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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

JK Rowlings latest tweet. Just wow!

1000 replies

Imnobody4 · 03/05/2025 20:36

I've copied it in full.
https://x.com/jk_rowling/status/1918747065460420745?t=bPXQ2pY9VAwPPqFR26_vvw&s=19

In light of recent open letters from academia and the arts criticising the UK's Supreme Court ruling on sex-based rights, it's possibly worth remembering that nobody sane believes, or has ever believed, that humans can change sex, or that binary sex isn't a material fact. These letters do nothing but remind us of what we know only too well: that pretending to believe these things has become an elitist badge of virtue.

I often wonder whether the signatories of such letters have to quieten their consciences before publicly boosting a movement intent on removing women's and girls' rights, which bullies gay people who admit openly they don't want opposite sex partners, and campaigns for the continued sterilisation of vulnerable and troubled kids. Do they feel any qualms at all while chanting the foundational lie of their religion: Trans Women are Women, Trans Men are Men?

I have no idea. All I know for sure is that it's a complete waste of time telling a gender activist that their favourite slogan is self-contradictory nonsense, because the lie is the whole point. They're not repeating it because it's true - they know full well it's not true - but because they believe they can make it true, sort of, if they force everyone else to agree. The foundational lie functions as both catechism and crucifix: the set form of words that obviates the tedious necessity of coming up with your own explanation of why you're one of the Godly, and an exorcist's weapon which will defeat demonic facts and reason, and promote the advance of righteous pseudoscience and sophistry.

Some argue that signatories of these sorts of letters are motivated by fear: fear for their careers, of course, but also fear of their co-religionists, who include angry, narcissistic men who threaten and sometimes enact violence on non-believers; back-stabbing colleagues ever ready to report wrongthink; the online shamers and doxxers and rape threateners, and, of course, the influential zealots in the upper echelons of liberal professions (though we can quibble whether they're actually liberal at all, given the draconian authoritarianism that seems to have engulfed so many). Gender ideology could give medieval Catholicism a run for its money when it comes to punishing heretics, so isn't it common sense to keep your head down and recite your Hail Mulvaneys?

But before we start feeling too sorry for any cowed and fearful TWAWites who're TERFy on the sly, let's not forget what a high proportion of them have willingly snatched up pitchforks and torches to join the inquisitional purges. Call me lacking in proper womanly sympathy, but I find the harm they've enabled and in some cases directly championed or funded - the hounding and shaming of vulnerable women, the forced loss of livelihoods, the unregulated medical experiment on minors - tends to dry up my tears at source.

History is littered with the debris of irrational and harmful belief systems that once seemed unassailable. As Orwell said, 'Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them.' Gender ideology may have embedded itself deeply into our institutions, where it's been imposed, top-down, on the supposedly unenlightened, but it is not invulnerable.

Court losses are starting to stack up. The condescension, overreach, entitlement and aggression of gender activists is eroding public support daily. Women are fighting back and winning significant victories. Sporting bodies have miraculously awoken from their slumber and remembered that males tend to be larger, stronger and faster than females. Parts of the medical establishment are questioning cutting healthy breasts off teenaged girls is really the best way to fix their mental health problems.

One seemingly harmless little white lie - Trans Women are Women, Trans Men are Men - uttered in most cases without any real thought at all, and a few short years later, people who think of themselves as supremely virtuous are typing 'yes, rapists' pronouns are absolutely the hill I'll die on,' rubbing shoulders with those who call for women to be hanged and decapitated for wanting all-female rape crisis centres, and furiously denying clear and mounting evidence of the greatest medical scandal in a century.

I wonder if they ever ask themselves how they got here, and I wonder whether any of them will ever feel shame.

https://x.com/jk_rowling/status/1918747065460420745?s=19&t=bPXQ2pY9VAwPPqFR26_vvw

OP posts:
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36
queenofthesuburbs · 04/05/2025 00:26

The sad thing is that we all agreed with her back in 2020, but I for one certainly would never have said so in public, for fear of losing my job or being cancelled/branded transphobic.

I wonder if she feels bitter that she didn't get the support she deserved at the time, or do you think she understands the (absolutely disgraceful) predicament we were under?

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 00:27

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 00:23

No one has an issue with material reality.

Good.

So you agree with JKR and the Supreme Court.

Fab.

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 00:28

queenofthesuburbs · 04/05/2025 00:26

The sad thing is that we all agreed with her back in 2020, but I for one certainly would never have said so in public, for fear of losing my job or being cancelled/branded transphobic.

I wonder if she feels bitter that she didn't get the support she deserved at the time, or do you think she understands the (absolutely disgraceful) predicament we were under?

She understood. She still thinks people were cowardly.

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 00:31

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 00:27

Good.

So you agree with JKR and the Supreme Court.

Fab.

The SC were simply interpreting a legislative act of parliament.

JKR is an extremely ignorant person who spouts a lot of harmful, ideological crap which comes from a place of prejudice. I agree with almost nothing that she says.

Chickensky · 04/05/2025 00:32

I'm not replying to any pp in particular, but this is a good example why we should focus on (biological) women's "rights", the hard won battles for equality in the work force, sports, even the right to vote etc. I still do not know why trans people, (it seems transwomen are most vocal about this) do not want to fight for their own rights (which are protected by law), but rather erode and override women's rights. It's such a shame to see it boiled down to "predators in safe spaces", because it gives a false analogy for a much bigger picture. But the fact remains the same, women's rights are women's rights. Fought for for a reason, won for a reason and protected in law for a reason.

woolens · 04/05/2025 00:33

I feel that she's got this wrong. Many people do genuinely believe that humans can change sex, because they've been informed of that by authority figures talking about "sex changes" and the like.

Even for those who are a bit more aware and know that this is just cosmetic surgery and hormone medication that doesn't change anyone's sex, many still believe "trans women are women" and, if they remember, "trans men are men" because they've been fed the born-in-the-wrong-body and the female-brain-in-male-body narratives, again by authority figures.

This is also why, for some who peak on self-id, they hold onto the "true trans" idea for so long, because they don't want to let go of those false perspectives that are so deeply embedded.

queenofthesuburbs · 04/05/2025 00:35

StuckUpPrincess · 03/05/2025 23:56

I find JK and the court ruling to be transphobic. While I don't think that transwomen should compete in women's sports, and I think that only trans people who have obtained GRCs should be allowed to use the women's loos and changing rooms, I also think it's awful to treat transpeople as if they don't exist. And that's what the UK Supreme Court ruling does. If someone who has fully transitioned can't use the women's loos and changing rooms, where are they meant to go? They'll get beaten up and harassed if they use the men's. But no one seems to care about that. They do exist and always have, and lots of transwomen will have used the loos with you and you're none the wiser.

I think what it comes down to is that JK and people who agree with her do not believe that there is any such thing as a genuine transwoman. That is, someone who feels that they are a woman inside, transitions to be female as far as is possible, just wants to continue with their lives, and has no interest whatsoever in doing anything harmful towards anyone.

JK and her followers seem to believe that every transwoman is some pervert in disguise and that they can't possibly be genuine.

I strongly disagree.

I actually don't think the majority of us do think they're all peverts. On another thread, many of us agreed that we turned a blind eye to men who obviously were desperate to be women and we shared toilet facilities (in my case) gladly.

However the trans lobby then started to take the p**s (literally as well as metaphorically), when people could change gender at a whim and then bearded men started to insist they used women's loos because today they felt female and significantly thought it was discriminatory that they used a third space/unisex loo.

I would feel uncomfortable if I were alone in a communal facility with a man and my teen daughter very much so, not because we think we're going to be raped, but just because we are doing an intimate biological function and don't want men around.

The sport thing was non sensical, but it was rarely challenged.

So they went too far and, as with many things, it has backfired on the males who desperately wanted to be women and who had lived among us without murmur.

SnoopyPajamas · 04/05/2025 00:43

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 00:31

The SC were simply interpreting a legislative act of parliament.

JKR is an extremely ignorant person who spouts a lot of harmful, ideological crap which comes from a place of prejudice. I agree with almost nothing that she says.

Where was she prejudiced?

Where was she harmful?

Where was she ignorant?

Do you truly believe transgenderism is not an ideological concept? That's a new one. I breathlessly await your non-circular definitions of "woman" and "transwoman" !

moto748e · 04/05/2025 00:43

Just wonderful. Should be read out on the Six o' Clock news.

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 00:45

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 00:31

The SC were simply interpreting a legislative act of parliament.

JKR is an extremely ignorant person who spouts a lot of harmful, ideological crap which comes from a place of prejudice. I agree with almost nothing that she says.

What has she ACTUALLY said that's wrong?

Quote please. We always get "she's wrong and I disagree", but never ever a quote of the actual part of what's she's said that's wrong. Only ever a third party inaccurate and misleading rehash which wasn't what she said at all

Humans can't change sex. The end.

She's right. We all know this, no matter how much we trip over ourselves trying to pretend differently.

However we try to be nice, this is reality and wishing it wasn't doesn't change anything.

We know women DO face discrimination. We can only see this discrimination if we can see sex.
Likewise transpeople face discrimination. We can only see this discrimination if we can see sex. Even if the don't want to.

Both have rights over privacy and dignity. Both must be respected. Not just one.

We need to see sex as part of discussions over conflicting rights because it's relevant. We can't pretend it's not when we feel like it or because it's inconvenient because that would be impossible to administer. Cos it just the way life is.

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 00:48

woolens · 04/05/2025 00:33

I feel that she's got this wrong. Many people do genuinely believe that humans can change sex, because they've been informed of that by authority figures talking about "sex changes" and the like.

Even for those who are a bit more aware and know that this is just cosmetic surgery and hormone medication that doesn't change anyone's sex, many still believe "trans women are women" and, if they remember, "trans men are men" because they've been fed the born-in-the-wrong-body and the female-brain-in-male-body narratives, again by authority figures.

This is also why, for some who peak on self-id, they hold onto the "true trans" idea for so long, because they don't want to let go of those false perspectives that are so deeply embedded.

Born in the wrong body means a soul. That's religion.

We do not have to share and abide by someone else's religion. We can respect it, but we shouldn't be forced to rearrange society around it.

We are a secular society.

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 00:50

SnoopyPajamas · 04/05/2025 00:43

Where was she prejudiced?

Where was she harmful?

Where was she ignorant?

Do you truly believe transgenderism is not an ideological concept? That's a new one. I breathlessly await your non-circular definitions of "woman" and "transwoman" !

Do you truly believe transgenderism is not an ideological concept?

the word is not “transgenderism”. And when you say “ideological concept”- what does that mean to you?

RhannionKPSS · 04/05/2025 00:54

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💚🤍💜 proud to live in the same city as JKR

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 01:02

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 00:50

Do you truly believe transgenderism is not an ideological concept?

the word is not “transgenderism”. And when you say “ideological concept”- what does that mean to you?

So you can't answer the question without resorting to avoiding answering and instead firing back a question.

Politicians do this all the time, because they know it's impossible to answer without looking like a massive twat or totally undermining the position they are trying to argue.

We aren't dumb here. Don't treat us like we are.

socialdilemmawhattodo · 04/05/2025 01:05

@Waitwhat23 Imagine if Stonewall et al had spent the last 10 years fighting for third spaces, facilities and services instead of trying to intimidate women into silence and complete compliance

Your final point nails it. Stonewall could have done some genuine good for the trans community by lobbying for genuine 3rd spaces, but no they decided that women's spaces were, and should be, available to men. We've said no. All Stonewall have achieved is the loss of potential allies. I will never be an ally now. Ever, due to the betrayal and loss of trust.

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 01:06

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 01:02

So you can't answer the question without resorting to avoiding answering and instead firing back a question.

Politicians do this all the time, because they know it's impossible to answer without looking like a massive twat or totally undermining the position they are trying to argue.

We aren't dumb here. Don't treat us like we are.

Look I know you just want to argue. I can’t be arsed with that - what’s the point?

The only way forward through this toxic mess is to find points of consensus and understanding, rather than just shouting at each other online.

The poster asked me if I seriously think “transgenderism” is not an “ideological concept”. I can’t answer that without understanding what she means exactly . I am curious. Does she mean to say that being trans is not real?

Delphinium20 · 04/05/2025 01:07

She's so brilliant!

Awaywiththefairies078 · 04/05/2025 01:09

facts6754 · 03/05/2025 22:22

Oh for gods sake… do you really think people would MEDICALLY TRANSITION and go through YEARS of medical and social transitioning to assault women???? it doesnt stop cis men from doing it so i want whatever you guys are smoking.

Men not cis men.
these terms are just made up.

SpidersAreShitheads · 04/05/2025 01:09

You know what, more than anything else I admire her inexhaustible energy for this.

Because honestly, I'm so fucking DONE with the idiots who are defending this and tying themselves in knots trying to justify why women have to give up our hard-won rights, give up our single sex spaces, give up our safety, give up our language, give up our sports, and give up our voices.

There is not a single coherent argument among them all. Not fucking ONE.

I'm currently at maximum capacity for listening to their idiotic nonsense. I'm sick of listening to them justify why they're more important than women.

I'm lucky to be self-employed so I've never had to hide my terfiness. But right now, just temporarily, I feel absolutely done with arguing any more.

I'm not playing pigeon chess any longer. Some of the conversations on here have been beyond ridiculous, trying to justify absolute nonsense.

I'm so appreciative that JKR is willing to keep taking them all on. Her and marvellous other women just like her.

woolens · 04/05/2025 01:09

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 00:48

Born in the wrong body means a soul. That's religion.

We do not have to share and abide by someone else's religion. We can respect it, but we shouldn't be forced to rearrange society around it.

We are a secular society.

I agree. My point is that I feel JKR is wrong when she says these gender ideology acolytes are knowingly repeating a lie. For many of them, they genuinely believe it.

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 01:11

Awaywiththefairies078 · 04/05/2025 01:09

Men not cis men.
these terms are just made up.

All words are “made up”. They are made up in order to describe things.

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 01:11

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 01:06

Look I know you just want to argue. I can’t be arsed with that - what’s the point?

The only way forward through this toxic mess is to find points of consensus and understanding, rather than just shouting at each other online.

The poster asked me if I seriously think “transgenderism” is not an “ideological concept”. I can’t answer that without understanding what she means exactly . I am curious. Does she mean to say that being trans is not real?

Edited

There is not point debating!

There genuinely isn't much of a debate to be had here.

Women have rights based on sex. These are to privacy, dignity, safety and fairness.

This means males can't participate or be present in certain scenarios. The end.

We don't need to 'make a compromise'. The whole point is rights are non negotiable.

Transpeople have to now work out amongst themselves what is the best way forward, within the limitations of this, that enables them to retain their own privacy and dignity and safety.

This has fuck all to do with women. That's the entire point.

They need to come to terms with this. .

socialdilemmawhattodo · 04/05/2025 01:13

Lostcat · 04/05/2025 00:31

The SC were simply interpreting a legislative act of parliament.

JKR is an extremely ignorant person who spouts a lot of harmful, ideological crap which comes from a place of prejudice. I agree with almost nothing that she says.

One day when you've realised the good that she has done for women (for clarity adult human females) do come back and apologise. But it would be helpful if you could articulate perhaps 2 or 3 pieces of what you believe she has directly said that you consider to be harmful or ideological. Then perhaps a dialogue can take place.

Chickensky · 04/05/2025 01:13

queenofthesuburbs · 04/05/2025 00:35

I actually don't think the majority of us do think they're all peverts. On another thread, many of us agreed that we turned a blind eye to men who obviously were desperate to be women and we shared toilet facilities (in my case) gladly.

However the trans lobby then started to take the p**s (literally as well as metaphorically), when people could change gender at a whim and then bearded men started to insist they used women's loos because today they felt female and significantly thought it was discriminatory that they used a third space/unisex loo.

I would feel uncomfortable if I were alone in a communal facility with a man and my teen daughter very much so, not because we think we're going to be raped, but just because we are doing an intimate biological function and don't want men around.

The sport thing was non sensical, but it was rarely challenged.

So they went too far and, as with many things, it has backfired on the males who desperately wanted to be women and who had lived among us without murmur.

I agree with this. At the point when women's rights are being overridden, for language changes on facts of biology, jobs affected, women only groups being not able to meet, crisis centres affected, hospital incident, it went too far. Why not have a group / campaign of transwomen who campaign for their legal rights which does not erode women's rights.
To PP y saying that transwomen are persecuted into a 3rd sex I don't understand the need to try and grab hold of women's rights. Yes, it is a minority community (but with a very big platform). Biological women have for centuries been persecuted into the 2nd sex, and if as a community you had any sort of DNA of this one would understand that this is something we fight for fiercely . I don't understand why there is no fight to create a trans infrastructure?.

RedToothBrush · 04/05/2025 01:13

woolens · 04/05/2025 01:09

I agree. My point is that I feel JKR is wrong when she says these gender ideology acolytes are knowingly repeating a lie. For many of them, they genuinely believe it.

Well even if they do, we live in a secular society and they don't get to decide anymore than a Christian fundamentalism or a Islamic terrorist.

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