Courage Calls to Courage Everywhere

[Uhohmummy]

As a long time lurker I want to post a positive message of thanks to the amazing women (and men) of FWR who have opened my eyes to so many important issues. The fight for women’s rights can be exhausting and there are so many brick walls but just by talking about these issues you are making a difference. I suspect there are many like me who don’t often post on here but take on board a lot of what is discussed and use it to spread the message in our own lives, educating our children, donating where we can, etc. Please keep going. And thanks.

[Uhohmummy]

Who knew there were so many of us support lurkers?! I can’t believe the responses. I am going to try and post more often here if only to remind the regular, more informed posters that we are listening, your work is appreciated and is making a difference.

[InsideNumberNine]

I'm another lurker, and another one who reads this board daily. I screen shot things, I commit some of your words to memory because they are so clear and concise on many of the subjects surrounding this issue.

But also, it's so tiring. I hate feeling like this. I hate knowing in my bones that this is right, that what we're pushing for is the right thing, but being so afraid to articulate it for fear of backlash, of losing my job, losing my friends.

I don't exist in an echo chamber. I read things from both sides, listen to stories, I sympathise with anyone struggling with negative feelings around their bodies. But you cannot fight a fact based argument with feelings.

So thank you, sometimes I have to turn away from this board because it's too much to deal with, but every day I come back and you're still here and still fighting. Solidarity sisters.

[TinyGlassOwl]

Another FWR lurker checking in to say thanks

I'm unable to speak up at work, which has been almost completely captured, awash with pronouns-in-bios and the kind of 'inclusivity' which somehow manages to exclude 50% of the population. I can't engage on Twitter because it's linked to work. Many of my closest friends and colleagues think I'm a T**F because I made the mistake of making my views known a few years ago.

So now I lurk on here, amazed daily by the persistence, patience and clarity of the arguments presented by the FWR posters.

Sometimes it feels a bit hopeless, and then I come here. I want to be braver. I will be braver. Thank you all.

[Ereshkigalangcleg]

It's ok to take a break. I had to take six months off all social media at the beginning of my consciousness of the problems in about 2014 but a desire not to let bullies triumph and women's rights to be trampled drew me back in.

[Erkrie]

Op ♥️

[McDuffy]

Love a good delurker thread.
I imagine does the FWR regulars good to know that people are reading, and then influencing IRL, donating to crowdfunders, writing letters to HoL peers, boycotting innocent smoothies today
Because of this board and wonderful women, stuff is happening.
I would love to say what I'm doing IRL as my job is kind of important in the current battles we have, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Maybe one day you'll know what you indirectly achieved by influencing people like me in certain jobs and industries

[thinkingaboutLangCleg]

Thanks from me too. So many wise and experienced women on here, dedicated to protecting children and women.

[OvaHere]

I remember the original delurker thread back in the day when the board wasn't as busy (I think it was around the time of I am Spartacus?). It was amazing to see all these women coming out of the shadows to say Hi we are here and we are listening.

[chilling19]

Yes thank you all 👏👏👏

[MaudTheInvincible]

Came for the babies, stayed for the feminism.

Me too

In fact my bag saying that has just arrived today

[vimtosogood]

I am a long time lurker. I am not a woman but the science denial from TRAs is so bonkers I couldn't help but say something.

[Erkrie]

I am a long time lurker. I am not a woman but the science denial from TRAs is so bonkers I couldn't help but say something

Measurable facts are the way forward. I wish more people would think to apply them.

[Erkrie]

Where did the bag come from? I need one in my life.

[OvaHere]

@Erkrie

Where did the bag come from? I need one in my life.

Standing For Women

[Foxxinsoxx]

@OvaHere I remember someone saying it was like the bit in Lord of the Rings when they light the beacons and all the little lights in the darkness link together - sometimes it's nice to be reminded that there are so many of us quietly reading, researching, speaking to other people, writing letters, and hopefully helping to turn the tide.

[OvaHere]

[quote Foxxinsoxx]@OvaHere I remember someone saying it was like the bit in Lord of the Rings when they light the beacons and all the little lights in the darkness link together - sometimes it's nice to be reminded that there are so many of us quietly reading, researching, speaking to other people, writing letters, and hopefully helping to turn the tide. [/quote]
Oh yes absolutely. Maybe I'll have a LOTR binge over the weekend. Not watched those films in years.

[StarintheMorning]

Occasionally post, mostly lurk.
Finding this board (many years ago now) was an eye opener. Always a feminist, but children and full time working had pushed it to the back burner, my feminism has been reignited.

I also want to say a massive thank you to the posters who are no longer allowed to be on here, I hope you lurk here still, knowing that we couldn’t be where we are without you and that we will carry on your marvellous work. You are missed.

May every garden be dug, every lurker be welcomed, every success be celebrated.

[FoxBaseBeta]

🙋 I'm another occasional poster but mainly a lurker. I'm generally too awed by the knowledge and eloquence of posters to feel I have anything of substance to add.
Occasionally I stay away from the FWR board because it all just feels so much, but then I come back and it feels like home and I remind myself of the strong women fighting every day for women's rights and refusing to back down

[Littlefiendsusan]

Another frequent lurker here, nice to be able to pop my head up and say hello!

I am in no way eloquent enough to add to posts here but having 2 woke teen dd's, this board is an invaluable place for me to come and help anchor and clarify my thoughts for discussions with them.

[Xpectations]

Also occasional poster, but mainly lurker.
I’m grateful to MN, even though I’m not a parent (but I am a carer of two adult disabled family members) and I can’t use Twitter atm cos I’m appealing a restriction so my account is temp suspended.

[GCAcademic]

I also want to say a massive thank you to the posters who are no longer allowed to be on here, I hope you lurk here still, knowing that we couldn’t be where we are without you and that we will carry on your marvellous work. You are missed.

That’s lovely. I feel the same.

[ForeverFaithless]

Echoes of my thoughts in all these posts.

[BraveBananaBadge]

I ditched Twitter and this was my constant-scroll-phone-addiction replacement and I'm so glad. I'm interested in comms and media so comment on (and occasionally start) threads usually pertaining to that, but generally lurk and listen.

I came to Mumsnet because eventually it became apparent many smug, young, media types would happily see the whole thing shut down, and do women, mums, parents, or anyone in need, out of a really valuable community of advice and support in the process. That's not fair.

And I've seen through the threads of the last few days, that the kind of talk we've been conditioned to fear being labelled 'hateful' is simply women, speaking plainly. Saying no. Asking for evidence, proof, scrutiny, and giving short shrift to those who don't provide it. It's not hateful, and this isn't the way things should be.

So another big thanks to everyone on FWR.

[vimtosogood]

@Erkrie

I am a long time lurker. I am not a woman but the science denial from TRAs is so bonkers I couldn't help but say something

Measurable facts are the way forward. I wish more people would think to apply them.

I won't pretend to know a lot about feminism or women's rights, but I do know what a woman is.

[houseofstark]

Agreed Op. I mostly lurk but have learnt so much on these pages.

I am in awe of the regular posters, their knowledge and eloquence. Thank you all