"feminism is the refusal to define a woman" OMG YES!
I've started using that tactic, when I'm asked I just say gender means different things to different people and no two people, even cis people will have the same answer and both answers will be valid and a woman is whatever she wants to be
It's really bad it took that terrible ruling for the media to suddenly think "hang on a minute....." but at least it seems part of it are getting there.
I'm so glad to see this point in particular being articulated in a mainstream publication. Anti-trans feminism lets patriarchy off the hook by making trans women scapegoats for all of the harm done to women.
Not a coincidence that many of the organisations and individuals doing this also seek to blame sexual violence on other minorities, esp migrants. Scabs who'd rather lash out at minority groups than face down patriarchal power.
Seen a couple of people take issue w the word "smokescreen" and you're probably right tbh. For transphobes and racists transphobia and racism are ends in themselves and I wouldn't suggest otherwise.
I do think, however that the elevation of these bigots by mainstream outlets is an intentional recuperation of feminism. Promoting a vision of women's rights that is centred on protecting rather than challenging the dominant order.
We see this quite explicitly in some reactionary circles that explicitly draw a distinction between "feminism" and "women's rights," with the former cast as a bunch of hysterical man haters while the latter are doing the good work of hating queers and brown people.
I wonder if maybe for some, the idea of there being people for whom racism/transphobia are end goals is so uncomfortable that it's easier to operate under the assumption that no one truly holds those beliefs
It’s so they can claim to be standing up for women’s rights, by treading on a vulnerable outgroup, without tackling the real issues because that’s harder.
I think the fact they’re also throwing trans men under the bus confirms that. Trans men can’t use the men’s, but nor can they use the ladies, because they’re ’not feminine’. Sort of throws away their whole ‘sex at birth’ argument.
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I've started using that tactic, when I'm asked I just say gender means different things to different people and no two people, even cis people will have the same answer and both answers will be valid and a woman is whatever she wants to be
It's why the Bulger killing sparked a panic over 'video nasties', and Brianna Ghey's murder turned into a campaign about social media.
Find something with a 'quick fix' and say 'job done'
Easier than introspection.