Update: identifying as non-binary for work award

[Somerville1234]

Can't find the old thread... but anyway, there's an award/opportunity at work, only for people who are LGBT+++. I don't remember all the categories but they included genderqueer, genderfluid and genderfree. Also K, which I'm reliably informed stands for kink lifestyle. I don't understand why someone would need a special thing at work for getting off on weeing and whips (?? I don't watch porn, I don't have a clue), but maybe I'm just old fashioned. Anyway, old fashioned or not, I'm gender free because I don't believe in gender. And I wanted the professional opportunity. (Forgive me for the vagueness - being careful because of doxxing.) And you lot were encouraging...

I ended up applying - which didn't involve saying how I met the criteria, just ticking that I did. And then I was perpexedly approached by my woke boss.
(WB "Erm... so you realise that this is for LGBT+++ employees, Somer?"
S "Yes."
WB "Erm...it was my understanding you're a straight woman...?"
S "I'm genderfree and-"
WB: "Really?"
S "Yes, and I think I need to remind you that the staff handbook recommends that no-one should assume anybody elses's gender."
WB: "Oh, terribly sorry about that.")

I then had a lovely meeting with HR where they were very keen to update my pronouns on the system. I told them that being gender free I require the box beside gender to be left empty, but that I can accept female pronouns because that's my biological sex. They were happy with this novel idea and to learn more about the difference between sex and gender. They young HR person didn't know they're not synonyms but he learns something new every day apparently.

And now... I've heard I'm shortlisted for the next round!
It's been announced to the whole company, and I've had a few bemused looks but no direct transphobia, I'm happy to report.
My longsuffering DH (works in same field) has been teased a bit for my gender identity but he's happy to suffer for the sake of my fight for equality.

Surely the MTFTM and FTMTF is just the TRAs way of keeping the "we thought we were trans but we were wrong" people in the gang?

Melon's responses are brilliant. So calm and polite.

Gosh.

I just Googled Lesbians in chairs. I’m at work and won’t be doing that again!

I would like to go to an afternoon of talks in London and a nice sit down though. What’s the actual website address I’m looking for?

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lesbians-on-chairs-tickets-59843824490?aff=eand this I think?

Brilliant. Thanks Somerville. I think I can make it.

“We know what a woman is, we have a dictionary and are not afraid to use it. ” from that page

Just been reading through the Glinner thread and came across this fresh tweet:

“Do you not see how bigoted you are, trying to force your way under the trans umbrella while shoving others out?
Being a member of the LGB doesnt automatically mean your "claim" to the T isnt appropriation.
Dont you see how bigoted yall are by stealing resources and legitimacy?”

The irony.

The extraordinary thing on the Twitter thread is the way that the TRAs all assume that Somerville is concerned about the T, and that her employer’s award is only about the T.

They think it’s all necessarily about them.

It would be utterly hilarious if it wasn't so fecking ridiculous!

The irony bypass is strong in TRAs. I can't believe they can't see that.

I am a regular on here but would rather keep accounts separate! It’s been interesting to have all these discussions with lots of people and I think that some of them have accepted I’m just “woman” but if was forced to choose between cis or trans, would choose trans woman.

If I can just be woman, I’d be happy, and I think a few of them now appreciate why and hopefully won’t insist I have to be trans or cis.

for somerville for prompting my exploration!

MelonCauliflower you’re bloody brilliant and you argue/discuss so elegantly with others. I’m actually in awe as I’ve watched one young trans person actually accept your genuine, heartfelt argument.

That’s all we genderfree women want, just to be accepted as part of the trans community. It’s very hurtful being rejected because we recognise and accept what sex we are while realising that we are also genderfree and therefore trans. I don’t understand why so many in the trans community want to reject and marginalise us further because of their narrow minded views. Aren’t we all just trying to find out where we fit in? 💐

just Googled Lesbians in chairs. I’m at work and won’t be doing that again!

For some reason I initially read this as a hostile comment. Then I read it again and burst out laughing in the middle of the coffee shop.

FloralBunting .

I keep forgetting that the internet is full of special interest material.

My brother and I were trying to explain internet searching to my Dad who was a cabinet maker. We explained you could look up anything you wanted. He was making some furniture out of thick pieces of walnut and needed a specific fixing. Never let your father Google “ Long hard wood screws”

Glinner is blocking people for transphobia now, it’s quite beautiful.
Some of these angry woke folk are really failing to see how ridiculous they sound. Contradictions in every other tweet.

Yes by the Stonewall definition you're technically trans.

This was upthread. A genderfree person could with complete justification say "I fall under the trans umbrella but do not identify as trans". Let's see the cis-labellers deal with that one. Going by twitter the answer would appear to be "very badly".

Looking at how this works, upthread there's the comment "Agender and genderfree are the same". Well, as soon as someone says "I identify as genderfree but I do not identify as agender" then they're definitely not the same for that person. And as soon as anyone asks for clarification the genderfree person can respond "no, and if you persist in pushing this you will be harassing me because of my gender identity".

Somer and Melon I admire your patience dealing with the irony-free.

Ciswomboling

Do you not see how bigoted you are, trying to force your way under the trans umbrella while shoving others out? Dont you see how bigoted yall are by stealing resources and legitimacy?”

The point, for this exceptionally dim witted tweeter, is that this is exactly what is being done to women and justified as perfectly ok. So why does it matter if women do it back?

It isn't an irony bypass, it's pathological. It reminds me of a child who freely hits and bites peers but sobs bitterly and is distraught and outraged if any peer ever retaliates, resists or hurts them. These are not well people capable of considering other people's needs or interests.

shoving others out oh that really is too precious! Shoving theoretical people out from under a metaphorical umbrella when women are being shoved out of women only spaces. In real life. Actual people being actually excluded.

Thank you for, I just came out to dh as genderfree. He said "that's all bullocks Ihpugh isn't it. As long as you don't try and grow some." So enlightened.

Somerville - your Twitter is a thing of beauty. I know I already said that, but saying it twice is better.

Also:

I would give you my soul in a blackberry pie; and a knife to cut it with.

@MelonCauliflower is simply marvellous on Twitter.

The whole thing is just staggeringly brilliant. I want a #genderfree T-shirt

So many GERFs (genderfree exclusionary repulsive feminists) on Twitter today.

I also want a genderfree t-shirt.

I want a BARF T-shirt. I haven’t worked what it stands for yet.

Binary advocating rad fem?