Minister for Women and Equalities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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......

It does feel like it sometimes mae13

Is it not a temporary ban that's why it's being reported? Arent the good law project trying to get it overturned. Certainly Jolyon Maughan is advising 'trans families' to leave Britain. You can always rely on his calm measured approach.

namsnanny

"The NHS stopped the routine prescription of puberty blocker treatments to under-18s following the Cass Review into gender identity services.

In addition, the government has also introduced indefinite restrictions to the prescribing of these medicines within NHS primary care in England, in line with NHS guidelines (Gov.UK)

Its permanent.

"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"

This is also inaccurate: examples?

"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."

Where? I have googled to no avail.

Wyllow, the ban is not permanent, or not until now - potentially, anyway. It is temporary until September 3rd:

Laws to ban the blockers being supplied to children by private or off-shore clinics were passed by Victoria Atkins, his predecessor, in emergency legislation ahead of the general election. These are due to expire on Sep 3, and it is understood Labour will now seek to renew the ban with a view to making it permanent. (Telegraph)

I agree with Namsnanny that DEI is in thrall to Stonewall and trans ideology. Universities, the NHS, councils and media organisations may be pulling back now, but they were completely 'captured', and have changed vocabulary in leaflets, sacked staff for daring to say 'outrageous' things such as that it is impossible to change sex, compelled workers to comply with ideology by declaring pronouns on emails and screens and so on.

If you read Mumsnet, or sex-matters.org you will find lots of examples of women being arrested for leafleting or stickering. It is widely known about.

You should see the names Wes Streeting is being called by trans activists, there is going to be a lot of kickback, they need to stand firm.
Sorry but women have been hounded out of jobs for saying men cant be women. Maya forstater, alison bailey, etc, all have won their legal cases. The reason Cass happened was because of the bravery of the GC feminists and the whistleblowers. The reason we are even beginning to have sane discussions about wonens spaces, is due to women like Maya, Julie Bindel, Kathleen Stock, etc, while Labour were buggering about claiming women have penises.

Yes Galaxy, but Starmer is now going to protect women. Let’s hope he means the AHF women.

Are you being sarcastic, Molly? It’s hard to tell from your post

There are many facets to all of this. The women’s spaces issue is one, and puberty blockers (and all the ‘wrong body’ nonsense) is another. There is also the changing of language, coercing people into seeming to buy into gender ideology by declaring pronouns, males in women’s sport, and more.

Dealing with one aspect at a time seems sensible - if puberty blockers are banned (other than for medical reasons) it will protect children, which has to be a good thing, and will not preclude the government protecting women by tackling the other issues in turn.

It’s been a week. It’s taken years to get to this point, during which the government has been in opposition to a party which has done nothing. Give them a chance.

I agree with Wes Streetings approach, he to be fair was one of the ones who changed his mind earlier than the rest. I was pointing out to those asking whether women had been arrested, etc, that if it wasnt for the GC women who lost jobs etc that we wouldnt be at this point. It is down to the bravery of those women that the conversation even began.

Doodledog, not sarcastic, just what I really hope.

Starmer seems to have realised that no women have a penis, but whether he will support females when faced by an angry male waving a GRC and demanding entry to female safe spaces is a wait and see matter.

The Labour candidate (actual real candidate) who knocked on my door wasn’t sure about Labour’s policy on women.

When pressed on Labour’s policy on female safety as opposed to women’s safety, she did know what I was asking, but she clearly found answering difficult.

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.
Absolutely nothing of the sort, Wyllow.
Doodledog has quoted a relevant point from the article; there are others. Nowhere is the article trying to smear Labour.

Yes, as I said in my post, women were sacked for stating the obvious.

We don't know, and may never know, the extent of the power that Stonewall had over the LP, which is already disadvantaged by the fact that there is a predominantly right wing press, but we have seen how trans ideology infiltrated institutions such as the NHS, education and councils. I have said repeatedly that I do not agree with the things that were said, but what is said out of office is very different from what is said in government.

If Starmer or any of the Cabinet continues to suggest that they don't understand the difference between men and women I will be the first to criticise, but until then, I am waiting to see what the new government does rather than says. They won't have to do a lot to have done more than the last one, but I have hopes that they will go further than drawing level - in fact, if they have banned puberty blockers permanently they have already gone further.

Very pleased to see Jess Phillips back in government, as minister leading on safeguarding and violence against women and girls (VAWG). It’s a role that is close to her heart and I believe she’ll make a real difference now she has some actual power. She’s not afraid to ‘say it like it is’.

Due to her new role, she’s stepping down from her podcast with Beth Rigby - I’ll miss her on that (love its title ‘Electoral Dysfunction)!

Glad to hear that LizzieDrip its time we tackled the issues, it's so prevalent. Where to start in a society where it's so common, tho - How can we change it...

I dont mind Jess Philios but not sure she is brave enough. I am afraid I just dont believe the halve VAWG pledge, I dont actually think that's within any governments power.

Galaxy I think Jess Phillips is extremely brave. Her recent actions demonstrate this.

She resigned from her previous shadow front bench role so she could vote in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza, when this was still a contentious issue.

During the election campaign in her Birmingham constituency she, and her supporters, were subjected to disgraceful intimidation and harassment by opponents. Despite this, she stood fast and won the seat. During her acceptance speech she was booed by her opponent’s supporters - from George Galloway’s party. She remained strong, calm and steadfast throughout.

In the HoC, even as a member of the opposition, she has always been a champion for women. Once a year, she stands up in parliament and reads out all the names of women who have been violently murdered that year. I watched this once - it was incredibly moving and powerful.

Jess Phillips is a brave, strong woman! I’m glad she’s back on the front bench, where she belongs.

I know about the list of murdered women strangely enough. Why do people on this thread feel they need to explain things that all of us know.
If there is a person on here for example who doesnt have an understanding of the implications of the cass report I will eat my hat.
My interpretation of bravery is just different to yours. She received abuse from those who dont agree with the labour party's position on Gaza, the fact she resigned made not the slightest difference to them, almost as if whatever we do it will never be enough. It is horrific she received that abuse. I to be honest wouldnt ask her to address the issues that caused that intimidation.
I dont think she is brave in terms of boldness of strategy, there are very few politicians who have that.

Why do people on this thread feel they need to explain things that all of us know

Because Galaxy, we’re not all mind readers - how do we know what everyone else on the thread knows or doesn’t know🤷‍♀️

I think a ceasefire in Gaza is still a contentious issue.
I’m glad she’s prepared to support AHF, but she was very dismissive of male abuse, suicides etc.
Do you think one shoukd dismiss the other.