Morning, sorry phone issues last night!
I wouldn’t say elephant in the room, so much as there are a million and one other things that women (and a smattering of men) wanted to talk about last night (see Rhyme’s summaries of people speaking at the open mic). People were raising issues dear to them that were not being spoken about anywhere else, so I think there was a general feeling there as no need to talk about GRA then. It’s on the agenda for the main conference, it is going to come up! Last night was a wonderful atmosphere. So much passion, inspiration and support in the room. Connections being made and small cogs whirring.
There is a fear of trouble. I’m not quite sure what kind of trouble - someone mentioned concerns about protestors turning up outside, or people generally being nasty to each other in debates. Also unclear whether this trouble is expected from TRAs or gender critical activists or both. In Sandi’s opening speech she called for tolerance and spoke along the lines of if you disagree with someone, good, society would be weird if we all agreed, if you’re angry, great - channel that, constructively, and do something with it. But tolerance, respect etc at conference.
The people I’ve chatted with about GRA (mostly pro from what I can tell, but people are guarded) all seem content with the idea of the emergency motion allowing special debates, and then the issue going to consultation with the wider membership. So fingers crossed that’s how it goes.