Thread by @ForthFeminists

Final speaker today is @GussieGrips on "how I was radicalised by Nicola sturgeon" #FVFWomensFestival

@GussieGrips I peaked a long time ago I work in women health and I have been exposed to medical misogyny for 30 years. They've been trying to do something about it but it's been 2000 years and it takes a while #FVFWomensFestival

@GussieGrips I'd give my opinion, and they listened and nothing changed. I'd speak to MSPs, I'd speak to the HoLs but last year Shona R said no man would ever pretend to be someone else to do harm to women #FVFWomensFestival

I knew that they weren't listening. these people are not going to stand up for me, I'm not going to work inside the system anymore to try and change things, I'm going to SPEAK out #FVFWomensFestival

It's nice being out.

Women need single sex spaces. Women need privacy and dignity. Women with learning difficulties are 7x more likely to be raped #FVFWomensFestival

We need privacy to deal with menopausal clots! Lesbians need space to meet each other without men there. When women say no, they're not heard. We have no dignity. #FVFWomensFestival

In August '21 NS said they wanted Scotland to be leader in women health how if you can't define women? Officer in women health announced 18 months ago but not appointed. #FVFWomensFestival

I wrote Viva Your Vulva because people including politicians don't know anything about female anatomy! #FVFWomensFestival

An army of women came and helped me when they tried to cancel me. Deeds not words! Included trans men, non binary women and women. Didn't include transwomen because they don't have a vulva! Was accused of transphobia?! #FVFWomensFestival

Because of what happened in August watched Shona R ignore evidence I had submitted because it didn't fit what her party position was #FVFWomensFestival

Most extraordinary thing to witness She has power and influence and she was doodling and rolling her eyes. #FVFWomensFestival

Sorry, correction: huffing and puffing, not rolling eyes.

When she was hearing evidence of thing that do women harm as well as trans people. Interrupted asking if there was any way to get her to pay attention #FVFWomensFestival

lovely @jk_rowling offered her support! (@GussieGrips has brought an otter for her head) #FVFWomensFestival

Can we get a photo of the beaver anyone? #FVFWomensFestival

Karen Adam tweeted it was hard to see "a woman be abused in the workplace". Elaine responded to say she was sorry if she felt abused and got blocked, wouldn't answer emails. Elaine accused of a crime by an MSP who then made herself unaccountable #FVFWomensFestival

the Scotgov have voted in state-sanctioned rape and I will never forgive them #FVFWomensFestival

The SNP needed to put this through for the Greens who they rely on, no idea why the Greens wanted this so badly, thought they cared about trees! Nicola ignored us, we needed to get her attention. Well, I got it! #getitupsyours #FVFWomensFestival

Men can lift their kilt and expose themselves at a wedding. You take away my sex-based rights, I'll act like a man and lift my kilt! #FVFWomensFestival

I hope I'm never that angry again! Every single one of those MSPs looked. Nicola Sturgeon finally turned her head. #FVFWomensFestival

Maybe I'd get it into the press etc. MSP recorded this (that's against the rules - but parliament had been suspended so technically alright!) and ended up in the Daily Mail. First thing husband knew it turned up in the Daily Mail #FVFWomensFestival

My fanny was on the front of reddit! My kids all looking at it on their phone. Top comment "imagine if that was your mum".

My kids "imagine!"

#FVFWomensFestival

There was... lots of feedback! #FVFWomensFestival

Too old, too fat, too loud, wrong opinions, no manners. #FVFWomensFestival

Wrong sort of woman? But... I am a woman.

What do I care if a bunch of people I don't know don't like me? I've got lots of pals.
#FVFWomensFestival

A lot of men wanted to tell me in detail why they didn't want to have sexual relationships with me. Darling, you're in Texas! You're not invited.

#FVFWomensFestival

MSPs are accusing me of a crime in a public forum and then stop replying.

Apparently I WAS reported to the police, but I was never contacted by the police and I never committed a crime 🤷‍♀️ #FVFWomensFestival

Lots of people have spent time superimposing a mans skeleton onto me to prove I'm a man.

I'm old enough now, I don't care. I'm happy with myself #FVFWomensFestival

Some of the women noticed there was byelection: there was some wine over a meal... could get some of these politicians to DEFEND these positions in a hustings? Yeah, I'd enjoy that! #FVFWomensFestival

Not tied to a party whip, I can say what I like. I can listen to residents' needs and I can present that. Womens needs matter. Buses, care services, single sex spaces etc. women's needs. Politivans have forgotten they're elected to serve citizens not party #FVFWomensFestival

TBH, I mean to win. Let's figure out how to do this and make a template for everyone else. Let's show them what Women Won't Wheesht means. #FVFWomensFestival

Barriers to standing as an independent - financial. We raised it in 4.5hours! Most people donating I have no idea who they are #FVFWomensFestival

As an independent we don't have mailing lists, old electoral rolls, electoral bus etc.

(audience shouting we'll help you)
#FVFWomensFestival

There's no privacy. You need a bricks and mortar address. I've had abuse, I don't want children's address in public domain, can't use PO Box. Spicy online, once address is on leaflet it comes into real life #FVFWomensFestival

We need more women in power, they don't even need *to be the right sort of women* #FVFWomensFestival

This movement is full of really smart women, galvanising each other. the support I have had is humbling. Deeds not words. Will show every day I am grateful. #FVFWomensFestival

Raise your voices and be heard. We will get our rights back. A merkins place is in the city chambers #FVFWomensFestival