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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Joan McAlpine

179 replies

Cismyfatarse1 · 17/04/2019 08:42

She is having a really tough time on Twitter. Someone has also leaked a chat between some supportive MSPs. She is doing so much for us here in Scotland.

If anyone is reading this and thinking, what can I do. Send her a card to the Scottish Parliament. Their offices are glass. Show other MSPs as they walk by that she has huge support.

Please. It must be so hard for her and she is asking all the right questions and doing all the right things. Thanks.

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 17/04/2019 13:00

www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-criticised-in-leaked-conversation-on-trans-rights-1-4908971/

Story in the Scotsman^

I actually find it pretty scary that our elected representatives are unable to privately discuss controversial issues without some zealot leaking them to try and shut discussion down. And that they have zealots are employed in the first place.

Original poster
Cismyfatarse1 · 17/04/2019 13:04

Am sending more postcards.

OP posts:
vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 17/04/2019 13:05

My MSP spoke out against them.

I'd already met with him to explain the GC view and got a lot of platitudes and patronising in return.

There is a lot of work to be done - there must be GC MSPs who are afraid to speak up against party line. Interesting these are all SNP.

I'm not a nationalist, but, I'll vote for them if they can get this on any sort of debate, would recommend having Margaret McCartney speak to them about the trans kids issues.

The facts are there, why are so many people deluded?

And what rights do trans people not have? Trans rights are human rights - of course they are, that's why they are enshrined in law. As are sex segregated spaces, but, those ones don't matter so much. Apparently.

Original poster
Cismyfatarse1 · 17/04/2019 13:12

I too have a GC MSP but one who has (yet) to speak out. I think being bombarded with cards and messages of support helps, from what I gather. Now for a card for my MSP (list) who refuses to engage. A minister no less.

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morningtoncrescent62 · 17/04/2019 13:30

My constituency MSP is one of the ones involved in the leaked conversation. Over the past few months I've sent her lots of requests by email and tweet to speak out, and I've been to see her in person. I've tweeted my support to her over this leak but I'm going to wait to do more till I see whether she's prepared to say anything publicly in support of Joan and women's rights. She's an elected representative, and if she has concerns she should say so openly, the way Joan's doing. That's what leadership in public life is all about. If she's only prepared to talk to her close friends in (what she imagines to be) private then I'm afraid my support for her will be similarly muted. I don't for a moment condone the act of leaking people's private correspondence, and I do support three MSPs up to a point, and will certainly be publicly condemning any harrassment they might receive in consequence. But I hope this latest is the spur they need to fully step up to the plate - in which case I'm ready with my cards, flowers and the most vocal support I can give.

KatvonHostileExtremist · 17/04/2019 16:49

My card is bought, written and waiting to pop into the post box

theOtherPamAyres · 17/04/2019 18:32

I'm thinking particularly of Angela Crawley MP (SNP) who sits on the Women and Equality Parliamentary Committee, alongside Maria Miller.

Mhairhi Black, Angela Crawley and another SNP MP tweeted their solidarity and declared themselves Trans Allies this morning. Possibly with the intention of "taking sides".

It's a fecking disgrace that a member of Maria Miller's Committee admits to being biased in favour of trans privileges.

Crawley's tweet:

twitter.com/AngelaCrawley30/status/1118263411236855813

Black's tweet (gets a lot more flak and plaudits because she has a higher profile):

twitter.com/MhairiBlack/status/1118263880088739840

ByGrabtharsHammarWhatASaving · 17/04/2019 21:42

I emailed Joan last week cheering her on after her "not letting the bullies get me down" article, and she replied to me first thing the next morning saying she appreciated it and had no intention of dropping this. So defs send cards because it'll make a difference!

MrsSnippyPants · 17/04/2019 21:49

Card written, ready to drop in the post tomorrow. It may be a drop in the ocean, but those drops add up.

ByGrabtharsHammarWhatASaving · 17/04/2019 21:51

Also if someone could tweet this story to her it might be of interest:

www.scottishreview.net/MMorrison476a.html

Awrite · 17/04/2019 21:58

My task this weekend - postcards to Joan, Ash, Ruth and Gillian.

whambamIamaman · 17/04/2019 22:01

Great idea. Will do.

Badgerthebodger · 18/04/2019 00:53

Done, via Touch Note on my phone which was incredibly easy. Can’t get out in the next few days as I’m disabled and reliant on someone to take me so just wanted to let people know it was v easy to do via an app. There’s lots of others as well to let you send a postcard.

Original poster
Cismyfatarse1 · 18/04/2019 10:36

I use Touchnote too. Easy (and anonymous if you want it to be). It also works for sending the odd photo to granny.

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 18/04/2019 13:29

Sturgeons comment today:

In a blog about transgender rights, Equalities Secretary @SASomerville explains that Scotland should be a place where everyone should feel safe, secure and accepted for who they are ➡️ t.co/2wryj8aY7a

The blog linked to very carefully doesn't say anything, but seems to indicate a lack of understanding of the issues raised by women?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 18/04/2019 13:29

Oops, Sturgeon actually said:

This is a very good blog by @SASomerville. As both a #TransAlly and a proud feminist, I want us to understand and address the concerns being expressed, so we can build a Scotland where everyone feels safe and secure. t.co/lRyHbIeeCj

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 18/04/2019 14:55

It hadn't, I hoped someone would pop on with a share token Wink

The SNP obviously don't have a proper position on this, their statement seems to very carefully avoid saying anything....

morningtoncrescent62 · 18/04/2019 15:16

Shirley-Anne Somerville's blog on why we should all unite against transphobia is taking comments subject to moderation. Please go and comment if you can. I've seen worse, but she reduces women's concerns to the Trojan horse argument, and though she says that people with genuine concerns shouldn't be automatically accused of transphobia, she says nothing about misogyny, it's all about the protection of trans people.

BrightonReSisters · 18/04/2019 21:28

Hi @Badgerthebodger we thought this was a great idea, and have written to Joan today. We've been absolutely blown away by Joan's bravery, and like you, want her to know that we're standing in solidarity.

We've also written to Ash, Ruth and Gillian. We hope that our words of support and encouragement may help in some small way, as they face the predictable barrage of abuse, for standing up for women's rights.

Women's rights and not transphobic, and that pernicious narrative really needs to go.

Badgerthebodger · 18/04/2019 22:19

Hello BrightonReSisters! If you have any way of spreading the word through the other groups to take part in this v easy campaign I’d be grateful Smile

LillithsFamiliar · 18/04/2019 23:32

I just mentioned to DH today that I was going to send her something and then came in and spotted this thread! She has been consistently excellent on all of this and much braver than any of her peers in the parliament.

Original poster
Cismyfatarse1 · 18/04/2019 23:36

Thanks all. It would be great if she got back from Easter to a mountain of mail. @BrightonReSisters Can you pass it around? See how many we can get. Thanks.

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Angryresister · 18/04/2019 23:45

Really disappointed to see Mhairi Blacks position. I admire her hugely but why can't she support actual women on this?

PrimalLass · 18/04/2019 23:50

I'll try and remember to send a card tomorrow.

I'm disappointed in Nicola over this.