BREAKING: The Icelandic Parliament has just passed a law against conversion practices based on sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity with a vast majority vote; 53 yes, 3 abstained, none against.
It has been five years since the Gender Autonomy Act was passed in Iceland. In those five years, none of the usual fears that anti-trans advocates warn against have manifested - and trans people, non-binary people and intersex people have enjoyed increased rights and protections.
“Transgender female athletes are at a physical disadvantage compared to c*sgender women in several key metrics, research funded by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) has found.”
Well, will you look at that.
It’s now been 4 years since the Gender Autonomy Act passed in Iceland. Since then, none of the ‘concerns’ against trans inclusion have manifested, and trans people have enjoyed self-determination and access to gendered spaces in line with their gender identity without issue.
This nonsense about vaginoplasty creating an ‘open wound’ is so silly. It’s a surgical procedure based on research and decades of experience. In what world do they live in if they think it doesn’t heal and function as intended? People just genuinely sound ridiculous.
The fact she believes they need to apologise to her personally for supporting trans people is incredibly telling of how she views herself. She has positioned herself as a victim, when it’s trans people who are truly suffering because of anti-trans sentiments like hers. Absurd.
Saw Costa was trending. Turned out it’s because they have an illustration of a trans masc person and all the bigots are losing their minds about trans people existing. Great advertisement for Costa really. Thanks everyone, it’s a lovely illustration. ✌️
#boycottcostacoffee
@UglaStefania
@ImWatson91
I showed my 5 year old a pic of Buck angel before, he said “that lady’s got a beard”
He can always tell, it’s definitely a nature thing
Trans people use gendered spaces every single day with you, and have done so for as long as you’ve been alive. If you’ve suddenly become angry and upset about trans people existing in public spaces, you’ve been swept up by a moral panic meant to distact you from real issues.
Cisgender men don’t have to pretend to be women to abuse anyone. They already do every single day, and that has nothing to do with trans people. Trans inclusion is vital to making trans people safe, who also suffer violence at the hands of cisgender men at alarming rates.
The fact gender criticals will commend Matt Walsh, who talks about 16 year old girls being at their 'most fertile', while condemning Nicola Sturgeon, who has lead many legal changes to benefit women's rights, tells you everything you need to know about their 'feminism'.
The fact the new anti-trans school guidance arrives amidst a murder trial which saw a young trans girl murdered by her peers, who was notably vulnerable and bullied at school, shows the utter disconnect and dehumanisation of trans people by the government in this country.
Edinburgh's Rape Crisis Centre was forced to increase their security and lock their doors - not because fo abusive partners trying to enter - but because of harassment and abuse from anti-trans activists. How does this support women and their rights?
If a straight man is perceived to be gay and attacked because of that, it would be a crime on the basis of homophobia. That’s how the law works, so of course this law applies to trans women where they are targeted for being seen as women. This is quite basic logic in law.
If a man threatens to rape a woman, he is unlikely to know if the victim is born a woman or a trans woman.
That behaviour should logically be seen as misogynistic. Again, this aligns with existing legislation protecting people from abuse motivated by prejudice. This is not new.
So let me get this right. A trans woman wore a sportsbra in an ad, and the whole conservative media and GC twitter brigade are losing their minds.
So trans people wearing clothes is now somehow offensive. What happened to their mantra 'wear what you like'?
There is absolutely no excusable or justifiable reason to misgender Brianna Ghey. It's pure cruelty and hatred. Even now, there are still people refusing to recognise Brianna as who she was, even when it's clear her being trans played a part in her murder. It's sickening.
The difference in response to trans people in 2004 when Nadia won the show and now Hallie being on it should tell you everything about how this country has regressed in terms of acceptance and equality. Solidarity, Hallie 🖖
🚨 | Big Brother UK housemate, Hallie reveals she is transgender. 🏳️⚧️
In tonight’s episode of Big Brother, Hallie will gather her housemates to reveal her story.
Big Brother, tonight at 9pm on ITV2 & ITVX.
#BBUK
#BigBrotherUK
People will cry ‘mutilation!’ in reference to consensual surgeries for trans people and advocate against them, but won’t ever raise awareness of non-consensual surgeries performed on intersex people that can cause life-long harm. The bigotry and lack of empathy is glaring.
Gender criticals: "We're protecting women and girls!"
Also gender criticals: "maybe women just don't understand sport and should just understand it's normal to be grabbed and kissed in the heat of the moment without their consent??"
“Both Male & Female attendants operate in these facilities”
Why is no one concerned about the amount of men pretending to be cleaners to enter women’s bathrooms???
People who believe trans women just transition to escape homophobia because they're really just self-hating gay men have clearly never heard of transphobia. You think it's somehow easier to live as a trans woman in society than as a gay man? Please, get real.
@UglaStefania
Hmmm. Most gay men accept they’re men. A few cannot. Hate being men. They become transsexual. A way of dealing with their own and others homophobia. Of course transvestites differ. But in both cases it all comes down to sexual desires/attraction - and the ways MEN deal with it.
The legislation had cross party support in parliament, despite attempts from known anti-trans hates groups under English influence to oppose it, and wrongfully claiming they managed to 'kill the bill'. Their arguments were dismissed as anti-scientific and anti-trans rhetoric.
The media headlines about a trans woman “beating over 14000” women at the London Marathon and is giving her medal back because it was “unfair” are designed to mislead the public. The truth is that she placed 6159th and is giving a PARTICIPATION medal back due to transphobia. 🧵
Since it bears repeating: Trans women can be mothers, just like mothers who adopt, those who use IVF, or for some reason can’t give birth and have children via alternative means. That’s between them and their children, and isn’t subject to anyone else’s opinion.
Trans women being banned from competing with other women in chess shows you exactly how ridiculous this 'debate' has become. It's always been about gender essentialist ideas which focus on stereotypes and bogus biological 'superiority' of men.
The fact that transphobes want trans women to be excluded from an non-competitive and inclusive community based event just goes to show that they want trans women excluded from all public life as women. They don't care if it doesn't make sense, because cruelty is the point.
The law allowed people to change their name and legal gender marker by filling in a form with the national registry (no medical diagnosis required), non-binary people were legally recognised and can get ID accordingly, and health care for young people was enshrined in law.
Major thanks to everyone who pushed this important legislation forward. It's an important reminder that progress can still be made amidst rising anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and legislations, and the rights and liberty of LGBTQIA+ people need to be secured and protected.
Trans men and non-binary people exist whether you like it or not, and are far less likely to have smear tests because they are afraid of prejudice and stigma. Language like this is a part of making sure they feel safe and included. Being against that is nothing but cruel bigotry.
Dear
@NHSEngland
your letter inviting me for a smear test says ‘we offer screening to all women and people with a cervix’. WHAT DO YOU MEAN?? No MAN has a cervix, only, literally ONLY females have a cervix, that is a FACT. Tell me otherwise - GO ON. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
The replies under this tweet reveal exactly the consequences of gender critical ideology - anyone that doesn't conform to oppressive standards of femininity or masculinity are immediately abused and harassed for being trans. Gender essentialism won't liberate anyone.
“My loved ones naturally refer to me as their daughter, sister, auntie and niece without second thought. Most of us are happily getting on with life, being treated kindly by people in our lives — whether the online trolls like it or not.”
Saying people can just come out as trans at 18, but must suppress who they are until that is cruelty. 18 years old is the age where you receive certain legal rights, not where you are legally allowed to express who you are. It’s wrong to conflate legality with who people are.
It allows for young people at the age of 15 to change their legal name and gender marker by themselves, and with parental consent before that. This was suggested by the umbodsman for the rights of children in Iceland.
There are far more cisgender women taking HRT than trans women worldwide. To blame shortages on trans women is beyond ridiculous. I've had to change my medication several times due to shortages, but never once would I think to blame people in need of medicine for it.
I’M SO OVER THIS BULLSHIT.
As a woman of a certain age, I am prescribed a hormone replacement patch - unfortunately, due to the fact that men are now being prescribed this patch, my prescription is on back order, again.
I’m lucky to get a refill every 6 weeks.
The reason people get so upset about trans positive ads is because people can’t stand trans people existing in public and being celebrated. They want everyone to hate them like they do, and feel a deep anger when people don’t. Sadly for the bigots, we’re not going anywhere.
Anti-trans lesbian and gay men saying they don't feel safe to march at Pride is a perfect example of how they are a part of the problem. Pride is campaigning for equality and justice, and celebrating diversity in all it's glory - not to advocate for exclusion based on hatred.
"As a trans person that had to go through a large portion of my puberty, I cannot stress how upsetting it was. My body changing due to testosterone caused me deep seated trauma, and I would have given anything to stop it."
The anti-trans trolls constantly tell trans people to ‘make their own’ spaces, categories, bathrooms, products, etc - but when they actually do, they still harass, troll and abuse. It’s almost like they don’t want trans people to have anything at all. Almost.
The law also bans (almost all) uneccessary medically interventions on intersex infants (by changes made in 2020). Instead, intersex people are afforded the right to make their own choices once they are capable of making decisions about their own medical care.
"Dilating isn’t something only trans women do – lots of women have to for various reasons. Shaming trans women for dilating is therefore just another form of misogyny, where women’s appearances are scrutinised and made objects of opinion and disgust."
The law also improved access to medical care for adults, and allows them to acquire services through an informed consent model, following consultations with specialists. All in all, it was a huge improvement in terms of access to medical care and legal gender recognition.
“It’s also harrowing to see people celebrate her cruel and derogatory thread, which has already led to abuse of those she targeted. It felt like watching school bullies surround someone and laugh at someone being attacked.”
And what would constitute for a ‘total victory’, exactly? Us ceasing to exist? What’s the end goal here?
Because no matter how much people hate on us, or legislate against us, we’re not going anywhere. We’ve always been here, and we always will be. That’s a simple fact.
I grew up on a rural farm in Iceland in the 90s and still came out as trans as a teenager.
More people are coming out now as LGBTQIA+ and the obvious difference is that society is more open and people aren’t hiding away in shame. You have to be incredibly dense not to get this.
Trans people: We just want some basic huma-
Bigots: YOU ARE SILENCING WOMEN
Trans people: No, all women can co-exist and-
Bigots: *goes on every national media platform in the country* I AM BEING SILENCED
Trans people: But-
Bigots: *on a megaphone* SILENCED
It was supported by all relevant institutions and all major human rights organisations, feminist organisations, women's shelters, prison service and sport associations. It has sometimes been hailed as one of the best prepared legislations in recent decades.
The law passed in parliament with no votes against it, and had cross party support in parliament. The only party who made negative comments about in parliament was a right-winged populist party, whose MPs were involved in a huge misogyny scandal in 2018.
The most cringe ‘insults’ I’ve seen is when people are like “happy dilating”, and I’m like, thanks I guess? I haven’t needed to for years, but go off Brenda. They genuinely have no clue how anything works and think they are hurting me, when they’re actually just making me laugh.
But all in all, the law has been a huge success and has meant that trans, non binary and intersex people have been able to have simpler lives, with better recognition and acknowledgement of their rights - and addressed a much needed change for them.
GC’s calling Caster Semenya ‘male’ and using ‘he’ is honestly quite hilarious, because they are essentially claiming someone who was assigned female at birth, raises as a girl and competed with women in sport is a ‘male’ born with a vagina, which goes against their whole shtick.
The outrage over a trans woman wearing a sports bra and drinking some beer is a circus. They simply cannot stand to see a trans person thriving in public. My suggestion? Go touch some grass.
My column in the
@MetroUK
👇
This wasn’t just about misgendering. He talked about homosexuality being a ‘sin’ and could be ‘cured through God’. He basically preached homophobia to his students and refused to respect a student’s identity. He is a bully, and has no place as a teacher.
What they say: “Political correctness gone mad!”
What they mean: “I feel uncomfortable that historically oppressed groups are calling me out on my bigotry. Why can’t they just continue to take our shit and shut up?”
While the law is not perfect and progress still needs to be made, this law helped place Iceland in 2nd place on
@ILGAEurope
's Rainbow Map, and in 1st place on
@TGEUorg
's Trans Rights Map. This achievement should not be understated, and marks significant progress for Iceland.
When gender ‘criticals’ share pictures of trans women and mock their appearance and identity, they are deploying the exact same tactics that misogynists have done to other women since the dawn of time. There is nothing feminist about it, and it’s simply cruelty and misogyny.
In Iceland, people can be recognised as mother, father or parent in law - regardless of what they were assigned at birth. Just because UK law hasn’t caught up with the lived realities of trans people, it doesn’t mean trans parents and their families disappear or aren’t valid.
Today I enjoyed lunch with a friend of mine who is an older trans woman, and as we sat in a park in slacks, no make-up and enjoying our food, we were repeatedly referred to as the 'two ladies' by complete strangers. The idea that people 'can always' tell has no place in reality.
Dilating is a part of it after surgery while it heals properly - and there are other types of surgery that also require dilation. Are those ‘open wounds’, or does it only apply to use grotesque and ridiculous words to describe surgeries for people you don’t like?
So while I celebrate what started as a conversation at a bakery between myself and
@Kittyanders
many moons ago - and years of work by a group of activists and organisations following that - I know that the fight is far from over. Here's to a safer and more just society for all.
It is my hope that we will continue to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ people in Iceland - especially for our most marginalised, such as intersex people - and show the world that increased rights for our community are not a threat to anyone.
This weekend the Icelandic equivalent of the LGB Alliance got reported to the Police by the City of Reykjavík, after they started entering primary schools without permission and recording staff - effectively breaching safeguarding rules and the privacy of both students and staff.
You can't make this shit up. A cis lesbian having to sit across from a trans lesbian at a speed dating event - oh no, the horror. She can't just move onto the next one like usual. No, instantly locked into a relationship against her will. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
The recent 'documentary' on detransitioners is incredibly flawed and dishonest - the reality is that those who 'detransition' are a miniscule minority of those who seek gender affirming care, and those who do often do it due to transphobia and hardship.
Ah yes. The great power of the LGBTQIA+ community of having pedestrian crossings painted in flag colours. Our greatness and influence truly knows no bounds.
While transphobic bullies are busy spending all their days on their sock puppet accounts puking out abuse on twitter, I’m getting ready to do a paid call for a major skincare brand. My top skincare advice? Stop being a bigot, it really makes your skin break out. 🖖
All the British anti-trans crowd getting angry about a trans woman winning a Dutch beauty pageant goes to show that they can't stand other countries being progressive and inclusive. Sorry, but other countries aren't as obsessed and consumed by transphobia as you and your friends.
I put that I have an MA in Gender studies back in my bio, the anti-trans trolls are already trying to mock me for it. The irony of claiming you care about women’s rights while mocking someone who has a masters degree in feminist research and equality isn’t lost on me. Bless.
All trans adults were trans kids once. I came out as trans in my late teens, which was early back then. If I had the same opportunities that young people have today, I'd have taken them in a heartbeat. It would have saved me years of hiding who I was, and suppressing my identity.
This is common sense. Like most trans women, I walk the street and navigate society perceived and treated as other women are, and experience sexism and misogyny. People don’t know I’m trans unless told, and certainly don’t think to ask whether I was born with a uterus first.
@JackyHolyoake
You don't understand how this surgery works, do you? My vagina won't 'close up'. It's fully healed through a 'natural healing process'. It's a surgery performed by medical professionals, based on decades of research and experience. It's not just someone cutting someone open.
Dilating after vaginoplasty is encouraged for a while after, but there are also other ways to keep on top of that. There’s nothing shameful about dialating if you need to, so I don’t quite understand why they think it’s an insult? Many women do it for different reasons.
What anti-trans advocates don't understand about Parkrun is that there is nothing at stake. It's not a competition. You don't get anything. Time records for kept for those interested, but has never been the focus of Parkrun. Those focusing on that have missed the entire point.
The idea that my life is 'a lie' is so wildly authoritarian. Chaya, or anyone else, is not the arbiter of the truth - and certainly not when it comes down to people living their lives as themselves. I am living my life according to my truth, and no one can take that away from me.
"Sounds like you do want to tell people what to do in their house": Taylor Lorenz presses Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik to explain her issue with trans adults.
Also if you don’t like it, then don’t have a vaginoplasty? Just let people do what they want and stop projecting your misconceptions and bile onto other people. You just sound really obsessed with stranger’s genitals.
Transphobes: I’m a biological female/male, real woman/man, female-bodied/male-bodied, natal female/male, adult human female/male ...
Trans people: Oh, so you’re cis?
Transphobes: DON’T LABEL ME YOU TRANS IDENTIFIED MALE/FEMALE
"Trans people have been legally allowed to use single-sex spaces based on self-declaration for over a decade. Hampstead Heath Ladies’ Pond has not dissolved into anarchy or become a breeding ground for sexual assault as a result, and never will."
"The victim, 18, was attending a roller-skating party with friends when she was allegedly attacked by a group and subjected to slurs, it is said."
This is the result of increased and intensified transphobia that the media and politicians have fuelled.
So, five women step forward and accuse a man of sexual abuse in a documentary. A woman, who claims constantly that she is fighting for women's rights, says we should 'wait for the courts to decide'. How this person has the gall to call herself a feminist truly is astonishing.
Happy and content people don't spend the majority of their time abusing and harassing people for being who they are. The anti-trans movement is founded on bullying, hatred and toxicity of people that are avoiding dealing with their own personal issues. Please, go find happiness.
"I want my catheter taken out. I want a shower. I want a change of clothes. I want my mum. I want a fucking yoghurt. Do you know what literally never occurs to me? Whether Norma and Merle were assigned female at birth."
@LaurenWitzkeDE
Ah yes, because we all know that all ballet dancers do ballet because they want to be seen as children - not because they love to dance.
This is the reality trans people face in the UK today and it’s absolutely and unequivocally unacceptable. The impact this long wait has on people’s physical and mental well-being is soul-destroying.
I would love to know how she plans on enforcing this, or why she believes people who come from abroad need a gender recognition certificate in the first place. I've already changed my birth certificate in Iceland, which is what the GRA allows you to do in the UK.
"Just like how LGBTQIA+ people will not forget how our community was treated during the AIDS crisis, or when the government enacted Section 28, we will always remember the cowardice of politicians now."
My column for
@MetroUK
✍️
"The fact an MP can’t even mention a 16 year old trans girl on a list of women who have been killed without getting a torrent of abuse shows us just how low the rhetoric in this country has sunk."
My column in the
@MetroUK
👇
Another unworkable, unlawful and completely ridiculous proposal from this government. At this point it’s not even about realistic proposals, it’s about whipping up hate towards a minority in a desperate attempt to grab bigoted voters.