Would anyone like to join in an effort to convince retailers to stop categorizing toys by gender?

[OneHandWavingFree]

Following on from this thread and similar ones, a few of us are interested in discussing ways to send a message to retailers that it is not acceptable to designate 'boys' and 'girls' toy aisles which reinforce the message that science and adventure are "boys stuff", while girls should be primarily occupied with looking 'sexy' or practicing for domestic drudgery.

The first steps might be to draft a letter and identify a few retailers to target for an email campaign. Other ideas of how to get the message across are very welcome too, though.

Would anyone like to join in?

Right, taking the logo ideas on board. Shall spend some time sketching ideas tomorrow and then will upload for people to look at?

Great MoG!

Thanks MoG.

Himalaya I am off work today so will do some online ones then some proper ones at the weekend if still needed.

Oooh great stuff MoG!

"I DO wonder why MNHQ haven't been on to offer any thoughts about this."

I don't think anyone's actually invited them yet?

Please can I suggest that today we invite mumsnet to join this thread to have a chat with us about what becoming a mumsnet campaign involves - from their point of view, and in practical terms for us.

If they're up for it, then we can decide together if it's something we want to do. But for now, it'd be nice to invite them to join the thread, just give us some information for the moment.

What do you think?

I'm off for an hour or so, I'll see what people think when I'm back and if you're generally up for it I'll go invite them (or someone else can if you want to, of course!)

Aufaniae yes...I did! Further up thread, Hands suggested that I report the thread to draw attention...I directly invited them.

I explained a little and said that we would love them on thread, to hear their thoughts.

Flashmob idea just occurred - armed with signs that say 'children's' or 'children' and cover over the 'boy's' and 'girl's' - so, where a shop says 'toys for girls' it would be changed to 'toys for children'. Only problem is we can't stick them because that could be classed as damage, but we could perhaps just place them, fold them....? Similar idea to what Object used to do, they called it feminist fridays and went into shops to cover over lads mags or slip bits of paper with slogans in them. It'll be easy to get rid of them, but might be good publicity if got press interested??

Twitter - think it's a good idea if all the twitter password holders choose a day or time period where they will take care of the twitter account. Saves time and energy by keeping it covered and not wasting energy by having two people logged in at same time if that makes sense? I'll volunteer to take care of either Mondays or Tuesdays, as that's when I have most free time. Anyone else?

also - love the don't box us off photo idea...

I would love to help with twitter

MoG - very excited about seeing logo ideas!
I think we need to keep plugging the survey though and get as many different branches of each retailer as possible. I surveyed a M&S with no 'boys' and 'girls' signs but saw a 'girls' sign in a tiny M&S with virtually no toys so they must be out there!

you can attach with blu-tack without causing damage.

about Twitter - the best way to get followers is to follow people - then people who follow them will see you on their list and it'll self-perpetuate.

I could do Thursdays on twitter

MrsMushroom sorry I missed that. I might have a go at contacting them through another route as well if that's ok? (just in case that bit of mumsnet is bogged down with trolls!) can't hurt can it?

Will people please have look for photographs - examples of retailers getting it badly wrong, examples of retailers getting it right, pictures of kids of either gender playing with toys from the 'other' aisle? And also any memes you come across anything else related / relevant.

It's been 24 hours since we updated Facebook - it would be great to have the page kept current by 'likers' contributions and not just posts from the page.

Thanks!

Sorry about typos - at work / on phone rushing!

Oops had only been 11 hours. And it's been updated now. But still, please post your pics! :)

OHWF - have just posted a picture on FB.

Regarding the rota - why don't we set up a "social media rota" amongst the people that have admin rights. Whoever is "on duty" can be responsible for responding to tweets, and facebook posts, and seeking out followers?

I'm happy to be "on duty" this evening from say 6 (when does the evening traffic normally start?)

It might also be worth repeating the "party line" (what you said earlier) so we all kind of sound the same.

Also, would it be a good idea to invite twitter/facebook followers to fill the online survey to get the numbers up?

I have a graphic designer friend who I have invited to join in. She loves the campaign and is interested in helping, but of course as crazy busy as the rest of us so not sure how much she'll be able to do. But hopefully she'll pop in later....

Some Twitter tips:

When doing a tweet which mentions a retailer / company / author it's a good idea to include that company's twitter handle, as that may well get their attention, and it would be great to get some responses. Also will help to raise our profile.

Make sure you check you're using the right twitter name. Boots for example is not @boots as you might expect: it's @boots_official

We should all be thinking carefully about what we write to make sure it isn't actually libelous too!

Anyone got any more twitter tips?

Thanks Aufaniae!

What kind of things would be libelous? I don't want to find myself in jail!! Can you give us an example?

That's great Annie thanks to your friend. All the help we can get the better....

Well stuff which is obviously a joke could well be seen as libellous. If we said company X wants to lock girls in a basement and force them to only play with pink crap, it would be obvious we're not being serious! (not particularly funny though, terrible example!) but even so could leave us open to an accusation of libel.

More probably, if we said company X wants to force girls to only play with pink stuff, the company might have grounds for complaint. They would argue they're not trying to force anyone to do anything.

I'm no libel expert! (perhaps someone here is?) but basically, the yardstick is, is what you're saying actually true, not an exaggeration or unreasonable assumption? Can you back it up?

One way round it is to phrase what you're saying as a question rather than a statement.

"is Asda trying to stop girls playing with Duplo?" would I guess be reasonable but I would be nervous about "Asda is trying to stop girls play with Duplo"

Xpost Aufaniae re. rota. Do you want to do this evening on Twitter/Facebook then?

I could do Saturday or Sunday, but am out tomorrow eve..

YY to Twitter tips - asking questions better than bold assertions - makes sense.