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Original poster

Should people be able to officially identify as whatever they like?

238 replies

Whatdidisay · 07/02/2022 22:38

With the news that Bristol university has issues guidance to staff on the correct use of pronouns for students identifying as cats (catgender) has it now gone too far?
Surely if someone seriously believes they are a cat, then they need a doctor and a reality check not pronouns and validation?

OP posts:
SheldonesqueTheBstard · 08/02/2022 17:45

@Georgeskitchen

I confess I feel the same.

UltraVividLament · 08/02/2022 17:50

"some people use ‘neopronouns’ such as ‘Ze/Zir/Zirs’" ... and as we all know, a valid example of a neo pronoun is "nya/nyan" for someone with a catgender. Bristol Uni didn't link to that comprehensive list of pronouns with a caveat saying btw some of these are nonsensical bollocks. If you accept the concept of neo pronouns as valid, then you're accepting that any neo pronoun is valid.

FOJN · 08/02/2022 17:59

Thank god I'm 60 and hopefully in 20 years give or take, I won't be around to witness anymore of this shite

I'm 10 years younger than you and I use to think I would be dead before this madness robbed society of every last ounce of sanity but it's moving at such a pace I really don't think we're going to get away with it.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
senua · 08/02/2022 18:07

ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax: They are misrepresenting the advice that BU has issued
Wait, what.
People are saying stuff that isn't true?Shock
Surely nobody (mentioning no names) would misrepresent facts, would they?

ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax · 08/02/2022 18:10

@UltraVividLament

"some people use ‘neopronouns’ such as ‘Ze/Zir/Zirs’" ... and as we all know, a valid example of a neo pronoun is "nya/nyan" for someone with a catgender. Bristol Uni didn't link to that comprehensive list of pronouns with a caveat saying btw some of these are nonsensical bollocks. If you accept the concept of neo pronouns as valid, then you're accepting that any neo pronoun is valid.
The BU document links to a wiki. Given the context of the link, it is clear that the intention was to explain what a neopronoun is. Even if you decide to believe that by including that link, BU were endorsing everything on the wiki page, that does not mean that "Bristol university has issues [sic] guidance to staff on the correct use of pronouns for students identifying as cats". Because they didn't.
UltraVividLament · 08/02/2022 18:17

But they do state that neopronouns in general are to be used if specified. So why object to an example of one specific neo pronoun over any other example??

I think it's pretty clear it was a fairly stupid thing for them to link to when there surely could be a much more academic source they could have used. That wouldn't have mentioned the more unusual neo pronouns.

DdraigGoch · 08/02/2022 18:18

When have you ever been affected by someone else's pronoun preference?
@ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax there have been posters on here in the past who have been expected to refer to their abuser as "she" in court. For them it is continuing the psychological abuse.

In not so many words, Bristol Uni have said "Some people use neopronouns. Here is a list of neopronouns. We should respect their pronouns". That is a pretty blatant way of saying that yes, you should miaow at people who ask for it.

On any case, as an academic are you not at all concerned at the lack of basic academic standards here? A university document referencing a wiki site. Anyone can edit those, you know.

Whatwouldscullydo · 08/02/2022 18:35

I find this idea of of measurable harm being the yard stick most bizarre.

I mean It wouldn't harm me particularly to go round my neighbourhood feeding all the cats. But I don't because they have owners and uts their job not mine.

It wouldn't harm me to let my neighbour use my WiFi. But ultimately they should pay for their own.

Its this whole approved list of reasons thing again isn't it. When really of someone's forked out thousands of pounds for university fees they didn't pay to ne someone's mental health care provider.

Responsibility. It comes down to Responsibility. Who has it amd who doesn't.

And sorry but the responsibility for validating identity is not mine or anyone else's.

No should suffice

Whatwouldscullydo · 08/02/2022 18:40

And that should be something made clear by therapists and drs from the beginning.

Perhaps the anger shoud be directed at the outsourcing if care onto strangers when it was the drs and therapists job to be clear in limitations, expectations and the lack of obligation that said strangers have.

KarenTheGammonRemoaner · 08/02/2022 18:46

@Whatdidisay

With the news that Bristol university has issues guidance to staff on the correct use of pronouns for students identifying as cats (catgender) has it now gone too far? Surely if someone seriously believes they are a cat, then they need a doctor and a reality check not pronouns and validation?
It went too far ages ago. This is the result of not doing anything about it. (most people didn't) I'm just sitting back now and watching our society implode.
maddiemookins16mum · 08/02/2022 18:47

The world has gone mad. It’s about time this nonsense stopped.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 08/02/2022 19:05

If cat gender people go to the vets can they sue the vet for not treating their ailment? 🤔

shadypines · 08/02/2022 20:01

Same as FOJN said, infact can I identify as being 122 yes old instead of 55 and I should shuffle off this mortal coil any time now before people think they are budgies, trees, wardrobes or a packet of cheesy wotsits.

Original poster
Whatdidisay · 08/02/2022 20:13

What I don't understand is the people who think they are doing a kindness by respecting these absurd identities.
Do they not see that some gender identities are just claimed to make a person feel special and on trend and by just blindly affirming their chosen cat/dog/ferret persona they are feeding the kids self importance, all the while the cat is secretly lapping up the attention and laughing that some people are so gullible!

OP posts:
yesitssea · 08/02/2022 20:26

The funny thing is that we refer to cats as he/she so their pronouns would be sex based, like ours 🤣🤣

WackyDuck · 08/02/2022 21:43

Taking this to the next level, all cat flaps would need to be larger to allow those identifying as cats to have access. Anything less would be invalidating.

viques · 08/02/2022 21:53

@WackyDuck

Taking this to the next level, all cat flaps would need to be larger to allow those identifying as cats to have access. Anything less would be invalidating.
And if we think there’s an issue with sex based bathrooms now then just wait until every public toilet has to accommodate a litter tray......
lovesT · 08/02/2022 22:01

@Littlehouseonthefairy

I'm too old for this shit.
I'm nearly 27 and feel too old for this, I just want to escape to another island with just my family as I can't take how ridiculous the world is anymore 😅
ExtraPlinky · 08/02/2022 22:12

My cat sits around constantly licking his balls.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 08/02/2022 22:13

My cat sits around constantly licking his balls.

I should imagine some students do too.

ExtraPlinky · 08/02/2022 22:13

Is everyone going to be ok when these adults start identifying as children and demanding to play with other children to affirm them?

FOJN · 08/02/2022 22:28

Is everyone going to be ok when these adults start identifying as children and demanding to play with other children to affirm them?

That ship sailed sometime ago.

The article doesn't mention it but I've seen Stephoknee interviewed and not only are they the "younger sibling" of their "adoptive parents" grandchild but they are in a sexual relationship with both "adoptive parents".

If that's confusing to read it's because it's batshit crazy.

thebridgehead.ca/2018/01/29/trans-age-pedophile-defends-himself-by-claiming-that-hes-trapped-in-a-nine-year-olds-body/

AnSionnachGlic · 08/02/2022 22:32

This actually happened in our local school last November. Twin girls ( 14 Yr old) were identifying as cats, and went around school/ town with cat ears and licking eachother! I saw them down town and thought it was a Halloween costume. Apparently the teachers were informed by their parents of their wishes. My son is in another school in the town and shrugged when I asked him, and said that's what they want. He also said that a boy in their class was suspended because he barked at them at school !! Most of us parents really think that things have gone too far, and those girls should really be getting psychological help and not entertaining this nonsense. The world really has gone mad!

Pootle40 · 08/02/2022 22:42

I'll go so far as to say I'm still catching up with 'they'. Every time I hear it my first thought is 'why are they talking in plural?'

Whatwouldscullydo · 08/02/2022 22:44

Most of us parents really think that things have gone too far, and those girls should really be getting psychological help and not entertaining this nonsense. The world really has gone mad!

Imagine when it's all dialed back though. Just how many crazy things can still he being taught but appearing to be reasonably normal because next to the crazy shit it just looks normal.