This is an adapted version of an essay originally published in the Washington Examiner. After several years of fighting behind the scenes, largely ignored by politicians and media outlets that have steadfastly shut their eyes to the fact that there is a leftist feminist critique of “gender identity,” American TERFs finally have entered the public debate about whether there is such a thing as “gender identity,” and whether it deserves the same legal protections as those granted to biological sex.
I am so happy this was posted. Much of the propaganda I see from proponents of "gender ideology" is hate speech similar to racist or religious hate speech. They have posters calling for violence against radical feminist for the "crime" of being against self-hate, child grooming and molestation, etc. But, we are called hateful bigots??? I wanted to add that I am a FORMER democrat turned independent. I simply cannot stomach or support a political party that is throwing women under the bus. That does not mean I have love for the Republican Party. I am simply saying I am politically homeless and will be screwed no matter which party is in power.
The only thing I dispute in the acronym is “radical.” There is nothing radical about recognizing the fact of biological sex. There is something radical about obscuring it.
I prefer the term gender critical, myself, but there are those who feel that too is a definition based on a rejection of the other.
We leftist feminists have been objecting to gender ideology for *years.* We’re very loud on social media. But the media consistent ignores us and paints opposition to gender ideology as strictly a conservative position.
Yes! I wrote about how I feel in all of this. As a female, I have real reservations about being around people with a penis in an intimate space. I refuse to pretend biology isn't real because it can get you hurt. And, no, you aren't likely to be able to fight off a grown man no matter what he identifies as.
Very insightful article. It is important to understand terms being used in public discourse. I agree with the leftist feminists on gender even though I am not a radical, leftist feminist. We need to find ways to work together.
I stand with you, Kara. Not left, no longer a dem, politically independent and if I need a label it’s probably socially conservative. Christian. A woman that admires feminism. Thank you for all you are doing to fight this fight. Biological reality must prevail.
The best governmental system ever invented to secure individual rights is the U.S. Constitution. Indeed, it is this system that has enabled the greatest level of individual liberties ever experienced by the most number of people ever. The concern with the Left is their constant efforts to undermine the U.S. Constitution. Gender identity is just another manifestation of Leftist mentality. If you wish to secure Women's rights, embrace the Conservative values of preserving the U.S. Constitution as written, with clear and distinct roles of the three branches and with a decrease in the centralization of power.
The left invented identity politics, to the detriment of our individuality. This terf war is a consequence. Congratulations Kara. You are becoming a conservative.
Although I'm glad the radical feminists are pushing against the trans movement, as a classical liberal/progressive conservative I'm not prepared to join them in any protests. Their voices should be heard along with conservative/traditional voices in turning the tide on this diabolical movement that endangers women, children and traditional families along with the trans persons who've been misled by doctors and psychologists.
I support the specific aims of the TERFs because it is reality based common sense. What I don’t accept is the claim that feminism bears little or no responsibility for the madness. Second wave feminists adopted the premises of gender ideology pretty much from the get go with Simone de Beauvoir’s anti male women are not born argument. It was very convenient for the cause of liberation to agree with lunatics like John Money and say boys and girls are interchangeable constructs. More currently, gender studies departments tell us a la Judith Butler that gender is pure performative theatre. So now drag queens are ‘trans’. All of this sort of nonsense is baked into feminism since it was seen as serving the cause. Liberate women to be exactly like men with a bogus philosophy and guess what, you get men claiming the same! So I don’t buy that this is some sort of fight against the usual misogyny and ‘patriarchy’. The TERFs don’t seem to care at all about the explosion of Rapid Onset affecting young girls and the devastating damage to their health and wellbeing as a result of ‘gender affirming’ care, because that’s nothing to do with men ‘invading’ women’s spaces. Gender ideology is madness for everyone. More feminism is not the answer.
What is a TERF and Why it Matters in Today’s Political Climate
I am so happy this was posted. Much of the propaganda I see from proponents of "gender ideology" is hate speech similar to racist or religious hate speech. They have posters calling for violence against radical feminist for the "crime" of being against self-hate, child grooming and molestation, etc. But, we are called hateful bigots??? I wanted to add that I am a FORMER democrat turned independent. I simply cannot stomach or support a political party that is throwing women under the bus. That does not mean I have love for the Republican Party. I am simply saying I am politically homeless and will be screwed no matter which party is in power.
The only thing I dispute in the acronym is “radical.” There is nothing radical about recognizing the fact of biological sex. There is something radical about obscuring it.
I prefer the term gender critical, myself, but there are those who feel that too is a definition based on a rejection of the other.
The trans movement not only seeks to erase women, but is using the bodies of teen girls as shields in their efforts.
Anyone remember the song I Am Woman Hear Me Roar? We are starting to roar again. Men are not and Never will be Women.
We leftist feminists have been objecting to gender ideology for *years.* We’re very loud on social media. But the media consistent ignores us and paints opposition to gender ideology as strictly a conservative position.
Changing sex is cultural appropriation!
Trans women are con men
Yes! I wrote about how I feel in all of this. As a female, I have real reservations about being around people with a penis in an intimate space. I refuse to pretend biology isn't real because it can get you hurt. And, no, you aren't likely to be able to fight off a grown man no matter what he identifies as.
Very insightful article. It is important to understand terms being used in public discourse. I agree with the leftist feminists on gender even though I am not a radical, leftist feminist. We need to find ways to work together.
I stand with you, Kara. Not left, no longer a dem, politically independent and if I need a label it’s probably socially conservative. Christian. A woman that admires feminism. Thank you for all you are doing to fight this fight. Biological reality must prevail.
Agree completely. You say it all so well. Thank you.
Thank you for publishing this and thank you, Kara Dansky, for sharing it.
The best governmental system ever invented to secure individual rights is the U.S. Constitution. Indeed, it is this system that has enabled the greatest level of individual liberties ever experienced by the most number of people ever. The concern with the Left is their constant efforts to undermine the U.S. Constitution. Gender identity is just another manifestation of Leftist mentality. If you wish to secure Women's rights, embrace the Conservative values of preserving the U.S. Constitution as written, with clear and distinct roles of the three branches and with a decrease in the centralization of power.
The left invented identity politics, to the detriment of our individuality. This terf war is a consequence. Congratulations Kara. You are becoming a conservative.
Although I'm glad the radical feminists are pushing against the trans movement, as a classical liberal/progressive conservative I'm not prepared to join them in any protests. Their voices should be heard along with conservative/traditional voices in turning the tide on this diabolical movement that endangers women, children and traditional families along with the trans persons who've been misled by doctors and psychologists.
I support the specific aims of the TERFs because it is reality based common sense. What I don’t accept is the claim that feminism bears little or no responsibility for the madness. Second wave feminists adopted the premises of gender ideology pretty much from the get go with Simone de Beauvoir’s anti male women are not born argument. It was very convenient for the cause of liberation to agree with lunatics like John Money and say boys and girls are interchangeable constructs. More currently, gender studies departments tell us a la Judith Butler that gender is pure performative theatre. So now drag queens are ‘trans’. All of this sort of nonsense is baked into feminism since it was seen as serving the cause. Liberate women to be exactly like men with a bogus philosophy and guess what, you get men claiming the same! So I don’t buy that this is some sort of fight against the usual misogyny and ‘patriarchy’. The TERFs don’t seem to care at all about the explosion of Rapid Onset affecting young girls and the devastating damage to their health and wellbeing as a result of ‘gender affirming’ care, because that’s nothing to do with men ‘invading’ women’s spaces. Gender ideology is madness for everyone. More feminism is not the answer.