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Original poster

Complaining about an "anti-TERF" workshop at YIWW - help please!

59 replies

GraceMarks · 19/03/2019 08:58

There was a thread on here a while back about a workshop that was being run as part of York International Women's Week called "Why we fight the TERF wars". I'm planning to write to the YIWW organising committee and complain about its inclusion, but I need to do it in such a way that explains why the word t**f is offensive and anti-women without trying to get into the whole "TWAW" debate. The people who run this thing are ultra-woke and anything I say that could be interpreted as transphobic (i.e. pretty much anything other than wholesale agreement with their ideology) will only result in my complaint being ignored.

I have been trying to find the details of the ruling by a judge that t**f is a misogynistic slur, but I can't for the life of me remember in what context it came up. Was it in the civil case against Miranda Yardley? Can anyone point me towards it?

I don't think the "TERF is a slur" website would be especially helpful, as I've noticed screenshots on there recently which seem to suggest that some TRAs see it as a badge of honour to be included...

OP posts:
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DadJoke · 19/03/2019 10:27

Terf is an insulting and belittling synonym for gender critical feminist. Gender critical feminists don't think trans women are women.

I can't see a way of explaining why it's insulting without saying that you don't think trans women are women, because it's an insult directed at women who don't think trans women are women.

And, whether you like it or not, saying trans women are not women is transphobic.

abuseofpowercomesasnosurprise · 19/03/2019 10:24

I have lots of recent screenshots for you of violent threats against women using terf. Sometimes these can work better than trying to explain, it clearly shows how this kind of thing is aggression against women without you having to be in a defensive position.

Complaining about an "anti-TERF" workshop at YIWW - help please!
Complaining about an "anti-TERF" workshop at YIWW - help please!
Complaining about an "anti-TERF" workshop at YIWW - help please!
Ereshkigal · 19/03/2019 10:21

Point out the indiscriminate nature of the term, that just speaking up for women's sex based rights gets you that label.

Original poster
GraceMarks · 19/03/2019 10:05

Thanks all. It is tricky to formulate an argument against the use of the term without having to go into explaining the gender-critical stance, and opening up the TWAW can of worms. I'm not sure I'm equal to the task but I feel like I have to try.

These people do not care one bit if a group of mostly older feminists feel alienated and threatened by the direction these sorts of events have taken in recent years - they want to keep us out and will probably be glad to hear that their language is having that effect. But I can't bear to not say anything. Some thinking to do!

OP posts:
EweSurname · 19/03/2019 09:48

Sonia Poulton
@SoniaPoulton
'TERF' was acknowledged as a derogatory word in court aimed at, primarily, gender critical women. Helen Islan said it was just 'social media shorthand'.

EcclesThePeacock · 19/03/2019 09:43

Yes, it came up in the ridiculous trial of @MirandaYardley

Ereshkigal · 19/03/2019 09:43

Yes I think it was during that court case. I'm just walking right now, will find ref for you in a bit if no one else does before then.

ColeHawlins · 19/03/2019 09:36

No idea, but have a bump, that's shocking.

MsTiggywinkletoyou · 19/03/2019 09:33

Deborah Cameron is a linguist who has written widely on feminist issues. Here is her take on the word "terf" (from 2016, and language moves quickly in trans matters):
debuk.wordpress.com/2016/11/06/what-makes-a-word-a-slur/