Transexual women face erasure - interesting thread

[pombear]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3667526-Transsexual-women-face-erasure

Given that so many posters said what an interesting and enlightening thread this ended up turning into, with some really key issues discussed and some strong points made by lots of posters (I particularly welcomed Barracker's refresh regarding the importance of language), it seems a shame if it drops down the list due to being full and people miss out on reading it (what with it being summer holidays and all).

Sharks ha, I’ve only seen a few: I’ve swum with medium ones, but I’ve seen proper big sharks alright. And I’ve swam with them.
The ocean kind aren’t the worst ones tho right
The worst ones have 2 legs.

Whales are peaceful. Oh for sure, but can I tell you about the dolphins... man, they’re amazing. And apparently arseholes,

I really hope you’re all settled and camped and you have warm water and food?

It’s v late here, hope you’re there tomorrow.

Peace be with you and yours.

Hey @DetroitOtherDay sending you love, darling sister. So glad you stay here with us and keep talking.

Swimming with sharks sounds like an exhilarating calculated risk.

Sharing shelters with two legged ones....

I apologise, I haven't rtft YET (I will), but I had never heard of AGP and this has made me think a lot.

My abusive ex. And when I say abusive, we're talking stuff like putting broken bottles in my vagina, trying to kill me, level of abuse. Stuff that nearly 30 years on still leaves me shaking to think about. My abusive ex now lives as a woman. A disgusting parody of a woman and I wonder now whether he has AGP. Or he's just a psycho.

What I do know is, he is no woman. He is a danger to all women and girls. I need to read everything. I need to understand everything, but I find it so hard because I also want to curl up in a ball and die.

I'm so sorry to hear you got hurt so badly.

All I can say, is I hear you Sister. I don't know your pain, but I know one similar.

In all kindness, don't take more on yourself than you can take. Prioritize you. If it hurts too much to fight, let other women fight for your rights for you.

But you deserve to be heard.

Solidarity. Be kind to yourself. Please.

Alone - horrific to read. And let me tell you, you are not alone. Many women report being abused and raped by men who then identify as women. And who are then told in court to refer to their attackers as "she," as "women."

It's a nonsense - it's a way that the abuser can carry on their abuse of their victim - and the courts are allowing this.

THIS is why we talk - we try to raise awareness in a world that appears to have gone mad.

I need to understand everything, but I find it so hard because I also want to curl up in a ball and die.

Take your time, Alone, but know that understanding everything is an excellent way of converting despair into incandescent rage at the people who have hurt you.

And since justice never seems to be an option, we're left with a choice between repression and rage. I think the latter's a healthier place to be, psychologically speaking.

zebras I'm considering reporting Rapist Two of Three. My local force is known for over-reacting to limericks, and this dickhead is identifying as a woman now. Sort of worried I'm going to be painted as a vindictive transphobe (but if that happens at least I can shout like hell and use it to raise awareness).

But in the unlikely event of a conviction, I would have had a hand in artificially inflating female crime stats, and helping MRAs to be able to point at the data and say "see, women do it too!" Which means, in this situation, I can't report a rape without doing harm to women as a class. It's infuriating.

to Detroit. It's grim being at the sharp end of this ideology; thank you for refusing to submit and refusing to keep quiet. You're an inspiration.

(As an aside, does anyone else find it utterly crazy that camping is a thing in places with actual bears?)

@AloneLonelyLoner you would be welcome on the Trans Widows thread

Tyrotoxicity, they are only black bears, they really don't want to mess with people. The only danger is where you suprise them, so you make noise on trails. I usually yell hey bear hey bear every now and then. Ive camped for fun where there are grizzlies, but again, warnings posted, you use the bear proof food lockers, and keep aware. I guess you get used to wildlife. Cougars scare me more.

Justice is not an option for women, is it! All the sympathy and understanding is for men. Calling out abuse is not harsh, but that's how it's labelled, but it feels now like speaking out is not even allowed.

I will not accept being given less and less until there are not even the dregs left. What I have left of life matters. Women matter.

for my brave survivor sisters. I wish I could take your pain away.

Detroit and Alone. There are not enough hugs and flowers in the world.

Men can be such utter monsters.

It's quite telling that you would rather face a fucking bear than a male person in a refuge isn't it?

I wish we could actually do something to make some actual safe spaces for women. It is horrific.

If I stay out of Bears way, make noise, and don't mess with Cubs, then the likelihood is a black bear just wants to eat trash or berries and not me. Grizzlies are more of an issue. No grizzlies here. Cougar are shy. I'm careful on trails Keep a clean camp, lock up food and it's safe enough. But yes, I'm far more scared of unknown adult males in enclosed spaces with dubious motivation.

Some protected characteristics are more equal than other protected characteristics. Or so they want us to accept.

I had no idea about any of this. I must write so much, but I won't here. It would be hijacking an important thread. I didn't realise that there's a Trans Widow thread. I shall go there.

Thank you so much for this. Thank you.

Good point Dusty. I promise to tell the whole truth about that woman with a penis.

What I don’t get is in a court of law you are asked to swear on a bible and then refer to men as women?

Maria Mac who was assaulted by a trans woman, was compelled to refer to her male attacker as 'she' in court. And even though the video evidence contradicted people who did lie in court, they were referred to as 'sincere', even though with his own eyes the Judge could see that they were lying.

www.peaktrans.org/district-judge-kenneth-grant/

I didn't realise that there's a Trans Widow thread. I shall go there.

They are wonderful women on that thread, Alone. I hope you do make it to them.

Really glad that Barrackers post has been reposted. It made me think really hard about the way in which small acts of dishonesty, motivated by politeness, enable this lunacy, damaging women and vulnerable people. I hope everyone reads it.

As an aside, does anyone else find it utterly crazy that camping is a thing in places with actual bears?

We camp amongst crocodiles, alligators, FL panthers, black bears, etc. that's just the bigger predators. Like Detroit said, you mind the signs and stay alert to danger. Beautiful experience when planned, terrifying and potentially very dangerous when unplanned.

We camp in fields. The most dangerous thing you're likely to find is rogue sheep from the next field over, or maybe a squirrel.

Actually that's a lie. The most dangerous thing there when I last went camping was a father kicking right off at his kid - very loud, lots of swearing, kid was crying, took me right back to childhood. One of those moments where you wonder: if he's this abusive surrounded by people how bad must it be at home?

Maybe you're safer with bears or crocodiles after all.

Clean camps, food lockers, careful on trails to make noise.

In a state with grizzlies, out in the boondocks, I did keep a good fire going.

Cougar worry me on trails, they DO want to eat people. But attacks are rare, and you have to be absolutely on trails, not loud, bright campsites.

I like wildlife. My finest moment was persuading wild turkey to take a plain corn tortilla from me. Might not sound like much, but they are very nervous. It was special.

Hated my trip to Yellowstone a few years back though. Tourist trap. Dumb people getting up close to buffalo. Hey, Stop! Too hot here today!

Thanks Pombear, I need to catch up on that one.

Oh doh I think I posted on it but it was a fleeting skim read bob in.