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

I’m having a nose at the twitter thread

I especially like the ‘ive never been on your site but ive heard you are really awful...who are you trying to fool’ comment

I say like...I don’t mean like obviously

Thank you MN for standing up for a marginalised majority for all these years - women.

Thanks MN. I'd love to be able to boycott Flora, but sadly I already don't buy plastic slime masquerading as butter.

Thanks MN. Much appreciated.

The posts highlighting the misogyny behind some of the comments about Mumsnet are spot on.

That second statement is even better. Well done MNHQ . Obviously I am sending this from one of my myriad of accounts. As the Twitter thread says there are only actually a very small number of GC feminists, they all just post under multiple accounts. Now which of the rest of you aren't real?

Thanks for standing firm MNHQ

I don't buy Flora either - it's gross But I think this company are v unwise to listen to the likes of Mimmymum on twitter - when Mimmymum is the only person I know of who has dragged a transwoman through a vindictive, nasty court process (before having the case thrown out by the Judge, because the case - and Mimmymum - are utterly ridiculous).

Thanks Mumsnet.

I am boycotting this brand for my family of four. I do buy Flora because I'm dairy free, but it's going in the bin right now.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Many thanks for being one of the only places online where women can discuss threats to our sex based rights and concerns about the effects of trans ideology on kids, MNHQ.

It's telling that it's a site mostly used by women that is the focus of so much TRA rage. It's pure misogyny.

Delurking to say thank you to MNHQ. This board is so important to the debate. I've been reading here for years and it's the best and most reliable source of info. It is shaping the debate out there in being the strongest countervoice to queer theory and its impact on women's and children's rights. Spinster may allow more 'robust' language around trans activism, but the thread format of this forum allows issues to be explored and ideas to be developed in a much more coherent way. I truly appreciate this space and the regulars who contribute here.

Mumsnet has turned down hundreds of thousands of pounds of advertising over the years from companies which we feel don't make parents' lives easier, so we're well-used to putting purpose before profit.

Thank you from me too. And you know what, you still reach of millions of women, so I'm sure there are plenty of companies that will still want to do business with you.

Thanks MNHQ.

Thank you HQ.

That statement from MNHQ that was in the AIBU t by read is very good.

Thank you, MNHQ.

The fuckwits are really out in force on that Twitter thread, aren't they?

It's not the misogyny. I can take the misogyny - after all, I've had a lifetime of it, as have most of you. It's the sheer, utter, bone-headed, knuckle-dragging stupidity of the handmaidens who support the misogynists because they have swallowed the lie that transactivism is progressive - and that women fighting for their rights is extreme-right bigotry.

As I said earlier, it must hurt to be that stupid.

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.

Can't reply to McKinnon because like most of the world's female population I am blocked but the only answer to this has to be that disagreeing with Mckinnon on ANYTHING and I mean anything, regardless of whether they are right or wrong is deemed transphobic. McKinnon thinks people disagree with them by virtue of them being trans. It isn't that at all, them being trans is irrelevant most of the time. It is because they are an arrogant, mean-spirited, bully (those are my kindly MN friendly words by the way) who cannot tolerate any iota of disagreement because they don't have enough self awareness to realise they aren't always right and other people have their own thoughts on subjects. FYI there wouldn''t be threads about them if they didn't make themselves publicly controversial on a social media platform. The consequences are that people will discuss you - what do they say Live by the sword, die by the sword', if they are free to be unpleasant online, people have a right to reply.

That aside a commitment to free speech for any website is to be applauded (sadly, especially in this day and age) and particularly in a website populated largely by women. So while the restrictions here chafe a bit (well, a lot sometimes) at least MN still allow that respectful discussion.

Thank you MN

I noticed some ordinary beardy blokes on twitter feeling empowered to chime in with comments about MN being manhating as well.

Thanks MN. I know I sometimes get a bit heated and am quick to question when posts have been deleted, but I do appreciate that you keep the board running, i don’t think it’s an understatement to say that is because of the FWR board that so many women have seen what’s happening and been inspired to say say ‘no, we are not taking this shit anymore’.

When women come together amazing things will happen.

Another person adding their thanks. It’s so important to have a space where debate is encouraged.

Another grateful reader here - and so good to know that Mumsnet puts purpose before profit.

Thabk you MNHQ. You are doing a very brave thing in standing up and defending our rights to even have these conversations. It is very much appreciated and will be remembered for a long time.

Thank you MNHQ.
Like another poster said, I feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the potential loss of women's rights. I have started to become more vocal at work and I'm universally met with nodding heads and agreement.
If striving to support women's rights makes me transphobic then so be it - what does that even actually mean anyway - I don't fear transpeople. I just don't agree that you can change sex, take ownership of another sex, or demand to be treated in the same way as that sex. We are not stupid, every single one of us knows what a woman is - we all came out of one.
Women can't identify out of their sex, they can't identify out of being raped, abused or genitaly mutilated.
I will not be gaslighted by a mens sexual rights movement.

Ironically it's the fact that Upfield/Flora has cut ties without being able to clearly explain their objections that demonstrates how vital this space is.