How do women make our voices heard?

[QldGCandproud]

Hi Mumsnetters, I've just come back to Mumsnet after a bit of a break, it can be a lot to get into this gender ideology stuff, it is infuriating and frustrating, and I needed a mental health break. But I'm drawn back to this awesome place.
Anyway. I just finished reading "The Women who wouldn't Wheesht" which is a collection of Scottish women's stories, those who were involved in various ways in the failure of the Self-ID legislation in Scotland, and the subsequent resignation of Nicola Sturgeon. Quite a feat! Such an inspirational read. I'm involved in a Women's Advocacy group here in Aus who write submissions to government on policy issues but I want to do more, just don't know where to start. (Sometimes I send get-well cards to Politicians who spout Gender Ideology, and thank-you cards to those who speak against it. I send articles and stuff to my local MP as well.) I'm keen to hear what other women are doing, or want to be doing. The book showed me that our collective actions and voices are really important.

I think in the UK the most impactful action has been bringing cases to court so I donate money to crowdfunding for court action. I've written to my MP but ultimately I don't think that's very effective. I'm not sure what the lay of the law is like in Australia, sorry, do you have the law (potentially) on your side or do you have to campaign for a change in the law?

Yeah I think that's (donation to fundraising) very effective too, we have a few high profile cases going through the courts now, brought by TRAs against women who pushed back. The laws are not in favour of women at all here.

OP, I empathize with you wanting to make more of a difference. I feel the same way, but am hindered by the fact that I am an ex-pat American in the UK , and cannot afford to be targeted, doxxed, or arrested because of a real possibility of losing my residency and being deported. And, until very recently, this would have been a real possibility. I would like to be out there protesting! It's very frustrating not to be able to do more.

So what I do is keep myself informed, spread the word anonymously as much as I can, fund court cases when I can do so anonymously, and stand up for myself and other women when it matters.

I am fortunate that I also have a lot of money, so if it comes to it, I am prepared to take anyone to court here in UK if my rights are denied. I hope it won't come to that. At least the law is on my side here.

It's not enough, and I can't even talk to my family about it because I have a trans-identified niece who has been caught up in this, hook line and sinker. It's depressing. But, I'm gathering the evidence and arguments for the time if/when she decides to detransition, and I'll be there for her, as I have been throughout her life.

What you are doing in Australia is important, and impressive, given the state of the "freedom of speech" in your country right now. Much of the US is the same at the moment, and one reason why I wouldn't consider moving back yet.

Keep writing letters and informing yourself. You never know when you will need to stand up for yourself or others.

Agree. And for grass roots activism and the opportunity to meet up with like-minded women, it's worth taking a look at Women's Rights Network
https://www.womensrights.network

The work that women have done - in our own time, for no money, and in the face of stiff opposition - has been incredibly important.

Preventing the creep of law enabled gender ideology has been vital because, although the law is now "crystal crystal clear" (according to Phillipson) it is still not being implemented to protect women's rights. But you can be absolutely certain it would have been implemented fully had it given our rights away.

Raising public awareness of what gender ideology is and who it harms is vital too. Because once the public have clearly rejected it, that's when we'll win.

And it's why I'm very proud to be a member of Women's Rights Network. I can see the places our women have made a real difference, including women who cannot reveal their identity for professional or family reasons.

www.womensrights.network/join-wrn

Less political but more on the gently changing hearts to change minds front do follow this person. Her latest article sets out the developmental reasons why TRAs have such a hold on teens.
Article on why some teens’ ids are so enmeshed with GI
I have been much more effective at sowing seeds of doubt by coming at it from my history of mental illness (BPD) and how I now live much better with welcoming doubt and discernment as opportunities to grow a stronger sense of self then trying to reason with someone out of GI positions.

I try “with wow your positions sounds really interesting. Tell me more about it. Hmm I haven’t thought about it that way- I maybe have a different reading of the situation but not an expert of your feelings of course. You can totally take my tiny comment with a pinch of salt because I am not informed about your particular situation though v interested. However…”

Conversations are tricky sometimes, my family are pretty aware of my feelings, and my sisters in law have been subject to my thinking as well (I have nieces so). Seems like my husband has come around from his progressive, why does it affect you thinking as he sometimes brings it up with friends and then hands over to me 🤣 in those conversations I often find that men in women's prisons usually comes as a bit of a shock to them, not many people agree that's a good idea. I went to "Let women speak" once late last year which was awesome, didn't speak just hung out with the awesome women who were, and I was really surprised watching the public slow down and listen, beep thier horns in support as they drove past. It was really positive but there hasn't been another since. I will try Women's rights network thanks. I think partly I just need actual buddies who share my views, as my best friend doesn't, I don't think. Feels a bit like a secret life sometimes xx

It can be hard, OP, you have my sympathies. Yes, meeting others with whom you can discuss these issues is a great help. You often will find that in a group situation, those with 'gc' views are the quiet ones.