I Would Like To Propose A Solution To The Trans Threads Problem

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Dear MNHQ, I am pissed off with all the Trans threads. I understand that you don't wish to stifle debate/free speech and all that shit, so I propose 4 threads where all trans posts can be hidden go.

A Fuck Trans thread. For posters who hate that people are trans.
A Yay Trans thread. For posters who wish to support trans people.
A Trans Bunfight Club thread. For posters on the other two threads who want to have a bit of a ruck.
And a What MNHQ Have To Say About Trans Threads thread. For, well I think you get my drift.

All other trans posts on the site can be deleted, no other threads can be started and I can enjoy the site more.

pontypines, the difference between this and the burkini ban is that the burkini thing was all over mainstream news/social media/RL.

It was so patently ludicrous it was being talked about everywhere.

Unlike this erosion of our rights, which is insidious and talked about nowhere.

Personally I think that the recent trans threads have been some of the most interesting and enlightening on mn lately. I thought similarly about some of the brexit ones. They don't crop up in active so much anymore so I don't see them unless I go hunting and I don't always.
If the trans threads were to be moved I probably would search for them but they move so quickly in the general forum and spark lively debate which is what I thought mn was for.

I'm not sure about all of the separate boards on the site in general. I'm sure there are lots of threads that would interest me that I never come across because I don't know they exist. I know mn needs some sort of organisation but I would like to see a more open forum, without so much of a need for putting different subject matter in the correct box. I find that a bit stifling and boring.

I reckon when MNHQ tries to decide who gets to deal with site stuff, it's a bit like when your kid has done a really foul nappy that you know is going to go everywhere and it's like pass the baby: "no, you do it", "no, you", "I did it last time", "No, I got the last one like this", "No you didn't, I always get them", "I'll buy you wine if you do it"...

I would wager that this is why aibu and chat are the most popular boards. Because of the variety.

I don't think AIBU is popular because of the 'variety'. It's because it's bunfight central and a bit ridiculous.

YY I think they are pulling names out of a hat as to which MNHQer deals with Site Stuff when everyone comes back from the holidays.

You say preaching, I say educating.

I get that some people have learned something that they did not know before and now want to spread the word. I have neither the need, nor the desire to be educated or preached at by MNetters on this issue. I wish to hide or ignore the topic.

So I started this thread. In Site Stuff.

But yet you are happy to preach about the 4 types of trans thread YOU think should be allowed?

Please answer the question that has been asked many times.

Why can you just not open trans threads or if you do close them again and move on?

Do you really have such a high opinion of yourself that you believed mnhq would go yep ok, Dion has requested it as SHE is not able to just scroll past threads we will do as she demands?

pontypines I posted on the burkini thread deploring the behaviour of the French police and the passing of blatantly racist laws.

And I think my position is entirely consistent. I believe in religious tolerance. People should not be discriminated against in employment, housing, access to public services, etc. because of their beliefs. Nor should they be harrassed on the streets for their religious beliefs - and I fully endorse punishment for racially/religiously motivated hate crimes.

Likewise, I want to see trans people have the same rights to employment, housing, etc. and the same right to live free from harrassment.

However, that does not mean I have to share either group's belief system, nor should I be forced to make "declarations of faith" pretending that I do. I don't believe in God or immortal souls. I don't believe in lady penises or gendered brains.

Nor does it mean they have the right to impose the consequences of their belief on me. Not that it's ever going to happen in this country, but if my local swimming pool tried to make me wear a burkini so as not to offend the religious sensibilities of some of their Muslim users, I would object to this. And likewise, if I go to a not so local pool which only has (sex segregated) communal changing rooms, no cubicles, I expect to be able to get changed without having someone who has a penis present in the same communal changing area as me. (Unlike the burkini example, this is happening in parts of the USA and Canada where "self-certification" of gender is now on the statute books, and it could happen here if Maria Miller's recommendations are followed).

I am against religious parents (admittedly with a strong cultural component overlaying their beliefs - I realise this is not sanctioned by Islam and is practised by a lot of Christians in certain countries) taking their daughters abroad for FGM. Similarly, I am against parents being allowed to support their children accessing puberty blockers when those drugs carry the risk of infertility and enhanced risk of various cancers.

Quite simple - adults can believe, dress, present as they please, and I will support their right to do so free from harrassment. They can't impinge on my rights, though, because then I will get cross. Nor should they be using those beliefs as a reason to carry out possibly permanent changes to their children's bodies.

I think dealing with Site stuff will be a disciplinary tool at MNHQ.

Late for work? 2 days of Site stuff. Messed up the office microwave? 1 day. Forgot to put the gin order in before stocks run out? 2 weeks Site stuff detention.

I think it's rare for anything requested in Site Stuff to actually be granted. The frequent requests for a Hide Poster option never have been.

It doesn't mean you can't ask though and gauge opinion.

Still no comment from HQ on this? As previous posters have said, they are probably busy trying to work out who will have the unsavory task of dealing with yet another Site Stuff thread.

It's simple HQ, just create a Trans Discussion topic and move any thread that is started elsewhere "for traffic".

^ re creating a trans section to put all the threads into...
Katemumsnet 19.13
"There are no plans for this currently - and this isn't the kind of thing we'd do unless there was a pretty broad consensus in favour."

Oooh just coming on to post that myself kimmy

why can you just not open trans threads or if you do close them again and move on?

But if people post a style and beauty question in chat they are pointed to style and beauty where posters seek out and want to talk about that stuff. Same for Christmas, feminism, celebs, SN, relationships and other topics.

I see this as the same - a space/section for people who want to talk about trans stuff. Is that not the point of the boards?

Is that on this thread Kimmy? I scrolled back but can't see it, and there's no 'MN have commented' at the top. Scrolling back I noticed there have been loads of deleted posts though.

No it's on the thread about the MNHQ response to the Sparticus thread sparkling. Kate has been on tonight trying to explain MN's view (in short, pushing us onto one side could mean blanket bans when we are trying our best to give you freedom of speech dammit).

Hi folks. Sorry for the delay getting back to you on this thread.
In short, the answer is no, a separate trans topic is not something we are considering currently.
As previous posters have just mentioned, KateMumsnet has been posting on this thread tonight and touches on this subject as well as other matters related to these threads, so do go over and have a read if you haven't already.

Thanks Iona. Glad sense and freedom of speech prevails on MN

Right so a part of MN want a separate area for trans discussions so they can ignore it and another part want a separate area to encourage debate and a safe space (to coin a phrase) for women to discuss. But it's not even on the table?
Why?

What usual said.

Presumably because if a separate area is created then you will get hoards of posters popping up going "trans section is that way" or reporting threads and demanding they be moved. It's not like S&B or breastfeeding where people don't mind if a thread is elsewhere - they might say "try S&B you might get better responses" but they won't push it whereas I think trans threads would be pushed.

"another part want a separate area to encourage debate and a safe space"

Erm... Who exactly is that "part" of MN?

Debate on these issues is raging in 5 separate threads on any given time and doesn't really need to be "encouraged" imho.

And what kind of "safe space" do you think this subject needs? Parents of trans children and trans MNers already have safe spaces, where those who want to debate stay away from.

Debaters on the second thread on the Parents of trans children^ topic quite clearly did not get that memo, anorexia issues aside, OP got totally ambushed on that thread.

Report them, then. That is the topic that is supposed to be safe.