Brave

I’m very wary of talking about this at work. We have a Stonewall display. I think there’s been some training on trans issues (I spotted a quiz sheet about various terms and what they mean). I think management would probably be sympathetic to the other side of the debate (we are almost all female at work) and most of us are mothers. But I suspect above my managers there’s a line we must stand by.

I know in theory no-one would know who I worked for if I was out and about, but it only takes the wrong person to see and it could be a disciplinary offence. I feel I have to be quite cautious.

I'm meeting with a couple of friends who are the safeguarding leads for their schools to talk to them. I am emailing organisations, and phoning ones which have dubious policy changes to question them. I have been messaging youtube videos and articles to friends. And I've got some leaflets to leave around in women's spaces. I've felt nervous posting on FB, but have done it anyway. We have more to lose by the GRA that we have by opposing it.

I'm not going on a rampage. More like to people I know IYSWIM.

I'll have to work myself up to public distribution.

Galvantula, Nic's very clear on NOBODY handing out leaflets solo. Keep yourself safe!

I just ordered the fpfw pack. Going to attempt distribution where I can. Going on a trip soon, so can maybe leaflet some service station toilets. 😏

I'll have to work myself up to public distribution.

Just peak-transed the man who came to service my washing machine. And he took some FPFW leaflets for his partner, daughter and sisters.

*Are those relationships worth preserving over your own rights?

It's your life to choose your battles*

I totally agree - at the moment I don't want to risk losing close family members. I don't have a big family and I think could end up not speaking to any of them regularly if I did discuss this.
I do discuss with others, so I guess I'm speaking out in one way. Just not social media or family!

I don't feel I'm can speak out under my real name both because I have a transgender person in my close family, and because I'm a Girlguiding member.

I think Girlguiding probably already have my name on a watch list but haven't been able to find anything else to say I've breached social media policy, and I'd rather not give them anything to go on.

So I do think people who speak out are brave - I'd potentially lose family relationships, and membership of something that means a lot to me, if I spoke out.

Wow floral well done.

Well done Floral!

I'm thinking of new ways to make an impact. A big one for me looks to be Schools Week, which has run several negative stories on Transgender Trend. I once saw a quote from the female editor that looked like it disagreed with GC women and that must be steering the narrative.

Can WE email them? I will, but it could have more impact if we do. As a parent, I want them to address trans ideology in schools.

While there are threats of violence to consider, there are also other things to think about. I went on the radio yesterday to discuss some of these issues, and I took precautions because I'm not just talking about me, I'm talking about my family. Yes, it would affect them if I lost my job, but my specific family situation is such that publicly speaking out carries risk.

So yes, while I agree with the exhortation that anyone can speak out and mention the issues and it doesn't have to be built up into a huge thing, I do think that taking that step requires bravery and I applaud all the women who have the gumption to do it.

The climate is changing OP. The last years have been typified by the #nodebate and the secret grooming of all of our institutions with TWAW and any challenge defined as transhobia. So for many women (and men) challenging this will have cost them their job / career.

BUT people like Julie Bindel, Janice Turner, WPUK, Posie P, Venice Allen, Jennifer James, Stephanie Aries Davis, Kathleen Stock,Lucy Masoud, Heather Brunskell Evan, Nic Williams, the Liverpool Resisters, Andrew Gilligan, Kiri Tunks, Ruth Serwotka, Jonny Best, Linda Bellos, Tom Farr, Peachy Yoghurt, Madelaine Burns (and numerous others who should be included) stood up and spoke out, despite the real threats they many faced.

Now many more of us can speak up in public and there really is a debate.

You're right.

I was extremely wary of talking about this in RL. I sent off for the FPFW. Now I have some cards in my pocket wherever I go, and I chat to people. Anyone who seems receptive. Having a card or leaflet to hand over really helps.

The worst reaction I have had was a silent stare.

I'm not crusading. I didn't push it with Silent Stare. But at least 10 people who had no idea this was going on, now know, and understand, and said they would fill out the consultation. Several more, who had heard about Man Friday, Phillips Bunce, Karen White, etc, have realised the bigger picture, and have filled out the consultation.

I leave leaflets in every public toilet (only the Ladies'!) and every waiting room.

I'm very out on Facebook & Twitter and I spend most weekends just now in a bright red T-shirt leafleting for Fair Play for Women.

But I don't say much at work & I would feel very nervous giving a talk about it to a roomful of people. I know others who are the opposite. We do what we can.

My experience has been that real life is a much safer and more receptive place to talk about these issues than the internet is!

For many people, an accusation of transphobia could potentially cost them their job. So they have to be very careful about what they say.
I think it is brave to speak out because of this. And scary we have sleepwalked into a situation where any opinion other than "trans women are women!" could lose you your job.