Booking an abortion and asked if I identified as male or female

Trans men 'out' themselves as soon as they go into the clinic.

So yes, there is a problem.
I imagine that is deeply upsetting.

Attending an abortion clinic is deeply upsetting for all females.

I care deeply about female oppression, and reproduction is a major part of that. I want trans men to be able to access female services such as Marie Stopes and am pleased they’re trying to be inclusive.

I think the question is problematic though because it suggests males might need an abortion erodes the right of females to identify family planning issues such as this as being female issues and based on sex, not identity. “Do you identify as a man” would be better as it includes trans men but doesn’t bring the sex of male or female into it, and doesn’t imply that anyone has a gender identity other than the person who might answer yes.

Trans men do need this service - occasionally, but the need is there. It’s almost as if those with female bodies have shared interests and would benefit from an organised movement to fight against sex-based oppression.

If a trans man is raped and impregnated it shows just how meaningless trying to identify as the opposite sex is. They are still treated with the contempt by males as the rest of us.

Exactly, especially the last line.

But does it make any difference at the point of booking the appointment how I identify?

It clearly doesn't to you. It might do to a trans man and it makes no difference to how you will be treated or your access to abortion.

There's no need at all to ask. 100% of service users will be female - so no need to capture a title, first name and surname would be sufficient. No offence caused by that, unless lack of active validation counts as causing offence these days.

But does it make any difference at the point of booking the appointment how I identify? Every single person booking an appointment for an abortion is female. Why ask this truly bemusing question at this point? Nobody is excluded from abortion services by being a smoker or being on testosterone or any other medication, can't that be dealt with by a questionnaire on arrival? It doesn't make any.logical sense to ask this question at this point, it just seems like performing inclusivity at the expense of a large number of women who will not be enjoying this phone call and who are unlikely to want it extended?

Booking an abortion and asked if I identified as male or female

The maddest thing I've seen all day. I wonder if this came about when someone said oh we have to be inclusive, can't leave trans men out, and instead of considering how many trans men would use the clinic this was thought acceptable.

It's not acceptable and it's not necessary. It's one more example of women having to make room for others because someone might get upset if we don't, another case of feelz v facts.

It implies that everyone has to go along with the whole ridiculous concept of identiying as something so yes it is an imposition. Many people want no part of identity politics. Agree.

In this context ‘do you identify as female?’ could carry impliedjudgement; why are you having an abortion if you identify with motherhood/pink/caring-ness? Whereas obviously if you identify as Male you are making a rational decision. As such it is very insulting to women to ask this question

Oh come off it. "In this context" is the staff at a Marie Stopes abortion clinic. Are you seriously suggesting their staff would apply such a judgemental attitude?

The question could have been better framed as "how should we address you?" but please do not make up hyperbolic nonsense like this.

Because they don't see themselves as ladies wearing trousers. They see themselves as male. So they may neglect symptoms etc. This was a huge argument against self Id with regards to cervical screening etc. I don't think those people decide they won't get cancer. They neglect the possibility as they live a male life where cervical screening isn't necessary. I'm not in any way advocating or opposing any kind of life. Simply, I get asked how many units I drink (not an alcoholic), if I smoke, (don't). It really doesn't stress me out being asked. I fail to see why a question with a one word answer is remotely inconvenient when the answer could be so pivotal to the care of that one in 1000.

As a female I would be offended if I was asked that question.

"Many people want no part of identity politics."

Exactly, only human females can become pregnant and that includes females who identify as transmen.
Has the world gone totally mad, or is it just a tiny minority of influential people trying to drive us all mad?

important physiological conditions could be missed
Correct.

Therefore
Why would transman need reminding that they are biologically female?

Trust me, this site is no echo chamber.

But hang on, a few weeks ago there were threads about self Id meaning important physiological conditions could be missed. Why is it offensive to be asked? I get asked if I'm a smoker. I'm not. I say no. Get over your prejudice.

Yabbers
Listen to yourself..
But I don’t expect this echo chamber of “feminists” to get it, just froth froth froth about it all, not realising that by making such a fuss over something so trivial, it negates the valid arguments made about conflicting rights

Making a fuss are we?

A transman is perfectly capable of making arrangements concerning abortion since they're so determined not to be seen as a female.

If a trans man is raped and impregnated it shows just how meaningless trying to identify as the opposite sex is. They are still treated with the contempt by males as the rest of us.

Being upset at being asked this kind of question is trivial.

That always seems to be the case when it comes to women doesn't it. We are supposed to quietly accept being called bleeders, cervix havers, menstruators. We should not be offended at being asked if we identify as male when we are seeking the uniquely female service of abortion, when we might be victims of rape, DV, previous birth trauma, all things that females cannot identify their way out of. Women must accept their erasure as a class, pretend that things that solely affect and oppress women now include men, and we must do it willingly, no matter how much it offends or upsets us. Because the possibility of a trans person being upset by reality is far far worse.

Its the most incongruous question you could ask a woman who is trying to book an abortion.

Well I'm as amused as OP.

This does concern me as by definition I would expect such a service to be female orientated. If abortion services aren't focussed on women.....despair.

Again, Yabbers, why is women's upset trivial, but transmen's potential upset understandable?

Being upset at being asked this kind of question is trivial. Nobody minds being asked their ethnicity, or their marital status, or whether they are homosexual, but how very dare they suggest you might be trans? Give me a break.

Stop pretending this is about the actual question and at least be honest that this is about why the question is being asked.

Only females can get pregnant. You can identify how you like for the rest of your life but only females can get pregnant. Let’s stop pandering to the deluded.

There is a further implication in what you identify as; sex stereotypes (gender) present women/females as kind/caring, who are pleased to give birth to babies and give up their lives to bring them up. In this context ‘do you identify as female?’ could carry impliedjudgement; why are you having an abortion if you identify with motherhood/pink/caring-ness? Whereas obviously if you identify as Male you are making a rational decision. As such it is very insulting to women to ask this question.

If you turned up and they automatically assumed you were miss as a 20 year old or Mrs as a 40 year old and addressed you that way I’m fairly certain there would be a similar outraged frothy post here. For sure someone would suggest they could just ask when you booked the appointment and avoid offence

Sure, as has been pointed out they could cover all bases with a neutral 'how do you prefer to be addressed' question. It's good practice anyway for everyone, and provides opportunity for anyone who wants to specify unusual honorifics or pronouns to do so.

Why ask a question that's irrelevant to most users of the service and might upset some (transmen included) when it's easy enough to do something better?

Again, Yabbers, why is women's upset trivial, but transmen's potential upset understandable?