WPUK Birmingham Meeting, Thu 15 March

[DebbieInBirmingham]

Just wanted to plug this meeting. With the Labour Party NEC expected to announce on self-ID next Saturday, this is a very timely meeting. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-womans-place-is-a-sanctuary-tickets-42945249397

@TheGoldenBough: The meetings are open to women and men, and there will be other men there. Your friend need not worry.

The venue will be announced on the afternoon of the event. It saves the venue getting grief in advanve from people who would like the meeting not to happen. It will be central Birmingham.

I'm up for meeting somewhere beforehand, guessing it's going to be fairly central

@DebbieInBirmingham

Thanks. Looking forward to hearing you speak

A bump.
I've got my ticket. I'll be on my own but not alone!

I had a bit of a concern about what to wear. In the end I decided not to make a 'statement'. I have been to one Eventbrite meeting before so I have decided to wear again exactly what I wore then - when sex/gender weren't on the agenda i.e. I'm going as ordinary-day-me.

Have pm'd you Debbie

Trying to persuade my parents to attend this!

I went to the London one a couple of weeks ago, alone, and it was completely fine. There was a small group of protesters outside but when I got there (15 mins or so early), they hadn't started any actual protesting. Friendly people on the doors, lots of smiley faces when ticket-checking, a great atmosphere in the room.

Then I ended up sitting next to a mom from my kids' school! Didn't even know she was GC! So that was good. I didn't speak at all (shy!) but did clap (and woop!) a lot.

Hope lots of you go, it was so interesting, and made the issues so clear that we need to fight this fight. Good luck Debbie and all who speak and attend.

Really wish I could go.

For anyone who is worried about going alone, don't be. I went to the London one and any women could happily go in and feel welcome. It was full of friendly, reasonable women. It made me realize there aren't that many places like that.

Hope it goes well.

Anyone from Coventry going? I'd like to go but don't fancy going to the venue alone.

Just to clarify:

The meeting will be held in Central Birmingham, within a reasonable walking distance from New Street Station. The venue will be announced to ticket holders on Thursday afternoon.

The reason for the secrecy is to take pressure off the venue. Some people do not want us to discuss these issues and would try and prevent us doing so by making repeated and sustained calls on the venue to cancel.

I've been to two previous meetings (in Manchester and London) and felt safe and secure in both. And made new friends in both. :) Looking forward to meeting more people on Thursday evening.

I saw someone, a transactivist but the name escapes me, on Twitter warning people, "especially any Labour Party MPs" not to attend this.

Which I took as a very pointed threat to Jess Phillips, though I might be overthinking it.

I so hope she attends to listen to women,regardless of how she feels about the GRA.

I'd be gob-smacked to see Jess Phillips there, though I'd love to be proved wrong.

"Warning people not to turn up" indeed!

That's the sort of language that would convince me if I was wavering. ;)

@TheGoldenBough - there were men at the London meeting. Your friend will be fine

Thanks, Hulo
And there have been no issues with TRAs buying tickets?

I’ve just got my husband to buy a ticket. We’re coming from Warwickshire and happy to meet up if people want to go in in a group formation. Can’t wait to meet Debbie & others.

I'll be coming from Warks too Cunty. Which train line are you on?

Warwick probably.

Cool, I have a choice of lines but can catch the same as you if you'd like to PM your intended train. I'm just checking if my Mum's free as she'd be interested, too.

Also coming. I believe MNetters at other WPUK events carried packet of Pom Bears for identification

We have a venue! Anyone fancy meeting for a drink beforehand? DM me if so. If not, I'll be wearing a green jumper so come & say hi!

Just a polite reminder to ticket holders to keep the location of the meeting confidential. It keeps the pressure off the venue in the run-up to the meeting.

Will do @DebbieInBirmingham. I was just going to suggest somewhere central to the main stations as a rendezvous for anyone who wants to pre-meet.

Do share details of that! :) I may want to nip out from my preparations for a swift half to calm the nerves. ;)

See you there Debbie looking forward to it!

Yoo hoo! So looking forward to meeting all you fabulous women. Will have to get Pom Bears from somewhere!

Good luck tonight - don't forget to post here/on twitter & keep us informed.