@MForstater's Threads
Odd reporting by @TransMediaWatch ....Where were the attacks from?
clarkesworldmagazine.com/fall_01_20/
Editor: "In this case we can see two groups of trans readers with directly opposing views that are deeply rooted in their own experience and perspectives."
clarkesworldmagazine.com/fall_01_20/
Editor: "In this case we can see two groups of trans readers with directly opposing views that are deeply rooted in their own experience and perspectives."
"In some cases, what made the story speak to some is also what alienated others. Neither perspective is wrong, but they appear to be incompatible with one another on some level. "
"Knowing this was a potentially controversial story, we shld have employed broader range of sensitivity readers. Not that ours failed, but rather that they only represented a slice of the community & additional perspectives cld hv helped inform us of a potential conflict. "
[Thread] My case raises Qs about freedom of speech & belief & how to reconcile women's rights & the rights of transgender people.
So how have the human rights organisations and other NGOs responded?
[Disclaimer: individual staff views do not necessarily represent orgs]
So how have the human rights organisations and other NGOs responded?
[Disclaimer: individual staff views do not necessarily represent orgs]
@IndexCensorship @jodieginsberg said back in Nov "I cannot see that MF has done anything wrong other than express an opinion that many feminists share – that there should be a public and open debate about the distinction between sex and gender.”
theguardian.com/law/2019/nov/1…
theguardian.com/law/2019/nov/1…
@TrevorPTweets chair of Index with a supportive message!
Many people have complained to @AdamWagner1 @EachOtherUk (formerly Rights Info) about whether the charity is fulfilling its purpose of human rights education (letter from some here - still no response), particularly bias in their coverage of gender & sex
The answer you tend to get is "RightsInfo is a small news organisation with limited resources, and is not able to cover all stories, with the editorial team taking decisions on a day-to-day basis."
Things that don't get coverage -- serious legal analysis of the conflict of rights that arise from proposed reforms to the gender recognition act (despite several offers)
@monaeltahawy argues we cannot consider all male people as a single class. Males who identify as women are different from "cis" men in an essential way.
This makes it "transphobic" to talk about male and female bodies, or about women as the people with female bodies.
This makes it "transphobic" to talk about male and female bodies, or about women as the people with female bodies.
I wonder if she really believes this.
The rest of her writing and activism is all about the injustices done to the people with female bodies in a world which denies them agency and which gives the people with male bodies more power. (AKA: patriarchy)
The rest of her writing and activism is all about the injustices done to the people with female bodies in a world which denies them agency and which gives the people with male bodies more power. (AKA: patriarchy)
Back in 2011 on Twitter Mona complained when Dutch company HEMA advertised it's bras using a male model. She got the usual criticism that anyone who speaks up gets. She deleted the tweets and issued this clarification.
. @AdamWagner1 's podcast on history of LGBT rights in UK w @JonathanCoopr is educational on age of consent, armed forces cases etc. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/4-t…
But on 'trans rights' there is a glaring omission. No mention of the significant concerns on women's rights from self ID
But on 'trans rights' there is a glaring omission. No mention of the significant concerns on women's rights from self ID
There is a pattern here. Adam's human rights education organisation @EachOtherUk (formerly Rights Info) also thinks women's concerns are unfounded & best ignored.
Women's concerns are myths, that do not even deserve discussion.
eachother.org.uk/2018-human-rig…
Women's concerns are myths, that do not even deserve discussion.
eachother.org.uk/2018-human-rig…
Its over a month since this open letter to the trustees was sent and we are still waiting for a response.
I really don't understand how one can be a feminist & at the same time believe that being male or female is not a material factor in people's lives, and that we no longer need an analysis or any legal rights attached to sex.
I mean I sort of can understand, how as a professional feminist you would say these things, because they have become what you need to say to avoid being cast out.
And cognitive dissonance is a strong force.
Still it is so disappointing.
And cognitive dissonance is a strong force.
Still it is so disappointing.
And it bugs me how this acquiescence to put the concerns of male people ahead of females is bottled and sold as 'bold, defiant, uncompromising ' feminism.
Its like the beauty industry undermining women's confidence in order to sell it back to them.... "Because I'm Worth It"
Its like the beauty industry undermining women's confidence in order to sell it back to them.... "Because I'm Worth It"
#periodpoverty -- It is often said that this is a major cause of school absenteeism by girls in UK. What is the evidence?
Interesting white paper by PHS (company awarded the Department for Education contract to deliver 'free' products to all schools)
phs.co.uk/media/2401/phs…
Interesting white paper by PHS (company awarded the Department for Education contract to deliver 'free' products to all schools)
phs.co.uk/media/2401/phs…
89 % of teenage girls *believe* that period poverty is a real issue
But in the PHS survey not being able to afford supplies is the *least* common reason cited for missing school due to periods....
The main reason (40x more prevalent) was pain.
The main reason (40x more prevalent) was pain.
OK so one more thing about the #periodpoverty campaigns being promoted by sanpro companies, govt and major NGOs. Its this: this is rebranding the "Tampax lady" who used to come into schools, for the woke age. Its corporate CSR
Which doesn't necessarily mean it should be dismissed. But its worth being aware of what the commercial incentives are; sell more product, sell more premium product.
Companies may have some altruistic concern but they would also like every woman to spend more on their products
Companies may have some altruistic concern but they would also like every woman to spend more on their products
Where is the robust evidence that "period poverty" is widespread (yes there is poverty, no it is not solved by providing sanpro. Most people even on low incomes can afford Sanpro) and yet #periodpoverty is a major branding effort into schools.....why....🤔
[tax] & [feminism] So the #tampontax. How much does it cost women? The govt (@HMRCgovuk ) publish these things called Tax Impact and Information Notes on new tax policies. They published one on the proposal to reduce VAT on period products from 5% to 0 gov.uk/government/pub…
Their estimate is that that the 5% tax raises £15m . This would mean that women in the UK are spending £315m a year on sanpro.
They say there are 18m women of childbearing age.
So that suggests £17.50 on average per year spent.
Of which 88p is the #tampontax
They say there are 18m women of childbearing age.
So that suggests £17.50 on average per year spent.
Of which 88p is the #tampontax
If the tampon tax had stayed at 20% it would have cost us each on average £3.50 each per year, making our total average tampon bill £20 per year
£20 per year is not a material amount to anyone's welfare.
£3.50 a year even less so.
88p? Why are we still talking about this?
£20 per year is not a material amount to anyone's welfare.
£3.50 a year even less so.
88p? Why are we still talking about this?
The British Library @britishlibrary has a big upcoming exhibition on Women's Rights: Unfinished Business (in April)
bl.uk/events/unfinis…
bl.uk/events/unfinis…
Will it include what @helenlewis described as "the most vibrant feminist meeting of the year...packed hall, felt like the birth, or rebirth, of something. A feminism unafraid to talk about the female body. A rejection of the extremes of identity politics. newstatesman.com/politics/femin…
Will it cover the controversy between feminists who think that women's sex based rights depend on being able to define the two sexes clearly, and those who think that talking about women as people with female bodies is old fashioned and exclusionary? Or will it go for #nodebate?
Wow. just wow 😱
Argument being made in the name of science, feminism and skepticism: if you think that male people are male you are a "bigoted fuckface" and your view is 'anti-science'.
That's it. There is no more to it.
Also: 'be kind'
Argument being made in the name of science, feminism and skepticism: if you think that male people are male you are a "bigoted fuckface" and your view is 'anti-science'.
That's it. There is no more to it.
Also: 'be kind'
I continue to be amazed that grown up orgs & people have capitulated in the face of this level of non-argument & playground taunting.
Everyone knows that sex is real. Relatively recently society has recognised that sex discrimination matters unstats.un.org/unsd/gendersta…
Everyone knows that sex is real. Relatively recently society has recognised that sex discrimination matters unstats.un.org/unsd/gendersta…
The question of how the human rights of people who don't feel comfortable with their sex can be protected and secured is a real and serious one.
But it does not require that we pretend that we don't know what sex is.
But it does not require that we pretend that we don't know what sex is.
. @Glinner on the Rowling Christmas miracle glinner.co.uk/what-the-rowli…
Rowling’s statement demonstrates what women with less power, but just as much compassion and sense, have been trying to tell us for a number of years; that gender ideology is bad for women.
Rowling’s statement demonstrates what women with less power, but just as much compassion and sense, have been trying to tell us for a number of years; that gender ideology is bad for women.
...it erases, insults, and endangers them, and when they dare to discuss this issues they are subject to disproportionately severe penalties.
Rowling front loads the statement with mollifying phrases to protect her central point, which is inarguable. But as these women know, and the response to the tweet proves, it’s never enough.
Another take on my case. This one from philosopher /psychologist Dr Richard Gipps clinicalphilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/12/trans-…
What is interesting is the trouble he has parsing this tweet (yes it's a weird feeling having philosophers and psychologists pick over your year old tweets...)
Why did I say "men" here?
And is awkward? ...I don't think so. It follows the previous sentence where I say men can't turn into women. It would weird then to introduce a another category (even if in social situations I wouldn't try to hurt anyone's feelings by saying so)
And is awkward? ...I don't think so. It follows the previous sentence where I say men can't turn into women. It would weird then to introduce a another category (even if in social situations I wouldn't try to hurt anyone's feelings by saying so)
"Born this way"
The idea that sexual orientation is an inborn trait (whether true or not) was a powerful political strategy for gay rights, which has now been transferred to trans rights.
The idea that sexual orientation is an inborn trait (whether true or not) was a powerful political strategy for gay rights, which has now been transferred to trans rights.
Is transsexualism a rare condition some are born with? Possibly, we don't know.
Is everyone who now identifies under the broad transgender umbrella 'born with it'. Seems unlikely.
In any case rights (e.g. privacy, autonomy) don't rely on a characteristic being in-born.
Is everyone who now identifies under the broad transgender umbrella 'born with it'. Seems unlikely.
In any case rights (e.g. privacy, autonomy) don't rely on a characteristic being in-born.
But we do know for sure that sex is something which everyone is born with
Every person is born with the type of body with the potential to produce sperm or the type which comes with egg on board, and it is impossible to switch between the two types (hence sex is immutable) .
Every person is born with the type of body with the potential to produce sperm or the type which comes with egg on board, and it is impossible to switch between the two types (hence sex is immutable) .
‘Gender-Critical’ Feminists Pay a Price for Speaking Out. But the Price of Silence is Higher
quillette.com/2019/12/29/we-…
This epistolary article by Libby Emmons @li88yinc is everything.
Letters are real. Names have been changed.
quillette.com/2019/12/29/we-…
This epistolary article by Libby Emmons @li88yinc is everything.
Letters are real. Names have been changed.
"Susan" is planning to go to this @WomensLibFront event in Feb in Seattle. Her brother "Craig" had previously, privately, expressed agreement with Susan in critiquing gender ideology.
Susan: “would you like to brave the crowds & join me? If you’re not interested in risking yr life entering a space being protested by huge men in skirts wielding bats wrapped in barbed wire, I understand. But if you're up for adventure, I’d love it if you would”
Policy laundering:
The "Not Just Pink and Blue" Transgender Toolkit for schools is a curious document.
It has been adopted by a dozen local education authorities who say they all contributed to its creation.
But it is not at all clear who wrote it.
The "Not Just Pink and Blue" Transgender Toolkit for schools is a curious document.
It has been adopted by a dozen local education authorities who say they all contributed to its creation.
But it is not at all clear who wrote it.
The guidance undermines safeguarding and creates a hostile environment for girls and pushes schools to socially transition children, without parental consent or medical supervision.
I wrote about the problems here
I wrote about the problems here
After complaints from parents and concerned professionals it was recently updated.
But the update doubles down on all these problems.
But the update doubles down on all these problems.
#Transideology subverts in ways we have seen before
Call people names, smear reputations, punish heretics.
Faced w threat & fear many people will stay silent and out of trouble. Others will recite the words & point fingers, some will truly believe in the existence of witches
Call people names, smear reputations, punish heretics.
Faced w threat & fear many people will stay silent and out of trouble. Others will recite the words & point fingers, some will truly believe in the existence of witches
Nobody wants to be called a transphobe.
And defending someone who has been called a transphobe will get you called a transphobe.
"There are extremists on both sides" is a comforting rationale for staying silent, or even for pointing fingers.
And defending someone who has been called a transphobe will get you called a transphobe.
"There are extremists on both sides" is a comforting rationale for staying silent, or even for pointing fingers.
This is a story about two people who have pointed the finger at me. Firstly there is @JolyonMaugham (Tax barrister, of #FoxingDay fame).
Jolyon believes that he occupies the middle ground between "extremists" in this debate.
Jolyon believes that he occupies the middle ground between "extremists" in this debate.
"Allegedly transphobic tweets" thread.
People have been tweeting about my "transphobic tweets" but none have been linking to them. Presumably because those who searched my actual timeline thought 'meh'.
Here are all the tweets that are mentioned in the judgement.
People have been tweeting about my "transphobic tweets" but none have been linking to them. Presumably because those who searched my actual timeline thought 'meh'.
Here are all the tweets that are mentioned in the judgement.
First off, a thread about the government's consultation on the Gender Recognition Act.
Then there was this question, which sparked off quite a big discussion with #developmenttwitter on sex and gender. (about 150 tweets in several threaded conversations)
Thread of analysis:
Philosophers, lawyers and all sorts of thoughtful people have been looking at the facts, judgement and implications of my case...
Philosophers, lawyers and all sorts of thoughtful people have been looking at the facts, judgement and implications of my case...
First there was @Docstockk "Women are losing not just their legal and social protections, but we are approaching a situation where women (and men) cannot even legally speak about this loss" link.medium.com/UqAVdHEwG2
Then @janeclarejones " just like trans activist discourse itself, the judgement is maddeningly circular. If it is the case that biological sex exists then this judgement simply falls apart in several places." janeclarejones.com/2019/12/21/bad…
Thanks to JK Rowling's brave and unexpected intervention people are talking about my case around the world. I have had so much support &💜. I'll let you know about my next steps & what that is going to take in due course. But in the meantime...there are other women using the law
. @SafeSchools_UK is challenging a local authority's transgender schools guidance on whether it safeguards all children and protect their rights crowdjustice.com/case/challengi…
. @sueevansprotect is taking the @TaviAndPort to judicial review to challenge the experimental medical treatment of under 18 gender dysphoric children and adolescents with serious risks to their mind and body crowdjustice.com/case/protect-c…
I wrote this back in May - the long story: “I lost my job for speaking up about women’s rights”. link.medium.com/0h7jhkC3A2
This is the article I wrote about why international development organisations should not forget about sex medium.com/@MForstater/in…
Here is the article I wrote about why organisations concerned with "open government" democracy and accountability should pay attention medium.com/@MForstater/fe…
Judgement received. Bad news (for now) Stonewall law won this round.
Here is my statement in thread form.
I struggle to express the shock and disbelief I feel at reading this judgment
drive.google.com/file/d/12P9zf8…
Here is my statement in thread form.
I struggle to express the shock and disbelief I feel at reading this judgment
drive.google.com/file/d/12P9zf8…
My belief as i set out in my witness statement is that sex is a biological fact & is immutable. There are two sexes. Men are male. Women are female. It is impossible to change sex. These were until very recently understood as basic facts of life
medium.com/@MForstater/cl…
medium.com/@MForstater/cl…
As I said at my tribunal I will as a matter of courtesy use preferred pronouns and I support human rights. Everyone should be free to express themselves, to break free of gender stereotypes and to live free of violence, harassment and discrimination.
Thinking about this....
The most corrosive thing in all of this is that if you do your fucking job on this topic you get called names, and worse...
You get complained about and investigated.
And if your employer doesn't hold its nerve, or your employment situation is vulnerable enough, you lose your job
And if your employer doesn't hold its nerve, or your employment situation is vulnerable enough, you lose your job
Where are the grown ups? [part II] Yesterday @AmnestyUK tweeted its campaign to allow the legal sex of children to be changed
It got a lot of comments. Serious comments.
Amnesty only responded to one.
Yay to @EnbyLawyer @Mermaids_Gender
It got a lot of comments. Serious comments.
Amnesty only responded to one.
Yay to @EnbyLawyer @Mermaids_Gender
Amnesty are calling for a change in UK law to "allow all trans people to legally register their 'true gender' (incl 'nonbinary') regardless of their age".
There are different views on this; child welfare and women's rights and other equality implications
There are different views on this; child welfare and women's rights and other equality implications
As a charity that spends £20m a year they could have done some research and thought this through carefully.
They could point us to the research paper which underpins their advocacy campaign
But they haven't (yet -- if it is there please do Amnesty)
They could point us to the research paper which underpins their advocacy campaign
But they haven't (yet -- if it is there please do Amnesty)
