Bristol Council insists women be called ‘people with ovaries’

[IwantToRetire]

The comments were made in a 39-page response to a consultation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on updates to its guidance, following the ruling that sex in equality laws refers to biological sex.

It wrote that “not all pregnant individuals would use the pronouns ‘she/her’” so it could lead to “emotional and psychological distress” for “trans men, non-binary, gender diverse or intersex individuals”.

“We strongly advise the use of more inclusive language such as using ‘they/them’ to refer to all individuals, or include other identities to reflect the diversity of individuals who access maternity or paternity services,” officials said.

“This could include ‘people with ovaries’ or the term ‘people who use paternity services’. We also recognise that individuals may not identify with the word maternity and prefer paternity as it is gender neutral.

“Additionally, it is unclear what support will be available to trans people who chest-feed to ensure they are protected from discrimination.”
Protections based on biological sex are “too vague”, the response added, as: “It is unclear whether it refers to anyone capable of pregnancy, or only those who were assigned female at birth.”

Council officials complained that the new guidance implies that “trans women are not ‘really’ women” and risked “creating a hostile environment in public services”.

Full article at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/22/council-says-women-called-people-with-ovaries/

And at https://archive.is/TOgKA

Goodness knows how you establish that informed consent has been given if words can mean anything depending on personal preference.

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@LoftyRobin

LoftyRobin · Today 11:56
I dont know enough about the intricacies of sex changes to know if they do create an artifical cervix or not.

Just one example which makes me think you cannot really be a medical professional, let alone a midwife. You don't appear to know what a cervix actually is.

Yes, how the fuck can someone trained to assess how many centimetres dilated a patient's cervix is during labour seriously wonder whether a non-functional, non-dilating, surgically constructed body part which doesn't have a hole in the middle of it and doesn't lead to a uterus is a cervix or not?

Damn, outed!

😁

Yes, I was wondering about this too.

Many men don't!

After David Lammy's comments I spoke with my husband about it, and even he didn't really understand. Good God!

I've been thinking of RMW since yesterday. Somebody has to take one for the team!

If people between 20 and 64 are called for cervical smears.

I am 56. can I insist that I not be called on the grounds that I feel like I’m 90?

Also wondering.

you know what would really help inequalities of birth outcomes? Providing interpreters (including sign language). Mothers have died in childbirth over language issues. But they are mostly poor and brown and voiceless, so fuck em, right?

Holistic care innit.

Where they too can individual treatment including being particularly patronised by arrogant midwives on ideological power trips who seem to think they have degrees in english language, meaning and manipulation.

I’m now pretty sure this poster is neither a midwife nor even minimally medically trained.

LoftyRobin · Today 12:43

If it is an orifice and HPV can "get in there", I think that general area might be suspectible as someone else pointed out. Whether a smear test could screen for that, i don't know. If it can, as in taking a smear of cells from that area for screening can be of predictive value, then I see no reason not to offer it on the NHS.

Again, it's rather concerning that you dont know that external penile epidermis doesn't shed cells as a cervix does. A smear would be useless. You'd need an endoscope and a snip biopsy.

I am quite sure this poster has more times on their hands than anyone else.

At least 3 threads today, and probably as many yesterday have been derailed.

But the derail wouldn't work, if others did not engage.

Didn't someone create an image about this?

Yes. Copying and pasting is not understanding.

I just want to how how I can identify out of cervical screening because I feel like I’m 90. Will I be treated like I’m actually 90?

Sadly no 😂

This one?

Yes thank you.

I thought I had copied it (without wanting to breech copyright) so I could insert into threads.

Something about the colours (I know now partly resolved) has made me a bit tense when on FWR so easily plunge into despair.

I am an increasingly reluctant Bristol dweller.

I’m dismayed but not surprised that the council are ploughing ahead with this. I cannot seem to find any vocal opposition in the city.

Not helped by the fact that where I reside everyone is so achingly ‘progressive’(read:regressive), and chin stroking, good friend included.

My eyes have been opened recently and I’m starting to feel like everyone has drunk the kool-aid.

Anyone in Bristol out there feel similarly? Where are the feminist groups challenging this ? I know Sex Matters are but can’t seem to see any local presence in the city.

shouting into the abyss over here 😬😬😬

shouting into the abyss over here

This comes up on other threads, about not knowing anyone locally who is GC or whatever phrase they like to use.

Would it help if say there was a thread for women in Bristol. Not just to point out the fantasy reality of the Council but share info, etc..

As most use an online name could be a safe way to make contact.

Just a thought.

I am in Bristol but work in a non captured sector (mostly). I am also very vocal face to face. I think because there are a lot of activists others keep their head down. Rarely met an actual true believer. Very emperors no clothes where no one dare say

I will be finding out about this. Strikes me as this could be something women really need to be aware of unless I was just unlucky and other women get better advice than I did.