Be Kind 2.0 and the "Persuasive TRA"

[BridgetPhillipsonIsACowardlyJobsworth]

This is a spinoff from another thread so as not to derail the original.

I thought it would be helpful to have a separate thread to discuss, and document, a phenomenon I have been seeing more regularly recently: the Persuasive TRA.

It occurred to me, after a few posters noted that the recent U-turns by a couple of politicians, and the wheedling TRA responses to the EHRC guidance, were akin to an abuser changing tactics and also asking us to "help" them in the new single-sex regime, that the whole thing is starting to pan out exactly as an abusive relationship often does. When is the most dangerous time for a woman in an abusive relationship? Normally, when she is leaving.

Well, women are leaving the abusive relationship with non-reality that men forced upon us some 15 years ago, and I would argue that now might be our most dangerous/difficult moment.

This is what I posted on the other thread:

I'm starting to see a bit more of what I am calling (in my own head) "Persuasive TRA." Now that they have lost everything that they bullied women for, some activists seem to be changing tack. Women must now fix the situation that TRAs have found themselves in. It seems to pivot on a sort of Be Kind 2.0.

I think women who have been in the game long enough will see through it, but we should be watchful. Stonewall is pivoting, activists are pivoting, and they will be preying on women's socialized kindness: watch for the destination and be on your guard.

I have read several posters on different threads appealing to everyone (women) to help calm trans-identified people's (men's) fears about what this new reality will look like, what it will mean for them (the men) now that they can't just do whatever they want anymore. What about the men's toilets? Are they safe? Where will they go? (Who will fix this problem?)

Well, apparently it is a problem that women can fix, if they just take a moment to think about it. Trans-identified men will be unsafe in the men's, so women need to join the fight to give these men something of their own.

Notice the pivot? The pleading? If you just... If you weren't so.... It can be different if you just... Sound familiar? To any woman who is in, or has escaped from, an abusive relationship, this will be all too familiar.

This is Be Kind 2.0. It's very similar to the original, except that instead of being forced to enjoy our abuse, we are being asked to fix it. And the "Persuasive TRAs" seem to be mobilizing, from what I have seen.

It won't start in the middle (with the women); it will start at the top (infiltrating government, think tanks, charities, etc.) and the bottom (schools). But they will use women to get this moving. Why not? It worked so well last time. And I believe that organizations like Stonewall will be leading the charge: the campaign can be something like Safe Spaces for Trans+ : All of Us Together.

If anyone else has seen this in action, it might be useful to keep a record of it here.

I imagine this thread will eventually be taken over by activists, but, until then, I would be interested in your thoughts.

I think the emerging tactic is "It's too hard to say no to trans people's desire appropriate opppsite sex spaces as identity props so all spaces will become Gender Neutral. You will lose Women-only spaces altogether and serve you right!"

Otherwise known as "If I can't have you no one can". An age old classic of Patriarchal rage.

Tactics and Trends - Summary 5

The latest tactics:

The One Where My Sex Should Be Kept Secret (NHS-related)

The Faux Concern (GC groups are anti-women and are not doing anything for women's rights)

The Forced-Teaming (or Mummy Will Fix It) (disadvantaged groups should look out for each other)

The Don't Be Rude One (asking about my sex is like asking about my genital surgery)

The "You're Stupid and Obsessive" One (you know nothing, so shut up and educate yourself - but if you take the trouble to educate yourself you are unhealthily obsessed)

It's Just Not Working, Ladies (translation: everything women are doing is having a huge effect, so stop doing it)

DARVO-ing The Captured (women's and GC orgs. are "captured")

The Colonial One (British feminists are "feministing" wrong because...colonialism)

The Summer Holidays One: Mort 'Pon The Case (you'll have to read earlier in the thread!)

The Guidance Ones:
It's too expensive to implement
It doesn't mean anything (we'll do what we want until someone complains)
It's too hard to implement: don't take them to court, we must change hearts and minds first.

The latest trends:

What I am noticing now are two, parallel strategies:

a. a return to and acceleration of Be Kind 2.0/Persuasion - bargaining starting to be replaced again with anger and denial
b. a stepping up of No Debate 2.0 (see upthread)

and two, newly emerging trends:

c. The Non-binary Conundrum (overtaking "trans"). A cause looking for supporters and a piggyback ride. It is also a term looking for legal definition.
d. Minimize the Issue: "no one cares except you, because you're... (old, out of touch, "feministing" wrong, Right Wing, losing sight of the Bigger Picture of Women's Rights, a Colonialist/British), etc.

Plus, since the EHRC guidance came into force:

e. Make All Toilets Mixed-Sex
f. We Need Further Guidance

g. Transwomen Men who identify as trans say they will just use the ladies anyway.

Yes, it's in as a tactic under The Guidance Ones, but I could equally see it as an emerging trend, thanks.