TAAT, sorry... "Tell MNHQ why you use Mumsnet"

I was pondering a bit today on this, and it occurred to me (I doubt this is an thought) that a parenting website is a natural incubator of feminism.

It's rooted in sex. Biology, mostly women's - from TTC/infertility through pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding. And 'gender' - because of which the vast majority of parenting is still 'women's work'. And then, anything which may impact our children's well-being - well, that arouses the tiger in the mildest-mannered mother.

The specific 'parenting' topics we are interested in will likely change over the years along with the ages of our children, but underlying it all is the biological and social realities of womanhood.

I know there are many MNers who aren't parents (or like me, with DC pretty much grown up) - and it's good that this is such an inclusive site. But I don't think any other type of forum could have become such a great place for women and children's rights.

I do occasionally, I've been on here for about 6 years, so I'm not always a lurker. On twitter I have no information which links to my life, so I only post about Scottish politics and women's issues. It's very enclosed.

Well said, Floral. I only arrived here in...jeez, June? Something like that. I was supposed to just lurk (hence the name, it was all going to be cloak and dagger and i was terrified of the MN reputation!), but I saw something I really had to comment on and...here I am. Last night I met a few familiar names - by no means all that were there - and was amazed my name was even recognised, let alone to be told "I like your posts!"

So do join in. Check the FAQ-type threads if you have questions, they are works of art collating history as it happens. Though I do wish we could get a "WTF is this all about? 101" stickied, it would really help.

And also to be honest the way the trans rights activists have targeted regular posters on feminists women's right and got them banned means that anybody who wants to not get targeted has to change the username regularly so no one knows who anyone is anymore anyway.....

Yes, can I just underline, though I got called a 'well respected' poster the other day by someone who was using the phrase negatively, I have actually only met other MNers in the flesh in the last week. I lurked for an age, reading, absorbing and feeling intimidated in the same way, that the sense of camaraderie and the hypervigilance around trolling meant I wouldn't be included.

But this is not a club you have to reach a standard to enter. Bottom line, if you are a woman, this is your place. It's not a cutesy hun-fest, and if you talk nonsense, it will be pointed out, but put women and girls at the centre of your priorities and you are always, always welcome.

I know that feeling of there being a core group who must know eachother but I really don't think that's the case bar the Man Friday lot.

Every lurker speaking up makes a difference. There is strength in numbers and even just adding in an 'I agree with what's being said' helps. So don't ever feel you aren't articulate enough to join in or have nothing to add. Every person matters in this fight.

Another 'mostly lurker'. I suspect there are a great many like me. I don't tend to post on fwr because it often feels like you all 'know' each other and I'd be intruding, so I prefer to sit in the background listening. I've been on here for years, had to name change after my details were hacked, and feel like I got a bit out of the loop then. I'm more active on women's rights on twitter, where I feel truly anonymous.

It’s funny because I probably spend at least equal time on the relationships board as here but it was FWR that sprang immediately to mind when I saw that thread title. I rarely post but come here to lurk and learn everyday

Datun always says, 'remember the lurkers' and she's right. These are challenging times for women as we watch our rights being stripped away and our children being gaslighted and groomed.

Courage calls to courage everywhere

I posted on it to say the feminism board. Every time I go back to check it makes me smile a little more. Who would have thought it?

Yes, I’m loving seeing names I don’t recognise saying they read FWR. But don’t just lurk, it’s even better when you join in!

How lovely.

I never expected there to be so many women here for FWR. I’m pleasantly stunned by it.

"The Feminist Women's Rights boards are the crown jewels of Mumsnet.

I'm mostly a lurker there, but I've learned so much from the wonderful Women who debate, share and inform in that board. I can safely say it changed the way I see the world and influences the way I'm raising my children.

Shame MNHQ doesn't seem to value it as much as its users."

I just posted the above on that thread. I've always lurked in the FWR boards and am immensely thankful and proud of the women who contribute.

I'm actually tearing up reading that thread.

When all seems hopeless, when it seems women are having their rights eroded on a daily basis all round the world, to know that a feminist board on a UK website is so inspiring to so many women.....

I love women.

Whilst the analytics must show which boards get the most views. What they cannot see is the motivation for viewing. I imagine there are more Mumsnet viewers than posters and for those without a posting history on FWR or elsewhere, it is difficult to tell how they feel about posts.

This will be incredibly interesting data for the advertisers, especially if they are feeling tempted to acquiesce to TRA lobbying.

From the other thread:
Datun has expressed my point better 

Probably one of the reasons many can lurk?

I mainly lurk as well because although it's anonymous I'm a bit of a coward. But it's the FWR board mainly and a bit of What We're Reading that I visit for daily. Thank you to all you wonderful women who are far braver than I am for your wit, wisdom and words.

Articulate, witty, intelligent and unflappably calm women, stating facts, talking to each other

Seems this is becoming a crime lately.. meetings cancelled, Twitter bannings, etc.
Still they can't silence all women, and only the feeble minded and fearful would try.

I think that a lot of people (myself included) lurk on the Feminism boards rather than actively post here.

I like hearing other people’s views here. They are generally well expressed and debate doesn’t often degenerate to the lowest common denominator.

There has been moderation with which I strongly disagree but perhaps that is a part of the reason the threads don’t become mud slinging matches.

I immediately answered that the feminist boards were the reason I am on MN. I just told the truth, it didn’t occur to me to be a voice for FWR. I originally came to Mumsnet for just general chat but once you come across the incredible minds and wit in this area and of course all the issues that I care very strongly about, it was a no brainer.

I lurk a lot too and name change frequently but I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people mentioning the feminism boards.

I spend a lot of time lurking on the feminism board. Sometimes I get too invested and upset by what is happening, and have to take a break. But I am 100% behind the wonderful posters here.

It’s so heartening to see. I’m a lurker/ sometimes poster. I find this such a vauluable space. There’s some
censorship/vocabulary and terminology laws to follow but it remains a safe place to discuss women’s rights without being instantly banned for transphobia.

I think FC might have been Feminist Chat, not Father Christmas. Although staying for Father Christmas is probably a bit hopeful. I think I'll probably be on the naughty list anyway...