Sophie, Survivors, Sarah & Slander - Sophie

This is a long story, and I have too many things to document at once, so bear with me while I make some introductions:

So, first, let me tell you about Sophie. 

Sophie had been very brave, tentatively speaking on matters that were only very recently relevant to them. It was a routine, banal enough story - women had objected to the use of "womxn", a local news station wanted to discuss it and inexplicably they rolled in Sophie to school the plebs.

With surprising authority Sophie explained: "it's an effort to remove the word men from the phrase women, because women means 'of men'" - Sophie clearly thought this man / woman separation was a good thing. 

Still, Sophie didn't understand the uproar (so, why was Sophie there?) because, once upon a time the term "womyn" was a thing, popular with some feminists. 

The term 'womyn' was also not the same, though, Sophie went on, because that had "quite elitist, very non-intersectional overtones" used by "predominantly a certain type of white middle class feminists" - which is an odd definition for 'lesbian and radical feminists' - "it doesn't include women of colour" asserted Sophie, swiftly tagging in transwomen as if it's equally outrageous to exclude men from womanhood as it is other women, based on a pretty unambiguous white supremacy. 

What racist turd taught Sophie a biological definition of woman excludes women who aren't white? Considering race is far more a social construct than sex, and definitely not binary, how is it measured? Pigment? Hair type? Calipers?

The original woman was African, Sophie. That's a deeply racist comment, although gender ideology is often racist. It seems like in your fervour to determine transwoman as real women, while still separating men and women, you've chucked any woman without white skin into the 'modern, intersectional' category, along with males who identify as trans. But doing so while accusing us, actual women, actual feminists, of othering them.

In fact, one of the liberating and progressive aspects of radical feminist thought was basing our identification on sex: no value placed on sexuality, class, nationality, income, race. We are women, that is our enduring characteristic. 

"Let's open our eyes to the diversity of womanhood! From henceforth we shall divide humanity by gender, and broaden the definition of woman to include trans identified males and... women of colour! Let them in, too. Yay me!" said Sophie. In his own head. Probably. 

Anyway, the whole thing was confusing for Sophie - why are feminists offended by the 'X' because, I quote "no one is offended by it"?

After this elucidating appearance, I'm sure you can understand why Sophie is now a sought after speaker. The sad part is, Sophie was subject to a barrage of unadulterated hatred.

For deadname Steve, life in the closet was unbearable. Working in the macho environment of a football club, change had to happen - he could no longer live the lie that was the overweight, balding, middle aged Steve.

There's always light and laughter from Sophie, reflecting on it all though - the most desperate time was, he tells his TedX, in the most salubrious of places - a Midland's Ibis hotel (insert audience guffaws).

Bravely, Steve took some deep breaths, hunkered down with the pain and gave birth to an even braver, more stunning #TrueSelf. 

Tah-da - it's a girl!

Here he is as Sophie, an older-middle age footie photographer turned trans, author, public speaker, honorary doctorate, talking head and ambassador for all things inclusive;

Despite waddling through unfathomable stress and hardship, like a lady warrior, it was still a shock when within one hour of the interview on the word 'womxn' actual thousands of messages came wishing, even threatening, death and other stuff upon Sophie.

Thank God, in spite of the abuse, Sophie was supported by his wife, children, extended family and friends. Even the football club, the players, and the fans 

It's a frightening time for any new-but-middle-aged woman, but luckily for Sophie this has been mitigated by local awards, a new-found career in public speaking, as a TV presenter, a life coach, book deals, the chance to run as an MP, the glowing reviews from children who came to Sophie's talks in schools.

PinkNews (here in archive, don't worry) reported:

"When people started trolling me online and giving me death threats, it was fans who stood around me and gave me support" 

As for Sophie's boss, he "was never anything but totally supportive of me during my transition.”

“It was absolutely unbelievable the way everyone at Bournemouth reacted” 

And even when Sophie stood for MP; "Something unexpected happened,” Cook wrote “Instead of the abuse, I was greeted with love and support, sure there were still a few transphobic remarks online but nothing like I’d experienced previously.” 

“They weren’t voting for a trans woman, they were voting for Sophie Cook, they were voting for the Labour Party.”

Sophie faced the fear, did it anyway and was well rewarded. Although not with membership of Parliament. 

That abuse, though. Tsk.

Reticent Sophie never did reveal the actual nature of it, but we are told it was bad.

That the abuse has been impossible for me to find could be testament to Sophie's dedication to erasing public hate, but whatever went down, Sophie was so inundated the only thing to do was make one, completely illegible, collage;

Not very good clarity on this... 

Any better? 

Maybe I'll use that zoom feature 

Yeah... Sneaky fucking trolls. 

But, and forgive me for the cynicism, much of the abuse Sophie has so regularly flagged seems like legitimate criticism;

Comparing the exclusion of black women to the exclusion of males would be 'imaginary bigotry'. 

And the "misogyny" here is passing me by... 

Or, simply, questions;

Some is a bit more silly, harsh or crude:

Sophie has highlighted many, many, individual, readable, screenshots, mainly amounting to crass jokes about having a penis, suggesting that Sophie isn't a woman, or not the best advisor to educators.

It surprises me this is someone who has suffered 'thousands of death threats'. I'd have thought Sophie had thicker skin. 

He's quite into this hate crime stuff, and as hate crime ambassador for Sussex police he is as of today, November 17th, 2023, taken it upon himself to chastise the poor workers at Santander bank for questioning why, when there's been potentially fraudulent activity on his account, he has a manly voice and the name 'Miss Sophie Cook'.

The first instance was on the phone, then in person, then recorded commentary outside in a video uploaded and sent across his social media and to Sussex police for good measure.

Just like a real lady.

This sounds pretty unpleasant, but I have to wonder what Sophie believes is within the median range of verbal abuse experienced by women walking around at night in a city famous for stag do's and partying? 

One thing to consider is the real misogyny and mockery of looks women endure. Another to consider the casual abuse anyone in (or vying for) the public eye endures, and another when considering the rhetoric Sophie pushes. 

For example, this may seem a bit savage, but is actually a good way of making an important point in a manner I find hysterical;

Because, when you know the context, some might say it's a gentle and funny way to call out one of Sophie's pet projects - 

Rape by Deception; it's apparently a serious and oppressive issue for the trans community. 

While it may be contentious, one thing I honestly can say is, I could look Sophie in the eye and acknowledge just how altruistic a campaign this is. We know he is never going to benefit from the law he wishes was repealed.

And the outrageous exclusion of people who haven't been raped from TV items on rape crisis:

Thankfully, Sophie has fans, cheering Sophie along as Sophie embraces Sophie's true self, sunbathing completely starkers on a beach in Brighton. The exhilaration is obvious to all but the blind. 

After all this terrible mistreatment, Sophie has managed to carve out a special Sophie shaped space and career. Sophie is available for booking, and Sophie's TEDX talk is here

It has been a rough ride, but finally, Sophie is 'grabbing life by the balls' (not a hate crime when Sophie says it - but a project) and even has a burgeoning comedy grift too

This brave spirit: the discrimination, abuse and prejudice has not left our intrepid Sophie too scared to fly the trans flag in Russia;

Or even from hob-nobbing with the leader of the opposition. Here's Sophie, overpowering Jezza with pure charm;

Photo-bombed by a cheeky Fox! Look at that face! 

In a culture where transphobic abuse is ever-present, Sophie has triumphed:

Sophie's powerful work has even led to an honorary doctorate

Finally, Sophie is also a dedicated supporter to Brighton based rape crisis charity, The Survivor's Network. 

Areas concerning bodily autonomy, sexual violence and sex are obviously deeply held values for Sophie, but still, Sophie also needs some financial reparations for it. It is a constant struggle;

As we can see here, Survivor's Network is genuinely close, yet sadly the relentless focus on the sexual violence directed at 'cis' women is permitted to eclipse the tweet-violence Sophie faces on potentially a daily basis. 

And that is where I'll leave the first part, because it only gets worse!