Gedoverit

William Hague tells women to get used to it. Easy for him.

Lord Hague has argued that the Women’s Institute (WI) should welcome transgender women amid a backlash over its membership policy.

The WI is under pressure from a new campaign group called Women’s Institute Declaration, which argues its policy of welcoming trans women – announced in 2015 – puts it “in an untenable position”.

A petition, which has attracted hundreds of signatures, calls for a pause in admitting new trans members so there can be a wider debate on the implications of the move. It also demands a vote of WI members on its stance.

However, Lord Hague insisted those with concerns needed to “get used to and get over” trans people being members of the 108-year-old organisation, the largest of its kind in the UK with more than 180,000 members.

It’s not about “trans people” being members. It’s about men being members.

He says he sees the point about women’s sport, which is big of him, but the WI is different.

“You know, there are transgender people, they have changed their gender. This is part of our society now.

“And I think large national organisations like the WI have to get over that and get used to that, and welcome new people.”

Men. Welcome men.

The grassroots organisation Conservatives for Women led a backlash to his interview, as it insisted it must prioritise “science and reason” around gender issues.

“Telling women to ‘pipe down’ is never a good look, especially as this translates to ‘you are not allowed to have boundaries’,” said the group. 

“Newsflash, Lord Hague – women say ‘no’. You ‘get over it!’”

Sometimes the “women” part matters more than the “conservative” part.

Asked about Lord Hague’s remarks , the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I haven’t seen his specific comments. I think on [the] membership of any particular group, that is for the group.

“I think the Prime Minister has said it is vitally important that transgender people are treated with compassion at all times, as a starting point.”

Really? At all times? Is that said about any other set of people? Does any other set of people even want to be treated that way? As objects of pity at all times? What is it about trans people that makes them such bleeding open wounds at all times?

The WI’s current policy states that transgender women are allowed to “participate in any WI activities in the same way as any other woman”.

Sly. Transgender women are not like “any other woman” because they’re not women at all.

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