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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Suffragette Lanyard

68 replies

Knickerbockergloria · 18/11/2022 18:29

I have just taken delivery of my suffragette lanyard, ordered after seeing one mentioned on the suffragette scarf on here . I have no idea whether anyone at work will so much as notice, let alone accuse me of being a hateful bigot for wearing it, but anything seems possible in these crazy times. So am wondering what approach to take if asked about it.

  1. "It's purple and green. I like purple and green" <innocent smile>

  2. "It's suffragette colours. I'm an ardent feminist and enthusiastically wearing the colours of the brave women who fought for our rights. What do you mean anti-trans? I know of no such thing. It's pro-women, that's not anti-trans." <Innocent smile>

I'm more inclined towards 2 - but feel like if it does somehow cause unbearable trauma then admitting it's intended to make a statement is more likely to result in me being asked to refrain from wearing it, which I would potentially escalate (as I'd tell them to feck off)

Which do you think is the best approach?

OP posts:
twelly · 19/11/2022 11:26

Not anyone with the feelings but the fact people are made to feel this way

twelly · 19/11/2022 11:25

I feel so annoyed that people feel that they are wary about wearing suffragette lanyards at work - when other wear rainbow etc lanyards. If a company insisted everyone wore the corporate lanyard then fair enough that is rule - black or green or whatever logo. It is the hypocrisy that annoys me

Cailleach1 · 19/11/2022 11:15

namechange10022002 · 18/11/2022 20:07

I kind of want one because of its GC symbolism but I’m in two minds about it. Being from a mixed race and Irish family, I don’t feel like I would have been able to support the suffragettes 100%.

Don't quite understand this. Should Irish women not get above their station, or advocate for our rights? That idea that women should be the martyrs to men's superior position may have worked once under a previous belief system. Reducing women's situation under employment, law, medicine and incarceration (police returning escaped women to the Magdalen Laundries when no crime was committed). I have the very sturdy lanyard in suffragette colours from Standing for Women website (I believe Kellie jay Keane has some Irish roots).

First woman MP elected to Westminster was from an Irish constituency - Constance Markievicz. She didn't take the seat though. There were indomitable Irish women involved in Irish independence and Women's suffrage. Imagine, both at the same time. Have you ever heard of Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington - suffragette and Irish nationalist? The Sheehy sisters were a force to be reckoned with.

Interestingly, there does seem to be quite a few yanks (and a very vocal Australian) insinuating themselves in positions in Ireland and in peddling/imposing yet another imported belief system. As damaging to Irish women as any before - if not more. They have come quite a way, and don't seem to have any real affinity with Irish women. But that is the belief system all round, isn't it?

aweegc · 19/11/2022 10:10

I found a second-hand purple, off white and green Missoni coat online. I can't decide whether to go for it or not (due to price - and cupboard space), but then if I don't get it, I'll regret it! Even if I'm never brave enough to wear it (might be like wearing a target in your back and front!).

RiotAndAlarum · 19/11/2022 09:53

ShamedBySiri · 19/11/2022 09:15

NHS here, surrounded by rainbow lanyards I wouldn't dare.
But also I feel it is/would be wrong to bring my politics to work, work in healthcare anyway, as we should be neutral. If only people promoting the rainbow lanyards felt the same. Hmm

I agree with this! I have the suffragette tartan scarf, but don't wear it on work days. By the same token, I also don't put pronouns in my e-mail and would refuse to wear a political lanyard.

nilsmousehammer · 19/11/2022 09:44

I would be tempted if challenged with 'that's anti trans' to go wide eyed and ask 'so equality for women is incompatible with equality for TQ+ people?' 'so supporting the access and equality and rights of the female half of the population is .... harmful to TQ+ people? How exactly? You're surely not saying that TQ+ rights can only be achieved by subordinating and oppressing women? Is that a justifiable price for the crime of being born biologically female? And let's be honest this isn't a TQ+ thing is it? It's a male thing. Because this is only where female inclusion and access needs conflict with male people's wishes, not TQ+ people of any sex.'

We know you can, in some circles, only be seen to be properly righteous if you're virtue signalling how you hate women and oppress them.

Let's hear people own it.

FourChimneys · 19/11/2022 09:34

I wore a green jumper, with a bit of white vest top showing, and purple boots to a meeting a while ago. The people who might have commented adversely either didn't notice or weren't brave enough to comment.

I wish I needed a lanyard.

morningtoncrescent62 · 19/11/2022 09:28

They're out of stock! There seems to be a run on suffragette lanyards.

SirChenjins · 19/11/2022 09:27

I’m NHS too although not frontline, and I’m fed up of being exposed to pronouns (fortunately not mandatory or even encouraged in our Board) by staff who have decided to use them without having the opportunity to show there’s a wide range of views on this issue.

ShamedBySiri · 19/11/2022 09:15

NHS here, surrounded by rainbow lanyards I wouldn't dare.
But also I feel it is/would be wrong to bring my politics to work, work in healthcare anyway, as we should be neutral. If only people promoting the rainbow lanyards felt the same. Hmm

JamMakingWannaBe · 19/11/2022 09:10

Etsy have some bracelets.

Suffragette Lanyard
KittenKong · 19/11/2022 08:56

I do 2. And it’s very pretty so people ask where I got it.

catbirddogchild · 19/11/2022 08:56

I come from a family which had some very strong willed suffragettes in it. Full on vores for women history. I would love to wear the colours, but I just don't have the energy to deal with any hate at the moment. I am desperately hoping I start seeing the scarf every where so I can join in without hassle. I know that's awful and I'm being cowardly ( my grandmother would be furious with me). I am quietly watching from the sidelines.
I

tothesea · 19/11/2022 08:50

Thanks for the link, they are out of stock now but I’ll keep checking back.

dementedma · 19/11/2022 08:45

I just bought coured ribbon, plaited it together and tied it in a knot to make the bracelet

Manekinek0 · 18/11/2022 23:31

I love the scarfs but are they not meant to be violet rather than purple? I thought the colours were GWV (give women votes) or have I made that up?

Regardless it's a nice way of showing support and might be a good conversation starter.

SirChenjins · 18/11/2022 23:13

It did - and I’ve just ordered one! Thanks for posting it Smile

Knickerbockergloria · 18/11/2022 23:07

Does that link work?

OP posts:
Knickerbockergloria · 18/11/2022 23:07

tothesea · 18/11/2022 21:33

Could you post a link to your lanyard OP . I have googled.. honest.. but couldn’t see any good ones.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325010387418?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=esnX_z_VSra&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=T2Ij9i2VQ7i&var=513962920010&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

OP posts:
tothesea · 18/11/2022 21:33

Could you post a link to your lanyard OP . I have googled.. honest.. but couldn’t see any good ones.

snaggley · 18/11/2022 21:33

dementedma · 18/11/2022 20:05

I wear this. Nobody has asked so far. If they do I will explain why. If they dont like it I will tell them to fuck off

I adore your bracelet @dementedma can I ask where you got it from?

hoochyhag · 18/11/2022 21:24

Just ordered one of those bracelets @dementedma
Nailing my colours to the mast...

Genderwoo · 18/11/2022 21:10

namechange10022002 · 18/11/2022 20:07

I kind of want one because of its GC symbolism but I’m in two minds about it. Being from a mixed race and Irish family, I don’t feel like I would have been able to support the suffragettes 100%.

Well, did you know that this December 6th, under the Anglo-Irish treaty forming the Irish Free State and from Article 14 therein, women not only of property and 30 years old*, were given the vote? Six years before that extension in the UK, so be proud on that account, I guess?🤷🏻‍♀️

*I celebrate 2022, not only 2018, for these reasons.

Grammarnut · 18/11/2022 21:06

CallingOnAvengingAngels · 18/11/2022 20:17

namechange10022002 what is the reason for not feeling comfortable with the Suffragettes please? Both of those things are important to me too so if there's unacceptable Suffragette history around them I'd like to know (if you don't mind sharing)

The Suffragette colours have been worn esp in Scotland as part of the campaign to keep women only spaces e.g. no men (or people born with a penis) in rape crisis centres. Because of that they are considered anti-trans. The colours are pro-women - trans activists seem to have a problem with this idea as well - and a strong symbol of the struggle for women's rights, which is both ongoing and under attack. Wear them if you wish.

dandelionthistle · 18/11/2022 20:59

Only five years ago some network or other within the civil service was giving away these! Funny how quickly things change. Grin