Author: Steph

Two days ago, on February 6th Jo Phoenix posted a Twitter thread in response to our discussion on #AntiSocial Radio 4 (Friday, February 3rd). This blog is in reply to Jo’s thread which is shown in italics below and indented. My reply is in standard format.   You asked about points of agreement. Here is our point of disagreement. Women’s oppression, male privilege is structural. Women’s inequalities are not cultural. One can no more opt in or out of privilege where that privilege is conferred by social structure.  This is the difference between you and me. I and others have been trained…

So I got my Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) on the 12th of January – so what next… rape, pillage, and burn? Obviously not – I am a rad fem and fully support women’s rights.  Sometimes being openly trans can be exceedingly unpleasant though, and just now is one of those times. There is so much “trans” being discussed in the media, in reality I just want to cry. The easy option would be to “live in stealth”; frankly, no one would know I was trans, and life would be reasonably effortless. But what about the trans kids who need role…

As a survivor of serious sexual abuse, I find talking about sex offenders distressing, so when the case of Isla Bryson (previously known as Adam Graham) became a matter of public discourse, I naturally take the victim’s side.  Graham conveniently started transitioning just before his trial. He (no, I will not use female pronouns) was charged with rape and was held for a spell in the female estate. In my view, that was wrong – no sex offender should ever be held in the female estate, even on remand.  I have no doubt some trans rights activists (tra’s) will criticise…

If you want to be seen as a decent human being, I would strongly recommend you dont use the phrase “gender ideology.” Wikipedia says this – and if you are gender-critical (GC), to be clear, there is significant evidence to back this all up: The anti-gender movement is an international movement which opposes what it refers to as “gender ideology”, “gender theory” or “genderism”. The concepts cover a variety of issues and have no coherent definition. Members of the anti-gender movement include right-wingers and the far right, right-wing populists, conservatives, and Christian fundamentalists.  Members of the anti-gender movement oppose some LGBT rights,…

Last Saturday in Glasgow, a phenomenal trans rights rally took place protesting that the UK government had actioned S35 of the Scotland Act. Up to a thousand trans folk and allies chanted, waved trans flags and held up signs, the vast majority appropriate for the occasion. Sadly, however, a few were not. One read “Decapitate Terfs”, while another suggested that Terfs should “be eaten”. Needless to say, the trans-hostile media made capital out of such a silly own goal, ignoring the hundreds of perfectly good signs. Terfs, (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists) can be any of any sex. Still, one of…

A couple of days ago I had to give a speech, to around 60 people. This is what I said: I am sure everyone knows that last Tuesday, the UK government announced their intention to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which was recently passed overwhelmingly in the Scottish Parliament. This is the first time in history that Westminster has used the Scotland Act to block a devolved issue and, consequently, causing a potential constitutional crisis. Many human rights, LGBT organisations and allies have been left stunned at what has been described as the “Tory nuclear option”. I want…

In the ongoing cultural war against trans people, particularly trans women, the “single-sex space debate” ranks high on the list. In a recent, separate post backed by over 100 Freedom of Information Requests, I established that the allegations concerning trans women in hospital wards are entirely unfounded. In this article, I will seek to do the same regarding trans women in domestic abuse (DA) shelters. No one should doubt that anyone can be subjected to domestic abuse and violence – and while such vital services are predominantly used by cisgender women, it needs to be recognised that proportionately, trans women…

A disturbing report proving right-wing Christian extremists ideology. Continue Reading Splitting the T from the LGB

Our findings after raising 102 Freedom of Information Requests to NHS Foundation Trusts.  A few examples of the FOI requests that were sent out.When anyone is referred to a hospital, they expect to be treated with respect, privacy and decency; obviously, many women prefer female doctors, nurses and facilities.As a trans woman, I get that. Indeed, I have always had a female GP and invariably ask for female health practitioners. Most times, but not always, I get my wish.But what happens when the worst-case scenario occurs, and we become an inpatient in a hospital?Hospital wards have been “weaponised” by some…

On the 23rd of December, a new Gender Critical group with the handle @LegallyMale appeared on Twitter. Their bio read: “Representing the interests of women who are not trans identified but are considering making use of the Scottish GRA to become legally male”. Wow! Just why would a woman, who is not trans, want to become a man? Clearly, Legally Male is upset because a law permitting self-determination of legal gender has been passed in a historic vote in Scotland. Given all the misinformation concerning this bill, they are not alone. The right-wing media outlets have been stoking fear for…