Dear GMB
I hope you are reading this thread.
It is surprising you didn't think through how you would react to the inevitable cries of "transphobia" that would come from hosting a discussion on Mumsnet. Perhaps haven't been following this debate closely. Perhaps you panicked? (perhaps we might take this opportunity to fill you in....?)
Mumsnet is not transphobic - take a look at the moderation principles for this part of the site www.mumsnet.com/info/trans-rights-moderation-policy
What Mumsnet is is one of the few places where women have been able to talk about the implications of "gender self ID" and the move to replace sex with self identified gender for women's rights. This does not mean that we do not respect the human rights of transgender people -- no one should be discriminated or harassed for not conforming with restrictive gender norms.
Mumsnet is incessantly targeted by people who would prefer that women not speak.
It is disappointing beyond belief that a union that represents so many women would collude in this.
If we cannot talk about women as a sex then we cannot talk about and protect women's rights.
I lost my job for speaking about this. You can hear my story here:
I recently lost an employment tribunal hearing on the question of whether my belief that sex is real, immutable and important is something that you should not lose your job for (similar to other beliefs like Scottish nationalism and ethical veganism). The case is going to appeal.
There are thousands of women who are being made afraid for their jobs for speaking up about women's rights -- thousands who are anonymous on sites like Mumsnet and Twitter. Many in your membership.
They deserve employment protection and a union that stands up for one, not one that caves when a few bullies smear their name.