Is this really a feminist board?

[GaspingShark]

I am a crap feminist. I haven't read a single book on the subject. Not De Beauvoir, not Greer, not Butler. The reasons for that are to do with a disability that I'd rather not go into, but I am a woman with a brain, and the Republic of Ireland is having a referendum on repealing the 8th this week. There it is, look, thirty threads down. And this "Feminism and Women's Rights" board's primary concern seems to be "What it will really take the peak trans the world?"

So I'm asking you, because I genuinely, honestly, cross my heart and hope to die, believe you are all better read and/or have more experience and/or more knowledge of being a woman than I do.

Doesn't that bother you? Doesn't it bother you that, four days away from the repeal vote, there's one thread on that in the bottom third of a fifty-thread page, and two or three dozen trans-related threads covering everything from Amnesty International to Jordan Peterson to exactly what Munroe Bergdorf told Venice Allan? Does it give you any pause for thought?

It isn't true that Irish feminists don't welcome British feminists in their discussions. That nasty ignorant "British terfs out" letter was not representative of Irish feminists or women, just a small vocal gang of Twitter bullies in thrall to transactivism.

It seems that British feminists can't do right from wrong - if they get involved they're told to fuck off with their imperialism and if they don't get involved they're abandoning and ignoring us. I don't blame them for being wary.

Have a look for what Irish feminists have to say about UK-based feminists ‘meddling’ in Ireland. Thought you had it all sorted, TBH.

Seriously, the Yays will have it, I think. I’m an Irish citizen and it’s a topic close to my heart. It’s difficult to know what an outsider can actually do though. I speak to my family, but that’s preaching to the converted.

As others have mentioned, there is a thread on this which it seems the OP hasn't participated in or started her own on.
And Irish feminists have also made it clear that this is their fight.
As far as up the focus on trans rights goes, I also avoided the fwr boards for a long time because people kept banging on about it. I've since looked into it and read and followed enough trans activists to be deeply concerned.
We're facing proposed legislation that will effectively remove decades of legal rights for women by stripping away any real meaning of 'female' or 'woman', and women who express concerns are being abused and harassed.
Trans activists are actively monitoring these boards waiting to report and try silence any woman or trans person (waves and waits to turn up on twitter) who doesn't agree with their version of what gender means or how best to protect women and trans people alike.
I firmly believe we are headed for the largest wholesale stripping of women's rights in decades.
Women need to be able to talk freely about these things and Mumsnet - one of the few uniquely female spaces online - is the obvious place for it.

I agree with previous posters OP, it really bothers me but aside from offering virtual support through likes and shares, pitiful I know, I feel a bit limited in what I can do to help given that I am neither Irish, nor know anyone that is.

My guess is the board, being hosted by a UK site, is dominated by trans issues at the moment because of the ongoing review of the GRA which is UK legislation.

That doesnt mean that we've all forgotten about the different obstacles facing women around the world, and that doesnt mean theyre not worth fighting , it just means this is a UK dominated board with a UK centric focus.

I hope the women of Ireland get the outcome they deserve.

Yes OP, it certainly seems to be a case of, do as I say not as I do. #weseeyou

spontaneous

It's all good. If it gives us a chance to explain to people who might be thinking the same; that's fine by me

Did you sign that letter OP? It caused immense hurt and offence to British women I have spoken to. A friend of mine was contacted by some female UK healthcare providers who have helped Irish women seeking terminations; they said they are reluctant to even set foot in Ireland now, having been regular visitors in the past. Half the signatures were made up or signed twice by the way.

TransplantsArePlants To be fair I find it hilarious. Having a "honestly, cross my heart and hope to die" post backed up with absolutely zilch shows up the OP, not the regular or genuine new posters here.

Well,

1. Lots of poeple have come to MN to post about trans issues, having seen talk that the boards here are having conversations on this, so many threads are being generated by people who are GC and those who disagree
2. Lots of MN posters who didn't used to read the feminism boards have come across and are posting on this issue, so that increases things again
3. This is a "hot topic" at the moment, and has been gaining traction for some years. Posts about trans issues and potential impact on women and girls have been here for years, now that we are seeing stuff like GG, topshop, mental health wards, prisons etc taking a line that TWAW, it's really exploded
4. If there is no word/s to describe cunty people as a group, then we have lost any rights we have gained, and we have no means to organise. This is non trivial. Extremely non trivial. We can't talk about women's issues if woman means "any adult human being" for example.
5. Ireland referendum - there's been more than 1 thread I think. I certainly posted on one.
6. That aside, I do agree that in general it is a downright shame that all other issues are being pushed off the agenda by this one. That is not the fault of feminists though, it's the fault of those who are fighting so hard to "erase" us (to quote someone or other)
7. As others have pointed out, if you want to talk about something else then start a fucking thread about it, it's not difficult
8. HTH

Irish women come to the United Kingdom every day, mainly England, to have an abortion. Over 200, every day accessing health care, albeit privately. This is a UK problem. It's essential that Ireland sort this out.

www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/more-than-3-000-british-abortions-for-women-from-republic-1.3330477

I have read the thread and feel informed yet powerless.

It is not a subject I can make a useful contribution to though, I would if I could.

Does this suggest that not many Irish women use Mumsnet?
I don't see much on here about problems women face in other foreign countries either. People tend to fixate on what affects them and their daughters.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3255464-My-abortion-story-and-why-we-need-Repeal-the-8th

OP you are right. We aren't giving this issue the attention it deserves. I want to raise this issue and bring it up the agenda. I put my money where my mouth is and decided to share my abortion story. I've not told many people about this because it's still a divisive issue, shrouded in shame, despite what the law says.

If anybody else feels like they want to share then follow this link...

I’m Irish, although I haven’t lived there for many years and consequently no longer have a vote. I was active in the pro-choice movement when I lived there, though, and fervently hope the repeal is voted.

I’m not sure what you want women on a uk-based site to debate though. I presume most women here also hope the vote passes and things get better for Irish women. But unless you actually have a vote or can somehow be active in persuading no or undecided voters to vote yes...um, what do you want? I don’t think there’s an Irish woman alive who isn’t aware of the upcoming referendum, so raising awareness is not really necessary.

Irishfeminist

"That nasty ignorant "British terfs out" letter was not representative of Irish feminists or women, just a small vocal gang of Twitter bullies in thrall to transactivism."

I know. Just as this is another finger wagging person coming on here to tell women off

This OP is effing brilliant!
I don't have a clue what Feminism is so I came to FWR to have a go at Feminists for Feminisming wrong! 10/10! It doesn't get any better than that.

Everything about mumsnet is feminist, whether those who partake like it or not.

Pregnancy, c section, vaginal deliveries, sex, relationships, gender based discrimination, babies. Food, finance, legal, and frocks.

It's all here! In all it's gory, bloody glory.

Regarding the Irish vote, from what I've seen it's been made very clear that opinions from uk feminists aren't wanted because we aren't aware of the background and details to the vote.

Jess Phillips MP wore a Repeal necklace at PMQs. Was anyone offended?

And people have no qualms about invoking African FGM or Iranian forced transsexualism or Saudi "they're discriminating cos of their wombs not their feelz". Are you better-informed on those issues? Or indeed trans issues?

You're quite right I felt neither engaged nor well-informed enough on the 8th to "start a fucking thread about it" or contribute to one. I was surprised to be in the majority on that, though. And no we most of us don't have votes on it but we don't directly vote on trans issues either. We're many of us quite happy to vocalise on SM though.

I was surprised to be in the majority on that, though

Why?

What's 'SM'?

Yes, OP, it worries me very much indeed

I hide almost all of the trans threads as soon as they appear. I do bump non trans threads. I have posted on the Irish referendum thread but not being Irish I have no say in the matter.

principal. Sorry.