What's the problem with FiLiA?

[RhymesWithOrange]

On another thread a few posters referred to "the FiLiA debacle". Without wanting to poke at the wounds in the current feminist movement, can someone tell me what's gone on?

Haven't they not held the line about keeping men out of the movement?

I genuinely don't know. I know they've blocked women I admire on Twitter and a recent trustee appointment is unpopular (I'm disquieted by it) but I don't know what other people are referring to, and I was at their conference in October!

Who's the recent trustee appointment and why are you disquieted?

Don't know. Might have been this: www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4662757-womens-place-uk-filia-event-the-elephant-ignored-yet-again

There was a sentence in the free version of the Radical Notion that said socialist feminists should take account of the needs of minority groups including trans people.

I don't think this is an unreasonable approach, especially considering the rising number of trans people born female.

Possibly

(youtube link to assault of autistic woman by heavy handed security staff)

I thought I saw they'd blocked someone who was or said something pro-KJK. But it only popped up while I was trying to find something else on Twitter so no idea really. I had thought they were solid so am keeping an open mind until whatever it is, emerges. Or doesn't. Maybe it's nothing. Who knows!

@JoanOgden it's Claire Heuchan and I'm disquieted because she is perceived as divisive by many women I follow and respect. I find her abrasive on social media and generally (IME) FiLiA tends to the look for positives and productive opportunities and inclusive rather than focusing on what divides us.

@MiaMoor that's from 2021 so not the cause of recent unhappiness?

@CliantheLang I did skim that thread but found it a bit obtuse. And if it's one session in a large conference does it speak to the ethos of the whole organisation? I was at FiLiA 2021 and saw Helen Lewis who is at odds to some of the FWR board (and me) in some of her views but I don't ascribe them to FiLiA because she was on the agenda.

I haven't heard anything. I assume it's the usual this person blocked that person or whatever.
Filia does good work. Its extremely possible, probable in fact, that one of the many women there has said something I vehemently disagree with, but that would be the same as any random group of people. Filia still does an enormous amount of good.
One of the many issues I have with the trans movement is its focus on purity politics and that everyone has to toe the party line exactly or be cast out.
I like the actual diversity we have in the women's movement, including diversity of thought. If there's conflict, then we need to deal with it like grown ups.
Unless I hear something actually substantive around actual and specific allegations, then personally I'd take it with a pinch of salt

@TheGreatATuin yes, I do tend to ignore but it's getting harder as women I admire are saying they've been blocked etc. And I'm a regular donor to FiLiA so have to decide whether I continue.

I can't get to the Glasgow conference so maybe it will have resolved itself by the time the 2024 event comes around!

As you've not said which thread or which posters you're referring to, I don't see how we are meant to guess what unknown people talking about an unknown topic might mean. Surely your best bet is to ask those posters in the thread?

@BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn mainly stuff on Twitter, not threads on mumsnet. I don't like to ask on Twitter because it's really fighty there 😀

But, for example, Belstaffie, who is awesome, has been blocked by FiLIA.

Filia does absolutely excellent work, undoubtedly. I think blocking people on twitter is really a minor problem in comparison with the work they do, and could just be due to one person's flaws (we are all flawed in one way or another, which is why looking for purity and perfection is a waste of time). Id say keep donating.. the hague work they do is so important for mothers x

What is the purpose of blocking on Twitter? I only use it for searching so I really don't understand why it is done. I guess there's more than one reason.

Belstaffie wasn't - I'm sure - who I saw that was blocked. That's actually a bit concerning.

Ah - thought you meant a thread here. Fair enough. Yes, asking on Twitter is more daunting.

Something went on. Including hiding replies, which is another thing I don't understand! Just makes people more curious

twitter.com/filia_charity/status/1619002802260385793?s=46&t=jOlvgrtOq-zjx2s0duYVQg

Yes I saw this go down. Many people have an issue with this appointment as Claire H is really unpleasant and divisive.

You can still view the hidden replies by clicking on the little box symbol on the lower right hand side.

Hiding critical (but, as far as I can see, not abusive) replies is rarely a good look.

Belstaffie should be welcomed like the goddess she is. It's very odd that Filia blocked her. I get there can be personality clashes but Belstaffie is such a totemic figure, it looks very odd.

Hiding replies is very concerning. It shows they can't take criticism and they are being dishonest.

Isn’t it the JCJ Twitter thread that has caused the latest anger?

KJK had a rant on her channel the other day, and part of it I recall, she was pissed off that Filia recently platformed an AGP male. So that's why she's peeved, but there might be other things going on that you've picked up on OP.

Just read the twitter thread.

I only have a passing acquaintance with the women involved, mostly restricted to online.

But I’ve been watching intersectional EDI policies destroy multiple companies, charities & community groups for a while now (summary in the most recent Mermaids thread) and I will be very surprised if Filia is still going in 18 months time.

They’ve invited the EDI Vampire* in for tea.

*not referring to a particular person, only a set of ideas that suck up all the oxygen and make it impossible for orgs to fulfil their original remit.