Guardian Article

[RaymondSpectacles]

www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/27/reasons-to-be-hopeful

Refers to women receiving an experimental HIV vaccine as 'cisgender women'. It's just tautology, isn't it?

@RaymondSpectacles

I've complained to the readers' editor!

The term ‘cisgender women’ in an article (Reasons To Be Hopeful in 2021, 27.12.2020) about women who are receiving potentially life-saving treatment to prevent HIV infection in South Africa is, firstly, tautological, and secondly, highly offensive to women. Clear use of language when discussing female biology and medical treatment is of utmost importance in upholding the safety of women.

Thank you! I will do the same.

A reply!

Thank you for your email yesterday about this article: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/27/reasons-to-be-hopefull_

I will pass on your feedback to the writer and desk.

Looking at this myself, I noted "cisgender" was a term used by the HPTN 084 research teamm, and also by the World Health OOrganisation in reporting the trial; it seems there was a previous study (HPTN 0833) that included research into the efficacy of the drug for transgender women. I expect "cisgender women" was used on one occasion in the Observer article to reflect the language of the study and to make the distinction clear (explained further in the Guardian's style guidancee), although I realise that without mention of the earlier HPTN 083 trial cohorts this might not have been apparent.

Looking at this myself, I noted "cisgender" was a term used by the HPTN 084 research teamm, and also by the World Health OOrganisation in reporting the trial; it seems there was a previous study (HPTN 0833_) that included research into the efficacy of the drug for transgender women.

Well done for digging.

Very disappointed but not surprised with the use of cis when the word woman works fine. Again - I’m sure there will be plenty of the women participants who don’t know/identify/consent to be described as cisgender.

Funny how the importance of desired labels/language only works one way.

Re TW study - I assume hope this is actually based on TW with medical/hormonal interventions which make them a distinct participant population from other males.

The Karen article reveals an interesting inter-generational power play. The author is mixed race (“my mother who is white”) and seems to have used the Karen meme to induce her own mother to reflect on perceived failings and inadequacies, with journalist daughter nodding approvingly. That sounds fairly common but also quite unhealthy. Wonder what Mariella Frostrup would say to this.

@FamilyOfAliens

I’ve read the Guardian religiously for 30 years. I’ve had enough of their anti-women bullshit.

Just discussed with DH and we’re agreed - 2021 is the year for no more Guardian in our house.

I was brought up on The Guardian.

I got to the point that it was not even worth getting it as a freeby newspaper with my shopping.