A few weeks ago, the company I work for issued compulsory "training", including statements such as:
“Remember, if Cathi is trans, saying ‘she used to be a man’ isn't accurate. Trans women are women, and they've never not been a woman”.
I shit you not.
So I've waited till today, when the company hosts one of its quarterly meetings with all the top brass across several sites, in person and online, to read out a statement on exactly what I thought of this “training”.
I made reference to the precedent set when @MForstater won her appeal in June 2021, and levelled an accusation to the entire company that they are indirectly, and possibly directly, discriminating against all its employees under the protected characteristic of their freedom of belief.
You could have heard a pin drop. At first.
The result?
HR is now bricking it. The training is no longer compulsory. They're taking matters under review, and I've had so many hugs and messages off support from my female colleagues. My boss shook my hand.
It isn't easy speaking up. I've been very nervous till today. But as @ThePosieParker keeps telling me: if not me, then who? If not now, then when?
I think it was important that someone saw a gay man stand up and defend the women he works with, and send a message that this absurd nonsense has no place being forced upon us.
I've sure I've made plenty of enemies at work today and pissed numerous people off.
And I'm glad. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat because it's simply the right thing to do.
“Remember, if Cathi is trans, saying ‘she used to be a man’ isn't accurate. Trans women are women, and they've never not been a woman”.
I shit you not.
So I've waited till today, when the company hosts one of its quarterly meetings with all the top brass across several sites, in person and online, to read out a statement on exactly what I thought of this “training”.
I made reference to the precedent set when @MForstater won her appeal in June 2021, and levelled an accusation to the entire company that they are indirectly, and possibly directly, discriminating against all its employees under the protected characteristic of their freedom of belief.
You could have heard a pin drop. At first.
The result?
HR is now bricking it. The training is no longer compulsory. They're taking matters under review, and I've had so many hugs and messages off support from my female colleagues. My boss shook my hand.
It isn't easy speaking up. I've been very nervous till today. But as @ThePosieParker keeps telling me: if not me, then who? If not now, then when?
I think it was important that someone saw a gay man stand up and defend the women he works with, and send a message that this absurd nonsense has no place being forced upon us.
I've sure I've made plenty of enemies at work today and pissed numerous people off.
And I'm glad. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat because it's simply the right thing to do.
Though on reflection, I will concede one point.
It *is* inaccurate to say that Cathi used to be a man.
Cathi still is, and he should cope, seethe and dilate.
It *is* inaccurate to say that Cathi used to be a man.
Cathi still is, and he should cope, seethe and dilate.
I think my favourite part was, after quoting that particularly egregious line of theirs verbatim, I followed with:
“Setting aside for the moment that this absurd statement has no basis in fact (or indeed, reality), is the company aware that holding and expressing views which run entirely contrary to those stated in the compulsory training are views which are legally protected in UK law under the Equality Act 2010, since the Forstater ruling in June 2021?
This ruling concluded, among other things, that sex is real, immutable and important and that holding the belief that humans cannot change sex is a belief worthy of respect in a democratic society.”
“Setting aside for the moment that this absurd statement has no basis in fact (or indeed, reality), is the company aware that holding and expressing views which run entirely contrary to those stated in the compulsory training are views which are legally protected in UK law under the Equality Act 2010, since the Forstater ruling in June 2021?
This ruling concluded, among other things, that sex is real, immutable and important and that holding the belief that humans cannot change sex is a belief worthy of respect in a democratic society.”
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
