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Original poster

Is it actually possible to be a feminist and completely embrace trans rights?

430 replies

BertrandRussell · 02/09/2016 10:14

Because I am beginning to think that i will never be able to say anything about trans issues without being accused of being transphobic.

It seems to me that in some cases trans rights are just incompatible with women's rights. Obviously then, someone has to step aside- and if I want the ones stepping aside to be transwomen then I am being, I suppose, transphobic.

So has the time come for feminists to say to trans women "I support you to live the life you want to. I will stand up to and with you against people who abuse you and are violent to you. I will call you what you want to be called. I will defend your employment rights, your right to housing and any other "social" service. I will defend your right to appropriate medical treatment. In fact, I will defend you and support you in anything up to the point where your rights conflict with and take precedence over the rights of women. From that point, my allegiance is with women.

If this causes you to call me transphobic so be it. I will continue to support you up to that point regardless."

OP posts:
HoneyDragon · 02/09/2016 11:12

One thing that keeps bugging me is semantics. Which seems really trivial, but it does.

On trans issues a man can trans to a woman if they want to.

But so so so often I hear the other way round

A woman can trans to a boy if they want to.

It bugs me that somewhere in our subconsciousness that a man can be a woman but a woman can't be a man. Just a boy.

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 02/09/2016 11:07

I don't think it's possible to be feminist and agree with what the more extreme transactivists push for.

But I would say I'm fine with transwomen and transmen and still happy to call myself a feminist. It doesn't mean I have to agree with everything any trans person has ever said.

Soubriquet · 02/09/2016 11:05

I think you can be supportive of trans rights but make it clear you do not prioritise them over women's rights.

Women shouldn't miss out and be demoted for another minority

almondpudding · 02/09/2016 11:03

I can't support the medical and psychological treatments being given to young gender non conforming women.

How as feminists can we decide to just politely ignore it?

I just keep thinking of the terrible history psychiatry has of treating women this way.

HemlockIsSpartacus · 02/09/2016 10:26

Under my other name I watch women who are normally vocal feminists contort themselves to make sure that they are being trans inclusive in their discussion of women's issues - even then they still end up apologising for inadvertently offending someone. Mostly just by daring to admit out loud that they have a female reproductive system and sexual organs.

They've been robbed of so many words, and the ones they are allowed to use can only be used in conjunction with so many disclaimers as to become meaningless.

It's a very watered down and ineffectual version of feminism. The heart might be there but their revenues for talk and action are heavily stifled.