Surprised to see this on Medium

*made

Your question ha really mad me think about this Monna.

Thank you for your insight about the St Sebastian image @lionheart - very interesting.

I would have thought a body positive group for transwomen would make more sense.

There was a good thread about that a few months back, I remember.

They’re in a women’s retreat; they’ve gathered for a radical body-positive exercise. The exercise centers on the Yoni (the Tantric word for a woman’s genitalia), and will include nudity and self-exploration.

Well that's their first mistake. Be very wary of anyone who wants group nudity and self-exploration in public. They don't have your interests at heart.

From a different angle, Monna, the blog from 'The Lonely Transexual' that I came across and posted yesterday or the day before led me to some of the many photographs on social media of people after 'top surgery' (or double mastectomy).

I was very struck by one of the comments which said of one picture of a scarred and wounded post-op body that 'it reminds me of San Sebastian'.

Interesting to see that the reference point is gay iconography (with all that this implies about a male gaze).

That is a really interesting point Monna.

docile, patient, hesitant, fragile Sounds like a donkey.

Docile, patient ... physically strong and the males are hung like a horse.

Oh sorry, I just vomited a little. I shouldn’t have had that extra churros.

'Four years ago I asked my children to retire the term "dad." It triggered my dysphoria, and led to stares from strangers. We settled on simply "Cassie," which mostly worked... except folks would ask, "so, who’s Cassie? Who is Cassie to you?"

We tried a few things. We tried the awkward "my parent." I didn’t love it.

Finally, in exasperation, I said, "I am your mother. I’m your parent, and I’m female. Don’t we already have a word for that?"

My daughter happily adopted that. My son balked, continued to use Cassie, and defines me to others as his "transmom." It sort of works.
But around Mother’s Day last year, my co-parent (their biological mother) learned of this, and was very hurt. She lashed out in anger, "you are NOT their mother - and you never will be!" — which in turn hurt me enormously.

It took us many months, much struggle to come to dialog over this. And when we finally spoke, we both saw the other side. I assured her I did not mean to encroach, to infringe into "her turf." She in turn assured me she was not questioning my womanhood. We empathized with one another. We cried. We learned.'

Oh no. Not goats. They have eyes like that Hopkins woman. Shudder.

I LOVE donkeys too. And goats.

Haven't read the article but I'm guessing the author isn't anybody's "Mom"?

I think their legs look rather fragile... I love donkeys though - there’s some in a field next to my sisters farm and I always go to say hello to them.

'The event leader can explain that, while there is an obvious similarity between a trans woman's genitals and those of a man, this person's genitals have received years of female hormones. They respond differently, they carry a different energy. While a man's penis is an object of great pride, a trans woman's member is often a source of dysphoria and shame. A man's penis swaggers and struts, conquers and acquires, penetrates. A trans gal's genitals generally carry none of this energy. Speaking in generalities, a man's sexuality is urgent and assertive, and can be invasive. A trans gal's sexuality is docile, patient, hesitant, fragile.'

The symbology of the penis??

The Women’s Circle

'In a grassy area by the river, twenty women stand in a circle. They’re in a women’s retreat; they’ve gathered for a radical body-positive exercise. The exercise centers on the Yoni (the Tantric word for a woman’s genitalia), and will include nudity and self-exploration.
Nineteen of these women are vulva-clad, vagina-equipped natal, cisgender women. One of these women is trans. While she might not refer to her genitals by the words 'penis' or 'testicles,' that’s what they are anatomically. And, though transformed by several years of female hormones, her genitals are likely to be understood as "male genitals" by most women present.

This is the challenge we face: Do we allow the trans gal to participate in the exercise (which includes shedding all clothes and touching one’s genitals), or do we specifically exclude her, for fear of triggering one or more of the other women?'

'We talked about the symbology of the penis. Jimena and I immediately agreed that penis-owners have historically hurt vagina-owners in many ways. Some of these ways have specifically included the penis as a weapon, as an instrument of harm. Some of the women in the circle could be survivors of rape or sexual assault. So it is really important to start by openly acknowledging that history, and that symbology. And by directly addressing those concerns.'

I don't really see donkeys as fragile. Perhaps a very small baby donkey?

docile, patient, hesitant, fragile Sounds like a donkey.

docile, patient, hesitant, fragile

Ah, that list of things most of the women on these boards can never aspire to.

I wonder whether there’s a silky soft, sweet non-GHP* there too.

(*Roz Kaveney, 2018 describing her genitalia in a public meeting)

I couldn't read it all because it went on for soooo long, but this was great:

A trans gal's sexuality is docile, patient, hesitant, fragile.

Hilarious. Maybe not that hesitant or docile given the screed she's written about how women need to be open to her ladydique.

Here’s the day that Cassie came to visit Mumsnet and tell us all off.

Quite enjoyed reading that thread again Betty, it was a good discussion of the sort we often have on here. It's a shame some of Cassie's posts were deleted as there were true colours moments aplenty.

Cassie uses Rachel “Rapey” Riley to support their arguments.

Riley Dennis.

Rachel Riley succeeded Carol Vorderman on Countdown!

What Cassie’s friend (and Cassie) meant was that old women are ugly.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3327466-People-apparently-support-trans?pg=6

Here’s the day that Cassie came to visit Mumsnet and tell us all off.