Well that's me put back in my box then

[Babysharkdoodoodoodo]

Has some LGBT training today and we were shown a slide with definitions on. And blimey: Fully front and centre is Cis woman in a box and then a box for trans.

Needlessly say I made a small objection as I'm not a Cis Woman. I'm a woman woman. You know born and bred female. But no..... apparently that's a matter of opinion and as I'm in a non political organisation I'm not allowed to contest this.

I did ahem, throw a teeny weeny tantrum but not in a loud way. Just in a I am real woman hear me roar way.

So then we had a lecture on the hardships of trans people and how being a woman is so easy. Gahhh!

And then given a pretty rainbow lanyard and a pat on the head

I do think the only way we can get over this is to all be 'special' and 'non-binary'.

What about an identity of 'female non-binary'? We know we are female but we don't identify with gender stereotypes. So no pronoun changes, but we get to be 'special' and under the trans umbrella, where we can be treated with respect instead of being sent off to the gulag or burnt as witches.

And if anyone says we can't be female and non-binary they are denying our existence and committing literal violence.

My head is hurting a little.

Well done for speaking up, OP!

Lots of rainbow lanyards popping up where I work too. So far I've managed to avoid it. How sad that the rainbow symbol now has that effect on me. It didn't use to.

OldCrone if this comes my way I can tell them I am an agender female and ask for their support and inclusion.

'Lots of rainbow lanyards popping up where I work too. So far I've managed to avoid it. How sad that the rainbow symbol now has that effect on me. It didn't use to.'

I feel exactly the same. It's a shame

Thanks all. I did have to grit my teeth and pull up my big girl pants to speak up as this was one of my induction talks and I don't want to make waves in a new career. But I thought ' I already tick some of the inclusion boxes: mixed race and disabled, so why not!'

I do like the idea of identifying as female non binary.

I really, really hate this, especially as this is one of the largest organisations around. I've already had to redact my social media due to security checks. Gah!

What a nightmare for you babyshark especially when you're new - but well done for speaking out!

Why not non-binary female - it's as logical as non-binary trans.

The rainbow's been ruined for me too.

Remember, when you are being called a ciswoman, the phrase you are looking for is "please do not misgender me!"

My advice is to ask tricky questions under the guise of being confused.

"Why are you mentioning clownfish, do they have a gender identity? How does this apply to this topic, I'm confused?"

"I read something about rapid onset gender dysphoria and clusters of children coming out as trans in schools - isn't the government looking into that?"

"I have a friend who is intersex, and she tells me that intersex people are either male with a chromosome issue or female with a chromosome issue - there isn't a third sex."

or, if applicable:

"I have x number of children and there were only two of us in the room, how does a third sex play into this?"

"What does the Equality Act say about protected characteristics? Is there a hierarchy? And aren't there exemptions that can be applied? I'm confused, can you explain?"

"Don't we agree that gender stereotypes are bad? But doesn't the idea of 'cis' enforce those stereotypes?"

"I read a shocking statistic in the papers a few weeks back about unisex / mixed sex facilities had a sharp increase in sex-based crimes. Did you see that?"

etc etc etc.

These are quite pointed questions, but in my experience they really can't be answered with a pithy remark and spark a bit of discussion. Plant the seeds of critical thinking!

I'm lucky enough to be self employed and work from home - I won't be giving myself inclusivity training.

However, it is known that the majority of people are at least sceptical about this stuff - but most never speak out. It is probably the case the the person organising this training is only ticking a box and doesn't believe it either.

So I think that a fuss needs to be made, by everyone who doesn't agree. There is power in numbers and employees need to be braver.

I realise that it is very easy for me to say (from my workplace/sofa) but this type of training is bollocks, but it since more than that... it is truly damaging and needs to be challenged as often as possible.