Talisa Garcia - transgender actress - expresses concern about wider trans umbrella and militant tactics

[Needmoresleep]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6735491/Transgender-star-BBCs-hit-drama-Baptiste-reveals-plot-amazing-life-story.html

'I think the whole transgender thing has gone too crazy for me,' she admits. 'I find the umbrella of "transgender' troubling. I mean I can't keep up. I don't understand these militant transgender people, who seem to be hating women, yet shouting 'CALL ME A WOMAN'.

'Why? I had a sex change operation. I went to court to get my birth certificate changed, so legally I am a woman. But do I get cross when people refuse to see me as a 'real' woman? No. That is their right. We have freedom of thought and freedom of speech in this country.

'Everyone is walking around on eggshells not knowing what to say in case we offend someone. It's ridiculous. We should be equal in everything — men, women, black, white, gay, straight — but we need to stop with the labels. I can't keep up with the labels.'

What does she make of those who say they identify as another gender, but don't want the surgery? Or those who come late to the process? 'I don't want to judge, but I can't understand how someone can get to 50 and then say 'I want to be a woman now?'. I think we need to be careful. I could not have lived as a man, literally.

'There are men I've met who have said: 'Oh I put on my wife's clothes and I just KNEW'. No! That is a fetish. Be a transvestite. Do whatever makes you happy, but don't call it transgender.'

Yet this is controversial territory. Does it mean there are degrees of trans? 'Maybe there are different levels. That's for doctors to decide.'

She is pragmatic about her own situation. She would love to have a baby, but without a womb, accepts it cannot happen biologically.

'I'm as close to being a woman as I can possibly get. But I wasn't born a woman, and when I die my body will be that of a man because, realistically, my skeleton is a man's.

'But I'm not bothered what words people use. Call me a woman. Call me a man. Just give me respect. All I want is a bit of respect.'

Talisa Garcia is a talented actor.

Talisa Garcia's personal experience/beliefs should not shape policies which impact the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children.

I would think the ideal is for Talisa to be treated as transwoman. In terms of what roles (I assume this refers to specifically acting, other jobs should only under specific EA exceptions have 'Male' roles!) - it's acting, surely actors can audition for any part they think they can play convincingly. In terms of facilities - I can't see any practical solution which meets all needs (real needs not 'validation') other than having as standard single sex plus properly designed any sex.

wider context:
Sian Griffiths,Times, article
'Gay and trans lessons for primary schools'
(extract)
"Compulsory lessons to teach children from the age of five about gay and trans relationships will be outlined in guidance to head teachers to be published tomorrow.

The controversial new statutory guidance will also spell out for the first time the end of parents’ right to opt their children out of sex and relationships education classes in secondary school. The change will guarantee all children receive at least a term of lessons by the time they are 16.

The new classes will be introduced nationally in 2020 following a six-month consultation by the Department for Education.

Primary school pupils will learn about same-sex and trans families as well as staying safe online and developing “healthy, respectful relationships”. Secondary school pupils will receive classes on relationships and sex, including education about the “catastrophic” damage caused by female genital mutilation (FGM), the risks of sexting, online grooming, domestic violence and forced marriage." (continues)

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gay-and-trans-lessons-for-primary-schools-7nd8tgqcw?shareToken=7e8e54f335c38298ecbae9a634bf0dfc

current thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3516346-Compulsory-trans-lessons-in-primary-schools-what-will-this-involve

I am not asking that transwomen should be treated as a woman in every circumstance, but some of the posts read as urgh a man, go away, not my problem , yet the problems are a direct result of our sexist society. And perhaps by going oh man not my problem we reenforce some divisions inadvertently, promote sexism.

TRA have a lot of power that the moment. They have a lot of influence over politicians and the media, as well as other organisations.

It's an ideal time for them to ask for their own spaces. But all I hear are male transpeople saying that they should be in women's spaces, sports and organisations.

There's little point in taking about other solutions here when none of these will be acceptable.

some of the posts read as urgh a man, go away, not my problem , yet the problems are a direct result of our sexist society. And perhaps by going oh man not my problem we reenforce some divisions inadvertently, promote sexism.

The requirements of femail socialisation and male entitlement are both products of sexism.

'50 Shades Of Gaslighting: Disturbing Signs An Abuser Is Twisting Your Reality'
by Shahida Arabi
Updated September 29, 2018

"Gaslighting, explained.
How do you convince someone that something they know to be true isn’t? In psychology, what is known as the “illusory truth effect” is a phenomenon in which a listener comes to believe something primarily because it has been repeated so often. When an abuser continually tells you that you are oversensitive or that what you are experiencing is in no way abuse, you begin believing it, even if you know deep down it isn’t true.

In other words, a lie that is repeated long enough eventually can be seen as the truth. Researchers Hasher, Goldstein and Toppino (1997) discovered that when a statement (even when it is false and readers know it to be false) is repeated multiple times, it was more likely to be rated as true simply due to the effects of repetition. This is because when we’re assessing a claim, we rely on either the credibility of the source from which the claim is derived or familiarity with that claim. Surprisingly, familiarity often trumps credibility or rationality when assessing the perceived validity of a statement (Begg, Anas, and Farinacci, 1992; Geraci, L., & Rajaram, 2016).

The illusory truth effect can cause us to become susceptible to the effects of another dangerous form of reality erosion known as gaslighting. Deliberate manipulators who gaslight with the intention of eroding your reality and rewriting history tend to use the “illusory truth effect” to their advantage. They will repeat falsehoods so often that they become ingrained in the victim’s mind as unshakeable truths. (continues)

"As Dr. Robin Stern notes in her book, The Gaslight Effect:
“The Gaslight Effect results from a relationship between two people: a gaslighter, who needs to be right in order to preserve his own sense of self, and his sense of having power in the world; and a gaslightee, who allows the gaslighter to define {his or} her sense of reality because she idealizes him and seeks his approval.”

It is in the victim seeking validation and approval from the gaslighter that the danger begins to unfold. Gaslighting is essentially psychological warfare, causing a victim to habitually question himself or herself. It is employed as a power play to regain control over the victim’s psyche, sense of stability and sense of self.

By playing puppeteer to the survivor’s perceptions, the manipulator is able to pull the strings in every context where his or her target feels powerless, confused, disoriented and on edge, perpetually walking on eggshells to keep the peace." (continues)

thoughtcatalog.com/shahida-arabi/2017/11/50-shades-of-gaslighting-the-disturbing-signs-an-abuser-is-twisting-your-reality/

Yet again, women are being told we are mean because we are unwilling to extend our understanding of women to include transwomen (even though we know trans men are women).

Men yet again are given a free pass not to include trans women.

“Are you referring to loos, changing rooms ? Where do you think she should go. She looks like a woman and has had full surgery”

Really, not to me. My DH watched it and I didn’t say anything. Hid words after less than a minute wwre “that’s a bloke”. Seems cruel but the truth often is.!

My DH watched it and I didn’t say anything. Hid words after less than a minute wwre “that’s a bloke”.

Is there any reason why men should not be expected to behave civilly to male transpeople?

“I didn't realise she was trans. She speaks so much sense I have nothing but admiration for her”

Except where TG admitted having sex with men and not admitting TGs actual biological sex. In my view that’s something beginning with R.

Row I don’t think TG could hear him through the TV. Do you? How can that be uncivil.

Thing is the character was trying to pass as a woman and didn’t tell her partner. My DH saw through this straight away as did everyone I live with. I really don’t see how people are so blind.

Can someone explain to me why whenever someone is called out for being rude on these boards, the comeback is always along the lines of ‘yet again woman are told off’ ?
Is it normal practice here to refer to yourself as nothing but a woman? Maybe people don’t like your language becuase it’s offensive to some, maybe becuase you’re rude. Why would you assume it’s being a woman that has angered people? As opposed to.. hmm... the offensiveness of telling a TW to shut up becuase she is a TW?
Aren’t most people on mumsnet woman anyway? Or is it just emotive language to enhance the ‘ I am the victim you know’ narrative?
I’ve always wondered...

Imissgmichael
Apologies, I didn't mean your DH, it was with regards a previous comment requiring women to take responsible for male transpeople.

I don't think identifying a male person as being male is uncivil!

Can someone explain to me why whenever someone is called out for being rude on these boards, the comeback is always along the lines of ‘yet again woman are told off’ ?

It isn't.
Perhaps some confirmation bias?

Sorry Row I misunderstood.