Right, I'm here...

[Disgustingwoman]

NC but long time reader, occasional contributor -cancel the cheque, softzilla, rugby players for parking problems, rent out your spare room (is that enough? I always wonder if there's a secret qualifying amount one should disclose in these situations?!) Anyway...

After months of consideration, reading, and sounding off at my DM, I've finally accepted that it's ok that I am not comfortable with the GRA. In fact, it's worse than that, I'm fucking furious with it all. I've spent the day angry, really angry. The poster incident has done it for me. I'm not usually an angry person, at all. And in my line of work I suspect I could be disciplined for holding the views I now have, but I am beyond caring (well, I have to care a bit, mortgage to pay and I'm a LP). But it's too important, for me, and my DD, and all women.

So, please tell me: how do I get involved? How do I start to make a difference? I'm already talking to people, passing it on, but it doesn't feel enough. I need to channel this more effectively -and if anyone has any anger management tips I'd be grateful.

Welcome! Have you filled out the consultation?

Welcome!
Here is a thread with some ideas as to what you can DO!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3378804-What-can-you-DO-if-you-are-worried-about-womens-rights

If you only do one thing, please fill out the consultation! It's a confusing document that takes forever, but every voice is important.
fairplayforwomen.com/
has very good guidance.

Hello!

YY to filling out the consultation and getting everyone you know who agrees with you to fill it out too.

Go to a meeting if you can, Women’s Place or We Need to Talk. It is heartening to meet other women who feel the same, and see clearly that these are women who have in some cases spent decades fighting for equality.
Other than that spread the word. I’ve approached the subject warily with friends after a big argument with one friend, however she remains the only person who has disagreed. I was pleasantly surprised at the reactions from everyone else ( I have friends who span quite an age range and of varying political affiliations).
Donate if you can.
Go and see your MP in person and talk to them about your concerns. There are threads with tips on this.
These are all things I’ve done, other posters will have other ideas too.

Welcome Disgusting

Your post gives me hope that things ARE changing. I spent the first part of this week feeling really low and disheartened but there seems to have been an influx of new posters here, just in the last couple of days.

Talk to people, if you can. Most of the people I've spoken to have been very receptive and none of them knew anything about it prior to our conversation. It feels like tiny steps but better that than nothing at all.

I haven’t done the consultation yet. I’m slightly dreading ploughing through it, but I agree it needs to be done .

oh, and buy a T shirt or bag from Standing For Women!

I haven't done it yet either but op has inspired me to fire up my ancient laptop and get it done!

Welcome!!!

Welcome to the upside-down OP!.

Yes to meeting others, I need that. I currently keep questioning if I've been brainwashed, my DM reassures me I have not. My DDad is on board, one comment about the logistics of my DD and changing rooms at the local leisure centre was enough to get him peaked. I'm very gentle about how I approach it with people, currently talking with a work colleague who is outraged.

I will do the consultation. But I need to master something far more articulate than 'are you fucking stupid?'. Because that's all I've got at the moment. I'll have a look at those links, thank you.

I just can't believe the level of silencing that is happening, it's terrifying.

Oh and we need a blood pressure medication emoji to deal with this issue MN!

Does Standing for Women have a website because I can't find one on google.

I am also new. Registered today after years of lurking.

It feels like this week has been a turning point. So much has happened, much of it infuriating, but there have been a lot of positives too.

I am forcing myself to open up more conversations about it. The latest Fair Play for Women video is great for this. I've convinced my mother in law to fill out the consultation today.

www.standingforwomen.com

It's odd that it doesn't come up in a Google search.

fairplayforwomen.com

Join up and get their pack. Comes with really punchy informative leaflets to give out.

It is sad that some employers feel the need to police thought in this way, surely?

fairplayforwomen.com/product/pack1/

Link to the starter pack here.

You get loads of leaflets for £2.

Great to see so many new faces

I just googled standing for women too and it didn't appear on page one. That is disturbing.

@TerfedOff brilliant thanks.

Does wine reduce blood pressure? Not sure where we're at with the latest guidelines.

Standing for Women www.standingforwomen.com/about

There's another, really important consultation about The Equality Act. Its being ignored and the Govt want us to tell them what to do about that
The deadline is Friday 5 October 2018 so don't leave it too long.

Thread here;
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3321779-Consultation-of-Equality-Act-enforcement-open-Womens-and-Equality-Committee?msgid=79837357

Link here;
www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/women-and-equalities-committee/news-parliament-2017/enforcing-the-equality-act-launch-17-19/

@topcat2014 it is a genuine concern of mine unfortunately. Without outing my profession, being perceived to have prejudices against any group of people could have me hauled up in front of the professional body. I don't have these prejudices; I just believe in my right to assert that I am a woman, and to retain the legal rights this affords me. I don't believe that these should be compromised by subjective notions of 'feelings'. I believe in safeguarding women. Strongly. Maybe I've watched too much Gilead, but it does worry me that I could cause myself professional difficulties.

Write to your MP.

It's really important.