Edinburgh Facebook Group

[EdinburghFeminist]

I’m in a women’s Facebook group in Edinburgh. There are thousands of members and it’s a very nice and supportive group. Someone posted yesterday that they were looking at ways to combat misogyny and looking for suggestions.
Another poster commented about the SNP hate crime bill and was politely but firmly shut down and told that Trans people suffer even more than women by the OP.
I had really hoped that the thread would spark a useful conversation which would result in some awakening for some people. I’m so deflated that it was shut down so quickly - and that it was the OP who did it.
I have changed my screen name for this thread and I haven’t felt that I could be open on the FB thread either as my job could be a risk. I don’t really know why I’m posting to be honest other than to say I’m so depressed about it all just now!

@Furrybootsyecomfy yes! You’d think the chalk boards were made of acid they were so repulsed that they were near a children’s play park and the people complaining had no idea what the intention was.

@EchidnasPhone are you a “friend of SP” too? I hoped that some of the members of the page might be encouraged to look at the issues in a bit more depth. My friends seem to start with a “be kind” attitude but then quickly agree that single sex spaces still need to exist.

I'm in that Edinburgh group too. I do know that there are a few GC feminists within the group (because I know them). I agree that was very dispiriting.
I've joined FWS and will be writing to my MSP. I also know that it can be dangerous (or feel dangerous) to challenge. I have a few work colleagues on that group and my employer is in the S'wall top 100.

@Furrybootsyecomfy

I live in Edinburgh and recently somebody put a sign up in my local park about women’s rights and some links. Not even any direct mention to the Gender recognition act. The shouting down it got on the park’s Facebook page was pretty depressing.

was that Saughton Park? because it was reported on Edinburgh Live facebook page and the comments are marvellous - some really feisty woman giving it laldy

Edinburgh Feminst are you on twitter? follow #womenwontwheesht loads of GC feminists under that hashtag... we are many - Edinburgh is World T**F HQ FACT

@fatblackcatspaw Thanks!! I’m off to look that up . It was Saughton, I’ve just looked at the post again and it was ludicrous. So many people chatting rubbish about something they clearly don’t give a toss about. I want to buy whoever put the chalkboard up a glass of fizz at the bistro when we can!

@fatblackcatspaw

Edinburgh Feminst are you on twitter? follow #womenwontwheesht loads of GC feminists under that hashtag... we are many - Edinburgh is World T**F HQ FACT

I’m not on there often anymore as it was so depressing but I don’t have an account and just found the thread - I will keep an eye on it thank you!

@weebarra

I'm in that Edinburgh group too. I do know that there are a few GC feminists within the group (because I know them). I agree that was very dispiriting. I've joined FWS and will be writing to my MSP. I also know that it can be dangerous (or feel dangerous) to challenge. I have a few work colleagues on that group and my employer is in the S'wall top 100.

Ah that is heartening to hear at least thank you!!

Just checked out #womenwontwheesht. Looks really interesting, thank you!

Is Kylie Reid the site owner? I see she's DMing the person who said about femicide stats - wonder if she's getting kicked off or encouraged?

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

Is Kylie Reid the site owner? I see she's DMing the person who said about femicide stats - wonder if she's getting kicked off or encouraged?

She is, hopefully it’s the latter but I can imagine it’s difficult for her.

Are you able to share the name of the group? I'm in Edinburgh and sounds interesting

@BuffysBigSister

I was in an Edinburgh Feminist FB group a while ago but it was taken over by TWAW. Women who disagreed were culled from the group. So depressing. I actually emailed my SNP MSP last week telling him they had lost my vote because of their inability to support women's rights. He hasn't expressed a view publicly either way but has emailed to ask if he can call me in the next few days to discuss. Should be interesting

Which MSP did you email Buffy? (only if you're happy to share).

The rest of us in Edinburgh could email them as well?

Ben Macpherson? I had a meeting with him before lockdown about GRA he was adamant that they would not not reform GRA... hummmm

I am hopeful that the political parties realise that members of groups like "where baby chickens come from" are more likely to vote than many other members of other groups.

Surely they realise that 50% of the population matter?

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

I am hopeful that the political parties realise that members of groups like "where baby chickens come from" are more likely to vote than many other members of other groups.

Surely they realise that 50% of the population matter?

I think that the problem is that most people don’t realise the implications of what’s being changed.

@fatblackcatspaw

Ben Macpherson? I had a meeting with him before lockdown about GRA he was adamant that they would not not reform GRA... hummmm

I am in Leith so that should tell you who it is. I think in general the more emails/calls/letters MPs & MSPs get the better. Pete Wishart was insisting nobody cares about this in real life so we have to show them that's not true. It does feel like Edinburgh is super-woke - maybe because of the University but I've had enough. This is an absolute red line for me and I won't wheesht

Not sure I agree with the part about Edinburgh being a particularly privileged place to be honest - (yes I'm from there). There are a LOT of 'bad' deprived areas, so I really don't think you can say that the 'wokeness' is because Edinburgh is full of privileged people. It's really not. I suspect like the poster above that its the international influence of the University.

There are deprived areas, sure, Nameity. But overall, it is far posher/richer/more privileged than the rest of Scotland. If you look at life expectancy and earnings, say, the differences between Glasgow and Edinburgh are quite clear.

www.scotsman.com/regions/glasgow-and-edinburgh-compared-politicseconomyculture-1492741

BuffysBigSister I think I will wobble across the links towards Ben's office. Tho he did suddenly find it in him to support Lamont's amendement I think after the large amount of push back in his inbox. I'm going to do the Women's Place action later as well. womansplaceuk.org/2021/02/10/sex-and-the-census-call-to-action/

Hello! I'm in Edinburgh as well.

I don't think I'm in the Facebook group you mentioned but there's another one I'm in that sounds similarly disappointing.

It helps A LOT to find like-minded women to keep you sane. This board is invaluable.
Definitely sign up to For Women Scotland's newsletter. There are lots of ways to help in terms of writing to politicians and finding out information from public bodies, and generally keeping eyes and ears open in various places to find out what's going on.

There's loads of us in Edinburgh and all around Scotland. To cheer yourself up, you can have a look at the slates placed in various locations on the Women Speak Scotland Flickr page.

www.flickr.com/photos/190959205@N03/

Edinburgh women! please do this action regarding Sex and the Census for WPUK. I've written to Tommy Sheridan, Ben P and ALL my MSPs. I'd rather be on a zoom call with other feminists....

womansplaceuk.org/2021/02/10/sex-and-the-census-call-to-action/

I’m in that group too. I think someone recommended turning to FWR in the reply - hello whoever it was

I know for a fact that there are many GC women in that group, but I think many of us rarely feel brave enough to speak out.

@ToesAndFingersCrossed

I’m in that group too. I think someone recommended turning to FWR in the reply - hello whoever it was

I know for a fact that there are many GC women in that group, but I think many of us rarely feel brave enough to speak out.

I love that there are a few of us here from that group and that a couple of you have mentioned to me that there are other GC members too. I wonder is there anything slightly subtle we could do to raise awareness without ‘triggering’ a backlash? We could all back each other up in comments too.

I’m in the group too and saw the post. A few GC voices thank god.
My job role and the business I work in (signed up to Stonewall) means I can’t risk being honest on fb using my real name. I’ve come across really woke TWAW at work and the women’s network group newsletter is for people who ‘identify’ as women. Even our best practice resources have been transified with example policies and guidance that’s out of kilter with what the law actually says. I’m in awe of those women who stand up despite all the abuse and articulate their views - much better than I can. You are not alone but as there can be such a toxic reaction and recriminations for speaking up I think many won’t risk it.