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Original poster

Workplace cake sale to raise money for Mermaids

279 replies

Cucumbersalad · 02/03/2020 12:57

To celebrate International Women's Day Hmm a charity bake sale is being held at my workplace to raise money for Mermaids UK, "to show our support for the transgender community".

Has anybody come across a similar situation in the workplace, and if so, did you raise any concerns? I'm cowardly about speaking out, but I feel I should say something! How to do this delicately/ sensitively?.I don't want to rock the boat though, as it's work! And ultra-woke...

OP posts:
PhoenixBuchanan · 04/03/2020 18:23

OP and others, have you directly asked in your email what the link is between IWD and Mermaids?

Quite from being an appalling organisation, there is literally no link between the two. Mermaids is an organisation for CHILDREN. IWD is about ADULTS. It's as arbitrary as supporting Barnardos on IWD.

If they want to grasp for an unbelievably tenuous (yet equally offensive) link, they'd be better off doing it on October 11- International Day of the Girl!

psychedelephant · 04/03/2020 16:40

Thanks OP and colleagues for speaking up. I've been spitting fucking feathers since I first read this post, it's fucking outrageous you should be put in this position and expected to be home bakers and cheerleaders. What a disgrace. How dare anyone redefine feminism!? Let that activist start their own ism ffs.

Lordfrontpaw · 04/03/2020 16:29

Maybe with a tray of cupcakes sold for a local woman’s refuge?

agentnully · 04/03/2020 16:22

Reading these posts and one, in particular, advising to just not turn up it struck me to ask if it's open to everyone?

If a load of women turned up and loudly questioned the choice of charity, asking loudly what it has to do with women then maybe a single penny might drop.

Original poster
Cucumbersalad · 04/03/2020 15:57

I've still not heard anything!

OP posts:
Pizzaformylunch · 04/03/2020 15:40

I've had a holding response - it appears it is being discussed and we'll get a full response soon..

datasgingercatspot · 04/03/2020 15:36

Any response to your message yet?

DuLANGMondeFOREVER · 04/03/2020 15:15

Make them all watch this!

Magdalen Berns on why Feminism is for women, and not a general equality movement:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnrOLhx6L3c

R0wantrees · 04/03/2020 15:14

We are also having a screening of a talk of a non-binary activist, (again for International Women's Day) about supporting trans people.

current thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3838217-I-think-non-binary-is-actually-reinforcing-stereotypes-and-anti-feminist

R0wantrees · 04/03/2020 15:12

I'm not unsympathetic to struggles of trans people but I feel irked that this is our IWD talk. Starting to second guess myself at this stage, I must admit.

Today's webchat with Karen Ingala Smith is worth reading:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_live_events/3838243-Webchat-with-Femicide-Census-co-founder-Karen-Ingala-Smith-Wednesday-March-4-at-1pm

LiterallyProblematic · 04/03/2020 15:10

You need some of the mermaids stickers

Workplace cake sale to raise money for Mermaids
squeaver · 04/03/2020 15:05

God, your company really has swallowed the Kool-Aid. It's so depressing.

All you can do is let your feelings be known. Calmly and clearly and through the right channels. Although it looks like they're not willing to listen. Good luck.

Lordfrontpaw · 04/03/2020 14:42

I wouldn't go. I couldn't keep my big mouth shut. Unless you 'do a guardian' and resign then resign again publically at the meeting.

Original poster
Cucumbersalad · 04/03/2020 14:40

Apparently according to this activist, feminism doesn't end with women's rights. They will no doubt put us right.

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GCAcademic · 04/03/2020 14:31

Awful. I thought working in a university was bad. But your wokeplace is on another level altogether, Cucumbersalad

Lordfrontpaw · 04/03/2020 14:24

It's International Women's Day - so why is it focussing on a group that has only really recently been demanding access to the womanhood? And as for non-binary - they categorically state that they aren't women, so what have they got to say on the subject? Are they going to rock up at every single 'Day' to give a speech?

Someone who hasn't had a life experience of being female coming in to tell the little ladies how it's done? That's just not right.

Original poster
Cucumbersalad · 04/03/2020 14:19

We are also having a screening of a talk of a non-binary activist, (again for International Women's Day) about supporting trans people.

I feel, fine during LGBT month, but really, could we not have had an inspirational WOMAN?

Looks like they wear women's clothes, but how would it go down to have a white person give a talk for Black History Month? I'm not unsympathetic to struggles of trans people but I feel irked that this is our IWD talk. Starting to second guess myself at this stage, I must admit.

OP posts:
boatyardblues · 04/03/2020 14:09

Just don't turn up, let them get on with it.

Why shouldn’t women turn up to an IWD event? Likewise, this seems to be the standard TRA approach to women and girls who aren’t able to use mixed sex changing rooms and services, whether that’s due to past trauma, for cultural reasons or simply valuing their privacy and safety. To which I say: why should women and girls exclude themselves because someone else has co-opted their event or service in some misguided, poorly evaluated attempt at inclusion?

Lordfrontpaw · 04/03/2020 14:07

Would it be announced on social media?

DuLANGMondeFOREVER · 04/03/2020 14:03

That doesn’t actually help any women though, does it Tracey? Whereas picking a new charity or arranging an alternative charity collection or even just splitting the money between Mermaids and Clitoraid will all result in a positive action FOR women on International Women’s Day.

If the company want to raise money for Mermaids, so be it. It’ll be Pride Month before you know it.

traceyracer · 04/03/2020 13:46

Just don't turn up, let them get on with it.

IAmFleshIAmBone · 04/03/2020 12:17

@hoodathunkit I am so sorry, I was not aware of that. I will report my post. Thank you for the info.

WokeyMcWokeface · 04/03/2020 11:22

@Cucumbersalad I’m currently on leave so haven’t emailed yet! I haven’t seen the official announcement, I heard about this through other channels. I’d be surprised if you get anything from the comms director tbh. Communication isn’t that person’s strong suit, ironically.

DuLANGMondeFOREVER · 04/03/2020 11:14

I’m really glad you all have the comfort of solidarity through this. Much easier to stand up when someone is standing beside you.

Original poster
Cucumbersalad · 04/03/2020 11:14

@Pizzaformylunch Thanks! I'm going to double down and forward my "concerned email" to others too.

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