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YogabirthUK cancel event after Freddy McConnell flounce

234 replies

WinterTrees · 28/02/2022 14:40

Saw this on twitter this morning but can't see a thread here.

Milli Hill was supposed to be appearing at an event run by YogabirthUK entitled 'Gender and Birth: A space to listen.' Milli was lined up to appear alongside Freddy McConnell and another speaker, but Freddy pulled out after the event was announced, on the grounds that Freddy could not appear 'alongside/after/in the same remote vicinity' as a birth specialist who recognises biological sex.

Full tantrum available here. twitter.com/millihill/status/1498060037536714752

The YogabirthUK Instagram link is worth looking at too. Lots of support for Milli Hill and regret about the cancellation of an event that was literally supposed to be providing 'space to listen', but the TRA input is interesting and very telling. (Spoiler alert: TRA claims MH is a disgusting transphobe for being exclusionary to transwomen when - crucially - Freddy is a transman. And excluded Freddyself.)

I am having one of those days when my patience with all this feels very thin. Very thin indeed.

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vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 28/02/2022 15:38

That's great, Ivy.

I propose one of those plastic tourist scene things with glitter and water.

Bet you get one with a rainbow in it.

They are useless little things that don't do much and need a good shake.

IvyTwines · 28/02/2022 15:28

I wish these organisations would just do something along the lines of the tub of lard response on Have I Got News For You, and let the events carry on.

ninetynineAu · 28/02/2022 15:26

Seems to be rather a pattern with TRAs, to agree to participate in an event, agreeing to be part of it, knowing who the other participants are, then doing the dramatic "I feel uNsAfe" performance and withdrawing at the last moment. It's almost like it's a deliberate tactic to disrupt other people's events and gather attention as an """activist""" while not even getting off the sofa.

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 28/02/2022 15:26

Ive been reading FMs account of the birth of FM's second baby on instagram. It's fascinating, but not, I suspect, in the way that FM intended.

This is how it goes, isn'it? TRAs says they'll speak, and then they flounce. Every single time.

Its as if "hashtag no debate" means "hashtag can't debate"

thinkingaboutLangCleg · 28/02/2022 15:08

Sad that, as usual, women have to miss out because someone had a tantrum.

Original poster
WinterTrees · 28/02/2022 15:01

I've just realised that you need to scroll up to see all of that twitter thread on the link I posted.

MH has now revealed that FM absolutely did know the line up in advance of agreeing, so FM's claim that they were unaware is not true.

I just can't get my head around anyone wanting to be such an obstacle to other women accessing information and support. No one would criticise FM for deciding what's best for them and withdrawing without drama.

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Fenlandia · 28/02/2022 14:50

Milli and Freddie weren't even going to be on the same panel, just participants at the same event.

Lottapianos · 28/02/2022 14:48

I'm at zero patience with all this shit. Absolutely pathetic tantrumming from FM, and shame on whoever decided to cancel the whole thing. And yes, yet again, women miss out. Sweet Jesus, are being pregnant and giving birth not among the most biologically female things it is possible to do? What a state we are in when that is considered even a mildly controversial thing to say

Original poster
WinterTrees · 28/02/2022 14:44

Just gone back to look at the instagram post and those comments seem to have been deleted, which is understandable.

All very sad. So many women expressing disappointment that the event couldn't just go ahead with a different speaker if Freddy didn't feel able to participate. But women, once again, have to miss out.

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