Scottish campaign for buffer zones around abortion clinics asks supporters to 'neutralise your language'

[MagnoliaTaint]

You know what 'inclusive' means by now, right?

It means 'don't say 'woman''.

'It takes nothing to change your language to be as inclusive as possible. ❤️
Reproductive justice cannot happen without intersectionality, and we want to acknowledge that people who aren’t women also need safe abortion access. Discussing it as a ‘women’s’ issue is pointless when it isn’t only women who are subject to laws that strip us of bodily autonomy, or harassment at healthcare facilities.
Abortion rights are human rights.'

www.facebook.com/BackOffScotland

The 'neutralise your language' comment is on an image on that post - I'll try to upload but expect it to be too small to read.

Jean Hatchet, 2018. This is what she was talking about so presciently:

Woman last night : “really it’s a shame you all have to waste your time on the trans issue when there’s so much to do in feminism”

No. There isn’t. All the rest depends on this. If men can say they are women and women have to believe them - they killed feminism. It’s over.

When men take the word “woman” from women and use it for themselves it is the most aggressive collective act of male violence against women and girls you will see in your lifetime.

These men know .... oh yes they know... that if we can’t define “woman” ... we can’t name our oppressors “male”. We can’t fight them. We can’t overthrow them.

Let this pass and it’s over women. The whole game is up.

Fight now. For feminism and for your lives as women.

It's worth reading the full thread and exchanges with commenters.

twitter.com/JeanHatchet/status/1046022461945524225

I found the word 'neutralise' interesting, too.

Wake me up when BLM or some other group has admonitions to stop talking about "black" people, and pointing out that we're all affected by racism, and "all lives matter".

Even that sad, difficult part of womanhood is now being hyjacked by the anti women lobby…this so depressing.

'Discussing it as a ‘women’s’ issue is pointless' - this is what 'neutralising' your language does.

Are there any sensible women's organisations working on the buffer zone issue?

When 'woman' becomes a dirty word that naice people don't say in case of upsetting males.

Fuck that.

Neutralise off.

Naice girls don't make noise.
Naice women don't draw attention to themselves.
Naice women keep themselves neutral, never name the problem.
Naice good girls won't make a fuss.

'Who invented the typical girl?
Who's bringing out the new improved model?
And there's another marketing ploy'

But that is one comment- not an official stance?

I actually have some sympathy with the objection about the phrase "men shouldn't tell women what to do" argument.

There are plenty of women who are strongly anti- abortion. In the UK for example surveys usually show more women than men supporting tighter controls/ reduction of time limits. If you (general you) somehow got your way that only women got to vote on this issue it might be a case of be careful what you wish for.

It seems to be the official stance of the 'Back Off Scotland' campaign, Kimiko? In that they are posting it.

It's a 'women's isse' in so much as it's women who are affected - that doesn't at all mean only women would vote on it, or have a say on it, etc.

Neutralise your language = neutralise your campaign.

@MagnoliaTaint thanks for posting The Slits video. That song has been a fixture in our house for a long time. How I wish there was a young, female band about now that was kicking against gender stereo-types and standing up for women and feminism.
Every time I see a band that might fit that bill I'm disappointed by them being a vehicle to slag-off 't**fs', sloganeer that trans women are women, trans men are men etc... and promoting sex work as work. I'll debate the sex-work issue but the other beliefs are the usual thought terminating clichés that countenance 'no debate'.

And the hijacking of the abortion issue by those wishing to 'neutralise' our language. Fuck right off. That nonsense outside the Sandyford a few weeks ago with a transwoman taking centre stage. Forget it.

If you're a trans man who's wishing to have an abortion - I will support you. You will be subject to the same crap as every other woman in this position. Can you not accept that, in this instance, it is not other people's job to affirm a belief you hold about yourself that I might not share? It is not my role, in this harrowing situation, to centre your feelings about your gender identity. Not The.Time.

Just for once, concede that the female you are, is in a uniquely female situation. And instead of diverting attention away from the abysmal attempts to deny women the dignity of efficient, widely available-for-all abortion services, put your gender-identity issues to one side. Please.

This doesn't mean we hate you. It doesn't mean we wish to deprive you of a service you may need. It's just that in this issue, of all the issues, biology matters. It would be great if you accept that. And thank you for your support trans women. But don't you dare dictate how we speak of ourselves.

They can fuck right off.

Can't think what else to say.

I looked at the Facebook page you linked. They say “users” instead of women, in all their posts. As in, it’s not women (or even women and trans/enby folx) who are traumatised by anti-choice protesters, but, um, users.