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WHY I DO WHAT I DO. Three years ago a friend told me about some discussions happening on mumsnet. Women were getting called ‘terfs’ and ‘transphobic’ for saying men can’t be women and lesbians don’t have a penis. I was bemused and intrigued /1
I read lots, watched Magdalen Burns, joined some on-line groups, spoke to friends. I peak trans’ed. I saw no transphobia - these were the real-life concerns of women and the conflict of rights was obvious. /2
As a scientist I wanted to see the evidence behind why women’s concerns had been dismissed. I was shocked to find there wasn’t any. Even the most basic facts were missing. There was nothing behind the slogans /3
There was an evidence gap that needed to be filled and I couldn’t ignore it. So I started compiling the facts myself. Doing my own research. Challenging the dogma. /4
And I was angry that women were silenced and ignored. I looked around expecting to see our big women’s organisations fighting for women and they weren’t there. Just a few ordinary women bravely speaking up. /5
We needed more women to speak out. But it soon became clear that many women couldn’t because of their jobs or family. That made me even more angry and determined /6
They couldn’t show their face or speak in their own name. But I could. I couldn’t ignore that. So I stepped out of the shadows and I started talking. Talking on TV, on radio, writing articles. /7
It was utterly terrifying. I was exposed. On public view. Out of my comfort zone and on the steepest learning curve of my life. Some days I wanted to slip back into the shadows. Let someone else take over. But there was no one else. /8
So I persisted. I swallowed my nerves and stepped out into public time and again. I learnt on the job. Made mistakes. Made progress. Made connections. There was no turning back now /9
Courage, dogged-determination and the inspiration and support from a wonderful team of @fairplaywomen supporters kept me going. We were making change happen /10
Three years on I’m still here. Proud of what we’ve achieved and more determined than ever. Change is happening. More change is within our reach. I want to continue /11
3 years of full time volunteer work isn’t sustainable forever. Reality means I need to find paid work. So it was a simple but dreaded choice - I leave @fairplaywomen behind to find work or try to raise the funds to draw a small salary from the campaign /12
This crowd funder is to cover the operating costs of @fairplaywomen, including a small directors salary. The response has been utterly amazing. The organisation is now secure well beyond the next 12 months. If we can reach our stretch target we are here for the long term /13
Your support today keeps @fairplaywomen going and it keeps me going.
The fights not over and it’s now down to ordinary women like me and you, and men too, to defend the future of rights for women and girls - in whatever way we can. Thank you
/end https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/fairplayforwomen
The fights not over and it’s now down to ordinary women like me and you, and men too, to defend the future of rights for women and girls - in whatever way we can. Thank you
/end https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/fairplayforwomen
