Conference details at http://www.womensgrid.org.uk/groups/?p=4235

Draft programme for the conference – please note it still may be subject to minor amendments.

09:15 Registration

10:00 Welcome and introduction

10:15 Session 1: Historicising transgenderism  

• Sheila Jeffreys (35 mins + 15 mins discussion)
  The social and political construction of transgenderism

10:55  Break

11.20  Session 2: Concepts and critiques

• Lierre Keith (25 mins + 15 mins discussion)
  What is ‘gender’?

12:00  Session 3: The ‘transgendering’ of children

• Stephanie Davies-Arai (25 mins + 15 mins discussion)

12:40 Lunch break

13:40 Session 4: Transgenderism and the impact on women

• Jackie Mearns (15 mins)
  Transgenderism and female partners
• Julia Long (15 mins)
  Transgenderism and male violence
• Sheila Jeffreys (15 mins)
  Transgender pornography
• Discussion (15 mins)

14:40 Break

15:00 Session 5: Transgenderism and the silencing of feminism  

• Julie Bindel (15 mins)
  No platforming, misogyny and the silencing of radical feminists
• Mary Lou Singleton (15 mins)
  The erasure of women from the language of birth and reproductive rights
• Magdalen Berns (15)
  ‘Gender identity’ culture in student spaces: the impact on women
• Discussion (30 mins)

16:15 Closing remarks

16:30  Close

For full conference details and to book online go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thinking-differently-feminists-questioning-gender-politics-tickets-25109547332

June 30, 2016

“Freedom is always and exclusively freedom for the one who thinks differently.” – Rosa Luxemburg 

In 2015, gender politics hit the mainstream.  With high-profile transgender celebrities in the media and terms like ‘cisgender’ entering the dictionary, many people became aware that certain ideas about gender were becoming popularised, normalised and indeed enshrined in legislation. 2016 has seen this process accelerating, with significant increases in the number of children presenting to Gender Identity Clinics, and questions about single-sex facilities, sports participation and prison accommodation all making the news.

Feminists have long had a critique of gender, and this conference creates a rare space for ‘thinking differently’ about gender politics. It will discuss what we mean by ‘gender’, and consider the implications of current notions of gender identity for women and children. Topics covered will include: historicising transgenderism; analysing gender; the ‘transing’ of children; transgenderism and the impact on women; and no-platforming and the silencing of feminists.

Speakers include:

• Sheila Jeffreys, professorial fellow, University of Melbourne; author of ‘Gender Hurts: a feminist analysis of the politics of transgenderism’
• Lierre Keith, writer, radical feminist, food activist, environmentalist
• Julie Bindel, journalist, author, broadcaster, campaigner
• Stephanie Davies Arai, activist, writer, founder of ‘Transgender Trend’
• Mary Lou Singleton, radical feminist mother, midwife, nurse-practitioner, activist
• Jackie Mearns,  radical lesbian feminist activist, blogger
• Julia Long, lesbian feminist activist, academic
• Magdalen Berns, student, feminist activist, vlogger

Registration from 9.15am; programme starts 10am. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Catering arrangements tbc.

A full programme and speaker profiles will be made available before the conference.

Tickets: £15/20/30 + fee (*)

A very limited number of free places are available for those in financial hardship. Please contact the organisers if you would like to apply for a free place.

• Saturday, 16 July 2016 from 09:15 to 16:30
• Conway Hall – 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL

(*) For full details and to book online go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thinking-differently-feminists-questioning-gender-politics-tickets-25109547332

May 24, 2016