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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Academics' letter in Guardian

118 replies

Velella · 16/10/2018 20:34

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/16/academics-are-being-harassed-over-their-research-into-transgender-issues

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 18/10/2018 08:43

Thank you, Maid x

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 18/10/2018 08:44

Now that the Guardian seems to have changed direction I wonder how much this letter had to do with it. I would suspect quite a bit.

KatherinaMinola · 18/10/2018 10:49

Thank you Maid. I too think that your letter and the previous one in the Observer have had a lot to do with the Guardian's change of stance.

SeekEveryEveryKnownHidingPlace · 18/10/2018 17:38

Just to confirm - I very strongly imagine Wink that all of those signatories have spent the last few days feeling rather vulnerable, paranoid, and exposed. If you're able to show them support via email, or in any other way, I am absolutely certain they will be extremely grateful.

It has not been pleasant.

KatherinaMinola · 18/10/2018 21:05

What else would be helpful, Seek?

ChattyLion · 19/10/2018 08:17

Flowers Maid

SeekEveryEveryKnownHidingPlace · 19/10/2018 09:36

Katharina I think just emailing would make a massive difference, but if people were able to speak to anyone on the list, or perhaps more importantly speak to others - 'did you see X was a signatory on that letter, I support it/her/it's made me think about the issues/I think she is having a difficult time' - and spread the idea that you support them....
that would be great. Because the fear is that everyone's silently thinking we're 'disgusting' 'bigots' and 'transphobes', or perhaps worse, having conversations agreeing that we are, in private. And nobody dares say they agree.

GCAcademic · 19/10/2018 13:18

I’ve just had a lovely email from a postgrad student in another department, thanking me for putting my name to the letter, and saying that there are lots of them out there who are scared by the proposed changes to the GRA, and also scared to speak up. It makes me really sad that it has come to this. But this is why it’s important that we have spoken out, and that we should continue to do so. Our universities are failing students, and failing society.

Seek - have you watched the video of Kathleen Stock’s WPUK speech? There’s a bit in there about the shaming of women who speak out about this, and how that’s used as a tactic. I found the whole speech really helpful in gearing myself up to this.

Waterparc · 19/10/2018 17:40

ok I've sent an email. She's replied saying she has had no problems.

Mind you, having read her twitter account, I think she's in the Posie Parker "don't give a shit" camp so has probably experienced far worse....

TheElementsSong · 19/10/2018 17:58

I'm an academic (biochemist). How can I join the network?

Waterparc · 19/10/2018 18:32

make direct with Kathleen Stock would be your best bet I think.

GCAcademic · 19/10/2018 20:33

Elements - I’ll PM you.

TheElementsSong · 19/10/2018 20:48

Thanks GC - have replied!

MaidOfStars · 21/10/2018 13:49

I’ve had a few thank you emails over the last few days!

catsnoozing · 21/10/2018 18:06

I emailed the academic from my old uni to thank her and got a nice message back.

MaidOfStars · 22/10/2018 10:46

She’s way less suspicious than me then. I have viewed every email as a potential fishing exercise Blush

hipsterfun · 22/10/2018 11:59

That’s a shame, Maid, but I totally understand.

The person I emailed didn’t reply, maybe that’s why.

FeminismandWomensFights · 30/11/2018 07:57

Just flagging this in case you are interested and/or have a route to Tweet the Science and Technology Committee or to flag this call to other gender-critical scientists or academics:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3438459-Klaxon-Tweets-wanted-for-Sam-Gyimah-MP-Minister-of-State-for-Universities-Science-Research-and-Innovation?msgid=82965943#82965943

Closes at 5pm today, Friday Nov 30
Cheers!

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