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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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James Esses taking legal action against Metanoia Institute

129 replies

rogdmum · 01/08/2021 07:56

Not only did Metanoia expel him after he started the petition to the govt, “Safeguard evidence-based therapy for children struggling with gender dysphoria” but Childline kicked him out as a volunteer counsellor.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9847741/Man-lost-job-Childline-raising-fears-children-rushed-changing-sex.html

OP posts:
ScreamingMeMe · 01/08/2021 08:04

Good for him.

OhHolyJesus · 01/08/2021 08:06

Childline kicked him out? Wow. That says way more about Childline than it does about Esses.

highame · 01/08/2021 08:09

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BigGreenOlives · 01/08/2021 08:14

He’s also been kicked off the psychotherapy course he was on. He sounds like a thoughtful young man who is doing his best to help young people.

lionheart · 01/08/2021 08:14

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ScreamingMeMe · 01/08/2021 08:19

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Leafstamp · 01/08/2021 08:25

From James’ Twitter thread just now:

The last few months have been extremely challenging for me but I will never stop fighting for what is important. Educational institutes must be held to account when they deny free speech to their students. Thank you all in advance. James (6/6)

mobile.twitter.com/JamesEsses/status/1421730357959868417

alkanet · 01/08/2021 08:31

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Datun · 01/08/2021 08:36

He appealed to Childline's directors and to the chief executive of its umbrella charity, the NSPCC, but his appeal was rejected.

An NSPCC spokesman said: 'Volunteers cannot give the impression that Childline endorses their personal campaigns.'

Last night Prof Weston of the Metanoia Institute said: 'When he was a student Mr Esses made a series of public pronouncements.

'In doing so he brought the institute into disrepute and made his position on the course untenable.'

Kicked off his course and off Childline for holding a belief which is now protected by law.

This should be interesting.

He's calling the current climate a watershed moment and he's right.

The public should know he launched an online petition in May called 'Safeguard evidence-based therapy for children struggling with gender dysphoria' and the NSPCC terminated his position calling it an 'inappropriate personal campaign.'

This from the charity with statutory power who saw nothing wrong with an employee wearing a gimp suit, masturbating in the toilets and uploading the video for further consumption. And complained at the criticism levelled at them calling it homophobic.

I seem to remember other people being concerned about the lack of boundaries from trans affirming Childline volunteers too.

Meanwhile, the way some fellow Childline counsellors were handling calls caused him alarm.

He felt they didn't explore properly why children were unhappy with their gender.

Instead, they simply 'affirmed' their belief to be transgender.

Mr Esses said: 'They would just go through the motions of affirming their transition with no form of exploration whatsoever.

Digging.

PatsArrow · 01/08/2021 08:42

This University will be embarrassed eventually. Will this be the first testing of the Forstater ruling?

doorornottodoor · 01/08/2021 09:10

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ArabellaScott · 01/08/2021 09:15

the NSPCC terminated his position calling it an 'inappropriate personal campaign.'

This from the charity with statutory power who saw nothing wrong with an employee wearing a gimp suit, masturbating in the toilets and uploading the video for further consumption. And complained at the criticism levelled at them calling it homophobic.

Shock not shocked.

thinkingaboutLangCleg · 01/08/2021 09:21

So trying to Safeguard evidence-based therapy for children struggling with gender dysphoria would damage an organisation’s reputation. Must have a pretty weird reputation.

rogdmum · 01/08/2021 09:27

Re Childline, this appears to be their stance:

“The NSPCC stated that an open and supportive culture is “key” to helping a child come to terms with who they are, while making them feel ashamed or dismissing their concerns could lead to children and young people developing harmful mental and physical problems.”

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/childline-calls-trans-gender-issues_uk_584eb8d4e4b0b7ff851d8530

The “helping children come to terms with who they are” makes me very uncomfortable- how do we know that a child feels in a particular moment in time, in a particular environment is “who they are”. It reeks of influencing a child and is the opposite of good therapy for a child or adolescent. They also fall into the trap of believing that if you don’t affirm you are dismissing their concerns. You can support the child while and understand their feelings without affirming them.

OP posts:
SpindleWhorl · 01/08/2021 09:28

He's a former barrister. I imagine he's pretty good at assembling a decent case.

TooWicked · 01/08/2021 09:33

LGB Alliance shared his story on their Facebook page earlier this morning 🥕

SirSamuelVimes · 01/08/2021 09:37

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SirSamuelVimes · 01/08/2021 09:38

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Tibtom · 01/08/2021 09:39

@rogdmum

Re Childline, this appears to be their stance:

“The NSPCC stated that an open and supportive culture is “key” to helping a child come to terms with who they are, while making them feel ashamed or dismissing their concerns could lead to children and young people developing harmful mental and physical problems.”

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/childline-calls-trans-gender-issues_uk_584eb8d4e4b0b7ff851d8530

The “helping children come to terms with who they are” makes me very uncomfortable- how do we know that a child feels in a particular moment in time, in a particular environment is “who they are”. It reeks of influencing a child and is the opposite of good therapy for a child or adolescent. They also fall into the trap of believing that if you don’t affirm you are dismissing their concerns. You can support the child while and understand their feelings without affirming them.

I imagine many children phone chilldline feeling worthless, that they deserve the bullying or abuse. Does childline affirm this is who they are?
WarriorN · 01/08/2021 09:41

Just seen this, well done James 👏

♠️

PineappleCakes · 01/08/2021 09:53

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R0wantrees · 01/08/2021 09:55

@ArabellaScott

the NSPCC terminated his position calling it an 'inappropriate personal campaign.'

This from the charity with statutory power who saw nothing wrong with an employee wearing a gimp suit, masturbating in the toilets and uploading the video for further consumption. And complained at the criticism levelled at them calling it homophobic.

Shock not shocked.

2nd September 2018

OP loveyouradvice wrote,

"AIBU to be shocked that the NSPCC cancelled their Facebook Live session with Mumsnetters, because they didn't like the questions? That they can't explain why they aren't putting children in danger?

I am reeling from this - Mumsnet promoted a Facebook Live for Thursday 12.30... to talk about keeping Kids safe from Abuse, and to publicise their PANTS and SpeakOut StaySafe campaigns.

NSPCC just didn't turn up - and only 4 hours later published a brief statement that said nothing!!!! So lots of people waiting for a no show.

It is fine for them to have the policies they have - IF THEY CAN EXPLAIN that they really are in all children's best interests and that they aren't putting girls at risk..... They haven't even tried to do that... Just ignored us and run. Ignored MUMSNET - which is full of people who raise or give money to the NSPCC, and who use it.

HOW??? I am bewildered beyond words.....

Oh ... and hopefully clicky link here of the questions Mumsnetters asked - really thoughtful cogent ones!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_facebook_live/a3343961-Facebook-Live-about-talking-to-kids-about-staying-safe-from-abuse-with-NSPCC "

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3353658-AIBU-to-be-shocked-that-the-NSPCC-cancelled-their-Facebook-Live-session-with-Mumsnetters-because-they-didnt-like-the-questions-That-they-cant-explain-why-they-arent-putting-children-in-danger

Whatwouldscullydo · 01/08/2021 10:03

Brave man. I cant believe someone can be kicked out a counselling type gig for not encouraging kids to hate their bodies.Hmm

I also wish these people would just stop and think for a second. Has he done anything witg children/patients that warrants concern?

People with all sorts of opinions and thoughts etc work in all sorts if jobs. Ut doesn't necessarily transpire that that will be the focus of any discussion or that they will.leave the session having been forced forced take on one specific sets of beliefs.

In fact there's only one side who refuses to even look at any other option and is hell bent on one course of action only. And its not this guys side.

InspiralCoalescenceRingdown · 01/08/2021 10:05

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Cabinfever10 · 01/08/2021 10:09

Well I'm looking forward mermaids supporting childline explaining to the courts (with evidence based on fact) why an affirmation based approach is not only the best way to treat children but the only way. I mean surely they have some kind of proof that watchful waiting is harmful (having been through it myself I can tell you that it did me a world of good while affirmation therapy would have done nothing to help me deal with the horrific abuse I suffered or my autism) and not just mermaids bs statistics right 🤔
I'm also looking forward to the Metanoia institute explaining to the courts exactly how someone legally involving themselves in a thoughtful and civil manor with British politics with the clear aim of safeguarding children and opening a very important debate about a proposed piece of legislation that if rushed or poorly worded will cause serious harm to those it intends to help could be seen to bring the institute into disrepute🤔 and that's before anyone mentions his legally protected beliefs.