MNHQ make a statement on Twitter re FWR

[GirlDownUnder]

mobile.twitter.com/MumsnetTowers/status/1182615292813467648

Mumsnet will always stand in solidarity with minority communities. We don’t tolerate transphobic comments and will delete any when they are flagged to us. But we do also believe strongly in free speech. 1/3

The discussion of gender self-id and what that might mean for very hard-won women’s rights, as well as the rapidly growing number of children exploring gender identity issues, is contentious. 2/3

We know some people would like us to simply censor this entire debate but a similar number think we censor too much. We’re committed to allowing respectful discussion of an issue that is of particular interest to parents. 3/3

The usual suspects pile on, but I think the ratios look very good.

MNHQ

Some good posts, though plenty of the "I have never read MN but every transperson in America" variety, de facto illustrating the failure of debate on Twitter.

I liked this gem. (Sorry never worked out how to do screen shots.)

Dr. Rachel McKinnon@rachelvmckinnon
Replying to @MumsnetTowers

How many threads do you have dedicated to me, FULL of transphobia, hmm? You don't delete those.

3:17 am · 12 Oct 2019·Twitter Web App

I think that’s a really fair statement from MNHQ and I for one want to thank and congratulate them for their stand. It’s a very very difficult time for females and MNHQ must be getting dogs abuse for letting us have a voice. Well done MNHQ.

Thank you MNHQ. I don’t often post on here but having a safe space to discuss all of the issues and find out clear facts is so important

I find it very telling that despite the fact that Facebook and Twitter contain absolutely tonnes of outright actual Transphobic comments (of the “bloke in a dress“ variety)... yet it’s the website lead by and dominated by women which always gets targeted.

Dyrne
Agreed. Why do natal women pose a massive threat? We are weaker and more vulnerable.

It is non sensical that we cannot all co exist.

It definitely isn’t the majority of natal women on this site or in the wider public, who would disagree with this conclusion. Rather a vocal minority of humans, who wish to make us irrelevant.

The comment on Twitter that we would make good aunt lydias is ridiculous. Quite the opposite.

I think that’s what bothers me the most - I don’t always agree with some of the more vehement comments on here (but understand why frustration can push the poster to the point of saying them); but it seems to be that EVERYTHING is transphobic hate speech if it’s not “Oh you’re so brave and stunning hun!!!!!!” Merely asking questions is defined by the TRAs as completely unacceptable bigotry.

After seeing Mumsnet pop up on my twitter feed made I thought I'd come and have a look. Used to have an account years and years ago.

I find it very telling that despite the fact that Facebook and Twitter contain absolutely tonnes of outright actual Transphobic comments (of the “bloke in a dress“ variety)... yet it’s the website lead by and dominated by women which always gets targeted.

Indeed. Very revealing. Women gathering and sharing info is very threatening to some people.

And the fact that the alleged transphobia is never actually described. You don't hear anyone say, they think rapists shouldn't be in female prisons, or male born rugby players 'fold women women like deckchairs', the bigots.

Good for HQ for stuck Ng with what they believe!
We should keep the "break it down for me" post bumped for a while.

I'm reading through the comments and noticed several think that the word cis is banned on here.

Just waiting for this thread to be taken down because I used a banned word.....oh wait!

It's a lack of understanding about how HQ works, nothing is totally banned, the mods make judgement calls based on post context.

It's actually something I've complained about in the past as it can make things clear as mud.

And reading through the articles linked to, the objections seem to be that there are loads of middle class women coming together which is somehow a breeding ground for transphobia. A good way to put women down further, by attacking what they see as privilege as middle class women obviously don't understand the real world.

Of course there are people like me who are working class and left wing, but I'm sure they will find a way to dismiss my views too. Maybe I'm too skint, maybe my single parenthood can be used against me or maybe I don't have a professional enough job to be taken seriously.

Welcome back tilberi.

I spend too many hours here but I wouldn't know what I know now if I hadn't. And as my profession covers the main key areas of this debate; safeguarding, teaching children and also autism, I'm very grateful.

Well done MNHQ. This is not easy for them but they are determined to keep the debate open. Massive thanks from me.

Well done MN. Great statement

Thank you MNHQ. (I fear you might need it.)

In that case, why doesn't McK just sign up and join in the debate?

A little too rich for their blood, I'll be bound...

I have a 'thing' where (if someone is exceptionally rude to me) i ask myself
'if they said this to me in a pub, what would i say?'

If you're reading this, Dr McKinnon, this is my Aristotelian 'you do the math'.

It's a good statement. I do wish HQ would share whatever pressure they're getting from the TRA side with us so we would have a better sense of what's going on behind the scenes and thus how to frame out own responses most effectively.

Can't say I'm very impressed with the quality of the "hates Mumsnet" side of the Twitter debate.

I live in the States and never been on your site...yet, I’ve heard time and time again just how you’re the home of exclusionaries...how you empower their dangerous and awful rhetoric. I hear it daily. So, who are you trying to fool here?

They sound rational and informed!

The comment on Twitter that we would make good aunt lydias is ridiculous. Quite the opposite.

Never forget how much these people love a reversal. The more outrageous the better.

My thanks, also, to MNHQ to standing up for women and girls, and freedom of speech, against totalitarian misogynist bullies

^Dr. Rachel McKinnon@rachelvmckinnon
Replying to @MumsnetTowers^

How many threads do you have dedicated to me, FULL of transphobia, hmm? You don't delete those.

How can I make this all about me?

Threads about McKinnon aren't full of transphobia, they're full of anger about McKinnon's consistently poor behavior.

Good statement. A good way for me to identify lots of people who literally cannot think for themselves ('if you have to have 'but...').

And notable that twitter allows misogynistic comments by McKinnon to remain.

Joined MN yesterday after seeing your Twitter statement

Thank you MNHQ!

I can confirm you delete even mildly sarcastic posts.

Thank you MN. I was losing faith on the thread about the self ID issues at work because there were various deletions which were hard to fathom.

Spot on to the pp who noted that it's very telling how a site that is mostly frequented by women is the target of so many angry males. That our mere presence somehow threatens them.

And the Aunt Lydia quote? I usually leave the LOLs to my teens, but I had to chortle over the irony.

Very telling.