Hope you are well. I am Cathy Brennan, and I am the public face of Pretendbians, a group blog that arose as a direct result of and in response to the Cotton Ceiling debacle. If you don’t know about the Cotton Ceiling, see this link and this link.

I am the public face of Pretendbians because the issue of gender identity in the GLBT Community is a sensitive one, one that Lesbians are afraid to discuss publicly for fear of being threatened or harassed. You may recall that in August 2011, I was one of the women who wrote a respectful letter asking that the definition of gender identity pushed by transgender groups in the United States be revised so as not to incorporate stereotypes about women into law. You may also recall that for that respectful letter, I was threatened with all sorts of violence. You may recall these things because I sent you messages on Facebook about it, but as you never replied, perhaps you didn’t receive them.

I am the public face of Pretendbians because we need to have a public discussion about the issue of gender identity and how it impacts – negatively – Lesbians and Lesbian Community. I am willing to be this public face because I am able to do so, and I could not live with myself if I didn’t try to impact this conversation in a manner that allowed the Lesbian perspective to be heard.

I understand that you receive threats around this issue – so do I. Male violence is a real and significant reality. Male violence fuels much of how this discussion takes place. Male violence demands capitulation.

I don’t want to capitulate. I also don’t want a sister in struggle to decide how Lesbians should discuss the negative impact of gender identity. Tough times demand tough measures. Being nice about it didn’t work. Being nice – standing alone – never works. You need all tactics to move a conversation.

I am grateful, though, that you have noticed this “war” that’s been raging. Help us end it. The concerns about gender identity raised by Lesbians are real and valid and deserve a wider audience.

Thank you, and be well,

Cathy Brennan

P.S. I am only responsible for Pretendbians. I am not responsible for any other blog you mentioned in your interview.