Shock!! WOMEN get Ovarian Cancer

[BusterBluth]

I noticed that my MP (Lib Dem) had re-tweeted a tweet by Target Ovarian Cancer highlighting the reduction of women seeking help for symptoms of ovarian cancer:

Because of the #coronavirus pandemic, there's been a drop in the number of women contacting their GP worried they might have symptoms of #OvarianCancer.

It piqued my interest because of the outrageous use of the word women with regards to a female-based disease (shock! horreur!). Neo-normality resumed however when I saw that several MPs and MSPs had re-tweeted the message but had cleverly changed the word women to people, so that it now reads:

Because of the #coronavirus pandemic, there's been a drop in the number of people contacting their GP etc

Interestingly, Target Ovarian Cancer have been re-tweeting and thanking all the MPs and MSPs sharing their message, but only the ones who used the word women. No sign as far as I could see of any thanks whatsoever to those who changed the original wording to people.

In a world where insanity reigns and language is being bastardised to the nth, I must admit this renewed my faith in organisations who put women and their sex-based health first.
I'm also chuckling at the woke MPs wondering where their thanks and pat on the back is, but that's because I'm an evil witch

Excellent

Yes, good to know they are a charity who are not afraid to use the word women. And shame on Alison Johnstone, MSP for her removal of the word women, and use of the word 'people' in her retweet. Fwiw, I don't mind inclusive language (ie add in the word transmen if you want to be inclusive), but I do object to the erasure of women.

What possesses these MPs to change the wording from women to people? The calibre of elected MPs across all parties is shocking.

@thereplycamefromanchorage

Yes, good to know they are a charity who are not afraid to use the word women. And shame on Alison Johnstone, MSP for her removal of the word women, and use of the word 'people' in her retweet. Fwiw, I don't mind inclusive language (ie add in the word transmen if you want to be inclusive), but I do object to the erasure of women.

This.

• Neo-normality resumed however when I saw that several MPs and MSPs had re-tweeted the message but had cleverly changed the word women to people, so that it now reads:

Because of the #coronavirus pandemic, there's been a drop in the number of people contacting their GP et*

This makes me sooo angry. It is so important to have accurate and explicit healthcare literature.

Women are just collateral damage to these idiots.

Should my husband contact the GP if he thinks he might have Ovarian cancer?
FYI:
-feeling constantly bloated
-a swollen tummy
-discomfort in your tummy or pelvic area
-feeling full quickly when eating
-needing to pee more often than normal

People don’t have ovarian cancer.
Women do.

I have four people in my family who need NOT to contact their GP about Ovarian cancer.
Dd and me, on the other hand, are both women.

I found this howler on the Mind website today, 'People who are able to have periods'.

Oh that is a howler @TeachesOfPeaches

Hello doctor. I’ve brought my person who is able
to have periods in for a checkup today. And tomorrow I’m bringing my son.

Completely agree with your comment @thereplycamefromanchorage
“Fwiw, I don't mind inclusive language (ie add in the word transmen if you want to be inclusive), but I do object to the erasure of women.”

There was a good example recently (on here or Twitter, can’t remember) from a health leaflet that described “women and people with a cervix.”
Non-erasing, clear, factual and inclusive.

It’s not actually hard, is it??

Ah but using "women and people with a cervix" excludes transwomen, the most special (and oppressd) women of them all.

But then surely if TWAW then they’re included in the ‘women’ part, so nothing to worry about there.

I would be quite happy with the wording women and transmen. After all most transmen will be at risk of ovarian cancer too. I don't like the obliteration of the word woman and transwomen aren't going to get ovarian cancer.

Both excellent points, well made.

But please don’t drag these boards down with your fetishised debate, so unbecoming.

My comment was in response to Apollo and Mark Ruffalo.

My transitioning daughter's at risk of ovarian cancer because she's female, as is her female non binary partner.

The most inclusive language would be to say women, including females who identify as trans or non binary. Surely no one could object to that?

They have retweeted one MP that said “people” 🙄

@SisterWendyBuckett

My transitioning daughter's at risk of ovarian cancer because she's female, as is her female non binary partner.

The most inclusive language would be to say women, including females who identify as trans or non binary. Surely no one could object to that?

I would say 'women and transmen' should cover. Surely women who 'identify as non binary' are aware they are still actually women and still have their female anatomy.

2020. The year 'woman' became a dirty word unless you were talking about someone male.

Funny how we don't have these word gymnastics when talking about prostate and testicular cancer - the word 'men' is used without restrictions....

I have no idea why that is....🤔

I would say 'women and transmen' should cover.
Surely women who 'identify as non binary are aware they are still actually women and still have their female anatomy.

You would think so - but non binary also applies to those with male bodies. And not all medically and/or socially transitioning females call themselves transmen. They might describe themselves as genderqueer or one of very many other gender descriptors.

It is verbal gymnastics. But my primary concern is helping natal females, who for whatever reason don't want to call themselves women or find it painful to think about their female body, reduce the risks that their female biology confers on them.

Ok women and people with ovaries.

Dagnamit with the re-tweeting ‘people’ version banshee cry
I really thought they were making a quiet, pointed stand.

I just asked my kids what they understood by ‘people who have symptoms’ and they said “people. You know - boys and girls”

@Lordamighty

What possesses these MPs to change the wording from women to people? The calibre of elected MPs across all parties is shocking.

MPs don't do their own tweeting. They employ a 20-something intern and/or marketer to do it for them. This is so they don't give out the wrong message and offend the wrong people.

Only saying this as someone who has had anti-Semitic and Islamophobic MPs who don't use public transport who have ended up in the Lords.

the MSP that has been retweeted now using 'people' was one who was retweeted earlier with 'woman', which does make it look like it's a deliberate change (although the earlier tweet hasn't been deleted).

I do get cross about this stuff. Be trans. Good luck to you. Be happy. I was born a woman though and I only have ovaries because I am a woman. Argh though. Such a minefield isn't it. A transitioning woman to a man could still have ovaries. At what point do you stop being a woman? I'm going before I get flamed because I don't understand any of it really.

Interesting. This one retweeted twice - first with women, later with people (also slightly different wording)