Public terfing: "out and proud" or anon?

I’m not out. I’m too scared. I’m a millennial, too many of my peer group are connected to or are TRAs. I think that may be one reason why younger feminists seem so on board with it? we’re more likely to be connected to TRAs through peer groups, social media, uni etc. Some have drunk the kool aid for sure but I think a lot are just scared.

I’m out on Twitter. In some ways, I think it’s important to demonstrate that we are real women, not just online anonymous campaigners.

But I fully understand and respect the right of other feminists to keep themselves safe. Each of us has to fight in the way that feels comfortable.

I have had mental health problems in the past and if this begins to impact my health, I will back down. I am also somewhere remote, so I don’t feel physically under threat. My career is also fairly safe, though I have received a threat recently which may be followed through.

My post probably isn’t that helpful, but ultimately you have to do your own safety assessment and consider how ot might impact you personally, and decide based on that.

One thing I will say though. I am not ashamed to speak about this under my own name. The threat I received has made me more determined, not less. So far it is helping me to feel that I am being true to myself and that feels good.

I tweet under a different name linked to an email account set up for the purpose.
I am out on facebook but no loads as I don't use is that much.

And I speak to many people in real life about the issues. Have yet to meet anyone I can’t peaktrans in ten mins.

Last Friday, took about 30 seconds with a young US Navy fella.

I’m out on Twitter. Real name, face photo (admittedly dressed as a man).

I post anti-TRA ideology on Facebook; again real name etc.

I work in academia.

I'm out about it; and I don't have many friends so I don't have to worry about offending them, lol.

I'm not on FB, or any other social media, except Twitter, and I only joined Twitter because of this issue, so I don't have to worry about that.

I tend to raise it with almost everyone I meet/know, and haven't really had any bad reactions. Mostly, people are bemused by it, and incredulous that anyone would believe you can change sex.

I've actually opened several people's eyes to this madness (as it's so ridiculous that they didn't think it was real) and I've even changed someone's viewpoint and really got them thinking about why it wouldn't work.
They're very liberal and of the opinion that equality means treating everyone exactly the same and that we should do away with all segregation and labels including man, woman, etc, because we're all human!

Using a few examples, I got them to concede that equality is actually about fairness & not necessarily treating everyone exactly the same and why words are important, etc.

I've been toying with having a photo of myself as my profile pic on Twitter , as I'm not ashamed of my views, and I'm very lucky that I don't have to worry about work finding out.

I realise that outs much harder for others though, especially those working in academia, etc, where these views are seen as hateful.

I thought I'd covered my real identity, removed my real name from my twitter account and deleted past tweets. Just googled my twitter name and up came my real name! LMAO. Have now deactivated my account.

Sigh.

Your safety is the paramount concern.

It is pretty shocking that I am afraid to be public on this. I’d be perfectly comfortable making political criticism etc but the level of very personal threat and the tactics used make me wary.

I would suggest screenshotting every single threat against you. All of them. Have a secure folder to dump them in.

I'm quite upset at the moment. Thought I'd have a look at Germaine Greer's twitter, and almost the first thing I saw was a post from A WOMAN bullying her about her looks. And the creepiest thing is that she (the one bullying) then retweets a huggy tweet about 'lifting people up, be kind, share your gifts blah blah fucking blah.' This is a woman who is a "Post Doc Research Fellow interested in vulnerable populations".

I'm out in a low-key way. Don't post on my wall but will like & comment on other people's posts, and am a member of a couple of gender critical groups.
Have had no abuse but relationship with one friend has become incredibly strained and may end soon.

Hi xx Helana

The only problem with twitter is we all agree with each other, you don't get many fish come swimming by! The terfblocker stops us seeing the other side, its a bit weird. Yo have to log out to read them. Its like a weird paintballl game.

Collect evidence and report you to the police? For what exactly ? These people are insane.

Keep yourself safe OP.

doctorw you are doing a fabulous job.

"DH is "out" on Twitter with a lot of followers. Nobody abuses him, so I think this is mostly about intimidating women."

I think this is a really important point - as with so many sorts of men abusing women, men have the option of remaining oblivious to the frequency and severity of the attacks. Which means that for many, their whole attitude is "What's the problem?" I actually think (I know he is loathed on here and in many ways he is a silly little twerp) Owen Jones is generally well disposed towards most people and I don't think he really gets how dangerous and unpleasant this whole climate, including his thoughtless TRA-cheering, is for women. He's just a high profile case, but I really think that for many men this is all such a storm in a teacup.

I'm out on twitter (real name, real picture etc. on my account) but I don't have many IRL people following me on twitter, mostly other "terfs" and then a bunch of people connected to my brother and his case. Have had a couple of awkward conversations with friends who are pro-trans after they saw me tweeting/retweeting things and then one with my brother who then tweeted to his friends asking how to deal with a transphobic family member... to be fair we had a good discussion and I'm hoping I'll peak trans him eventually.

I'm not really out on Facebook as in I don't post/share trans-related things there but have commented on other people's posts - much harder for me to be out on Facebook as I have a TIM friend who I'm pretty sure would take it badly and I don't want to upset them.

Oh, and I've carefully disconnected any anonymous accounts from me so I can have somewhere stress free. Hope no one has as good memory!

I am accidentally out. My twitter uses my name in the handle so can't be changed. I'm careful with what I tweet/retweet - only the less inflammatory ones - but I've still had some targeting. The way they carefully use your name, without using your handle so it's obvious they've clocked it, gives me shivers. I'm not on a block list yet though.

I am getting bolder and and so far have only had one argument. No idea if I've lost anyone because of it - I don't use unfollow counters. No one has asked me about out apart from TRAs so I've not had to explain anything. I would be happy to though.

I'm job hunting at the moment and that scares me. I already have health problem which make things very hard, add this on top and I'm not expecting to get a job any time soon.

Anyone got a time turner I could use?

DH is "out" on Twitter with a lot of followers. Nobody abuses him, so I think this is mostly about intimidating women.

Yes this is a great point. I have had endless abuse on twitter. Meanwhile DH is out on there, with many many more followerts than me, and he gets nothing. maybe the odd TRA popping up with a message but they leave him alone once he states his views..they do not harrass him and threaten violence. And, he has not been added to a terfblocker either, which is odd as he is probably more 'terfy' than me and has been taking about these issues on twitter for a lot longer than I have, and tweets more and is MUCH more forceful

I am out in real life as a terf. And have turned every one of my close friends to gender critical too.

I am out on FB, as obviously I only have friends on there

On twitter I am anon. I WAS out, however I started getting serious threats from TRAs and it scared me a bit.

I'm operating under the radar too. Teacher, mother, husband a uni lecturer. I also have a thriving self-employed craft business via FB. Hate that I feel silenced on such an important matter.

I agree tobee They are not in the slightest interested in trans women's rights. It's a game to them. They are misogynistic and violent.

I am regularly arguing with people on Facebook, the worst I have got is to be called ignorant, hateful and a disgrace to humanity , no threats of violence or harassment which I would report to police. Thus is free speech and that's the simple truth of it!

How anyone can say these people are interested in trans rights. It's just a pathetic cover for violent urges and vile misogyny.