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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Shock!! WOMEN get Ovarian Cancer

37 replies

BusterBluth · 24/07/2020 14:48

I noticed that my MP (Lib Dem) had re-tweeted a tweet by Target Ovarian Cancer highlighting the reduction of women seeking help for symptoms of ovarian cancer:

Because of the #coronavirus pandemic, there's been a drop in the number of women contacting their GP worried they might have symptoms of #OvarianCancer.

It piqued my interest because of the outrageous use of the word women with regards to a female-based disease (shock! horreur!). Neo-normality resumed however when I saw that several MPs and MSPs had re-tweeted the message but had cleverly changed the word women to people, so that it now reads:

Because of the #coronavirus pandemic, there's been a drop in the number of people contacting their GP etc

Interestingly, Target Ovarian Cancer have been re-tweeting and thanking all the MPs and MSPs sharing their message, but only the ones who used the word women. No sign as far as I could see of any thanks whatsoever to those who changed the original wording to people.

In a world where insanity reigns and language is being bastardised to the nth, I must admit this renewed my faith in organisations who put women and their sex-based health first. Star
I'm also chuckling at the woke MPs wondering where their thanks and pat on the back is, but that's because I'm an evil witch Grin

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GeneticTest · 25/07/2020 09:41

@RedRumTheHorse It’s a mix- some MPs do all their own social media. Some MPs get staff to do all of it- many use a hybrid of both.
The tweets supporting things like health campaigns are more likely to be staff. Anything controversial or offensive is more likely to be the MP. Smile

(I work for an MP)

Quillink · 25/07/2020 08:02

I found this howler on the Mind website today, 'People who are able to have periods'.

Since when was menstruation an ability? 'Look! Blood! Tadaaa!'

Are girls and post menopausal women disabled if they don't have the ability to have periods Confused

I quite liked Mind. Disappointing to see them decentre vulnerable women.

nepeta · 25/07/2020 07:09

Out of the new pseudoterms for biological women I love 'egg producers' the best. Cluck, cluck.

RedRumTheHorse · 25/07/2020 04:03

At least someone else recognises MPs don't do their own social media work.

MotherForkinShirtBalls · 25/07/2020 00:57

ugh, the ad mid thread meant I didn't see Redrum's response before posting Blush

MotherForkinShirtBalls · 25/07/2020 00:53

@Lordamighty

What possesses these MPs to change the wording from women to people? The calibre of elected MPs across all parties is shocking.
Part of the problem is, from what I can see, many public officials never see their twitter feed, it's all done by a "special advisor"/unpaid intern Hmm
Worstyear2020 · 24/07/2020 23:02

Doesn't the word "female" represent a person who born with a virgina? Or has this been hijacked as well?

GiantKitten · 24/07/2020 22:49
Grin
TeaAndStrumpets · 24/07/2020 22:35

We had a vulva for years. It was very capacious , you could fit a small wardrobe inside Grin

( Sorry I'm a bit deaf)

GiantKitten · 24/07/2020 22:08

@YouJustDoYou

They should just ignore the word "women", since it's a dirty word these days, and just use "womb-havers". Mind you, isn't "womb" a dirty word also?...
Today’s twitter treat was “vulva owners” Hmm
YouJustDoYou · 24/07/2020 22:02

They should just ignore the word "women", since it's a dirty word these days, and just use "womb-havers". Mind you, isn't "womb" a dirty word also?...

GiantKitten · 24/07/2020 22:01

(I wonder if he was nobbled by the TRAs in between)

GiantKitten · 24/07/2020 22:00

Interesting. This one retweeted twice - first with women, later with people Confused (also slightly different wording)

Shock!! WOMEN get Ovarian Cancer
Shock!! WOMEN get Ovarian Cancer
Hedgehog44 · 24/07/2020 21:56

I do get cross about this stuff. Be trans. Good luck to you. Be happy. I was born a woman though and I only have ovaries because I am a woman. Argh though. Such a minefield isn't it. A transitioning woman to a man could still have ovaries. At what point do you stop being a woman? I'm going before I get flamed because I don't understand any of it really.

Grumblyberries · 24/07/2020 21:49

the MSP that has been retweeted now using 'people' was one who was retweeted earlier with 'woman', which does make it look like it's a deliberate change (although the earlier tweet hasn't been deleted).

RedRumTheHorse · 24/07/2020 21:42

@Lordamighty

What possesses these MPs to change the wording from women to people? The calibre of elected MPs across all parties is shocking.
MPs don't do their own tweeting. They employ a 20-something intern and/or marketer to do it for them. This is so they don't give out the wrong message and offend the wrong people.

Only saying this as someone who has had anti-Semitic and Islamophobic MPs who don't use public transport who have ended up in the Lords.

BusterBluth · 24/07/2020 21:21

Dagnamit with the re-tweeting ‘people’ version banshee cry
I really thought they were making a quiet, pointed stand.

I just asked my kids what they understood by ‘people who have symptoms’ and they said Confused “people. You know - boys and girls”

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BlackeyedSusan · 24/07/2020 19:14

Ok women and people with ovaries.

SisterWendyBuckett · 24/07/2020 17:53

I would say 'women and transmen' should cover.
Surely women who 'identify as non binary are aware they are still actually women and still have their female anatomy.

You would think so - but non binary also applies to those with male bodies. And not all medically and/or socially transitioning females call themselves transmen. They might describe themselves as genderqueer or one of very many other gender descriptors.

It is verbal gymnastics. But my primary concern is helping natal females, who for whatever reason don't want to call themselves women or find it painful to think about their female body, reduce the risks that their female biology confers on them.

InTheShadowOfTheMushroomCloud · 24/07/2020 17:00

Funny how we don't have these word gymnastics when talking about prostate and testicular cancer - the word 'men' is used without restrictions....

I have no idea why that is....🤔

Michelleoftheresistance · 24/07/2020 16:56
  1. The year 'woman' became a dirty word unless you were talking about someone male.
feelingverylazytoday · 24/07/2020 16:47

@SisterWendyBuckett

My transitioning daughter's at risk of ovarian cancer because she's female, as is her female non binary partner.

The most inclusive language would be to say women, including females who identify as trans or non binary. Surely no one could object to that?

I would say 'women and transmen' should cover. Surely women who 'identify as non binary' are aware they are still actually women and still have their female anatomy.
EmpressSuiko · 24/07/2020 16:43

They have retweeted one MP that said “people” 🙄

SisterWendyBuckett · 24/07/2020 16:32

My transitioning daughter's at risk of ovarian cancer because she's female, as is her female non binary partner.

The most inclusive language would be to say women, including females who identify as trans or non binary. Surely no one could object to that?

BusterBluth · 24/07/2020 16:21

My comment was in response to Apollo and Mark Ruffalo.

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