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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Nhs badge issue pronouns

196 replies

goldfishthecracker · 06/12/2022 23:28

Started a new job today and got my ID badge. I had to put my preferred pronouns on the form for my badge. It wasn't an option for me not to pick it.

I gave it back without picking one and she handed it back to me saying she wouldn't give me a badge without me choosing them and I need my badge to work. She accused me of being transphobic when I said I didn't want to put them on display and i queried why I had to do it.

Now I have an official badge that I have to wear on display for patients and other health care professionals to see who I am with my pronouns very clearly displayed.

I'd share a photo but it has all my ID on it!

Can I raise this as an issue with my union? I don't want my pronouns to be on display, i see no need for it at all. Apparently they're moving towards all staff needing to display their pronouns on their badge. All previous staff are being asked to hand in their old badges and get a new one with their pronouns on it

Is it me?

OP posts:
Mummyme87 · 07/12/2022 08:00

My NHS trust are encouraging people to have a badge with pronouns on to show those who may be anxious about their gender identity etc that you’re a safe person to talk to. It’s not being forced upon us however. I’m choosing not to have a pronoun badge, not because I’m transphobic but because I just don’t want to. Why should I have to have my pronouns displayed

twinmum2022 · 07/12/2022 08:04

The worlds going mad... I'd push back on this OP - the option should be there.

If I suddenly decided I identified as 21 again is that just to be accepted because I said so? Or is that part of biology still recognised?

rippleraspberry · 07/12/2022 08:04

Theeyeballsinthesky · 07/12/2022 07:56

If someone believes a person can literally change sex then they really don’t have a grip on reality

But people can't complain that the NHS are bullying them for their beliefs when this sort of dialogue is just as much bullying, patronising and horrible.

I do believe that the NHS are wrong here and should let people choose whether to display their pronouns.

But if you're going to accuse someone of 'bullying' you, it is pretty hypocritical to then start patronising and bullying others yourself just because they have a different outlook.

I think that people need to listen and respect one another more on both sides of this debate.

KittensNotMittens · 07/12/2022 08:05

It’s dumb. A badge telling people what your pronouns are? Why on gods Green Earth?

Vinvertebrate · 07/12/2022 08:10

I wouldn’t do this purely because using pronouns implies a belief that TWAW - which is gaslighting, because they aren’t. They might feel like one and in most circumstances I am happy to treat them accordingly. However I find the amount of energy the NHS appears to expend on this fringe issue completely baffling, especially when the actual healthcare bit is on its arse.

Mariposista · 07/12/2022 08:19

How ridiculous. Your badge should just have your name, photo and role at that hospital or clinic. 🙄

KittensNotMittens · 07/12/2022 08:20

Why not badges stating if you speak a foreign language or can use BSL? If you are a grief councillor or a first aider (obs for non medical staff). Or if you are allergic to peanuts.

TeenDivided · 07/12/2022 08:22

KittensNotMittens · 07/12/2022 08:20

Why not badges stating if you speak a foreign language or can use BSL? If you are a grief councillor or a first aider (obs for non medical staff). Or if you are allergic to peanuts.

A foreign language or BSL would be much more helpful.
When DD worked in hotel reception she had a little Spanish flag on her badge (as well as the UK one) showing she could speak Spanish.

Supernormative · 07/12/2022 08:23

JacquelinePot · 07/12/2022 07:48

Join and speak to the Free Speech Union. Report the colleague for bullying, defaming you and (if we want to play them.at their own game) making you feel unsafe. Although on the latter, it might be better to use the wording found in the employment legislation, isn't there something about creating a hostile environment?

This.

I'm a member and they are brilliant. They have case workers who will advise you on exactly these sorts of issues.

Abccde · 07/12/2022 08:28

I'm my opinion it reinforces the fact that you are female (assuming you are).

Sex is a protected characteristic. The sex you are has no impact on the job you do (in most cases). So why does your sex need to be reinforced?

Surely this increases the chance of disctrimination due to your sex, which is a protected characteristic.

MissyB1 · 07/12/2022 08:31

The problem is these ID badges often open doors as well, to allow you access to departments and wards, so you have to have them. Maybe putting tape over the pronouns might work, or might interfere with the access mechanism? I don’t know I’m not very technical!
I can’t see my Dr dh going along with this nonsense!

Abccde · 07/12/2022 08:32

And as for she/ hers who are actually male - it doesn't deceive anyone.

AppleTreeOwner · 07/12/2022 08:38

The NHS trust may be influenced by this framework- especially if there is a full on EDI person trying to implement it. Came out a few months ago, this is what staff will have to respond to.
www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4646561-health-and-care-lgbtq-inclusion-framework-has-just-been-launched-by-the-nhs-confederation

PauliString · 07/12/2022 08:39

Birdsweepsin · 07/12/2022 07:18

"It's so unusual, everyone in this hospital has one of only two surnames, Dr Sheher or Dr Hehim."

Or as my visually impaired mother said to a (purple haired, male) waiter, ‘That’s a funny way to spell Sheila, lovey’.

KittensNotMittens · 07/12/2022 08:39

Abccde · 07/12/2022 08:32

And as for she/ hers who are actually male - it doesn't deceive anyone.

But I guess it flags why may be a pain to interact with.

tresleches · 07/12/2022 08:42

screamingbanshees · 07/12/2022 00:07

You can identify as a woman and still be one. Nobody is taking that away from you. I don't understand how being asked to display your pronouns which you have gone by your entire life is outrageous in any way. No one has asked you to change them. Grin

Show quote history

You're missing the point - adding pronouns to badges etc is often promoted as "just" being helpful or pragmatic, but the campaign behind it is actually ideological. If you display your pronouns, you are effectively supporting gender ideology, whether that is your intention or not. Gender critical feminists do not wish to do this.

I like the suggestions of adding a white label or ordering your own badge.

StopStartStop · 07/12/2022 08:42

Ndd135632 · 06/12/2022 23:41

I find it effing scary that the NHS thinks you can change sex honestly. Surely the surgeons don’t do this do they?

This.

If they don't know the basics about male and female, what other vital information are they lacking? 😕

Iluvfriends · 07/12/2022 08:44

Mummyme87 · 07/12/2022 08:00

My NHS trust are encouraging people to have a badge with pronouns on to show those who may be anxious about their gender identity etc that you’re a safe person to talk to. It’s not being forced upon us however. I’m choosing not to have a pronoun badge, not because I’m transphobic but because I just don’t want to. Why should I have to have my pronouns displayed

Putting on the uniform should be an indicator that you are a safe person to talk to......if you aren't then you shouldn't be in the job. (Not aimed at you, just a generalisation)
It hasn't started in my trust yet but
I will not be buying into the pronoun nonsense. I am a female, I look like a female and what anyone calls me when I'm not there does not bother me.

xalo · 07/12/2022 08:45

@goldfishthecracker
Please let us know how it goes.
We must stand up to this bullying.

TrixJax · 07/12/2022 08:48

Putting on the uniform should be an indicator that you are a safe person to talk to......if you aren't then you shouldn't be in the job

This^
Since when was a HCP not a safe person to talk to about issues affecting your life

Abccde · 07/12/2022 08:49

So what happens to the wee old couple who don't understand all the crap that is going on today.

They are ever so polite even though the man has long pink hair and a skirt.

And they say ' thank you son' when he shows them where to go.

Arr they going to be cast out and refused treatment because they are transphobic?

Worldgonecrazy · 07/12/2022 08:52

Can you choose a neo pronoun? Perhaps one of the more outlandish choices to demonstrate how fucking ridiculous the whole thing is?

bellinisurge · 07/12/2022 08:54

My pronouns are No/Thank you. If they want to challenge my no identity or my thank you identity I would report them to Suzie Green

KittensNotMittens · 07/12/2022 08:56

My late ‘wee old’ mum and grandma would have absolutely understood what was going on. They would be acutely aware.

They lives their lives when women didn’t have the vote (grandma was a child), when women couldn’t get contraception without their husbands approval, when marital rape was ‘legal’, a woman’s wages weren’t calculated in a joint mortgage…

oh yes they had seen the abuses of men so would not be in the least confused (maybe confused at why some women cheer this on).

Babdoc · 07/12/2022 09:01

To the PP who doubted the NHS would dictate to staff about name badges- they certainly did in my day, even before all this gender nonsense. I wanted my new name badge to say Dr. B. Babdoc, Anaesthetist, the same as my old badge.
The Trust insisted my Christian name had to be on the badge. I consider it unprofessional, and would never permit patients to address me so personally. I always had the courtesy to address them by title and surname, unless they asked me to use their forename.
I wasn’t given a choice, and for the remaining ten years of my career that badge remained in the bottom of my pocket, only taken out to activate security doors.

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