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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

ManFriday on Radio 5 live 6:45

72 replies

SwearyG · 20/03/2018 05:53

It’s bloody early to be up, but the taxi is outside waiting to take me to New Broadcasting House. I’m due on at 6:45, do tune in. And pray I don’t fuck it up.

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SwearyG · 20/03/2018 09:48

Thank you. I'm sure it'll be over by Friday.

Now for World Service and plans on how to influence parliament. Multitasking!

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womanhuman · 20/03/2018 09:51

Sweary, keep on rocking. You’re doing amazing things here. 😍

Pythagonal · 20/03/2018 09:57

More flowers here for you, Sweaty Flowers. I hope you have enough virtual vases for them!

DontCisgenderMe · 20/03/2018 10:02

I've just listened to it on catch up. Sweary, you are AWESOME! You and Amy are both so calm, intelligent and dignified - no ranting, no insults, just a clear, polite, reasoned presentation of your concerns.

I'd really like to hear you put the onus on men to act. If you are told again that TIMs have to use the Ladies because it is too dangerous for them to use men's facilities, can you ask what men plan to do about this? Yesterday, JOB objected to being classed as a potential rapist because of the actions of 'a few', but TIMs are basically accusing all men of being violent transphobes, and this is never challenged.

What do they, as men, plan to do to make sure that men's facilities are safe and welcoming for all male-bodied people, regardless of how they identify? Where are the campaigns against male violence towards GNC men? Where are the signs saying Transwomen are safe to use this men's toilet/changing room etc? Now that would be progress!

picklemepopcorn · 20/03/2018 10:24

Not all men are violent transphobes, so why do they worry about the men's loos?

SwearyG · 20/03/2018 10:27

I try to keep bringing it back to making it a men's problem, but it's hard. We have limited time and no media training, but it is on my crib sheet that men need to budge up and allow TIMs space rather than making it our problem.

I thought I got JOB to agree that because rapists don't wear badges we need to be cautious of all men.

I'm thinking about a line of feminist t-shirts now. Off to Etsy Grin

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FairfaxAikman · 20/03/2018 10:57

Am I missing something? It was mentioned several times that the right to chose your bathroom came under equality law, but I was under the impression that the Equality Act allowed for segregation on the basis of biological sex in certain circumstances (one of which was bathrooms)?

SuitedandBooted · 20/03/2018 11:00

Excellent work - I am in awe of your composure under pressure.

I would like a t-shirt - and stickers, to put up in all those loo's & changing rooms that we are being so unreasonable about!

Cuntysnark · 20/03/2018 11:03

I want stickers & postcards! I’m sitting in a tea room now cursing my lack of supplies.

SwearyG · 20/03/2018 11:12

If anyone wants to listen it's from 55 minutes [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09vznjf here]

Fairfax we have a number of service providers choosing to disregard a lot of the equality act/GRA stuff or being vague in their interpretations, hence I could self identify into a changing room and loo last Friday.

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FairfaxAikman · 20/03/2018 11:21

Sorry Sweary, should say I get that but the TRAs are making it up as they go along and on this sort of platform it will be taken as gospel if it's not challenged, which it wasn't.

ElfrideSwancourt · 20/03/2018 11:23

@SwearyG you're my heroine!!! You are making such a big difference Smile

Freshlylaidterf · 20/03/2018 11:25

missed it but good for you and thanks sweary

rowdywoman1 · 20/03/2018 11:30

Given the complexities of the issues, this was brilliant. It is so hard to stay focussed, rational and reasonable. I was shouting at the radio as the 'this never happens ' in other countries', that 'the male facilities are so dangerous for trans people to use' and all the fiction presented as facts that came out from a couple of callers and understandably wasn't challenged.

You come over as reasonable and credible and that is so important. Transactivists have 'had the room' for several years now and been able to promote their Trump version of reality without question. You really are being important in starting to challenge their narrative.

CoolCarrie · 20/03/2018 11:34

Bloody brilliant Sweary! Thank you for all you are both doing

DontCisgenderMe · 20/03/2018 11:49

Well, you certainly got JOB thinking yesterday! The seed has been planted.

I emailed after the show - once to the station to complain that your account of women's fear of male violence was questioned, asked for numbers, NAMALT etc, whilst the TIM's fear of male violence was immediately accepted, sympathised with and no mention of NAMALT.

The other email was direct to JOB, thanking him for the discussion and giving him some further points to think about. It was in a similar vein, but all phrased as questions to try and walk him through it eg,

'you objected to a woman seeing you as a potential rapist, but not to a transwoman seeing you as a potential transphobe. Why was this?'

'you take your daughter into women's changing rooms. Why don't you respect women's boundaries and privacy?'

'why don't you take your daughter into the men's changing room? Do you feel it is inappropriate for her to be getting undressed in front of men?'

'why don't you want your daughter to be alone around adults in a changing room? Do you feel that she is vulnerable when she is getting undressed?'

'when your daughter is a teenager and shopping alone, do you think that she should undress next to male-bodied people who don't want to use the men's facilities?'

'what should be done to make the men's facilities safe for all male-bodied people to use?'

LaContessaDiPlump · 20/03/2018 11:56

Sweary, you are doing an amazing job 😍

DontCisgenderMe · 20/03/2018 11:59

I just really want to get it out there that if TIMs say they can't use men's facilities, that is because it is MEN who are the violent transphobes. It is not women beating them up in the Gents! Men's attitudes have to change.

The solution therefore has to come from men acting, speaking up and making their facilities safe and welcoming. It is ludicrous that men are telling other men to use the Ladies. It's just an admission that 'yeah, all blokes are violent transphobes and we're not going to do a damn thing about it'.

Pratchet · 20/03/2018 12:02

Don't cisgender me, those are fantastic questions

boatyardblues · 20/03/2018 12:56

What time does the phone in start? Or is it in a separate programme?

niceberg · 21/03/2018 07:15

Sweary you were brilliant. Very calm, considered and concise. Well done woman.

Awks · 21/03/2018 07:36

Well done. You have done an important thing today - thank you

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