AIBU to be extremely proud of Justine Roberts & Mumsnet right now?

[EmpressOfJurisfiction]

Open access link. www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mumsnet-founder-justine-roberts-transgender-activists-try-to-curb-free-speech-on-site-z3sr3nf6q?shareToken=ade388be59ac427155003eff83c5158c

“Transgender activists have contacted Mumsnet advertisers and said they will be organising a boycott of their products if they don’t remove their advertising from Mumsnet,” Roberts said.

“A significant minority of our users feel very strongly about women’s rights and very uneasy [about the proposals]. This is an issue that needs to be discussed and that’s why we’re prepared to take any potential advertising hit.”

Thank you Justine and the Mumsnet team. "More balls than Millwall" indeed.

I shall switch my address blocker off.

I will boycott any firm which tries to silence women's voices.

Thank you so so so so much Justine and all at Mumsnet for standing up for for free speech and providing a space where anyone can discuss issues that women & girls are concerned about.

I don't have children so have always kept my love of mumsnet a guilty secret, but not anymore... I am now very much publically out & proud as a mumsnetter .

Thank you again

Long time lurker . Just saying well done and thanks 👍

to Justine and Mumsnet (from one who mostly just lurks on the FWR threads, but has learned so much).

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!!!!!

Yes well done. There was also a letter in The Times from the Guides Association expressing concern about boys being allowed to sleep in tents with girls and parents not being allowed to know this was happening. I wonder if there will be more of a backlash once people start to directly see the effect on their own children.

Thank you, Justine, for you and a copy of Voltaire for the activists.

My adblocker is off for mn too.

Good call, Mumsnet, good call.

I would just like to point out that "More balls than Millwall" was originally applied to Kellie-Jay Minshull, our own Posie Parker (not a secret anymore, everyone now knows they are one and the same), who was questioned by the South Yorkshire police force for stating correctly on Twitter, that the CEO of Mermaids had taken her son to Thailand at the age of 16 for castration against medical advice. (He wanted gender reassignment surgery.)

The police who interviewed her were presumably expecting her to back down and apologise for daring to say something factually accurate in robust language. She didn't. That's where the more balls than Millwall originally came from (because round about the same time this was going on, Millwall cancelled a feminist meeting due to the same bullying techniques of a tiny group of transactivists).

Wonderful news. I was on the point of leaving MN over this. I seriously wouldn’t be part of a website for women that hid discussion of women’s rights. So glad this will not be happening.

I have learnt so much from MN and all the amazing posters here. Esp Datun who is always calm and clear. The idea of her voice and the other articulate and decent women who have been exploring and explaining the issues having their voices hidden was just awful.

Perhaps there needs to be an MN manifesto setting out this place’s values which to me are about sharing our knowledge, intelligence and experience as women (and some men) to the benefit of other users. In that sense it really is a democratic community. As well as being clever and funny it’s also honest. MN should make a virtue out of the fact that it’s accidentally become the only place where women are not routinely silenced.

I’m not asking for a manifesto that endorses the MN users’ view on these issues (and I suspect it is a majority view) but one that says this will always be a place where women talk truthfully about what they have experienced, what they know and what they see in every area from best mascara to women’s rights.

I was about to roll my eyes about the schoolgirl crush cringiness but then I read it and I'm right with you. Absolutely brilliant.

Basil - "Arf at "I am sick of poor Latin"..."

Hence the new name...

Another lurker saying thank you Justine and Mumsnet HQ.

It's probably much more than the significant minority of posters who are pleased with today's outcome. I for one am grateful for the opportunities to read and learn via the Feminism boards. So, thank you to all the posters who make it what it is: yes to debate and free speech.

Fantastic stance against bullying by Justine and team.

Well done Justine and MNHQ

I would just like to point out that "More balls than Millwall" was originally applied to Kellie-Jay Minshull, our own Posie Parker

Yes, sorry Basil - I should have given the reference

Dear Advertisers,

When I want to buy something I look at Mumsnet threads. I've done a fair few product tests. If I Google something and see a link to a MN thread that's where I look first. Why? Because the WOMEN here know what they are talking about. They are reasoned, grown-up, honest, have a sensible outlook, are trustworthy and crucially are the people who buy and use the products I want.

From recommendations on Mumsnet I have bought:

A kitchen
Flooring for my entire downstairs
Pots and pans
Make Up
Perfume
Clothes
Toys
Travel Insurance
Home Insurance
Holidays
Hotel stays
Annual Passes
All manner of food and drink items
Fitness DVDs
Music
Candles
Garden furniture
Stationery
Cushions
A television
A phone
Handbags
Suitcases
Zoflora
Vegetable Peeler
Tickets to events
Curtains
Books
Trampoline
Weedkiller
Paint
Bedding
School name tapes
Underwear
Medical remedies
Newspaper subscriptions (The Times because of their support for women)

These things are off the top of my head. If I could be bothered to scroll through my Amazon order history this list would probably be three times as long.

If you withdraw advertising based on women being allowed to speak freely about issues affecting women then you will lose the custom of the people who actually buy things and have spending power.

Somehow I don't think the TRAs will be able to make up the shortfall.

Good on you Justine and Mumsnet!!

And one more thing.

Thank you to Justine and MN from all the very young and little mumsnetters to be, the little girls that won't have to tolerate this bullshit, the baby Mumsnetters that lie in their mothers' arms today and will have a stronger voice because we were not silenced so easily.

A thank you from all the preteens that don't want to share changing rooms with men but do not have a voice in this debate but will have to live with its consequences forever.

Thank you for providing a platform for us to share and to be listened to.

Now we need some advertisers that come to MN BECAUSE they believe in women and their right to express their views.

If I was running a large company aimed at women and girls I would be calling Justine right now and pledging my support.

Keep strong, mumsnet HQ! 👍

Well done to Mumsnet.

Thanks Justine and Mumsnet- no matter ehat your views on this issue - transactivists trying to bully and silence women in this way is disgusting.

TO ADVERTISERS

You depend on people having trust and faith in your brand. That it commands respect.

Can I remind you that's a two way street.

If you want people like me to buy your goods/services then I don't think it's unfair of me to ask that you respect my rights to discuss changes to legislation that impact women's rights.

Pulling your support from MN over this issue would be wholly indicative of a stance that has negative connotations for your brands values.

You don't get access to my purse whilst caving in to pressure groups trying to stop me speaking.

#IstandwithMumsNet