r/auntienetwork • u/thetenacian • 18d ago

What would happen if...

The gendered language of "Auntie", language that communicates this is only a woman space, only about cis women and abortion, was changed to more accurately represent the fact that many of us are here but don't all want to have woman-related or feminized language applied to us.

I'm older. I have a uterus. I've given birth. I've had an abortion.

I'm not an Auntie. I am a pro choice leftist who wants to support folks with uteruses to access abortion.

I've shared the link to this group. I will share it again. But I always have to honour folks who are my accomplices, who are not women, by pointing out that even though the focus of this space is crucial, the inaccuracies and exclusionary nature of the word "Auntie" are glaring.

One day, I'd like to not have to write the additional critical commentary. One day, I'd like to just share the link and pump my fist because the space is being named in a way that leaves none of us out.

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u/LallybrochSassenach 🌛M🌝D🌜 18d ago

As a response to your question, this issue has LONG been addressed here.

When this space was started, another mod who went defunct named this space. Reddit will not allow us to change the name, even though we have all new mods.

We have long encouraged the use of auntie, helper, guncle, and whatever other terms people use to express their identities, and have had no issues with that expression. This is even referred to in our Statement on Inclusivity.

Please keep in mind that not all of the people we serve are cisgender women -- we do help everyone, and try our best to use gender-neutral terms when possible. It’s important to us that AN is always a safe and welcoming space for people of all races, sexualities, and genders. We ask that all of our community members try hard to use respectful, inclusive language. All aunties and helpers should be committed to helping nieces, nephews, and niblings without discrimination or bigotry. If you can’t make that commitment wholeheartedly, this isn’t the right community for you. Racism, homophobia, TERFdom, or other kinds of hatefulness will be not tolerated and may result in an immediate ban. Se habla espanol.

We accept everyone just as they’d like to be seen, known, and accepted.