Feminist playgroup mention of TERFs...

I would join in with the libfem nuttery to help peak trans others. Whenever you see the term terfs mentioned you could say, "can someone please explain terfs to me? Am I right in understanding that these people actually would want to allow a transgender woman who has been convicted of rape to stay in a male prison?"

You could have a lot of fun. "I've heard that these TERFs object to the term front hole because they say a vagina is a passage. That can't be right? People like this exist?"

'terf' has become a sexist slur and insult.. language matters and is a feminist concern. Surely it would be a good discussion point? There are other words specific to women that have been similarly used!
James Kirkup got it in The Spectator article:

"If this was simply a story of a small number of nasty people online and – sometimes – on the street doing bad things to women who speak up about a political issue, I suspect this problem wouldn’t persist. The relevant legal and political authorities would indeed pay attention to that fear, and maybe even do something, even if that was just listening to those women, meeting them, answering their questions.

But that doesn’t seem to be happening. It’s because those women have been – quite successfully and even skilfully – demonised and stigmatised, put beyond the pale of civilised debate as those who question orthodoxy often are. They’ve been given a name, a name that means they’re bad people, people who should not speak and should not be heard. That name is “Terf,” which once meant “Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist” but now appears to stand in its own right as a term of abuse and dismissal alongside the other short, harsh words often used to question the worth and virtue of women.

And that small number of people who direct violence and abuse at “Terfs” are swimming in a larger sea of contempt and dismissal. Their conduct takes place in a social context where hostility to “Terfs” has become not just normal but even amusing, where there is no social cost to talking about and perhaps even inciting violence towards women who hold “unacceptable” views. Simply, some people, including people who would never themselves engage in that sort of violence, are doing things that make violent discourse and even violence look and feel OK. Sadly, they include journalists and politicians, people who parade their support for minority groups but speak about feminist women in terms they would never use about other people."

Helen Lewis just tweeted a bunch of stuff that is perfect for you to reflect on:

Helen Lewis @ helenlewis
For the sake of my blood pressure, I normally let this kind of stuff go. But no, come on. “Tired”? Tell that to FGM survivors, women sacked for being pregnant, those having an abortion after rape or incontinent after a childbirth fistula in the developing world.

Congratulations on being so privileged that having a uterus and vagina has apparently never affected your life. But don’t tell me that anyone talking about the material reality of millions of women & girls is “basic”.

Gordrand @ luxpork
Not sure if you saw but she just deleted this

Helen Lewis @ helenlewis
I’m beyond done with the lazy name-calling and casual abuse this subject attracts. “TERF” is a misogynistic insult, and I’m not even trans-exclusionary. Trans women are women. It’s just that I also think it’s OK for feminists to talk about female biology as a source of sexism.

Basic point: talking about biology majes you a terf. I am struggling to really work out what the real point of feminism is, if biology is not allowed to be discussed. Using the word is dangerous for women, as it encourages its use at the expense of being able to discuss important issues.

I think I might contact the organiser in private and explain that I found the term exclusionary. It’s frustrating if there’s someone already in place trying to drive an anti rad-fem agenda. I honestly find it shocking just how aggressive their activism is. Presumably they can’t allow it any space because as soon as logic enters, the majority might see the truth.

Surely they need to discuss how they will exclude certain who may or may not be Feminists who do not comply with the 5th rule of misogyny: Women and Feminists must be useful to men or they are worthless.

Have you seen this thread - these are real people being called terfs and having their work ruined as result.

ttps:twitter.com/LucyLoveslife1/status/973852316787933184

Circulate this and see if they still think terfs are an issue afterwards.

Can you start a discussion about not using slurs?

Have you been in a situation before where you had to “out” yourself? Are you skilled at winning allies?

Or do you just get cross like me?