Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

University Transgender Event

44 replies

AnonUni · 16/10/2018 23:01

I have to be quite vague here but want advice/opinions.

There is an event tomorrow at University where there will be two very well known transgender people as keynote speakers and workshops from Transgender Activists.

It said in the first event were teachers and social workers, I am assuming this is mentioned as they will be expecting the same people attending this one.

The event is to teach people how to be good cisgender allies.

The two well known people use terf blocker. They claim most things are transphobic. They are two very controversial people known for being fairly vocal on Twitter.

My concern is that they will be giving advice based on false suicide statistics, I know at least one of them thinks there is no harm in puberty blockers ...

If I attend can I correct things they're saying? I mean I'll just be accused of being transphobic (and possibly kicked out of Uni?) if I question anything. Should I go and take notes and raise any concerns after the event? or should I just not go at all?

OP posts:
BlardyBlar · 17/10/2018 06:59

Audio evidence can be very useful, as we saw recently with Venice Allan and the Hairy Prong Conspiracy.

And I’m interested in the law firms. Presumably they are heavily pro-trans, if the event is about that.

Best of luck OP. Hope you find someone to go with you.

Original poster
AnonUni · 17/10/2018 07:20

BlardyBlar "This is a free conference that has been made possible by the two sponsors Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP and Blake Morgan LLP."

I've signed up for a Stonewall workshop this morning!

OP posts:
pachyderm · 17/10/2018 07:27

Ooh that wasn't hard to figure out.

Interestingly they BOTH come from extremely privileged backgrounds and attended very expensive private schools. Like a lot of the prominent activists.

BeUpStanding · 17/10/2018 07:30

Hi OP - I'm almost certain I know the uni event you're talking about. Sadly I can't go - I'm not a student there but I noticed 'all are welcome' but I wanted to go for interest, and to flyer the toilets Grin.

It's absolutely ridiculous that it's not safe to question the reliability or validity of statistics at a UNIVERSITY event, but if you're on your own I think the situation could quickly become quite intimidating.

Recording the audio on your phone would be good though.

And go with an open mind. Go in there prepared to have your mind changed, and see what you think at the end.

Good luck and report back!

Original poster
AnonUni · 17/10/2018 07:40

BeUpStanding You can go!! The booking form asks if people are from the Uni, a member of the public etc I didn't realise that I needed to book on it until last night so I did it last night and hoping it won't be an issue? It didn't ask for payment so assuming I'll pay when I get there?

OP posts:
Beerincomechampagnetastes · 17/10/2018 07:41

Good luck op 🌟 no doubt you’ll need a stiff drink afterwards

mejon · 17/10/2018 07:47

OP - good luck and do report back. I posted about it at the weekend as we'd been sent an email about it at work. It hasn't been publicised far and wide as far as I can see - I wonder why? Had I not been in work I'd have come and as PP, would have tried to leave some leaflets in the loos.

Original poster
AnonUni · 17/10/2018 07:58

It hasn't been publicised far and wide as far as I can see - I wonder why? Yes exactly, very odd that I didn't get an email about it until so late. I'm very suspicious about it Hmm

Sounds like a couple of you live near me then? (I live in same town as the University). Do any of you know if there are any feminist groups local to me that are gender critical?

OP posts:
BeUpStanding · 17/10/2018 08:01

Ah no sorry, I mean I can't go because I have to be somewhere else this evening!

itsbritneybiatches · 17/10/2018 08:15

Good luck OP.

Let everyone know how you get on.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 17/10/2018 08:20

I wouldn't go. I had to attend something like this and they had their ducks in line. Dissent wasn't tolerated and reasonable questions were twisted to mean something else. Lots of woke rent a crowd were there to keep order. Just saying.

Original poster
AnonUni · 17/10/2018 08:51

I just went in and they're full and so because I only signed up last night I can't attend 😒 I was looking forward to it because I wanted to know exactly what is said during the stonewall workshop. I found another gender critical student who attends the same lectures as I do though so not a complete waste of time I suppose.

OP posts:
itsbritneybiatches · 17/10/2018 09:00

What's a Stonewall Workshop?

gendercritter · 17/10/2018 09:05

Well done for trying. It takes courage to go to something like this when you don't know anyone else gc.

Have you seen the posts on here from the Cambridge student? Maybe you could pm her and start a gc students' network. I bet it would grow very quickly.

Original poster
AnonUni · 17/10/2018 09:24

I haven't seen that but will check it out, thank you. I'm concerned that as a student I feel unable to speak openly about the GRA reform and how it will affect women. I shouldn't feel unable to speak about this.

The stonewall workshop was called, I think, Come Out For Trans or something, I was curious to see what is demanded from allies. After reading the Vice list of 100 things I was wondering if they suggested the same/similar things.

OP posts:
speakingwoman · 17/10/2018 10:02

Hi Anon,

I went to an event.

I wrote SAY on one palm and NOTHING on the other. It works really well. If tempted to raise your hand on a surge of indignation and it stops you.

However, if you do speak, have a script. Simply say “my position is that the law should stay as it is because I have concerns about the potential knock on effect on sex based rights”. If challenged, just say you will reflect and you are open to persuasion but you are not yet convinced. Then stop.

I have navigated around a pro TRAdiscussion group using this and it takes the heat out. A couple of people were cross but the moderators appreciated the direct approach. One thing I’ve learnt here is to be really direct about my own position. Not apologies, explanations, excuses.

Good luck

YetAnotherSpartacus · 17/10/2018 10:12

I wrote SAY on one palm and NOTHING on the other. It works really well. If tempted to raise your hand on a surge of indignation and it stops you

I imagined trying to chew my own elbows whilst a colleague muttered 'shhhhhhhh' every time I snarled under my breath. Think Arthur and Ford being tortured by the Vogon poetry.

speakingwoman · 17/10/2018 10:58

YetAnother,

yes, I did take a friend with me to my event. She touched the writing on my palm to direct my attention to the SAY NOTHING when she saw my bicep threatening to elevate the arm....

FordPrefect42 · 17/10/2018 11:31

I think I know which uni you are talking about Anon. I go there too - in fact I have just sent you a private message. If I’m wrong then I apologise and please ignore the PM!

I think a certain trans model was due to speak there? 🤔

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread