fab.
  • Being a woman isn't a "feeling" it's a reality. Women can't identify out of the shit that comes with our biology.
  • Babies are not "assigned a gender" at birth. They have their sex recognised and recorded.
  • Men shouldn't be competing as women in sports.
  • Men shouldn't be in women's prisons and their crimes should be recorded as male crimes.
  • Men shouldn't be forcing women and girls out of female only spaces such as changing/shower rooms, Rape Crisis centres, Women's Aid refuges, hospital wards, women's prizes/sponsorships.
  • Men shouldn't be on all women shortlists.
  • I am certainly not CIS Angry

I am YogaSpartacus and I have Cake

Gappyonthetwits · 17/04/2018 11:32

I am Spartacus.

In a sexist society, sex matters.

TheFarAwaySeas · 17/04/2018 11:25

Still Spartacus.

Biology is fact and I will not lie.

Facts NOT Feelings

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 17/04/2018 11:00

Adding my voice - I will never deny biology. As a woman, I also want to say how incredible I think the female body is. It is truly amazing. It is not something men can ever acquire, however much they might want to.

Beyond11cisRetinol · 17/04/2018 10:41

Asking women not to use "incorrect" pronouns is doable - both "they" and the person's name may be clunky, but it can work.

Asking women (posting in the feminism section, no less) not to refer to biological reality makes it impossible to talk about sexism. Which is kinda a big chunk of what we talk about here...

Waddlelikeapenguin · 17/04/2018 10:41

I thought this was one of the old threads that had got bumped! Deep breath...

I am Spartacus
Mammals cant change sex
Transwomen can only be transwomen because they are male humans.

Flowers to grow on the hill because i will be here to see them bloom I am not moving.

Beyond11cisRetinol · 17/04/2018 10:28

I may be Spartacus - but that does not make me a biologically verifiable, literal male. Wink

TopBitchoftheWitches · 17/04/2018 10:25

I am Spartacus.

The females before us died so that we would have rights and not be treated like scum.
TRA's are trying to erase our rights which were fought for and still being fought for.
I want my daughters to be able to be safe in the future.

I also hope transsexual people are able to live their lives safely.

I do not appreciate being told by TRA's to stfu and anyone trying to remove women's rights to safe places. These are ours, I would welcome a transsexual into my places obviously.

I don't feel being a woman, I am a biological woman.

Ekphrasis · 17/04/2018 10:21

Fabulous post seek.

Spartacus here too.

I've known my baby will be male since 11 weeks old as his chromosomes were tested. He can express himself in any which way he chooses as he grows up, but he will always have male dna. I feel for people who have dysphoria about their sex and so I respect pronouns as I respect biological sex.

The only time I know I'm different to men is when my biology speaks out.

Sex matters. Sexism matters. Male violence is an issue and must be named. The way young boys may be socialised due to their maleness is an issue.

Freshlylaidterf · 17/04/2018 10:16

I am still Spartacus. I will never deny biology. And - what everyone else said. Loving the tunes !

Mumsnut · 17/04/2018 10:11

Is there a pub on the hill?

What Lang Cleg said
(As ever)

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 17/04/2018 10:00

I was Spartacus last time. I'm Spartacus now. I'll always be Spartacus. This insanity needs to end.