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Trans women are women. Now what?

The UK Supreme Court is dangerously wrong, but what can I do about it?

Trans women are women. Now what?

Trans women are women. Now what?

If you’ve not seen the news this week, the UK Supreme Court made a dangerous ruling about the definition of a woman, which impacts the lives of my friends. I disagree with the ruling for a few simple reasons. Firstly it sides with Trump, so clearly bad. Secondly, it was essentially paid for by JK Ruining, a person who Elon Musk said to give transphobia a break because she was always harping on about it. Thirdly, it was a one-sided argument. No trans people were able to voice their concerns. Finally, it ignores the science which means this is politics, power, control and basic bullshit.

My husband has taught human reproduction and development to the Cambridge medics for over three decades. When people start banging on about "only two biological sexes”, he starts with "which sex: genetic, hormonal, or gonadal"? Biological sex is not binary. - Bluesky
A visually organized chart outlining the spectrum of gender identity and expression, featuring various terms and definitions. It categorizes identities such as "male," "female," "non-binary," and others, along with each identity's characteristics and relationships with concepts like gender expression and sexual orientation. The chart is divided into color-coded sections and includes arrows connecting related terms, making it easy to understand the complex nature of gender diversity.
Introduction to the Evolution & Biology of Sex by Katherine Furniss and Sarah Hammarlund
A comic strip divided into four panels comparing basic and advanced subjects in math, physics, and biology. In the top two panels, a teacher explains basic math with the square root of -1 highlighted and contrasts it with advanced math showing the same concept. The next two panels show basic physics addressing "3 States of Matter" and contrast it with advanced physics stating "347 States of Matter." In the final two panels, basic biology defines "2 Sexes: M/F," while advanced biology humorously states, "Sex = Gender: Nooooo!!! My 2 genderinos!!"

This ruling should never have happened, but of course it did because people with louder voices and more money than us made it happen. The outcome of it will be that trans men would be required by law to pee in the women’s urinals, which I guess is a sink? Trans women will have to carefully aim at the men’s urinals and hope for the best. Non-binary people don’t exist under this new ruling, so we never have to worry about peeing. Phew. What will happen is that trans people won’t want to go outside because the world won’t be safe for us. My local pool has cubicles and 2 large open-plan changing rooms where you walk around naked. Is a trans woman going to get naked in front of a bunch of men? Of course not. They’ll just not go.

How do trans people keep going to school or their job when they’re afraid to use the toilet? That’s the whole point, they don’t want us to. Jess

The kind of people who love to go on about being cancelled and erasure of identities have put into play a way for trans people to have their lives cancelled and their identities erased. How pathetically empathetic of them.

It seems so utterly hopeless, and I’m angry. Science and common sense did not prevail, so what do we fight back with? Rant in this newsletter? Short-term benefit for me, but not a great read for anyone else. Punch the wall? Only hurts me. How do you healthily channel anger? How do I use anger without letting it consume me in the way it has with those fascists who changed the law? It has to be with science, logic and non-violent protest, or we become that which we fight against. But how?

Everything I looked into felt quaint, patronising and clichéd. Should I do craftivism and suggest that to others? Knit something, that’ll fix it. Really? Maybe if I knit the complex science behind biology and wear it as a jumper, people will slowly be educated... What if I write about how the rebellion was born in Star Wars: Andor and how that connects to today’s world? That’ll change things, right? What can I do against billionaires when I have to worry about every £5 I spend?

Sabotage. Macilious compliance. Fuck shit up. Rebel. ... Somehow and safely in a non-violent way, so we’re not just pushing anger back and forth. Also, make sure you protect yourself first and foremost because you can’t help others if you don’t help yourself first.

A person stands confidently outdoors in a vibrant galaxy-themed skirt and a red button-up shirt, with hands on hips and a slight smile. Sunlight filters through the trees in the background, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The setting features blooming flowers, adding to the natural beauty of the scene.
My simple act of rebellion.

I saw a post from a friend saying that maybe they, as a trans woman, can walk down the street topless now. Society only has an issue with topless women, and if the law says trans women aren’t women, then it must be fine. I liked this idea and thought it might be a fun, rebellious photo project. Don’t become an extremist, become an absurdist. Show the absurdity of what these people are asking us to do. Shirtless trans women leaning over a urinal. Big beardy trans men applying beard oil in the ladies. Trans men in tiny bikinis at the beach because why not? I would quite like to do a series of photos like this.

Except that isn’t what they want, or what will happen. Trans people will avoid these places altogether. They’ll stay at home. The UK Supreme Court gave facism a way of forcing people to comply or live in fear.

Speaking of photos, flood social media with topless trans women photos. Shouldn’t be any issues now, should there? If Meta moans, push back. They can’t have it both ways. But again, those with power will simply enforce their will no matter how illogical it may be and they will have it both ways.

I feel despondent, but that is this moment and it will pass. History shows us that awful things happen but so does change. We might never see it but I am 100% sure that change will happen.

Lastly, for those who aren't trans, non-binary or allies, don't for one second think that these fascists will stop at us. Hate always spreads. It’s never fulfilled. Don’t believe me? It’s easy not to when it doesn’t affect you. Here’s JK attacking the asexual community for no apparent reason other than she’s “bored of this shit.” I guess “this shit” is anything that isn’t cis-het normality and she’s proven to have the power to erase it. Be an ally.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—
And there was no one left to speak for me.

"First They Came" is the poetic form of a 1946 post-war confessional prose piece by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller. A man who once supported the Nazis until they came for him.

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A woman holds up a fist and stands in front of a street long trans pride flag.

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