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Original poster

Edinburgh Facebook Group

79 replies

EdinburghFeminist · 13/02/2021 13:09

I’m in a women’s Facebook group in Edinburgh. There are thousands of members and it’s a very nice and supportive group. Someone posted yesterday that they were looking at ways to combat misogyny and looking for suggestions.
Another poster commented about the SNP hate crime bill and was politely but firmly shut down and told that Trans people suffer even more than women by the OP.
I had really hoped that the thread would spark a useful conversation which would result in some awakening for some people. I’m so deflated that it was shut down so quickly - and that it was the OP who did it.
I have changed my screen name for this thread and I haven’t felt that I could be open on the FB thread either as my job could be a risk. I don’t really know why I’m posting to be honest other than to say I’m so depressed about it all just now!

OP posts:
Original poster
EdinburghFeminist · 15/02/2021 07:08

Someone has added a comment about women’s sport to the Facebook thread! If you are on here too then THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

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CharlieParley · 15/02/2021 01:54

@MissBarbary

www.google.com/amp/s/www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-backed-majority-snp-support-over-joanna-cherry-sacking-says-poll-3130975%3famp I don't know how representative a sample of 1,000 is but

Almost 40 per cent (37 per cent) of Scots backed the general principle of GRA reform, the poll found, with just over one in four (26 per cent) opposing the moves by the SNP to bring in rules allowing transgender people to self-identify as the gender of their choice

A further 27 per cent said they had no opinion, with 10 per cent stating they did not know

Women are also more likely to back the plans than men despite concerns over the impact the proposals could have on single-sex spaces

A total of 44 per cent of women support the reform versus 16 per cent who don’t. A further 27 per cent said they had no opinion and 12 per cent said they didn’t know

Men were more likely to oppose the plans, with 35 per cent disagreeing with the plans, 29 per cent supporting them, 28 per cent holding no opinion and 8 per cent saying they didn’t

The figures come as SNP voters are shown to be twice as likely to back the sacking of Ms Cherry (32 per cent) than oppose it (13 per cent)

That was stupidly unprofessional reporting of poll results. There's a reason why we had statistics as a subject at university... (Mind you, ethics for journalists was mandatory, at my university too, but there were always some who managed to avoid it.)

The ethical way to report this poll result would have been:

A sizeable minority of Scots support GRA reform, while the majority of Scots either reject it or are undecided.

37% said yes
37% said I don't know/no opinion
26% said no

The issue asked about here is a change to the status quo. 63% did not decide to support doing that at the time of the poll. And typically, don't knows/no opinions when forced to make a choice overwhelmingly choose to maintain the status quo. So a reasonable assumption here is that the large group of those who didn't want to answer the question would say no if forced.

The large number of undecideds suggests that the wording of the question was probably too long and convoluted to make sense to many people, but we'll have to wait until the morning to check whether that was the case (no, I do not believe it's because the issue hasn't arrived yet with the majority of Scots).

Lucienandjean · 14/02/2021 23:31

Me too! I'm in that group and growled a bit at my phone when I saw the post in question. I agree the group can be a bit 'afternoon tea and where can I get my highlights done', but it's useful in many ways, and I at least am encouraged to see there are some other GC women on there too!

I'm in the Saughton Park group too but I've missed whatever excitement happened there. Must just go and check it out...Wink

Wontwheesht · 14/02/2021 23:16

Name changed for this, but waves! Another member of the group, another one unable to comment due to my job.
I was really disheartened/infuriated by the way the GC comment was shut down, but, like previous posters, in awe of those women who did comment and “like” the status.

This thread has buoyed my spirits - I highly suspect there are a lot more women in the group who, like me, feel unable to comment publicly. (And possibly even more who have been sun lighted, despite the OPs efforts to shut it down....)

FluffyLamkins · 14/02/2021 22:44

I’m in the group too and saw the post. A few GC voices thank god.
My job role and the business I work in (signed up to Stonewall) means I can’t risk being honest on fb using my real name. I’ve come across really woke TWAW at work and the women’s network group newsletter is for people who ‘identify’ as women. Even our best practice resources have been transified with example policies and guidance that’s out of kilter with what the law actually says. I’m in awe of those women who stand up despite all the abuse and articulate their views - much better than I can. You are not alone but as there can be such a toxic reaction and recriminations for speaking up I think many won’t risk it.

Original poster
EdinburghFeminist · 14/02/2021 22:03

@ToesAndFingersCrossed

I’m in that group too. I think someone recommended turning to FWR in the reply - hello whoever it was Smile

I know for a fact that there are many GC women in that group, but I think many of us rarely feel brave enough to speak out.

I love that there are a few of us here from that group and that a couple of you have mentioned to me that there are other GC members too. I wonder is there anything slightly subtle we could do to raise awareness without ‘triggering’ a backlash? We could all back each other up in comments too.
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ToesAndFingersCrossed · 14/02/2021 21:45

I’m in that group too. I think someone recommended turning to FWR in the reply - hello whoever it was Smile

I know for a fact that there are many GC women in that group, but I think many of us rarely feel brave enough to speak out.

fatblackcatspaw · 14/02/2021 19:21

Edinburgh women! please do this action regarding Sex and the Census for WPUK. I've written to Tommy Sheridan, Ben P and ALL my MSPs. I'd rather be on a zoom call with other feminists....

womansplaceuk.org/2021/02/10/sex-and-the-census-call-to-action/

NonnyMouse1337 · 14/02/2021 13:24

Hello! I'm in Edinburgh as well. Smile

I don't think I'm in the Facebook group you mentioned but there's another one I'm in that sounds similarly disappointing.

It helps A LOT to find like-minded women to keep you sane. This board is invaluable.
Definitely sign up to For Women Scotland's newsletter. There are lots of ways to help in terms of writing to politicians and finding out information from public bodies, and generally keeping eyes and ears open in various places to find out what's going on.

There's loads of us in Edinburgh and all around Scotland. To cheer yourself up, you can have a look at the slates placed in various locations on the Women Speak Scotland Flickr page. Smile

www.flickr.com/photos/190959205@N03/

fatblackcatspaw · 14/02/2021 12:58

BuffysBigSister I think I will wobble across the links towards Ben's office. Tho he did suddenly find it in him to support Lamont's amendement I think after the large amount of push back in his inbox. I'm going to do the Women's Place action later as well. womansplaceuk.org/2021/02/10/sex-and-the-census-call-to-action/

ArabellaScott · 14/02/2021 12:10

There are deprived areas, sure, Nameity. But overall, it is far posher/richer/more privileged than the rest of Scotland. If you look at life expectancy and earnings, say, the differences between Glasgow and Edinburgh are quite clear.

www.scotsman.com/regions/glasgow-and-edinburgh-compared-politicseconomyculture-1492741

Nameitychangity · 14/02/2021 11:18

Not sure I agree with the part about Edinburgh being a particularly privileged place to be honest - (yes I'm from there). There are a LOT of 'bad' deprived areas, so I really don't think you can say that the 'wokeness' is because Edinburgh is full of privileged people. It's really not. I suspect like the poster above that its the international influence of the University.

BuffysBigSister · 14/02/2021 08:33

@fatblackcatspaw

Ben Macpherson? I had a meeting with him before lockdown about GRA he was adamant that they would not not reform GRA... hummmm
I am in Leith so that should tell you who it is. I think in general the more emails/calls/letters MPs & MSPs get the better. Pete Wishart was insisting nobody cares about this in real life so we have to show them that's not true. It does feel like Edinburgh is super-woke - maybe because of the University but I've had enough. This is an absolute red line for me and I won't wheesht
Original poster
EdinburghFeminist · 14/02/2021 07:02

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

I am hopeful that the political parties realise that members of groups like "where baby chickens come from" are more likely to vote than many other members of other groups.

Surely they realise that 50% of the population matter?

I think that the problem is that most people don’t realise the implications of what’s being changed.
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vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 14/02/2021 00:59

I am hopeful that the political parties realise that members of groups like "where baby chickens come from" are more likely to vote than many other members of other groups.

Surely they realise that 50% of the population matter?

fatblackcatspaw · 13/02/2021 22:21

Ben Macpherson? I had a meeting with him before lockdown about GRA he was adamant that they would not not reform GRA... hummmm

greatpurplepolkadots · 13/02/2021 22:18

@BuffysBigSister

I was in an Edinburgh Feminist FB group a while ago but it was taken over by TWAW. Women who disagreed were culled from the group. So depressing. I actually emailed my SNP MSP last week telling him they had lost my vote because of their inability to support women's rights. He hasn't expressed a view publicly either way but has emailed to ask if he can call me in the next few days to discuss. Should be interesting
Which MSP did you email Buffy? (only if you're happy to share).

The rest of us in Edinburgh could email them as well?

sparklefarts · 13/02/2021 22:18

Are you able to share the name of the group? I'm in Edinburgh and sounds interesting

Original poster
EdinburghFeminist · 13/02/2021 21:45

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

Is Kylie Reid the site owner? I see she's DMing the person who said about femicide stats - wonder if she's getting kicked off or encouraged?
She is, hopefully it’s the latter but I can imagine it’s difficult for her.
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vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 13/02/2021 18:19

Is Kylie Reid the site owner? I see she's DMing the person who said about femicide stats - wonder if she's getting kicked off or encouraged?

weebarra · 13/02/2021 17:47

Just checked out #womenwontwheesht. Looks really interesting, thank you!

Original poster
EdinburghFeminist · 13/02/2021 17:20

@weebarra

I'm in that Edinburgh group too. I do know that there are a few GC feminists within the group (because I know them). I agree that was very dispiriting. I've joined FWS and will be writing to my MSP. I also know that it can be dangerous (or feel dangerous) to challenge. I have a few work colleagues on that group and my employer is in the S'wall top 100.
Ah that is heartening to hear at least thank you!!
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Original poster
EdinburghFeminist · 13/02/2021 17:19

@fatblackcatspaw

Edinburgh Feminst are you on twitter? follow #womenwontwheesht loads of GC feminists under that hashtag... we are many - Edinburgh is World T**F HQ FACT
I’m not on there often anymore as it was so depressing but I don’t have an account and just found the thread - I will keep an eye on it thank you!
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Furrybootsyecomfy · 13/02/2021 17:05

@fatblackcatspaw Thanks!! I’m off to look that up Grin. It was Saughton, I’ve just looked at the post again and it was ludicrous. So many people chatting rubbish about something they clearly don’t give a toss about. I want to buy whoever put the chalkboard up a glass of fizz at the bistro when we can!

fatblackcatspaw · 13/02/2021 17:02

Edinburgh Feminst are you on twitter? follow #womenwontwheesht loads of GC feminists under that hashtag... we are many - Edinburgh is World T**F HQ FACT