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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Rachel McKinnon in the UK in October to lecture us on TW in sport!

113 replies

CloudRusting · 13/08/2019 10:03

Hmm

www.howtoacademy.com/events/transgender-athletes-and-the-science-of-fairness/?mc_cid=ad77a2171a&mc_eid=0ff868ffb0

From the listing:

Should trans athletes participate in women’s sport? Philosophy professor, activist and world champion cyclist Rachel McKinnon sifts science and ethics from politics and prejudice.

An issue with profound consequences for society’s ideas of fairness, gender, and equality, the participation of trans women in women’s competitive sports has made regular front page news.

Dr. Rachel McKinnon is at the forefront. As the first openly trans woman to win a world championship in an Olympic sport, she faces constant harassment and abuse on social media, while as an activist and public intellectual, her campaigns, papers, articles and interviews have done much to shift attitudes in the world of international sport and beyond.

In this talk, Dr. McKinnon will explore the ethics, law and science of fairness in sport, including whether biological restrictions such as testosterone limits violate principles of fairness and equality. Ahead of this autumn’s track racing world championship in Manchester, don’t miss this opportunity to hear from an internationally renowned athlete and scholar on how she is breaking down barriers and helping to overturn prejudice with science.

OP posts:
GirlDownUnder · 14/08/2019 13:50

Although to be fair your title is snappier.

GirlDownUnder · 14/08/2019 13:49

Dana be sensible! You know very well it is:

“Reasonable Assertions: On Norms of Assertion and Why You Don't Need to Know What You're Talking About “

HerFemaleness · 14/08/2019 13:40

The FPFW and WPUK event sold hundreds of tickets and there were waiting lists in case of cancellations. Let's see how many people turn up to see McKinnon present their laughably incompetent attempts at scientific research.

It might pull an audience in the same way a massive house fire attracts an audience. You know it's awful and tragic but morbid fascination drives you on to take a look.

Sexnotgender · 14/08/2019 12:59

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Sexnotgender · 14/08/2019 12:59

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DanaPhoenix · 14/08/2019 12:51

Does anyone have the full title of Rachel's dissertation handy?

IIRC - Baffling with Bullshit...something something...

TirisfalPumpkin · 14/08/2019 12:36

Great. Prime peak material.

mummmy2017 · 14/08/2019 12:10

What i find funny is my male friends are ok with it till you put some home truths in front of them.
Okish male sportsman... Transwoman.... Wins race as female.. WTF...... Is the normal answer.

kaitlinktm · 14/08/2019 11:57

… but of course I'd be delighted to pay £30 to be gaslit by the ravings of somebody who's blocked me on Twitter

I think she must have blocked half of MN by now - she blocked me for liking something she didn't approve of. I have only liked 9 things on Twitter but I still managed to get blocked by her. I bet she wishes she could block people in real life too.

Hope nobody goes.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 14/08/2019 11:48

I really don't understand why the UCI insist on cheapening the brand by handing these out to masters riders

Look at it like when sporting parents let their children wear the medal or hold the trophy for photos.

It may be indulged but no one actually takes it seriously. Same thing, except the indulgence is threats instead. Nobody actually believes McK is a rightful winner!

chockaholic72 · 14/08/2019 11:38

It's also worth noting that masters cycling events are self-funded - if you want to compete then you have to pay for yourself. I know several riders who were winners who didn't go to LA to compete because they couldn't afford it. You may be able to hit the times and get the right results, but if you don't have the money to go, then you aren't going to get your rainbow bands (and I really don't understand why the UCI insist on cheapening the brand by handing these out to masters riders).

DrLouiseMoody · 14/08/2019 11:04

An "internationally renowned athlete whose best time rivals that of my seventy something father-in-law 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

They would have NO chance of winning anything were they to compete in the correct category.

Not wise to try and get them no-platformed. That's just TRA tactics. But it would be absolutely TERRIBLE were their aggressive posts about wanting us all to die in a grease fire were to beade public again nearer the time. Just terrible.

Rachel McKinnon in the UK in October to lecture us on TW in sport!
CuriousaboutSamphire · 14/08/2019 09:39

The science of fairness? Surely the whole point is that life is unfair and random - born tall? That's the very basis upon which McK builds the theory that TW should compete against women. If every body is different then 'fairness' doesn't actually exist anyway, so why stop TW competing wherever they so choose?

It's just more of the same trope - "Lie with a straight face and be very offended if anyone challenges you. They'll soon go away"

FannyCann · 13/08/2019 14:33

The science of fairness? Surely the whole point is that life is unfair and random - born tall? may be suited to basketball, flat racing jockey not so much.
Of course men stating they are women has nothing to do with random chances of fate and nothing to do with science either...

I did see a tweet some time ago when Rachel said they'd be competing in October. Tempted to go to that and boo as appropriate. Wink

RoyalCorgi · 13/08/2019 14:28

Hope plenty of strong GC voices in the audience

No. Much better to stay away. McKinnon is a narcissist and people turning up to argue will just feed their fantasy of their own self-importance. (Remember when McKinnon got angry with Martina Navratilova for not knowing who they were?)

Nobody sensible is going to pay £25 to listen to a deluded nobody like McKinnon. You could get a decent two-course meal in Pizza Express for that or a Circle seat at a West End play. The best outcome we can hope for is that McKinnon delivers their misogynistic rants to a row of empty seats.

Lordamighty · 13/08/2019 14:12

Why do I think that RMcK would actually like some protestors to turn up? Total narcissism, I wouldn’t go even if I was given a free ticket, not worth the effort.

Whatsnewpussyhat · 13/08/2019 14:10

In this talk, Dr. McKinnon will explore the ethics, law and science of fairness in sport, including whether biological restrictions such as testosterone limits violate principles of fairness and equality

The only thing that is unethical and violates the principles of fairness and equality is allowing males to compete against females in sports.

Needmoresleep · 13/08/2019 14:08

My observation is that How To Academy Talks often link with book promotions. Some can be very good.

It is not unusual for the organiser to get the size of venue wrong and for there to be quite a lot of late cheap/free tickets floating around.

FormerMediocreMale · 13/08/2019 14:05

Ooh great let people see how bat shit they are.

Hope plenty of strong GC voices in the audience Grin just seeing them on the stage will peak a fair few Grin

GirlDownUnder · 13/08/2019 14:03

Uh oh

mobile.twitter.com/rachelvmckinnon/status/1161253932984950786

“I've heard that some transphobes might try to protest my London presentation...”

This is true when
heard = monitors MN
transphobes = anyone at all
protest = ask some pre-arranged questions
presentation = ‘On Norms of Assertion and Why You Don't Need to Know What You're Talking About’

allmywhat · 13/08/2019 13:36

Can anyone think of a less appealing offer you've seen lately than paying 25 quid to hear Rachel McKinnon speak? I genuinely can't think of anything. I swear to God I'd rather get a Brazilian wax, and I am an utter wimp about pain.

Who is the target audience of this thing? I know it's London but 25 quid to hear a male person go delusionally on and on about how great and wonderful they are... if that's your thing I'm not judging Hmm but you can walk into any pub or office in the country and get hours and hours of it for free by just tilting your head to listen and occasionally issuing a polite smile.

LizzieSiddal · 13/08/2019 13:24

I hope no one turns up.

Sicario · 13/08/2019 12:59

So I wonder if McKinnon will be pulled over at the border for inciting hatred in view of the multiple threats and vile comments aimed at women.

TurboTeddy · 13/08/2019 12:43

AnotherNightWatering
Thanks for clarifying.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 13/08/2019 12:38

Ach! I'm too far away. Or I would go, with a prearranged question.

Such talks don't need closing down, they need to be celebrated, with tricksy questions about biology! Prefereably by those of us with academic knowledge, elite sporting experience etc.

If one comes close enough I shall dust of my academic qualifications and I bloody well will ask such questions!

I have ahd perty much enough and am, slowly, getting louder in my GCnes!

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