To think that James Kirkup is bloody brilliant.

[ScienceIsTruth]

He's one of a few journalists that are prepared to stand up for women's rights and make sure our voices are heard in these difficult times. His latest article is well worth a read. The consultation on self ID opened yesterday, although it was kinda hidden away and not well publicised:

blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/07/labour-and-tories-finally-see-the-truth-about-the-gender-debate/

He really deserves a . Thanks, James.

Brilliant article well articulating that women have been driven and frightened away from publicly debating the threats to single-sex spaces and the safeguarding concerns that presents for women and children.

Transgender activists who use threats of violence to frighten feminist critics are bringing the Labour movement into disrepute, Britain’s top trade union leader has said. Len McCluskey of the Unite union has joined several other close allies of Jeremy Corbyn to warn that “trans rights activists” using threats and intimidation have left many women “too frightened” to engage in political debate.
That strikes me as quite a big deal, and something that others in politics should reflect on. I know that a lot of people in politics (and journalism) veer away from public involvement in this debate, and I think some of the reasons for that are understandable.

But consider these two facts that have come to light this week: the Conservative minister for equalities has said that women have “legitimate concerns” about transgender laws that must be heard and answered; the head of the country’s biggest trade union has said that women who raise those concerns face a “systematic” attempt to scare them into silence.

This isn’t a niche issue, a sideline interest for a few activists and obsessives. This is about how politics works. It’s time for the people who stay quiet to start talking.

Plus only 13% of Tories and 18% of all parties support easier access to GRC.

So why are women talking in public about proposed legislative changes considered so abhorrent that they are attacked by TRAs, had bomb threats, left unprotected and harassed by police plus politicians bystander bully by their silence and lack of action?

YANBU, he's fantastic.

At last - I'm hoping floodgates will open now!

Great and balanced article. Maybe women will feel less afraid to discuss and speak out about their concerns now that people are asking publicly for a civilised and fair debate so that both sides can be heard fairly.

Thank you James.

Excellent article. The trouble with all the trans rights threatening behaviour is that it is stifling open debate. I'm have nothing against someone who wants to live as the opposite gender to their birth. I'd like to find a way to make them safely accommodated in society. I do not want that to be at the expense of my own safety or that of other women. We need to work together to find a solution and attacking women's meetings is not a way to encourage debate.

A lot of people with whom I've spoken (outside of MN) have absolutely no idea about any of this, and are generally horrifed (and disbelieving) when I explain it to them.

They simply can't believe that other people would believe humans can change sex, and really don't like the idea of losing sex segregated spaces (men as well as women). I've encouraged them all to respond to the consultation.

I believe that transpeople should be safe to wear/present, etc, how they like without fear of discrimination, but humans cannot change sex, and there are circumstances where spaces segregated by our sex are necessary and appreciated, and these should remain as such.

I think transpeople should do what women have had to do over the last 100 years, and fight for their own separate spaces. I would support that.

I do not support self ID, as I do feel that they benefit from the gatekeeping presently involved, and it protects all of us from those wishing to take advantage (and it protects those that wouldn't mentally cope with transitioning in the long term).

I also do not support the removal of sex segregated spaces, and I actually think that these protections should be strengthened.

I admire James, and think he's helping to shine a light on these issues. I hope he realises just how much we appreciate what he's doing.