I would like to start by saying, unequivocally, my feminism is for women. I believe, evidence says, and law dictates, that women need single sex spaces. We need this due to the prevalence of male violence- something often misunderstood in this debate, with many claiming that we believe all Trans women are sexual abusers. This is not the case, for me personally and for I believe for the vast majority of people making this argument.
I believe that the presence of a person who is biologically male, in a female space, is very likely to make women feel unsafe because of the collective trauma we face in every facet of our lives. We cannot identify out of that, nor deny it, nor choose not to be defined by it when it colours every facet of our existence. Our medical professionals dismiss our pain more easily, 1/3 of us are likely to be in a relationship with an abusive person, 200 million women have undergone female genital mutilation, 97% of young women reported sexual harassment… this is well evidenced but often underestimated. We are more than our oppression, of course, but our oppression on the basis of our sex is also undeniable and so should be factored in as a safeguarding measure. That is a reason why single sex spaces exist, after all- to protect women from the harm of men.
That said, I am also a nurse. My views on gender have no bearing when it comes to the care I deliver, and nor should they: if the argument is that gender is an ideology, then registrants should respect those beliefs as we would any others. More and more, gender has become a point of contention for so many, with their sex and gender identity differing which has significant impacts on their wellbeing. I do not think it is dignified care to care for a Trans woman, for example, in a male bay. I know all too well how vulnerable it feels to be a patient and so I will advocate on the basis of dignified care for all those I care for.
The issue here is that the answer has been to give away women’s single sex spaces in order to enable dignified care for the person who has a conflicting sex and gender identity. That, I believe, is unacceptable. My opinion is that we need a middle ground: one that does not forsake the psychological well-being of either party.
What the middle ground looks like, I’m yet to decide. I would like to talk about it, but debate on this is often quickly shut down with the mantra “Trans women are women”- it seems to be the pervasive belief that women like myself are bigoted, and transphobic for simply stating the reality of biological sex. There are clear biological differences between the two sexes, and that should factor into our nursing care, especially on this subject when we need to balance the wellbeing of all.
We need to have this conversation in a less polarised way- for the sake of all people who trust in optimal care from nurses and midwives.
Anonymity waived as per request of the author. Author is Kat Barber. Views expressed in submitted works are the views of the author.
Being a public health nurse in school nursing, I deal frequently with young people who struggle with their gender identity, who may have self harmed and or attempted suicide as well as trauma and bullying from a young age.
we loose so many people from the LGBTQ+ community through suicide. Trans woman ARE woman, Trans men ARE men! The journey they have been on to get to be who they are should be respected. They do not have to prove anything to anyone, particularly their sex or gender. I respect the trauma some woman may have been subjected to by some horrific men. However the care we provide to all our patients should be holistic, this would mean woman who have been hurt/ traumatis…
Dear Kat
this is eloquently put, its so sad we are all in silos and not coming together to have these conversations and find solutions and compromises where we can
Such a thoughtful piece -- thank you, Kat. It shouldn't take courage to write something so obviously right, but I know that it does. For what it is worth, you have my full support.