This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the news from the USA and the treatment of Sarah McBride. The conversation gets a little feisty at times, but it shows that trans+ people can have different views but still remain able to cooperate and move forward together.

They discuss the situation in the US regarding the election of Sarah Mcbride, the first trans Congressperson from Delaware, and the subsequent attempts by Republicans to pass rules banning her from using women's facilities in Congress and on federal property. They agreed that this was a problematic issue, not just for trans people, but also for women and girls, as it could lead to a caricature of what a woman should look like. They also discussed the potential for this issue to be used as a wedge to further erode women's rights. Jenny expressed some scepticism about the motivations behind this, suggesting that it could also be driven by transphobia and anti-LGBTQ sentiment.

They ponder the issue of transphobia and its impact on the wider community. Jenny emphasised that the issue is an attack on trans people and should not be diluted into a broader women's issue, as it could leave trans men and non-binary people marginalised. Gillian agreed but also stressed the importance of mobilising the wider community to support the cause, as it is not just about trans people but also about freedom and legislation. They both acknowledged the potential harm of rolling back progressive rights and the need to ensure that all individuals, including trans men and non-binary people, are included in the conversation.

Gillian suggests the importance of engaging with the wider issue of women's rights and equality, rather than focusing solely on trans rights, emphasising the need to campaign and move forward, suggesting that the community should ally with those who have a vested interest in maintaining women's rights. Jenny agreed, but expressed concern about giving ground and respecting pronouns. They also discussed the potential for persuasion among those who have recently developed negative views due to media and political influence. Gillian suggested that the community should focus on building resilience and lobbying for better access to healthcare. Both agreed on the importance of being visible as a form of resistance and activism.

Hope you enjoy and find this useful.

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