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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

UK radical feminists; what to do?

879 replies

RealRoseCritic · 29/07/2026 15:19

So there was a question earlier today in one of my groups about TERFs in the UK, why are they so strong there, etc. Let me elaborate on something.

There is something special in mainstream British feminism that is quite different from European feminism(s), but since the English speaking internet concerns mostly the Anglosphere and not Europe, due to us having separate, isolated debates in each country/language, you won't likely ever hear how the UK is substantially different.
It is important to understand the logic of British feminism. Unlike European feminism, which is mostly inclusive and focused on stuff like equal pay, care, safe design of public space and general equity, in the UK it was always about "separate but equal".

British centres of power were always men-only, and many British feminists didn't react the way European women did (aka pushed their way into male spaces, so that these became co-ed spaces), but created their own, separate spaces, which they then aggressively policed the same way British men did with theirs. Add some Victorian prudishness and bioessentialism, that was abandoned in Europe after WWII for obvious reasons, but not in the UK, and voilà, here come British second-wave radfems and the TERFs.

I am from the Czech Republic where I currently live; I lived in Norway, Poland and the Netherlands, I speak fluently multiple European languages and understand few others; I don't say that to brag, but to show my ability to do the comparative analysis, since I study the topic closely.

Out of EU member states, only in Bulgaria and Hungary are trans rights worse than in the UK at the moment, with Hungary being expected to get substantially better soon, and in neither of those two countries are trans people, and especially trans women, as demonised as in the UK.

In all EU member states transphobia comes exclusively from far right places; it is unheard of that liberals or anyone non-far right would say what is absolutely the mainstream in the UK, including Hungary and Bulgaria.
If you are saying the stuff JKR is saying, you are 100 % aligned with far right politics.

We had an attempt by a group of our far right senators to enact a bill proposal similar to what is in the UK, but the proposal was killed within a week before it could have been even voted upon in the Chamber of Deputies. Just for instance.
Scandinavian feminism is focused mostly on fair share of care and chores, German feminism focuses mostly on equal pay, Kita for everyone and the like, Polish feminism is mostly about access to abortion, Czech feminism is mostly about equal pay and safety from domestic violence - I could go on, but all in all, men are welcome to participate and the goal is to create equity for everyone, regardless of their gender. Together.
We don't get British obsession with separate spaces for women, women here are absolutely fine with the way things are, mostly because cultures in the Continent are far less prudish and overall we treat men and women as one people rather than different species.

Moreover, because of civil law rather than common law, we have different approach to legal texts and their interpretations; this makes it different too.
Not just regarding trans rights, but also regarding women's rights, I am often amazed by how much backward the UK is in so many ways compared to the EU (again, including places like Hungary, this needs to be stressed). I often see women in English-speaking debates saying things like "ugh, men" on things that actually concern problems that are specifically British and that stem mostly from both societies' tendency to separate already boys from girls, treating them differently and sexualising women in contexts we don't really see as sexual at all.

We can't really get this across the Channel, because we just don't have the power to do so. For instance Czech debate on feminism is quite isolated; it's interesting, but no more than 15 million people would ever be able to participate in it (CZ/SK) due to the language barrier, the same goes for Scandinavia (17 million), Benelux (28 million), Poland (38 million), or even DACH (95 million). It is nothing compared to half a billion people of the US, UK, CA, AU, NZ and IE that are giving tone to the worldwide debate in English.

So, if you are a British trans woman, you would do yourself a great favour if you moved to mainland Europe. You will be welcomed and cherished (for the most part).

OP posts:
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19
1984Now · 31/07/2026 20:43

BIWI · 31/07/2026 18:58

I think it speaks volumes that a woman (I'm assuming?) has shut down at least two posters here who have been posting in support of a female-centric view. To oppose both the OP and Gretel (who probably are one and the same, let's face it!), who are viciously in favour of the whole trans agenda.

Shame.

Hi, I'm one of these two male posters (I think), and I haven't been shut down. Just at work to help keep the roof above our head.
There's not a lot I can add to female posters here who feel male ones should be readily IDd as such.
I can't disagree, I'll change my username once I work out how to.
All I would say is that the men that women here object to the most won't ever comply with that.
But if there are women here that would choose not to read my posts if they unambiguously knew I was a man, well, why should I be difficult?
Just struggling for a male-oriented pseudonym.
I did think of NotAllMenAreMansplainers, but my wife (and many of you all) might disagree, lol.
Or something unoriginal like MarcTheGenderSkeptic.
I mean, I can't ID myself any more plainly than that.

Boiledbeetle · 31/07/2026 20:53

1984Now · 31/07/2026 20:43

Hi, I'm one of these two male posters (I think), and I haven't been shut down. Just at work to help keep the roof above our head.
There's not a lot I can add to female posters here who feel male ones should be readily IDd as such.
I can't disagree, I'll change my username once I work out how to.
All I would say is that the men that women here object to the most won't ever comply with that.
But if there are women here that would choose not to read my posts if they unambiguously knew I was a man, well, why should I be difficult?
Just struggling for a male-oriented pseudonym.
I did think of NotAllMenAreMansplainers, but my wife (and many of you all) might disagree, lol.
Or something unoriginal like MarcTheGenderSkeptic.
I mean, I can't ID myself any more plainly than that.

To change username:

You should have a little monopoly looking head and shoulders at the top right of the page.

Click on it.

Then: Click my Mumsnet on app or settings on desk top

You should then see a change username option.

Hedgehogforshort · 31/07/2026 20:58

1984Now · 31/07/2026 20:43

Hi, I'm one of these two male posters (I think), and I haven't been shut down. Just at work to help keep the roof above our head.
There's not a lot I can add to female posters here who feel male ones should be readily IDd as such.
I can't disagree, I'll change my username once I work out how to.
All I would say is that the men that women here object to the most won't ever comply with that.
But if there are women here that would choose not to read my posts if they unambiguously knew I was a man, well, why should I be difficult?
Just struggling for a male-oriented pseudonym.
I did think of NotAllMenAreMansplainers, but my wife (and many of you all) might disagree, lol.
Or something unoriginal like MarcTheGenderSkeptic.
I mean, I can't ID myself any more plainly than that.

Much appreciated acknowledgement for those who want this arrangement. Thanks from me anyway.

1984Now · 31/07/2026 21:08

Hedgehogforshort · 31/07/2026 20:58

Much appreciated acknowledgement for those who want this arrangement. Thanks from me anyway.

I find it a little sad some women would really pass on my comments, or any other men's on here, if we've left them in good faith, because we're men.
Hey, I find left progressives harder and harder work online, and TRAs in here like Masha and Gretel so wide of the mark that they've fallen over the side, but I'll still read them.

WrongKindOfFeminist · 31/07/2026 21:18

Hedgehogforshort · 31/07/2026 18:27

@ProfessorBinturong i agree.

I am not aware of a rule that we are required to prioritise female voices, does that apply to female TRAs because we have a few of them too.

I could see the point of female voices first on threads discussing very sensitive issues such as DVA or SV, and where the thread is a personal account of a female experience whatever that might be.

But how do we even know that some female names are female?

It is all a bit daft on this particular thread.

And anyway we have silenced someone who had the energy reserves to have a full on go and i am sad about that. As i was rather enjoying it.

Sorry for a bad tempered comment, its been a long day.

My point is that spaces where women's voices are prioritised are vanishingly rare and imo incredibly valuable.

I will always hold to that on this board.

1984Now · 31/07/2026 21:35

1984Now · 31/07/2026 21:08

I find it a little sad some women would really pass on my comments, or any other men's on here, if we've left them in good faith, because we're men.
Hey, I find left progressives harder and harder work online, and TRAs in here like Masha and Gretel so wide of the mark that they've fallen over the side, but I'll still read them.

Still working at it. Chosen a new username, but my old one keeps coming up.
Now I know what it's like to be misgendered, lol.

Datun · 31/07/2026 21:36

1984Now · 31/07/2026 20:43

Hi, I'm one of these two male posters (I think), and I haven't been shut down. Just at work to help keep the roof above our head.
There's not a lot I can add to female posters here who feel male ones should be readily IDd as such.
I can't disagree, I'll change my username once I work out how to.
All I would say is that the men that women here object to the most won't ever comply with that.
But if there are women here that would choose not to read my posts if they unambiguously knew I was a man, well, why should I be difficult?
Just struggling for a male-oriented pseudonym.
I did think of NotAllMenAreMansplainers, but my wife (and many of you all) might disagree, lol.
Or something unoriginal like MarcTheGenderSkeptic.
I mean, I can't ID myself any more plainly than that.

I honestly don't think there are many, or any, women who wouldn't read a post because it's by a man. But there are certainly women who prioritise the voices of other women. And probably an equal number, if not more, who don't do that. Not being a hive mind and all that

And anyway we have silenced someone who had the energy reserves to have a full on go and i am sad about that. As i was rather enjoying it.

And I really, really don't think that SSSIS is the kind of man who would be silenced by a few differences of opinion.

Pretty certain he would take women's voices into account, but I don't think the way this thread has turned out would be considered a suggestion that he shut up.

1984Now · 31/07/2026 21:42

Datun · 31/07/2026 21:36

I honestly don't think there are many, or any, women who wouldn't read a post because it's by a man. But there are certainly women who prioritise the voices of other women. And probably an equal number, if not more, who don't do that. Not being a hive mind and all that

And anyway we have silenced someone who had the energy reserves to have a full on go and i am sad about that. As i was rather enjoying it.

And I really, really don't think that SSSIS is the kind of man who would be silenced by a few differences of opinion.

Pretty certain he would take women's voices into account, but I don't think the way this thread has turned out would be considered a suggestion that he shut up.

Edited

Well, he did hint at his main relationship breaking down, maybe that's taking up his time.
I've changed my username, but the old one won't shift on this thread.
I guess once you make your mark (or Marc in my case), they never allow you to forget about it.

Shedmistress · 31/07/2026 21:47

You can't change user names mid thread

I forget everyone apart from Datun, Boiley and Rufus. I can never remember who posted what when and where to be honest.

I even forget some of my own absolute bangers.

BezMills · 31/07/2026 21:48

Yes 1984 and I think it's probably a good rule, once you have posted on a thread you'll always have that username on that thread. The new nick should be in effect on any threads that you haven't yet posted on.

NotAtMyAge · 31/07/2026 21:55

1984Now · 31/07/2026 21:35

Still working at it. Chosen a new username, but my old one keeps coming up.
Now I know what it's like to be misgendered, lol.

Edited

I think you can't change username mid-thread. If you post on a new thread you should see the change.

BezMills · 31/07/2026 21:56

Yeah I've just tested it and [count von] BezMark is up and running

1984Now · 31/07/2026 21:56

BezMills · 31/07/2026 21:48

Yes 1984 and I think it's probably a good rule, once you have posted on a thread you'll always have that username on that thread. The new nick should be in effect on any threads that you haven't yet posted on.

Indeed, as your new name also not thru yet on this thread

BezMills · 31/07/2026 21:57

I've tested it out on the polycule thread, I'm cooking on BezMark 6

Hedgehogforshort · 31/07/2026 22:00

Datun · 31/07/2026 21:36

I honestly don't think there are many, or any, women who wouldn't read a post because it's by a man. But there are certainly women who prioritise the voices of other women. And probably an equal number, if not more, who don't do that. Not being a hive mind and all that

And anyway we have silenced someone who had the energy reserves to have a full on go and i am sad about that. As i was rather enjoying it.

And I really, really don't think that SSSIS is the kind of man who would be silenced by a few differences of opinion.

Pretty certain he would take women's voices into account, but I don't think the way this thread has turned out would be considered a suggestion that he shut up.

Edited

I do agree with you Datun but these men did back right off (to their credit) I just see these very specific type of threads as a bit of sport with rather large floodlights for our benefit.

I suppose that actually this thread has ended up with a discussion about the whole issue.

Which is not a bad thing at all.

As others have said we are not a hive mind.

It is very hard to protect, in an intellectual debate, or sport as i see it, those who are still carrying, trauma of whatever sort.

My own history is women's only services sector and a leader carrying forward services that evolved from a women's conscious raising group in the early seventies.

My trauma is in part personal, vicarious as a service deliverer, and an avid defender of the service remaining women only, and it very nearly took me under.

i just think some of us on not yet robust enough for this sort of thread.

1984Now · 31/07/2026 22:16

BezMills · 31/07/2026 21:57

I've tested it out on the polycule thread, I'm cooking on BezMark 6

God, <please> let that not be the one that MarcTheGenderSkeptic (yes, I know, I know) loses his innocence on.

Hedgehogforshort · 31/07/2026 22:19

1984Now · 31/07/2026 22:16

God, <please> let that not be the one that MarcTheGenderSkeptic (yes, I know, I know) loses his innocence on.

<Rushes off to check that one out>

1984Now · 31/07/2026 22:19

BezMills · 31/07/2026 21:57

I've tested it out on the polycule thread, I'm cooking on BezMark 6

God, <please> let that not be the one that MarcTheGenderSkeptic (yes, I know, I know) loses his innocence on.

WrongKindOfFeminist · 31/07/2026 22:24

BezMills · 31/07/2026 21:48

Yes 1984 and I think it's probably a good rule, once you have posted on a thread you'll always have that username on that thread. The new nick should be in effect on any threads that you haven't yet posted on.

Its sensible but it has ruined some excellent jokes.

murasaki · 31/07/2026 22:25

Well hopefully that has satisfied some posters, and amused Gretel. Personally, I think it was an unnecessary todo, and I hope SSSiS isn't put off posting updates on his excellent work.

Monty Python couldn't have written it better.

Hedgehogforshort · 31/07/2026 22:40

murasaki · 31/07/2026 22:25

Well hopefully that has satisfied some posters, and amused Gretel. Personally, I think it was an unnecessary todo, and I hope SSSiS isn't put off posting updates on his excellent work.

Monty Python couldn't have written it better.

I always end up thinking about Monty python on these sort of threads.

murasaki · 31/07/2026 22:47

Hedgehogforshort · 31/07/2026 22:40

I always end up thinking about Monty python on these sort of threads.

Indeed. And sadly not my favourite bit, which hands down is the philosophers football match.

Hedgehogforshort · 31/07/2026 22:56

Pontias pilot “are there any women here?” To men pretending to be women, pretending to be men.

JanesLittleGirl · 31/07/2026 23:08

@SingleSexSpacesInSchools You have always been open about your sex and the reason that you are active on FWR. You are one of my heroes.

@1984Now You arrived in a welter of telling women what our values should be and how we should apply them at the ballot box. You got a shed-load of pushback and are now a valued contributor - at least by me.

@BezMills What can I say? The Fifer. OK, Big Sond tricked us all but your counter narrative was fucking awesome.

@SinnerBoyNot present on this thread but never a step out of place.

You ain't allies, you're mates.

murasaki · 31/07/2026 23:15

JanesLittleGirl · 31/07/2026 23:08

@SingleSexSpacesInSchools You have always been open about your sex and the reason that you are active on FWR. You are one of my heroes.

@1984Now You arrived in a welter of telling women what our values should be and how we should apply them at the ballot box. You got a shed-load of pushback and are now a valued contributor - at least by me.

@BezMills What can I say? The Fifer. OK, Big Sond tricked us all but your counter narrative was fucking awesome.

@SinnerBoyNot present on this thread but never a step out of place.

You ain't allies, you're mates.

I'd add Moto and RapidOnsetGenderCritic to that but I fully agree.

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