Thanks to the Amazing Women of FWR

[WanderinWomb]

I have de-lurked (un-lurked?) after many many years to say this.
I can only read this board for a couple of weeks before needing to take a few months off in a repeating cycle it's so infuriating and frustrating that my blood pressure canna take it. How do you do it?

There so many amazing strong , clever and impressively persistent women here that I don't have enough hats to take off to you all.

The piss trolls, poo trolls, the patronising , the perverts, the needy, the narcissists and the downright nasty just keep coming and so many of you stay regardless to keep standing up for women.

I picture a line of those tennis ball launchers pounding out the misogyny one side of the net and Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams one the other. You just keep hitting them back with seemingly endless reserves of practice, patience and power.

Thank you. I love you. Hurrah to the women of FWR Mumsnet .

You have no idea how many THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of lurkers appreciate you. Never stop.

Am so happy to be part of this mini de-lurking.

I hope more and more of us do , this really is a critical time for more voices to be heard.

The Twitter shit balls of misogyny keep on being flung and though some of us might not be able to smash them away we can at least bring you barley water and fresh t-shirts.

MN know how many lurkers read this area and am sure they know how very valuable it is advertising wise. They also know if FWR goes the woman hating fuckers will just move on to the fertility, breastfeeding etc topics. They need us here. The power, determination and intellect on here protects the whole site.

Waves at the de-lurkers!

You should come and talk more. The more the merrier - and nobody's voice is less than.

MN know how many lurkers read this area and am sure they know how very valuable it is advertising wise. They also know if FWR goes the woman hating fuckers will just move on to the fertility, breastfeeding etc topics. They need us here. The power, determination and intellect on here protects the whole site.

In my darker moments, I foresee a future where women are confined onto threads where they can have opinions on 'suitable' subjects, such as prams. There are only so many prams you can buy in one lifetime.

Yes - you lurkers - please do come forward. A discussion is ALWAYS more enlightened when lurkers step up.

to all the GC feminists.

C’mon, enough of the “but not me!” - let’s own this. Every woman who posts here is contributing in a very real way towards this. Change does not occur in a vacuum and the more women who read/absorb/know about this the better. We will win this.

Also de-lurking to say I read the feminist boards on here a lot and so appreciate all I have learned, although some of it is pretty bloody terrifying. Thanks to all you regular posters, @Datun et al, sometimes I think of starting a thread to ask one of you to explain how it is that there seems to be this poisonous situation between some trans people and GC feminists - is it just a simple issue of men who hate women and want to obliterate or replace us? Whatever it is, it makes me anxious for the future. Sorry for the stream-of-consciousness waffle

Hexe

That wasn't waffle!

Identifies thank you. Just signed the petition above.

When I first started really reading these boards at the start of this year I felt like I was doing some sort of incredibly complicated sociology degree. I have somehow managed to make it to the age of 41 believing I'm a feminist but not really understanding what that means. I'm still catching up.

I'm really only qualified to post when piss taking is in order (or blind fury), so the rest of the time I read and nod.

oh fucking hell. And thank you to the regulars for the continuing education

"Today 17:43 Writersblock2
C’mon, enough of the “but not me!” - let’s own this. Every woman who posts here is contributing in a very real way towards this. Change does not occur in a vacuum and the more women who read/absorb/know about this the better. We will win this."

I agree every contribution is valuable but it has to be said some of the regulars amaze and astound me with their intelligence, communication skills and patience. I simply don't have the disposition . I believe " go have a wank in the mirror you attention-sucking leech" is not in "the spirit of the site"

I had to delurk because some of the posters in the molecular biology, Parkrun and yawn deletion threads are simply exceptional human beings, women to emulate. I know they do it for the lurkers. I hope they appreciate how valuable they are.

Adding my thanks

Adding my thanks, too.

Thank you FWR

Without you I would have had no idea. It’s definitely brought out my inner Tiger mom

No Passeran

Lurkers, lurkers, come out and post. Your views are as valid as the most prolific and knowledgeable posters here. Tell us your a newbie and we'll make you welcome.

This is about women for women, by women.

This is about women for women, by women.

YES!

And a big huzzah to Hornets for being one of the 300.

I did something I never thought I'd do -- I spoilt my ballot paper in my postal vote. I could not, in all conscience, do anything else............

I came to FWR to lurk, and stayed to chat, when AIBU frightened me away.
It is lovely here and all of you give me hope for the future.

Ok I've never posted here but can only add my voice to those of the other lurkers. I am in awe of the brilliance, clarity and erudition of all you regular posters. You've taught me so much, and, I'm sure, countless others too. Becoming a mother (of 2 girls) has rocked me at a fundamental level - and these threads have literally articulated why. They have given me confidence in my own voice and thoughts. They have enabled me to make sense of the world from my new status- or lack of, more accurately- and, as a result, to understand myself and the world we are in better. This has been uncomfortable at times but hugely helpful in furthering my ability to navigate misogyny and sexism with much greater awareness and strength and power. You did that. Thank you.

I'm still trying to establish how much I can post and out myself (my job requires me to remain apolitical) but rest assured, that doesn't mean I don't support you all. Best bit of mumsnet, this.

Definitely like to add my thanks here. I cannot believe the madness of gender self-identification. No other word for it, it flies in the face of known reality. Except for the reality of male dominance and violence of course.

Also adding my thanks.

Not only have I learnt so much from the wonderful women of FWR, I've also been entertained, inspired and supported.

I've taken breaks from MN over the years, but I'm always drawn back because there is nowhere else quite like it - especially FWR.

Not a lurker, but definitely "second chorus" rather than one of the brilliant posters who have done so much to increase visibility and support on these issues. And very proud to be a Mumsnet Feminist alongside you all

Lovely post, thank you for posting it, wanderin

I'm another 'second chorus' type.

FWR has educated me in the best way. I've had to think, deal with challenging ideas, accept that my understanding of those ideas will put me at odds with much of my online echo chamber.

It's been exciting & fascinating, & goodness there are some brilliant voices here.

Thank you so much. & to @MNHQ for hosting the discussion.

It is lovely to hear from lurkers. A real shot in the arm.

FWR is great MN might need to check potential interns perspectives on no-platforming before recruiting though.