It's real, isn't it?

[withgraceinmyheart]

I've just had the tiniest taste (the tiniest) of the things I've read about in here, and seen happen to people who try to discuss women's rights as impacted by the advance of trans rights.

I was reading through the comments on a JK Rowling article, heartened to see people supporting her and disappointed by the low numbers on 'likes' they were getting compared to those disagreeing. So I liked some, to show support and recognise how hard it is to say those things in public.

Minutes later, I found that someone had gone through my Facebook and commented on posts of mine that were public (like articles I'd shared etc) saying that I had liked transphobic comments.

I've set all my posts to private now (vast majority were anyway). I know it's tiny in the scheme of what's happening to JK and others, but it's shaken me a bit.

Now I know why there are so few likes!

Yes. It's a very well orchestrated bullying campaign. Keep women silent.

The trouble is, it works.

Yep. It's really frightening.

The intention is to chill and squash any debate. And it's working.

Modern day witchfinders. So woke.

withgraceinmyheart

It is scary, very scary. I've had similar happen to me in the past, and the sheer jab of adrenaline and "flight or freeze" response that kicked in for me lasted for days. It was bloody horrible.

A few years back I decided the only defence I had was "publish and be damned", so I took to cautiously posting under my own name (which is an unusual one). So if anyone tries to come at me I can say "but I'm open about my views, I think they're moderate, considered and while I am unmistakably pro-woman on these issues, I think what I've written is respectful and measured towards those who hold the opposing view."

But - and it's a very, very big but - I realise this isn't open to everyone. There are many sectors of employment where women might lose their jobs over this - and as Maya Forstater's case shows, how this would pan out at the tribunal will be at the whim of the judge on the day (as I understand it tribunal rulings don't establish precedent in a general way).

It's not just losing jobs that people fear. The masses of violent threats of people with swords, guns, baseball bats etc do also give one pause.

This is why it's particularly bitter to watch all these privileged celebs mouth platititudes like 'Love wins', while conveniently ignoring the dark, and frankly terrifying reality of the so-called 'debate'.

Yes. I barely post about it on social media because my family pile in (my niece is a transman). I don't use my real name as I work at a very 'woke' place and can't risk losing my job.

Thanks everyone.

I'm finding it very comforting to know that there probably are a lot more supportive people than the social media picture implies. I knew that already but it feels a lot more real now.

The upsetting thing is that's silenced me on everything. The posts I've now hidden were about all sorts of issues, politics etc.

It's shaken me because I knew Twitter was like that and have never been on it, but Facebook felt 'safer' somehow.

Yep, I stay off commenting on any GC stuff on Facebook (although I notice 2 facebook friends not real life friends, have been against JKR and 1 for) because I have few enough real life friends as is, I don't want to rock the boat. I have a feeling they'd agree with me but not 100% sure.

I follow a lot of GC people on twitter, read a lot but haven't said anything myself because I want to keep my job and although it's unlikely someone will decide to target me I can't risk it.

I save it all for MN!