Is this really a feminist board?

Everything about mumsnet is feminist, whether those who partake like it or not.

Pregnancy, c section, vaginal deliveries, sex, relationships, gender based discrimination, babies. Food, finance, legal, and frocks.

It's all here! In all it's gory, bloody glory.

This OP is effing brilliant!
I don't have a clue what Feminism is so I came to FWR to have a go at Feminists for Feminisming wrong! 10/10! It doesn't get any better than that.

Irishfeminist

"That nasty ignorant "British terfs out" letter was not representative of Irish feminists or women, just a small vocal gang of Twitter bullies in thrall to transactivism."

I know. Just as this is another finger wagging person coming on here to tell women off

I’m Irish, although I haven’t lived there for many years and consequently no longer have a vote. I was active in the pro-choice movement when I lived there, though, and fervently hope the repeal is voted.

I’m not sure what you want women on a uk-based site to debate though. I presume most women here also hope the vote passes and things get better for Irish women. But unless you actually have a vote or can somehow be active in persuading no or undecided voters to vote yes...um, what do you want? I don’t think there’s an Irish woman alive who isn’t aware of the upcoming referendum, so raising awareness is not really necessary.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3255464-My-abortion-story-and-why-we-need-Repeal-the-8th

OP you are right. We aren't giving this issue the attention it deserves. I want to raise this issue and bring it up the agenda. I put my money where my mouth is and decided to share my abortion story. I've not told many people about this because it's still a divisive issue, shrouded in shame, despite what the law says.

If anybody else feels like they want to share then follow this link...

Does this suggest that not many Irish women use Mumsnet?
I don't see much on here about problems women face in other foreign countries either. People tend to fixate on what affects them and their daughters.

I have read the thread and feel informed yet powerless.

It is not a subject I can make a useful contribution to though, I would if I could.

Irish women come to the United Kingdom every day, mainly England, to have an abortion. Over 200, every day accessing health care, albeit privately. This is a UK problem. It's essential that Ireland sort this out.

www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/more-than-3-000-british-abortions-for-women-from-republic-1.3330477

Well,

1. Lots of poeple have come to MN to post about trans issues, having seen talk that the boards here are having conversations on this, so many threads are being generated by people who are GC and those who disagree
2. Lots of MN posters who didn't used to read the feminism boards have come across and are posting on this issue, so that increases things again
3. This is a "hot topic" at the moment, and has been gaining traction for some years. Posts about trans issues and potential impact on women and girls have been here for years, now that we are seeing stuff like GG, topshop, mental health wards, prisons etc taking a line that TWAW, it's really exploded
4. If there is no word/s to describe cunty people as a group, then we have lost any rights we have gained, and we have no means to organise. This is non trivial. Extremely non trivial. We can't talk about women's issues if woman means "any adult human being" for example.
5. Ireland referendum - there's been more than 1 thread I think. I certainly posted on one.
6. That aside, I do agree that in general it is a downright shame that all other issues are being pushed off the agenda by this one. That is not the fault of feminists though, it's the fault of those who are fighting so hard to "erase" us (to quote someone or other)
7. As others have pointed out, if you want to talk about something else then start a fucking thread about it, it's not difficult
8. HTH

TransplantsArePlants To be fair I find it hilarious. Having a "honestly, cross my heart and hope to die" post backed up with absolutely zilch shows up the OP, not the regular or genuine new posters here.

Did you sign that letter OP? It caused immense hurt and offence to British women I have spoken to. A friend of mine was contacted by some female UK healthcare providers who have helped Irish women seeking terminations; they said they are reluctant to even set foot in Ireland now, having been regular visitors in the past. Half the signatures were made up or signed twice by the way.

spontaneous

It's all good. If it gives us a chance to explain to people who might be thinking the same; that's fine by me

Yes OP, it certainly seems to be a case of, do as I say not as I do. #weseeyou

I agree with previous posters OP, it really bothers me but aside from offering virtual support through likes and shares, pitiful I know, I feel a bit limited in what I can do to help given that I am neither Irish, nor know anyone that is.

My guess is the board, being hosted by a UK site, is dominated by trans issues at the moment because of the ongoing review of the GRA which is UK legislation.

That doesnt mean that we've all forgotten about the different obstacles facing women around the world, and that doesnt mean theyre not worth fighting , it just means this is a UK dominated board with a UK centric focus.

I hope the women of Ireland get the outcome they deserve.

As others have mentioned, there is a thread on this which it seems the OP hasn't participated in or started her own on.
And Irish feminists have also made it clear that this is their fight.
As far as up the focus on trans rights goes, I also avoided the fwr boards for a long time because people kept banging on about it. I've since looked into it and read and followed enough trans activists to be deeply concerned.
We're facing proposed legislation that will effectively remove decades of legal rights for women by stripping away any real meaning of 'female' or 'woman', and women who express concerns are being abused and harassed.
Trans activists are actively monitoring these boards waiting to report and try silence any woman or trans person (waves and waits to turn up on twitter) who doesn't agree with their version of what gender means or how best to protect women and trans people alike.
I firmly believe we are headed for the largest wholesale stripping of women's rights in decades.
Women need to be able to talk freely about these things and Mumsnet - one of the few uniquely female spaces online - is the obvious place for it.

Have a look for what Irish feminists have to say about UK-based feminists ‘meddling’ in Ireland. Thought you had it all sorted, TBH.

Seriously, the Yays will have it, I think. I’m an Irish citizen and it’s a topic close to my heart. It’s difficult to know what an outsider can actually do though. I speak to my family, but that’s preaching to the converted.

It isn't true that Irish feminists don't welcome British feminists in their discussions. That nasty ignorant "British terfs out" letter was not representative of Irish feminists or women, just a small vocal gang of Twitter bullies in thrall to transactivism.

It seems that British feminists can't do right from wrong - if they get involved they're told to fuck off with their imperialism and if they don't get involved they're abandoning and ignoring us. I don't blame them for being wary.

If you cannot define woman; you have no women's rights

That is why I find this self-Id thing so worrying

I hope this thread was started in good faith. I found myself feeling that twinge of defensiveness and then realised that no actually, no-one can tell me what I must find most pressing to post about

These boards are not a magazine.

It always puzzles me that posters think that other posters should be supplying content that they want to read without being part of that process.

I think that's accurate notterfnorcis but also the fact that many see starting numerous threads - esp if placed on YABU/Chat as a way of 'educating' the masses.

A vicious circle has been created.

I would love to go back to the days of not worrying about gender, not worrying about men in women's toilets and changing rooms, not worrying about men in women's prisons and refuges. I would love to go back to gardening and music on twitter. I would love to think 'fuck it'. As to be honest, it is very unlikely to ever affect me as a woman.

However, the thought of women and girls having to face this because I just thought Fuck It - tears me up inside. I don't think any woman or girls should be thrown to the dogs just because of some men and their wafty feelings.

The issue of self ID is British law, the abortion issue is about Irish law and I think other posters have made it clear that British feminist opinions are not universally welcome. It seems obvious that a UK feminist movement or platform would discuss issues they can do something about now. I don't think there's any conspiracy or problem with that.

It's also about how our identity as women is described in law, and has serious practical consequences. So one of the most important issues to confront feminists for decades.

NotTerf agree... but also it is THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE facing women.... i.e. we are about to cease to exist as a group if they are successful...

and they seem to be moving successfully forward with things I would have thought inconceivable ....like primary schools celebrating trans kids, and seeing it as progress rather than reinforcing stereotypes and NOT allowing all kids to experiment with whatever identities they want.... like the Girl Guides prioritising transgender boys over girls, especially those frorm different cultures....

If interested, do read the threads ... I do not believe any feminist who understands the issues would NOT be interested in trying to stop this.....it is SO important