About TERFs
Polarization and the Erosion of Nuance
#boycottEtsy began trending on Twitter (now known as ‘X’? I guess? My boyfriend would have been in major trouble if I saw the logo on his browser bookmarks without knowing what happened) sometime this week right after the e-commerce giant was accused of banning merch associated with de-transitioners.
A “de-transitioner” referring to someone who previously identified as transgender and received medical interventions, but halted these interventions and no longer identifies as transgender.
Twitter user Laura Becker @FunkGodArtist shared an email on Twitter, that she received from Etsy:
It warned her from further selling merchandise with slogans including “Believe Detransitioners – First Do No Harm” and “De-Trans Awareness” on it, or else she would be banned.
The company banned her “Funky Human Female” t-shirts last month. She rightfully accused the site of disfavouring “free speech, women, and medical trauma survivors” and called for people to share and promote her post.
Among the carnage, it was also revealed that Etsy allows plenty of merchandise that is anti-TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) and some of it is fairly violent.
TERF ideology traces its roots to the second-wave feminist movement of the 1970s. and has become a polarizing and controversial label. I, myself, have been labelled a TERF on many occasions, almost always used in a derogatory sense.
Many TERFs argue that the inclusion of transgender women in women's spaces undermines the unique experiences and struggles of cisgender women. They often express concerns about potential encroachments on sex-segregated spaces, such as restrooms, women's shelters and women’s sports, leading to a fear of eroding hard-won women's rights. In some cases their concerns have been proven right, with a transgender woman convicted of double rape being put in a women’s prison and trans women dominating women’s sports events & with access to female changing rooms.
Core Concerns of TERFs that I share too, while not identifying as a TERF.
Women's Sex-Based Rights: TERFs emphasize the importance of acknowledging the biological differences between cisgender women and transgender women. They argue that the experiences of being raised and socialized as female differ significantly from those that transition to female.
Preserving Women-Only Spaces: Some TERFs believe that spaces exclusively designated for women are essential for open discussions, safety, and fostering camaraderie. They fear that opening these spaces to transgender women may result in unintended consequences or risks for cisgender women. We have already seen this is in the erosion of women’s sports and atheltics, beautifully covered by
in her article for The Spectator.Many argue (incorrectly) that transgender women are women, and claim that sex is assigned at birth. Critics claim that TERF arguments essentialize womanhood based solely on biology and exclude transgender women from the feminist movement. But women are frustrated by the lack of empathy and acknowledgement for the female experience. We’ve gone so far as to alter language to be inclusive of trans women but not caring about the fact that it alienates women. Being called a ‘vagina owner’, a ‘uterus haver’, ‘birthing person’ is beyond degrading. We don’t even exclusively have periods anymore.
The term "TERF" has a tendency to polarize discussions and dismiss concerns that many women hold. Some feminists are downright batshit crazy but plenty have thoughts that deserve to be heard. By branding individuals with this label, it becomes challenging to have a nuanced conversation about the complexities surrounding gender, sex, and identity. It instead opens up the floodgates for a miasma of hatred to flood through, further dividing and harming individuals.
Labelling someone as a "TERF" can lead to harmful consequences. It can stifle open discussions and create an atmosphere of fear, where individuals may be reluctant to express their concerns or engage in constructive debates for fear of being labelled and ostracized.
The conflict between transgender rights and women's rights is a complex issue that should be addressed with sensitivity and empathy from both sides. Transgender individuals face unique challenges, such as discrimination and violence, while women continue to fight for equality in various spheres of life. Understanding the complexities of these struggles and striving to find solutions that respect the rights of all involved should be the mission.
is Laura’s Substack, in which she discusses content on topics in “psychology, philosophy, gender, sexuality, media, politics, art, culture, healing, growth, and of course, funk.” Support her work if you like mine.