Page 3 | Transnational 'Anti-Gender' Movements and Resistance

Imnobody4 · 2024-04-19T20:29:40+00:00

Do we know about this? Saw Judith Butler being interviewed recently as she mentioned evidence of anti- trans movements. So I did a search and found this. [[https://www.lse.ac.uk/gender/news/2022/AHRC-launch https://www.lse.ac.uk/gender/news/2022/AHRC-launch]] They've got a project website if you follow the link. Apparently Jacob Breslaw of Mermaids fame was on the board. Through four transnational workshops, the network will bring together scholars, activists and policy-makers from different parts of the globe to contend seriously with ‘anti-gender ideology’ and its counter-narratives. The network is supported by a dynamic Advisory Board comprising UK-based and international representatives within academia and progressive civil society actors and organisations.In foregrounding a focus on concepts and narrative, the network aims to develop a transnational methodology which can help us draw out how these ‘anti-gender’ mobilisations work, with the aim of generating more robust tools for resistance to the take up of anti-feminism for right-wing agendas.

Snowypeaks · 20/04/2024 17:29

Imnobody4 · 20/04/2024 16:53

I've just noticed Sally Hines is on the external board.

Also Ukranian feminists are in trouble for not conforming .

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/gender/2023/04/24/non-obvious-connections-how-feminism-becomes-transphobic/?_gl=1qpma1j_gaMTc0MTc3NTc2Ny4xNzEzNTQ4NjU3_ga_LWTEVFESYX*MTcxMzYyNjQzMi4zLjEuMTcxMzYyNzcxMy42MC4wLjA.

Why are some feminists transphobic? How did it happen that a considerable part of feminist communities aligns with the conservative anti-gender movements in producing anti-transgender public discourse? Sadly, we cannot share Judith Butler’s opinion that transphobic feminists are a minority. When researching feminisms in Ukraine, we see that overt or covert (methodological) transphobia is pertinent to a significant part of academic and activist feminist discourse. Academics often rely on the epistemology of stable dichotomous biological sex, producing obscure but no less harmful transphobia. In activism, though, the biggest and steadily growing Ukrainian online community, Feminism UA, openly indicates in their ground rules that it is forbidden to support trans* activism and use corresponding vocabulary (like cis- or TERF) because ‘this is a misogynist practice’. We are not providing more examples to avoid further proliferation of transphobic hate speech, but they are available online for anyone curious. In this blog, we use the acronym TERF (trans-exclusive radical feminism) or terfism (as Alyosxa Tudor named it) to designate feminist transphobia.

Good on those Ukrainian feminists.

PermanentTemporary · 20/04/2024 17:25

I am sympathetic to the general argument that authoritarian and/or right wing forces are using gender as a toy to wave in front of us going 'look at this ridiculous thing The Left do, everything the left do is therefore ridiculous and dangerous' because you can see it happening in the Daily Mail, and transphobia has also added a new colour to Putin and Orban's violent state-sponsored homophobia.

What I would like is some acknowledgement from left wing and liberal parties and academics that they have handed an easy gift to these nightmarish people, because it is not possible to make everyone believe or even to act as if male people are women and as if putting children on lifelong medication is normal and desirable. These things are never going to be acceptable to more than a very small minority, and they have minimal connections to gay liberation. It is not pro-lesbian to say that men are women. It isn't.

I turn the 'be careful who you line up with' argument around. Just because Orban can argue that puberty blockers are a bad idea, doesn't make them a good idea. Sorry.

Original poster

Imnobody4 · 20/04/2024 17:06

Here's the statement on Jacob Breslaw.

https://www.lse.ac.uk/gender/assets/documents/research/AHRC-documents/AHRC-AB-Statement-Final-Version-31-October-2022.pdf

Released 1 November 2022
AHRC Network Transnational 'Anti-Gender' Movements and Resistance: Narratives and Interventions(AH/W01047X/)
Statement from the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of the AHRC Network met on 25th October and has accepted the resignation of Dr Jacob Breslow from the membership of the Board.
We reviewed the allegations against Dr Jacob Breslow reported and circulated in the media and their impact on the Network. We underscore our opposition to all forms of sexual violence and harm and distance ourselves from any attempts to normalise child sexual abuse.
We also expressed grave concern at the orchestrated attacks on Gender Studies scholars and on Gender Studies as a field of academic research, teaching and enquiry.
We are appalled that allegations made against one person are being used to attack trans people, trans advocacy groups and Gender Studies as a discipline. We strongly oppose slander and rumouring, but believe in accountability and repair if and when any harm has occurred.
The Network, with the support of the Advisory Board, looks forward to continuing its work on mapping the formation and circulation of anti-gender ideology movements across the globe – including anti-feminist, racist and anti-migrant, homophobic, and anti-trans and anti gender-non-conformist violence – and the political struggles and solidarities resisting misrepresentation, harassment, and violence. We endeavour to build a coalition large enough to produce solidarity from and with our differences.
Our shared commitment to the long feminist tradition of gender analysis prioritises the scholarship and wellbeing of the main targets of anti-gender attacks.
Please check our website for details of our full academic programme that will be
published soon.

https://www.lse.ac.uk/gender/assets/documents/research/AHRC-documents/AHRC-AB-Statement-Final-Version-31-October-2022.pdf

OP posts:

Original poster

Imnobody4 · 20/04/2024 16:53

I've just noticed Sally Hines is on the external board.

Also Ukranian feminists are in trouble for not conforming .

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/gender/2023/04/24/non-obvious-connections-how-feminism-becomes-transphobic/?_gl=1qpma1j_gaMTc0MTc3NTc2Ny4xNzEzNTQ4NjU3_ga_LWTEVFESYX*MTcxMzYyNjQzMi4zLjEuMTcxMzYyNzcxMy42MC4wLjA.

Why are some feminists transphobic? How did it happen that a considerable part of feminist communities aligns with the conservative anti-gender movements in producing anti-transgender public discourse? Sadly, we cannot share Judith Butler’s opinion that transphobic feminists are a minority. When researching feminisms in Ukraine, we see that overt or covert (methodological) transphobia is pertinent to a significant part of academic and activist feminist discourse. Academics often rely on the epistemology of stable dichotomous biological sex, producing obscure but no less harmful transphobia. In activism, though, the biggest and steadily growing Ukrainian online community, Feminism UA, openly indicates in their ground rules that it is forbidden to support trans* activism and use corresponding vocabulary (like cis- or TERF) because ‘this is a misogynist practice’. We are not providing more examples to avoid further proliferation of transphobic hate speech, but they are available online for anyone curious. In this blog, we use the acronym TERF (trans-exclusive radical feminism) or terfism (as Alyosxa Tudor named it) to designate feminist transphobia.

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OP posts:

AdamRyan · 20/04/2024 16:43

StainlessSteelMouse · 20/04/2024 16:42

Ooo, a "links and ties" expose! They're always fun.

Like I said, don't bother if you aren't interested!

StainlessSteelMouse · 20/04/2024 16:42

Ooo, a "links and ties" expose! They're always fun.

Transnational 'Anti-Gender' Movements and Resistance

SinnerBoy · 20/04/2024 16:03

SidewaysOtter · Today 14:25

Vlad, if you’re reading, I don’t seem to have received this funding yet. Everyone says we in the Terven are receiving back-handers but <checks bank account> nowt.

Da! Путин, где мои деньги?

MarieDeGournay · 20/04/2024 15:32

"you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"

AdamRyan · 20/04/2024 14:49

If you believe feminists could be "ideologically captured" by TRAs, why not by the far right?

AdamRyan · 20/04/2024 14:48

You should read the Gilead Watch site.
There are clear links (financial and social) between the US right, European right and some GC campaigners and politicians. Some of the European right have links to Russia/Putin.

If you are genuinely interested (as opposed to just wanting to discount "liberals/lefties") then looking into CPAC/NatCon/Orban is a good start - who funds them and who they fund. What their stated aims are. Which of our politicians are linked to them.

The "Londongrad" podcast by Tortoise.

Carole Cadwalladr investigative journalism into Russia/Trump/Brexit.

Or you can ignore the potential for "ideologically capture" from the far right and continue to focus on "the threat" from civil servants and teachers. Those well known reds under the bed

PermanentTemporary · 20/04/2024 14:29

Reading the thread with interest. Slightly nervous of heading off on all the links. Let's see what the algorithm sends me afterwards.

It does seem a long time since the terven were supposed to be 5 crones and their sock puppets. Apparently now we are Putin's shock troops.

SidewaysOtter · 20/04/2024 14:25

They are firmly of the opinion that TERFs are being funded by Russia and the US Religious Right, but can offer no evidence in support of this view.

Vlad, if you’re reading, I don’t seem to have received this funding yet. Everyone says we in the Terven are receiving back-handers but <checks bank account> nowt.

Paypay, cheques and Waitrose vouchers accepted.

SidewaysOtter · 20/04/2024 14:23

What the hell is a research council doing funding this shit? They are part of UKRI - UK Research and Innovation - funded by the government. What massive failure led to someone saying “Yeah, we’ll pony up some cash for this”?

Ereshkigalangcleg · 20/04/2024 14:20

You only have to read the batshit threads on Reddit, which is dominated by trans and pro transactivist moderation.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 20/04/2024 14:19

I know TERFs. They are emphatically not in favour of regressive gender norms. I know trans people. They are firmly of the opinion that TERFs are being funded by Russia and the US Religious Right, but can offer no evidence in support of this view.

Exactly. Come on, this isn't new information.

WickedSerious · 20/04/2024 11:59

At least it keeps the silly buggers off the street,although god knows most of them could do with a bit more fresh air.

theilltemperedclavecinist · 20/04/2024 11:54

AdamRyan · 20/04/2024 11:21

How do you know that clav? Are you close to the project?

Show quote history

I know TERFs. They are emphatically not in favour of regressive gender norms. I know trans people. They are firmly of the opinion that TERFs are being funded by Russia and the US Religious Right, but can offer no evidence in support of this view.

SinnerBoy · 20/04/2024 11:36

OhPea · Yesterday 22:16

Currently 'anti-gender' attacks are on the rise globally, in the form of violence against feminists, LGBTQI communities and institutionalisation of feminist thought in universities, NGOs and governments.”

"Anti-gender" attacks are on feminists? In which alternative universes is that, I wonder. As we all know very well, it's feminists who are attacked, often physically, by gender extremists. Their "research" is going to be a poor quality mutual back scratching exercise, based on a false premise.

AdamRyan · 20/04/2024 11:21

theilltemperedclavecinist · 20/04/2024 11:03

It's true that the Kremlin, the Taliban, and the Christian Right share an objective of imposing rigid gender norms based on biological sex, which means they must necessarily repudiate the idea of trans identity.

It's not true that the project in the OP is about these groups. In their own countries, TRAs hope to get rid of anti-trans right-wing politicians by voting them out, not by changing their minds.

Their real audience is left-leaning politicians, and their method is to persuade them that TERFs are in league with Russia, the Taliban, Trump etc, and are therefore bad and can be ignored.

Show quote history

How do you know that clav? Are you close to the project?

AdamRyan · 20/04/2024 11:19

MerryMaidens · 19/04/2024 22:49

This is a thing, and the posters above are showing a misunderstanding of the issue. Repressive states- Russia is the big one, but there are lots of others- use the idea of genderism to exploit wedge issues in society (usually linked to ideas about traditional roles for men and women and concerns about 'diminishing masculinities') to roll back on women's rights. Reproductive Healthcare is a big one but it's also linked to issues like women's participation in politics. They do this by framing 'genderism' as a western imposition disrupting traditional cultural values and the tradtional gendered roles they see as appropriate. Social media is the usual vector.

The impacts are mostly on women, and LGB people. They do not mean 'anti gender' in a GC way. It's precisely about disrupting less rigid ideas of gender and a 'return' to tradition, but rather smartly have worked out the culture wars are a useful transmitters for this along with social media. These are not people you want to make common cause with.

Thank you for this. Exactly.
I put this on another thread but it's relevant here:
https://populationmatters.org/gilead-watch-protect-womens-rights-from-pronatal-politicians/

Pretending that other countries aren't going to use free speech/the Internet to destabilise our society for their own strategic benefit is naive.

Gilead Watch: Protect women's rights from pronatal politicians - Population Matters

In some countries, politicians are trying to restrict women's rights and access to contraception to try to increase the birth rate.

https://populationmatters.org/gilead-watch-protect-womens-rights-from-pronatal-politicians

theilltemperedclavecinist · 20/04/2024 11:03

MerryMaidens · 19/04/2024 22:49

This is a thing, and the posters above are showing a misunderstanding of the issue. Repressive states- Russia is the big one, but there are lots of others- use the idea of genderism to exploit wedge issues in society (usually linked to ideas about traditional roles for men and women and concerns about 'diminishing masculinities') to roll back on women's rights. Reproductive Healthcare is a big one but it's also linked to issues like women's participation in politics. They do this by framing 'genderism' as a western imposition disrupting traditional cultural values and the tradtional gendered roles they see as appropriate. Social media is the usual vector.

The impacts are mostly on women, and LGB people. They do not mean 'anti gender' in a GC way. It's precisely about disrupting less rigid ideas of gender and a 'return' to tradition, but rather smartly have worked out the culture wars are a useful transmitters for this along with social media. These are not people you want to make common cause with.

It's true that the Kremlin, the Taliban, and the Christian Right share an objective of imposing rigid gender norms based on biological sex, which means they must necessarily repudiate the idea of trans identity.

It's not true that the project in the OP is about these groups. In their own countries, TRAs hope to get rid of anti-trans right-wing politicians by voting them out, not by changing their minds.

Their real audience is left-leaning politicians, and their method is to persuade them that TERFs are in league with Russia, the Taliban, Trump etc, and are therefore bad and can be ignored.

theilltemperedclavecinist · 20/04/2024 10:43

Imnobody4 · 19/04/2024 22:43

Delighted to share the Fall 2023 Special Issue of DiGeSt: Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies titled 'Varieties of TERFness'.
Click here to access the issue.

I read 'Exploring Terfnesses'. If I was a visiting alien, this piece alone would have persuaded me that the TERFs are correct, since it explains the TERF POV pretty fairly and accurately. TL:DR - "TERFs keep pointing out how sex-based bodily differences result in social, economic and political sequelae, but inexplicably don't believe in genderwang". There is no hope of reasoning anyone out of this POV.

Original poster

Imnobody4 · 20/04/2024 09:58

I think this links in nicely to this thread on the 'scraping of Mumsnet'.

The Stasi lives on.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5057460-a-corpus-assisted-discourse-analysis-of-linguistic-transphobia-on-mumsnet

OP posts:

songaboutjam · 20/04/2024 02:40

TempestTost · 19/04/2024 23:33

I don't think that sort of argument really moves these people.

Remember, they are people who think that if non-white people disagree with the antiracism movement, the Coates and Kendi version, or women disagree with some feminist taking point, they are either a) selling out for power, b) stupid, or d) self-hating.

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It's a perfect example of a closed belief system.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 20/04/2024 02:34

songaboutjam · 19/04/2024 23:26

While academic works on the ‘gender critical’ movement have generally focused on its advocacy and claims regarding womanhood and adult women, the movement also heavily targets children. This article contributes a case study of ‘gender critical’ activism around children in the United Kingdom, which is strongly committed to the belief that children cannot be ‘genuinely’ trans. Building on the argument that anti-trans movements seek to undermine the institutions that allow for trans people’s social existence as trans people, it demonstrates that ‘gender critical’ groups seek to intervene in the institutions that regulate childhood in order to inhibit trans children’s ability to both understand themselves and exist socially as trans children. This requires interventions targeting education, specifically for the removal of trans-inclusive guidance and teaching resources. However, it also requires interventions into the family and the recruitment of parents as ‘gender coaches’ best placed to encourage desistance.

Is it just me or is there a whiff of projection in the air?

It's a doozy, that one.

www.digest.ugent.be/article/85309/galley/207657/view/