Transgender question

[Smokenbubbles]

Why is everyone on Mumsnet seemingly obsessed with talking about transgender people? Why are people so bothered. Has there actually been any incidents or are people just being prudish like with gays back in the day? Like who cares how people choose to live their lives male or female gay of straight green or yellow thin or fat. I've never given it much thought but it's constantly coming up on here. Why?

Thank you Tru - you are brilliant.

Womanformally, I'm not angry and not sure why you would think that. Yes there are valid concerns about self id but I don't see why we can't also fight against other inequalities at the same time.

There was an identical OP to this just a week or so ago.

It looks like mumsnet is trans obsessed because it's the only British site that actually allows women to talk about issues that impact on their lives, without being banned.
So as more and more people are reaching peak trans finding the only place they can talk or ask questions is mumsnet, more people come here to ask questions and learn.

MN feminism board is flooded with trans posts. It gets annoying. But it's a sign of more people peak transing, coming here and learning from the excellent feminists here, as the issue becomes more and more urgent (thank you Westminster).

We need to talk about this.

Yes there are valid concerns about self id but I don't see why we can't also fight against other inequalities at the same time.

I can’t speak for anyone else on here, but I would guess they would be more likely, not less likely, to be fighting for injustice on several fronts at once. That’s usually the way with feminists.

@Smokenbubbles

The main reason why this has become such a hot topic is because of the cross party support for self identification.

This is social engineering on a mammoth scale.

It means anyone, literally anyone, can legally change their sex by downloading a form from the Internet.

Your DH could do it tomorrow.

And it would give them carte blanche to adopt the rights of their chosen sex.

This only really affects women. Because the sex-based protection, written in law are generally to address women's biological function (maternity law, etc) or the acknowledgment that they are disadvantaged (all women shortlists), or the fact that men commit 98% of sexually violent crime, and therefore women sometimes require same-sex provision (rape refuges, prisons).

By invoking, and exploiting, the current equality law and adding self identification, it means that rapists are getting transferred to women's prisons, men are competing as women in sport, and beating women, organisations like the girl guides are allowed boys identifying as girls to sleep in the same tents as girls, without parental knowledge, and middle-aged men are demanding they are allowed to change in the same space as teenage girls.

Among other things.

Perhaps it's best to read the links at the beginning of this thread. It gives you a breakdown of the problems and the terms being used, which are confusing.

Please bear in mind that most feminists are left-leaning, and historically champion minorities. It's what they do.

The trans-ideology is deeply homophobic as it erases sexual orientation.

Not only is it not the same as gay rights, it actively undermines them, as though they don't exist.

It looks like mumsnet is trans obsessed because it's the only British site that actually allows women to talk about issues that impact on their lives, without being banned.

Since there's only one tiny part of the Internet where gender critical discussion is openly allowed, why are some Mumsnet posters seemingly obsessed with complaining about it? Why are they so bothered? Has the rest of the Internet been shut down as a result so that people are no longer able to chant "trans women are women"? Like who cares how people choose to post when it's such a tiny part of the Internet. These "why must you be free to discuss this?" complaints are constantly coming up on here. Why?

OP. I am an advocate for trans people. My job involves working with schools to help ensure that young trans people’s needs are met.
This role also involves being an advocate for young people with a range of needs, such as young people who have been sexually abused.
Schools are currently under a lot of pressure to prioritise support for trans people over others who may have conflicting needs. For example, being told that trans people should be able to toilet, change and sleep in their preferred space where sex segregation exists in schools/ in residential trips. Schools are told that if this is a problem for other students then they should be educated and if they still are not happy they should be excluded from their sex designated space/ a residential trip. Schools are being told that this is because being transgender is a protected characteristic and not being trans isn’t. However, sex is a protected characteristic and the Equalities Act allows for segregation by sex for good reason.
Whilst is is often distressing for some young trans people to not be able to use facilities designated to the sex they identify as, it is also distressing for some victims of sexual abuse to undress in proximity to people with sexed bodies that match the sex of their abuser(s).
There can be conflicts of interest between transwomen and women in relation to differentiating by biology.

My take on the threads on this board is that they are about trying to make sure one set of needs are not accommodated at the expense of others. I don’t think they are about disregarding any one groups needs.

I don't think the fact I'm young has anything to do with people being rude, would you be more rude to someone older? I'd also like to add why would it be assumed I had a husband as ('your dh').- Not very feminist. I'm a single mum. I've already said I'd look at the other posts so no need to constantly tell me to look at the other posts. Why accuse me of not reading when you obviously hadn't read what I'd written either? I know I'll probably get more nastiness for this but I don't think Mumsnet 'feminists' are very feminist. From what I've seen so far it's just groups of woman being rude to other groups of woman. I'm glad it's not so censored it sad that's the result. Think it's time I left Mumsnet now.

And thanks to anyone who left me a reply actually answering my question. Feel like more people could've done that in the time they spent typing rude responses.

Yup.

Disingenuous fuckwit it twas.

Shame.

OP what you don't realise is how many people start up this exact thread just to be goady - truly I have lost count. So people get a little weary/cynical. I apologised to you because I could see from your posting history that you had not been here long and yes, I probably would have been ruder to someone my age who still cannot use the search function There are many patient women on here who have spent considerable time explaining the issues. It just seems a bit lazy expecting them to repeat themselves.

I hesitated over writing 'your DH', OP. On the grounds that you may not have one.

But it's really shorthand for how ludicrous the situation is. Which was the point of the remark.

I know I'll probably get more nastiness for this but I don't think Mumsnet 'feminists' are very feminist. From what I've seen so far it's just groups of woman being rude to other groups of woman.

Well yes, women are allowed to be rude. And when exchanges get heated, it's quite usual in fact. Although generally, on the feminist board, it's a lot less rude than on, say, AIBU.

But you asked Why is everyone on Mumsnet seemingly obsessed with talking about transgender people?

Maybe read the links, and you will understand why it gets so heated.

One of many reasons: I don't think rape victims should have to be examined or counselled by individuals possessing a cock and balls, and should be able to say so without being called bigot and silenced. Because biology matters.

I think that people are possibly frustrated because had you actually bothered to read other threads (as you say you intend to) you probably would not have needed to start this thread. I.e. if you genuinely want to know the answer to your question, stop being lazy and actually do some really easy research.

It's a shame if this thread makes you leave MN, I personally think it's a fantastically supportive place for parents (with the exception of AIBU) on a huge number of issues.

Always good to hear your perspective, Truscum.

I get that women here don't seem sweet, accommodating and nice. But those are the qualities that sleep-walked us into this.