Cowardice

[SusanBunch]

Just saw this from Julie Bindel. I am a great admirer of her BUT I wonder if this is not a bit unfair. Julie has a huge media profile. She is self-employed and I would guess she is not hard-up. I just can’t understand why, after seeing the abuse women get for speaking out, she chooses to blame/attack those who are scared of doing so.

If I said what I truly thought, I could lose my job. Who would help me then? The answer is, nobody would. Many of the prominent pro-trans voices in my sector have active power to make life and career opportunities difficult for me. Should I be expected to make that sacrifice?

I am not saying there is a right or wrong answer here. I can see Julie’s point. I am also struggling with feeling guilt at not doing enough to help this cause.

How do others feel?

Have you contributed to the GRA consultation?

Yes. And the Scottish and the London ones.

Yes

And my local council one. Got an interesting reply when I attached the Fairplay for Women document, separately: "Thank you. I look forward to reading your reply to the Consultation"

I imagine Julie Bindel is talking mainly about people in the public eye who have a voice and influence and won’t use it

Now that I think about it, perhaps you are right Floisme. Well, I hope you are right.

It is true that only a small handful of the high-profile women (writers mainly) spoke out about this, going back say ten years or so. There was also a small network of radfem bloggers doing their part. And brilliant radfems like Dittany, consciousness raising the issues over here, which has turned out to be a very critical part as the women here have turned out to be quite active 'on the ground' (writing to MPs etc).

I do understand Bindel's frustration - a case of saying the same things over and over, not being believed, until now, when everything we warned about is unfolding before our eyes. I guess it is a case of "what took you all so long?" type of frustration underpinning it all.

Agree, it is the #metoo that doesn't come. Nic from FPFW said the government is only going to ask us once, so go fill the GRA consultation.

I'm as fearful as the next but my voice is made stronger by Julie, Datum, Posie, Magdalena, Lionel, Stephanie and so many others in this and on parents forums.

We are getting there with a little help from our friends.

On the other handmaide side, We might be out of a job anyway if Women becomes whatever a non masculine male thinks. We may be put back to be Queens of the home whether we like it or not!

I think she's attacking hypocrisy and abuse of power. I would take a punt on Jess Phillips being another target - they've probably worked together.

That's not to say a lot of us couldn't do more too - and that includes me.

What the f* happened?

Economic uncertainity and increasing lack of safety net.

Its that simple.

However if you are in a position where you have nothing left to lose then you might speak out. But you won't have power when you do it.

It has to be led by women with power. But those women are the ones most bothered about their political careers.

Aren't they Stella...

Helen Joyce of the economist (who is just fantastic on this issue) tweeted this in response to Julie Bindel's post. I think she is on to something ….

"Look, if you're one of the people who let Julie know privately that you agreed re trans-lobby bullying - drop her a note giving her permission to put you all in touch. Then SPEAK OUT TOGETHER. Strength in numbers, ordinary people will sit up and listen and WHERE'S YOUR COURAGE?"
and then a bit later
"Totally agree that parents in school yards should not be the front line. But some of the people Julie's talking about are activists in LGBT circles who are horrified at the way things are unfolding, but afraid of getting attacked as she has."

We can all do our small bit as people have said up thread - keeping anonymous if necessary. Using our own spheres of influence where we can. No coordinated as such. But if a number of key people who already have a name could 'come out' together, it would ripple outwards.

As a self employed woman she probably has taken a huge hit financially over this, although hopefully she had enough squirrelled to cushion the blow.

No one expects a single average wage earner with dependents to risk the food in their kids mouths, but yes, someone like JK, who will never have any financial worries again, and can influence a whole generation, and all the politicians that claim to be feminist whilst unravelling women’s protections in law? They need a good hard look at themselves.

JK can rendeem herself with a book for girls, actual girls, full of kick ass, non feminine characters, aimed at our current generation of ROGD girls and enby deniers, but she better hurry up with it.

Harriet Harman's another. I've never heard her say a word about any of this but I can't believe she's swallowed it. She's 68 so I doubt she's worried about being deselected.

I posted about this on the Jk Rowling thread. She has the money and the power and freedom that brings to do pretty much what she wants and who can stop her.
She should come out.
I'm at the other end of the spectrum, no money, job but not a career, I can say what I like and nobody can stop me.
My boss won't sack me for having opinions, and I could give less of a shit if other parents shun me at the school gates.
I've already been doxxed on Facebook so I'm feeling pretty free to do and say as I please.
I'm going stickering later.

If only there were a women's party - one that was concerned with issues of equality that might show some leadership around now...That had some female celebrities prominent in LGB circles...

If only the women's party that does exist hadn't thrown out a member for the appearance of impropriety on this issue following no recognisable due process. And just dedicated themselves to there being no 'right side' on this issue.