Pulled up at work for ‘trans views’

Unfortunately there’s a real push to totally ignore the law and just state what they want the law to be. Eg I’ve seen lots of FB posts by various Pride groups saying trans people still have the right to use whatever toilets they feel aligns with their agenda.

When challenged they seem to absolutely believe it. I have to very carefully and thoroughly go through the law, it’s a message clearly being spread from somewhere to maintain confusion. I’ve had to message several admins of Facebook groups saying the incorrect legal position is being put forward which could leave local businesses open to legal proceedings for breach of the Equality Act 2010.

This sounds like a very good idea.

Could you not have omitted to be critical and just said 'My experience of living as a woman is...'? It wouldn't have offended anyone but you'd still have got your point across.

Making a point about 'cis' and then refusing to answer will have come across as obstructive.

I'd ask them to put their concerns in writing to me. That would be very interesting.

I would so be getting on to my union rep about this. Fucking bullies.

Cis or cisgender (look them up) just means someone who isn't trans. That's all. What they asked was correct and valid.

And honestly this type of 'training' is bullshit.

Slightly not the point of the thread, but why should someones sexual preferences, or lack thereof require inclusivity training? If Diane from accounts announced she liked dogging on the weekend would you all be expected to have some training?
The fact that the man wants everyone to call him 'they' strikes me as just attention seeking. But isn't it always about making sure everyone knows how special you are?

And the fact that a healthcare business is giving any time to accommodating the belief that humans can change sex....🙄

Did the person giving the training assume you were a woman or did they ask first? I would have said I don't identify as a cis woman and no elaborated any further. Respect and inclusivity works both ways.

I respect and use my colleague's pronouns, I would appreciate it if I am respected equally by not calling me 'cis' or 'cis gender' as this is insulting to my own personal beliefs which have been tested in court as equivalent to a religious faith.

I expect this to be conveyed to any colleagues or outside training providers.

Recently, a colleague at my company has declared that they are ‘agender’ and asexual and has asked to be addressed as ‘they’. As a result, my company decided to arrange a trans training session where some trans people came in to talk to us all about gender and terminology etc etc.

During this session, I was asked to describe my experience of living as a ‘cis woman’. I said that I didn’t have any experience of living as a cis woman, only as a woman so I couldn’t comment. I was pressed further and didn’t say much, only that the term ‘cis woman’ doesn’t align with my personal beliefs of what a woman is, so therefore declined to comment any further.

A few days later, I was pulled up on this by management who said that my behaviour was not acceptable and that I should be making an effort to be inclusive to everyone. I’m a bit baffled. Can I get others’ thoughts on this topic?

Cis or cisgender (look them up) just means someone who isn't trans. That's all. What they asked was correct and valid.

The revelation of what your occupation is doesn't surprise me. I also work for a captured public sector institution. The Maya Forstater and SC judgements have the law on your side, so the suggestion to put any concerns in writing is an interesting one (and there is no way they will do that).

Organisational policy compels me to address people by their chosen name. I don't have any problem with that. Then there are pronouns. I avoid using sex/gendered pronouns at all for the most part: adopting a 'mangling language' approach which I try to see as a game. I do not address people by unwanted pronouns: that's against organisational policy and could see me disciplined. This way I don't offend anyone and am able hold to my own principles.

What they cannot expect me to do, ever, is to accept the labels they arbitrarily attach to me. I do not accept 'cis'. I will vocally state that I do not accept 'cis'. I do not announce 'my' own pronouns, nor do I wear rainbow lanyards or display embellished signatures. I don't respond to requests for 'my' pronouns in meetings. I maintain an awkward silence, or inform them this isn't a practice I follow.

I've always refused to attend any gender 'training' (aka brow beating), and when this has been included as part of a strategy day agenda I've ensured that for this portion I've been absent. I know that ship has already sailed for you but in the event that you have to stay in this job I wouldn't be attending any more.

The demand that we signal compliance in this way boils my blood. They cannot force you to declare your 'gender' or to dictate the terms in which you refer to yourself.

Respect/'inclusion' cuts both ways.

I would be going back and saying that the comments they have made to you are bullying and harassment. You are entitled to your own view. I would be asking why you should have to accept being called a cis woman as you don’t believe you are and why do trans rights trump your right to call yourself what you want.

Had this happened recently? I'm amazed your employer hasn't seen the news? Bizarre.