...to think that if Comic Relief are going to do a "Woman Wednesday" blog about "inspirational female figures", it should have an inspirational female figure in it?

[ArcheryAnnie]

Comic Relief are doing a new weekly blog, about inspirational women.

"Women Wednesday’s is our new weekly column for Gender Justice month here at Comic Relief, where we will be giving the spotlight to one inspirational female figure per week. We focus on women who have created change and spearheaded movements for other women, and stood up against discrimination against gender and sexuality."

Fantastic, right? They've got links to all kinds of amazing women, working in very challenging conditions across the world, who are helping to create a better world for everyone, not just themselves. What a brilliant blog theme! What brilliant, inspirational woman are we all going to learn about today, I wonder?

Well. Here's who they picked as their "inspirational female figure": www.comicrelief.com/news/women-wednesdays-heres-why-lili-elbe-our-inspirational-figure-week

Women deserve better, Comic Relief. You've really screwed up on this one.

I sent an angry complaint. I used very blunt language. GAH

I don't have an issue celebrating anyone for overcoming discrimination or struggles, at all. Not one. What I do have an issue with is that this so-called inspiring women's feature chose to first feature someone whose sole reason for being inspiring is changing their gender. Not supporting others in the same boat, not campaigning for more rights, better medical care, any of that. Her achievement is solely self serving, at the detriment of her marriage and life, and sadly ultimately her life.

That, to me, as a woman isn't inspiring. I want to hear about women who perhaps we don't get to hear about - women in their local communities supporting victims of sexual violence, trying to end FGM, or the myriad of ways women support women everyday. I absolutely refuse to accept I'm apparently transphobic because I think celebrating a trans woman for the pure act of being a trans woman is hurtful to all women.

So basically they chose this person as being inspirational for wearing clothes and having plastic surgery, and they eventually died from having the surgery.

Something for all our children to aim for.

So what? No need to be small minded and nasty about it.

What is small minded about wanting an actual woman to be given the kudos being accorded to women?

What is small minded about wanting kudos for being trans to be given to trans individuals?

What is small minded about wanting gender stereotypes to be done away with so we can live as we would like, without having to worry about whether we 'conform' or not?

What is small minded about being generally accepting that human beings have played with gender stereotypes for ever, for as long as there have been humans?

What is small minded about knowing that women do not have penises?

Then again, it IS small minded to censure women for wanting to be women, to know all of the above as truths!

Comic Relief have picked someone they consider to be a woman, no doubt to publicly show their support and acceptance of trans women in response to increased hostility towards them, including those calling them "men"...

Where do they say that? The project is about inspirational females. It says so. Woman Wednesdays. Inspiring women.

Delusional men who die during a bloody womb implant operation, for God sake, aren't going to inspire young women and girls anywhere about anything.

Is there a link to where I can complain please

BBC. I've just about lost patience with their nonsense tbh

Ah!

Someone's watched The Danish Girl few years late.

Lily Elbe is an important figure for the trans community and I don’t think that mentioning them at some point somewhere is a bad thing. But not on a blog post celebrating women. They should have a separate blog celebrating trans people because in my mind trans issues and women’s issues are two separate things. I really feel like we need to establish a third gender to prevent this becoming a situation of erasure on either side.

So basically they chose this person as being inspirational for wearing clothes and having plastic surgery, and they eventually died from having the surgery. Something for all our children to aim for. hmm

This ^ If they wanted to go down that route, why not pick someone like Jan Morris who actually has achievements worth celebrating?

But I am not so blind as I cannot see the very real dangers of changing laws without acknowledging the real ramification

This isn't about the ramifications of changing laws though, it's Nothing to do with it. It's about Comic Relief holding someone up as an inspiration, and that person being a woman. Nothing to do with any laws!

Yes, it's the first one, but I wonder why they decided that this women would be the first they held up? Could it be that they wanted to make a statement of outright support to the trans community in the wake of such overt hostility? I wonder...

Curious I don't think you personally are transphobic, not that it matters what I think about individuals. But I think when a charity makes an obvious show of support to the trans community, opposing that show of support looks like.... well, it looks like people have a problem with that community, don't you think? And it seems like a lot of people do have a problem with trans people, because this instance has nothing whatsoever to do with the impact of any legislative change.

And yes, I DO think it's important to assess how we come across to others, or the impact we're having on them with our words and actions. Not least because it shines a light on the frequent gulf between our intentions and what we actually achieve. It's not good enough to have honorable intentions if you couldn't care less how damaging your actions are.

Just a quick poll:

Would anyone have an issue with celebrating this person on trans Tuesday?

I'm probably the only one on this thread actually pleased about this. Sorry MN But there are all kinds of ways to be a woman, and being an ostracised, terriifed guinea pig is just one of them. Albeit a statistically unusual one.

You know I"m not going to engage with any of the FWR massive on this, because it's just tedious, People have different opinions to you: get over it.

PS, Gerda was a much better artist than her spouse, she really deserves a proper biography of her own.

You can think what you like, Rat. So can I. You're welcome to call me whatever names you like, I'm actually not afraid of that, and your opinion doesn't shift my perspective on right and wrong.

Again, the (very few) posts in favour of CR's actions here aren't making a case, they're just scolding and reproaching on the grounds of 'its nasty not to be quiet and nice'.

Announcing the celebration of inspirational women (one day a week)the first centred individual is male, and calling his tragic life and death 'inspirational' is dodgy to put it mildly. Call it what it is: this is a loud virtue signal of 'special day for women - look, we believe TWAW'.

A political statement of position. Women are equally entitled to say no, I don't share that belief or political view, I find it offensive, and I choose not to support a charity who is offensive towards women and girls.

It's fine that CR have nailed their colours to that particular mast. Their choice.

But, as I am fond of saying to my children 'you are free to choose. You are not free from the consequences of your choice.' I feel that CR will now experience this in action as women across the UK withdraw their support, and cash.

To me it doesn't seem like a wise choice, on many levels.

I’m in the car after a run I was thinking some airhead reality TV star, I actually shouted WTF out loud I rarely swear or talk to myself.
I it’s appalling why? Why? Why?
I’m now tearful just dropped kids to school DD having some confidence issues at present it’s no wonder so many young girls are disallusioned when their rights are being slowly dragged back to another century

So basically they chose this person as being inspirational for wearing clothes and having plastic surgery, and they eventually died from having the surgery. Something for all our children to aim for.

Exactly. What's "inspirational" about this?

No. YANBU.

This is a clear declaration by Comic Relief, that they support the erasure of real women from public life.

The only women they find inspirational, are male ones.

No money from me this year. I'll be giving it to Fair Play for Women and Girls instead.

there are all kinds of ways to be a woman, and being an ostracised, terriifed guinea pig is just one of them.

And reading about ostracised, terrified guinea pigs inspires you as a woman? An example for us all to follow?

Ffs! I’ll complain too

This isn't about the ramifications of changing laws though Erm, it is. This particular law changes what the word "woman" means. You know that. You know that ANY campaign that seeks to conflate men with women is going to get posters like myself that responding that trans women are men!

THAT is the point being made.

But I think when a charity makes an obvious show of support to the trans community, opposing that show of support looks like.... well, it looks like people have a problem with that community, don't you think? No! It shows clearly that women have an issue with men being hailed as women.

Have a day to glorify trans individuals - maybe even start with a women, trans man to show good faith, that it isn't ALL about males.

There is nothing wrong or objectionable with celebrating trans lives. Many posters here would support giving all trans individuals kudos for being themselves.

Be who you are, don't seek to be someone else, that way lies perpetual disappointment!

I sent them the following
I am disappointed that the first inspirational woman you have chosen is in transformation. Woman should not be erased in this way when you have a history of woman to choose from.

For you to chose a transformation as your first woman to feature shows contempt for women everywhere. I will not be donating to comic relief.

Any organisation that does this will not be receiving my support.

I am not transphobic but I am unhappy with the way women are being ignored for their contribution. You have chosen to do the same.

Elbe bettered themselves, where was the betterment of the wider community that is one of your organisation goals?

There are far more suitable women that you could have chosen.

It seems at the moment with awards and recognition that only a transformation is worthy of recognition erasing hundreds of years of women's fights for rights and recognition.

Um how do I complain, who too? Any links?

Damn it autocorrected transwoman to transformation.