international women's day events

This year, I didn't feel safe going to the International Women’s Day festival in my area, because a trans-identified man was on a panel, so I didn't go. It is hard enough that men are taking limited positions on panels at women's day events, assuming the right to not only participate but to lead discussions about women's issues. It is frustrating to watch that happen, and to see other women supporting it rather than standing up against it. But this event was even worse, because this particular man had recently harassed me, via a friend and a contact of his. I had thought about going to the police, but his threats were subtle and I didn’t know if the police would take the matter seriously. He’s friends with a lot of other people I am also friends with locally, and has good standing with them. I was worried I would see him at the festival, even if I went to another event that wasn’t his panel, and then he might harass me in person. I’ve previously organized Women’s Day events, and I have worked in women’s programs and policy. It’s an important time for me. But I didn’t feel safe going. I was effectively excluded from what should be women’s space - I self-excluded, because I didn’t feel safe, knowing that this particular trans-identified man was part of it. I wonder how many other women are doing the same?

#australia #iwd #womensevents #womenleaders #events #harassment #selfexclusion

maori culture impacted by gender identity ideology

As an indigenous person, I am appalled at the capture [around gender identity ideology]. There is nothing in our Maori history that supports this trans madness. Marae are now building gender-neutral toilets, this is tied into the funding. Maori people of standing in the community are telling children they are born in the wrong body. Colonising our whakapapa/history. Colonising our dead and our unborn. The taking of the word 'Takatapui' to include all in sundry. 'Takatapui' means intimate friend of the same sex. This word dates back to 1840. I understand this is not the same as meeting someone in the flesh, but it is still a huge conflict.

#aotearoa #newzealand #maori #language #conceptualspaces #takatapui #colonising

edinburgh rape crisis centre fails scottish women spectacularly

Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre has just appointed transwoman Mridul Wadhwa to the position of Chief Executive. Wadhwa was reported in late 2020 to have no Gender Recognition Certificate; For Women Scotland opposed Wadhwa's inclusion on the Scottish National Party's all-female election shortlist.

Kellie-Jay's rage about Wadhwa's appointment (in the video below) is on point. She describes it as the "absolute obliteration of our boundaries".