It's taken me an age to get through this thread - all this happened while I was working!
Some observations I hope no one leaves because of all this because it feels like bullies with malicious intentions get their way then, however, I completely understand the frustration posters are feeling because I feel it too. It's getting ridiculous, dictionary definitions of what a woman is (that absurd wikapedia page notwithstanding - and yes, the lack of a capital letter is deliberate), defining someone as 'male bodied' when they are, being deleted and even innocuous posts with mild mannered 'yawn's on them being called attacks or not in the spirit? Have you visited AIBU recently? I've had far worse said to me under previous user names on there.
While we are on the subject AIBU pisses me off almost daily - there is generally something said on there I strongly disagree with and even on occasion find insulting. I think I've reported twice; one obvious troll and one vicious attack (on another poster), otherwise, my discomfort isn't a reason to deny other people's right to be rude assholes and speak freely. I simply hide the threads if I am feeling too delicate to handle them because it's my problem.
I am furious that Redtoothbrush is feeling like abuse is repeated on her by allowing these attacks from outside Mumsnet to go unchallenged. She may not recognise me in my new username (post Emma data scandal) but I recognise her (online presence, nothing sinister) and the issues her family have had and she is one of us. Like many of us she comes here for support and to be heard not to be gaslighted into silence.
Also that bullshit above about what transphobia is and how it denies their existence; to say if someone is biologically male at birth they remain biologically male is not denying their fucking existence. If you acknowledge they are biologically male you, how the fuck are you denying they exist? Absolutely nonsensical. Biology matters - I'll be posting a thread on why it counts soon.
And finally, if we are now measuring what is womanly on how pretty a person is and who is jealous of them I just opt out. When I was in my late teens twenties, I'd say I was pretty - I certainly got enough attention. In my thirties I had my children, it altered my body affected already existing mental health problems and had a considerable effect (along with ageing) on my appearance. So ... I'm less 'womanly' now I've actually had children ... I guess ... although I always thought giving birth was a pretty womanly thing to do - not exclusively THE womanly thing to so as we all can't or don't want to have kids but y'know pretty up there. Now I'm older than that even and I'm invisible - now I know it is because I am not pretty anymore, not womanly. Exactly who is denying who's existence here? Older women = invisible and apparently no longer able to state facts openly either.
If there is an exodus here to Reddit GC I'll follow because talk, debate, support and the sheer relief of other women who see the gaslighting and understand is VITAL and it can't be effective when voices (even the ones we don't like) are silenced.