Experiences of a Trans Person

[invalide]

I think it might be healthy to document here the experiences of someone from the other side, and for you to pay it some mind.

I'm an early-twenties STEM student working in renewable energies, and outside of my course I'm a photographer and musician. I've travelled a fair amount and adore my home country of Scotland. Living in Glasgow, I have found a queer community of beautiful people who create a joy to everyday life I treasure.

At the beginning of this month there was a 'Let Women Speak' rally held here that some of you here attended; I have seldom felt more unwelcome and stripped of dignity than while in your crowd, carrying out my photojournalistic duties (images 1&2). While capturing Kellie-Jay Keen pathologising my friends as subhuman perverts and members of the crowd flaunting their homophobia and their use of dogwhistles (subliminal far-right messaging) I was being brazenly looked up and down, receiving steely gazes and pursed lips and hushed whispers behind my back. While photographing the first speaker after Keen, who began her piece portraying autistic people as children devoid of agency, I was approached by one of you who made it clear I looked too queer for their liking and was squaring up for assault. I made my way out at this point (captured at 8:42 here and 9:09 here).
The atmosphere your movement brought to George Square was one I've only before experienced while documenting far-right rallies in Eastern Europe, where I have been hounded through the streets and beaten up for the same reason. I assure you, your ideology would feel very much at home there.

At the other side of the square things couldn't have been more different, you were bathed in colour and music and hugs and laughter, the place is full of friends dancing and dressed resplendent in whatever camp pretty things they felt like (images 2&3).

Ours was a crowd of locals; I strained to hear a Glasgow accent in yours.

Ours is a city that at short notice manages to fill the top of Buchanan Street (image 5) in solidarity with the queer community - the last time I saw it like this was during COP26. It's one that fills George Square in a candlelit vigil for Brianna Ghey.

Your movement has meant I'm called a pervert and a groomer while going about my average daily life. Our morally vacuous, increasingly fascist political class (thinking also of Magnus Hirschfeld and of Martin Niemöller's famous poem) is picking up what you've started and they're running with it. You may not call yourself a homophobe, a white nationalist or an antisemite, but you're sitting awfully comfortably considering that those that do find your movement incredibly attractive.

The problem is patriarchy and vile men, not the trans community.

The problem is men.
*

...*

And trans women are men. So they are part of the problem.

Why should someone who advocates physical violence and threats towards women (and men apparently) that they disagree with? Indeed they feel they have an absolute right to advocate that.

I would genuinely love to see a reply to that question.

I'm sorry you have treated this way. Sadly, some can't see how evil it is to be calling trans people perverts, degenerates and paedophiles (which I have seen only today). Mumsnet isn't the place for you to be able to have a considered conversation about it.

"......................when you heard aggressive screaming trying to drown out women talking about rape or disabled women worried about being sexually assaulted"

OP I do not think this has been your lived experience, has it, as you are not a woman.

Do not presume to tell actual women (those of us born into the female sex) which spaces we are allowed to fight for.
It is not your place to argue against this. We are women and we reserve the right to mobilise and be activists on behalf of women everywhere.

We do not have to accept men into our safe spaces. We insist that our voices should be heard.

*receive understanding and empathy

Woops. Crucial part omitted.

invalide is not looking for compassion and understanding, just looking for women here to fall into line, be quiet and accept the rainbows and glitter.

It isn't far right to want to preserve the rights of women and girls.

I honesty wonder what the end game is with this - because at some point this will input - on however small a scale - into RL elections and I really don't think it will be left leaning parties who benefit.

You saying things like existential threat ie in your mind is violence means it's then OK to threaten violence such as decapitation screams that you don't get it.

Why should someone who advocates physical violence and threats towards women (and men apparently) that they disagree with? Indeed they feel they have an absolute right to advocate that.

I would genuinely love to see a reply to that question.

Me too.

You know there's a hell of a lot of leftie liberal women who don't like the far right but aren't being listened to by the left. The politicians are there to represent the people and their interests. Yet this isn't happening.

What has happened is a political vacuum has opened up because of this.

Few here are interested in rubbing shoulders with the far right. Sharing an opinion on how trans rights are clashing with women's rights does not make women right wing. That's a failure of the left and liberals which the far right are trying (and failing) to capitalise on.

Now this you are either with us or against us emotional blackmail as a political tactic is coercive, manipulative and abusive. It's authoritarian bullshit which only makes women dig in their heels.

Try and convince people on the arguments rather than going for the guilt by association crap. Because we don't fall for that either.

We are sentient beings able to think independently.

Have a go at treating us with respect, rather than demanding it without being willing to offer it in return.

Someone else telling women they are wrong

Groundbreaking.

OP I’m sorry but the mn feminism board is the one place no person talking about trans rights should ever venture. It’s like the trending section of twitter- you do not need to, nor can you sway the people here. Look at the answers you received- straight up abuse from the get-go. I am sorry x

Is the op in summary saying "We are all lovely , you are all horrid "

And not seeing the irony of stereotyping as they type ?

OP you are just waving your male privilege like a flag right now = Women understand the issues and don't need them explained by someone who's decided they want to join our club

Men are Men - male violence is an issue we women are very well aware of - a man dressing as a woman is still a man - woman have every right to say that and also to defend their rights and safe spaces

....and yet it should be, as it is supposed to be a woman-centred site.

Shame on all of you who are supporting the OP.

I don’t understand the point of this thread other than to incite MNs
Youre not asking a question
Youre not asking advice

Adding aparent ‘evidence’ , ie a few photos you took at one rally means nothing and is not part of a question

This thread proves one thing only about you, not who/ what you are or what movement / political stance you take. But you as an individual

That you are inciting hatred by being a bully here…on this thread…

You're focusing on the wrong group of people here

You need to talk to the idiotic 'transwomen' who are trying to eradicate women altogether. Then we won't be so angry with your community.

I'm not sorry.
The OP should be, though.

Why are a bunch of people telling the OP they are justified in threatening women with violence? Are they not reading the actual posts?

Have you read the ops posts? They say it's OK to be violent towards women if as a man you feel bad they don't think you are a woman.

Your community is so welcoming that as a woman who experiences gender dysmorphia I want nothing to do with you

Does that not make you stop and think ?

Lol! Nor Glasgow! I doubt the wee guy was even there.