![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blahflowersSo Julie Bindel has spent the day making threats against the trans-community on Facebook, muttering darkly about how she's going to write more about her views on transsexuals, she wrote that transpeople weren't real men or women when she was writing with calm, clinical detachment. Who knows what monster we've unleashed now? Personally, I think it's something along the lines of 'Angry Dad' from The Simpsons, first person to make Bindel's head explode wins!
Amy Lamé was not impressed by the demo which is a shame, especially as people were telling me yesterday evening that she was cool and had been quoted out of context by Bindel in an article she'd written about unisex loos.
But anyway, I decided I'd send another email to Ben Summerskill, hoping his hangover wasn't too bad.
Dear Ben,
Sorry I never took the opportunity to phone you, I was busy for several days with work stuff and, well, when I had the free time, from hearing other people's reports of discussions they'd had with you it seemed like I'd just be wasting your time, they'd already said everything to you that I wanted to say and you'd already made clear you felt you had no room to make changes.
So, I hope you all had a good time last night, we certainly had fun outside. It's funny how the police are so much nicer when you're demonstrating on South Kensington as opposed to when you're in Whitehall wanting the end to the war in Iraq. But still...
I was just wondering, as we have 364 days until the next Stonewall Awards, do you have some space to make changes to your procedures now? I'm not going to ask you to turn Stonewall into a campaigning agency for transsexuals, after all, you never seem to find the time to do anything for bisexual people and they ARE in your job description, so just adding another group for the sake of inclusiveness but then doing absolutely nothing to help them is in neither your interests or mine.
But how about some clear statement, that everyone can see, that people will not be considered for awards if they have a pattern of behaviour that is sexist, racist, homophobic or transphobic. The constituency you say you stand for contains transpeople whether you like it or not but even a quick search on the marvellous internet will show a number of queer voices who don't think to be gay or to be lesbian means to hate transsexuals. It's such a little thing, and then you can have your awards in piece and we can spend the night in the pub. At least until we find out something else you're doing wrong! ;)
I look forward to your response.
Loz
Let's see what happens this time. My Wednesday is completely free if he offers to talk again.
Amy Lamé was not impressed by the demo which is a shame, especially as people were telling me yesterday evening that she was cool and had been quoted out of context by Bindel in an article she'd written about unisex loos.
But anyway, I decided I'd send another email to Ben Summerskill, hoping his hangover wasn't too bad.
Dear Ben,
Sorry I never took the opportunity to phone you, I was busy for several days with work stuff and, well, when I had the free time, from hearing other people's reports of discussions they'd had with you it seemed like I'd just be wasting your time, they'd already said everything to you that I wanted to say and you'd already made clear you felt you had no room to make changes.
So, I hope you all had a good time last night, we certainly had fun outside. It's funny how the police are so much nicer when you're demonstrating on South Kensington as opposed to when you're in Whitehall wanting the end to the war in Iraq. But still...
I was just wondering, as we have 364 days until the next Stonewall Awards, do you have some space to make changes to your procedures now? I'm not going to ask you to turn Stonewall into a campaigning agency for transsexuals, after all, you never seem to find the time to do anything for bisexual people and they ARE in your job description, so just adding another group for the sake of inclusiveness but then doing absolutely nothing to help them is in neither your interests or mine.
But how about some clear statement, that everyone can see, that people will not be considered for awards if they have a pattern of behaviour that is sexist, racist, homophobic or transphobic. The constituency you say you stand for contains transpeople whether you like it or not but even a quick search on the marvellous internet will show a number of queer voices who don't think to be gay or to be lesbian means to hate transsexuals. It's such a little thing, and then you can have your awards in piece and we can spend the night in the pub. At least until we find out something else you're doing wrong! ;)
I look forward to your response.
Loz
Let's see what happens this time. My Wednesday is completely free if he offers to talk again.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-11-07 08:49 pm (UTC)Very disappointed in Amy - and after I fangirled her at Pride and HOHC too!
Great email to Ben tho.
You and
I am really pissed off with Pink News today, after they said there were 70 of us and described us as "trans protesters" - I don't in the least mind anyone assuming I'm trans, but I do very much mind the assumption that only trans people care about trans issues, and there couldn't be other cisfolk of all orientations turning up just to show that they oppose prejudice in all forms. The implication seems to be that it's all about wanting "special treatment", something JB seems to believe.
Part of me hopes she writes even more about trans; it will only show her for the bigot she is. I'd still rather she didn't keep propagating her vile views, though.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-07 09:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-07 09:23 pm (UTC)Sorry I couldn't join you & the other guys guys for post-protest drinks but was fainting with hunger and some ill (so booze = bad). I'd be up for the cinema this w/e tho, if we can find a time which suits us both?
no subject
Date: 2008-11-08 12:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-08 09:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-08 09:05 am (UTC)What were you saying in the earlier comment about needing to read 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves'? :o)
(Yes, I am a pedant, thank you)
no subject
Date: 2008-11-08 09:19 am (UTC)