A Week in the War on Women: Monday 11th April - Sunday 17th April GOOD NEWS SUPPLEMENT
Plenty of good news, great news and even better news from the gender beat last week! It’s my pleasure to present just a handful of the stories for you here. Enjoy!
Swimming Against The Tide
Two leading US publications ran articles in which trans adults warn against transitioning too young and too quickly. First, software developer, Corinna Cohn, wrote in The Washington Post.
“What advice would I pass on to young people seeking transition? Learning to fit in your body is a common struggle... But if you explore the world by inhabiting your body as it is, perhaps you’ll find that you love it more than you thought possible.”
The second article, in the Los Angeles Times, is an interview with Erica Anderson, one of the few clinical psychologists specializing in youth gender treatment now publicly questioning the sharp rise in adolescents identifying as trans.
“I have a dictum: When in doubt, doubt. Questioning is a good thing. How are you going to find out if you are lockstep with whatever conclusion you come to first?”
The New York Post also reported on this interview.
No Joliet For Jenni
Gwent Police will not be taking any further action against Jennifer Swayne. All charges have been dropped.
Physician Heal Thyself
Florida lawyer, Kendra Parris, is gathering information about infamous ‘yeet the teets’ gender surgeon, Sidhbh Gallagher, in order to file a formal complaint about her ‘deceptive and unfair practices’.
“Gallagher should be well aware that complaints have been filed against her… I am not backing down. Neither are her former patients who are assisting me behind the scenes.”
On Your Bike, Pete
Engineer, Pete Stanton, who had previously funded the Women’s CiCLE Classic cycling race, withdrew his sponsorship because a policy change means that trans-identified males are now prohibited from taking part. If the intention was to hold women’s sport to ransom, he clearly didn’t bank on the groundswell of support.
Cycling publication, The British Continental, reported on the ‘phenomenal response’ to the organiser’s request for sponsorship. Race director, Colin Clews, said that he had been “Overwhelmed by messages of support for women’s cycling”. He told the BBC that he had received ‘numerous’ offers of funding from individuals and companies.
In less than a week, the race was saved. Sex Matters and Fair Play for Women made an immediate offer of sponsorship for one year with a three year sponsorship deal being finalised by the organiser.
On the subject of cycling, The Times reported that over 90% of professional female cyclists oppose the inclusion of trans-identified males in their sport.
The Cyclistes Professionnels Associés, surveyed the opinions of its female members prior to making representations to cycling’s governing body, the UCI. It found that “Over 92 per cent did not agree with trans athletes racing in the women’s peloton”.
And The Winner Is
Co-founder and director of Woman’s Place UK, Kiri Tunks, has received the National Education Union’s Annie Higdon award.
“In acknowledgement and recognition of a lifetime of activity to engage women in the NEU. Supporting sisters to stand up, speak up and take up space.”
Huge congratulations, Kiri.
Preferred Damages
Following a three-year legal battle, Shawnee State University has been ordered to pay $400K to a professor who refused to use a student’s ‘preferred pronouns’.
Professor Nicholas Meriwether refused to refer to a male student with female pronouns and titles. The university issued him with a written warning and threatened ‘further corrective actions’ if a similar incident occurred. Meriwether brought legal action against the university, claiming it had violated his First Amendment rights.
This week Meriwether’s attorneys announced a settlement under which the university will have to pay $400,000 in damages and legal fees, rescind its written warning and agree that Meriwether has the right to choose when to use - or not use - pronouns and titles when addressing students.
No Party For Bold Women
Dawn Furness was attacked and then expelled from the Green Party because she stood up for women’s sex based rights. She is now taking legal action and suing the party for ‘institutional sexism’.
You can contribute to the crowdjustice page here. Good luck and solidarity, Dawn.
Schadenfreude Corner
All great news, Graham, the tide is slowly but surely turning. Keep up the good work, everyone. Post stickers, write to your elected representatives, join groups, get active. If they think women are going to wheesht they’re aff their heids (as we say in Scotland).
Thank you JL. When I think back to around 2017 (when I became aware of all this) we on Mumsnet would get excited about a cartoon in Private Eye. Now is the real beginning - being able to talk about it. It's so very tiring though ("do I have to say this AGAIN??!), but remembering the progress keeps us going.