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'm an academic in the USA and this is a forum for British mums so I wouldn't want to impose.

MN has a worldwide base. Its the internet. Its just how it is.

We have much to learn from the experiences of America on many levels of politics. We are culturally different in the UK, but what happens in America has a ripple effect which are important to us all - the whole world over.

If you are not posting just because of where you come from, then please have a rethink.

Cross pollonisation and getting out of echo chambers is much needed. Coming from outside the British bubble is perhaps an asset. You will think in different ways and have the potentional to get others to see things from a way they haven't because of our British culture and British blinkers. Thats how you erase political blindspots and reduce ignorance ultimately.

RedToothBrush and Keeptrudging. Thanks. Often (echoing many others) I find that what I want to say has already been said better by another poster. But, I'll definitely think about it.

Mostly lurk. Occasionally post. Finally decided just now it and shared WPUK post on my Facebook page, A tiny step, I know, especially compared to those who have been speaking out for months/ years on this issue, but still a step in the right directio. Doubt it will get any response but still.

Hi me too, started really reading threads just 3 or so weeks ago, I was curious how these threads seemed to be showing more and more. Last week was a sudden whoosh in my understanding for me, watched Posie vs Harrop on YouTube, tuned in especially to watch This Morning stitch up live, climaxing in me shouting at the telly over the Kavanagh business. Fuckers I am so angry about that. Anyway, big thank you, i am inspired, reading avidly every day, wondering how I can spread the word.

Please do FWRlurker. I'm not a mum either and never will be, and when I first started here I was living outside the UK. Obviously I have the hide of a rhino cause I just charged right in

I am interested in hearing all perspectives on this. I do worry that I might be living in a bubble and I want not to, and the way out of the bubble is to hear other people's perspectives.

Sophocles: And for those who feel they're not heard: well, I think this thread is the living proof that that may not be true. People may not namecheck you, they may not quote you, but you can be sure that someone sitting behind a keyboard somewhere is nodding along because you've said it the way that they did.

YES! This is something that needs to be said. It's not like speaking in person, where one's comment can be talked over and simply dissipate into the wind. Words on the internet remain long after you hit "post", and people who were not around to read initially will still be able to hear what you have to say. Hell, you may even end up in someone's recorded-for-posterity folder where I some weirdo keeps entire threads saved as PDFs for when this madness is over and there are people trying to make feminists the scapegoat.

Also, with as many prolific users on this board being banned for defending a GC position, the lurkers are going to need to step up keep the fires burning. For every thebewilderness who gets kicked from FWR, there are ten silent watchers who can speak up and fill the void.

I’m a binge lurker, I come out of the woodwork and post a lot , feel like a bit of a fool, and return to the lurkiness. I’m fairly new to MN. Only here since May.

Amazing, place. Thank you 😊 to all the women here.
I gave FPFW leaflets to 4 family members today. All peaked!

I've been lurking since my attention was caught by the Spartacus threads, I've posted once or twice! It's been fascinating seeing how thoughts have developed over the years. I've been to a couple of WPUK meetings, which were great. Many thanks to all the fantastic posters on the FWR threads.

I have a trans parent and a job in public services, which makes it difficult to talk about in any way on social media and irl.

wondering how I can spread the word.

Just keep talking. To whoever. Whenever.

Don't underestimate how normalising conversation about certain topics breaks the taboo and brings down walls. You don't need to shout about it on the internet to the whole world. Yes that helps, but confiding / telling a trusted friend has value and importance too.

I find that what I want to say has already been said better by another poster.

Sometimes, just acknowledging the comment by agreeing is useful. It makes people realise they are saying something useful. It helps them have a bit of comfort, reassurance and confidence in why they say.

It works for regulars and new comers alike.

Again don't undervalue how this is a positive contribution. Obviously if there's loads of people doing it for the same post, its less useful but if you spot something that resonances that no one else has picked up on, its a good thing.

I'm an occasional MN poster, but I lurk here every day to keep up to date with all the GC stuff I need to know. Also lurk on r/GenderCritical for more common sense. And delve into Twitter when I feel I can cope with the sheer idiocy of the TRA lot. Have an anonymous account to keep up to date with stuff.

I've been lurking on and off for years. Mostly on nowadays, I have a quick look through most active and then into here. I rarely post because others have usually said what I want to say already, I also find I can't always find the right words. But I have learned so much from these boards, have read so many articles linked here, am starting to be able to articulate my views in real life, am quietly signing petitions etc. Thank you all.

I've lurked on the FWR board regularly for a few months now - gone from default trans-rights sympathiser to increasingly angry and mindboggled by what I've read.

Thank you to everyone on this board for keeping on posting and repeating yourselves so patiently - haven't yet felt I'm sufficiently up to speed to post but I'm now at the point where I'm discussing this among groups of trusted friends, most of whom are similarly horrified when they realise what's going on. None of us would have been any the wiser without your posts.

Hi, thanks for the invite to post. I may not post again. I'm an academic in the USA and this is a forum for British mums so I wouldn't want to impose.

Please stay! Your perspective could have something to teach us!

And don't be afraid to post! So what if you get your arse handed to you on one thread? You can hand someone else theirs on another! The most important thing about this forum is that women can speak.

Hi. another lurker over here!

I'm a lurker. I didn't see the previous thread, but am briefly delurking to salute and thank you all. This section is so immensely important and valuable beyond measure. Especially in these scary times.

I don't post here, but I am learning, and I'm trying to effect change in my own little corner of the world. Woefully badly as I am just not articulate enough to be persuasive, and probably just look like a bit of a twat but I do signpost to better people an awful lot.

I'm also very grateful for a small group of women that I met via MN, and we talk about FWR a fair amount these days

Also, where can you get a Posie tshirt?

< waves @uncomfortablydumb >

www.standingforwomen.com/shop

@uncomfortablydumb
Also, where can you get a Posie t-shirt?

I’m a happy lurker! For the past year. I get a sense of belonging from what I read here. I also have the confidence now to share my stance on issues such as sex work, pornography and self ID, with folk in real life. You’ve all opened my eyes to so much and helped me get my thoughts clearer.

Seriously lurkers? Listen to yourselves. “Not clever enough”. “Not erudite enough”. And then crack a brilliant joke or say something insightful.

Just jump in. Have a crack. Apart from the fact you all have a contribution to make, it’s important that the multitude of women’s voices are heard.

Thanks for this thread! I've been lurking for about a year, but have become really quite immersed for the last couple of months.

Sadly I tried to open a GC conversation with my DSis, to be told "Oh, it doesn't really affect me...." Best friend however is TPing with the rest of us.

Was cheered to find a lovely note through my door thanking me for displaying the "Women = adult human female" leaflet in my window.

Hi! I have been lurking for a little while but have just started posting this week. I have name changed though as my last one was possibly outing - I hate it that I am even worried about that though.

I have been galvanized a bit into action now and have been talking to family and friends, asking them to do the consultation, and have just done a few tentative likes on Twitter I am thankful to everyone who is being much braver, I really do feel this is a crucial moment in the fight for women's rights

DanceLikeEmmaGoldman wrote: Seriously lurkers? Listen to yourselves. “Not clever enough”. “Not erudite enough”. And then crack a brilliant joke or say something insightful.

^^ This. Years ago I read a piece by the founder of a youth organisation in the US who explained why he waited on a chair, at the top of the stairs, every night so that he could welcome all those timorous young people who were garnering up all of their courage to walk up those stairs.

He wrote with such knowledge, wisdom, and compassion of the struggles, both internal and external, that those young people had to contend with before they could persuade themselves to walk up those stairs. And he wanted to be there, so that there would be someone to welcome them, and let them know they'd made a positive change in their lives and they had a positive contribution to make to the lives of others.

Hi @FWRLurker it would be fascinating to hear from you on the Transwidows thread.

Did your husband desist from identifying as trans?

arranfan thank you

Both for the t-shirt link, and the lovely story about the fab man waiting on a chair to inspire the young.