Please or to access all these features

Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

UPDATE: CONTACT/VISIT YOUR MP FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

61 replies

CandidPeel · 27/02/2019 23:03

Update on this action ......

Here is the event page www.facebook.com/events/2199432710322104/

VISIT your MP on International Women's Day - March 8th (or contact them and visit them later)
PRINT out a card to give/send them bit.ly/2IBU4Nc
TALK to them about women's single sex spaces
GIVE them this briefing bit.ly/2GPDjws
ASK them to write to the Minister for Women calling for guidance to be published on single sex exemptions to the Equality Act
SHARE photos, cards, tweets with hashtag #IWDQuestions #askyourMP

UPDATE: CONTACT/VISIT YOUR MP FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
UPDATE: CONTACT/VISIT YOUR MP FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
UPDATE: CONTACT/VISIT YOUR MP FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
StarSpangledAnna · 15/03/2019 16:03

I got a response from my MP! It was disappointingly generic though and basically said the government haven't decided how to proceed but recognise its a sensitive issue. I think it probably gets sent out to everyone who writes to her on this issue (gender critical or trans rights activists - it had something for everyone in there).

I responded to the point where she said we already have laws stopping harassment and violence in changing rooms (see how that responds to both women and transwomens points about changing rooms?). I asked why, if we have those laws, do almost 90% of sexual assaults that take place in changing rooms take place in unisex facilities. I also suggested that the fact 20% of women in the UK have been sexually assaulted indicates that these laws which protect us aren't fit for purpose.

MsMcWoodle · 15/03/2019 10:18

Chatty - not sure about her interest in children. She does have a background in health so I was thinking of sending her the 4thWave stuff. After Penny Mordaunt's insulting response to our concerns I don't hold out much hope, but I'll try.

ChattyLion · 14/03/2019 09:00

MsMc wasn’t your MP specifically interested in children and the impact on them of this lobby?

This thread has some shocking recent examples:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3531622-4thWaveNow-has-some-incredibly-disturbing-stuff-from-Facebook?msgid=85574960#85574960

Though these are just a few specific examples of course there have been many more on this board Sad

MsMcWoodle · 13/03/2019 16:15

Thank you so much for the help ReSisters and cwj. I will get on it.

ReSistersUnited · 13/03/2019 11:57

Similarly, if you'd like her to focus on the Minister for Health, and issues relating to children, then you could use our briefing note as a template for those issues.

And like cwg1 says, ask her to contact the Minister for Health.

If you'd like to have a bigger impact, then we could all ask other feminists to join you in doing this.

ReSistersUnited · 13/03/2019 11:54

MsMcWoodle I have just the thing.

Here's a briefing note you can give to your MP.

It lays out the concerns with single sex spaces and asks your MP to contact Penny Mordaunt on your behalf.

If you ask your MP to contact a minister and pass on concerns on our behalf, they should do it for you even if they don't agree. If they do agree, they can add their own comments.

For more info on this, see the ReSisters website: resistersunited.org/visit-your-mp-for-international-womens-day/

Hope that helps her to actually do something!

cwg1 · 13/03/2019 11:36

I should stress I'm NOT an expert in any way, but perhaps some of the MPs assistants on the board could help?

I think it would be in order to ask her to pass your concerns on to the Minister for Health.

Is it possible for MPs to ask parliamentary questions on issues like this?

MsMcWoodle · 13/03/2019 08:14

I have an update and need some help.
I have written to my MP - female, Tory several times and have been to see her. She is sympathetic.
On IWD I wrote to her specifically about the Tavistock and linked to the Telegraph article. I got this reply.
Thanks xxx
I heard the interview from one of the executives who has recently resigned who confirmed this story. I think in years to come back we will look back at those who have pushed this agenda and will have done untold harm to young people who will have had their lives ruined by not being allowed to take time over making a very difficult decision.
The media seem to be at least allowing discussion on this now which is a step forward.
With all good wishes
I need help formulating a reply that is more constructive than 'well what the fuck are you going to do about it then?'
I would like to point her in the direction of what she can actually do. Thanks to anyone who can help.

ChattyLion · 13/03/2019 06:53

My MP wrote back and said they’d write. Smile

PlumPorter · 09/03/2019 10:31

This isn’t the first MP I’ve worked for and IME they’re in it to make a difference and genuinely do care and like to hear about constituents concerns. As an office we can talk about a subject months after it has been raised, and if an opportunity becomes available for my member to raise something a long time down the line, then they do.

I'd really like to believe this.

Unfortunately, my MP has a rather poor voting track record on women's issues/issues that disproportionately affect women and has already told me, more than once, that he thinks women are terrible meanies for not wanting to let men into our safe spaces even/especially if they don a pretty dress and affect an, "I'm a laydee" voice.

Everythingsr0sie · 08/03/2019 23:23

Haha!

I only ask as I know it can be tricky to get to see a Secretary of State
( for example) as they won’t be in their constituency as often.

ChattyLion · 08/03/2019 22:55

Thanks R0sie I will look into a surgery appointment. I am always polite, rational and non scary when I write Grin - so I don’t think it’s that. My MP is a low key backbencher.

Everythingsr0sie · 08/03/2019 22:13

They don’t HAVE to meet with you, but it is not the done thing to refuse. And unless you have done something worthy of a refusal (generally threatening behaviour-which I’m sure you haven’t) then I am unsure as to why they wouldn’t want to, it is what they are there for after all.

Generally, and especially in the first instance, it is best to meet them at a surgery. Perhaps try ringing the constituency office and asking when the next available surgery appointment is?

Are they very high profile?

ChattyLion · 08/03/2019 22:05

R0sie does your MP have to meet with you if you ask? I’ve offered to meet with mine before if they want to talk about this area and they’ve not taken me up on it.
Do i need to rephrase it that I want to speak with them, or it is their prerogative?

RepealTheGRA · 08/03/2019 21:57

Everythingsr0sie thanks that’s good to know and I agree with that! I liked mine when I met him and found him quite genuine Smile

Everythingsr0sie · 08/03/2019 21:51

I just wanted to say, I work for an MP and I really would encourage anyone to go to see theirs if they want to, and do not be nervous or feel they are not interested.

This isn’t the first MP I’ve worked for and IME they’re in it to make a difference and genuinely do care and like to hear about constituents concerns. As an office we can talk about a subject months after it has been raised, and if an opportunity becomes available for my member to raise something a long time down the line, then they do.

My point being, if nothing appears to happen straight away, then it doesn’t mean it won’t and you haven’t achieved anything.

RepealTheGRA · 08/03/2019 21:51

Just emailed mine, thanks for the bump Smile

ChattyLion · 08/03/2019 21:37

Bump Smile

WaddIelikeapenguin · 08/03/2019 18:04

Still time to drop an email people Smile

Estcarpwitch · 08/03/2019 16:08

Have sent an email to my local MP. Felt good to do something besides putting stickers on toilet doors.

ReSistersUnited · 08/03/2019 13:03

Excellent, this is all sounded very positive!

LatinforTelly · 08/03/2019 12:01

I had a very positive meeting with my (male, conservative) mp this morning. I have written to him before over the GRA and he expressed support. Even so, I was quite nervous of being clear and specific enough and not waffling on.

He seemed to be on board quite quickly but when he asked for an example I talked about Girl Guides and he peak transed was quite shocked that this policy had come about. I will email For Women directly and give more details - don't want to be too outing on here.

I didn't get a photo though. Sad

ForwomenScot · 08/03/2019 11:19

We tweeted our first photo in from what we hear was a very successful meeting with a Labour MP. Smile

twitter.com/ForwomenScot/status/1103967614995447808

R0wantrees · 08/03/2019 10:54

Worth asking if your MP will support the Declaration of Women's Sex Based Rights which be launched on March 15th and if not why not?

The scope is international .

summary:
'Declaration on Women’s Sex Based Rights

The Declaration outlines current international laws and policies on women’s rights and how they are being threatened by organisations that are trying to change the definition of woman. It reaffirms existing women’s rights and suggests ways that states should promote and protect them. It was drafted with input from women internationally. Launching in March 2019, the Declaration is a clear call to law and policy makers to retain the sex-based biological definition of woman.

The Declaration on Women’s Sex Based Rights is a statement on the importance of keeping the current sex based definition of woman.

Women’s rights, set out in the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and subsequent international agreements, are based on our sex, defined by the UN as “the physical and biological characteristics that distinguish males from females”[1].

In recent years organisations have been quietly trying to replace the idea of biological sex with the idea of “gender identity” in human rights documents; and to include men who say they have a female “gender identity” in the word “woman”.

Many women’s rights are related to our biologically female bodies e.g. the right to abortion, and maternal rights. Other women’s rights are aimed at eliminating discrimination against women in public life e.g. women’s rights to education, political representation, work, equal pay. Further women’s rights are to protect us against violence or harmful practices e.g. rape, and FGM.

A key way women and girls are denied rights is by gender or sex role stereotyping (e.g. girls should help at home while boys go to school). The UN recognises this is harmful and works for “the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and women.”[2] The Declaration raises concern that the term “gender identity” reinforces sex role stereotyping because it is only possible to have a “gender identity” by choosing between sex role stereotypes for men and women.

In recent years some governments have been substituting “gender identity” for biological sex in law and policy, and including men who say they have a female “gender identity” in the word “woman”. This enables these men to access spaces and services set up for women and girls. This includes single sex victim support services, single sex sport, women’s shortlists designed to increase women’s participation in political and public life, scholarships and prizes for women, single sex toilets, changing rooms and sleeping areas aimed at protecting the safety, privacy and dignity of women and girls. Using “gender identity” instead of biological sex threatens maternal rights, women’s right to assemble and organise without including men, and data collection on violence against women and girls,. Furthermore, “gender identity” is being used to “transition” girls who do not conform to sex stereotypes."
www.womensdeclaration.com/

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3527477-Declaration-on-Womens-Sex-Based-Rights-IWD2019

ReSistersUnited · 08/03/2019 10:11

If you've emailed your MP, please let ReSisters or For Women Scot know and which MP you're visiting - it'd be great to know how many women are doing this today, thanks :)

You can PM me here, or contact ReSisters on Facebook www.facebook.com/resistersunited

Or twitter - @ReSistersU