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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

GC victory at work

80 replies

RhymesWithOrange · 05/09/2018 08:33

I work in a university. I won't say what I do but I'm close to the senior management.

A proposed policy on transgender crossed my desk. It started off as well meaning - a change to a system so trans students could id their gender different to their sex - so as to avoid the trauma of a computer system misgendering them.

But someone had gotten hold of it and gone full woke on it. Lots of talk about self id, no one must question anyone's gender, right to access facilities according to their gender id. Referenced Mermaids as a go-to for trans information.

I arranged a meeting with the Director of HR (it was a HR policy affecting staff as well as students) and talked through everything I knew about the issues, and how it would apply to a university context - e.g. 50 year old men accessing female gym changing rooms full of 18 year old students, men demanding to be put in with women in single sex campus accommodation (including shared bedrooms).

It took all of 3 minutes for the penny to drop. The policy is going back to the drawing board to only reference a computer system.

NB this is not about hating on the trans. The university is very very inclusive and supportive. Lots of GN facilities. Correct language and pronouns respected and promoted. Trans students fully supported. But thankfully in this case there was the right balance between trans support and recognition and the protection of single sex spaces.

OP posts:
speakingwoman · 05/09/2018 16:29

well done.

DMCWelshCakes · 05/09/2018 16:27

FlowersCakeBrew

IdahoJones · 05/09/2018 16:20

I think lots of parents should email lots of Vice-Chancellors and Chancellors

AndYetItMoves · 05/09/2018 16:19

There needs to be alternative advisory charities set up that can provide a counterpoint to the trans ideology.

FlowerpotFairyHouse · 05/09/2018 16:11

My son is off to university in a couple of weeks. He's going to a uni with a strong STEM leaning so I'm hoping they will be a bit more sensible on these matters

Just googled their inclusion policy.

My mistake.

Might be time for a letter/enquiry I think.

volume37number5 · 05/09/2018 13:35

Yes, NameChangedAgain18 . . . Stonewall.

They appear to have absolute power. Largely, I think, because no one else seems to have a clue about the relevant issues. They are therefore quite happy/relieved to leave it all to Stonewall.

WhereYouLeftIt · 05/09/2018 13:33

"I wonder what would happen if GC students and parents started asking questions at open days about the protection of sex segregated spaces? Universities are in a fight to the death for student numbers."

This is a very, very good point.

Theinconstantgardener · 05/09/2018 13:30

Good for you OP

NameChangedAgain18 · 05/09/2018 13:09

However, representatives from outside organisations who influenced the policy kicked up a stink. The battle continues .

Stonewall? My university has happily thrown women under the bus to get their Stonewall accreditation.

Ineedacupofteadesperately · 05/09/2018 13:05

Well done, it's cheered me up to hear about your success.

mimivanne · 05/09/2018 12:45

Brilliant Rhymes,well done

RhymesWithOrange · 05/09/2018 11:51

Thanks again. I don't feel that brave. I started gently and realised I was pushing at an open door. Suspect (male) HR Director is also GC and far too clever to be a woke dudebro.

I'm ready for the push back. Hearteningly, all policies and changes must go through and EIA so that's a useful backstop.

I hope my story inspires others but I fully understand if people don't feel able to speak out at work.

OP posts:
volume37number5 · 05/09/2018 11:47

Fantastic work OP!

Without putting a dampener upon your experience, do be prepared for the possibility that when other 'interested parties' hear about the removal of wokeness, there may be a push back . . .

I was where you are 18 months ago. My initial concerns were welcomed and changes were promised. However, representatives from outside organisations who influenced the policy kicked up a stink. The battle continues . . .

I really hope your experience is different though! Well done Flowers

Chaotica · 05/09/2018 11:22

OP - Well Done! I'm cheered up (and spurred on) by your success.

WhereDoWeBeginToCovetClarice · 05/09/2018 11:18

StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar
BrewCakeFlowers

Bowednotbroken · 05/09/2018 11:12

Well done for explaining it so eloquently! Whenever I start to try and explain things my brain goes full-on babble so nothing makes sense. I need a cue card of crucial points!

Gncq · 05/09/2018 11:03

It is actually brave and stunning
We all know speaking up can lead to (literal) risk of losing your job or at the very least being on the receiving end of abuse.

RhymesWithOrange · 05/09/2018 11:02

And no, I can't name the university. We're not RG though so we don't figure much on MN Wink

OP posts:
RhymesWithOrange · 05/09/2018 11:01

Yes, I also have Mumsnet to thank, but also many amazing people on Twitter, ManFriday, Posie Parker, Women's Place UK...

I have so much more hope about this issue now than I did 6 months ago.

OP posts:
Noqont · 05/09/2018 10:49

Oh well done you, you absolute star. Thanks to the power of Mumsnet I feel so well educated on the subject now, which makes it so much easier when showing other people exactly what has been happening.

inquiquotiokixul · 05/09/2018 10:44

Good news.

NameChangedAgain18 · 05/09/2018 10:33

I know you can't possibly say but I'd love to know which uni. In a way I hope it's not one of the "sensible" ones on that list that was doing the rounds recently, because that would mean more people are waking up.

My university is on that Twitter list. It still has self-ID and actual academics who insist on #nodebate.

Aridane · 05/09/2018 10:31

singe, binge, tinge?

(sorry - think I need to get off FC and on to Chat)

Aridane · 05/09/2018 10:30

lozenge?

(sorry)

VoleClock · 05/09/2018 10:29

There was a thing in the 1980's - a fictional story of a northern lad set in the 1960's- read by the wonderfully named actor Finetime Fontayne -and one incident involved the teacher saying nothing rhymes with orange and our hero suggested door hinge. He also had to go shopping for school uniform while the world cup final was being won in 1966 as I recall. Now back to the point of the thread..

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