...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 wasn't aware of this woman before reading this but can see why some people will find her an inspiration.
Great! Then celebrate them on trans Tuesday.

And on woman Wednesday celebrate an inspirational woman.

No one gets erased, everyone is happy.

Why isn’t this done?

That poster said “Have a day to glorify trans individuals - maybe even start with a women, trans man” they weren’t suggesting a transman be used for inspirational women blog.

Yes, I did misunderstand Curious's intention, sorry Curious.

We focus on women who have created change and spearheaded movements for other women, and stood up against discrimination against gender and sexuality.

Whether she inspires you or not, she does fit this description.

It does the opposite. Women are discriminated on the basis of their biology. Gender roles are the means by which it's done. A man claiming to be a woman, by virtue of the way he thinks, is reinforcing the lady brain narrative to an extreme.

Wanting to wear clothes traditionally associated with the opposite sex addresses discrimination (they're just clothes, anyone can wear). Doing so but claiming it's because you're a woman, reinforces it.

I don't understand how their choice of person is inspirational to women AT ALL????

It's one individual who has marked the way for men to become women. I applaud the science, I understand the mental and emotional aspect, I admire their tenacity.

Inspirational for me as a woman - no, cannot think of a reason.
Inspirational for those men struggling with their sex/identity - yes.

Rat

So when has anyone 'literally' laid in to you? Are my words, 'literal' violence?

Perhaps you should explain your are using the word in the US informal sense rather than the standard English useage.

RiverTam

The local butcher does fab leek and herb sausages. I'd actually sugest they are 'shiney'.

Perhaps you should explain your are using the word in the US informal sense rather than the standard English useage.

I sort of thought it was obvious what with being (as you acknowledge) such a common usage of the word.... I doubt you failed to understand me, but let's not bicker.

The website says: We focus on women who have created change and spearheaded movements for other women, and stood up against discrimination against gender and sexuality.

Whether she inspires you or not, she does fit this description.

But most women will not go through this kind of discrimination. There are so many other ways that women in history have had to stand up for themselves, yet the first thing CR choose to highlight is something that will not affect 99% of women. Lili Elbe maybe spearheaded change for transwomen, but this series of articles is about "discrimination against gender and sexuality" for women.

I think they're different things.

How brave. Looking forward to your blog entries on inspirational black people Comic Relief, my vote for first entry goes to Rachel Dolezal. You on board with that Lenny Henry?

To anyone doing the standard "breakfast derail", you know this isn't FWR, right? You can't come onto AIBU and then go all "lalala, we can't hear you!" to dissenters out here.

Well of course you can, but if you don't want to hear the dissenters you may as well stick to posting in your echo-chamber.

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...

So, as others have said, have a 'Transgender Tuesday' then? Why choose this person on the FIRST (it's worth saying that again) 'Womens Wednesday'? It's putting men at the centre of women's issues, it couldn't be more blatant. I agree that Lili Elbe was quite pioneering, but it's got fuck all to do with women.

I am a woman and I have a daughter. What exactly did Lili Elbe do that my daughter and I, as women, are supposed to be so 'inspired' by?

Yeah even I think the breakfast derailing is so tedious. You are perfectly welcome to air your opinion Rat I just totally disagree with you!

Great! Then celebrate them on trans Tuesday.

As you are fully aware it comes down to whether you see 'trans' people as 'trans' or just men and women. I don't take offence at a man who has transitioned to be a woman being called a woman, if they wish to be, so have no problem with her being included in 'Woman Wednesday'. We're all entitled to our opinion.

I do struggle with the people on here saying 'oh great, another man in a frock' and 'gender bender November'. These people are anti trans. For those who claim not to be anti trans, but are against this person being in 'woman Wednesday' why don't you say these people saying things like 'gender bender November' are disgusting. Why do you just ignore their posts. They are the people that also give you the reputation of being anti trans.

Sorry but it's a bit boring when the usual suspects arrive to say how everyone is a nasty old meanie pants and wag their fingers.

T**F THURSDAY?

Rat how is this any different to putting forward Rachel Dolezal as the first candidate for a feature celebrating Black people?

I don't take offence at a man who has transitioned to be a woman being called a woman, if they wish to be, so have no problem with her being included in 'Woman Wednesday'.

The very first Woman Wednesday though? Lili Elbe is inspirational because they were a pioneer for trans people. What on earth has that got to do with women?

Honestly, what a load of shit.

For anyone wondering how to complain, I googled "Comic Relief Complaints"

[email protected]

www.comicrelief.com/complaints

I am a woman and I have a daughter. What exactly did Lili Elbe do that my daughter and I, as women, are supposed to be so 'inspired' by?

Standing up for herself. Going against what was seen as normal to be who she felt she really was. That's a pretty good message for anyone to hear.

Although I don't think they should be on Woman's Wednesday for obvious reasons I do think they are very brave considering the vitriol they would've gone under in that time period.

And there was no other XX woman or girl in this entire world who could represent a struggle? Not one?

Come off it.

I don't take offence at a man who has transitioned to be a woman being called a woman, if they wish to be, so have no problem with her being included in 'Woman Wednesday'. We're all entitled to our opinion.

I can understand 'woman' somewhat but FEMALE? Trans women are not female. If they were they wouldn't be trans.

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.

Not to say I find him inspirational. Probably suffered with mental health issues.

Standing up for herself. Going against what was seen as normal to be who she felt she really was. That's a pretty good message for anyone to hear.

Yes exactly: for anyone to hear.

So why the fuck was Lili selected for the first 'Woman Wednesday'? A feature specifically about 'women'? Lili was trans. Absolutely nothing to do with women.

Are you really saying that you believe that they couldn't have chosen a woman from the thousands of women out there who have achieved such great things? There are plenty of women who have 'stood up for themselves over history'.

The misogyny is just unbelievable.

Not a one shotsfired. No women have ever braved vitriol for what they believe in.

I do struggle with the people on here saying 'oh great, another man in a frock' and 'gender bender November'. These people are anti trans.

This is so backwards. It's breathtaking.

Trying to make a man, who is reinforcing gender stereotypes by claiming the existence of a lady brain, is an inspiration to women and young girls is utterly anti women.

No one would have had the first thing to say about this transwoman, had Comic Relief not decided to use him to insult women.

You don't like people being angry, take it up with comic relief. Not the women here for pointing out their misogyny.