Gender Critical 'Lurkers'

This thread is brilliant

It's really easy to write to your MP or MSP(s) (not sure if Welsh AM are listed ) look at www.theyworkforyou.com & let them know what you think

I've been lurking for months. I'm not even sure how I found out about this site - I'm not in the UK and not a mom! But I heard somewhere (maybe reddit gender critical?) that this was an active feminist board where people are "allowed" to be gender critical.

I just want to say thank you to all you awesome women for all your time and energy and insightful debate and empathy towards everyone.

Another lurker.

I'm a member of a feminist Facebook group here in New Zealand. There was discussion recently during the commonwealth games around Laurel Hubbard (the trans weight lifter) and how bad it was that people were questioning whether she had the right to represent NZ women in competition. The consensus was that true feminists wouldn't question her and would support anyone who identifies as a woman (and calling those feminists that do no the 'T' acronym, and 'not real faminists'). I'm ashamed that I did not question this, but i would have been well and truly ripped to shreds if i had. I am so grateful for the sanity i find on MN.

I came to MN for the SN boards. Found my way to AIBU. Then from Active I found FWR. I am so glad that I did. There are so many articulate and intelligent women here. I delurked yesterday, actually started my own thread (v.v scary). To be able to deal with the stuff going on we need to have the info. And you lovely regular posters provide it. I do not want my daughter's rights taken away - and you give me info.

I can't keep up with most of the threads here but do post occasionally. After a conversation in RL tody, it really helped to be able to articulate concerns to a woman who had not heard about the issue, and when I gave the bare bones, got it straight away and was apalled at the idea that grown men and teenage boys could access girls and women in changing rooms, hospital wards prisons etc. Another women listening said she had heard from teaching colleagues about the way schools have been dealing with the problem for at least two years . So I think my time was well spent in talking to others out there. But as it was said for every regular poster , there are many many others who will bit accept the lies .

While reading this thread I've been planning my delurking post. But as always, everybody's already said everything I meant to say!

I'm in the US also and waiting for the day this building wave crashes onto our shores.

This thread is so encouraging. Welcome to all the lurkers.

But please speak. You all have a voice and the rest of us want to hear it. Thinking we aren't clever or articulate or whatever enough is female socialization 101. We are women talking to other women. We don't have to play by the social rules that demand women take up less space.

Spread your limbs and speak out!

Evening all. I've been on Mumsnet for about 10 years now, I very rarely post and if I do it tends to be on something light hearted.
For the last 9 months or so, I've been spending most of my time lurking on these boards. I've learned so much and I do thank those of you who speak out. I never really thought of myself as a feminist before (and certainly not a radical one), but I do fear for the future of women's rights. I have tentatively discussed some of the issues with a couple of colleagues, and was relieved that they were aware of the issues and we were broadly in agreement. However, in real life I'm not sure that it is getting widely talked about.
As others have said, I also worry about vulnerable trans people getting caught up in any backlash.
Gotta be honest, I'll probably go back to lurking now, I'm exhausted!

I'm here too.
We are legion.

I too am Lurkacus

Sometimes my head spins with it all & I have to step away for a bit. But I'm listening and being aware and engaging in conversations about the things I see happening IRL when I can.

Thank you for being braver than me.

Another lurker who believes that words matter. I'm much more vocal on Twitter (different user name), where I'm sick of angry teenagers having strops with me because I won't let them have their own way with their thought policing.

I mostly lurk and ccasionally post. This board has inspired me to become an active rad fem irl again. It's lovely to hear from all these lurkers it has really cheered me up after all the horrible stuff that's gone on here recently.

Delurking after visiting this board every day for several months. I’ve learned so much from the wise, rational and witty regular posters and now have the knowledge and confidence to challenge any nonsense I encounter at my workplace (school) and elsewhere. Thank you all!

Love this thread.
Welcome to all of the lurkers

Mostly lurking but sometimes posting here too. Reading this board has been an education to me.
It was a shock to realise my long held, and I thought quite reasonable opinions would be considered transphobic by some. But what concerns me most is the undermining of women's rights without due consideration, the harm to some of the trans community this will also bring and the risks children are being not only exposed to but briskly shepherded towards. We must be able to talk about this.

Also, if articulating yourself is hard at first it'll get easier the more you do it. We've all been socialized not to speak out, but the good news is that if you do so in this space there are hundreds of other women who understand that who want to hear what you have to say.

Yes, exactly. And we were all lurkers once. Every regular here wants to listen to you. We promise.

As LangCleg and AAK said you can say whatever you feel.
No one is here to judge how articulate you are.
The fact that you have an opinion is what's important. Everyone is here to raise awareness.

Me too please. Daren't say much but really appreciate the discussions. Some of the stuff we're supposed to suck up is unbe chuffing lievable

I'm a regular lurker here too! I have learnt so much from these threads, thank you. One day I'll hopefully be brave enough to join in the conversations!

I've been lurking for years, lately I've occasionally put a tentative post on a thread and then legged it back to my comfy lurking hideout. The feminist boards have really opened my eyes to a lot so I'm hugely appreciative of you all

I posted on this thread earlier but wanted to add that, aside from the most pressing issues, its actually just nice to come and see women talk about womanhood.

Weirdly, that's not something I get much irl so that interesting vagina facts thread for example was amazing. So yeah, a long winded thanks for reminding me how great women are and how important it is to share some kind of community feeling.

Mainly lurk but posting a bit recently. So grateful to all the regulars and old timers here who opened my eyes to what is happening Re FWR issues.

Another lurker here, I've posted a handful of times lately but I've been reading for ages. I've got a tendency to post, get distracted and then forget to go back and engage in the conversation - must stop doing that!
Hello to all you fellow lurkers

Also, if articulating yourself is hard at first it'll get easier the more you do it. We've all been socialized not to speak out, but the good news is that if you do so in this space there are hundreds of other women who understand that who want to hear what you have to say.

LurkyMcLurkface here. I have been following this for a couple of years now and so thankful I found you. Still not brave enough to post often but I read and digest and donate and sign up where I can. Thanks to all the articulate and incisive posters who keep on plugging away. You are hugely valued.