Which stories could change someone’s mind?

[BrightGreenLeaves]

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how I’m not going to hide my views anymore. I’ve already started this in my personal life but not yet at work.

If someone was opening to reading a bit more about the erosion of women’s rights and single sex spaces, what would be the one article or news story that you would share?

If it were me, I might share Sarah’s story about her experience at Sussex rape crisis. I think it would be quite hard for any compassionate person to argue that what happened to her was ok.

I’m on a charity Facebook group and someone share the pronouns are like rohypnol article. It didn’t work and they just got kicked out the group.

Are there any other articles that anyone thinks would be helpful? Something that someone could go away and read in their own time.

Also, I don’t agree with above post that believers are never going to change. I just think there needs enough of us to be outspoken to make others realise that it’s not all the right wing nuts who believe this. And that it’s not some niche issue but is having real life effects on women.

I have to think that because I’m so angry about the whole thing, I’d go mad. But it does feel like having to start feminism all over again.

Samaritans.

I volunteered for them as a listener.
if a woman phones and wants to talk to a woman, you must encourage her to talk to anyone. She cannot pick and choose who she talks to.
if a make caller asks the same, do everything you can to assist that.

when you complain about another volunteer touching you too much, the female director tells you “you obviously have an issue with men”

that last one might just be me though.

Fucking hell. So now women can’t talk to a female listener? It’s just such a safeguarding issue.

Your second point doesn’t surprise me unfortunately and is EXACTLY the reason why we need single sec spaces. The only time I’ve ever experienced dodgy or unwanted sexual encounters is in mixed sex spaces. Obviously. It shouldn’t even need saying.

Won’t let me edit.
male caller not make caller obviously but I’m sure you know that!

https://transcrimeuk.com/2019/02/02/katie-dolatowski/

I will say two things to add to this - his crimes were in toilets labelled 'women's or female'. In the attack on the 10 year old girl, I wonder if she'd have been allowed in that toilet alone by her parents if it had a big sign saying MIXED SEX on it? I doubt it. So the lies of the retailer (Morrison's I think) directly lead to this crime and harm to this girl.

Also, these are the crimes we know about. There is a clear pattern of escalation. We do not know if he's committed crimes such as voyeurism that have gone unreported. The fact he's been in a women's prison and accommodation at all is a damning failure of the state and what happens when gender ideology is allowed to take over.

This article was excellent - thoughtful, clear, insightful and respectful. Points were repeated to show the impact on men and women, lesbians and gay men, transmen and transwomen.

I do agree with previous posters that he does miss the sexualised component of "womanface" - a man in a nice top and smart black trousers, as many women wear, would probably not be considered offensive by most people.

I do think his analysis of GC politics is less clear - I need to read it again.

Oops, I've also been skulking around on Ovarit - "the secret internet of Terfs" .I think the previous posts I referred to were on there! Sorry

I’ve not heard of ovarit.

Another story for me, is that teacher in Canada who wore the massive fake boobs. To show what some men will try to get away with if given the chance.

It was this response to Stonewall concerning domestic violence refuges that got me to the top of the mountain. Response to Stonewall – FOVAS (wordpress.com).

This part from Miss Heidi Siggers BA Dip C (was Senior DV Young Parent and Child Outreach for Coventry and Warwickshire) in particular -

“I have worked with children who have seen their mothers repeatedly beaten, raped, starved, screamed at Locked away and many other horrifying sights that no child should witness or experience. More often than not when these children come to a refuge with their mothers it is the first time they have felt safe, the first time away from their or their mother’s abuser. They are always traumatised some to the point that they cannot speak for days or weeks. I have seen children drop to the floor and scuttle under the nearest table at the mere sound of a man’s voice. Many are unable to go to school for months because they can’t cope with male staff.”

That image of small children trying to hide really got to me.

I don't have any specific stories really. Every times I bring one up there's always a "yes, but" from someone.

I usual say something about not caring about women claiming they're men as that doesn't impact anyone but themselves ( not true but it's the wider point). Then no one can say you're transphobic.
I will say men claiming to be women is misogynistic. It reminds people that women are so much on the back foot from men there's even a word for it.

Separating the impact of changing gender by sex highlights why acknowledging sex is important. I also like to throw in a comment along the lines that if people can change sex how are we defining gay people.

I like that last point about how do we define gay if anyone can be any sex.