tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post4079171905186408820..comments2024-02-09T06:24:16.626+00:00Comments on upside down in cloud: nowhere to run toDru Marlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03697874363783821382noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-43860794751017452792008-10-28T10:22:00.000+00:002008-10-28T10:22:00.000+00:00Nice blog, Dru.(((hugs)))Christina xxNice blog, Dru.<BR/>(((hugs)))<BR/><BR/>Christina xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-88830583946461005022008-10-22T10:19:00.000+01:002008-10-22T10:19:00.000+01:00I've been thinking long and hard about this. A ra...I've been thinking long and hard about this. A rape victim is a rape victim whether they are male or female. I imagine that not many victims of any sort of violence are willing to re-live their own experiences, which they probably do, when they help others. Kimberly Nixon sounds like a very exceptional woman.Anjihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02562210585479814093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-54843022968421852922008-10-22T06:45:00.000+01:002008-10-22T06:45:00.000+01:00I do agree, Jo; there are no hard and fast answers...I do agree, Jo; there are no hard and fast answers to this case. There are all sorts of assumptions about why a transsexual woman should be unsuitable as a counsellor, though, and I do think that a lot of them are invalid. What is certain is that the piece by Bindel ignored important aspects of the case. Which makes it propaganda rather than journalism.Dru Marlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03697874363783821382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-19109716663705542842008-10-21T17:32:00.000+01:002008-10-21T17:32:00.000+01:00Like so many things it seems to be that this situa...Like so many things it seems to be that this situation degenerated, and became heavily politicised as it unfolded. <BR/><BR/>On the one hand, it is a shame that it was <I>this</I> organisation and <I>this</I> issue that was at the heart of this dispute. Rape counselling is not the first frontier I would choose to break open the wall of societal prejudice against trans women, because it must revolve around what is best for the victim. If the victim has - sadly - grown up in a society which does not yet recognise transwomen as real women, and thus finds counselling by one difficult - that is very very unfortunate. But would you force the issue? In this situation?<BR/><BR/>However, this is of course not what happened. It didn't come close to be forced, or even explored. No clients were sounded out, and no clients objected to Kimberley Nixon, because none ever saw her. VRR simply <I>assumed</I> that she would be unsuitable, and set aside her relevant abilities. <BR/><BR/>In much the same way, 60 years ago, a black woman might have been turned away from such a place (had they existed then) because of the belief that clients would be distressed by her skin colour.<BR/><BR/>VRR were wrong to do this, no question, but the difficulty lies in proving it. Should they have exposed Ms Nixon to a client and <I>then</I> found out that that victim was upset because of Ms Nixon's status - thus causing the client, who has just been raped, for Goodness sake - even more distress? Not a very good idea, and not a good time to give someone a lecture on dieversity and inclusiveness.<BR/><BR/>But like so many other things, it never happens until one day it happens...And then it is suddenly possible...<BR/><BR/>I don't think VRR wanted it to turn into this, and seemed conciliatory to start with...but it's really really tough. It boiled down to some pretty gritty principles pretty fast. <BR/><BR/>Sadly I do think there is a huge give away in BC Court ruling that said "Vancouver Rape Relief had not discriminated against Kimberly Nixon and the group does have the right to freedom of association to organize as women only."<BR/><BR/><I>To organize as women only</I>?<BR/><BR/>Meaning Ms Nixon wasn't 'a woman'. How sad that so often it does eventually come down to that attitude?<BR/><BR/>And as Bindel...you reminded me of yet another sickening part of that article. She really is a piece of work...Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356965133404249244noreply@blogger.com