This is a paraphrase of my post in the third thread in chat. It seems appropriate here:
Uncomfortable though these threads are for some people, I think they are very important and it's extremely valuable that they are in chat and not FWR. The number of people who have posted 'omg I never realised this was happening' but who would not have looked at FWR is proof of that. These are overwhelmingly people who have in the past been supportive of trans, in many cases strong trans allies. They are not ignorant, they don't need educating, they've just woken up and noticed what's going on and how it affects them and their rights.
These are not 'trans threads', they are threads about women's rights and how these are being eroded by a small (but disproportionately powerful) group of people who at best don't give a shit about women, their wellbeing and safety, and at worst actively hate women. This affects us all, including those of us who have trans people in our lives who we love and respect, and including ordinary trans people who are being used as pawns in some really ugly politics.
This small, dangerous group of people are getting laws changed in ways which harm women and are creating a climate where it is becoming increasingly difficult for women to organise ourselves without the presence of men, speak about women's issues or even define those issues or ourselves. This really matters and women need to be able to talk about what's happening. There are very few places on the internet or in RL where these conversations can be had. I am very grateful we have space for these discussions on MN and I hope that doesn't change.
Meanwhile, as far as I can tell, nobody posts gender-critical stuff in these sections:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/lgbt_parents
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/lgbt_children
OP do you think these sections are adequate or do you still feel another section is needed?