>#Women ‘silently sidelined’ by ban on discussing single sex spaces at Zero Tolerance event
>Lara Wildenberg
>Tuesday November 29 2022, 5.00pm GMT, The Times
>Banning discussion about single sex spaces from a charity event tackling gender-based violence leaves women “silenced and silently sidelined”, the chief executive of a leading domestic abuse group has said.
>Angela Devine, chief executive of Glasgow Women’s Aid, criticised the decision by Zero Tolerance to make “the definition of a woman” a taboo subject prior to its 30-year anniversary celebration where Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, provided the keynote address today.
>The charity, which campaigns to end men’s violence against women, also forbade discussions of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which aims to make it easier to switch gender and is progressing through Scottish parliament.
>Zero Tolerance emailed attendees before the event saying said: “We wish to create a safe and supported environment for our guests and ask you to support us in this aim by refraining from discussions of the definition of a woman and single sex spaces in relation to the gender recognition act.”
>It added: “As feminists we have strong opinions on these subjects, but this is not the place for that conversation.”
>A government spokesman confirmed that there was no ministerial request for Zero Tolerance to make the ban on certain subjects.
>Responding to a social media post about Zero Tolerance’s email, Devine said: “Completely and utterly let down! How can I preserve single sex safe spaces in this climate, with this utter disregard for all the amazing women in Scotland all the fabulous women we support, all the experiences that go with it. We are being silenced and silently sidelined.”
>Glasgow Women’s Aid has been supporting women, children and young people who are experiencing domestic abuse for over 40 years.
The anniversary event came days after Reem Alsalem, the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, called for the bill to be paused.
>The legislation, which is backed by the SNP-Green administration and supported by Scottish Lib Dems and some Labour MSPs, is due to be passed by Christmas. However, nine nationalist MSPs and some campaigners argue that some measures to strengthen trans rights risk eroding rights for women.
>Rachael Hamilton MSP, Scottish Conservative spokeswoman on gender reform, also asked for the bill to be suspended until evidence could be taken from Alsalem. She called the note from Zero Tolerance “alarming”.
>Hamilton said: “Zero Tolerance have done excellent work in Scotland by pushing to tackle men’s violence against women and promoting gender equality. I wish them well on their 30th anniversary.
>“However, the decision to prevent guests from discussing women’s safety with the first minister is alarming. It raises serious questions about why this message to attendees occurred.
>“Women’s groups in Scotland and international experts from the United Nations are rightly concerned that the government’s GRR Bill could risk women’s safety.
>“Women should be able to raise potential threats to our safety with the first minister. It is not for anyone in Scotland to limit free speech over legitimate concerns about women’s protection.”
>She added: “This is an important issue that demands free debate and full consideration of all views. We must listen to women who are concerned about this bill and the parliament must hear evidence from experts at the United Nations about its potential consequences.”
>A spokesman for the Scottish government said: “The first minister was pleased to be asked to give the keynote address to mark the 30th anniversary of Zero Tolerance and outline this government’s strong commitment to tackling and preventing violence against women and girls.
>“It is categorically untrue to suggest the first minister or Scottish government officials asked Zero Tolerance to ban or limit discussion in any way whatsoever.”
I wonder how much of a difference there is between a feminists definition of a woman and a trans woman’s definition
So a TERF says women are being attacked because they cannot ban trans women from “single sex spaces”. How about this, why don’t you stop moaning about people silencing you because they don’t want a dishonest debate on what the definition of a woman is, and just present the actual policy you want you organisations to adopt in regards to trans men and women? Let me guess, they don’t want me enter a women’s space because I am MTF, but they are fine with my husband – who is FTM – using the service.
WE ARE BEING SILENCED – says article in leading national paper.
Edit: THEY WOULDN’T EVEN LET ME SLAG PEOPLE OFF FOR EXISTING
Oh no how dare we be made to discuss actual real tangible issues rather than made up imported culture war nonsense used by the rich and well off to distract all of us from how they are doing nothing while siphoning money to themselves and screwing the country over. Hell half their claims are literally lie; did you know the UK had full self ID untill the 70s for example? Also cant try and say trans people didnt exist then we did and its solely because a guy decided he didnt want to stay married to a trans person that it all got changed
Just some areas that would have massively more impact and tangible benefits and actually help people:
1 – Sexual harassment prevalent throughout schools with the teenagers facing no punishment whatsoever
2 – Still sexual assault being predominantly done by family members. Perhaps we should try and teach people to notice the signs and have open discussion. Oh wait never mind the fundies pushed against allowing children being able to raise actual warning signs and instead demanded that kids be unable to verbalize what’s happening to them.
3 – Perhaps look at the unending sexual assault of right wing politicians both local and national. Maybe just maybe there should be a lot stricter rules and a lot more visibility.
4 – Could we maybe consider focusing in dealing with the sexual predators in the police? Or do you need the terrible ones to keep beating up protestors
5 – Hey maybe we could also look at hostels and shelters and the issues that occur there. Especially with cis members of staff. Oh no? Wonder why?
Just 5 things that are substantially more real and would have infinitely more impact on actually looking after women if addressed than this made up distraction designed solely to keep suppressing a minority while distracting everyone else from how screwed you are.
5 comments
>#Women ‘silently sidelined’ by ban on discussing single sex spaces at Zero Tolerance event
>Lara Wildenberg
>Tuesday November 29 2022, 5.00pm GMT, The Times
>Banning discussion about single sex spaces from a charity event tackling gender-based violence leaves women “silenced and silently sidelined”, the chief executive of a leading domestic abuse group has said.
>Angela Devine, chief executive of Glasgow Women’s Aid, criticised the decision by Zero Tolerance to make “the definition of a woman” a taboo subject prior to its 30-year anniversary celebration where Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, provided the keynote address today.
>The charity, which campaigns to end men’s violence against women, also forbade discussions of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which aims to make it easier to switch gender and is progressing through Scottish parliament.
>Zero Tolerance emailed attendees before the event saying said: “We wish to create a safe and supported environment for our guests and ask you to support us in this aim by refraining from discussions of the definition of a woman and single sex spaces in relation to the gender recognition act.”
>It added: “As feminists we have strong opinions on these subjects, but this is not the place for that conversation.”
>A government spokesman confirmed that there was no ministerial request for Zero Tolerance to make the ban on certain subjects.
>Responding to a social media post about Zero Tolerance’s email, Devine said: “Completely and utterly let down! How can I preserve single sex safe spaces in this climate, with this utter disregard for all the amazing women in Scotland all the fabulous women we support, all the experiences that go with it. We are being silenced and silently sidelined.”
>Glasgow Women’s Aid has been supporting women, children and young people who are experiencing domestic abuse for over 40 years.
The anniversary event came days after Reem Alsalem, the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, called for the bill to be paused.
>The legislation, which is backed by the SNP-Green administration and supported by Scottish Lib Dems and some Labour MSPs, is due to be passed by Christmas. However, nine nationalist MSPs and some campaigners argue that some measures to strengthen trans rights risk eroding rights for women.
>Rachael Hamilton MSP, Scottish Conservative spokeswoman on gender reform, also asked for the bill to be suspended until evidence could be taken from Alsalem. She called the note from Zero Tolerance “alarming”.
>Hamilton said: “Zero Tolerance have done excellent work in Scotland by pushing to tackle men’s violence against women and promoting gender equality. I wish them well on their 30th anniversary.
>“However, the decision to prevent guests from discussing women’s safety with the first minister is alarming. It raises serious questions about why this message to attendees occurred.
>“Women’s groups in Scotland and international experts from the United Nations are rightly concerned that the government’s GRR Bill could risk women’s safety.
>“Women should be able to raise potential threats to our safety with the first minister. It is not for anyone in Scotland to limit free speech over legitimate concerns about women’s protection.”
>She added: “This is an important issue that demands free debate and full consideration of all views. We must listen to women who are concerned about this bill and the parliament must hear evidence from experts at the United Nations about its potential consequences.”
>A spokesman for the Scottish government said: “The first minister was pleased to be asked to give the keynote address to mark the 30th anniversary of Zero Tolerance and outline this government’s strong commitment to tackling and preventing violence against women and girls.
>“It is categorically untrue to suggest the first minister or Scottish government officials asked Zero Tolerance to ban or limit discussion in any way whatsoever.”
I wonder how much of a difference there is between a feminists definition of a woman and a trans woman’s definition
So a TERF says women are being attacked because they cannot ban trans women from “single sex spaces”. How about this, why don’t you stop moaning about people silencing you because they don’t want a dishonest debate on what the definition of a woman is, and just present the actual policy you want you organisations to adopt in regards to trans men and women? Let me guess, they don’t want me enter a women’s space because I am MTF, but they are fine with my husband – who is FTM – using the service.
WE ARE BEING SILENCED – says article in leading national paper.
Edit: THEY WOULDN’T EVEN LET ME SLAG PEOPLE OFF FOR EXISTING
Oh no how dare we be made to discuss actual real tangible issues rather than made up imported culture war nonsense used by the rich and well off to distract all of us from how they are doing nothing while siphoning money to themselves and screwing the country over. Hell half their claims are literally lie; did you know the UK had full self ID untill the 70s for example? Also cant try and say trans people didnt exist then we did and its solely because a guy decided he didnt want to stay married to a trans person that it all got changed
Just some areas that would have massively more impact and tangible benefits and actually help people:
1 – Sexual harassment prevalent throughout schools with the teenagers facing no punishment whatsoever
2 – Still sexual assault being predominantly done by family members. Perhaps we should try and teach people to notice the signs and have open discussion. Oh wait never mind the fundies pushed against allowing children being able to raise actual warning signs and instead demanded that kids be unable to verbalize what’s happening to them.
3 – Perhaps look at the unending sexual assault of right wing politicians both local and national. Maybe just maybe there should be a lot stricter rules and a lot more visibility.
4 – Could we maybe consider focusing in dealing with the sexual predators in the police? Or do you need the terrible ones to keep beating up protestors
5 – Hey maybe we could also look at hostels and shelters and the issues that occur there. Especially with cis members of staff. Oh no? Wonder why?
Just 5 things that are substantially more real and would have infinitely more impact on actually looking after women if addressed than this made up distraction designed solely to keep suppressing a minority while distracting everyone else from how screwed you are.