Cartoon in the Morning Star

Of course they will use that language and the complainers know that. But those complainers will also be able to whinge about being depicted as scary and threatening, when they dispute this is the case in the face of all the evidence.
‘Identifying as’ would have given more scope for replying well, it’s plainly not you we’re talking about, silly and brushing off the criticism.

I’m not saying the language used is wrong. Just that ‘transitioning’ hits right at the heart of what transwomen reckon they are actually doing - becoming something biologically other to what they are.

I'm more offended by the large loopholes in sex self-id policies in place now which have & are putting girls & women at risk.

The key is in the use of the word ‘transitioning’ rather than ‘identifying’. It’s handed ammunition to those minded to jump on any satirical depiction of women facing invasion of their spaces.

Because those so offended by this cartoon think that predators seeking to exploit self id to gain access to girls or vulnerable women won't be using the language of transition?

It's another straw in a veering wind. I don't condone but I do understand.

The key is in the use of the word ‘transitioning’ rather than ‘identifying’. It’s handed ammunition to those minded to jump on any satirical depiction of women facing invasion of their spaces. And however much of an ally they profess to be, some people are never going to admit they are more crocodile than newt.

Of course it’s offensive. It isn’t clear that it’s about a predatory man rather than a genuine trans woman. I can see how it’s upsetting to trans people

Its about a much larger predator self identifying into a space where they do not share the characteristics of the more vulnerable group.

It could be that there is a sex based difference, an age based difference or a species based difference.

Safeguarding separates a significantly more vulnerable group to provide protection.

Or even "acceptable".

Is satire about predators using SelfID to prey on women and children allowed at all? Morning Star should keep trying until we see what "acceptible" looks like.

It isn’t clear that it’s about a predatory man rather than a genuine trans woman.

Isn’t that partly the point? That there is no way to tell the difference?

It isn’t clear that it’s about a predatory man rather than a genuine trans woman. I can see how it’s upsetting to trans people

The crocodile is saying 'Don't worry your pretty little heads. I'm transitioning as a newt'.

Why would that be about trans people? Do they say things like that?

LGB Alliance condemned the cartoon too.

I don't think that pulling it means the Morning Star have fallen. I think it does mean that as always, male perspectives are being privileged over female perspectives, and that even men who are GC are sympathising more with the crocodile in that cartoon than with the newts. And that's demoralising but we need men onside so, whatever. Useful reminder of the limits of male allies.

My thought is that this is really a bigger problem about the way the political and social climate is operating these days. Cartoons like this are making generalisations, they have to, and they rely on the viewer being able to fill in the ideas. Even one that us really clever and nuanced is a blunt thing in a way.

I don't think many people now are very capable of interpreting these kinds of commentaries, much like they can't deal with satire or allegory. Younger people especially seem to have a reduced ability to think on that level, and reduced resilience in terms of not taking these things as personal attacks (or indeed, just sucking it up if they are attacks.)

It's the same reason many comedians now don't go to university campuses, and can't walk the edge, where the best comedy often resides, on political issues. Or anything they say in the context of comedy is taken to be a straight out declaration of their belief.

Of course it’s offensive. It isn’t clear that it’s about a predatory man rather than a genuine trans woman. I can see how it’s upsetting to trans people

This

So Kristina and Debbie have taken it the same way. Curious

It is. Why would genuine trans women think the crocodile represented them? Seems like a bit of a stretch.

I’m sorry to hear the cartoon has been pulled. The cartoonist made a valuable point about safeguarding in a humorous way. But as always, everyone must bow to the TRAs. Their (easily) hurt feelings are far more important than women’s and children’s safety.

The correct thing to do would have been to make a robust and unrepentant defence of the freedom of speech
RoyalCorgi Absolutely agree 100 per cent.

The pressure came from 'GC' trans rights activists & their allies within the Socialist/Labour movement

Ugh. It's happened, then. The Morning Star has fallen.

Marx is turning in his grave.

I'm disappointed with the Morning Star's apology. The trouble with TRAs is that if you give an inch, they take a mile. The correct thing to do would have been to make a robust and unrepentant defence of the freedom of speech.

It reminds me an awful lot of the tactics of extreme Islamists, who burn books, demand that "offensive" cartoons about the Prophet be removed and so on. If you accede on one point, it just encourages them to demand more.

tweet

DH tweeted full agreement with KH's reaction last night.

So Kristina and Debbie have taken it the same way. Curious

Context:

Sunday Times today, 'Critics of trans plan take heart from London news
As Conservatives drop gender recognition act, some believe the issue could damage the SNP'

(extract)
"Currently there are 11 prisoners in Scottish jails who identify as transgender, of whom only one has a gender recognition certificate. There are another five people in male prisons who are transwomen and five in female prisons who are transwomen.

Rhona Hotchkiss, former governor of the Cornton Vale women’s prison, said: “If you allow more people to reassign their gender more readily, on what basis will the authorities be able to prevent these prisoners entering into the women’s estate?”

Her view was supported by campaigner Lucy Hunter Blackburn. She said: “There is a concern about what the new law will mean — that if more prisoners self-identify there will be some increase in the number of those wishing to be housed in women’s jails, and the prison service will lose some of its control over which jails they can send prisoners to.”

She believes there is scant evidence that the Scottish government is seriously engaged in creating consensus. She said: “There does not seem to be much prospect that a version of change will be identified by mid-March that people from a range of perspectives feel they can support. The hoped-for consensus seems more likely to be around the government being right.” (continues)

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/critics-of-trans-plan-take-heart-from-london-news-9wkzl922p