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Original poster

Lord Paddick resigns the LGBT LD executive

212 replies

RedToothBrush · 20/04/2018 00:42

LGBT+LD @ lgbtlb
Public statement by the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats executive regarding the resignation of our honorary president, Lord Paddick:
1/4
The LGBT+ Liberal Democrats executive has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Lord Paddick as our honorary president.
2/4
Lord Paddick previously tended his resignation, which we declined when he made certain undertakings about his meeting with a group set up to oppose transgender equality legislation.
3/4
We regret that those undertakings have not been honoured. Subsequently Lord Paddick tended his resignation again, which has been accepted.
4/4

Lord Paddick has form for resigning

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brian-lord-paddick-quits-over-tim-farron-gay-sex-comments-lib-dem-liberal-democrat-general-election-a7789816.html%3famp
Lord Paddick quits as Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokespeson following furore over leader Tim Farron's views on gay sex
The former Lib Dem London Mayoral candidate said the decision had been made 'weeks ago.'

He quit as LD home affairs spokesperson as he was uncomfortable with Tim Farron's views on gay marriage. The resignation prompted Farron's ultimately. He is an important and influential figure in the party.

I'm not quite sure what's going on here or why. It sounds like the LGBT LD didn't want him to resign. It sounds like its connected to trans issues and Paddick's position. The timing is interesting.

I don't want to read too much into this. But its suggesting a split in opinion and approach. (I don't believe this shows that Paddick is pro-women's rights. I suspect he is more pro-due process, at least at this stage). And that its damaging to the executive as a whole.

When is the meeting with Paddick scheduled for? It could be very interesting now. Looks like Paddick really is sticking his neck out.

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MaryLennoxsScowl · 22/04/2018 10:33

I didn’t realise that, I thought it was only in Scotland. Thanks for clarifying!

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 22/04/2018 10:18

Women's clinics are very poorly funded. Post natal care is a poor relation. Hence MNs campaign on the matter.

Where is extra money coming from for transwomens health, which poses a set of very different needs because of biological difference?

Is anyone losing out? Is anyone gaining? Politically these are important questions which have nothing to do with whether you are pro or anti trans.

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Anlaf · 22/04/2018 10:13

Btw if anyone is in the LD policy facebook group, there's something that almost looks like a debate happening now, on self id and AWS.

I won't hold my breath but...

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 22/04/2018 10:10

I mean keep the emotion out of it completely if you must comment.

I think getting people to do EXACTLY what the LGBT LDs say and answer the question:

What’s the purpose? Work out what you’re trying to do and the language you need should follow.

Is a useful exercise and far more preferable. I don't think you need to do or comment further or to lead people a particular way.

Just get them to think about this entire conversation is sufficient. Let them think critically themselves.

The LGBT LDs started the conversation saying they thought it would led to hateful messages. What they were really doing was putting down an open invitation to people to comment to 'prove' themselves right one way or another.

Hence, don't bite.

That's why I don't think you need to comment. Just think.

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SwearyGodPervert · 22/04/2018 10:09

Given that rape in the UK requires penetration with a penis how could they not be, Mary ?

MaryLennoxsScowl · 22/04/2018 10:04

Upthread someone mentioned that 8 women have been convicted of rape this year - are you saying these were actually transwomen?

NoSquirrels · 22/04/2018 09:56

This is the top answer from Quora on “Do trans people need a gynaecologist?”:

Yes, absolutely. For much if the same reasons natal women do. We don't need reproductive services or other care related to having a uterus, ovaries or pregnancy. We do need exams, as well as diagnostic services and medication for infection and sometimes other interventions.

I’m a bit baffled, honestly.

I think Brian Paddick is a good man, though, ever since his London Met days, and voted for him as London Mayor.

NoSquirrels · 22/04/2018 09:49

I get doctors ignoring gynaecological problems.

Eh?

Gynaecology: the branch of physiology and medicine which deals with the functions and diseases specific to women and girls, especially those affecting the reproductive system.

Is there such a thing as trans gynaecology? Genuinely?

AncientLights · 22/04/2018 09:25

Red do you mean 'no comments at all'? Because I see men in their answer & want to know how many of these people they talk of are transmen. Who are men as we all know.

Popchyk · 22/04/2018 09:24

"Trans woman" can mean anything though.

I don't think it even "just" means any man who self-identifies as a woman or any man who has gender reassignment surgery. It can now also mean a biological woman who identifies as transgender. Like Jack Monroe who identifies as non-binary and therefore transgender.

That's the problem with these things. If trans can mean anything and woman can mean anything then how can you have any meaning at all?

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 22/04/2018 08:57

I think it just needs to be seen and parked there. Let people ask for themselves 'what is the purpose?'

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flowersonthepiano · 22/04/2018 08:49

DO NOT BITE

But, but, but...gynaecological problems????!!!

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 22/04/2018 08:46

LGBT LD @ lgbtlb
Trans women are women. Trans women do not have “male bodies”, and do not have to conform to your assumption about their socialisation. We realise this will probably prompt another deluge of hate tweets, but this stuff needs challenging.

Whatever now? @ cutlasslil
Is there a way you're OK with of describing the physical difference between me and someone with a male reproductive system? Honest question. Presumably that continues to be a difference that can be acknowledged as physical fact?

LGBT LD @ lgbtlb
What’s the purpose? Work out what you’re trying to do and the language you need should follow.

Whatever now? @ cutlasslil
So I can talk about people in the way that matters to me, because of my lived experience in a world where the impact of the experience of sexual harrasment and threat of violence from people with the opposite reproductive biology is massive.

LGBT LD @ lgbtlb
Ok, you’re speaking to a trans woman right now. I get sexually harassed. I get doctors ignoring gynaecological problems. I get men yelling at me from passing cars. I get dismissed by men in my area of expertise. All that stuff.

So it’s not clear to me what you’re trying to do.

Posted as it needs to be shared. DO NOT BITE. The comment should stand alone.

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Doobigetta · 22/04/2018 08:02

I wonder if these are the same people I've had run-ins with on LD Facebook groups. They were certainly very, very quick to pile in and call me a transphobe and say that I had no right to speak and no understanding of what women's rights are if I disagreed with the TWAW rhetoric.

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 22/04/2018 07:38

I do believe they are a bullying clique of individuals.

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DarthArts · 22/04/2018 03:22

That whole threads a hot mess that any politician should be running from.

From what I've seen it's just a small group (in one locality) rather than a significant representation of members

HopScotchy · 22/04/2018 02:44

Heads up. No man ever gained women's rights. Just a thought. There has been no man who did this.

tygr · 22/04/2018 02:09

I am embarrassed to be a Lib Dem right now. And that's saying something.

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 22/04/2018 01:22

Its also very very far away from gender dysphoria. Given the Mail's story about children and the LGBT LDs referencing Julia Serano that quote is potentially hugely inflammatory and worrying.

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Original poster
RedToothBrush · 22/04/2018 01:13

That thread gets worse. Someone asked what the LGBT LDs are on about.

They replied:
LGBT LD @ lgbtld
Hi Goody. Perhaps you could read a book about it rather than yelling on the Internet at people of whom, by your own admission, you understand nothing?

Although we appreciate such things as informing yourself aren’t fashionable in Brexit Britain.

Max Harris @ Maximaxdoright
Crikey. Which book?

LGBT LD @ lgbtld
It’s a little dated but “Whipping Girl” by Julia Serano remains a good primer.

Miranda Yardley has not commented on the thread directly but has referenced to post saying this, with a quote from Julia Serano.

Miranda XYardley @ terrorizermir
Julia Serano in his own words (yes this is autogynephilic transsexualism which the @LibDems equate with ‘being a woman’).

Lord Paddick resigns the LGBT LD executive
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Original poster
RedToothBrush · 21/04/2018 19:42

twitter.com/LGBTLD/status/987611577825325057

LGBT+ Lib Dems @LGBTLD
Being trans isn’t about living within gender norms or otherwise. Plenty of trans women are butch lesbians, for example.

Sarah Stuart @sarahstuartxx
Do you understand that this is a homophobic statement?

On Paddick's thread.

And a further reply:

Brienne the Beauty @BrienneOfBath
@LibDems Friendly reminder that Sexual Orientation is a protected characteristic under UK law and is defined as being based on sex. It's homophobic to say that a male can be a lesbian. Not a good look.

Not to mention the fact that pressure is being put on lesbians to sleep with and date transwomen, despite us not being attracted to them. Promoting rape culture isn't a very good look either.

I hope Paddick sees this, though I suspect he has tuned out of such conversations on twitter now.

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Clonakiltylil · 21/04/2018 19:11

Another supporter of Brian Paddick here. At least he’s attempting to educate himself about the concerns of women, unlike his fellow Lordship, Michael Cashman, who has been hostile regarding any attempts at debate.

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 21/04/2018 16:43

Its a bit tangled up as The Liberal Democrat party have said they aren't responsible for the LibDem LGBT+ twitter account

Huh. I didn't realise that. I think anyone would assume that the LGBT+ Lib Dem account wasn't official, especially as it states in their twitter bio that they are...

The LGBT LD Executive IS the official LGBT branch of the LDs. LD main office is saying they are not responsible for the LGBT branch because of the federal system of the LDs. Except they are. In theory they could do something by saying something or challenging whats going on. But instead they have washed their hands of all responsibility and erased sex and replaced it with gender on all their correspondence.

Also I am curious as to why they extended the deadline for women applicants. Is it because they haven't had as many as they would like?

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DarthArts · 21/04/2018 14:18

Blushsorry I'm all thumbs today and was getting distracted by RL when posting.

Yes I did mean BP where I used PD though now I can't get Puff Daddy out of me head :-)

KittTheCar · 21/04/2018 13:33

PD? Puff Daddy?

Assume that is BP gone awry through half the post?

I think that what you outline is probably what happened as well.

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