Robert Webb

[EGAnderson]

Has he deleted his tweet about Mermaids? No longer seems to be on his timeline - is it just me?

More likely he's been visited by the Mermaid's legal fairy.

This.

We know TRAS and their friends are a litigious lot.

I would guess that he has been threatened either professionally or with legal action. I would hope he'll come back fighting after he regroups.

but I’ve not witnessed a ‘pile on’, threats, or any of the aggression mentioned above.

I'm assuming you didn't read the original tweet responses? There were messages that they would spit in his face, lots of claims he wants children to die. Clearly these were a small number out of a lot of replies, but many of the more acceptable ones weren't pleasant or remotely proportionate.

It does seem unfair and not wise really to judge others when most posters aren’t out themselves and want to keep allies onside. Felt the same about the jk Rowling threads

This. He knew what was coming. It took guts to send it. He's doubtless had his agent, family and friends advising him to take the easy route and avoid spoiling his Christmas.

It's not even like it'll make a difference.

The difference is that the direct abuse stops. That's the point- in a way it's not important that individuals change their minds; much more valuable that they feel they can't voice Wrongthink and that others know what happens if you do.

It does make you realise how terrifically brave Julie Bindel is.

This x100, and all the others.

Someone with resources should LET mermaids sue them. It costs a fortune to bring a case for libel or slander to court and truth is a defence. Mermaids would bankrupt themselves trying.

Since mermaids DO advocate things that breach safeguarding (confidential disclosure in schools) and DO advocate for pathways that lead to the sterilisation of children (blockers/hormones/surgery) then no one is in any danger of a successful prosecution of them as an individual for saying that. Because it’s true. And you can’t prosecute someone for libel if they are speaking the truth.

The police being sent round is scare tactics. Twitter pile ons are scare tactics. Doxing is a scare tactic.

A dispassionate and concerned stance that one has sympathy for anyone genuinely suffering from gender dysphoria but that what mermaids do contravenes several safeguarding procedures and current medical ethics is not a hateful stance, and it’s not an untrue stance. Expressing reservations about the activities of mermaids is not a crime. It’s not hate speech and it’s not libel.

Webb has repeatedly stated he supports transpeople. Nothing he has said is hateful or transphobic. He has comitted no crime.

Let them sue you. you have done nothing wrong.

Twitter is instant though, isn't it? He tweeted, and apologised for not having the courage to have done so before. That's what will have registered with his 500k followers and the wider twittersphere reached by the furore . The fact it's now deleted is disappointing ,but the point has been made and he'll have made a good few more people question the narrative.

(Just checked his feed to check the follower number - the abuse he is getting is outrageous. I wouldn't blame him for coming off Twitter altogether)

It takes a very special strength and determination to allow yourself to be sued. There's a financial cost (which isn't all recoverable even if you win) and a huge time and emotional cost. Plus the impact on your career if you're a celebrity. It's a huge ask.

Re legal action/libel - Webb's tweet was in direct response to Janice Turner's column. If Mermaids want to sue, surely that would be the appropriate target? But I'll take a bet that the Times had their lawyers scrutinise it before publication and they know they don't have a leg to stand on.

Yes it’s a huge ask for an individual.

And the abuse of the legal system contonues

it’s a huge ask for an individual.

Isn't a Spartacus moment by blokes overdue?

He has gone pretty quiet on twitter, deleted that tweet. And yet, the argument rages on on his twitter timeline.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's had a visit/phone call from the police. This is some scary shit going on here.

It's easy for us to say "Let them sue you" - but that's not the only outcome.

A visit from the police for "malicious communications" or even "hate speech" is no laughing matter. Posie, Venice and others have been interviewed under caution - Venice and Linda, a private prosecution against them. Glinner had some sort of police warning - (not a caution - but I think it's is on record) - and the TRAs never stop crowing about it. Anything he says now, the TRAs throw "oh, the man who's got a police warning for harassing a transwoman!" replies at him.

This costs time, money and is a risk to reputation. I wouldn't wish it on anyone tbh.

e legal action/libel - Webb's tweet was in direct response to Janice Turner's column. If Mermaids want to sue, surely that would be the appropriate target? But I'll take a bet that the Times had their lawyers scrutinise it before publication and they know they don't have a leg to stand on.

I had no idea that a woman could be a target by the police for stating a fact like having your child's penis cut off was castration.

I also had no idea that a middle-aged woman ould be privately prosecuted for saying she would use self defence if attacked by a man.

People are rightfully concerned.

Funny old times eh

I agree... it’s too much for one person. It’s also a shocking abuse of the criminal justice system and a waste of police time

^If you are non-binary first and foremost, what are you trans of/from/to?
Or if you are trans-something first, what binary are you not?^

Don't try and use sense.

This. He knew what was coming. It took guts to send it. He's doubtless had his agent, family and friends advising him to take the easy route and avoid spoiling his Christmas.

Yep, though I think his wife definitely would have been chanting "tweet tweet tweet!"

Robert is a good egg and I'd be surprised if he has been brought around to the Mermaids point of view since posting.

His book has also done a lot of good work to dismantle gendered expectations.

However! He has not said anything that at least 95% of the population wouldn't agree with or that is legally actionable. Rather than delete the tweet he needs to follow it up by saying that that is what he believes and if others don't agree with him that is their prerogative. Then mute the thread.

The ONLY way we are going to win is to stop backing down. The fear that this minority install in people is ridiculous.

If (and I agree we should not be speculating on this in specific cases) someone receives specific threats as a result of posting of their lack of faith in the gender cult, then that is what the police and law is for.

2019 is the year to stand up and speak out for women.

@OrchidInTheSun

I saw an awful lot of testosterone on display in that video - and it wasn't from the store staff or other customers
How many other similar people have severe mental issues - narcissistic tendencies, delusionism, roid rage etc?

@OrchidInTheSun

I saw an awful lot of testosterone on display in that video - and it wasn't from the store staff or other customers
How many other similar people have severe mental issues - narcissistic tendencies, delusionism, roid rage etc?

Isn't a Spartacus moment by blokes overdue?

YES.

He'll be back. You can't unsee it once you have seen

Julie Bindel is Ace.

^If you are non-binary first and foremost, what are you trans of/from/to?
Or if you are trans-something first, what binary are you not?^

I asked a similar question in the thread about the pregnant (trying to write this is a way that doesn't break guidelines is making my head hurt) person who described themselves as non binary trans masculine (born female obviously as they were pregnant). I don't think any of us could get our heads around it.