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Mumsnet & GN a threat to transgenders?

(59 Posts)
PamelaJ1 Sat 13-Oct-18 10:17:33

I saw an article in the paper last week that related to GN and advertising. I naturally threw the paper away and then couldn’t find the article online. I have, however, found this piece on the same subject.
It seems that we have upset some transgender activists.
It’s nice to know that at least we’re considered ‘influential’ by some!?

PamelaJ1 Tue 16-Oct-18 09:57:18

Sorry far north if I used the incorrect terminology in the title. I’m still not sure when to use Ms. So I’ve got a lot to learn.

FarNorth Tue 16-Oct-18 02:07:52

I confess I'm not totally up to speed on the correct terms, MaizieD.
I think 'transgender people' as you said is okay but 'transgenders' as in the thread title is not.

POGS Mon 15-Oct-18 22:36:15

Maizie d

Perhaps I should have said :-

" maybe WE should think if the activists had their way WE would not even have the opportunity to say OUR piece!

Not

"Those who are not posting about that point maybe should think if the activists had their way THEY would not even have the opportunity to say THEIR piece!"

It was a tad clumsy and opinionated on my part albeit unintentional.

PECS Mon 15-Oct-18 22:30:32

Just to clarify I posted the link for information.. not because I particularly supported the content. I do think the full page advert was quite emotive but, as others have said, not comfortable with 'self identification' of all physical males who identify as female.

MaizieD Mon 15-Oct-18 22:00:54

Not really sure what your point is. POGS. Are you trying to stop the thread wandering? I think most of have agreed with Justine Roberts that threats which attempt to stifle debate should not be tolerated, even if some of us have then wandered away a bit.

I read your link, PECS, to the Pink News item about the Metro advert. I hear what you say, Nana49 about there being a lot of ignorance about trans people and I think of the link I posted about a rather disturbing book intended for young children. I still can't feel comfortable with some aspects of the 'movement'.

POGS Mon 15-Oct-18 21:47:48

I hope I don't appear bossy but can I raise a point.

The OP is about the fact an activist group are trying to shut down our being able to debate the subject by using threatening behaviour against Gransnet.

Those who are not posting about that point maybe should think if the activists had their way they would not even have the opportunity to say their piece!

PECS Mon 15-Oct-18 21:32:54

I think the link I posted upthread gave a different side to the debate ..think it was put out by Stonewall.

Nana49 Mon 15-Oct-18 20:59:56

There is a lot of ignorance about trans people. I would like to see the other side of the argument before making any assumptions,
I also don't like the 'trans activist' term, it feels like this group is identified or being identified as problematic and on some sort of mission and it may be that they only have a point to make.

On a lighter note, my DD and DH went to visit a university recently where there were non binary toilets, he said all of the middle aged men were walking in and straight back out again, my DD had a right laugh at his expense. I suspect most of them peed behind a bush like they did in the old days!

MaizieD Mon 15-Oct-18 20:37:04

What is the polite way to refer to transgender people, then, FarNorth? Is 'trans' impolite, too?

PamelaJ1 Mon 15-Oct-18 18:51:25

OMG Maizie it’s quite scary.
It’s as though they have just opened a new club and are short of members.

MaizieD Mon 15-Oct-18 18:34:38

I, too, completely agree with Justine.

I have no problem with transgender as such but this was flagged up on twitter a few days ago and it's, in my opinion, horrifying:

This book is intended for 4 - 8year olds

A blurb explained: “In this heartwarming picture book, a big sister realises that her little sister, Jackie, doesn’t like dresses or fairies-she likes ties and bugs! Will she and her family be able to accept that Jackie identifies more as ‘Jack?’

www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/10/10/new-childrens-book-transgender-boy/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Buffer&utm_campaign=PN

I don't know if the author is trans herself but what dreadful gender stereotyping. It feels as though the M -> F trans community is trying to impose their vision of 'femaleness' on women. 'Jack' sounds like a perfectly normal little girl to me... All that princesses and fairies and pinkness crap is cultural, not gender specific... IMO

For four to eight year olds shock

PamelaJ1 Mon 15-Oct-18 18:10:37

Terri-??
Maybe they picked the wrong company.
I’m not an economist but I suppose C&G thought mothers may boost their profits more than womxn?

FarNorth Mon 15-Oct-18 15:45:24

Btw, "transgenders" is not seen as a polite way to refer to transgender people.
It should be used as an adjective.

PECS Mon 15-Oct-18 14:37:15

I feel sorry for any non agressive person in the turmoil of transitioning m to f. It must be complex enough without people wanting to use your situation as part of a campaign & possibly confusing you more.

TerriBull Mon 15-Oct-18 14:33:17

I think they did Lemon. Surprisingly I don't think they were persuaded to withdraw their advertising on MN despite the frightening prospect of transwomen boycotting their products, which no doubt produced an alarming drop in their profits. Wonder where all these womxn get their baby rice and pureed vegetables now shock

lemongrove Mon 15-Oct-18 13:33:04

Cow And Gate near to grow a pair ( apt in the circumstances)

M0nica Mon 15-Oct-18 13:24:48

Count me in on Justin's side. What are the people threatening MN/GN scared of?

Shutting discussion down is the politics of fear.

FarNorth Sun 14-Oct-18 15:34:19

I've posted about this as a separate thread but, in case you don't see it, here is a link to a Sunday Times survey on whether everyone who identifies as a female should have access to women-only spaces.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/readers-poll-should-everyone-who-identifies-as-female-have-access-to-women-only-spaces-c36hw0qgk?shareToken=151bf251b05dad9fb8cc83d8aface0fc

FarNorth Sun 14-Oct-18 15:28:22

I wonder if I could be seen as a TERF?? Is that in truth the term of abuse that transgender women see it as?

Yes you could, Iam64.
It is a term of abuse and is not something that anyone ever uses of themselves.

TerriBull Sun 14-Oct-18 13:41:28

or womxn, whoever they are!

TerriBull Sun 14-Oct-18 13:40:47

I've read Justine Roberts statement and agree with it. Possibly one of the advertisers referred to in that piece could be Cow and Gate. I believe I read somewhere that they were pressurised by a trans lobby group to withdraw their advertising on MN because of what they perceive as "transphobic" threads on that site. MN apparently has a stonking 11 million subscribers, I imagine a large percentage of those will be women. Cow and Gate manufacture formula milk and baby foods. I may be wrong but I imagine their products are aimed at the new mother, who are women, not trans women.

Jalima1108 Sun 14-Oct-18 13:04:32

I just get the feeling that all these different terms are designed to confuse us so that we get into trouble whatever we say
hmm

SueDonim Sun 14-Oct-18 12:26:51

Womxn. Non-men.

Fennel Sun 14-Oct-18 12:20:47

'ciswomen'.

SueDonim Sun 14-Oct-18 12:06:19

F to M transgender isn't a problem. That person isn't trying to take away men's rights, unlike some M to F trangender people who wish to deny women their rights or to even call themselves women.