UPDATE: CONTACT/VISIT YOUR MP FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

[CandidPeel]

Update on this action ......

Here is the event page www.facebook.com/events/2199432710322104/

VISIT your MP on International Women's Day - March 8th (or contact them and visit them later)
PRINT out a card to give/send them bit.ly/2IBU4Nc
TALK to them about women's single sex spaces
GIVE them this briefing bit.ly/2GPDjws
ASK them to write to the Minister for Women calling for guidance to be published on single sex exemptions to the Equality Act
SHARE photos, cards, tweets with hashtag #IWDQuestions #askyourMP

Haha!

I only ask as I know it can be tricky to get to see a Secretary of State
( for example) as they won’t be in their constituency as often.

This isn’t the first MP I’ve worked for and IME they’re in it to make a difference and genuinely do care and like to hear about constituents concerns. As an office we can talk about a subject months after it has been raised, and if an opportunity becomes available for my member to raise something a long time down the line, then they do.

I'd really like to believe this.

Unfortunately, my MP has a rather poor voting track record on women's issues/issues that disproportionately affect women and has already told me, more than once, that he thinks women are terrible meanies for not wanting to let men into our safe spaces even/especially if they don a pretty dress and affect an, "I'm a laydee" voice.

My MP wrote back and said they’d write.

I have an update and need some help.
I have written to my MP - female, Tory several times and have been to see her. She is sympathetic.
On IWD I wrote to her specifically about the Tavistock and linked to the Telegraph article. I got this reply.
Thanks xxx
I heard the interview from one of the executives who has recently resigned who confirmed this story. I think in years to come back we will look back at those who have pushed this agenda and will have done untold harm to young people who will have had their lives ruined by not being allowed to take time over making a very difficult decision.
The media seem to be at least allowing discussion on this now which is a step forward.
With all good wishes
I need help formulating a reply that is more constructive than 'well what the fuck are you going to do about it then?'
I would like to point her in the direction of what she can actually do. Thanks to anyone who can help.

I should stress I'm NOT an expert in any way, but perhaps some of the MPs assistants on the board could help?

I think it would be in order to ask her to pass your concerns on to the Minister for Health.

Is it possible for MPs to ask parliamentary questions on issues like this?

MsMcWoodle I have just the thing.

Here's a briefing note you can give to your MP.

It lays out the concerns with single sex spaces and asks your MP to contact Penny Mordaunt on your behalf.

If you ask your MP to contact a minister and pass on concerns on our behalf, they should do it for you even if they don't agree. If they do agree, they can add their own comments.

For more info on this, see the ReSisters website: resistersunited.org/visit-your-mp-for-international-womens-day/

Hope that helps her to actually do something!

Similarly, if you'd like her to focus on the Minister for Health, and issues relating to children, then you could use our briefing note as a template for those issues.

And like cwg1 says, ask her to contact the Minister for Health.

If you'd like to have a bigger impact, then we could all ask other feminists to join you in doing this.

Thank you so much for the help ReSisters and cwj. I will get on it.

MsMc wasn’t your MP specifically interested in children and the impact on them of this lobby?

This thread has some shocking recent examples:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3531622-4thWaveNow-has-some-incredibly-disturbing-stuff-from-Facebook?msgid=85574960#85574960

Though these are just a few specific examples of course there have been many more on this board

Chatty - not sure about her interest in children. She does have a background in health so I was thinking of sending her the 4thWave stuff. After Penny Mordaunt's insulting response to our concerns I don't hold out much hope, but I'll try.

I got a response from my MP! It was disappointingly generic though and basically said the government haven't decided how to proceed but recognise its a sensitive issue. I think it probably gets sent out to everyone who writes to her on this issue (gender critical or trans rights activists - it had something for everyone in there).

I responded to the point where she said we already have laws stopping harassment and violence in changing rooms (see how that responds to both women and transwomens points about changing rooms?). I asked why, if we have those laws, do almost 90% of sexual assaults that take place in changing rooms take place in unisex facilities. I also suggested that the fact 20% of women in the UK have been sexually assaulted indicates that these laws which protect us aren't fit for purpose.