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Interesting discussion on Radio 4 now:

The Internet and Democracy
Thinking Allowed

The Internet and Democracy: Laurie Taylor analyses the social and political consequences of our digitised world. In light of recent data breach scandals around companies like Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, what does that mean for democracy? Why has the Internet failed to set us free? He's joined by Jamie Bartlett, Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media for Demos, in conjunction with The University of Sussex; Monica Horton, Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics & Political Science and Will Davies, Reader in Political Economy at Goldsmiths College.
Producer: Jayne Egerton

Has there ever been a case of a child chopping off his genitals because he feels like his penis shouldn't be there? Has it ever happened?

Hmm I don't know, I am sure it would have been a big story if so.

I have to say though, as a teen...which I know is quite different from a toddler mind.. I actually did (seriiously, not superficial crying for attention cuts) try to cut my tits off after the amount of attention they got me from grown men. I have horrible scars now because of it. Its not totally unthinkable to me that maybe some kids try to cut their penis off. Though I would think, that sexual abuse should be the first 'thought' in such a situation...or even maybe just 'experimentation' (I would never have thought this, if not for catching my son with scissors on his little finger, and him telling me he just wanted to see if they were sharp enough to cut it off ) rather than 'oh he is trans'. Even when coupled with stereotypically feminine interests.

Just popping on to say the ‘sex’ board is always an option for GC rebellion

Good idea

is there a way to see all my posts in one place ?)

No but that would be really handy.

I have had at least two posts deleted that I know of, it is hard to keep track (is there a way to see all my posts in one place ?) I'm guessing for "transphobia" , though that is never defined, seems to be used to label anyone who wants to talk about protection for women, children and the gay and lesbian youth being harmed and targetted by the transactivists.

Has there ever been a case of a child chopping off his genitals because he feels like his penis shouldn't be there? Has it ever happened? Somehow they always seem to be stopped from doing it just in the nick of time but surely they can't all have been stopped. There must have been a case where nobody arrived in time to stop him and the worst happened.

Too reasonable too obvious and anti trans.

If a child is trying to tear off their penis, surely the possibility that the child is being sexually abused should be investigated?

As I said, you don't understand what child safeguarding is, do you?

Yes, I have done mandatory safeguarding training. Typed in haste, obviously you wouldn't go to the CPS. You should contact police or local children's social care is what I meant.

Didn't even know there was a sex topic... I'm off to be nosey

Offred

It's surprisingly busy over there, and I'm not sure I'm open minded enough

Personally I think the thread was worth it just for the title :D

Just popping on to say the ‘sex’ board is always an option for GC rebellion

This is why it's really shit to tell children they can change sex

Saw it on Twitter but I'm not reading Pink News. Poor child is obviously in distress they dont need an article they need support.

I trust those elsewhere who are concerned by discussions of children's genitals will be contacting Pink News with regards their article today,

'Mother’s upset as six-year-old trans girl ‘tries to tear off her penis’

(I'm not linking to it)

It seems to me that engaging (and I do, regularly) is like placating a tantrumming toddler (which is also often about ego, not having an understanding of others and wanting their own way, regardless of if appropriate or rational.

It’s quite a lot to do with being an actual functioning grown up with a place in, and an understanding of, society.

So do MNHQ actually need new regs? I’d say discriminatory behaviour is well defined in their existing talk regulations and we’ve all seen posts that are off colour get zapped in any boards - why does trans need a set of minutely detailed rules if they can deal with racism with simple rules?

The answer is it doesn’t, but the fact that TRAs want it is telling.

As pretty much everything is transphobia in their eyes, you may as well just shut the site down. You will never win.

Any new guidelines will enrage the transactivists for not being sufficiently draconian and piss us off for prevarications and lack of clarity. You can't square a circle, I'm afraid.

YY OP I'm fascinated by the arrogance to! I'm like that IRL though sometimes I forget to run away from arrogant assholes because I'm too busy going "but how do you do that?!"

This is the problem - there is no commonly agreed meaning.

I would define it the same was as I would any racist/religious type discrimination directed at an individual or group of people.

So for example:
Jane doe is Christian and Christians are stupid.
Kill all Christians,
let’s go rough up some Christians, = discrimination.

Criticism of Christian doctrine in an abstract way = not discrimination. Discussion of hownchrostian extremist doctrine can infringe on individual rights = not discrimination

Now swap for trans.

Criticism or mobbing of an individual for their looks or beliefs, a statement designed to incite hatred or violence against a group = not ok. Discussion of ideology in abstract non individual terms = not discrimination.

There is plenty of case law I’m sure for discrimination on race and religion grounds.

Use that, keep the guidelines as short and simple as poss, and do not pander to theblobby that wants to remove discussion of ideologies, or infringement on others rights.

Yes, I think you have a point.

I don’t understand why this silly little Twitter account is the subject of huge thread.

It’s giving it importance it doesn’t want and suggests MN is answerable to it, while it bugs itself up as the thought police.