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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Lib Dems actively deterring GC women

694 replies

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 07/11/2019 13:48

Today I emailed the Lib Dems expressing an interest in joining their party.

I stated no one should receive discrimination or abuse for their transgender status but explained that I am GC and I asked if there was room for GC women in the party.

I received the following response:
Thank you for getting in touch. Whilst we appreciate your interest in joining, you should be aware that the Liberal Democrats are a trans inclusive party, and we have made it clear that we fully behind trans communities. As liberals we champion everyone’s right to live the life they want. By the sounds of your email it appears that your values are not aligned with ours so we are probably not the right the party for you.

I am flabbergasted. I didn't expect that I would have to believe that humans can change biological sex in order to be a member of the Lib Dems.

I am so disappointed. I was going to vote for them in the GE (passionate Remainer) but I cannot if this is their response.

There is no one to vote for. I am lost.

Lib Dems actively deterring GC women
Lib Dems actively deterring GC women
OP posts:
Thread gallery
26
merrymouse · 07/11/2019 19:35

Imagine if you had written

"I am an atheist, that means that while I do not believe anybody should suffer discrimination or abuse because of their religion, I do not believe in God"

and they had replied

"We are a religion inclusive party and as liberals champion everyone's right to live the life they want, so we probably aren't the party for you".

Their response just doesn't make sense as a reply to your question.

reformedheffalump · 07/11/2019 19:36

I've got the same dilemma. Always voted libdem since I was 18! Am very pro-remain and now my choice is between Layla Moran and the tories!! :( genuinely don't know what to do

CaptainKirksSpikeyGhost · 07/11/2019 19:42

genuinely don't know what to do

🎵🎵No matter who you vote for the government always gets in!🎶🎶

eurochick · 07/11/2019 19:44

I'm a previously Tory voting Remainer. I was planning to vote Lib Dem in the election. This thread has horrified me. I knew the Lib Dems had said some stupid stuff on trans rights but was prepared to hold my nose and put my x in the box anyway. But if they are actually going as far to turn away gender critical women from the party I'm not sure I can. I'm truly politically homeless. 😟

merrymouse · 07/11/2019 19:45

I wonder how many residents of the Richmond Park constituency frequent this board? This is a marginal seat (Lib Dems lost by 40 seats in 2017) Perhaps they could contact Sarah Olney and find out whether she has a coherent opinion on this topic?

Ereshkigal · 07/11/2019 19:55

And in today's edition of "We don't want women's votes" it's... the Lib Dems!

Spero · 07/11/2019 20:11

Thanks very much for your post, people are loving it on my Twitter timeline (in a shocked way of course)

Doobigetta · 07/11/2019 20:13

I gave the LibDems many, many chances to shift even a tiny bit from TWAW AND TERFS ARE BAD before I canned my membership, but they weren’t budging. Only the local organiser guy who actually came to speak to me face to face, and had seen the antics of Sarah Brown and associated flying monkeys for himself, was sympathetic. My former MP, now candidate, was very keen to tell me that we need to be kind, but unable to explain why women are the ones who have to make all the concessions. Fuck them. They don’t like women. Don’t vote for them and don’t give them your money.

Lowhum · 07/11/2019 20:18

I’ve come out of lurking for this. Pom bears, Centreparcs (of old MN), cancel the cheque, Ocado etc!

A candidate for LD in Wales has been asked to step aside for the remain alliance today.

Jasmine Josephine Sakura-Rose’s principle reason for standing was for trans rights and they have discussed this in further detail on their blog.

I’m not sure if the blog is secure so I won’t link to it but their Twitter handle is jaz4caerphilly and links to the blog can be found there.

Waterandlemonjuice · 07/11/2019 20:21

Oh fuck, I was considering the libdems but won’t now

minipie · 07/11/2019 20:24

Shock can’t believe they actually turned you away rather than at least try for some sort of fudged answer. Quite clear where their priorities lie, and it isn’t women, or even winning elections.

Who now?

Any answers from Labour or Conservative OP? Though I cannot bear the thought of either of them in their current forms.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 07/11/2019 20:24

It’s the Lib Dem... says it all. So bloody liberal they choke themselves.

I genuinely have no one to vote for

merrymouse · 07/11/2019 20:43

Any answers from Labour or Conservative OP? Though I cannot bear the thought of either of them in their current forms.

There are MPs I would vote for if I lived in their constituency because I support them as individuals, regardless of party affiliation.

However, unfortunately I live in a completely safe seat where I don't support the incumbent MP. The only value my vote has is as a token representation of the popular vote. It's difficult to know what to do.

TowelNumber42 · 07/11/2019 20:58

Don't spoil your ballot. When your area has an MP who is actively acting against your rights then you helped vote them in if you didn't vote for someone else. Yes it is shit but not making a decision is saying that you are OK with living according to other people's decisions. A choice will be made. There will be an MP in your area. Tbh, I'd be looking at the individuals involved, if Ms X is your MP could you see her personally being openly GC when it matters, same for Mr Y could you see him not pushing Brexit if you lobbied right.

Original poster
DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 07/11/2019 21:00

Thanks everyone for your messages.

No, no reply from LD membership officer, Labour or Con, have been refreshing my email all day!

I will definitely update you when/if I heard back from them.

I suppose it was the Diversity team, but I stated that I was bi, GNC which is classed as trans according to Bonerwall, and they still turned me away!

Wonder if a proper GC TS/TW can send the same email?!

OP posts:
TheHeathenOfSuburbia · 07/11/2019 21:13

Is it possible that the 'diversity team' is just Sarah Brown? The Lib Dems are not a major league operation 😊

I've campaigned and canvassed for them before and the local team are trying to get me involved in the GE campaign and I'm dodging them Blush because I don't want to have this conversation.
These people have been my friends and we've been through a lot together... I never thought I'd see the day when being an atheist, biologist and feminist would see me being frozen out of the party Sad

ApplejackCriesOnTheInside · 07/11/2019 22:27

All our political parties have been captured by narrow factions and it is in their interests to repel any new boarders who might challenge them or steer policy in a new direction. Lib Dem membership is 115,000: how many motivated joiners would you need to make a difference?

RuddyTrees · 07/11/2019 22:53

In vaguely related Lib Dem news, it seems that Ms Challenor is also politically homeless, as an investigation into serious new allegations and safeguarding concerns continues.

Still, I'm sure Ms Challenor will find a new and exciting political role very soon...

Justhadathought · 07/11/2019 22:55

The LibDems are clearly political opportunists who stand for fuck all of value

That is my conclusion too. No real values other than wishy-washy liberalism and 'being nice'.

Justhadathought · 07/11/2019 22:59

I have never voted anything other than Liberal/LibDem since the first GE in which I was eligible to vote. That was in 1970, when I was 24. The constituency where we've lived for over 40 years returned a Liberal/LibDem MP for almost a century until 2010, when it went Conservative. The LDs are still the only viable contender and I would truly love to see the Tories lose the seat. Now agonising over what to do... sad

You have to consider what really means most to you. No party deserves your vote just because that has been your habit. For me it comes down to FIRST ORDER issues. What are they for you?

Evenquieterlife33 · 07/11/2019 22:59

The Lib Dem’s are massively misogynistic in my local area. They don’t give a shit about any women’s issues if those women are actual women. They’ve gone totally woke for a few years here. I do think this is a hugely important point that needs to be made in the press. People are looking to them to provide some middle ground, when they are anything but in reality.

Justhadathought · 07/11/2019 23:02

I've got the same dilemma. Always voted libdem since I was 18! Am very pro-remain and now my choice is between Layla Moran and the tories!! sad genuinely don't know what to do

Spoiling your ballot can be a very meaningful act - and make sure you explain to local canvassers exactly why you are doing that.

It's is very interesting how many of us have party loyalties depending on where we live in the U.K and the political and social cultures in those places.

Trewser · 07/11/2019 23:03

Brilliant. Thanks op.

The Lib dems have a good chance in my area but this has made my mind up, Boris it is!

Justhadathought · 07/11/2019 23:07

Quite clear where their priorities lie, and it isn’t women, or even winning elections

Their priorities are 'liberalism': people having the freedom to do what they want; unhampered by the state. Conflicts of interest are too messy; and they will always go with the latest liberation movement.

Justhadathought · 07/11/2019 23:08

The Lib dems have a good chance in my area but this has made my mind up, Boris it is!

No, please don't! Spoil your paper. That is a valid political act.