British Army invites male to talk about his 'lived experience' as a woman

Looking forwards to reading about Ukrainian frontline soldiers and generals who've transed.

You're in luck then as there are articles and accounts online for you to read ;)

I think her opinion can be of use, but maybe more for the trans community or the male personnel.

100%.

So their challenge has been being trans in the army. Not being a woman. Because as a woman I can’t begin to imagine how a male feels.

I think you're right.

Women in the military have other challenges that she won't have lived experience of.

How being downgraded during pregnancy or on the return to work can restrict access to promotion courses.

Or how a breastfeeding mum in the military may also have to consider attendance to promotion courses, exercises or being deployed with little notice.

Both situations are improving but they are still occurring and cause added stress to women personnel.

I think her opinion can be of use, but maybe more for the trans community or the male personnel.

I absolutely don't believe transwomen are women and I have a big issue with infringement of women's spaces, but for someone that has transitioned and has been trans since 2004 when it was very much not accepted in the military then yes, I'm sure there are plenty of people they can support beyond those who are trans. This person has served their country for 4 decades, their male and female colleagues speak highly of them and they have done a lot with their inclusion work beyond for those who are trans- I can't find it in myself to be disparaging towards them aside from attending this particular event. It seems they have proudly stated they're trans rather than pretending they're a natal woman which is quite refreshing also.

There actually really good points.

I'm sure she does have value to add in supporting others,

What, encouragement to more men to behave like this?

I agree with this, especially as they originally came out as trans a decade ago when it very much wasn't generally accepted in the military. I'm sure she does have value to add in supporting others, I agree that this shouldn't be on a women's experiences in the military panel. The main issues facing military women are having children (should they choose), sexual harassment and assaults none of which would affect a transwoman.

I think an army that accepts and validates transwomen has to be a positive step.

What are the positives of the army pretending men are actually women?

Hold up. You are either talking about the smirk, the size difference or the snort. None of these was a taunt.

FFS

The photo's great though, as pp have pointed out - no words required.

I absolutely hate the taunting of transwomen about their appearance. It's really low.

I respect Deborah Penny for being honest that living in man gender is impossible for her and that Deborah is a transwoman. She can absolutely support other transwomen on lived experience panels and I think an army that accepts and validates transwomen has to be a positive step. Transwomen are transwomen. But they've gone and spoilt it all by pretending that Deborah has anything to say about being a woman in the army, and making the fellow panelist's go along with it like puppets. She has no life experience of being a woman. She isn't read as a woman.

Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, said that…

Doesn’t matter what he thinks. What matters is: what does the current head of whichever part of the military firmament organised this event think about it?

It's so old fashioned though, men wearing women's clothes like this is a throwback to the dress codes of the 1950s.

He can cross dress in private.

We don't need to pretend men are women to be inclusive whatever that stupid word is meant to mean. I doubt Lord Dannat could explain what he actually means in plain English without the gaslighting script he's memorised.

“They have tried to be as progressive and inclusive as they can and by having someone who’s transitioned to being a woman male, I think that that’s a good way of reflecting all dimensions of female point of view,”

Lord Dannatt has stated:

Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, said that the event at Sandhurst had tried to be “progressive” by inviting a person from the trans community onto the panel.
“They have tried to be as progressive and inclusive as they can and by having someone who’s transitioned to being a woman, I think that that’s a good way of reflecting all dimensions of female point of view,” he told The Telegraph.

So there. 'Female' is now also just a feeling floating inside someone's brain and nothing to do with the sex of the body.

Me too

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel literal genocide

Oh FFS 🤦‍♀️

Oh dear that photo is a bit unfortunate. It makes me look for the kids about to burst into a chorus of Revolting Children.

😂😂😂😂😂 fuck off

Ah yes, I didn't think of that, so I most certainly am the worst kind of bigot!

The answer to that is that you’re being transphobic to assume every woman had a cis girlhood.
Bigot!

What happens if you start asking them probing questions thay only a woman could really answer? Eg... how do you think the expectations family, teachers and peers placed on you as a girl (not) when you were growing up shaped your career plans? Presumably they'll answer it, but might it help peak a few when they realise how ludicrous it is? Ive never been present in a panel like this, so never had the opportunity to try it!