I liked that when Arty made comments about the inclusion of very feminine transwomen, Helen objected to it.
Yes I liked that too. Arty claimed it was only a thought experiment. However, I’ve heard him hint at similar things previously, and imply ‘feminine’ men (who ‘identified’ as gay men previously) are somehow more like women, that it’s just macho males who ‘identify’ as women that are a problem. This leads me to believe it is his view, and not just a ‘thought experiment’, which makes me think he is somewhat disingenuous and manipulative, as if that is his view he should own it. Many men are oblivious to how sexist it is to imply that ‘feminine’ men are somehow more like women than men and its a just a ‘technicality’ they aren’t women. They seem even less aware of how unreasonable and sexist they are being, when they imply women should shield ‘feminine’ men from other men, by pretending they are women and allowing them into our spaces. I think since Arty is a man he priorities other men, and since he is a gay man other gay men are his main priority, rather than women. I think it is important to keep in mind that very few men will prioritise women’s needs over their fellow man’s feelings, their loyalties are almost always with other men, so it’s to be expected.
I do find it more than annoying though that a man who isn’t even resident in this country, feels entitled enough to suggest to one of our MPs what should happen to women’s rights here, when it will never have an impact on him. I am glad Helen voiced objections, I think it just highlights why we need women who have women’s interests at heart present when discussing these issues with people with the power to change things, otherwise we end up with men trying to negotiate our rights away. Unfortunately, there seems to be far too many women who also prioritise men’s feelings over women’s needs, who would agree with Arty, I’m glad Helen isn’t one of them.