I stuck my head above the parapet

[anunseemlylovefordustin]

After months of lurking and learning here, I've finally taken the step I've been afraid of, and joined twitter to engage in debate.

More scarily, I have posted on my own FB page. I've been so scared of offending or hurting my FB friends (many of whom are gay and a couple of whom are genuinely trans) but I've finally stuck my head above the parapet and said what I think. I feel terrified and relieved at the same time!

Thank you all on here for turning me from a lazy 'feminist in name only' to being a REAL, angry feminist. My daughter thanks you too, even though she's only 1 and doesn't know it yet.

Yes, I've been plugging away on FB for quite a while, to deathly silence, and it was the links to the 'Adult human female' poster being taken down that finally got responses - and admissions that they've been reading all the links I've posted.

Well done. It continues to amaze me how many people just don’t know. I spoke to a sports journalist today who was completely unaware, but got the issue for women’s sport immediately.

From James Kirkup's article on Karen White:

“With self-ID policies we will effectively be giving the keys to women’s refuges to abusive men. If that happens, beyond a shadow of a doubt, women will die. Never ever underestimate the potential for abusive men to track down, find and torture their victim.”

From a women with 37 years' experience of managing shelters.

It sounds like you had experience of this growing up OP.

And well done on speaking out.

I have shared the FPFW website on Facebook and invited people to complete the consultation. I have kept it simple and said that my main concern is around the safeguarding implications and the potential for the system to be abused. I don't wish to engage in discussions about trans issues as I am still working through the issues in my own mind and hate social media debate but felt that no one could really argue with the point about safeguarding. I don't think my friends are particularly 'woke' apart from a handful (we're all too old!) so hoping not to have started a bunfight. Only got one like so far so will probably be ignored by most!

I also spoke to a staunch labour supporting colleague this morning who was already 'peaked' (not by me, just her own observations) so said she would look at the consultation.

Probably isn't doing much as I am so totally nonconfrontational but hopefully it all helps. Feels good to not have just stood on the sidelines.

Good for you OP!

Your mum's cycling club ladies might be interested in cyclist Rachel McKinnon.

Well done, OP. A lot of my friends are long-time feminists and were posting about the attack on women's rights before I'd realised what was happening. I'm really glad they did as it enabled me to get informed and involved, and it sounds like that's what you're doing for your friends. It's important.

I've been a leftie feminist and out as lesbian for literally decades now and I've never felt so alienated from 'the LGBTQ+ movement' which seems to have become almost entirely 'TQ+' and sod everyone else. Much as I respect trans people's rights (and I do), I'm beyond furious at the way this is playing out.

My mum called yesterday to say that all 20 of her elderly ladies cycling group - they call themselves that, before I get flamed :) - have completed the consultation document this week, as well as half of their spouses. And my mums partner too. The message is spreading.

A direct quote from her 'What has really helped is the open letter from the transsexual ladies (I've lost the link!) which has helped to clarify the difference between genuinely trans people, who deserve our respect and kindness and to have all the rights of any other person, and the transgender activists, who seem determined to erase everyone else's rights and alienate everyone at the same time'

I've peaked just about all the men in my office with Rachel McKinnon. Men get this immediately because they are not bothered about being nice. What they don't get is why women aren't furious. I've told them we are but bomb threats, banned meetings, being described as indulging in hate speech have all done their job. Men haven't faced any of this.