Can a skirt change sex?
Woman’s Hour hostile interview of woman who doesn’t agree that men are women if they say they are Part 2.
McGovern: There’s kind of two parts to that in a way Bethany. If the person dressed more traditionally as a female for example would that make a difference?
Me, interjecting. What a stupid question! Sure, it would make the same difference it made to Little Red Riding Hood. Oh hello sir I see you have a skirt on, by all means come in and watch us changing into our work uniforms, your skirt renders you miraculously harmless and trustworthy.
Hutchinson: Ah, not necessarily, no.
McGovern: If this person had surgically transitioned, would that be something you would accept when it comes to the changing room?
Me again: she says that in such an annoyingly unctuous, kindergarten-teacher way. NO, and why the fuck should it? McGovern is like those bullies who pretend to be “just teasing” but pinch a little harder every time. Remember: this is Woman’s Hour. It sounds like Trans Hour, but it’s not. Or it’s not supposed to be.
Hutchinson, exasperated, points out that it’s not her decision.
McGovern: But you are making the decision to take it to an employment tribunal for letting this person use those changing facilities at work, so you are taking a stand, making a decision.
Me again: Yes but she shouldn’t have to. She doesn’t want to. The bosses have forced her (and the other nurses) to by letting a man watch them change their clothes.
Hutchinson: Yeh I am making a decision because the Trust have put us at risk. Not because of this particular person, may I add, I have never alleged that this person is a predator. But the policy that the Trust has in place, it puts women at risk, because it states that men can self-identify as women and access the female changing room All they have to do is go to a senior member of staff and say “Look, I identify as a woman” and that’s it, they’re allowed in.
What could possibly? Eh?
.
Not on its own, but with the right shoes and a nice handbag, you’re good to go.
Is it less embarrassing to pretend that it can, than to confront the real reason skirt-wearing is a good predictor of an individual’s sex?