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Endometriosis charity appoints trans woman as the new head of the organisation.

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Smileless2012 Tue 14-Nov-23 13:33:20

Endometriosis South Coast (ESC) has appointed transgender Labour activist Steph Richards as the organisations new head.

It's a debilitating, distressing and extremely painful condition that can result in miscarriage and can lead to infertility. Why on earth would anyone not want a biological female in such an important and possibly influential role when this condition can only affect natal women?

Galaxy Thu 16-Nov-23 20:46:57

Sorry amber I try as hard as possible not to lie, having seen the damage it does, so I cant agree.

AmberSpyglass Thu 16-Nov-23 20:52:09

I don’t lie either. She’s a woman.

Galaxy Thu 16-Nov-23 20:55:28

I dont think anyone believes that really. It's why there has been a considerable debate about a man heading up this charity.

Dickens Thu 16-Nov-23 23:59:59

Galaxy

I dont think anyone believes that really. It's why there has been a considerable debate about a man heading up this charity.

Steph Richardson would not use the word "woman". Apparently, people suffer from the condition.

And now we've just been told on here that Steph Richardson is a woman.

So, to sum up. Only transwomen can be women. Biological women who suffer from endometriosis - are people, not women, because Richardson refuses to acknowledge them as such.

Rosie51 Fri 17-Nov-23 09:08:27

AmberSpyglass

Steph isn’t a man, she’s a woman.

This is a direct quote from one of Steph's tweets Many gynaecologists are men - I don't see any headlines about them. Some midwives are men - I don't see any headlines about them either. And how about the male paramedic who may deal with miscarriage or prolapse - there are no headlines about them either. Am I wrong?

No, I am not.

It would appear Steph is identifying in the same group as the men referred to in the quote. Freudian slip, or a bit of honesty?

Grantanow Fri 17-Nov-23 09:38:26

The charity's focus should be on securing good treatment for the disease. Making a controversial appointment to its top job may take the focus off that when seeking funding or making public presentations and attract unwanted media attention. But it may all blow over.

TerriBull Fri 17-Nov-23 09:39:07

Umpteen anomalies surrounding natal women/transwomen language that doesn't seem to pertain to men/transmen. The shying away of using the word "woman" I believe the preferred description is "female assigned at birth". On the other hand men remain men confused For many, our perception is that this is a one way traffic and evidence shows those who challenge it, are met with out and out aggression.

Dickens Fri 17-Nov-23 10:22:29

Rosie51

AmberSpyglass

Steph isn’t a man, she’s a woman.

This is a direct quote from one of Steph's tweets Many gynaecologists are men - I don't see any headlines about them. Some midwives are men - I don't see any headlines about them either. And how about the male paramedic who may deal with miscarriage or prolapse - there are no headlines about them either. Am I wrong?

No, I am not.

It would appear Steph is identifying in the same group as the men referred to in the quote. Freudian slip, or a bit of honesty?

Good point!

Steph has previously said that men and women - and even "age" are 'social constructs' - which seems to be the way some in the trans community bat away Genetics (genetic scientists... "pah", what do they know!) - but at least now acknowledges that men exist as a separate entity.

All we have to do now is persuade Steph that there is a genetic group called "women" - as opposed to "people". Considering these genetic differences affect disease development, I think this is quite important!

Steph is a transgender woman - unless he's managed to change every single cell in his body. That doesn't mean he can't make a good CEO of a charity devoted to endometriosis - the duties of a CEO are not sex-based. But, as he appears to refuse to acknowledge women as sufferers, only 'people'... then we're not off to a very good start.

Dickens Fri 17-Nov-23 10:38:44

Grantanow

The charity's focus should be on securing good treatment for the disease. Making a controversial appointment to its top job may take the focus off that when seeking funding or making public presentations and attract unwanted media attention. But it may all blow over.

If Steph can deflect media attention away from gender-identity matters and insist that the focus is on the charity and its purpose alone, then we might be on to a winner. But I think it will have to be acknowledged that it affects women - and that seems to be a problem for Steph.

Sort of like anyone coming in to do an important job and advising that they do not want to discuss their private life, just get on with the job they've been elected to do. A CEO's remit is quite clear.

What do you think are the chances of it blowing over?

Doodledog Fri 17-Nov-23 10:57:08

What do you think are the chances of it blowing over?

Fairly high, I should think. Another spin on the 'controversy' is that a trans woman has volunteered for a role in a local charity.

It's a TRA publicity stunt, IMO. Tomorrow's chip wrapper.

NanKate Fri 17-Nov-23 14:51:56

Steph R’s aggressive attitude of denying natal women does nothing for the majority of the trans community who want to just get on with their lives, happy in their new persona.

It was Emma Barnet’s job to hold a robust interview and that is exactly what she did. Well done Emma, so good to have you back.

Doodledog Fri 17-Nov-23 14:54:57

I was amused by the way that when Steph wanted to have a dig at the sex of gynaecologists and (some) midwives they were referred to as 'so called males'. So don't call them 'male' as that would be transphobic, but refer to their sex anyway.

Dickens Sat 18-Nov-23 10:01:42

Doodledog

I was amused by the way that when Steph wanted to have a dig at the sex of gynaecologists and (some) midwives they were referred to as 'so called males'. So don't call them 'male' as that would be transphobic, but refer to their sex anyway.

I wonder - what is a "so-called male"?

Could they be 'so-called' because, well - that is what they are, ie, men?

I presume "women" are also - "so-called" going by SR's 'logic'. But that presents a bit of a problem because if SR identifies as a woman and women are only 'so-called' women... what is SR identifying with in effect?

However, you have to realise that SR believes that 'age, as well as men and women, are all social constructs, and don't actually exist as a biological reality. Which means that SR is identifying with a social-construct of women.

It's all a nonsense isn't it?

Callistemon21 Sat 18-Nov-23 10:22:31

Age doesn't exist as a biological reality?
Perhaps in space but on Earth it certainly does. It is a fact.

Perhaps Steph comes from a different planet.

Glorianny Sat 18-Nov-23 11:13:23

As far as endometriosis is concerned might there not be some transmen who suffer? If so surely "people " is the correct pronoun. Or are some insisting that transmen must accept being described by the word women?
Isn't that actually endangering transmen who may not seek treatment because of this.

eazybee Sat 18-Nov-23 11:21:13

If there are 'people 'who would refuse to seek treatment because they would be identified correctly as a woman, then that is their choice.

Rosie51 Sat 18-Nov-23 12:02:30

Glorianny

As far as endometriosis is concerned might there not be some transmen who suffer? If so surely "people " is the correct pronoun. Or are some insisting that transmen must accept being described by the word women?
Isn't that actually endangering transmen who may not seek treatment because of this.

Surely "people" is a noun not a pronoun?

Of course there may be the odd transman who suffers from endometriosis, by virtue of the fact of being female. Why are you comfortable with the vast majority having to accept being described as people to satisfy the vanity of a very few? Transmen know they're still female, and if they don't and believe the fantasy they've changed sex like India Willoughby then they're unlikely to seek help for a female condition anyway.

Dickens Sat 18-Nov-23 12:12:39

Glorianny

As far as endometriosis is concerned might there not be some transmen who suffer? If so surely "people " is the correct pronoun. Or are some insisting that transmen must accept being described by the word women?
Isn't that actually endangering transmen who may not seek treatment because of this.

Or are some insisting that transmen must accept being described by the word women?

But you are insisting that women must accept losing their identity and accept being described by the word "people".

And transmen are a minority.

Doodledog Sat 18-Nov-23 12:18:47

It’s the same argument that is put forward for using terms like ‘birth givers’ instead of ‘mothers’. Women should move aside as a small minority want to deny reality and colonise our spaces.

Whether it’s maternity wards, the WI, gynae charities or professional sport, it is very clear that the trans ideology excludes women. Yes, all mothers are women, but the ones ‘identifying’ as men still get priority in this ideology, and the rest of us are supposed to put up and shut up.

Tessyo Sat 18-Nov-23 12:59:37

I suggest those interested in this subject give a listen to Emma Barnett’s interview on the subject on Radio 4 Woman’s Hour. I’ve no problem with somebody who hasn’t experienced a condition personally being able to represent, however I know that my understanding of things has deepened when I have been through something myself - def gives a different perspective & possibly greater compassion IMO. My problem would be around a representative of this organisation expressing any anti-women or hateful messages or who is reluctant to use the word ‘woman’ even. If that is the case, no matter how they identify, that person should not be given a voice in a majority women’s condition charity.

Nannashirlz Sat 18-Nov-23 13:09:33

Having also suffered with it. I’ve no issues with it being a man has mine was male and military when I was going through it. But I do have an issue when he says that men suffer with it too. A man wearing a dress isn’t a woman top scientist’s have said only two sex’s

Glorianny Sat 18-Nov-23 13:18:31

Dickens

Glorianny

As far as endometriosis is concerned might there not be some transmen who suffer? If so surely "people " is the correct pronoun. Or are some insisting that transmen must accept being described by the word women?
Isn't that actually endangering transmen who may not seek treatment because of this.

Or are some insisting that transmen must accept being described by the word women?

But you are insisting that women must accept losing their identity and accept being described by the word "people".

And transmen are a minority.

I thought most people accepted that minorities still have rights. Isn't that what women were until very recently?
Isn't that what black people still are in many places?

I don't object to anyone personally being referred to as a woman.
If you provide a service and that service covers a range of people then the correct term is people.
It's nothing to do with women's rights
Transwomen and non-binary people get prostate cancer.
Trans men and non-binary people can have endometriosis.
So both services should be offered to people
Honestly all this dictating to people what they should or shouldn't be permitted to call themselves is just inconsiderate.
By all means insist on being called a woman but leave others to make their own decisions, and if there are others involved in a service who choose different terms, well we are all people.

Doodledog Sat 18-Nov-23 14:57:22

I wondered how long it would be before insinuations of racism would start.

I agree that dictating to people what they aloud or shouldn't be called is inconsiderate - in fact I would go further than that. It is misogynistic to call women 'menstruators', and insulting to call men 'so-called males'. Colonisation of the language goes a lot deeper than trans rights - it is about denying the existence of other groups. Transpeople have rights - I've asked before on here which rights they are fighting for, but am always ignored, as the reality is that transpeople have more rights than the rest of us. They have all the legal rights that apply to British citizens plus the protection of the EOA and from hate crimes.

Women, OTOH, are losing the right to call themselves female, to have meetings with other women without male interference, to undress in exclusively female company, and even to have a Women's Institute without a male going straight to the top and forming policies about 'inclusion' (never mind that male presence excludes some women, and that the WI was set up as a female organisation).

As I said, I think that this is a storm in a teacup. It's a publicity stunt, using a very predominantly female condition as a hook to hang it on. Calling Steph a 'CEO' just makes the role seem more important than it is, and is another way of sending women the message that we can have nothing for ourselves. Giving the role to a man (or as Steph would have it a 'so-called male') would be very different, as would giving it to a transwoman who just got on with it instead of making a political point at the expense of the charity.

Smileless2012 Sat 18-Nov-23 15:05:24

Of course minorities have rights Glorianny but those rights should not be at the expense of others. There are women who use this particular organisation for support, who object to being referred too as people. What about their rights?

I'll ask what I always ask on any thread that discusses transgender, what rights are the transgender community being denied?

Doodledog Sat 18-Nov-23 15:09:48

Snap, Smileless grin