Debbie Hayton letter Times 05.10.18

[PollyEthel]

Excellent letter in the Times:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b1cda4f4-c7f8-11e8-a4a5-a34bea2c1d04

TRANSGENDER DEBATE
Sir, The compilers of the Book of Proverbs probably had more pressing concerns than gender identity when they characterised the wicked, the foolish and the wise, but the transgender debate today (letters, Oct 3 & 4) involves the same three kinds of people. The wicked will hijack any agenda for their own self-interest, and trans rights provide rich pickings.

By playing the trans card, misogynists can hound women with impunity, paedophiles can find easier access to children and rapists can be transferred to women’s prisons. The foolish see what is happening but cross their fingers and hope for the best. They know the difference between male and female but they hope that by repeating the mantra “trans women are women” loudly enough it will render that difference insignificant.

The rest of society is now finding out what has been going on. Surely, they say, people can’t change their sex to circumvent the sex-based protections of women and girls? But if they can, some abusers will. Lucy Bannerman’s Thunderer was right (“Trans movement has been hijacked by bullies and trolls”, Oct 1). The time has come for our political leaders to show some wisdom before it is too late. 
Debbie Hayton
Transgender activist, Birmingham

Yes, interesting post. But I still draw my line, now, at women and men

No men have any places in spaces and roles reserved for women. And if anyone starts quibbling to me about what is a woman - I refer to physical fact and physical biology.

Women don't have penises, and have never had them.

Women are women, not some kind of kinky adaptation of men who enjoy stereotypes.

I do see where you are coming from Acorn, but without any medico-legal process, we only have Debbie's word to as to what their diagnosis may or may not be, and what surgery they have or have not had. There is no way to officially check, and no official/ qualified opinion to check it with. That is what makes it self ID.

It is not just personal to Debbie, I am not saying they are lying, the same goes for any transsexual, or transperson without a GRC, and especially where surgery can be obtained abroad under different qualifying conditions than we might have here. We just cannot know what is going on so all we have is 'trust'.

Likewise the scenario where are not sure when we can and cannot ask to see GRCs have led to this murky virtual self ID travesty.

It is all an equal shit show to me though, since a man can never become a woman. Doesn't matter what some legal trickery fiction says.

great post from PencilsinSpace on Monday at 22:54:15, I totally agree with it

I've gone from 'why are people means to transsexuals' to 'no men in womens spaces' in the course of the last 2 years

thanks for the education FWR.