Anyone else experiencing cognitive dissonance right now?

[Destinysdaughter]

I am

I've been a lifelong Labour supporter, pro LGBT rights and also a feminist but I feel so conflicted right now. For standing up for women's rights online I've been called a bigot, transphobic, a fascist, an abuser just for stating facts. I've been suspended from Twitter for 'hateful conduct' simply for saying someone who is biologically male is a man. And had my Twitter account hacked as a result.

I sometimes read the Twitter feeds of TW and as a lefty, I agree with much of what they're saying about economic or social issues. I really want a Labour Gvt but I cannot agree with their position on TWAW and having TW on all women shortlists. I hate the fact that I am currently agreeing more with the Daily Mail or the Times or Spectator than the Guardian. I've had Trans friends and been v accepting and supportive of them, but none of them have ever espoused the views that I'm seeing now.

I see biological males on Twitter saying they can have periods and getting lots of 'likes', I see lesbians being told it's not ok to say they are only attracted to women, I see GC women being doxxed and having photos of their children posted online and Twitter does nothing about it. I feel like I ( and many other women ) are screaming into a void and NO ONE is listening!

We don't have powerful organisations behind us, we don't have Gvt funding, I simply can't believe we are where we are in terms of women's rights in 2018. Sometimes I just want to shut it all out and pretend it isn't happening. But I can't as every day there's something else happening that just makes me want to scream NO!

Sorry, ( not sorry ), I know this is a bit of a rant but just wanted to express this and would love to know how other women are feeling right now? 💜

Eresh Yes, I've seen a few posts on there (I think there was a clicky link somewhere on this board). Has it been hijacked by activists yet?

I certainly think it has had some shit from TRAs, as well as some internal struggles at first.

I haven't really kept up, other people here may know more?

Just clicked on Twitter to have a look...

First two posts I can see and I'm already wishing I didn't click.

Yes I can sympathise

I found this Buzzfeed article about the lesbian protest last weekend, and the comments underneath it so depressing...

www.buzzfeed.com/morganmpage/why-are-some-feminists-in-the-uk-freaking-out-about-trans?utm_term=.yhq3wpoGV#.ts2XOA70E

Sorry if my earlier reply sounded like I was completely disregarding your idea - I wasn't. I actually think it's a very sensible middle ground which could work if any issues around it were acknowledged and dealt with.

However my main concern is many TRA refuse to accept their biology - and would view having their sex recorded as "transphobic". It really is tricky when there are so many conflicting opinions and viewpoints, and when any ideas of solutions are shouted down.

Thank you for taking the time to post your ideas in such an open-minded and articulate way

Yes OP I'm so there. Apart from I have literally talked to no one about it apart from reading on here and reading around a little. I tried to talk to DH and got shut down the second I sounded "bigotted" to him. He's a lefty through and through and the way I tried to talk about it I think he thought I was writing out the existence of intersex and transsexuals/dysphoric people... I don't think he knows about the TRA thing and the transgender umbrella thing... and I couldn't get it across.

It's making me feel very sad and isolated honestly. I'm autistic and find debate and disagreement in real life really difficult. Can't get my thoughts in order quick enough or something and can't deal with the emotions that go with it.

Yeah, another one here, OP.

I’m in a workplace with a lot of people, especially younger people, with whom I have a lot in common politically. Except for this issue.

It’s unsettling as hell.

I think, in the fullness of time, they may regret the influence they’ve had and be left with some very difficult feelings. They do mean well.

So its a very unpopular idea here tbh, but I think people are starting to come round to it.

This being the Feminism and Women's Rights board of MN it should come as no surprise that arguing that women should give men whatever they want and maybe, just maybe, they will let us keep a few of the rights our foremothers fought for is unpopular.

I've found the most push-back from leftists. I talk to right-leaning (i.e traditionalists) people and they are natural allies to my position. I do wonder if this is because of disguised/repressed homophobia - like finally we have an excuse to express our revulsion!

Maybe that is a factor but overall I think people from the right have less to loose by coming round to a GC viewpoint. Being a L/W feminist and also pro-LGBT requires lot's of soul searching. You can't rely on knee jerk thinking like transphobia = homophobia. You have to really think about it and make an educated response - one that may put you outside the bounds of normal human discourse. Nobody wants their social network to treat them as a Pariah do they?

I feel gutted about it all. Gutted that men aren't speaking out.
As a teen I had loads of gay male friends; I feel like women were the ones who accepted gay men for who they were whilst a lot of straight men were still quite funny about it all. It's always been men who won't accept unconventional men. When I was younger homophobic comments were quite commonly heard. We could really do with support from the G but they are just not interested.

found this Buzzfeed article about the lesbian protest last weekend, and the comments underneath it so depressing...

YY. As pointed out on another thread, this person also appears to have set up the original "Cotton Ceiling" workshop.

It cant hurt.

Derailing every thread on FWR with your so called compromise that constitutes surrender is a minor disruption, all things considered.

Did you miss a couple?
I stand corrected.

There are many transsexuals who are gender critical so we are already working with them. The others don't want to compromise and are a lost cause.

The truth will out.

Yes OP I feel the same and also as Bowl says - never felt so energised around one issue.

Labour is a spent force - a new left leaning party will emerge sometime - too many of them have demonstrated their misogyny for Labour to be credible. Their disguise of being a party for the advancement of women had been shown up for what it is - a lie.

It's very disappointing and challenging - however a Breakthru only comes after a breakdown - and we have one hell of a breakdown that hasn't finished yet.

Sending hugs - we work in community for the best interest of the whole. And do take care with Twitter - it's like immersing oneself in a torture chamber as a target - a sadistic cess pool of depravity where so called men get off on others' distress. I time limit it as their behaviours cause real harm plus use it like here, to be part of women fighting back. I'm not interested in the rantings of disordered males who are know no bounds nor sense of decency

I have only been on twitter a short time but am having very little trouble. Everyone who might have been inclined to harass me has blocked me as a result of my being on MN.

TruscumTeen is a different poster to Truscum.

Just highlighting in case not everyone is aware

Because one is a transwoman, and one is a 16 year old transsexual, who is biologically female. (Their description).

They both have gender dysphoria, they are both targeted by transactivists, and they both support the gender critical position.

Another one here saying yes, I agree with you OP almost word for word. It's most disconcerting, having everything flipped upside down, but also slightly exhilarating for the same reason. Like having a good spring clean, all my opinions, beliefs & values have been brought out into the light for a good dusting off.

And yes to PPs who said they have never been as energised by a political issue as this one.

Yup. Feel just like you do. It's shit.