This forum is one of my favourite places on the internet. There is such a wealth of intelligent, knowledgeable and strong minded women with razor sharp wits.
I used to be a passionate 'feminist' when I was younger, even though I didn't know all the terminology or in-depth knowledge and history, but I could see the patriarchy and hypocrisy all around me. I was passionate about women's rights because I lived in places like Kuwait and India where the hatred for women is blatant and prominent and enforced with an iron fist.
Then I moved to the UK, which for all its faults, is a much better place and got busy with establishing a new life for myself. I slowly started getting more politically aware and I knew there was still a lot of sexism, except it was better hidden and subtle. Still, I naively thought the major battles had been won and there would be incremental but steady progress.
I also started to notice that the 'feminism' I was seeing around me was particularly insipid and uninspiring. Very navel gazing and self absorbed about identities... and all about being 'nice' and 'inclusive' by changing the spellings of words and being 'outraged' by controversial arguments so the only way to address those is by censoring and de-platforming. It really didn't sit right with me and I felt very out of step with this brand of feminism. There was very little 'intelligent' conversation and debate. All about policing language and thought and expanding feminism to include everyone while centering no-one. Very rudderless and ultimately meaningless. Obsessed with their 'feminist poetry slams' as a way of 'smashing the patriarchy' but unable to have diverse, well-thought out arguments and debates. It seems more fashionable these days to say you are a feminist, but I see very little progress or achievements made overall.
As my doubts and unease about trans stuff started to increase, I felt even more uncomfortable with this feminism. Luckily, I stumbled across this place and it was awe inspiring to see a much different feminism in action. Bold and intelligent women speaking their mind and disagreeing with each other as well as agreeing. Exchanges that are not focused on being 'nice to everyone' but actually putting forward arguments that stand on their own because they are based on facts, analysis of the opposing view etc.
I've learned a lot by lurking here and reading and absorbing the collective wisdom here. It is so good to see women being centered in feminist discourse, as it should be. The passion and righteous anger is not being censored or toned down so as not to 'offend' delicate sensibilities.
It's been scary too as my eyes have been opened to how widespread the institutional and regulatory capture has been with regards to trans and gender identity ideology, queer theory and postmodernism. The fact that this ideology affects every woman in the world, whether she realises it or not, as well as LGB people, children and other vulnerable groups like those who are autistic is not something you can turn away from once you learn about it.
I am angry about many other issues in society and will do my part to push for change. However, there's something about trans and queer ideology that I find so deeply offensive as a woman and problematic in a way that I can't articulate and I have never experienced before. This... hostile colonisation and appropriation of womanhood and women's struggles and suffering. Of perverting the concept of woman from the biological to some essence or innate feminine feeling..... It's like the patriarchy has been repackaged with bright colours and glitter and being forced down women's throats - being told what to say and what to think and that it's good for us. I'm not buying it anymore.
Anyway I've rambled on enough. I have so much still to learn and I am immensely grateful to the women here who contribute regularly and are so articulate and incisive in their responses. Thank you for reminding me that feminism is still alive and kicking - the kind that is about women and for women.