Thread by @TransKoolaid

Thread from @ResistersU!
BUT WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT SELF ID?!
A common question, we get asked this fairly frequently. So here are some suggestions:
1) Write to or email your MP/MSP Make it personal, tell them YOUR concerns about Self ID.

If you are not sure who to contact, check here:
https://www.theyworkforyou.comand you won't even have to go to the postbox if you use this website:
writetothem.com

Not sure what to say? Have a look here for ideas on what to include (these are not entirely up to date as the Minister for Women and Equalities is now Liz Truss, but there should still be plenty of information here to help you put some words together.):
resistersunited.org/wp-content/upl…

Maybe even ask them to repeal the GRA! After all, now we have same sex marriage does it serve any real purpose?
forwomen.scot/take-part/ Scroll down past the newsletter sign up (Useful information here for all women in the UK, not just Scotland)

More good information here:
womansplaceuk.org/wpuk-manifesto…
Fancy actually leaving the house? Your MP/MSP will have regular surgeries; make an appointment! Some great factsheets here that you could discuss with them: fairplayforwomen.com/factsheets/

2) Have a browse around your council website (Metropolitan, County, Town, even Parish) Do they list the 9 protected characteristics correctly? We have often found that many do not, replacing 'sex' with 'gender' or even 'gender identity'.

They should be as follows:
age
disability
gender reassignment
race
religion or belief
SEX
sexual orientation
marriage and civil partnership
pregnancy and maternity.

The protected characteristics are LAW, they are enshrined in the Equality Act 2010, they are not to be amended but often lobbying groups have given councils the wrong information when writing policies on equality and diversity.

(Does your council mention Stonewall? That should be a red flag!)
If they are quoting the wrong characteristics, tell them and ask them to correct them. Contact details should be available on their website, sometimes there is a 'feedback' facility.

But we find writing/emailing is best as then they have to answer you in writing. (When I did this, I found my County Council was not only listing 'gender identity' as a protected characteristic, they were also providing links to some very worrying trans rights propaganda leaflets

which were both medically and legally incorrect; I pointed out the errors, I asked them to correct the characteristics and remove the documents, and they did. It can be that simple).

Maybe talk to your local councillors about this if you get the opportunity? Again, the resources in our previous tweet are useful.

3) Perhaps your biggest concern is what is happening to children?

https://twitter.com/LilyLilyMaynard/status/1155613611064287232?s=20

There has been a lot of publicity lately on concerns around the treatment of children with puberty blockers, with a number of clinicians expressing serious concerns.
users.ox.ac.uk/~sfos0060/Bigg…

Do you know that some schools are using materials that are basically giving children the impression that they can change sex? Do you know what materials are being used in your local schools? Perhaps you could ask the school, or even the education authority?

There are excellent letter templates here:
safeschoolsallianceuk.net/resources-2/le…
and the whole website is a brilliant resource.
Be especially concerned if a school is using resources from Mermaids or Allsorts. Suggest the school uses the resources available here:
transgendertrend.com/schools-resour…

This guidance has been written in consultation with teachers, child protection and welfare professionals and lawyers, NOT lobby groups who are often ignorant/dismissive of safeguarding.

The Scottish government has recently pledged to withdraw incorrect advice from their schools:
transgendertrend.com/scotland-u-tur…

4) One that won't apply to everyone but useful nevertheless; are you a member of a union or a professional body? Check their websites for the correct 9 protected characteristics, and that their policies reflect those characteristics.

Many have 'gender equality' or 'diversity' policies which use incorrect interpretations of the law. Political parties need looking at too; all women shortlists are legal and should be restricted to adult human females, but most are not.

We believe this is wrong, and if you do too, TELL THEM.

5) This is an easy one; download the pdf of First Do No Harm - the ethics of transgender healthcare
standingforwomen.com

And while you are there perhaps do a little online shopping? Wearing an 'Adult Human Female' T-shirt or hoodie is a great conversation starter.

What is 'Standing For Women' about?
“In 2019 the word woman is controversial.
We believe it's a black and white issue.
The campaign has begun.

We are very proud of the actions we have taken so far, they include lighting up landmarks with the dictionary definition of woman; a billboard; news stories; demonstrating about the harm being done to girls; holding talks;

funding the decorating of statues throughout the UK with our t-shirt; funding banners and flags with our iconic black and white definition; speaking directly to power in both the UK and USA; demonstrating in Washington DC against facebook, twitter and HRC

and all the things coming up that we cannot share just yet. What started as a few t-shirts has blossomed into a symbol of fightback against female erasure, we know our attire brings women together and is visual sign of solidarity.

We have created a campaign where each item generates it's own message as well as funding for our actions.

Be part of something and join us.”

6) There are postcards and leaflets available from various sources and you can even print out a bunch of factsheets from our previous links yourself. Whenever you do leave the house, you could leave a few around, perhaps in coffee shops, libraries,

wherever you think women may come across them. Yes, they may get binned, but some will be read, and some will be acted on. I have come across leaflets and stickers all over the country and it always makes me smile to know

there are sisters nearby looking out for our privacy, dignity and safety. Remember to always be legal and respectful of other people's property.
fairplayforwomen.com/share-informat…
womansplaceuk.org/resources/
standingforwomen.com/stickers

7) A lot of women are speaking out at great risk to not only their career, but also their personal life and families. We like to try and show our support by retweeting and reposting. But a much more personal way is to drop them an actual card, postcard or letter.

Joan McAlpine certainly appreciated this when women sent enough cards to wallpaper the whole of her office at Holyrood!

https://twitter.com/JoanMcAlpine/status/1120704826998972417?s=20

It's easy to google the address of politicians, they always have an office address.

For famous women, you can usually find the address of their agent and they will forward mail on.
Again, you don't even need to leave the house, there are lots of websites like this:
mypostcard.com/en/

8) Are you signed up to Mumsnet? Many women think it isn't a website they will be particularly interested in; how wrong could they be! The feminism boards are populated by some of the most intelligent and well-informed women we have ever come across,

and there is robust debate on Self ID and the 'transing' of children. You won't agree with everything you read, which we think is a Good Thing, and you will definitely learn something.

Enter here via the Feminism and Women's Rights board (FWR), but beware, you can lose hours of your life!:
mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_ri…

9) Sport and leisure. Organisations often show concern that women and girls are not participating in sport, and campaigns likehttp://www.thisgirlcan.co.ukare funded by lottery money to help get us all moving.

If you or any member of your family are involved in sport, check the policies of your clubs or organisations. A simple email should be enough. Do they allow boys who 'identify' as girls to participate? We have heard that swimming and gymnastic associations are allowing this.

What is the changing room policy? Is it single SEX? Check your local gyms and leisure centres, ask the question. The more people who ask about single sex policies the better, people will begin to notice that women care about this.

Girl Guide leaders have been kicked out of the organisation for protesting against policies that allow anyone who 'identifies' as female to join as a guide or a volunteer. Guides often go on overnight camps, sharing sleeping and washing facilities.

This is a safeguarding nightmare. Perhaps your older teenager uses Youth Hostels; these now have single 'gender' dormitories, not single SEX, so you or your child could find yourself sharing with a man and would not be told.

Question, question, question. When women don't speak up it's easy to believe we don't care. And follow @sharrond62, she is fighting for fairness in sport.

10) Our final suggestion in our top ten of 'things you can DO'.
Where do you spend your money? Many companies are 'rainbow washed' and talk a good game about being diverse and all for equality.

But don't look at what they SAY, look at what they DO. If they allow men in women's changing rooms in their stores, how is that good for 'equality'? It isn't good for women, who have a right to privacy, dignity, and safety when in a state of undress.

Do you want to try on clothes, especially things like swimwear, that a man may have tried on previously in order to validate his fetish? If they allow men to use the women's toilets in their stores, how is that good for women?

Look at the words they use; 'gender neutral', 'unisex'. These all mean mixed sex, and mixed sex spaces put women in more danger than single sex spaces do.
Many big companies have been lobbied to allow men into women's spaces.

Don't give those companies your money any more, spend it elsewhere.

Companies who use the 2010 Equality Act single sex exemptions to maintain single sex spaces for women and girls deserve our support, those who allow men to walk all over our rights, size 12 stilettos or not, do not deserve a penny from us.

Companies like Lush, who support a Canadian man who has campaigned to shut down the only woman only rape crisis refuge in Vancouver, Canada. Companies like Marks and Spencer, TopShop, Primark, Dorothy Perkins, who allow men to use the women's changing rooms in their stores

Name and shame those companies here. And if you know of companies who DO respect women, tell us and we will publicise them, because that is where we would rather spend our hard-earned money.
Thanks @ReSistersU!

@ReSistersU @threadreaderapp, please unroll