“Julie Burchill, You do not speak for all working-class women nor for all those who were born women. This article lacks both wit and decency. It also lacks intelligence. Trans people are not a single lobby-group with a single point of view, as you suggest. They are as diverse a group of humans as any other. If you are offended by hateful words intended to stir up hatred, I suggest you also desist from stirring up hatred. Your language may cause distress and damage to people you have never met and who were entirely unaware of the controversy you discuss. Can you really think that’s OK just because the people who are hurt (people from a range of backgrounds and with a huge range of views on all sorts of matters) do not happen to be your friends?”

It’s not as well-phrased as I would like and there a couple of parts I wish I could re-write – I was struggling with the language and trying to be critical in measured tones. But I was one of very many people who were appalled at the article and who, on seeing it, felt obliged to speak at once, as best they could. It’s time to assert sisterhood, common humanity and, as you say Jane, the importance of kindness.

We’re also none of us perfect.

There may come a time though when you have to walk away, when (for whatever reason), someone uses your kindness as a weapon to do you harm, and revels in it, simply because they can. It gives them a rush. That’s who they are. This may be a temporary aberration due to hurt (Julie Burchill), or a chronic condition due to personal history (Bev Jo), or because they’re sociopaths.

Saying nothing about it is the highest form of disrespect though. They are adults, and responsible for their own actions, words and deeds.

all the best with things.

just a bit miffed as am halfway through writing something along the same lines when a freind posted this to facebook. start as you meant to go along I guess?

peace and smiles. Jess.

as usual the commentators showed that over three generations they have learned very little about the medical condition we have been subjected to, show disbelief when presented with published statistics on suicide rates , murder rates and homelessness!

I doubt that writing to the editor telling them that this evidence of public ignorance is down to their inability to report correctly on a public health matter will do much good, but I tried…

jane xx