UNISON passes policy Trans Equality - Louder and Prouder

[frazzled1]

twitter.com/JamesAnthonyRN/status/1537022734953328640

“Trans women are women, trans men are men, non binary identities are valid”

Plus the people who are active in unions tend to be keen to be 'progressive' and this line is very much led by Labour. It's hardly surprising that these resolutions get through as the level of participation in Union activity for the vast majority of workers is virtually nil. It's a small cohort with significant influence at both local and national levels.

What do you think “gender-critical” actually means?

They've been asked to set it out in a way that self-identified gender-critical people would agree with.
It's one of the very basic aspects of discussion, so everyone knows specifically what is being discussed, and to make sure no-one's talking at cross purposes.

But sunbow can't say. Perhaps they've been misled and are embarrassed about it. Perhaps they've never even stopped to think.

If you had a branch of say 5,000 members and it was quorate at 500, then all you would need would be 251 people to pass the resolution.. It's a legitimate decision, but not necessarily representative.

It's also fast becoming clear that people don't understand or won't define the terms used, which is a bit of a waste of time.

Are you confusing gender-traditionalist, American Republicans with gender-critical British women?

I think they might be.

Here's a helpful guide:

Gender ideologues: reject the reality of biological sex, accept the legitimacy of gender roles.

Religious/conservatives: accept the reality of biological sex, accept the legitimacy of gender roles.

Gender critical feminists: accept the reality of biological sex, reject the legitimacy of gender roles.

Gender critical means exactly what it says on the tin = critical of gender.

We believe that gender is based in regressive and sexist stereotypes and don't agree that it is any sound basis for organising society.

Given that the latest 'More in Common' report seems to suggest that most of the British public espouse gender critical opinions, this 'far right' tactic looks more desperate with every passing day.

I would thought a trade union would want to show themselves to be a bit more in touch with the views of the average, non-activist members who fund them. But up to them.

Does anyone know if there is a template to send to Unison objecting to this? I’m crap at writing such things!

Can't help you there sorry. When I emailed unison i was cross, so my wording was angry and emotional (angrymotional?) So many of the women here make such measured, thoughtful arguments and i blurt stuff out and miss the key points.

@SunbowRainshine31

When you say the majority of women support gender-based rights are you in fact referring to young teenage girls who have yet to live as adults, but are super eager to throw away the rights that took women decades to achieve? I mean you’ve given them the awesome TMAW mantra, so it’s the least they could do.

I just cancelled my membership and didn't go in to the reasons.

Pretend sex is real? Is that this week’s position for you lot?

So we’ve moved on from trans women are women, through trans women are female, and it’s now “sex isn’t real”?

But sex is real and the problem we have is people trying to deny that

Love this woman! Look at all the men...

Its a bit amusing to watch the radicalised point out the ways they think they are not radicalised....

Whilst those who are actually far-right bigots take a different approach to the responses.... it's markedly different, those paying attention can spot it.

Nonetheless, the world, feminist orgs, and the majority of women across all walks of life get it and support trans inclusion wholeheartedly.

The opinions of the radicalized and hateful become further marginalized.

I salute the women of unison and the strong women who display the critical thinking necessary to spot what the rest of us can see, and stand with us against the far-right misogynists and conservatives who often have anti-abortion measures alongside anti-trans legislation.

Trans women are women, in life and in law we stand together.

Trans women are women, in life and in law we stand together.

You didn't know what gender critical meant - I'm sure you'll be able to say what you mean by 'women', though eh? Otherwise it might start to look like you're just copying words off the internet without knowing what they mean, like when my sister did her Sociology coursework.

This is word salad.

Calling people radicalised is meaningless unless you can give specific examples of why you think they are radicalised.

Saying trans women are women is meaningless unless you can explain what you believe a woman is.

And it's hilarious that you appear to value critical thinking skills despite showing absolutely none yourself.

@SunbowRainshine31 i will ask again. Are you a union member?

I think they may be drunk.

Well I think we all actually support trans inclusion

We would support the ability to be included in sport either in the correct sex category or in a transgender specific category

We would fully support a society where no one loses out on a job or home because of their transgender nature

We will fight if wanted for transmen to be protected and to ensure they get the access to health services that is specific to their sex and gender

So saying GC feminists are not trans inclusive is a bit off anyway

Whenever people try to smear gender-critical feminists as right-wing, I always think of this article (from the BBC, ironically):

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26352378

It's about how the pro-paedophile group PIE was allowed to exist openly in the 1970s. It shows how parts of the left were more than comfortable with paedophilia, and how those who attacked paedophilia were smeared. PIE's supporters tried to make common cause with gay rights: after all, if homosexuals were ostracised and paedophiles were also ostracised, if you supported rights for homosexuals then you had to support rights for paedophiles.

This bit stands out for me:

'When Peter Hain, then president of the Young Liberals, described paedophilia as "a wholly undesirable abnormality", a fellow activist hit back. "It is sad that Peter has joined the hang 'em and flog 'em brigade. His views are not the views of most Young Liberals."

'And when a columnist supported Hain in the Guardian he was inundated with mail from people - many willing to give their name - who defended sex with children.'

Whenever anyone tries to tell you that you are right wing for being gender-critical, remember Peter Hain.

This is a textbook far-right response.

This is actually laughable.

Its like, as soon as someone says something that makes people uncomfortable, things like pedophilia are chucked out to control the emotional narrative and break any joined up thinking.

Purely for visceral effect, and trying to utterly derail the conversation.

This is textbook far-right propagandizing and deflection.

“Textbook far right” from someone unable to explain their position in any way that doesn’t sound, like a PP said, like word salad.

i don’t think you know what far right means. Love, a leftie.

I'm à Unison member and I'm sickened by this. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of negotiations for ill health retirement and have been supported in this by my rep, so much as I would like to, I can't give up my membership at such a crucial stage in a nearly year long process.
As soon as this is all over, I will resign. This actually feels Orwellian - I don't trust them to do right by women any more.