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Okay. So the latest anti-trans @thesundaytimes piece by Lionel Shriver. And I would have tagged her in this tweet but looks like her account has been suspended. Not an encouraging start for a newspaper that likes to think it’s quality CONT...
But then again, this is the woman who complained about diversity in 2018 -that a manuscript "written by a gay transgender Caribbean who dropped out of school at seven" would be published "whether or not said manuscript is an incoherent, tedious, meandering” etc
So, that’s the measure we have to work with. And the piece itself? First, in the first two paras the dramatic hysterical robe is set - “the tyranny of the minority” “frenzy of inclusivity” etc CONT
With that tone set we then meet the first factual inaccuracy (or lie if you’re less charitable). Midwives were NOT instructed to cease using the words breast milk and mother. They were simply given suggested alternatives for pregnant trans people. Seems logical and inclusive CONT
But that isn’t such a good story. After a short para on the conspiracy theory that women are being erased (no evidence) we come to the nub of the piece, that trans women are rapists, sex offenders and big burly blokes in women’s dressing rooms. Total BS CONT
Fact- in nine years there have been seven sexual assaults (not necessarily race) by trans women in prisons. Seven. Do we need better safeguarding? Of course. But to demonise one whole group because of the action of a few is transphobic. CONT
If we said the same of seven Jewish or BAME prisoners we would rightly be accused of racism. As for the treat in domestic violence refuges, this was debunked by Parliaments Women and Equality Committee. See the excellent piece in @PinkNews here. https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/09/08/trans-women-refuges-domestic-abuse-myth-debunked-womens-aid-diana-james/ CONT
As for the changing rooms trope, I found one case on the internet of someone complaining at M&S that they had seen a man in the changing room - but didn’t do anything about it at the time. Most people support trans in this. https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2020/07/16/where-does-british-public-stand-transgender-rights CONT
Finally as I’m sure we are all bored now, the end of the piece says that Lionel supports trans right she just wishes they would be quiet and stop making changes that make her uncomfortable. That’s up there with the gays ramming it down our throats. CONT
So, we certainly won’t be quiet any@time soon, especially when ‘writers’ like Lionel, #lgballiance #womensplace #faircop get entire fucking pages in national newspapers to complain they are being erased. FIN
PS of course, tune in next Sunday for the next thrilling instalment....
