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Women’s concerns should not be minimised
Many feminists and political activists feel they are being shut down for attempting to discuss gender issues, writes JO BARTOSCH

ONCE I was proud of my Labour Party card. I am member number L1608004 and, yes, I was one of the thousands who joined because Jeremy Corbyn seemed to signify a return to the principled values of social justice and fairness. Two years on and my membership card weighs heavily in my pocket.

I have been horrified to witness good women, lifelong activists, being attacked for trying to discuss the proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act.

At the time of writing, Linda Bellos has been reported to the Labour Party for comments she made at a public meeting, Jess Phillips is suffering a barrage of online abuse demanding she be re-educated because of a tweet she sent in support of feminist group A Woman’s Place, and after receiving a slew of accusations of “transphobia,” Anne Ruzylo has resigned her role as women’s officer in Bexhill and Battle amid accusations of bullying by a teenager who identifies as a woman.

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