...to be baffled, sad and angry that Paris Lees is speaking at the Women's March tomorrow?

[ArcheryAnnie]

So, Paris Lees has been invited to address the "Time's Up" rally opposite Downing Street tomorrow, organised by the Women's March London. The "Time's Up" initiative "provides advice and support to women across all industries who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse at work."

But wait! Paris Lees is in favour of street harrassment of women, and writes articles in places like Vice, making sure lots of men know that catcalls are cool and sexy, and making sure lots of women know they have been "infantilised", and aren't nearly as brave as cool, sexy Paris, if they don't like it.

www.vice.com/sv/article/zn7b79/enjoying-catcalls-paris-lees-column

AIBU to be absolutely baffled, as well as sad and angry, that Paris Lees has been asked to speak for women at an event opposing sexual harrassment?

The "spring a boner" comment by PARIS is surely autogynophilia par excellence?

That certainly is a wide range of issues. So wide as to render a march a little... dare one say, pointless? Not to say they're not all worthy causes and all that, but you might as well just go there with a banner saying "Down with this sort of thing" and let it all mean whatever you want it to.

@AnnieGetYourGun yes, I suppose there is that danger, except

I think that the MOST important thing about these marches is that there are thousands of women - in the majority - visible, in public, speaking out, and claiming space.

I’m an historian and I could drone on forever about how radical this sort of claiming of public space is. I won’t thank goodness!

But for example, this is partly why the lavatory issue is significant. In the 19th century, the lack of safe identified female sex-segregated lavatories in public spaces (anywhere outside the home really) meant that women’s abolity to participate in public life was severely curtailed. Some of the documentation of —the lack of— conditions for menstruating women in factories etc just make you weep when you read in the archive.

And so on.

So yes, the specific focal points of these marches might be in danger of dilution. But the big thing is women filling the streets. And the pink pussy hats mean that the visual effect is even more striking (see the footage of the NYC march yesterday). And in a world where male/masculine is the norm, replacing this visually- even just for one day - is wonderful.

YABU.
After watching the documentary ‘Transformation Street’ I feel desperately sad for trans people. Who would put themselves through so much pain ( mental & physical ) if they didn’t feel they were genuinely born in the wrong body?
Personally, I welcome trans women & wish them all the very best.

I have emailed the organisers to express my disappointment.

[email protected]

I think if we all did that the strength of feeling might be appreciated.

Why are these fuckers everywhere now, in every single women's space, event, action group claiming to speak for women? I thought they represented less than 1% of the population? I'm fucking livid at this stage, even more so at the handmaidens colluding in it.

Yes, there actually truly is "one in every crowd".

After watching the documentary ‘Transformation Street’ I feel desperately sad for trans people. Who would put themselves through so much pain ( mental & physical ) if they didn’t feel they were genuinely born in the wrong body?
Personally, I welcome trans women & wish them all the very best.

That's nice dear, but what has this got to do with street harassment? Generally transwomen don't like it either. Should they just put up with it too because it gives Paris the warm and fuzzies?

Feelitstill

I don't think there is a woman alive who can't empathise with gender dysphoria. Our bodies are always under the spotlight. Not thin enough, not blonde enough, not the right size boobs.

Almost every teenage girl has a negative attitude towards their body at some point. It may not be as severe as gender disphoria, but it can certainly make you empathise with the condition.

But Paris Lees is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Perhaps read the links where they say how hot it is to fuck someone who is crying. Or how street harassment is empowering.

Paris Lees not representative of the people on Transformation Street.

Personally I'm baffled sad and angry that the rampant transphobia that has made FWR pretty much unreadable, is now spilling over so much into all other parts of Mumsnet.

feel I have no issue with people who are trans. I have issue with someone standing up to speak at a march to address issues about sexual harassment towards women who has openly written an article saying we should not just accept cat calling we should encourage it as well.

It is a shame some people are unable to separate the trans person from the abhorrent views We shouldn't allow abhorrent views to stand just because of the group type person saying it.

Datun
Ok I’m sorry. I only know what I saw on that program.

I’ll read the links.

Thanks for that. So have I.

As a survivor of street violence, I don’t feel particularly safe at an event with a speaker who advocates steer harassment.

Personally I'm baffled sad and angry that the rampant transphobia that has made FWR pretty much unreadable, is now spilling over so much into all other parts of Mumsnet.

Just report any transphobia you see. Mumsnet will delete it.

I have emailed the organisers to express my disappointment.

[email protected]

I think if we all did that the strength of feeling might be appreciated.

Will do after my next coffee.

Questioning why a misogynyistic male who boasts about being sexually harassed is representing women at a rally against sexually harassment is not transphobic. It’s feminism 101.

Datun unfortunately that's not my experience

Here’s Munroe Bergdorf telling us how to do the women’s march. mobile.twitter.com/MunroeBergdorf/status/954775975769853952

Dear God. This is the same Paris Lees who thinks it's hot to fuck someone while they are crying.

You’ve made that sound rather worse than it actually is. Having read the article what she actually says is

“6 FUCK ME WHILE I CRY

Can we all just agree that it's super hot to be fucked while you're emotional?”

All she’s saying is that in her opinion, being emotionally as well as physically aroused makes sex better. She is not saying that it’s hot to fuck someone who is upset.

Oh yes that sounds totally normal JayGee 🙄

If you prefer cold unemotional sex that’s up to you I suppose.

I think you need to find yourself a thirteen year old to argue with Jay.

WidowWadman

Datun unfortunately that's not my experience

Mumsnet will delete things that are transphobic. What you mean is that your definition of transphobia and their's is not the same.

I could easier understand you thinking this Paris issue transphobic, if it wasn't quite so blatantly anti women.

I personally think the Paris being trans is a problem. Because they can claim to speak for women. When clearly they are not speaking for women.

But even if you remove the trans part, any person, male or female who claims that sexual harassment is empowering, has to be disagreed with, surely?

Interesting that you decided to go for the perceived transphobia, though, rather than the antiwoman aspect.

It's this prioritisation of putting trans above just about everything else, including common sense, that is erasing the voices of women everywhere. Even if you are pro trans.

Who does munroe bergdorf think they are? Are they in charge of the women's march? Thought not. Where's Jess Philips when you need her.

Looks like I already have.

Jaygee61

I disagree. Read the rest of Paris's attitude to sex, which is very damaged in my opinion.

Being emotional whilst having sex is, of course, normal.

Crying, no. Or rarely.

It really doesn't cut the mustard when Paris talks about being used like a piece of meat and how much fun that is.

I have read the rest of the article, she says she sees casual sex as the equivalent of junk food and lovemaking as the equivalent of home cooking, and better. Is that such an unhealthy attitude to sex?