Is anyone else boycotting Tesco's for giving £80,000 to Mermaids?

[loveyouradvice]

Just that really... I was shocked, especially given all the news coverage there has been about the issues recently. I would have expected them to give it to an uncontroversial charity at the very least - and ideally one that most of their customers would like to support

No. I won't be boycotting them.

@EllaEllaE

I'm not going to try and convince those of you who are already convinced that your prejudice is justified. This is the internet -- you'll always be able to find a bunch of random articles or opinion pieces that support your view. You won't be swayed from your bigotry, even in the face of science, changing public opinion, and just general human decency towards other human beings who are disproportionately victimized and killed by people who hate them for who they are.

But I guess I'm feeling increasingly ashamed of myself for just ignoring it on this site, which I feel is a community I'm part of.

The whole assumption behind this post is that 'we all' disapprove of a charity that supports trans and non-gender non conforming children and their families. There are a lot of conversations and posts on mumsnet like this that normalize transphobia. I usually ignore them, because who wants to get into an internet fight with a bunch of angry strangers? But I get a guilty uncomfortable feeling that by letting it pass unchallenged, I'm condoning it. When I let it pass unchallenged, when I could say something, I feel complicit in your normalization of transphobia.

So I'm not going to get into a fight with you or try to change your mind. If you were open to reason, you'd do that work yourself. There are plenty of resources out there on the internet, and ways to hear from trans men and women themselves.

But I do want you to know this. The prejudices you have, and the hateful things you say here on this site or in real life about trans men and women, and people who are gender non-conforming: it is not acceptable. It's also not feminism. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

This post is so indescribably intellectually lazy @EllaEllaE

You have not engaged with the stated concerns about eg affirmation vs watch and wait, the long term effects of puberty blockers etc. Instead you have posted an unsubstantiated load of sanctimonious waffle.

If you have the courage of your convictions, and believe there is an actual basis for accusing anyone of raising concerns about mermaids being bigoted and transphobic, then set it out. I’ll discuss it with you looking at empirical evidence, rather than name calling and shouting “bigot”. But no one ever does this, no one is ever willing to actually discuss the arguments, because simply I think you know your arguments will not stand up to scrutiny so you resort to calling everyone who disagrees transphobic.

I have “done the work”, by the way. I will wager I am better educated and better intentioned on this subject than you are. I’ve never said anything hateful about anyone transgender, on this site or otherwise. They deserve love and support. I can believe that and simultaneously raise concerns about the methodology employed by Mermaids and if you can’t see that then it is you that is close minded and not open to reason.

@Aesopfable

Transphobic posters like EllaEllaE like to think they are on the right side of history as they push the sterilisation and long term disabling of transgender children whilst whistling the tune of ‘no debate’ and ‘bigot’ with their fingers stuck in their ears.

Again. Have you been to a mermaids meeting? None of you want to answer this.

Have you been to a mermaids meeting?

No, but there's an eye-opening transcript from one of their schools training sessions here, with links to the audio files:

docs.google.com/document/d/1aeFV0T6j4PXvm1xZBS_50oSJYV-_gO8YMoFjKjNA_9Y/edit

docs.google.com/document/d/1NDOMlo2aEpBl2ySfKdEWCb1H94tZciKiqUffjH1ku0Y/edit

It's hilarious that the idiots crying out for answers about how mermaids is supportive have spent ages ignoring my posts as someone who has witnessed their support. Typical Karen's on Mumsnet. Honestly you are the issue, not mermaids. Carry on with your transphobia, your homophobia etc. You're in the minority.

@KilljoysDutch

👏 Well put Ella. Unfortunately you'll never change some peoples minds that any person with a penis is evil and trying to invade their female space.

Could you show me where someone has said that or is this the usual trick of misrepresenting the gender critical position rather than engaging with it?

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes were ubiquitous in primary schools
until people started to check them out

grants to Mermaids look good initially
until people start to check them out

I have no strong views on Tesco
but I do know that Mermaids is no longer an inclusive supportive organisation - it has an agenda which becomes less appealing the more you learn.

Trans people deserve support and rights and recognition
but not at the expense of child protection and womens rights

I am, just don't care for homophobes or transphobic pond life.

So you think activism works by someone starting a boycott and not telling anyone else about it? Brilliant

I haven’t been to a Mermaids meeting. So what?

[quote LangClegsInSpace]Have you been to a mermaids meeting?

No, but there's an eye-opening transcript from one of their schools training sessions here, with links to the audio files:

docs.google.com/document/d/1aeFV0T6j4PXvm1xZBS_50oSJYV-_gO8YMoFjKjNA_9Y/edit

docs.google.com/document/d/1NDOMlo2aEpBl2ySfKdEWCb1H94tZciKiqUffjH1ku0Y/edit[/quote]
Yes dear but HAVE YOU BEEN TO ONE? As I have on multiple occasions as support to my friends and child. FFS it's like talking to tar. I'm out.

No, never boycotted anything/anywhere in my life.

No you're all just ignoring my posts conveniently. Funny that

Isn't it just?

As the parent of a non gender conforming autistic child I can honestly say that Mermaids terrifies me.

Me too Mashed.

My son has already asked me several times if he's a girl. Not because he thinks he is but because other people tell him he is and it confuses him. Apparantly long curly hair = girl.

@Lucylaine

It's hilarious that the idiots crying out for answers about how mermaids is supportive have spent ages ignoring my posts as someone who has witnessed their support. Typical Karen's on Mumsnet. Honestly you are the issue, not mermaids. Carry on with your transphobia, your homophobia etc. You're in the minority.

Is this such hateful site, why are you here?

@LemonadeAndDaisyChains

No you're all just ignoring my posts conveniently. Funny that

Isn't it just?

I have answered her, and am waiting to hear the relevance of her question.

I think she’s almost certainly in the majority. Most people I know think Mermaids is abhorrent and not a charity to be supported.

This

Ella There is literally not a single transphobic word on this thread. Where is the hate speech? Please be specific.

Supporting putting kids on a pathway to irreversible surgery and hormones which will take away any chance of a fulfilling sex life and their fertility, is the gross and unacceptable part.

And FYI whilst many feminists support other oppressed groups feminism itself centres women and women only. Of the adult human female type. It is not the job of feminism on its own to prioritise anyone else.

Also @Lucylaine where on Earth have you got the idea that gender critical people are in the minority? The clear majority of people would be “transphobic” by Stonewall standards, not sure I’ve ever seen a poll that says otherwise.

You sadly seem to be blinkered on this issue and not looking at it objectively.

I’m pleased Mermaids have offered some support, but that doesn’t absolve them of being subject to scrutiny.

Awwww bollocks. I've just defected back from Morrisons after multiple delivery disappointments. They're so reliable in comparison. Does anybody have any dirt on sainsburys or are they OK?

FFS it's like talking to tar. I'm out.

Not heard of that expression lol, I know what you mean though and everything that's been said is true.
It's not that no-one wants a debate, or a discussion, it's with the brick walled minds they're just incapable of one and people have come to the conclusion it's just not worth the time or mental energy with some of the posters, they're best off shouting and moaning to themselves.
The post where the keeping silent feels like being complacent, I hear that and I feel the same.
Which is why I can never keep my trap shut either lol

Why on earth would most people go to a Mermaids meeting? You don’t have to have personally experienced something to have a view. Most people read around a subject and make their own minds up.

But yeah Tesco and Starbucks won’t be getting a penny of mine now. It won’t harm them either .

I would - but I already had. My mum boycotted them many years ago (I have forgotten why).

So if posters were able to cite examples of hate speech maybe we could discuss it? Because I for one genuinely would like to understand what I'm saying that's so offensive.

I'll be boycotting and cancelling my credit card.

Aside from girl's being told to move over and to accept penises in their changing spaces and sports, I feel very strongly about children being placed on a medical pathway with puberty blockers, irreversible surgery and infertility. It's the child abuse scandal of our era.

The CEO's own actions regarding her own son, combined with lack of formal training, qualifications or expertise are the biggest red flags of all.

The second recent Newsnight piece on GIDS is a must for anybody who would like to find out more about what is happening to children. It's barbaric.