Remember the Girlguides thread? We have our first success!

[AgnesBadenPowell]

A few weeks ago I posted here and in AIBU about Girlguiding UK and their transgender policy - I'm a leader. I'm also using the App so can't link to the threads but will come back later when I'm on a laptop.

I did not expect such a large response - over 800 posts in all. The support has been amazing. Via those threads, some people made contact with me and another leader and bravely agreed to speak out about their concerns.

We now have a story published in today's Sunday Times! This couldn't have happened without your support, input and encouragement. I'm grateful to everyone.

The only downside is the original article was heavily edited at the 11th hour to make way for other stories. Lots of other points and quotes were cut out. I made it clear to the reporter that I love Guiding and it was a tough decision to be publicly critical. I was also clear that GG's policy, however misguided, was written with good intentions. This was all lost in the editing.

The important thing is the message is out there now and GG will have to do something.

Do also check out the comments - lots of common sense and reasonableness. If we can demonstrate that there's lots of interest then we have more chance of a follow up so please leave comments if you can; I plan to stay in touch with the ST.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gender-swap-boys-spark-guides-revolt-wtcv7xjk5?shareToken=772e2cb2a2f2c493cf7fdcdbc245ab9b

I'm off to name change and then go to lunch but I'll be back later. Thanks again

Well done Agnes I think the article is very mild and fair even after the edit. Such important points made.

Well done. I’m in constant awe of the brave women who speak out publicly. At least you know where to come for support if you get shit. Be careful of the GG bosses now, as they might try to set you up as being ‘transphobic’. Watch your back. There are more strong women speaking out every day.

@AgnesBadenPowell that's fabulous work and a good article. The comments are really positive.

@thebewilderness posted this link in another thread:

publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmwomeq/91/91.pdf

If you do get it front of Girl Guides, you should refer them to the following:

In 2015 Girlguiding UK found that 75% of girls and young women said anxiety about
potentially experiencing sexual harassment affects their lives in some way. The same
survey found that 90% of young women aged 13–21 agreed that the Government should make sure all schools are addressing sexual harassment and bullying in schools

and ask how it correlates to their trans policy.

well done.
We offer a bespoke guidance service
FFS

We offer a bespoke guidance service

You will be assimilated.

Well done 👍

Do you have a copy of the original full article? Reading it did feel as though there was information missing - would love to read the full intended article.

Well done @AgnesBadenPowell and you got some brilliant comments too.

Absolutely fantastic - such a wonderful effort and eminently sensible too so very shareable. Thank you for speaking out and I hope this makes a difference.

Well done OP, this will be harder and harder for GG to ignore

Much respect to you and much love.

Thank you so much!

I just am in awe of younger women doing this. It's so uplifting to know that the younger generation are willing and able.

xx

You will be assimilated.

Well done agnes!

Great job!

The fact that GG also says that any girls who do not "identify as" girls need to be signposted towards different organisations is grim as well.

No-one has asked women (as a group) if they even experience this concept "a strongly held internal sense of gender" (as stonewall describe it). They assert that the vast majority of people have this, that a small number of people don't but this is rare. Thread on MN some years ago there was only 1 woman out of ?couple hundred who said they had this feeling. No-one has asked women. If GG genuinly say that all who do not have a strongly held internal sense that they are a girl has to leave, how many will be left?

I have still yet to see anything around this that is not related to stereotypes - most girls will understand this (if they push it) as "this is an organisation for feminine boys and girls" which is a shocker as it's always been a highly feminist org - centering women and girls as it does - or at least, did.

Fantastic! Well done

One small step on the road back to sanity, at least that is what I am hoping for!

We offer a bespoke guidance service = We've got splinters on arses from all this fence-sitting.

Great article and comments, its such a relief to hear the issue discussed without any of the usual seething bile. There have been nearly 50 new signatures to the petition this morning, and some of them are down to this article.

Have used this article to Peak trans my MIL and FIL

Good job! I think it will be the danger to children element that shuts the TRA nonsense down in the end, once average parents understand what it means for their kids.

Well done Agnes - great work!

Well done, Agnes. Thank you

Brilliant work!!! I love that people are finally having their eyes opened thanks to the fantastic and courageous women who are speaking out and doing it so well!!

Agree - great work 👍

What a result AgnesBadenPowell. Excellent article, though shorter than you hoped, and very sensible, supportive comments. Well done.

Congratulations and thank you Agnes

Absolutely fantastic. Thank you.