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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Labour party just came to my door...

62 replies

Terfnserf · 19/09/2019 19:06

My labour party candidate just came to my door. I asked her to describe a woman and apparently it all depends 'how you are socialised' sputtered something about intersex and violence against trans She appeared not to know about TW on all women short lists, or TW being women's officers. I suggested she watches a few Magdalene Berns videos on YouTube. Unfortunately I am not very eloquent so not sure how I came across.

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Gingerkittykat · 20/09/2019 12:44

I'm really looking forward to the SNP coming round, my MSP is Shirley Anne Somerville so they should know all about the GRA.

The SNP always visit frequently during elections, their current parliamentary majority here is less than 500 with a strong labour candidate standing this time. Even Labour should come round this time as they will both be so desperate for votes.

teawamutu · 20/09/2019 09:59

Buzz thank you - that's exactly what I've been trying to articulate to myself. If you're going to stand by stupid fucking wokey policies at least make sure you can evidence and explain them. And if you can't, maybe allow yourself to consider that there might be a problem with them.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 20/09/2019 09:17

Can't help but feel that Labour is in the position that it is in (fucking dire) precisely because it cowardly frames questions that it doesn't want to answer as "asked in bad faith" and can therefore be dismissed.

Yes. If that's your avowed belief, have the gumption to stand by it for fuck's sake. Explain why you believe that, expand on why and use the power of persuasion to try and show me why you think my opinion is wrong - I am big enough to accept if I make mistakes when I learn new info. I can explain why I believe what I do, with evidence to back it up, without any hesitation, so why can't you?

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 20/09/2019 09:13

The main problem when knocking on doors is that you never know where the person is coming from, and there are a lot of people with a lot of different opinions. So if I knock on someone's door and they say "I'm annoyed about brexit" it could be because they're a leaver or a remainer

That's the point! People want to know what the party line is, not what you think they want to hear.

Last local election here, I sent a very carefully worded, completely neutral question on the "TWAW" statement to all the relevant local parties, linking to the most reputable version of any policy I could find from the national parties.

1: (bright young thing, she'll soon find out what AWS means...) came back with her earnest belief that TWAW and the most oppressed, most marginalized, most at-risk... She didn't reply to my (polite) follow up.

2: trotted party line but didn't sound too enamoured. I have since seem them all over local pride activities, but as a lesbian I suspect she's only there for the L and hasn't a clue about the T.

3: came back with a carefully worded statement but crucially commented that women need protection and it must be maintained. he and I actually had quite a good dialogue about the issues and he seemed interested and interested to learn more.

andyoldlabour · 20/09/2019 09:04

"In other words, please vote for me, I'll say whatever the fuck you want me to say."

That just about sums up my view of politicians today.

RufusthebewiIderedreindeer · 20/09/2019 08:03

Lysistrataknowsherstuff

Same here...nobody comes round ever

And ive lived here for 28 years

I did see an argument in a local town between a labour canvasser and someone who by the sounds of it usually voted tory

And i think there was a hustings in a local church hall...once

teawamutu · 20/09/2019 07:55

I love the leaflet idea, definitely going to do that. And I'm planning to add that any candidate who can't define 'woman' or say why it's important cannot be trusted in any way shape or form with my legal rights and protections so I'll be voting for whoever's most likely to keep them out.

In the vast majority of cases this will not be true but hey, not holding myself to a higher standard than they have.

Also arf at the idea that canvassers who have chosen to do something inherently risky (knocking on strangers' doors) will suddenly come over all nervous because an obvious female (arf again at passing transwoman) asks a polite question. Uh huh.

AnyOldPrion · 20/09/2019 07:43

That suggests you want to give the response the voter wants to hear, rather than your (or your party's) actual opinion.

To be fair, if you gave the ”wrong” answer to a TRA, you might regret it. I might be careful too with that particular question.

Hopefully you gave her food for thought terfnserf.

Lysistrataknowsherstuff · 19/09/2019 23:59

I live in such a safe Conservative seat that we have never - in the decade I've lived here - had a single canvasser from any political party. Apparently it's not worth the Labour party's time or money to even try and win here. Local elections are just as dull! My MP is very GC - and open about it - but he's as right wing as they come so not a chance in hell I'll vote for him. Must think of something to spoil my ballot with.

PickledGulag · 19/09/2019 23:45

Woman afraid of violence from woman who may actually be a well disguised violent man who identifies as transgender.

TerfTalk · 19/09/2019 23:31

I'm In a safe Labour seat that the Lib Dems have their eye on... the next election will surely be one big wokey-cokey with lots of beardy blokeys... yay!

Oh wait, I'm a middle aged natal woman! Never mind. I'm sure they will let me make the tea or something.

Aberhonddu · 19/09/2019 23:22

@ChangeOfTides
I missed a comma there. A transwo man who passes, bit of an oxymoron there

Aberhonddu · 19/09/2019 23:20

@ChangeOfTides
A transwo man who passes bit of an oxymoron there

HumberElla · 19/09/2019 22:58

Yes that’s probably best. Don’t answer questions from women, about subjects pertaining to women, just in case they are transwomen.

Best be on the safe side eh?

testing987654321 · 19/09/2019 22:43

whether you might be a trans woman who passes

Priceless. I can just imagine all those "passing" transwomen wanting to ask actual women what a woman is.

Thanks for the amusement.

Terfnserf · 19/09/2019 22:41

Changeof
So there is a chance of a violent response from a transwomen if she confirms that a women is an adult human female?

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ChangeOfTides · 19/09/2019 22:34

It wasn’t a man at the door canvassing. It was a woman. She doesn’t know who else is in the house, what your reaction might be, whether you might be a trans woman who passes. So yes, she may have been afraid of violent responses, whatever her opinions.

Terfnserf · 19/09/2019 22:29

I think i will email her some links, i was a little concerned she knew my name but i am going to channel my inner Magdalen and be brave

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LloydBraun · 19/09/2019 22:24

Aside from failing to berate her for supporting a revolting little anti-Semite, I applaud your action.
I doubt I will see any labour candidates here - I think the smell of cow shit in rural areas poisons them, thankfully - but I am keeping a bucket of cold water to hand. Just in case.

ChickenyChick · 19/09/2019 22:22

Violent response? About politics

From women to men?

Is that generally a big problem in our society? Hmm

Terfnserf · 19/09/2019 22:19

It did appear that she totally bought into transition and mentioned men becoming women more than once, she was bloody desperate to get away!

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testing987654321 · 19/09/2019 22:17

You could email some links and ask for her opinion on them.

HumberElla · 19/09/2019 22:17

a bit afraid of getting the answer ‘wrong’ on an issue where there’s a potential for violent responses

There is only ever violence against women who express concern about self ID. Never the other way around.

Terfnserf · 19/09/2019 22:15

To reiterate, the person that came to my door was the actual parliamentary candidate, sadly I had not thought to keep leaflets handy, I mentioned that feminist meetings had actual bomb threats which she had vaguely heard of but kept banging on about her closeness to the trans community so I am not thinking I made any impression though I hope she does discover Magdalens videos

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testing987654321 · 19/09/2019 22:15

TBH she may even have been a bit afraid of getting the answer ‘wrong’ on an issue where there’s a potential for violent responses.

Where's the potential for a violent response to the definition of a woman? What are you talking about?

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