Lurkers of FWR, pop in and say Hi!

[SophoclesTheFox]

I've just been reading this thread and I am utterly blown away by the number of women who say they are lurking here.

It's quite, quite wonderful to read that thread and I wanted to acknowledge it and roll out the red carpet if any of you wanted to post. I know it can feel a bit intimidating, like you have to have the right vocabulary, or some huge knowledge of feminist theory, but you don't.

Your words are valuable, and your unique view is important because together we're powerful!

We're also rude, funny, and most of all DISRESPECTFUL in all the ways that matter. Don't just lurk: join in you are very welcome.

Clicky link for Jane Clare Jones - and she has many posts that are worth reading.

janeclarejones.com/2018/09/26/twitter-trans-rights-totalitarianism-and-the-erasure-of-sex/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Hi all
This page has been a joy to discover. I had a tiny folder of stuff on GC feminism, set off by the goddess that is Germaine Greer being no-platformed.
It is SO good to know others have the same ideas and qualms and.....hugs because I'm overwhelmed by relief here.

Hello, delurking to say hi! I wanted to start a thread to ask a question , but I'm too chicken. Can I ask it here please? -where it's not so scary-

If you heard this phrase used at a school, what would you think? Ok? Or not? - "At the school we all put the needs of others before our own". Really interested to hear what opinions are. -and if it's worth making a fuss about- Thanks.

Not ok. It's teaching children to centre others, when it's important to look after yourself first in order to be in a position to help others.

The phrase should be we consider the needs of others, and how our actions affect others, as well as our own needs.

Otherwise you set certain groups up to be conditioned to do this more than others who are also being taught that they are better and more deserving in some way than others.

The problem is that phrase is taught alongside social conditioning along sex based lines.

At the school we all put the needs of others before our own".

It massively depends on the context.

In some contexts (like the Nolan principles for public life/service), it is promoted to emphasise the need for selflessness when making principled decisions that might go against one's own interest.

As a standalone phrase, and in a conducive context/environment, it would raise safeguarding concerns around possible coercion/silencing for me.

discoversociety.org/2016/03/01/theorising-violence-against-women-and-girls/

Hello, I lurk a lot too. Have posted very rarely but normally someone says it a lot better than me.

I'm a long-time lurker and very occasional poster. Like others have said, with age I've found I'm decidedly less tolerant of the bullshit and I care less about what other people think of me. I'm also deeply concerned about the world that my daughters are growing up in. I'm surrounded by g.c. extended family who were onto this whole genderism thing long before I was, and who pointed me in the direction of FWR. Since then, I've attended meetings, filled in consultations, written to my MP, been out campaigning with FPFW. My confidence in speaking out about the erosion of women's rights is in no small part due to the well informed and articulate women I've found on here. Thank you all!

Delurking to say hello. This board fills me with hope and horror in almost equal measure. I can't express the gratitude I feel towards those who have come on these boards and posted logical, coherent argument against the devastating impacts of the GRA which I hadn't fully digested previously. What can I do to help? I want to be part of the resistance.

Thanks for the replies about "we always put others before ourselves" in schools. It set red flags off for me re safeguarding. So it's really good to hear your opinions on it too. But I'm actually shaking at the idea of tackling it. (Not sure if that is fear or anger!) thankyou - you are all brilliant!

Soylatteforme - everybody, please - post on FWR. We need the plurality of women's voices.

Fill in the GRA Consultation - we're in the final weeks:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3380327-Gender-Recognition-Consultation-and-countdown

Those who can - please write to or meet with your MP (there's lots of helpful advice here).

Where it's safe, talk to people around you!

I have to go out, so can't read the full thread.

But like everyone else, I'm absolutely gobsmacked by this.

And I'm the first person to say think of the lurkers! I had absolutely no idea how many.

If you're worried about exposing too much, entirely understandable. If you're worried about not being coherent, don't be.

If you feel as though you don't have all the arguments, irl you can say that. But you can say one thing I do agree with is we have to talk about it. Yes, debate.

I have lurked for years and read this board all day every day it seems! You lot are WONDERFUL.

FWR = Feminism and Women's Rights

For those wondering what you can do - if you can, please look at the consultations that need to hear our voices:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3318003-Bringing-your-MUST-DO-WOMENS-RIGHTS-consultations-together-with-links-and-timelines-thread

I’m a lurker who reads this board most days. I’m probably not as articulate as those who post but really greatful to those that do.

I am also a lurker here and really do appreciate this forum.
I've shared quite a few articles from A Womans Place on social media.

this is so great.

Hello I’ve lurked for a little while. I’ve taken note of things in the past but recently, I’ve started to feel cross and worried. I have children and I really worry about what their reality will be. One of them had a sticker from school that read, ‘I have the right to feel safe’. Yes, they do.

Thank you for the fuzzy welcome - I don’t know enough about it all to feel educated so haven’t posted before but I hear you all.

they've been doing it for a long time and they're weary

I've been at it for two years and I am fucking knackered. So goodness knows how the women who have been going for five or ten ears feel.

Oh, sigh. Five or ten Years.

To langcleg , datun and all the other long term posters -you are absolute sheroes.
I appreciate how exhausting this must be for you and we are so grateful for your hard work.
Hoping that this thread gives you a much needed boost.
...oh, and we hope you can put your feet up with a cuppa now and then, feeling happy that you have summoned the troupes and we hear you.
Brava!

Hi @Twotabbycats

I wonder if you, or your friend, have seen this thread. It might give her, (or you), some support.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3101834-trans-widows-escape-committee

What does FWR mean?

FWR stands for Feminism and Women's Rights joystir

Yes huge thanks to the long term posters and those who continue to explain it all, lay out the issues, link to the examples and reason with the arguments. I hope you feel your effort has been justified and that you’ve been heard. I have seen many posters dismayed at losing some of the regular contributors to this board and you talk about other places to go where GC discussions are happening online. But you still stay.
I for one have used all your words many times to shape my thoughts and form my own letters, emails and conversations about this issue.
I think it might be important for lurkers like me to let you all know that. Even if we’re still not quite confident enough to contribute much (yet!) on here.