Transgenderism not a modish fad because: Jan Morris

[Igneococcus]

Says the outgoing head of one of Edinburgh's private schools.

“I often use the experience of Jan Morris, whose testimony about trans status, having gone up Everest as a man, had children as a man, married and been in the army, all the time feeling like a woman, means [trans issues] cannot be dismissed as a modish oddity.
“Once you have accepted that, you accept that in the population there will be children experiencing that, we have to try and understand that, not to judge either way but make sure their experience in society and in school is as supportive and caring as it possibly can be.”
You'd think someone who runs (ran) a school that charges almost £16K/a is a bit more clued on.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/865440df-a0ed-41f4-96a8-165616cdcf2e?shareToken=817b15d10d03786417a5d224fbac72da

he’ll be in his element in entirely captured Bristol :(

Absolutely, particularly at Clifton College.

@rogdmum how are you all now? Is your daughter ok?

Was Jan Morris the one who told the story about being in hospital and having a laugh with a couple of nurses who had been discussing JM's vulva while on a break in the staff room and had agreed that they couldn't tell it from a natural one? We found the story slightly implausible as we have never heard of nurses who get breaks or have a staff room.

I could easily be wrong as I do find it hard to tell one ghastly narcissist from another.

No that was Diana Thomas https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/trans-nhs-hospital-ward-mixed-tories-women-b2423144.html

To be fair- just because Jan Morris turned out to be a shit should be nothing to do with her gender.

No but the particular way in which they were a shit is strongly correlated with their sex

Thanks. Happy to be corrected.

@anothernamitynamenamechange "No but the particular way in which they were a shit is strongly correlated with their sex"

Good point. That's what male socialisation does to a person.

It may have had something to do with J Morris being an ex-public schoolboy and ex-military man. If you have grown up with extraordinary privilege and an expectation of other people deferring to you, that doesn't die easily.

I'm fascinated by the idea of his appropriating Welshness and well as woman-ness as ways to put himself front and centre again when those two pillars became a bit less all-impressive - makes total sense.

I am amused, reading the Guardian obituary, to find J M self-described as 'a wandering swank' . . . .

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/20/jan-morris-obituary

@DeanElderberry it's interesting, isn't it. His male socialisation was so ingrained that it didn't change when he transitioned. Where have we seen that before?

I remember watching a uk tv programme back in 1970’s /early 80’sish about a transgender operation, was this her? When she came out of hospital and the cameraman panned to her feet in her slippers shuffling out and they’re were like feet wiiiiide apart and I remember thinking what a c*nt that cameraman is! Baaad! Lol… Looked it up online years later and I think I may have false memory syndrome but I DO remember feeling her pain and thinking “I know you can, but why would you want to??!!”

I read this article in the times. I cant believe it. I wonder if the new head will persue this stance??

I am doubtful Lisa Kerr will change Watson’s stance. The guidance at Gordonstoun (where she is currently Principal) says that supporting social transition will improve the child’s academic performance and they are keen to let pupils board according to gender identity- proactively working on this during future renovations/construction.

It’s not just Melvyn. He has a whole team of senior management and governors supporting him. When I complained about being sent to Mermaids for education and support, my dossier on the Youth Forum was ignored, brushed off and finally dismissed, with the Governors telling me it was not for the school to reject resources recommended by the Scottish Government. Fortunately the Telegraph thought otherwise and it was one of the main triggers for the Charities Commission to finally open an investigation.

NecessaryScene · 27/01/2024 09:42

The modish oddity is the current response to that desire.

How very perspicacious.