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Original poster

Academics criticise traffic light 'safe space' badges at transgender conference

121 replies

stumbledin · 23/09/2019 00:36

The conference title was "Thinking Beyond: Transversal Transfeminisms"

Delegates attending the one-day forum at Roehampton University, south west London, were invited to wear different coloured lanyards to ensure they did not feel emotionally overwhelmed by sharing ideas.

Those wearing red badges did not wish to engage with their fellow academics, while those in yellow did not want to be approached and would only communicate if they made the first move.

Green badges were worn by attendees open to conversations.

Academics could change the colour of their lanyard depending on how resilient they felt at different points of the conference.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/22/academics-criticise-traffic-light-safe-space-badges-transgender/

The original report was in the Times but because of paywall I have used this link. Think the Times had more detailed.

I am more upset by the idea that anyone should think this has anything to do with feminism.

OP posts:
Cascade220 · 23/09/2019 21:13

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carsonforPM · 23/09/2019 21:06

Stonewall use this traffic light badge stuff too.

RufusthebewiIderedreindeer · 23/09/2019 21:03

Exactly spartacus

I can’t think of another way of saying it but it cheapens its importance and impact

Cascade220 · 23/09/2019 20:57

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Cascade220 · 23/09/2019 20:57

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RufusthebewiIderedreindeer · 23/09/2019 20:53

I think its a good idea, for those people that need it

But not for everyone...if its for everyone then it ruins it for those that need it

(Though it would be fucking handy for ds2 who needs one saying please approach me and start a conversation)

Cascade220 · 23/09/2019 20:51

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Cascade220 · 23/09/2019 20:50

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LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 23/09/2019 20:49

What’s the stance on clapping and jazz hands?

ShesDressedInBlackAgain · 23/09/2019 20:46

I'm sorry Spartacus

It is actually the appropriation rather than the idea I am finding laughable but I can see I have been thoughtless. 💐☹

Cascade220 · 23/09/2019 20:35

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CaptainKirksSpikeyGhost · 23/09/2019 19:19

that one would be pink with sprinkles.
What if a man wants it, can it be blue?

CircleofWillis · 23/09/2019 19:17

LordProffekko that one would be pink with sprinkles.

MockersthefeMANist · 23/09/2019 18:59

statisticians all stare at their shoes.

Hacktually, it's 78.66666% recurring that do that.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 23/09/2019 18:59

What colour was ‘fuck off you dingbat, I’m only here because they made me and I was promised donuts’?

sue51 · 23/09/2019 18:56

What is the point of a conference if its not to confer with others? Utter nonsense.

StealthPolarBear · 23/09/2019 18:52

Oi I'm a statistician and I speak in public!

XenoBio · 23/09/2019 18:45

statisticians all stare at their shoes at conference anyway so it will be popular with them

The definition of an outgoing statistician is one who stares at your shoelaces instead of their own when speaking in public.

ShesDressedInBlackAgain · 23/09/2019 17:38

How do you approach people to ask them if they would like to be approached? Is there a separate lanyard system for that?

Michelleoftheresistance · 23/09/2019 17:22

It also, again, divides society into those who have responsibility to put their own needs and interests aside and meet the needs of others, and those who can rely on others without that responsibility expected of them. The providers and the provided for. Since obviously, if the whole world goes around wearing yellow and red labels it doesn't work.

Michelleoftheresistance · 23/09/2019 17:18

That's interesting Birds ! It sounds ideal for that situation, a really good accessibility aid.

But not so much when applied as a blunt instrument an academic conference as an aid to avoiding unwanted politics.

Birdsfoottrefoil · 23/09/2019 16:13

Michelle I have heard it being piloted in supermarkets (forget where) for people with disabilities who don’t want/need help, would approach someone if they needed help and to flag up to that person that they have a disability, or if they would like a shop assistant to approach them and offer support/help.

Dervel · 23/09/2019 16:06

I cannot help but be reminded of this song:

Michelleoftheresistance · 23/09/2019 16:06

I was discussing this with a colleague who mentioned that this is an accessibility system designed for people with Autism. I haven't had time to check the facts yet, but that's sharing her belief, which would suggest that this is another case of appropriation used out of context. Which then has the result of damaging it for those who originally needed it for genuine accessibility reasons.

Rather like womanhood really.

StealthPolarBear · 23/09/2019 15:44

This has solved the issue of having women with penises in women's spaces thouhh. Just wear a red sticker and you won't be watched or raped. Don't know what we were all getting upset about really.