Women's rights under attack

Large bottle small glass · 21-02-2026 02:59PM

The influence of post modernism grossly amplified and countered by extreme fringes on social media have got us where we are.

People have forgotten how to listen and talk, never learned how to develop a logical argument.

Instead online we have left and right screaming at each other; when in reality most people in the real world are a bit out of each column.

I first heard of JK Rowling as anti trans on here(I knew nothing of her having been the only person in the western world completely ignorant of Harry Potter). So I went and read and listened to what she said.

I found a very intelligent, witty, coherent person who articulated her point very well. What drives the hatred is her stubborn refusal to be silenced in spite of the hate, rape and death threats.

I'm in agreement with the great Nick Cave where to paraphrase him in relation to his favourite people "something is lost when they speak on Twitter".

On a broader point the social revolution of the last 60 years or so has left the western world in a position where as a society we can't replace our population. In any other period in history that would been as an abject failure.

Along the road from Western societies lurch to more socially liberal societies we've ended up where huge swathes of women are involuntary childless. Huge amounts of children grow up in homes with no father figure.

In the USA African American children are predominantly single parent. That leaves them at higher risk of poverty, addiction, crime, suicide etc especially for the boys.

A sane society is a gentle balance between left and right; enough immigration for new ideas, new people, gene mixing but not so much that there's huge social upheaval.

Arseboxing · 21-02-2026 03:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253525#Comment_124253525

I assume it's ignored because overwhelmingly the anti-trans movement is a relentless hate campaign designed to mobilise support for far right politics by deliberately focussing hatred on the most marginalised and smallest group in society.

They don't actually care that the logical upshot is that trans men with beards will enter women's toilets becauase the anti-trans movement is overwhelmingly led by men.

That's my opinion anyway.

volchitsa · 21-02-2026 03:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124249144#Comment_124249144

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124249324#Comment_124249324

I have shared changing rooms and toilets with trans women and don't have a problem with it or a concern with it.

Ok but neither do your rights trump theirs. It's a lovely merry go round of the fact that we all have rights.

By "theirs" I suppose you mean trans women? Could you explain whether there should be any test applied when a biological man says he's a woman and if so, what? Self declaration means there effectively isn't. Given that men became priests, doctors and social workers in order to have more access to victims, why wouldn't some of them decide to be" trans for the same reason? And in countries where the media does its flipping job and reports on such abuses, there's plenty of evidence that that is happening.

Second, when exactly did the country as a whole get a chance to discuss whether we agreed that someone can actually change sex? Or, alternatively, that systems based on biological, ie sex categories, were wrong and should now be based on the social construct which is gender instead?

Because we do all have rights, and I would suggest that women's rights include the right to things like single sex domestic violence shelters and to female rape crisis counselors, if that's what they want. And some women, particularly those with trauma from male violence do need those things.

This is not the same as saying no men are ever the victims of DV or rape - it's that making it impossible or even illegal to maintain even ONE group that is female only is now impossible in many places. It needs to be possible for a rape victim to be sure that if she asks for a female counsellor, she won't have a trans woman counsellor, as the Edinburgh RCC, or Brighton and Hove RC were doing. And I know you said England is not Ireland, but the problem is that Ireland's self declaration laws and subservient media mean that we can't even know when this is happening in Ireland. And if you think this can't happen in Ireland, maybe provide some evidence that there are protections to prevent it? Because it seems more likely in Ireland than less. We did after all have several extremely violent male criminals in the female estate just because they said they were female, and seemed to have a lot more legal difficulty removing them than in the UK. Because of self declaration.

As for sports competitions - well I think a lot of that depends on the sport in question and the level of hormone therapy the individual is on and how that affects the testosterone level in their system. If the testosterone is at a similar level to a cis-woman, I see no problem in it personally.

The male and female norms for testosterone are along a range, right? So would it be acceptable for a biological woman whose natural testosterone level was at the lower end of the female range to take micro boosts to bring her up to the top end of the female norms? Or would that be cheating?

Because once you start "adjusting" natural levels to something else, where do you stop? Who decides? How do you know that that biological male is meant to have "top of the range" female levels? Maybe to make the competition fair, he should be brought to the lowest female level?

Because you're assuming that testosterone levels on the day of the competition are the only factor that matter. The reality is that male puberty provides a permanent advantage in most sports that can never be fully removed. So how would we know when we're at the "right" level for fairness?

If you want to look at it from an interesting perspective - Iran actually has one of the highest rates of gender re-assignment in the world as they don't recognise trans individuals until gender reassignment and there are no rights for gay or non-binary individuals. This pushes a lot of people towards gender reassignment. Now I'm not saying that's right either but I do think it's interesting how they're able to get their heads around it and allow post surgery individuals to fully identify as that gender in society & sport.

It's signficant that a homophobic society like Iran had no problem with making gay men into women. Because a lot of the trans movement is quite homophobic - "effeminate" boys are seen as failed girls who need drugs and surgery to make them fit into the "female" box. It's the very opposite of gay rights which is just about accepting people as they are, not mutilating their bodies to make them look more like the opposite sex.

It was also one of the problems at the Tavistock clinic: several counsellors, often gay themselves, were accused of transphobia for suggesting that some families were in fact looking to transition their children rather than accept them as gay. Susie Green, cofounder of Mermaids, described how her homophobic husband couldn't stand the idea of having a son who liked glittery things and playing with dolls and might be - shock, horror - gay, but was ok with the idea that this was actually a daughter in the wrong body.

Is it not also inherently dangerous for a trans woman to have to use the men's bathroom as they may be subject to assault of any nature?

So you think that trans women are in danger in the male bathroom but that a woman is not in danger from a trans woman in the female one? Why not? Or is women being put in danger from men such a standard thing in our society that it doesn't really matter?

You will not support them being eroded is fine but that is your opinion, I have mine. And yours doesn't trump mine as mine doesn't trump yours.

But the question is whether you are entitled to remove the very existence of single space toilets for those women who do care. What about Muslim women for whom the presence of men* in changing rooms or toilets means they can no longer use those spaces? Don't they have rights too?

* To compare with trans women in Iran, where surgery, ie castration, is required, only about 10% of transidentifying men in the west have genital surgery. Sharing single sex spaces with that 10% would not be a problem for religious Muslim women, but the other 90% would not be allowed for them.

Mother Shaboobu · 21-02-2026 03:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253525#Comment_124253525

Not true. On X, I see plenty of people, who don't want to pretend that male people can become female and vice versa, agree that transmen can use female spaces (designated to the female sex, there's no "female gender") - seeing as they are female.

volchitsa · 21-02-2026 04:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124254051#Comment_124254051

Agreed. I think it's a lot more relevant that no transgender activists ever suggest that Afghan women (to go back to your previous reference) should identify as male to escape their "female" destiny. Because they all know well that it's women's female biology that marks women out for oppression, and not how someone identifies.

But trans activists will never admit that, so they just ignore the uncomfortable reality for half of humanity that you can't really identify out of being female. You can only pretend.

And in some societies, other people are tolerant enough to go along with that pretence up to a certain point. But only ever as far as it suits the men in that society.

Mother Shaboobu · 21-02-2026 04:16PM

Of course the photo in that disingenuous post is of a transman who has done all the work and very much presents as male, but he wouldn't be using the women's toilets anyway so it isn't actually a gotcha. A photo of a girl/woman who is gender non conforming would have made the point more honestly, and of course she should be able to use the women's toilets (and shouldn't use the men's).

And when a transwoman, who has made changes like the transman in the photo, uses women's toilets, I'm none the wiser. Eddie Izzard though, a gender non conforming man (who's fine with his maleness when it gets him roles) - just no. Use the men's.

volchitsa · 21-02-2026 05:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124254167#Comment_124254167

That whole "How are you going to police toilets?" argument is deeply disingenuous in a number of ways: it's either a non issue because there's a social contract that everyone understands (or did until about 5 minutes ago), or it's evidence that many transidentifying men are in fact abusers who are prepared to ride roughshod over other people's rights regardless of the law.

A comparison would be that we don't need a policeman at every red light for people to stop, even on a deserted street in the middle of the night where there's no risk of an accident or of getting caught. Because everyone knows what they're supposed to do, and the social contract is part of why we obey, as much as any legal obligation: people stop because they know that's what you do at a red light. And the fact that some drivers are gits who don't obey isn't a reason to either give up on having traffic lights at all, nor does it mean we need to put a cop to stand at every junction.

OTOH, if it really is the case that many trans women will continue to use the women's toilets regardless of the rules unless physically prevented from doing so, well those are the very men who should NOT be allowed to use women's toilets because they are deliberately ignoring women's rights to privacy and safety just because they feel they can get away with it. The very definition of male abusers of women.

Bring back the concept of the social contract whereby men don't use women's spaces, and the few abusers who insist will then be able to be removed because women won't be afraid of being told they're in the wrong for even daring to ask.

AMKC · 21-02-2026 08:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253340#Comment_124253340

How are we eroding other people rights by simply going and doing our business? All we so is hoing do a 1 or 2 or both then go out wash our hands maybe touch up our hair and make up and thats it. We are not some walking sex horn dog like you seem to think we are.

So if it was to be how you want ut then that means us Trans Women would have to put ourselfes in danger going to the male toilets which by the way are yuk and Trans Men beard and all go into the Womens. You know what thus neabs riggt? It neans a CIS bearded man could say he is a Trans man but has been told he has to use the Womens toilets and that man is more dangerous to any of the Women Cis or Trans than a Trans Woman is to the other Women.

Thats what them at the top want. Stop falling for it.

We Trans Women are no danger to you or other Women. I have never met a bad Trans Woman but I have come across many bad men.

OscarMIlde · 21-02-2026 08:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255033#Comment_124255033

I don't understand. If it's so dangerous for biological men to enter a changing room or bathroom designated for biological men how is not dangerous for biological men to enter a changing room or bathroom designated for biological women?

And while there is an obvious safeguarding issue regarding letting biological men into women's same sex spaces, it is not just an issue about safety. It's also about dignity, privacy and comfort. Which both biological sexes should be allowed to have.

AMKC · 21-02-2026 08:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253669#Comment_124253669

Yes he is small but there are many small men. If he is taking Testoserone then his voice will break and he will get an adams apple.

As for Trans Women in female space well

A) We Trans Women are Women

And

B) The majority of us just want to go do our business a 1 or a 2 wash our hands touch up our make up maybe and check the hair.

If a Trans Women was to go toilet in the mens toilets which are yuk by the way then thst means a Trsbs Man has to go in the Womens toilets beard and all and tgen whats to stop a CIS man saying he is a Trans man then going to the Womens toilets and raping me or you or another Woman. Nothing. Aans I said abd my other post I hafe yet to come across a bad Trans Women but have came across many bad men.

All us Trans Women are trying to do is survive and live our lives. We the majority of us are no threat to anyone. I myself am a pacifist.

AMKC · 21-02-2026 09:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255077#Comment_124255077

I don't understand. If it's so dangerous for biological men to enter a changing room or bathroom designated for biological men how is not dangerous for biological men to enter a changing room or bathroom designated for biological women?

Gender is whats in your mind not whats between a persons legs.

A man is constantly thinking about sex a Trans Women is not. That does not mean every straight man is constantly thinking about sex but the majority are. As a Trans Women I never think about it. When I am in the toilets I will admire what the other Women are wearing, their makeup and hair. I am no danger to them. Maybe I will pass on a nice comment and hope for one back. That is as far as it goes. I was born a Women in my mind but with the wrong body with parts I have no interest in using or even looking at.

Its the same for every Trans Woman.

volchitsa · 21-02-2026 09:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255084#Comment_124255084

Of course there are small men, but the poster put up a random picture with no context as though just because the person had a beard, nobody in real life would be able to see that in fact it's a biological female. This is unlikely to be true, and Chase Strangio is an example - seen in a photo, he looks like a man, but that's very misleading, and the minute you hear his voice, it's blatantly obvious that he's not a biological male. Eliott Page, ditto.

Strangio has been on hormones for years, but sounds nothing like a man, and presumably never will.

Please don't take this personally by the way. This is not about saying that you, or indeed anyone in particular, is a bad person. But once biological men are using what are intended to be single sex spaces, then, by definition they are no longer single sex. Even if the vast majority of trans women using them are perfectly harmless, that creates issues for women who can't or won't use such spaces when biological males are present. What about religious Muslim women? Is it ok if they can no longer use sports facilities because some of the people in the changing rooms are biologically male? Don't their rights matter?

And then there's the problem of how to prevent abusers from using those opportunities to frequent women's changing rooms etc under the pretext of being trans. Is there any way to keep the fakers out while allowing genuine trans women in?

And why do all these genuine trans women seem to consider such questions as insufferable impertinence from women? If trans women genuinely want women to accept them, they need to stop dismissing women's traditional prudence about being undressed near biological men they don't know as some sort of prudery or even bigotry. How those men identify is not the issue.

If TW won't do that, then the question becomes why so many people seem to think it's women's responsibility to put themselves at any degree of extra danger from men in order to protect trans women. I mean, if a particular woman wants to act as a shield for a trans woman, that's fine. But she's not, IMO, entitled to volunteer other women for that task.

volchitsa · 21-02-2026 09:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255119#Comment_124255119

Yes that's exactly the point. Nobody gets raped because of what's in their mind. Maybe in somebody else's, ie men's. Women get raped by men because of their, and our, genitals, but also because of our lesser physical strength which means we can't resist. Hence the need for single sex spaces. Not single gender.

There's no evidence that a trans woman thinks less about sex than any other man - prison data which I quoted above shows that trans women have a male offending profile. It would be grossly unfair to assume from that that all men are sex offenders - but it would also be unfair to women to assume that none are.

But as I said above, it's not just about actual danger. It's about the right to privacy. Muslim women, but also women with a history of trauma from past sexual harassment, end up self excluding from all sorts of activities if they are no longer able to access single sex spaces to change in etc. Don't they have rights too?

OscarMIlde · 21-02-2026 09:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255119#Comment_124255119

I don't care what gender anyone is, gender is made up nonsense to describe stereotyped characteristics generally associated with how each biological sex thinks/behaves/acts.

I do care what biological sex someone is when it comes to same sex spaces. And transwomen are biologically male even if they don't wish to be. And women shouldn't have to be share same sex spaces with biological males if it makes them uncomfortable, or in the case of prisons/shelters/hospital wards, less safe. Women are not emotional support animals there to validate other people's comfort at the expense of their own.

AMKC · 21-02-2026 10:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255132#Comment_124255132

"This is unlikely to be true, and Chase Strangio is an example - seen in a photo, he looks like a man, but that's very misleading, and the minute you hear his voice, it's blatantly obvious that he's not a biological male. Eliott Page, ditto.

Strangio has been on hormones for years, but sounds nothing like a man, and presumably never will."

Strange. T really should change that and they grow an Adams apple too. Horrible things. I can not be 100 per cent certain though but the voice should change too. Like everything it takes time.

"What about religious Muslim women? Is it ok if they can no longer use sports facilities because some of the people in the changing rooms are biologically male? Don't their rights matter?"

Thats their problem not mine. Not my fault that they allowed themselves to be brainwashed by some fake religion about a fake none existing all powerful entity lol.

And then there's the problem of how to prevent abusers from using those opportunities to frequent women's changing rooms etc under the pretext of being trans. Is there any way to keep the fakers out while allowing genuine trans women in?

Thats a probkem either way but it becomes worse and more terrifying if Trans Men are supposed to use Womans toilets becsuse as I said before whats to stop a CIS man doing it then?

volchitsa · 21-02-2026 10:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255238#Comment_124255238

Strange. T really should change that and they grow an Adams apple too. Horrible things. I can not be 100 per cent certain though but the voice should change too. Like everything it takes time.

I believe the problem is that once growth has ended, the larynx can't really grow much more. The vocal cords thicken but don't have as much room as in a male larynx, so the voice will never be a fully male voice.

Also, long term testosterone has very harmful effects on women: perhaps Strangio can't take higher doses because of its unwanted effects, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, serious gynaecological issues etc. It's also banned for people who've had or are at risk of certain cancers, so who knows whether he's had to stop taking it. That might explain the weak beard growth. He's in his 40s and transitioned as a student, so that's several decades ago now. It may well be that the advantages of hormones in terms of appearance are now outweighed by the health risks.

"What about religious Muslim women? Is it ok if they can no longer use sports facilities because some of the people in the changing rooms are biologically male? Don't their rights matter?"
Thats their problem not mine. Not my fault that they allowed themselves to be brainwashed by some fake religion about a fake none existing all powerful entity lol.

TBF it's as much about family pressure and comestic violence as about what they themselves might think.

But I'm interested that you feel able to just dismiss it as "not your problem". They're women, so they still have women's rights even if they believe stupid things, right? And why do you think male violence is women's responsibility to solve? Surely it's a male issue, and women are under no responsibility to put themselves at heightened risk from men to protect another category of men?

And then there's the problem of how to prevent abusers from using those opportunities to frequent women's changing rooms etc under the pretext of being trans. Is there any way to keep the fakers out while allowing genuine trans women in?
Thats a probkem either way but it becomes worse and more terrifying if Trans Men are supposed to use Womans toilets becsuse as I said before whats to stop a CIS man doing it then?

So your theory is that we can't really tell trans men from men and trans women from women? But that isn't true. Immediate identification of someone's sex is a skill that babies develop very early on.

Studies show that humans can categorize a face as male or female extremely quickly — often faster than we consciously realize. According to neuroscience and psychology research:~60–70 milliseconds after seeing a face → the brain already starts extracting/decoding gender (and age) information.

Women in particular are even better at identifying strange men than men are at identifying women. This is probably a survival skill from prehistoric times, as keeping away from dangerous unrelated males was crucial both for mothers and for their children.

So the reality is that the real risk to women is not from men pretending to be trans men (because no woman will be fooled). The risk is from removing single sex spaces altogether by allowing biological males, who may or may not "pass" as women, to use them and not allowing women to object to their presence because "that would be bigoted".

Goldengirl · 21-02-2026 11:19PM

Who is saying women are insisting they feel unsafe here in Ireland ?

Not in this country has there been any kick up or polls about this which indicates that it is not an issue here at present , just nonsense from other countries that is not borne out by experience here .

It might become an issue I agree, so it should be discussed. But with it's relevance to our present situation borne in mind . Perspective and proportion .

But with honesty and openness ..not this discussion of transgenderism under the heading of "Women's Rights under Attack ."

Can a mod please change the title to suit this discussion please ?

Why would women feel unsafe in women's toilets, here all re cubicalised ?

I am not buying any of this discussion so far really.

It sounds like a manufactured debate by someone on GB /Fox News instead of an issue for Irish women .Women in Ireland are most in danger from violent men who are personally known to them , by and large . Not from trans females .

OscarMIlde · 22-02-2026 12:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255368#Comment_124255368

I'm going to assume the female prisoner who Barbie Kardashian repeatedly threatened to rape with an instrument as 'women rape with instruments' felt fairly unsafe sharing what used to be a same sex prison with a biological male who identified as female.

Goldengirl · 22-02-2026 01:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255498#Comment_124255498

So its that one case then ? Is that what the title of the thread means ?

Fair enough that is terrible and should not have happened ,of course I agree , but there are women being raped and murdered every week here in Ireland and I don't see a thread on Boards about it .

Lets broaden the realm of the discussion so ..

OscarMIlde · 22-02-2026 02:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255587#Comment_124255587

It's an example. A real life example of what has happened in Ireland. And currently, with the situation in Ireland biological males who identify as women are allowed to access what once were female only same sex spaces, as well as compete in what were once female only sports categories. I don't think that is right, and shouldn't be allowed. Sex segregation happens for a reason where privacy, dignity and safegarding is required. Those rights shouldn't be impinged. It clearly is an issue for women as women on boards have tried to discuss it for years on boards but were shut down by people who think it is progressive to argue that biological sex is irrelevant.

OscarMIlde · 22-02-2026 02:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255587#Comment_124255587

Also, I'm not sure what boards you read but attempts by women to discuss rape and murder of women have routinely been shut down after it descends into a 'not all men, how dare you demonise me, I was once groped by a hen party' whataboutism and is promptly shut down. At a certain point it's not worth it to even bother.

o1s1n · 22-02-2026 02:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255587#Comment_124255587

Yep, that's all there is to it. 'Women's rights are under attack' because men are dressing up as women.

Nothing else going on in Ireland worth discussing. No siree. If I, as a man, dare to say otherwise I am a misogynist. I am belittling women.

Maybe you are a misogynist too Goldengirl for not agreeing that all of women's problems in the world right now are down to less than 1% of the population being gender dysphoric.

That's the real problem. Not gender violence. Not gender based discrimination. Not violent pornography or backwards religious attitudes to women.

Nope, none of that. Not what happened to Aisling Murphy or Savita Halappanavar. Their experiences don't matter.

No, the only thing that matters and that is worth discussing is the almost negligible percentage of the population that feels like they're a different gender. That's all there is to it and all that we should be discussing.

Sorry, I know I said I'd leave this thread alone but it keeps popping up on the main boards.ie landing page and the title is actually farcical at this point.

Goldengirl · 22-02-2026 02:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255631#Comment_124255631

So this is where we should discuss it then .

Ok , I don't agree that transgenderism is the most important issue for women in Ireland at present .

I do agree it should be discussed and we should learn from what is happening elsewhere.

But I don't agree with hysterical stories about how every trans person is out to rape unsuspecting women . Nor do I agree that it deserves to be in a thread alone discussing women's rights under attack as if it was the only issue facing women today .

And no @o1s1n , lol , I am not a misogynist and neither are you from anything I have ever seen you post.

However if the title of this thread was changed to "Women's Rights Under Attack because of Transgenderism" as I have requested which is what it is really , I would be happy to leave it play out for the posters that want to discuss that subject . Its so divisive and derivative , I dislike it intensely.

As it is , the title is a total misnomer and doesn't do either subject (women's rights or transgenderism) justice .

Mother Shaboobu · 22-02-2026 02:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255634#Comment_124255634

I'm not sure anyone said it was just due to some men merely dressing up in women's clothes? I mean people have talked about women's sports and prisons.

And I definitely don't think anyone has implied there can't also be concern for all the other issues and awful cases you mentioned. 🤷‍♀️

Extremely dishonest post.

@Golden Girl - Oisin agrees with you, he was being ironic.

Mother Shaboobu · 22-02-2026 03:50AM

My views can be at odds with both "sides" (although it's mostly the gender critical ones who hear me out).

Transwomen have undergone extensive physical changes through drugs and surgery. They have also had intense therapy and psychological/psychiatric assessments. It's a gruelling journey that I don't think anybody would undertake just for a fetish. It's a massive investment - emotionally, mentally, physically and financially. What are the reasons? Well nobody is born in the wrong body, nobody is "assigned" their sex (gender is not the same as sex) but some people are distressed by the sex that they are (for various reasons) - and as adults, if they want to make alterations to present as the opposite sex and live like the opposite sex in some ways, that's their prerogative. And many do - some say you can always tell, but I don't think you always can. I've met transwomen whom I had no idea were trans - I was told. Gender though - we can express either gender (masculinity or femininity) whichever sex we are (male or female).

I don't have a problem with transwomen using women's spaces (but I cannot speak for all women)... except for the questions of prison and sport. I don't know what prisoners think. If they don't want transwomen who have committed violent crimes in their space, I get that. Surely anyone would. But not caring if transwomen who are incarcerated for non violent crimes being in their space - I get that too.

And strength/contact sports - it's incredible that people who consider themselves feminists would support male-bodied people being able to participate/compete in women's sports involving strength, speed, contact (e.g. rugby with its tackling element... and of course boxing). Nobody can genuinely view that as not unfair or potentially dangerous. Gender expression does not magically wipe away the physical. Sex cannot be disregarded - this also undermines healthcare, the historical, the political. If you're gay, you are same sex attracted; hetero - opposite sex attracted. Not everyone is bisexual. If being attracted to a specific sex makes one "obsessed with genitals", then I suggest those who cling to that expression, and who aren't bi, just date anyone - lest they be a person who is obsessed with genitals.

The following is the issue though, not trans people: there are people who don't have surgery, don't take hormones, and deem wearing certain clothes etc grounds to be referred to as the opposite sex (and at times as lesbians) - just because of certain gendered expressions. They aren't trans. Cross-dressing, drag - these aren't the same thing as trans. And people say men are the most violent as if gender non conforming men can't be included. Why is it thought that a gender non conforming man can't possibly be violent or a sexual predator? Because clothes? I mean, I don't think transwomen are very likely to be violent towards women, but men who aren't trans, just crossdressing? It's absurd (and a bit silly) to think there's no way a minority could be a danger to women. But they're all placed under the umbrella of trans, as if trans just means crossdressing when it's obviously a lot more complex. They should not be permitted to use women's spaces - because they are not women or transwomen.

In terms of women's rights, I hear talk of this topic as symptomatic of the patriarchy, misogyny etc - I disagree. Misogynists are very hostile to transwomen and gay men (I assume most transwomen were gay men). The notion that men and women are the same, and differences are a social construct, is a feminist one. Not patriarchal at all. Trans people usually have great time for women, and agree with lots of feminist views. But phrases like "people with uteri" is very undermining of women - the intention may not be misogynistic but it has that outcome. Same with the sports aspect. Same with violent male prisoners being in the female estate. And the way women can be spoken to now for refusing to be bullied into pretending sex doesn't matter... absolutely disgusting misogyny. Bitches, hags, cun*s, witches, vile comments on their looks, sexual obscenities, threatening language (like death and rape wishes) - from "feminists" who disagree with ageism and looks-shaming apparently. As bad as Tate and the like. Speaking of which, the fact that he and his ilk are anti trans (and their concerns about women are totally bad faith) gets weaponised against anyone who won't be bullied into agreeing that male can become female and vice versa. Yet so many of the latter are socialist, liberal and gay. Just acknowledging that sex can't simply be waved away obviously doesn't mean automatically agreeing with all hard right views. Very disingenuous to claim it does. Nor does it mean automatically agreeing with TERFs who hate anyone not female and who automatically deem trans people perverts and predators. Like Graham Linehan, who has lost it.

But telling people that they are all sorts of awful things (like fascists and nazis - an insult to people who suffered and died at the hands of fascists and nazis) for stating the FACT that transwomen aren't the same as women, and transmen aren't the same as men, or for not agreeing with people who just declare they are the opposite sex, or for deeming male people in women's sports grossly unfair (obviously)... is bullying.

aero2k · 22-02-2026 09:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255634#Comment_124255634

It's got nothing to do with clothes, and everything to do with behaviour and trying to force others to validate false beliefs. Imagine if I as an atheist was forced to pretend I believe in God?

And, as I asked earlier in the thread, what about the harm that's being done in the name of this ideology? Funnily enough, I didn't get an answer to that.

Mr.Wemmick · 22-02-2026 10:47AM

There are no robust arguments that are valid nor justify taking women’s rights away.

The subjective not in Ireland therefore why get so uptight about the issue is insulting as it is laughable. As a country we are not closed off, waiting for the trajectory argument “not in my village” as we already have “in my experience” as if that validates anything - I too have caring connections with non-binary teenagers who are fully respected for their individuality and freedom of choice, but that’s neither here nor there and doesn’t impact the objectivity of the argument regarding women’s rights. So the but.. but.. is head wobbling.

The attitude and insults that are thrown at women with “only 1%” is again laughable, not to mention idiotic. The policies that have come into play affect all biological women, girls and the elderly across all institutions, hospitals, care homes, prisons, rape crisis and trauma centres, schools, sports and in employment everywhere across Ireland. These policies are mirrored with our neighbours in N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England and across the EU. For such a tiny minority we have had huge changes impacting 50% of the population.

Not once do I read from the insulting crowd, but yeah I understand the difficulties or respectfully to women. Not once. But all the women on here continually say respectfully to trans, understand acknowledge the differences and difficulties.. However, all women seem to receive is insulting ridicule, disrespect and disregard.

Women’s rights are non negotiable and non transferable with zero hate towards any individual or group. It’s quite simple and not difficult to grasp.

Goldengirl · 22-02-2026 04:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255900#Comment_124255900

So why then do you direct insults towards posters who disagree with you ?

Every single post .

Goldengirl · 22-02-2026 04:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255644#Comment_124255644

I know that's why I laughed .

I don't agree with this post but your next post

(unable to quote it here , damn Vanilla !)

while it draws from many wars that are going on elsewhere over this subject, is very level and I would be much of the same opinion.

I hate the insults and divisiveness of this debate . It's like some people just thrive on it and want to drive a wedge between women unnecessarily, and we have to ask why is that ?

Who benefits if women's groups are fighting among themselves over this issue , sub dividing into groups , and not discussing other substantive issues ?

It is unusual to discuss the subject without people becoming polarized as has already happened here .

I agree with the concerns over sports and think that sporting bodies need to talk about why there are more trans women looking to compete than trans men . Pretty obvious that the male physical advantage is unfair to women (cis ). But it may not need a blanket rule just on a case by case basis .

As regards changing rooms and toilets, I have already said that I think this is a minor issue as cubicalisation exists in most spaces. If not going forward it should be , if women want that . I have no problem with people requesting that but saying that the reason is they are in fear of being attacked by trans women is ott

As for other areas like health and counseling women are already being treated by both men and women .

If a woman is happy to be treated by a man why would they be against the same treatment by a trans woman ? The implication is that counsellor or health professional is a pervert which in any other situation that view would not be allowed . The patient / client would be allowed express their needs but not in an insulting way nor allowed to make unfounded allegations .

I agree this subject needs to be discussed needs to be discussed so that women's views are represented here in Ireland . I only have an interest in what happens elsewhere in so far as we can learn from it and not allow the same hatred and divisiveness infect our discourse here .

I would also like the title of the thread to reflect the discussion as I have said before. It is disingenuous to all to have this discussion continue under the wider net of Women Rights when it is about one specific issue .

CelticRambler · 22-02-2026 06:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124254586#Comment_124254586

Bring back the concept of the social contract whereby men don't use women's spaces, and the few abusers who insist will then be able to be removed because women won't be afraid of being told they're in the wrong for even daring to ask.

Ah, yes. The good old days when silly women could go off and be hysterical in their "safe space" while men (real men) got on with smoking and running the world. Let me see, how well did that work out for women? Hmm … Magdalene Laundries ? The Tuam Babies and other Mother-and-Baby homes around the country ? Yeah, that was a really great time for women. Tyranical nuns in charge of teen girls, and Very Respectable Mothers standing by while their husbands raped their daughters … then shoving them on a boat to England so as not to bring dishonour on the family … Yeah. Bring back that social contract.

Sure, statistically men are physically stronger than women; and statistically men are more likely to abuse women than the other way round! and statistically women are generally more "caring" and "compassionate" than men. But that means feck all in the context of one-to-one comparisons in real life. Pushing for the creation of women-only "safe" spaces on that basis does nothing but reinforce the idea that women are a rather pathetic subspecies who need to be protected from nasty bad men (and one must assume that all men are nasty unless proven otherwise).

Here's a real life example : a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Two random middle-aged guys freeloading their way from one side of the country to the other; a young fella somewhat obsessed with guns, knives and explosives; a black African seriously interested in MMA; and the property owner with collection of saws, chainsaws, axes and other sharp blades. Ten working testicles between them. Statistically speaking, would that be a "safe space" to send three vulnerable young women with simmering mental health issues?

Well, those three women - let's call them A, B, and C - chose that option for themselves. It was my house, between the two Covid lockdowns. Like many others, A, B and C had found lockdown a mental struggle, and were distraught when they found out that their annual summer get-together was still cancelled. I'd known A for a few years previously (ironically in the context of this thread, having found her staring with disgust into the gender-neutral portaloo at a festival) and she organised herself and the others to join our Covid Refugees party. B and C didn't know any of the men, and we didn't know anything about them.

B came with all kinds of "relationship issues" stemming from "stuff" that happened in her childhood. She wasn't looking for therapy … but found it anyway in the form of a punchbag. The African taught her to vent her feelings through kickboxing, and she taught him to embrace his sensitive side through French country dance. She's still trying to find her direction in life, but now almost entirely in a professional context ; those weeks helped resolve most of her emoitional problems.

C - a petite, very girly girl - was going through a L/B/Questioning phase, and one evening casually expressed her annoyance at being constantly hit on and groped by guys in her home town. The two young lads here told her they could give her the tools to solve that problem. And they did, very effectively - my ceiling still has the cracks to show for it. To the best of my knowlege, she hasn't been "bothered" since.

The last time I met A, she was wearing home-made earrings fashioned out of testosterone vials. She's on her way to being a he and gives me credit for helping her make the decision. Not that I guided her one way or the other, but that when she was here that time, she could disappear off into a barn to be alone with her thoughts, and no-one cared that she was missing, and no-one bothered her with "are you alright?" questions when she turned up again. She needed space from excessive compassionate concern more than anything else, which is what she got.

Just as boys and young men need both mother- and father-figures for a healthy psychological development, girls and young women need that too. Cloistering women in a female-only environment specifically excludes them from getting a male perspective on whatever they're discussing. If you start from a position of genuine mutual respect, chances are a man's suggestion will help lead to a more complete long-term solution to their problem - the same as if the male-female tables were turned. In any case, that's not the kind of discussion to be having in public toilets.

Women's rights under attack

Comments