The Impact of Trans-Exclusionary Radical “Feminism” (Blog)
Introduction
In a time when trans issues are a continuing debate, trans rights are under attack, and a genocide against trans people is underway, it’s essential to take a look at how this bigotry has gained such popularity and support. This can be at least partially attributed to the fact that major so-called “women’s rights” activists (such as author J.K. Rowling) are openly transphobic – otherwise known as Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists, or TERFs.
The term TERF was first introduced in 2008 by feminist blogger Viv Smythe as a way of separating feminists who were anti-trans from those who were not. Writer Hotine states that “TERFs are members of a branch of feminism whose ideological beliefs hinge on the idea that sex is biological and fixed, rejecting the idea of socially constructed gender”. In essence, TERFs don’t recognise transgender women as women because they believe that a person’s sex is based purely on their biology and is therefore fixed.
The rhetoric espoused by TERFs employs stereotypes, dog whistles, and misinformation. They are often against trans women participating in women’s spaces (e.g. sports, restrooms) – they also advocate for “biological tests of gender”. This results in the destabilization of trans rights, increased violence against the trans community, and a further irreparable split between those who are trans inclusive and those who are trans exclusionary. TERFs claim that the “trans agenda” is taking away their rights – meanwhile, their arguments fly in the face of everything that feminism has fought for in the last several decades.
Breaking Down TERF Arguments
Biological Essentialism
TERFs believe that sex is biological and fixed, and thus, innate. They claim that the female body is instrumental in discrimination against women. However, this fails to recognize the multi-faceted realities of gender-based violence that are about much more than a person’s sex. Biological essentialism is also rooted in biased interpretations of biology, sex, and gender – these biases are directly linked back to cisheteropatriarchy.
Additionally, reducing women only to their biological functions negatively impacts cisgender women. After all, “biological sex cannot define womanhood as neatly and universally as gender critical feminists would wish to believe; women have differing hormone levels, their bodies change through the years, not all of them menstruate, not all of them give birth. Womanhood cannot and should not be defined purely along biological lines” 1. By attempting to define sex and womanhood along biological lines, this places cisgender women at risk of having their sex and gender questioned if they do not “conform” to the patriarchal binary ideas of what they are supposed to be – this could include having their hormone levels tested or being subjected to genital examinations if they are seen as “too masculine” to compete in women’s sports (i.e. if they do “too” well). The argument around biological essentialism is not only scientifically incorrect and perpetuates gatekeeping and violence against trans individuals, but is actually directly harmful to cisgender women, whom TERFs claim to attempt to protect.
Gender Binary
Another key argument often discussed by TERFs is that there is a gender binary that is directly tied to one’s sex – and one must not go outside of the gender binary. The gender binary is upheld by a system of power that exists to create conflict and division, not to celebrate creativity and diversity. The gender binary is taught through shame and division – what each person is taught as a child, enforces on other people around them, and then teaches their children – for a continuing cycle of oppression. Ideas about the gender binary are directly tied to white supremacy, colonialism, sexism, misogyny, and the patriarchy – as well as gender scripts and roles which feminists have fought against for decades. Through their strict enforcement and support of the gender binary (as taught by the patriarchy) TERFs are continuing to oppress all women, including themselves – which again, flies in the face of everything feminism has fought for.
The Impact of TERF Ideology
On Women
Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists are problematic not just for trans individuals, but for all those who experience minoritization – particularly Racialized Women, Disabled Women, and Low-Income Women. This is due to the fact that their main argument, bioessentialism, “is deeply rooted in both colonialism and white supremacy. It is so deeply rooted, that it is impossible to separate it from the two. By continuing the legacy of this oppressive practice and dismissing any gender and sex categories that don’t comply with the rigid Eurocentric gender binary, TERFs are aligning themselves with white supremacy”. 4
On People of Colour
TERF ideology also erases all of the work that has been done by people of colour who have fought to show that race, similar to gender, is a social construct – unable to be defined through the use of concrete markers. Racial discrimination continues to demonstrate why focusing on biologically-based discrimination is fundamentally flawed, when racial discrimination often takes place in healthcare and social settings. Thus, through their biological essentialism argument, TERFs invalidate the contributions, voices, and perspectives of people of colour, and reinforce racist ideals.
On the Trans Community
The split between those who are trans-inclusive and those who are trans-exclusionary in feminism has proved to be negatively impactful for transgender people, with many being untrusting of women – particularly those who call themselves feminists. Vivek Shraya, a trans activist, discusses this in her book “I’m Afraid of Men” where she reflects on her experiences of patriarchy, misogyny, and sexism. She also discusses being afraid of women “who, when I share my experiences of being trans, try to console me by announcing “welcome to being a woman”, refusing to recognize the ways in which our experiences fundamentally differ.” She states that “history has taught me that I can’t fully rely upon other women for sisterhood, or allyship, or protection from men.” This is a sentiment shared by many within the trans community – where feminists should be seen as safe havens, as allies in the fight against gender-based violence, TERFs have created distrust and fear of violence.
On Legislation & Politics
Though there may be some who see TERFs as an issue confined to the United States (as seen in many recent anti-trans bills that have passed) or in the United Kingdom (particularly spurred on by author J.K. Rowling), TERFs are quite prevalent and active in Canada. In 2016, they fought against the adoption of trans rights bill C-16; the bill which successfully led to the amendment of the Canadian Human Rights Act to add gender identity and gender expression to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination. They also actively advocated against the federal conversion therapy ban bill C-6. TERF ideology is similarly seen in the recent decision by the Conservatives to target transgender women and children.
On Feminism
TERFs have also caused severe division in the idea of feminism – between those who are inclusive and supportive of trans rights, and those who appropriate feminist terms to be exclusionary. This makes it harder for people of all genders to align themselves with feminism, and takes away from overall feminist goals of addressing gender inequity and gender-based violence. One way of countering this is that some people are beginning to support the practice of trans feminism, which is rooted in the idea that there are multiple forms of sexism that often intersect with each other and other forms of oppression, including traditional sexism, cissexism, heterosexism, monosexism, masculine-centrism, and more. Trans feminism is more than just focusing on the experiences of trans people – it is about truly prioritizing and incorporating intersectionality in practice, theory, and activism.
Conclusion
The ideology purported by TERFs is harmful for everyone – for women, for people of colour, for trans people, and for TERFs themselves. This has led to increased issues of misinformation and stereotypes about and directed towards trans people, the passing of harmful legislation, the politicization of trans rights, and increased violence towards gender diverse individuals. However, we each have an opportunity to work to challenge this.
Action Items
Everyone – but especially those who call themselves feminists (or want to consider themselves feminists) – has a responsibility to intervene when they hear “red flags” of TERF ideology. Correct their misinformation, challenge stereotypes, and provide resources for further education.
If you are supporting feminist organizations and/or activists, make sure that they are explicitly trans-inclusive.
Don’t support “feminist” organizations/activists who are trans-exclusionary: don’t donate to them, volunteer with them, or promote their resources/events.
Learn more about the concepts of trans feminism, and find out how you can incorporate these within your daily life and social justice practices.
If you hear about a TERF event happening locally, counter it. Consider showing up as a Pride Defender.
