Has the tide turned yet? What’s the vibe?

[BolloxtoGender]

Is it safe to look? Can’t see the woods for the trees.

I delved into the trans rabbit hole during the GRA, it wasn’t doing my mental health much good, I learnt a lot and had my eyes opened but my god, I felt so angry, frustrated but helpless.

Does it feel different now? Much?

I wouldn't say that the tide has yet turned; but more people are acknowledging that the sea exists, even if they're still insisting we shouldn't worry so much about drowning.

Light is being shone. Mainstream media are running stories, even if they are hobbled by IPSO's insistence on pronouns and why-do-you-have-to-mention-it-at-all.

It'll take years to turn.

I suspect i'll be dead before it happens.

This made me briefly hopeful:

www.scotsman.com/news/politics/transgender-event-in-edinburgh-seeks-to-change-tone-of-debate-1-4934658

I don't think the tide is turning, but I think the "no debate" era (error) might be ending.

If we can reach an agreement that protects a) biological reality b) single sex services and c) normal safeguarding measures then I'll be happy. I'll gladly address transwomen using "she" so long as they acknowledge that it's polite make-believe and not reality. I'll gladly campaign for spaces transwomen can be safe, as long as it doesn't make our spaces less safe. I'll gladly support the rights of adults to transition, as long as they stop targeting children to do the same. It shouldn't be so hard to find this very reasonable middle ground. I'd rather "the tide turned" to a respectful understanding between trans people and GC feminists, than that "the tide turned" from public acceptance to public hostility. I want all this to stop before the pendulum swings back and takes out every-bodies rights.

this brilliant speech may inspire:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3595007-Leeds-Councillor-thanks-Mumsnet-FWR-in-gender-critical-speech

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/scouts-earn-u-turn-badge-after-scrapping-trans-policy-w6rnxbflc

This was a somewhat reassuring read today

I think in terms of public awareness it is expanding and as a result the GC side is growing. However, regulatory capture is proceeding apace and every time I think we are getting somewhere more bad news arrives. Only this week it was court guidance that defendants must be referred to by their preferred pronouns, no fucks given about a woman being forced to refer to her assailant/rapist as 'she'. The Ladies pond at Hammersmith is now mixed sex as they feel bold enough to bin all the opposing views without consequence. I think Stonewall/Mermaids know that they can't win the public over but they reckon if they can lobby the Powers that Be they can make it effectively illegal to challenge them.

Agree that the Scouts is the first consequential rollback. We need more of this and a challenge to the misrepresentation of the law (2010 Equalities act)

However, regulatory capture is proceeding apace and every time I think we are getting somewhere more bad news arrives.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3541908-Regulatory-capture

Agree that there is much greater awareness. Few women I raise this with don't know about it.

But the regulatory capture aspect is so strong now. We all need to use what little power we each have to chip away at the nonsense. Whether as employees, parents or concerned citizens. Asking the right questions and being persistent. Also knowing the law and the fact that often what seems mandated is a courtesy and we don't have to go along with it.

A year on, my daughter (in her 30s) is now prepared to discuss trans issues with the other mums at school, so, yes, the GC message is percolating through. And funnily enough, the other mums don't think TWAW either. I suspect that any attempt to introduce Mermaids propaganda into their school would now be met with a pushback from parents, so I think that is a good sign.

I think the Scouts decision is significant. It follows on from the decision by the Royal College of GPs to stop using training that recommends Mermaids.

Sometimes I feel that the turning tide is the wrong metaphor. Several times I've thought: "Yeay! the tide is turning" only then to be discouraged by something like the £500k grant to Mermaids or the City of London decision about the ladies' pool. It feels more like two steps forward, one step back.

What I'm finding now is that it's much easier to be gender-critical than it was 18 months ago. I comment on this stuff on social media, and I've found that lots of my FB friends (many of whom would once have considered themselves trans allies) are posting gender-critical stuff. And I've had women say to me that they're really worried about this stuff in private, but they're not ready to be out yet.

There is definitely an increase in public awareness, though. Look at how much money Maya Forstater raised so quickly when she was sacked. Look at the huge support for Martina Navratilova when she spoke up for women's sport. I think we are winning but we can't take our foot off the pedal yet.

yes OP do read the Leeds Councillor speech. It’s tonic and balm to the soul.

There may be massive power and momentum behind the TRA machine, but so much of it is based on intimidation and lies. Truth will out.

Just read the LEeds speech. True fist 👊 pump moment.

So clear and succinct...and coming from Leeds...such refreshing contrast to the non sensical word salad of Sally Hines.

My DH did his bit the other day by replacing gender with sex on a Word application form. We try to do this ta every opportunity. I even checkwoke someone from work on the work intranet, and no come back.

It's moving.

Lots of people don't actually realise what the hard-core TRAs actually believe. When it's explained that people are arguing biological sex doesn't matter they are amazed.

I see lots more comments on Facebook saying sex not gender. I saw someone sharing the fairplay to women site. Normal groups not niche.

Pulllllllllllllllllllllllllllll