The Silencing of the Lesbians

[JoanSummers]

(Apologies if this has already been posted on an existing thread)

blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/05/the-silencing-of-the-lesbians/

I won't comment on the article now, except to say it made my heart pound to read it in a mainstream political paper.

I was going to report it after 24 hours, but it's been taken down.

The links by article in the second post will take you to a list of James Kirkup's articles.

I like this:
“Now, there are words for a person with a penis who insists that women who say they do not want to touch that penis should in fact touch that penis and who put pressure on women to do”.

Apologies all for cutting and pasting - and particularly to James Kirkup and the Spectator - my enthusiasm for SUCH A FABULOUS PIECE OF JOURNALISM ... made even more impressive by the absence of any other reasoned and informed journalistic voices... lead me to leap in without thinking....

Totally agree that it was inappropriate and will just paste quotes and comment in future.....

I feel the tide is turning. I'm bisexual but this has been my concern for years. I would've been one of those vulnerable kids that could've been persuaded down a medical path. We need to protect them until they can make choices.

JoanSummers I know we disagreed on another thread but thank you for sharing that article. As a lesbian this is something that has been niggling me for a while and the article articulated it very well.

Thanks for the link. And thank you once again James Kirkup - I'm saying this on a regular basis.

Another one thanking James Kirkup for this.

And agreed that all women need to stand up and support lesbians from the rape culture 'cotton ceiling'.

I am just off to take out a subscription to the Spectator. It seems the least I can do to support open, honest and ethical journalism - it sadly seems in short supply these days.

Awesome article. Thank you.

An excellent article

Brilliant, thank you James Kirkup. I'd also like to see him tackle the problem of TRAs appropriating the language and arguments around homophobia and racism.

Reading his article I wondered about the experience of young gnc girls at school and recalled that the lobbying groups who advise schools tell them transgender children must be celebrated. Its simplistic but could they please celebrate lesbians too?!

If you're reading this James, could you look into the autism link too please!

Yes thank you James. You're doing sterling work.

"Brilliant, thank you James Kirkup. I'd also like to see him tackle the problem of TRAs appropriating the language and arguments around homophobia and racism."

And the influence and actions of Mermaids in promoting a false "trans kid" attempted suicide statistic of 45%. Someone needs to do and publish a thorough investigation into Mermaids, into these statistics, and into the activities of Susie Green. It is a scandal waiting just around the corner.

I have a fantasy someone like Jon ronson will pick this up. Someone who likes to follow many strands. For all I know he's a massive MRA or something. Like I said, fantasy!

Sadly, I didn't see much evidence in the Westminster debates today of James Kirkup's hopes that some of the issues he raised in this article might be voiced. I did hear some politicians saying that they wanted nuanced and respectful debate. Let's hope that they will engage with all who keep trying.

(extract from JK's article)
"Perhaps politicians will surprise me and show willingness to do their jobs properly and give voice to all sides of a complex, difficult debate. MPs will get two chances to do so tomorrow. First, Penny Mordaunt, the new minister for women and equalities, takes her first questions in the Commons. Then there’s a backbench debate on “homophobia, transphobia and biphobia”. Both sessions will offer some clues about how willing MPs are to acknowledge the complexity of the gender debate and the interests of the different people and groups concerned. Perhaps some of the things I’ve mentioned here will be raised. Perhaps"

In other parts of twitterland, Graham Linehan recommends Magdalen Berns as a ' brilliant antidote' to the 'utter bilge' people are 'swallowing in the gender debate'.
twitter.com/Glinner/status/997111005892235264

I couldn't watch all of the Munroe thing but it did make me laugh that tiny Magdalen was sitting right beside Monroe giving the chat

Woah R0wantrees thank you for highlighting that! Linehan promoting Magdalen!

Hope he watches all her videos and sees why she is so popular.

I have a fantasy someone like Jon ronson will pick this up. Someone who likes to follow many strands. For all I know he's a massive MRA or something.

I've heard things about JR which are not a million miles away from that notion...

Another great article from James Kirkup - never heard of him until a few months ago, and now I always read him.

Very good article. Thanks for starting the thread OP and thank you Mr Kirkup for continuing to write so eloquently on a very important topic.

@Glinner has 700k followers I'm guessing a fair few of them will peak trans after watching Magdalene - it's certainly did for me after finding her videos.

It’s interesting to see Lineham has gone from cautiously dipping his toe in the water fairly recently to fully embracing the debate.

& retweeted the article.

Oh I think I love him more than ever. And he is taking a lot of shit for it.