[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

That sentence is a direct quote of something I have personally seen on Twitter, and it's far from isolated; it is constant and prolific on any Social Media discussion of the topic that gains any traction. If the topic is brought up by a woman and sparks debate, threats of sexual violence against that woman will follow. Like clockwork. It's a MASSIVE problem and trying to shoo it away as something minor that is very rare is part of the problem; you have people saying "umm that doesn't happen" to people who are actively watching it happening. Is it a minority? Almost certainly but that's not really the point, is it. Yes it's a minority that goes to those extremes. In my (anecdotal, admittedly) observation though, the less extreme examples (e.g. women being called TERFs, transphobes, harpies, hags, bitches, etc. etc.) for stating anything that questions the trans activist zeitgeist is absolutely not a minority... it's rife. I've seen it on here, multiple times.



When this topic came up a few years ago I had an almost polar opposite opinion to the one I hold now. Since then... direct experience of seeing people quite viciously attacked (perfectly respectful academics), the attempts to shut down and destroy discuission of the issue, the problematic charitable organisations like Mermaids, direct experience of the complete lack of concern for robust evidence-based child safeguarding practices, and an increasingly extreme rhetoric coming from activist groups (not just an issue with trans rights, of course, it's default 2020) has forced me to completely reconsider my stance on this.

Interestingly though, I'd say my issue with this on the other side a few years ago, and my issue now, are actually more or less the same thing. I was getting frustrated at the time by people stating dangers "as fact" with absolutely no evidence. That still happens, but now I'm increasingly encountering people vehemently arguing that there are NO risks, additional considerations, child mental health or safeguarding concerns again with absolutely no evidence. In fact there IS evidence, that is being aggressively ignored, in the child mental health arena that the rhetoric being used by trans activists (not fringe ones, very mainstream groups) is directly damaging to the mental health of trans adolescents.

When it comes down to it, I just want people to be able to do the ****ing legwork and be allowed to do so without being threatened, harrassed or intimidated "because it's hurting people's feelings". It's ridiculous. Grown adults whining about "hurtful stuff" and "things being like a slap in the face" at the expense of actual mental health research and child safeguarding. I have absolutely no time for it.

...as I say, I don’t really want to be involved in this discussion in a ‘forum’ way atm...so if it’s okay, I’ll just skim over most in replying but also say that I’ve absorbed all in the reading of...yeah, you’ve been on ‘both sides’ as it were with your stance.....that was my recollection and I’m sure, often Vicky’s recollection as well and sometimes, Niamh’s even, maybe....I mean I wasn’t criticising your opposite stance, just more confused by it ...and particularly to something you said...(...which I agree with..)...that to have the discussions needed...’ the way to tackle it should be compassionately’...words of wisdom, TS...I think that rearranging our views is such an essential, tbh...otherwise on everything, we would all be ‘stuck in one place’ and blinkered in our mindsets etc...we all learn every day in every way/ type thing and so many different sources of listening to learn and consider and reconsider..?...etc...my ‘life song’ as it were and actually, one of my chosen ‘death songs’...is Both Sides Now, because we often look at life’s discussions etc from both sides...and that’s a great thing and a very balanced thing...and a very privileged thing...?...and the thing that creates that compassion...that is so essential and so much ‘the right way’, whatever our particular stance/mindset...


...so I guess, final word ...(...for the moment..)...

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