Maya and Helen: letter in the Guardian on why gender identity should be left out of the conversion therapy ban

[ResisterRex]

Yes, the Guardian(!):

www.theguardian.com/society/2022/apr/20/why-gender-identity-should-be-left-out-of-the-conversion-therapy-ban

Excellent concise explanation of the issue.

I’m glad that they managed to get this published in the Guardian.
It’s a scandal that debate has been stifled for so long.

Is it possible the Graun is having doubts about their previous uncritical support for gender ideology?

My assumption is they want to stoke hate-reads for clicks.

Admirably short but comprehensive and readable too.

I don't think so, I've noticed a change to shoeing both sides. Posts are also allowed remain if someone disagrees with the TWAW mantra.

I admire the conciseness of that letter.

Excellent and very clear. I am glad that the Guardian published the letter, if only because the information in it might reach some people who have closed their eyes and ears otherwise.

Goodness me.

I'm SO amazed that the Guardian allowed it to be published. I wonder if it made it into the print edition?

Is this the very first time that anything from our side has actually been published in that paper? Well done to our Wonder Women!

😃😃😃

admirably short and to the point letter

i'm so happy that people no longer feel the need to do the 'but I'm not transphobic' dance before going on to state self evident common sense

i'm so happy that people no longer feel the need to do the 'but I'm not transphobic' dance before going on to state self evident common sense

I agree. I know it's been said that gender ideology is homophobic and misogynistic but sometimes I also wonder if it's not transphobic or bad for trans people. Reasons why that springs to mind:

• the rushing of medicalising children and very young adults means older trans people are forgotten.
• there seem to be hardly any services or initiatives aimed at any group outside children. IIRC having to go back in the closet for older LGB people who needed care was, once upon a time, a thing some people started caring about but quickly abandoned in favour of rainbow laces and lanyards. If that got off to a non-start then services and things for older trans people never even got discussed.
• accusing anyone of expressing concern as "transphobic" must make trans people feel isolated and as though they must (from the view of others) side with TRAs.
• announcing pronouns seems to me to be the very last thing you would do if you work with a trans person.
• the relentless focus on being visible must be not completely welcome by all trans people. That's all it ever is as there's never any solid aim behind it or thing that might help trans people. It's always quite flimsy things, or virtual things just for show / likes / retweets.

On third last point, having worked with a TW and also with a number of trans people some years ago, I would have been utterly mortified to be expected to sit there while I announced pronouns to my former TW colleague. It's just not how we worked as we were in a team and all did our jobs then went down the pub most weeks. It wasn't our business to start peeling the layers of her life like that.