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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Gender Critical guy - How can I help the cause?

134 replies

MyShyCat · 16/05/2026 22:41

Hoping that the amazing women of Mumsnet can help me. I am firmly in the Gender Critical camp. I peaked many years ago after the birth of my daughter. I simply got to the point where I couldn't ignore the craziness that we were all being expected to accept. Amazing women on Youtube like Magdalen Berns, Posie Parker, Helen Joyce, Jo Bartosch, Arielle Scarcella and Kathleen Stock were able to perfectly articulate all the thoughts that were flying around my head.

Like many of us I have watched with horror as bit by bit the rights of women and girls have been systematically dismantled. There have undoubtedly been successes on our journey back to reality but Sall Grover's defeat the other day has really made me wobble.

My problem is I not sure what to do to help the cause. I feel like I should be more vocal or active - not exactly Bill Board Chris levels of "being out there" but I think I need to actually be a bit braver and make my voice heard.

If anyone has any suggestions as to how a 53 year-old father of a teenage girl can take a more active role in this fight, then I would love to hear more.

I'm not sure I can just carry on watching youtube clips and tutting anymore! All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I WOULD RATHER BE RUDE THAN A "F**KING LIAR."

OP posts:
MyShyCat · 22/05/2026 14:58

MayFlyBee · 22/05/2026 12:27

Unions and some political parties need a lot done to get back to normal, and a lot of women have left after bullying. If your politics are aligned with greens or labour then a lot of work within either party is needed.

Hi MayFlyBee.

Like alot of people, I am politically homeless. I even didn't vote at the last local elections as I couldn't decide who was the best of a bad bunch. Originally from Northern Ireland, I switched off from a lot of politics long ago but I do remember the "Flag and Emblems Act" when I was a kid. It was designed to get rid of devisive imagery in Public Places and work places. (Think of the Red Hand of Ulster with U.V.F. written on it or the Tricolour with I.R.A. on it.) Unless you are of a certain age or come from the North then I'm not sure its easy to comprehend.

I wonder if this old Act needs to be brought back? I certainly do see many devisive "fleggs" being flown all over the UK at the moment.

OP posts:
Taztoy · 22/05/2026 18:06

MyShyCat · 22/05/2026 14:58

Hi MayFlyBee.

Like alot of people, I am politically homeless. I even didn't vote at the last local elections as I couldn't decide who was the best of a bad bunch. Originally from Northern Ireland, I switched off from a lot of politics long ago but I do remember the "Flag and Emblems Act" when I was a kid. It was designed to get rid of devisive imagery in Public Places and work places. (Think of the Red Hand of Ulster with U.V.F. written on it or the Tricolour with I.R.A. on it.) Unless you are of a certain age or come from the North then I'm not sure its easy to comprehend.

I wonder if this old Act needs to be brought back? I certainly do see many devisive "fleggs" being flown all over the UK at the moment.

That would mean that your stickers are also banned though?

Furthermore, I thought using the word “fleg” itself was problematic? My parents are a mixed marriage who moved to England in the 1960s and my dad finds that word really abhorrent. Its mocking of his accent the way it’s said.

Constitutionalethicallawful · 22/05/2026 20:40

I was warmed to read of your passion for truth in this deceptive time that we live in. The drive to enact change is probably a prompting of the Holy Spirit. How else can it be explained?
I think the Lord is calling you into a closer walk with Him. There is nothing quite so like the miracle of conception and each embryo being male or female at the DNA level.
I appreciate your gratitude towards mothers and looking to us for guidance, however there is a higher authority Who doesn't share human flaws. Let the Lord be your leader in this altruistic quest that your heart is pining for, would be my recommendation! It sounds like an exciting season in your life and time for seeking new faith-filled opportunities.

Taztoy · Yesterday 05:10

@MyShyCat having already been told that I find a man creepy when he just reacts to my posts, why did you do it again with my last post, to which you put a thumbs up?

Please do not just react to my posts. Please can you respond to me out in the open (or not, as the case may be) but please do not just react to my posts as I find it creepy and it unsettles me (as I have already said) and it makes me feel disrespected and rather bullied.

it also makes me feel sick that you have done this, after I said no. I’m a rape survivor and it’s really important to me that women’s no be respected. And you haven’t. Think about that.

Taztoy · Yesterday 05:54

I’m going to explain a bit more. Because I’ve just been sick after what you did and I’m upset and feel totally violated.

I see right through you and I did from the beginning. You want women fawning over you and giving you validation for being a great bloke and you want them doing your work for you but you’re one of the good guys arent you great.

except. You’re not.

I drew a boundary. I said don’t do that. No.

you hearted my post hoping that socialisation would mean I wouldn’t call you out. Heart. To someone who had disclosed a violent rape. A heart. Think about that. You sent a clear message with that. You’re a bloke. And you HEARTED the post of a rape victim.

but I did call you out.

so what did you do?

you thumbs upped a post.

having been told no. By a woman. You did it again. Ignored my no and carried on regardless.

that tells me exactly what sort of man you are, as if I couldn’t see it. But again, you thought i wouldnt call it out.

I see you.

and I hope everyone else can now too.

how dare you.

Irkeddancer · Yesterday 08:38

MyShyCat · 20/05/2026 09:27

So, I have found a way to help. I'm currently challenging a local Gym which suddenly popped up in my Facebook feed the other day. They were advertising a "Female only" strength club. On further investigation they confirmed that the "female only" group was indeed open to Trans Women. Currently writing my 4th strongly worded e-mail to them asking for clarification on changing rooms etc. It's a small step but it might help a little.

Why did you choose this gym- do you know women who go there who have asked you to start challenging this on their behalf? Is there actually anyone trans competing even? As a man I'm not sure why you wouldn't search the many causes women have already started that may need support rather than opting to start harassing the (probably female) organiser or a gym for a service you don't use, without knowing who uses it. I'd rather you support women who have flagged particular SSS that they feel aren't being respected rather than choosing your own to 'challenge'. I'm not comfortable with this new thing of GC men challenging women's events that haven't actually had someone trans demand to join and then the whole event is cancelled. I see where the intention is coming from but you're still just a man bothering women's events in the same way a trans person would be.

It sounds like you're more interested in being a personal saviour or hero rather quietly than supporting the groundwork women have been doing for years and if you only started realising women and feminism matters when your daughter was born you probably don't have much any of us need you to do as a leader, speaker organiser etc. if you want to help, donate and amplify women but there won't be a spotlight or round of applause for you.

Irkeddancer · Yesterday 08:41

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 21/05/2026 11:09

Going back to the accusation that OP didn’t care until he had a daughter.
Unless adult women in his life asked for his support, it would be seen as patronising and patriarchal to start attempting to safeguard them. He has a responsibility to
safeguard his DD, but other adults have agency.

None of us are asking men to safeguard us as far as I'm aware. He could have been calling out his fellow men for sexist attitudes, rape culture, and misogyny without being patronising. It'd be much more effective than acting like anyone (even his daughter) needs him to be some sort of patriarchal protector.

TheBeaTgoeson1 · Yesterday 20:59

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MyShyCat · Yesterday 21:45

spannasaurus · 20/05/2026 15:49

OP, are you a member of any teachers union? If so could you think about standing for election for a union post or joining some committees.

Hi Spannasaurus. Yes. I'm a member of a Teaching Union. Problem is that after almost 30 years teaching, I'm just about to up-sticks and leave the profession. The education landscape (and society) has changed so much in the last 3 decades. For lots of reasons many people find the job unsustainable and are seeking a better work/life balance elsewhere. I'm probably going to jump ship as well.

Interestingly, the last time I received ballot papers from my Union (i think it was Regional Secretary Elections), every single one of the 4 candidates were still in the first 5 years of their teaching career with really limited classroom experience but they all seemed to be members of at least 10 different LBGT, DEI, Equality and Social Justice committees!

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