MNHQ, I can't tell you how distressed I am at this.
I've been on MN for about 9 years.
When ds3 was newborn and not feeding well, I turned to mumsnet.
When I had suspected mastitis, I turned to mumsnet.
When I had problem periods, I turned to mumsnet.
All the niggly stuff that's not worth going to the Drs or some other official channel, another woman on MN has been able to advise.
Female problems, supported by females.
Even though on here I am just another anonymous MNer, and I don't matter, over the years mumsnet has been a place of support, an outlet for difficult times, a place where I will have my arse kicked if that's what I deserve, a place where I have made some amazing friends.
I came here after hearing about a fabulous but scary and sweary forum, predominantly populated by mothers, but unlike the other place it was witty, straight talking, and a place for intelligent debate and free speech.
In a society where women are disadvantaged because of their biology - (not offered jobs because they might have a baby, at risk of birth injuries and poor after care, at risk of severe side effects from drugs tested only on men, have their health concerns dismissed (and even ignored) routinely, earn less than men, are subject to a disproportionate amount of austerity cuts, are likely to carry the mental load in the home, are likely to deal with the brunt of childcare because of societal expectations of gender role, are more likely to face violence and even death at the hands of their intimate partners, and I could go on in this vein for hours!).
The more I've learnt about the current trans agenda, the more horrified I become.
I have no political home, now that all parties have happily shoved women, sorry, non-men, under a bus.
Mumsnet was one of the last bastions of sanity, where it could be stated that a spade is a spade, one of the places where we can discuss this issue that has the potential to negatively impact many females.
Up until reading of the new moderation guidelines today I would have thought that moderating a largely female group's language to spare the feelings of a few men whose campaigns threaten the meaning of the word "woman", let alone the future successes for potential female athletes, politicians and others in male dominated careers. A campaign that threatens the safety of vulnerable women with no care at all for an abused woman's feelings, women who quite possibly may have turned to MN in their initial hour of need. A campaign that threatens to overturn carefully created safeguarding protocols put into place to protect our children. A campaign that has frozen out all official opposing contributions from women, and led to the suspension from outspoken women, and job threats, doxxing, rape and death threats, and actual violence.
I would have bet my last penny on MN standing up and pointing out that it wasn't in the spirit of the site, because prioritising the feelings of men and warning posters that certain words (Words! ffs!) cannot be used because they might be hurtful to those pushing this campaign, and labelling any opposing voice as bigoted hate speech - both well known abuse tactics I might add (thanks to MN for teaching me that...).
It's fine to delete personal attacks, as it always has been.
It's not ok to moderate women correctly calling a man "a man".
It's not ok to moderate misgendering when to many of us it's forcing us to lie. I am autistic, I find lying difficult and it leaves me feeling very uneasy and can have long term stress consequences - are you asking me to lie? Do I get a reasonable adjustment?
Gender means nothing. It's regressive and damaging. I am stunned that this country has got this far in this agenda. It's sinister, and even worse, we are not allowed to discuss it openly and clearly.
I'm so disappointed in you mumsnet.
It's horrible to see so many people blindly go down the route of forgetting what it is to be a woman.
I'll probably regret posting this. It's an emotional outpouring, but I feel this is a subtle move towards MN saying transwomen are women, when everyone knows they're not!
of a post JoyTheUnicorn.