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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Pregnancy Charity BPAS rejects pressure to stop using the word "woman"

54 replies

Toomie · 09/10/2021 10:28

Just seen this on Fairplay For Women's Facebook feed.

Article in the Telegraph apparently

Feminist campaigners call move 'hugely significant' as BPAS prioritises best interests of 'majority of those using our services'

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/10/08/pregnancy-charity-defies-trans-activists-keeping-word-women/

I can't do share tokens I'm afraid but it looks very clear, unambiguous and positive.

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foolonthehill · 22/10/2021 16:45

chest feeding is doubly ridiculous as this part of the body even on males is (medically) referred to as a breast and has breast tissue...hence gynaecomastia (excessive growth of one or both male breasts).
"Inclusive" language is meaningless language so often

Piapiano · 22/10/2021 16:35

I've signed Smile

fiveleftfeet · 22/10/2021 16:17

They seem to be doing well!

Just saw on Twitter they're at 1,000 signatures in a day!

Very encouraging :)

Wetdogloveshubert · 22/10/2021 11:30

Signed, and applauding this brilliant news. Direct debit set up in celebration.

astrowars · 22/10/2021 07:34

I've signed 😊
It's the clear way the rationale has been explained which is so important

DaisiesandButtercups · 22/10/2021 07:23

with-woman.org/2021/10/21/open-letter-to-bpas/

The letter is fast gathering signatures! Thank you for sharing it CrumpetShaw.

FannyCann · 21/10/2021 21:40

Thanks Crumpet. I've added my name. Also donated and wrote a card of thanks.

BethnalGreenBambinos · 21/10/2021 21:32

That's an excellent letter.

BeBraverToday · 21/10/2021 21:31

I have added my name to the letter, donated to BPAS and messaged them my support. That's my action for the day.

2Rebecca · 21/10/2021 21:25

Done

fiveleftfeet · 21/10/2021 21:11

Thanks Crumpet, I've added my name.

CrumpetShaw · 21/10/2021 20:53

Apologies if this has been posted, but here is an open letter to sign in support
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePHhmeDc5N9Ty9OpRqZepdoqYZnzjBV5-zgCvYoaNBI5c8gQ/viewform

allsorts1 · 17/10/2021 10:44

I've donated and thanked. I suggest anyone who supports them also donates if you can, even £5 with a message in the box that says "notes to seller".

inigomontoyahwillcox · 17/10/2021 10:14

Chest feeding is utterly ridiculous. If I found a lump in one of those 2 fleshy protrusions sitting on my thorax would I visit the chest clinic or the breast clinic for it to be investigated? I think a cardiopulmonary specialist would think me mad (and my referring GP incompetent) if I rocked up their clinic asking for a mammogram.

KittenKong · 17/10/2021 09:13

I don’t see why anyone should accept it. I’m past that bit but stroppy enough to demand to be introduced face to face to the person who ‘genuinely’ (phobia?) cannot face the term (and ask why everyone has to change to accommodate them even though it upsets a hell of a lot more people)

FannyCann · 17/10/2021 09:05

I find the term chestfeeding instead of breastfeeding, difficult to accept.

I refuse to accept it Oblomov21
It is a nonsense. The chest refers to the thorax generally, and includes the heart and lungs, ribs, pectoral muscles and other parts of the anatomy. None of which supply milk to a baby.
In order to teach breastfeeding it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the breast and to be very clear how a baby attaches to the nipple. Not to a random part of the chest. It's a nonsense and I will never support it.
If a trans man still has breasts and wants to breast feed then they need to understand the physiology behind it. And also that they are still at risk of breast cancer.

Piapiano · 17/10/2021 06:36

Funny that breast cancer is still called breast cancer even though men can get it. But breastfeeding, which can only be done from female breasts, is being changed to chestfeeding in some areas. It's centering men in an area where the mother and baby's needs should come first.

Oblomov21 · 17/10/2021 05:21

Health organisations have faced criticism for deleting gendered language, including Cancer Research which removed the word "women" from its smear test screening campaign and an NHS Trust which advised midwives to consider using terms such as “chestfeeding”.

"Chestfeeding can also refer to using a feeding tube attached to the nipple to feed their baby if lactation isn’t possible."

I find the term chestfeeding instead of breastfeeding, difficult to accept.

Pregnancy Charity BPAS rejects pressure to stop using the word "woman"
highame · 10/10/2021 09:14

I find this statement by BPAS intelligent and accurate. I am proud of their stance on this.

Conservative politicians have been promising reviews of the language used Matt Hancock promised to look, so has Sajid Javid and I believe the previous Secretary of State for Justice was looking into men in women's prisons. Are we getting lots of (non) promises and no action. Are they hoping we'll just move on and accept our removal from society. I think there are so much opacity at the moment and through this, the march to remove women goes on.

FannyCann · 10/10/2021 08:00

It was described as a “hugely significant” move by feminist campaigners after major organisations, government departments and NHS Trusts have all dropped terms including mother and women from their policies.

Also sorry to derail but I know my hospital used to have a "Women and Children's" division. This is now the "Family and Specialist Services" division.

This may be for the entirely innocent and practical reason of spreading the umbrella of the division to include over services such as Sexual Health, which obviously includes both sexes. But it does feel like a loss.

Pregnancy Charity BPAS rejects pressure to stop using the word "woman"
Pregnancy Charity BPAS rejects pressure to stop using the word "woman"
Pregnancy Charity BPAS rejects pressure to stop using the word "woman"
FannyCann · 10/10/2021 07:53

I was going to send a postcard but seeing PPs who donate I will send a donation with thanks. I'm sure written cards are appreciated and collected as evidence of support but money talks.

KittenKong · 10/10/2021 07:28

I wonder if these ‘activists’ also approach male cancer and Heath targeted health organisations with the same request? I can’t say that I’ve ever seen an ad or social media activity a kid, say prostate caner that has avoided using the words man/male etc. and replaced them with ridiculous phrases/descriptions.

Wester · 10/10/2021 07:17

Only women bleed is a song by Alice Cooper 😂

NiceGerbil · 10/10/2021 04:11

'We’ll, as Alice pointed out, only women bleed. So there is that.'

Sorry if I have missed something subtle!

It's not true that only women bleed. Everyone bleeds if they get a cut.

Only women bleed only makes sense if you understand it's referring to periods.

Like so much of the language pushed. It's unclear. Relies on context. And a certain level of biological/ cultural understanding.

In short. It's all shite.

Alekto · 09/10/2021 21:48

There's a video in the tweet with multiple people who link abortion 'the unborn' with the oppression of their various groups. GNC, enby and trans people are all represented as are a few religions and women get a blink-and-you-miss-it mention along with people who can give birth. Progressiveness proved by none of them being over thirty.

Pregnancy Charity BPAS rejects pressure to stop using the word "woman"
Pregnancy Charity BPAS rejects pressure to stop using the word "woman"
Pregnancy Charity BPAS rejects pressure to stop using the word "woman"