Minister for Women and Equalities

It does feel like it sometimes mae13

I doubt Ms Dodds is going to produce anything positive for WASPI Women. I suppose we're stuck at the back of the queue forever......

Doodledog

I fully understand why RD has stayed.

What’s the alternative? To go somewhere where nobody knows what you stood for? That’s a long, hard climb.

For the sake of argument, imagine that GN is your board of choice? Maybe you don’t know any others. Maybe you just like it here, and feel at home. But ‘Some People’ disagree with you, and try to make you feel uncomfortable. They know that not everyone picks up on every nuance and they do the passive aggressive thing of pretending that you are just too sensitive.

You get lots of behind the scenes support (which is welcome), but most is saying that your supporters don’t want to come forward and speak up for you, as that would mean putting their own heads on the line. Understandable but frustrating.

Yes, you could go elsewhere, but an alternative is to stay and hope for the support of those who agree with you.

I know what I would do.

Perhaps you didn't realise, but there are women out there who are putting themselves on the line for this issue.

They are trying to get elected in local councils etc.

They are not connected with any of the top 4 parties, so it's very hard, in a very unfair environment, using their own savings as support.

Because, as you know if you take funding from gov. Etc. You are then open to pressure to conform to DEI, which is completely enthralled to the trans ideology.

I'm not especially keen on pillorying anyone especially RD.

But I feel it has to be understood, at some level hoping for a different outcome from an MP/political party or even an institution, such as the Gov.
which has a history of ignoring/conflating/discussing/reporting on, and still achieving nothing, is believing in hope over experience.

As I mentioned, ordinary women braver than I, have put their heads above the parapet.
No doubt most people do not know about them.
Why? Because the media, doesnt report on it. Why?

Some of these women, leading ordinary lives but with extraordinary courage, have been arrested for delivering leaflets (no other party was) which said nothing more than 'I'm here and I believe in safe spaces for women and children. Men cannot be women etc.

There is much more to say about the difficulties these women are facing, daily.

I applaud these women and hold them in higher regard than those who take an easier road when it is within their power to use their platform for the good of others.

It's at best frustrating to watch happening.

The trans ideology is tied up with curtailing free speech as well as rights for 51%of the population.

That's why imv we need to stop giving away what little power we have, by saying 'give them time' or 'I understand why etc.'

It seems illogical to me if we mean what we say.

Sorry for any irritating spelling or grammatical errors.

The Telegraph has begun to enter Red top zone in terms of headlines. As I said immediately above, it's not "news"" as puberty blockers are banned anyway.

So the Telegraph headline is in fact trying to smear Labour by suggesting they might have been (shock horror might still be) in favour of it but are changing its mind - when its now illegal anyway.

I'll have to wait until another source (one that I can access) reports.

The Telegraph is given to sensationalism, particularly in headlines, and so far there is nothing in the i or on the BBC.

Bit bizarre to read this since puberty blockers are banned:

Children cannot legally be described puberty blockers now.

news.sky.com/story/children-to-no-longer-be-prescribed-puberty-blockers-nhs-england-confirms-13093251

After the closing of the Tavistock, is planned for up to 8 centres for young people, but one opened:

The New Specialist Gender Service for Children and Young People Opened on April 2nd in Alderhey, Manchester.

It's based on the recommendations in the Cass Report and has a completely fresh approach not based on transgender ideology but child centred individual counselling, support, evaluation.

mft.nhs.uk/app/uploads/2024/04/The-NHS-Children-and-Young-Peoples-Gender-Service.pdf

Problems going to be resources and waiting list.

The Telegraph is reporting that 'Labour moves to block puberty blockers permanently'. My subscription has expired and I'm not renewing it so I can't access the whole article, but this sounds very much like a step in the right direction from Labour.

Asked to define a woman, the answer was an obfuscation of 'many different views' to loud cheers from supporters, followed by isn't David Tennant a great man, referencing his speech as he accepted an award for his support for LGBT etc.

Galaxy

But as a society we could stop colluding in this utterly insane pretence.
So all reporting would state there is a man taking part in the womans hockey event for example.

I'd be delighted to see that.

Wyllow3

Rosie51

I agree with you Doodledog. Rosie’s natural political home is with Labour, why would she want to align elsewhere? She must be hurt that there has been no public support for her, but she’s steadfast enough to ride it out.

There have been many lively discussions right out there in the open in our Labour Party branch and constituency. Rosie Duffield isn't unsupported. The reality is actually a range of opinions not either/or's, before reaching the current situation.
Biological women's safe spaces have a right and need to exist.
No self identity but access to GRC's. Issues of women in sport are and have always been decided by the appropriate sports bodies not a political party.

She’s been totally unsupported by Starmer. When he kicked off his election campaign in Kent he failed to invite Rosie to the event, the only elected Labour MP in Kent! When he finally admitted the biological reality of women he said Tony Blair was right. It couldn’t be more obvious that he has resolutely refused to support Rosie.

But as a society we could stop colluding in this utterly insane pretence.
So all reporting would state there is a man taking part in the womans hockey event for example.

The trouble is that sports at top level are international, so I suppose they have to make laws at an Association level, if that's the right word.

We could say that only biological women can compete in female sport in the UK, but unless other countries did the same it would just cause problems. We could ensure that nobody representing the UK as a woman is really a man, but we don't have control over who is put forward by other countries.

If sports bodies began implementing a racist policy for example I would expect the government of the day to make some sort of intervention. Women in sport have been utterly let down by all political parties. Pretending that men can be women has led to this situation, and most political parties hold some level of responsibility for this.

eazybee

Our new MP thinks 'David Tennant is a great man.'

A great man? What has he done to earn that plaudit?

I think he's a good actor, but his political opinions are no more relevant than mine, and I've no idea what makes him 'great' .

Our new MP thinks 'David Tennant is a great man.'

winterwhite

I agree with those who said earlier that trans debates should not be politicised.
I also wonder whether the country still needs a minister for women as well as one for lequalities.

Maybe we need a minister for women (AHF) because often when equality is mentioned, it means females stepping aside.

I agree with those who said earlier that trans debates should not be politicised.
I also wonder whether the country still needs a minister for women as well as one for lequalities.

Rosie51

I agree with you Doodledog. Rosie’s natural political home is with Labour, why would she want to align elsewhere? She must be hurt that there has been no public support for her, but she’s steadfast enough to ride it out.

There have been many lively discussions right out there in the open in our Labour Party branch and constituency. Rosie Duffield isn't unsupported. The reality is actually a range of opinions not either/or's, before reaching the current situation.
Biological women's safe spaces have a right and need to exist.
No self identity but access to GRC's. Issues of women in sport are and have always been decided by the appropriate sports bodies not a political party.

It's so frustrating when posts go walkabout.

Doodledog lost my post twice 🙄 I've run out of time and steam, but will answer you soon.👍

We had and still have a Labour MP. She was one of the ones who called at the house before the election, couldn’t answer my questions re potholes, housing, education and sex and said she didn’t know I’d tried to contact her by email or X.

We have a new Labour MP.
She is a woman, I will be interested to hear her views on this.

I agree with you Doodledog. Rosie’s natural political home is with Labour, why would she want to align elsewhere? She must be hurt that there has been no public support for her, but she’s steadfast enough to ride it out.

I agree with you 100% Doddledog. You put into writing eloquently, what I am thinking.

I fully understand why RD has stayed.

What’s the alternative? To go somewhere where nobody knows what you stood for? That’s a long, hard climb.

For the sake of argument, imagine that GN is your board of choice? Maybe you don’t know any others. Maybe you just like it here, and feel at home. But ‘Some People’ disagree with you, and try to make you feel uncomfortable. They know that not everyone picks up on every nuance and they do the passive aggressive thing of pretending that you are just too sensitive.

You get lots of behind the scenes support (which is welcome), but most is saying that your supporters don’t want to come forward and speak up for you, as that would mean putting their own heads on the line. Understandable but frustrating.

Yes, you could go elsewhere, but an alternative is to stay and hope for the support of those who agree with you.

I know what I would do.