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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Any recommended genderist writers?

235 replies

bonfireoftheverities · 24/05/2026 18:14

"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." - John Stuart Mill

This is something I've tried to keep in mind over the last half dozen or so years since I heard TWAW, thought "What?" and fairly quickly found FWR. So I've made sure to read as much as I can take from those who truly believe that men can be women, or if they don't actually believe it (because how can you, deep down?), desperately want it to be true. I say as much as I can take because after a while you've seen and heard it all before, and it never starts being convincing.

The latest pile of nonsense I dove into is this: The End of Trans Rights in the UK Is the Start of Democratic Collapse. Dear god, that almost made my brain melt. The links alone show you that he never strays outside an idiotic bubble (Helen Webberley being the first I clicked into).

Is there anyone you can recommend who makes their case without lying and relying on liars?

OP posts:
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EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 10:06

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:51

Are you using AI? So if no behaviour is exclusive to one sex or the other, and transpeople are just relying on “typical” behaviours, how do they know they are not just a GNC member of their sex? What frame of reference are they using to determine they are not the sex they are?

Because that's where self identification matters. What an individual identifies with more in terms of sex or gender can vary. IE a butch reproductive female may consider her reproductive traits a defining characteristic & identify as a cis woman or they may consider themselves a trans man because gender is their defining characteristic. Ultimately personal identity is a values based system.

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 10:05

nicepotoftea · 25/05/2026 09:58

excluded from the phenomena of being a trad wife?

Apparently so! I’m sobbing into my coffee here. My life is meaningless now.

nicepotoftea · 25/05/2026 10:04

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:57

Still not getting the difference between expectations & associations……

I admit that the difference does escape me.

However, more than anything I don't understand the relevance.

Women are generally shorter than men, but a tall woman is not a man.

Until 50 years ago, going to university was associated with being male, but women didn't change sex when they went to university and now more women than men go to university in the UK.

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 10:04

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:55

No I'm saying that an irrational reaction to a phenomena like pretending it doesn't exist when it clearly does particularly where one feels 'excluded' can be attributed to a complex. This isn't at all controversial in psychology.

But no one is pretending tradwives don’t exist. We know they do. Are you saying I’m now upset because I’m “excluded” from being a tradwife? The thing is, I can be a tradwife if I want. I just choose not to.

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 10:00

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:57

Still not getting the difference between expectations & associations……

But what the expectations based on? Surely if society expects me to act a certain way/ like certain things etc then it's because those things are associated with being female?

nicepotoftea · 25/05/2026 09:58

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:55

No I'm saying that an irrational reaction to a phenomena like pretending it doesn't exist when it clearly does particularly where one feels 'excluded' can be attributed to a complex. This isn't at all controversial in psychology.

excluded from the phenomena of being a trad wife?

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:57

nicepotoftea · 25/05/2026 09:50

Always comes back to bog standard sexism.

Still not getting the difference between expectations & associations……

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:55

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:43

Huh? Are you just typing words at random now? Are you saying I’m insecure because I’m not a Christian Tradwife? 😂😂😂😂😂😂. That’s er…. A hot take. So if women don’t act like tradwives they’re insecure and the same with men and “the manosphere”? I know lots of women who don’t uphold your “gender stereotypes”. Are they not really women? Is this why transpeople cling so desperately to these stereotypes? If I do a job typically “allocated to men”, wear no make up, have short hair and wear a men’s tee shirt, everyone would still see me immediately as a woman. If a male did the same thing, he’d be seen as the male he is. Remove gender stereotypes and there is no way for a trans person to be trans is there?

No I'm saying that an irrational reaction to a phenomena like pretending it doesn't exist when it clearly does particularly where one feels 'excluded' can be attributed to a complex. This isn't at all controversial in psychology.

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:54

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:50

No. Stereotypes are societal expectations not societal associations. Big difference.

So transpeople are basing their identity on sexist regressive stereotypes rejected by everyone else? That still does not make them anything but GNC members of their sex does it? And therefore, as they are not members of the opposite sex, they do not belong in the spaces designated for the sex class to which they do not belong. You said sex and gender were different. So they can use the gender neutral, single sex spaces designated for their sex can’t they?

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:51

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:48

Gendered behaviours are typical behaviours more associated with one sex than the other. By virtue of the meaning of the word 'typical they don't have to be exclusive to one sex just more common and some are differences in consumer, employment, special interest & life choices.

Are you using AI? So if no behaviour is exclusive to one sex or the other, and transpeople are just relying on “typical” behaviours, how do they know they are not just a GNC member of their sex? What frame of reference are they using to determine they are not the sex they are?

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:50

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 09:43

particular qualities or ways of behaving which that society associates with being male, female, or another identity

Another word for qualities associated with x would be stereotypes. So I don't need to look that up.

No. Stereotypes are societal expectations not societal associations. Big difference.

nicepotoftea · 25/05/2026 09:50

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:34

That's ironically stereotypical….& particularly convenient for those who feel 'challenged' by expressions of typical gender associations. It's interesting that those who seem most bothered by typical behaviours are those that don't express them ….some would say thats rooted in an insecurity complex.

The fact of the matter is typical behaviours are typical because most people are inclined towards them that's proven in consumerist, employment, life & special interest choices.

For people who like to pontificate about the delusions of others they sure do like to delude themselves about the obvious differences in gendered behaviour performed by most around the globe.

Always comes back to bog standard sexism.

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:48

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:11

And Frank Bruno and Henry Cooper did a lot of knitting. Are they then women? @EmilyinEverton can you name any gendered behaviours that most people of one sex do that hardly anyone of the other sex does? Why do gendered stereotypes determine whether someone is a man or a woman? Men in the 17th century used to wear makeup and high heels. Did this make them women?

Gendered behaviours are typical behaviours more associated with one sex than the other. By virtue of the meaning of the word 'typical they don't have to be exclusive to one sex just more common and some are differences in consumer, employment, special interest & life choices.

nicepotoftea · 25/05/2026 09:46

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 00:04

The sex reproductive system is binary as in gamete design. Sex traits are not. Individuals may possess different combinations of chromosome type, gamete size, hormone level & morphology.

So context is important.

Sex (across species) refers to the reproductive system.

We wouldn't bother to classify sex if we were just talking about people with different traits.

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:43

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:34

That's ironically stereotypical….& particularly convenient for those who feel 'challenged' by expressions of typical gender associations. It's interesting that those who seem most bothered by typical behaviours are those that don't express them ….some would say thats rooted in an insecurity complex.

The fact of the matter is typical behaviours are typical because most people are inclined towards them that's proven in consumerist, employment, life & special interest choices.

For people who like to pontificate about the delusions of others they sure do like to delude themselves about the obvious differences in gendered behaviour performed by most around the globe.

Huh? Are you just typing words at random now? Are you saying I’m insecure because I’m not a Christian Tradwife? 😂😂😂😂😂😂. That’s er…. A hot take. So if women don’t act like tradwives they’re insecure and the same with men and “the manosphere”? I know lots of women who don’t uphold your “gender stereotypes”. Are they not really women? Is this why transpeople cling so desperately to these stereotypes? If I do a job typically “allocated to men”, wear no make up, have short hair and wear a men’s tee shirt, everyone would still see me immediately as a woman. If a male did the same thing, he’d be seen as the male he is. Remove gender stereotypes and there is no way for a trans person to be trans is there?

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 09:43

particular qualities or ways of behaving which that society associates with being male, female, or another identity

Another word for qualities associated with x would be stereotypes. So I don't need to look that up.

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:42

PencilsInSpace · 25/05/2026 09:08

Are you suggesting that social expectations do not massively shape our behaviours?

Yes & no. That's like saying people can't express an autonomous thought .

Whilst some of our choices are shaped by environmental influences to imagine our genetic & hormonal dispositions don't is completely false. Humans possess organic inclinations that are perfectly capable of overcoming societal influences.

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:36

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 09:07

TBH I couldn't give a flying fuck what an American dictionary says. As I'm not in America.

The Cambridge dictionary says
a group of people in a society who share particular qualities or ways of behaving which that society associates with being male, female, or another identity
And
the condition of being a member of a group of people in a society who share particular qualities or ways of behaving which that society associates with being male, female, or another identity

Which to me sounds a lot like stereotypes.
And yes, of course there are stereotypical behaviours traditionally linked to men/women. But I think those stereotypes are a load of bullshit. Liking DIY doesnt make me male in any way, shape or form. I'm a woman who likes DIY (which is apparently a male thing)

Maybe check out Cambridge for stereotype to understand the difference:

stereotype
noun [ C ]
disapproving
uk
/ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/ us
/ˈster.i.ə.taɪp/
Add to word list
C1
a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong:

Help - Codes

Help in understanding the labels and codes in Cambridge Dictionary

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/help/codes.html

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 09:34

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:01

Yes. I mean, if you think about it, the only men who uphold male gender stereotypes are those of the “manosphere” such as Andrew Tate and the only women upholding female gender stereotypes are the conservative Christian tradwives. Anyone else perform a mix of both. Are you saying we should all adhere to the gender stereotypes of those two groups? Really?

That's ironically stereotypical….& particularly convenient for those who feel 'challenged' by expressions of typical gender associations. It's interesting that those who seem most bothered by typical behaviours are those that don't express them ….some would say thats rooted in an insecurity complex.

The fact of the matter is typical behaviours are typical because most people are inclined towards them that's proven in consumerist, employment, life & special interest choices.

For people who like to pontificate about the delusions of others they sure do like to delude themselves about the obvious differences in gendered behaviour performed by most around the globe.

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 09:20

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:17

I totally agree. Our craft group are doing a boycott of his (frankly derivative) patterns. What I want to know @EmilyinEverton, how he knew which sex of person would give him a baby? Why didn’t he ask a TIM? rather transphobic of him I feel.

His patterns are shit! I know so many women who create far better stuff but are female aren't famous so no one cares. I'm always tempted on threads like this to post characteristics of the people in my house and see if anyone can guess our sex/ gender. But a you could AS search me then you'd know.

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:17

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 09:14

Hang on... if knitting makes one a woman, then Tom Daley can gestate his own children in future. Instead of being a vile baby buyer!
Problem solved.

I totally agree. Our craft group are doing a boycott of his (frankly derivative) patterns. What I want to know @EmilyinEverton, how he knew which sex of person would give him a baby? Why didn’t he ask a TIM? rather transphobic of him I feel.

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 09:14

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:11

And Frank Bruno and Henry Cooper did a lot of knitting. Are they then women? @EmilyinEverton can you name any gendered behaviours that most people of one sex do that hardly anyone of the other sex does? Why do gendered stereotypes determine whether someone is a man or a woman? Men in the 17th century used to wear makeup and high heels. Did this make them women?

Hang on... if knitting makes one a woman, then Tom Daley can gestate his own children in future. Instead of being a vile baby buyer!
Problem solved.

Wearenotborg · 25/05/2026 09:11

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 09:07

TBH I couldn't give a flying fuck what an American dictionary says. As I'm not in America.

The Cambridge dictionary says
a group of people in a society who share particular qualities or ways of behaving which that society associates with being male, female, or another identity
And
the condition of being a member of a group of people in a society who share particular qualities or ways of behaving which that society associates with being male, female, or another identity

Which to me sounds a lot like stereotypes.
And yes, of course there are stereotypical behaviours traditionally linked to men/women. But I think those stereotypes are a load of bullshit. Liking DIY doesnt make me male in any way, shape or form. I'm a woman who likes DIY (which is apparently a male thing)

And Frank Bruno and Henry Cooper did a lot of knitting. Are they then women? @EmilyinEverton can you name any gendered behaviours that most people of one sex do that hardly anyone of the other sex does? Why do gendered stereotypes determine whether someone is a man or a woman? Men in the 17th century used to wear makeup and high heels. Did this make them women?

PencilsInSpace · 25/05/2026 09:08

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 08:55

No it doesn't. Did you even bother to look:

Gender
2
b
: the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex

Mem Web.

Stereotypes are social expectations. Typical gendered behaviours are those usually associated with a sex. Big difference.

Are you suggesting there are no typical behaviours more associated with one sex than the other?

Are you suggesting that social expectations do not massively shape our behaviours?

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 25/05/2026 09:07

EmilyinEverton · 25/05/2026 08:55

No it doesn't. Did you even bother to look:

Gender
2
b
: the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex

Mem Web.

Stereotypes are social expectations. Typical gendered behaviours are those usually associated with a sex. Big difference.

Are you suggesting there are no typical behaviours more associated with one sex than the other?

TBH I couldn't give a flying fuck what an American dictionary says. As I'm not in America.

The Cambridge dictionary says
a group of people in a society who share particular qualities or ways of behaving which that society associates with being male, female, or another identity
And
the condition of being a member of a group of people in a society who share particular qualities or ways of behaving which that society associates with being male, female, or another identity

Which to me sounds a lot like stereotypes.
And yes, of course there are stereotypical behaviours traditionally linked to men/women. But I think those stereotypes are a load of bullshit. Liking DIY doesnt make me male in any way, shape or form. I'm a woman who likes DIY (which is apparently a male thing)

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