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Behind the Aegis

(53,936 posts)
Wed Jun 20, 2018, 02:43 AM Jun 2018

What is a TERF and why should you be worried?

You may have heard of the term TERF in the last few months, and you may just be wondering what exactly it is.

TERF is an acronym for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist, in other words – a transphobic bigot. It sounds extreme, but recently examples of TERF’s have been creeping up everywhere. 

Examples that might stick out include the leading feminist writer, Chimamanda Adichie, who appeared on Channel 4 and denied that transgender women could be women because they had “experienced male privilege”.

Dame Jenni Murray, host of BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour also made the same suggestion in a column for the Sunday Times Magazine that was titled “Be trans, be proud – but don’t call yourself a ‘real woman’”.

Germaine Greer joins Adichie and Murray with her trans-exclusionary rhetoric, and faced criticism and protest before appearing at an International Women’s Day event in Brighton.

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What is a TERF and why should you be worried? (Original Post) Behind the Aegis Jun 2018 OP
I am constantly astonished at the creative excuses people can find for their bigotry. n/t TygrBright Jun 2018 #1
I knew they were out there, didn't know the term Runningdawg Jun 2018 #2
TERFs aren't even feminists really LostOne4Ever Jun 2018 #3
The problem of trans-hatred generally, not just TERFs. Odoreida Jun 2018 #4
I have no use for TERFs. JarOCats Jul 2018 #5

LostOne4Ever

(9,288 posts)
3. TERFs aren't even feminists really
Fri Jun 22, 2018, 04:52 AM
Jun 2018

They are just another form of Rightwingers.

This can be seen by their reaction to the Youtube shooter a while back:

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/05/anti-trans-feminists-push-conspiracy-theory-that-youtube-shooter-was-a-trans-woman/

They said she wasn't "feminine enough" to be a "real woman" and that women were incapable of committing such acts of violence. And remember, these people claim to be RADICAL FEMINISTs.

And it is important to note that TERFs never call themselves TERFs. Despite the terms well known history,They claim it is a smear, and instead use the term GENDER CRITICAL FEMINISM.

They are bigots no matter what label they try to apply to themselves.

 

Odoreida

(1,549 posts)
4. The problem of trans-hatred generally, not just TERFs.
Fri Jun 22, 2018, 09:00 AM
Jun 2018

After all, TERFs are "lunatic fringe" types and not very influential.

Whereas trans-hatred is all around.

JarOCats

(119 posts)
5. I have no use for TERFs.
Tue Jul 3, 2018, 03:25 AM
Jul 2018

On social media -- and IRL -- I block them on sight.

Ts are my family, just as much as Ls, Gs, B's, and Q's.

Oh, and Germaine Greer can get stuffed.

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