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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Leanne Mills open letter to trans young people

54 replies

QuentinWinters · 17/01/2019 09:53

www.transgendertrend.com/letter-to-young-trans-people/

She is very brave to speak up.

OP posts:
littlbrowndog · 17/01/2019 10:00

That is the truth
It’s not all unicorns and glitter and happiness

The letter is brave and to Leanne 🍷🍷

TimeLady · 17/01/2019 10:06

Thank you so much for that, Leanne. A very moving piece. If it makes even just one person reconsider, then it'll have been worth it. Flowers

JoggerBottom · 17/01/2019 10:36

A very sad read indeed.

SlowlyShrinking · 17/01/2019 10:42

A brave and important letter (I love your style of writing btw Leanne. Very clear, intelligent and holds the attention)

Ikeameatballs · 17/01/2019 10:52

A really balanced view from the other side. I hope it gets the coverage and readership it deserves.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 17/01/2019 10:57

A really important letter. Thank you, Leanne.

MenstruatorExtraordinaire · 17/01/2019 11:25

Very honest and accurate. Solidarity Leanne

Needmoresleep · 17/01/2019 11:35

One of the very good things about all of this is getting to know (at least on the internet) some brave intelligent and honest people like Leanne, like Fionn Orlander, like Rose of Dawn.

I personally dont understand gender dysphora, but then I dont understand lots of things that I have not personally experienced. Given these strong and truthful testimonies I have no problem accepting it. Such a pity that the internet is awash with so much aggressive noise, preventing proper research and proper discussion which would allow the best, most suitable outcomes, to be available. And probably inhibiting the social acceptance that Leanne and others deserve.

sarahjconnor · 17/01/2019 12:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotTerfNorCis · 17/01/2019 14:12

A great article by Leanne.

LeanneMills1961 · 17/01/2019 14:59

A big thank you to everyone for your support, I do tend to doubt myself sometimes so it reassures me I'm doing ok.

I feel the BBC has let me down. A recent interview I gave with Mark Dennison on his morning show on Radio Nottingham originally included everything you see in my letter. I was most disappointed to learn all that was edited out when the interview was broadcast yesterday morning, preferring to focus on my story instead.

I suspect that I landed Mr. Dennison with far more than he bargained for. Even he remarked that there was some "powerful stuff" there and I sensed, rightly or wrongly, a slight disquiet on his part. Coupled with the fact that the BBC appeared reluctant to return my calls over when I could expect my interview to go out, I can only conclude that Radio Nottingham has decided to 'play it safe', electing to 'snip out' all the parts it may consider too sensitive.

I spent 2 hours with Mr. Dennison carefully laying out my concerns exactly as in my letter, almost word-for-word. All that went out in the end was 25 minutes' worth of personal experiences; yes fine in its place, but I feel the whole point of what I'm doing today was lost.

So a turkey award to the BBC. Oh well, not to worry. Anyway here's the link if you want to listen to it -
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p06vxn40

Love to all x

albumcover · 17/01/2019 14:59

That letter is going to be torn to shreds in some quarters but I hope it gets read by some young people. Might just stop someone from stepping on the treadmill.

1hello2hello · 17/01/2019 15:04

Brew or Wine You put yourself out there.

donajimena · 17/01/2019 15:08

The website is down? Is anyone else experiencing problems with it?

OvaHere · 17/01/2019 15:12

A very honest account. Sorry the BBC let you down, it's a story that should be heard in full.

Fantata · 17/01/2019 16:23

Well done, Leanne. I can only imagine the difficulties you've had coming to terms with that reality. You are right to speak out. Courage calls to courage everywhere.

TimeLady · 17/01/2019 16:29

I despair at the BBC. I don't rely on it at all as my news source now.

R0wantrees · 17/01/2019 16:39

I spent 2 hours with Mr. Dennison carefully laying out my concerns exactly as in my letter, almost word-for-word. All that went out in the end was 25 minutes' worth of personal experiences; yes fine in its place, but I feel the whole point of what I'm doing today was lost.

Its not uncommon for this to happen in many circumstances though always frustrating if what is hoped for is to make broader points.

Media will often prioritise the details of a personal story when edited.

Don't underestimate that you may have made the BBC team think though Leanne. Sometimes interviews can be like dropping pebbles in ponds... the ripples may go further.

Iamnobirdandnonetensnaresme · 17/01/2019 16:45

Well Done - I hope you don’t suffer too much of a backlash from TRA’s.

This is my favourite quotable sentence
– you simply can’t force people to love you no matter what legal rights you may be given

Melroses · 17/01/2019 16:58

Don't underestimate that you may have made the BBC team think though Leanne. Sometimes interviews can be like dropping pebbles in ponds... the ripples may go further.

Yes this ^

The letter is powerful stuff. It really connects your experience with my life experience and I am not trans. I can see where you are coming from and so will many others.

It might not so much with the young - as we all know, it is always going to be different for us when we are young! They will hear though. But it will help those around them who love and care, and are flummoxed as to how to deal with this ideology and its effects.

Katispancuddly · 17/01/2019 17:02

You are noble and true Leanne

You write so expressively and you always strike my heart

Flowers
Deliriumoftheendless · 17/01/2019 17:33

That is a very moving read and the bit that stands out to me is about societal prejudice- something TWAW actually does nothing to address. Accepting people as trans and being ok with that would surely be more beneficial for trans people and society in general.

womanformallyknownaswoman · 17/01/2019 17:39

Thank you

merrymouse · 17/01/2019 18:25

Thank you very much Leanne for being honest. I thought your letter was balanced, clear and well written.