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.

I've been lurking for a while, read pretty much everything and all the background research that I'm advised to (by both sides). I don't post because I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said (except for things that would get me banned, which is why they haven't been said). I fear the future, a lot, and I didn't even realise what was happening until you people opened it out to the sunlight. I'm terrified, overwhelmed and full of despair. But I also have hope, purely because this board and the eloquent, intelligent and reasoned discussions that happen on here. I think women DO have a chance. I think it's a slim chance, but it's a chance and I'm going to thank each and every one of you for holding the torch for so long when I was stumbling around oblivious.

Lurk and sometimes post. I have a young adult child with ASD who has declared that she is transgender and the GC Feminists are the really only people who get how toxic, regressive and misogynistic the ideology is. I am deeply grateful every day for your wisdom, and also for your actions.

Afternoon, don't post more than a few words as others say things much better. And usually all I can manage is some inarticulate rage.

But I do try and pass on the word.

Hello

I don't really post anywhere on mn, but I now have an explicitly GC twitter and am becoming much more active there. I'll try to get over my mn shyness and join in a bit.

NC for this. Long time MN user, been on FWR for about 2 years now lurking. I first wrote to my MP about all this 18 months ago, I read and learn, follow links, research, donate and have filled in consultation. Thank you all on FWR for your clear voices, your courage, your patience.
The Leeds cancellation episode has motivated me to de lurk and join you.

I’ve lurked for a long time - I’m a little bit in love with all the magnificent women on this board. There are so many better informed and more articulate contributors that I never have anything to add. I come from a very small town, but I talk to anyone who will listen about the issues. I donate and I’ve bought merchandise. I want to get more involved, I’m just not sure how.

Such a good thread idea

I was lurker and then terrified first poster and then I couldn't shut up

I tend not to post because somebody else has already said it better

Gently I will disagree. You haven't said it and not only is your perspective unique, fwr is also where we practice making the arguments; so you can make your voice heard in real life. I want to hear what you think barnacharmer, and all the other lurkers!

Hiiiii

I lurk, I read, I get educated in FWR and spread it to daughters, grandson, friends and colleagues

Please keep up the fantastic work.

Hello! Daily lurker for the last several months. I do post very occasionally. Very, very glad to have this discussion space available.

This is amazing.

Thank you everyone who's waved hello.

I feel like there are enough of us to make an army. There are most definitely strength in numbers

Hi
I lurk daily and have done for c. 1 year. I was peak teased after reading reports about James Caspian and Bath Spa uni rejecting his attempt to study detransing as politically incorrect. Have since subscribed to the Times, spectator and view my former home of the guardian as a joke, to be fair it has been for a while now.
Am openly GC but may be about to rejoin the NHS after a long career break so that could be..... Interesting.
Thanks to each and every one of you wonderful women for your tireless efforts this place is a precious resource

Like many others it seems, I very rarely post as feel very inarticulate in comparison to many posters. I came across the board by accident really, and I was very much in the 'live and let live, let's all be nice camp' then I started reading and questioning and then went away and checked out opposing viewpoints - which only served to highlight the rational and intelligent debate going on here.

I'm not an assertive, confrontational or 'militant' person, just a 40 something wife and mother who has experienced the biological reality of being a woman (which makes me more than qualified thank you Mr Harrop) and I'm becoming more and more concerned about the future my daughters will have to navigate.

Thanks to this board and the amazing women here, I have been stirred to action - just in small ways compared to some of you, but signing petitions, donating to causes, filling out questionnaires, talking to people, writing letters. Thank you to everyone who is making a difference, and I will continue to check in every day!

Finally delurked on FWR yesterday after months of hanging back.

Two things strike me really forcefully about the GC debate on here.

The first, as many others have said, is the sheer eloquence and coherence of the posts. The arguments are lucid and convincing and absolutely not hateful.

The second thing is unnerving way that debate is being stifled, particularly in organisations that should be unbiased and transparent, and give due weight to both sides of the argument. The fact that GC people employed in places like local authorities and the NHS cannot express their opinions without fearing for their jobs, is sinister and totalitarian and frankly unbelievable in 2018 Britain .

I lurked here for a little while and this month posted for the first time.

I mostly lurk, occasionally post. FWR board has been an eye-opener for me over the last year (ever since the speakers corner incident)

Hello. I'm a looong time lurker on FWR, since the days of Buffy etc.

So I've been reading for years and honing my GC views. In real life I would talk to my close friends about the concept of gender etc, but they seemed heavily into intersectionality and this was at odds with some of my views.

I kept reading and reading and seeing more and more women sticking their heads above the parapet...but I was scared. And it was eating away at me! Eventually I just had to come out with it..I borrowed from Magdelene Berns and said "my feminism doesn't intersect with a penis!"

I was terrified and thought I was about to lose my best friends and be labeled a bigot...but we had a series of really good talks and the upshot of it was: a whole load of peaking and attendance at Posie's event in Manchester on Friday!

I've delurked to add my voice and say courage really does call to courage.

I mostly lurk.
Mostly I am listening and learning...and applauding...and filling in surveys and consultations signposted here.
Thank you to everyone if the determined, passionate, intelligent, inspiring and thought-provoking women who post here.
Oh, and you make me laugh a lot too, when the rest of social media seems very grim.

I’ve been on Mumsnet for years but rarely post - mostly I lurk here and on the Westminstenders and Trump threads - I spend too much time reading to manage to post anything!

I have posted a few times, in fact frequently over a period of months, have been ignored, had my posts be re-written and then discussed without me etc.

I haven’t found FWR to be at all welcoming and I have been tediously radical for years

Hi everyone, been lurking for years and occasionally posting.
Just wanted to add my name to the huge number of women here who won't be quiet.

I have goosebumps

I'm very much of the 'yer, what she said' school of posters rather than being particularly original, but people don't mind. so join in lurkers - it's fun!

Regular lurker, occasional poster. Out IRL as well but taking it slowly so as not to put people off.

I lurk and have posted a little but threads often move on at such a pace I can’t keep up the with conversation, my thinking and keyboard skills aren’t up to it.

I’m so grateful for the brilliant posters on here and for mumsnet for allowing our voices to be heard.
I hope one day someone makes a documentary and records for posterity the battle that you women are fighting to defend our rights.

Waves to everyone, it's really lovely to read this thread.

Makes me think of this

There's more and more people starting to dance on the hill