Lurkers of FWR, pop in and say Hi!

they've been doing it for a long time and they're weary

I've been at it for two years and I am fucking knackered. So goodness knows how the women who have been going for five or ten ears feel.

Hello I’ve lurked for a little while. I’ve taken note of things in the past but recently, I’ve started to feel cross and worried. I have children and I really worry about what their reality will be. One of them had a sticker from school that read, ‘I have the right to feel safe’. Yes, they do.

Thank you for the fuzzy welcome - I don’t know enough about it all to feel educated so haven’t posted before but I hear you all.

this is so great.

I am also a lurker here and really do appreciate this forum.
I've shared quite a few articles from A Womans Place on social media.

I’m a lurker who reads this board most days. I’m probably not as articulate as those who post but really greatful to those that do.

FWR = Feminism and Women's Rights

For those wondering what you can do - if you can, please look at the consultations that need to hear our voices:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3318003-Bringing-your-MUST-DO-WOMENS-RIGHTS-consultations-together-with-links-and-timelines-thread

I have lurked for years and read this board all day every day it seems! You lot are WONDERFUL.

I have to go out, so can't read the full thread.

But like everyone else, I'm absolutely gobsmacked by this.

And I'm the first person to say think of the lurkers! I had absolutely no idea how many.

If you're worried about exposing too much, entirely understandable. If you're worried about not being coherent, don't be.

If you feel as though you don't have all the arguments, irl you can say that. But you can say one thing I do agree with is we have to talk about it. Yes, debate.

Soylatteforme - everybody, please - post on FWR. We need the plurality of women's voices.

Fill in the GRA Consultation - we're in the final weeks:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3380327-Gender-Recognition-Consultation-and-countdown

Those who can - please write to or meet with your MP (there's lots of helpful advice here).

Where it's safe, talk to people around you!

Thanks for the replies about "we always put others before ourselves" in schools. It set red flags off for me re safeguarding. So it's really good to hear your opinions on it too. But I'm actually shaking at the idea of tackling it. (Not sure if that is fear or anger!) thankyou - you are all brilliant!

Delurking to say hello. This board fills me with hope and horror in almost equal measure. I can't express the gratitude I feel towards those who have come on these boards and posted logical, coherent argument against the devastating impacts of the GRA which I hadn't fully digested previously. What can I do to help? I want to be part of the resistance.

I'm a long-time lurker and very occasional poster. Like others have said, with age I've found I'm decidedly less tolerant of the bullshit and I care less about what other people think of me. I'm also deeply concerned about the world that my daughters are growing up in. I'm surrounded by g.c. extended family who were onto this whole genderism thing long before I was, and who pointed me in the direction of FWR. Since then, I've attended meetings, filled in consultations, written to my MP, been out campaigning with FPFW. My confidence in speaking out about the erosion of women's rights is in no small part due to the well informed and articulate women I've found on here. Thank you all!

Hello, I lurk a lot too. Have posted very rarely but normally someone says it a lot better than me.

At the school we all put the needs of others before our own".

It massively depends on the context.

In some contexts (like the Nolan principles for public life/service), it is promoted to emphasise the need for selflessness when making principled decisions that might go against one's own interest.

As a standalone phrase, and in a conducive context/environment, it would raise safeguarding concerns around possible coercion/silencing for me.

discoversociety.org/2016/03/01/theorising-violence-against-women-and-girls/

The phrase should be we consider the needs of others, and how our actions affect others, as well as our own needs.

Otherwise you set certain groups up to be conditioned to do this more than others who are also being taught that they are better and more deserving in some way than others.

The problem is that phrase is taught alongside social conditioning along sex based lines.

Not ok. It's teaching children to centre others, when it's important to look after yourself first in order to be in a position to help others.

Hello, delurking to say hi! I wanted to start a thread to ask a question , but I'm too chicken. Can I ask it here please? -where it's not so scary-

If you heard this phrase used at a school, what would you think? Ok? Or not? - "At the school we all put the needs of others before our own". Really interested to hear what opinions are. -and if it's worth making a fuss about- Thanks.

Hi all
This page has been a joy to discover. I had a tiny folder of stuff on GC feminism, set off by the goddess that is Germaine Greer being no-platformed.
It is SO good to know others have the same ideas and qualms and.....hugs because I'm overwhelmed by relief here.

Clicky link for Jane Clare Jones - and she has many posts that are worth reading.

janeclarejones.com/2018/09/26/twitter-trans-rights-totalitarianism-and-the-erasure-of-sex/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

I lurk lots on FWR but rarely post because it's not my place. I learn from you wonderful women and I try to pass it on.

Please, everybody post. We need a plurality of voices - there will always be more that unites women than divides us.

Provide comradeship for others who are beginning to find their way or who need the online support (even just, a "Yes, that's how I read it") because they've been doing it for a long time and they're weary.

FWR is for everybody who cares about women and the future not just of women but for our future society.

Dr Jane Clare Jones has been researching the intersection of identity politics and social structures for a very long time:

For those of you out there still sitting on the fence, or who still believe that I, and everyone opposing this ‘civil rights movement’, is just a nasty evil hate-mongering bigot, please...This is actually happening, it’s scary as shit, and we may well be running out of time. This is what woman-hating totalitarianism looks like. This is not a fucking drill.

[[https://janeclarejones.com/2018/09/26/twitter-trans-rights-totalitarianism-and-the-erasure-of-sex/amp/?__twitter_impression=true]

Another lurker popping in to say hello and thank you all for your passion, education and bravery. I have been a little taken aback to discover that a belief in biology makes me radical.

I may start my first ever thread today as a Mermaids supporting organisation is getting involved with my children's primary school and I'm going have to go in and talk to the staff and find out exactly what they intend to 'teach' my children.

I’m a very long term lurker - since before FWR came to the attention of TRAs - but I now intend to start posting a bit. Since finding out that I’m terfblocked on Twitter in spite of never having said a word about trans issues, I might as well join in!

I’m currently filling in the GRA consultation - it’s taking a while as I want to answer it thoughtfully, but I’ve nearly finished.

Compassion and support for vulnerable young people distressed by society’s gender expectations = yep.

Changing the definition of ‘woman’ so MRA bullies can erode our rights = NOPE.

I'm a long term lurker and occasional poster. Though now I'm posting a bit more - took a while to get up the courage to post because everyone here is so much more articulate than me. I do worry about the world my DD is growing up in and I'm so grateful that there are knowledgeable women here. I've learnt so much.

Thanks for rolling out the red carpet. Another timid lurker here

Just wanted to add my heartfelt thanks to all the posters here who have provided information, evidence and debate. It has made me surprisingly emotional to discover that there are so many of us reading and thinking about the issues that affect women and girls and I'm inspired by those who are also brave enough to take action in RL. I've started discussing feminism with my DH and closest friends because of you. to you all

I post occasionally, too busy reading and absorbing the rest of the time. Have learned a lot and do talk about it all in RL but my circle is small so doubt I make much impact although my entire family is now GC But yes, we are ‘waiting in the wings’ and it’s wonderful to know there are so many of us. That thread has blown me away, I sort of felt that the ‘rest’ of MN frowned on the Feminism board but it seems I couldn’t have been more wrong and that makes me very happy (and hopeful) indeed.