What is the correct response to TERF?

“Oh dear, is a witch hunt on? How very seventeeth-century of us. Not to worry, a man has arrived to explain to us all what feminism should be! Carry on.”

Penis havers exclusionary radical feminist. PHERF

Like it ever happened Most of the women I work with aren't interested abd don't e en kniw what TERF means.

Smile and nod. Then ask if they have actually read JKRs essay for themselves or are they relying on misinformation?

‘Why yes, I am Tired of Explaining Reality to F@ckwits.’

If they are allowed to express their views about JK Rowling why are you not allowed to express yours. It is very concerning that reasoned polite debate has been replaced by a type of cancel culture on these issues. They can persuade you ( or shut you up) you are not allowed to present views to persuade them.

Oops, sorry , pp already said more eloquently re bullying

No one will ever have the perfect comeback when they need it, OP, but I thought yours was very decent.
More concerning (and possibly actionable) is workplace bullying, name calling, unprofessional behaviour etc. Something to watch out for if it happens again.

Do you have an HR Dept you can report it to? Even if you make it clear they need not take any further action it should be recorded in case of future bullying.

A judge has ruled that Maya's views are protected and "worthy of respect in a democracy society".

You are in solid ground but I understand if you don't want to make a fuss.

A Buttergasp in a office in response to your simply and reasonable statement sounds like you work with some very fragile egos.

'You mean, a realist?'

Someone on MN coined the wonderful comeback that TERF stood for
“Tired (of) Explaining Reality (to) Fuckwits.”
I’d have said that your accuser, OP.
They are obviously a shallow virtue signaller, pointing and shrieking “heretic”.
Tell them to “read JKR’s statement and find a single transphobic thing in it. I’ll wait.”

I find asking questions is the way to go because what they're saying doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Lean the art of questioning with genuine curiosity until they tie themselves up in knots. Use their method of obfuscating any answers to their questions and instead questioning them once more. The questions are endless:

What makes you say I'm a feminist? - being the first one I'd ask in that situation.

I would have said I'm male exclusionary when it comes to women's single sex places. Or told them they were a misogynist using a sexist slur - see thread here mobile.twitter.com/hogotheforsaken/status/1158355043667664896?lang=en-GB

sounds horrible

Set them homework: please read her essay, take time to think about it, and then we can all meet again to discuss this next week. Maybe also suggest making a 'time capsule' where they can all record what they think on these issues, and then come back and open it in 5 years and see how well they've aged.

I’d probably just shrug my shoulders and say “you think I’m a terf, I think you’re a misogynist, so here we are 🤷‍♀️“ and walk away.

Fuck them. But also don’t bother getting into debate with people who throw terf around.
It’s designed to insult and shut down women without genuine debate on issues which exclusively affect us.
If someone has opposing views, that’s absolutely fine isn’t it - we don’t all agree on everything but someone who will easily pull out the terf tactic isn’t someone who will have well informed genuine opinions. So therefore don’t waste your time.

Obviously it depends on the context, and I agree if you can ask what JK actually said that would be a good thing, but it depends whether or not you want to engage, at all.

"I thought she must've said some terrible things, but I've looked them up online I honestly can't see the problem, can anyone show me?"

Or

"Well I don't know about you but I can't defend putting male rapists into female prisons/men competing against women in sport".

"How do you defend that?"

Both those reactions are putting them in the position where they have to defend something, instead of just slinging a slur at you.

And I'd be surprised if you didn't find a lot of agreement, anyway. Men in women's sports is not a popular opinion.

In other words, make it specific. That's if you want to engage in any way, of course.

I think I'd ask them to explain exactly what they meant by the term and how it applies to you. Then watch them tie themselves in knots.

I'm continually amazed by the number of MNetters who haven't heard of Google.

A friend has MS and can experience overwhelming fatigue. When particularly exasperated, she has been known to comment, "Is your Google broken?"

God, sorry - I need more tea.

I see you've already said it was a man, which is interesting because that's what I assumed.

It doesn't really matter how you respond, as long as you don't back down. The whole aim of "T**F is to silence - the implication being that GC views are unsayable.. If you are not silenced, you take the power from your accuser, whatever your response. Coldly professional is good in some contexts, 'fuck off' works well in others.

Just out of interest OP, was the person who made the comment and referred to you as a TERF a man?

It's sinister and scary either way, but if it's a man policing your speech around women's rights it's worse.