We’re Still Here Conference 8th September: A report from the inside

[TheHarpySings]

Hi all

First off, I’m a regular poster, have been here for years under various usernames, it I’m posting here on a name change as I don’t want this traced to me.

On 8th September there was a conference held in London a Bloomsbury Baptist Church which was called We’re Still Here, which featured a variety of panels and workshops and was attended by many prominent people in the pro-GRA reform camp.

I decided to attend to find out what was being said as it was clear that they did not want anyone to attend that wasn’t a TRA or an ally.

What follows are my notes from the day. But first a few notes on attendance:

There were probably 80-100 people in attendance. Overwhelmingly white. Mainly older transwomen. A couple of transmen. Some Mermaids delegates. Some fellow travellers/ allies. And me.

Okay. So here’s my notes

1. Health Panel:
   Chair was Dr Ben Vincent of GIRES.
   
   Part of the discussion on this panel was around GPs reluctance to prescribe “bridging hormones”. GPs are reluctant/afraid to prescribe them for liability reasons. Apparently a brand of T-Gel was withdrawn and GPs are reluctant to switch brands.
   
   There was then a bit of chatter about whether a person’s sex was relevant for healthcare stats.
   
   Then there was discussion about trans children. Dr Vincent was very scathing about GIDS-said there was disgusting and unethical practices. BV spoke about dispelling the myths about desistance and the myths of ROGD- BV called this “concern trolling, malicious and ethically bankrupt”. BV would like a review of the whole system.
   
   Then Dr Vincent said that they’d received a review copy of “Born in your own body” edited by Heather Brunskell-Evans and Michele Moore. BV is reviewing it for some Royal College and said “I will tear it a new arsehole”
   
   Also (and they didn't want this tweeted) BV is also planning a book called Terf Wars which will be a “rigorous takedown of terf arguments” which is getting serialised as articled in some peer reviewed journal- I’m sorry but I couldn’t catch which one.
   
   Dr Stuart Lorimer, of the Tavistock and Portman who was also a panellist- said that ROGD is “evidence free”.
   
   There was a great deal of discussion as to the health risks for transwomen taking certain brands of hormones- one person said they knew three other people who’d died taking them, and they’d nearly died as well.

[heresyandwitchcraft]

I don't know how you managed to attend the conference and keep a straight face... Remind me never to challenge you to a game of poker. But thank you, OP.

[LittlePearl]

I felt sick reading this.

Something very bad is happening. I feel scared today..... not every day, because there seems to be more awareness in the last couple of weeks but today's been a bad day.

I feel powerless. I can't quite believe it's come to this.

[MsMcWoodle]

Harpy. You are so brave. This is fascinating stuff. Thank you so much for doing this.
You must be a great actress too.

[TheHarpySings]

dolorsit it has been passed to several journalists already.

[YesItsADebate]

Anyone know a good defamation lawyer?

[dolorsit]

Well done.

Would you be able to forward this to a journalist?

[MinecraftHolmes]

I'm not sure whether to sit in open-mouthed disbelief or to nod my head and say "Yeah that all sounds about right". Nice one OP.

[LittleLebowski]

Thank you for this TheHarpysings - you did well to keep it together listening to all that. Some truly chilling stuff.

[AngryAttackKittens]

This is an attempt to do an end-run around democracy and it's not OK.

[RunningWild12]

Thanks for doing this. Not anyone’s idea of a good day out. But it’s so important we document what is actually going on away from th pink sparkly glitter they’re throwing in the public’s eye. I’m in Scotland. the civil service dealing with this has been captured. Deliberate campaign going back years by the lgbt lobby groups. And so govt is captured. Always used to prefer cock up to conspiracy theories. Not in this case.

[LangCleg]

Zed talked about offering a “safe space” for trans kids who maybe couldn’t be trans at home.. either because parents are unaware or unsupportive so the kids change at school and essentially live a double life.

Well that doesn't ring any alarm bells at all. Jesus fucking Christ. Could these people be any more irresponsible?

[beldaran]

That's supposed to be a shocked face btw....it isn't showing up on my app.

[TransposersArePosers]

Thanks for attending and posting OP

I think we all should note the tactic of 'a “constructive, friendly, innocent” tone when debating or in dialogue....To be mindful about who is watching- To make the TRAs look like the reasonable side

Interesting having read the reverse ferret in the press and the prof Stephen being oh so reasonable and amending irresponsible comments in the press after engaging on here. And the Metro ad. All at once. Part of a 'lull them into a false sense of security' perhaps?

Even IW against PP went all calm and reasoned rather than the person that was seen on BB.

[beldaran]



[Melamin]

Wow! Thank you. This is fascinating reading. I am lost for words.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Well that's disturbing especially as I can't help reading "BV" as Bacterial Vaginosis

[Cuntysnark]

You’re one brave and brilliant woman!

[adulthumanandtired]

That made very chilling reading indeed. Thank you.
The comment against “babying” of children immediately made me think of the PIE. Horrifying. We have much to do to safeguard our vulnerable citizens.

[Knicknackpaddyflak]

If this is forced through however they cannot require or force co operation from women. Phase two will involve massive civil disobedience and refusal to co operate.

52% of the population. And once the realities start to sink in, women and their brothers, fathers and husbands are going to be more and more angry. This is not going to end in sunshine and unicorns for anyone .

[terfing]

You're a shero! 

I loved your description of the good doctor. He sounded like a stroppy teenager.

[CrazyToast]

Interesting read, thanks!

I think we all should note the tactic of 'a “constructive, friendly, innocent” tone when debating or in dialogue....To be mindful about who is watching- To make the TRAs look like the reasonable side.'

We need to do more of this. It's cathartic to vent on here or be annoyed on twitter but it doesnt help us. I know there is a thing about women not having to be nice---but we need to do what will make us safe rather than what we feel like. IMO anyway. This is politics afterall.

[OvaHere]

He said the TRAs need to build allies in mainstream women and children’s organisations so it looks like they care about them.

Such massive entryism. They DGAF about those orgs.

[AbsintheFriends]

This is utterly chilling.

Thanks for attending and sharing OP.

[NowtSalamander]

Christ on a bike. No words.

Somehow I thought that when they were by themselves they all went “Ha Ha, good joke we’re playing, what?” In a Bertie Wooster voice.

[NibblyPig]

You are a hero!