To think that Emma Watson is no feminist

[HermioneWeasley]

So after JKR published her incredibly powerful essay and disclosed being a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual violence, Emma decides to tweet that trans women are women. Emma doesn’t condemn the misogynist abuse and threats of sexual violence that JKR has received, nor is she concerned about the facts JKR has shared of an over 4000% increase in girls being referred to gender clinics, or how autistic girls are disproportionately represented.

What is Emma’s “feminism” for exactly?

In simple terms it is transphobic because it suggests that sometimes the sex of a person matters more than their gender identity. It suggests that the two are a bit different. It suggests that women's only spaces belong to the sex category woman not the gender category of woman

Many women feel that when sports or health or sexual assault is considered, someone's sex is more relevant than the gender identity. That is very transphobic. Some transmen and transwomen also feel that way, they are also very transphobic.

You might call it blinding obvious or common sense, others call it transphobia

Biological sex is real and trumps gender nonsense every time.

Midge, gender is a social construct, sex is a biological fact. And facts don't give a shit if you think a penis is a female.

I’ve read JK's essay, her message is clear - by erasing biological sex you erase the experiences that define her as a woman. This is true for the majority of women (those who aren't drooling handmaidens) - our experiences in life, the bias we've faced for being female is something men (who think they’re female or not ) will NEVER understand.

I’ve seen women threatened with rape and being beaten because they don't feel comfortable in the same changing area with a man. Because that's what transwomen are. They’re biologically men. No woman or girl should be forced to pretend that they are. This mentality is so incredibly harmful to actual women.

Totally agree that much of trans ideology is harmful to women. I was just explaining what people seem to mean when the accuse someone of transphobia.

As a teen, I had lots of very negative feelings about myself, frequently called myself David, could not imagine myself as a woman. I would have jumped at the chance to be trans and get surgery and hormones to stop my development ( and occasionally now I can still see the attraction )

the only way to turn that negativity around for me was to understand the difference between sex and gender, and how your sex does not mean you have to conform to anyone's notions of appropriate. Sex can't change, gender is others people's restrictions, not mine.

Therefore having people define woman as gender rather than sex based is really quite hurtful. Implying that , if I use the woman's changing room I am in some way tacitly accepting that my gender is woman. Does that mean I accept rape? It was my fault? Does that mean I didn't deserve promotion when all the men got it? ( I got quite pissed off when the they appraised me against my peers as mid range only all the peers were a pay grade above me )

The whole idea that you are in the wrong body, that there is something wrong with you if you dont accept the gender identity assigned to your sex, is basically telling me that there is something very wrong with me. I utterly reject that. I am fine as me, female body with very few feminine personality and character traits. I don't need medication, i don't need help to change, I just need to be accepted as I am.

That is what some in the trans community seem unable to do.

She’s important for younger generations of feminists even if older ones don’t get her.

If she is being held as the shining example of feminism that has come from my generation then I truly despair.

She’s important for younger generations of feminists even if older ones don’t get her

Oh we get her alright. She’s the different sort of feminist - the man pleasing kind who ensures feminism doesn’t hurt men’s feelings. Yup. Seen many of those over the years. They still get chewed up and spat out once they are past their sell by date anyway.

I have always disliked Emma Watson intensely and this attitude of hers does not change that one bit.

This thread is so depressing. It's an attack on a young woman, her looks, her talent, her opinions. All because she doesn't agree with one set of values. Women don't need saving from the patriarchy, we need saving from each other.

Totally agree, @witchcraftandhokum

@witchcraftandhokum
Ironically that’s exactly what happened to her mentor JKR - but far worse, yet she was more than happy to distance herself from that and fuel the flames!
Nobody deserves to be attacked for their views, especially not when they are simply stating a fact!

Cherryblossompink It's not right either way. I'm sick of all the competition about who can 'woman' better.

I am a feminist and I think trans women are women. You don't get to decide if I'm a feminist or not.

Presumably Emma Watson feels that she is a feminist because she believes that the sexes should be equal socially, economically and politically. She may not feel that it is much to do with whether you believe trans women are women. I think that is fair enough.

I am a feminist and I think trans women are women. You don't get to decide if I'm a feminist or not.

In what way are they women? 'Woman' is a discrete biological category.

Hilarious that I'm being told biology is a construct- I'm going through the menopause. Feels fucking real to me.

Ironically that’s exactly what happened to her mentor JKR - but far worse, yet she was more than happy to distance herself from that and fuel the flames!

Exactly. She fanned the flames of that and couldn't even bring herself to condemn the 'Choke on my girl dick you cunt' abuse that Rowling was receiving at the time. She didn't mention it at all.

I still can't quite believe that to be honest!

To me Emma Watson epitomises 'modern feminism'. Say the right things, be kind even if it means throwing women and children under the bus, and above all for God's sake don't offend males.

Presumably Emma Watson feels that she is a feminist because she believes that the sexes should be equal socially, economically and politically. She may not feel that it is much to do with whether you believe trans women are women. I think that is fair enough.

How can you believe in equality for men and women, if you can't even define men and women?

Labour believe that transwomen should go on all women's shortlists for running for office. So in theory, you could have all Labour MPs actually male, but it would still be 'equal representation'. Does that sound fair?

Her feminism is almost as bad as her acting.

How can you believe in equality for men and women, if you can't even define men and women?

If things were truly equal socially, economically and politically would you need to define men and women? Probably not.

Labour believe that transwomen should go on all women's shortlists for running for office. So in theory, you could have all Labour MPs actually male, but it would still be 'equal representation'. Does that sound fair?

I think that theory is extremely unlikely to be reality. Do you really think many men would want to be trans-women just so they can go on a short list? Anyway, the shortlists exist because men are otherwise favoured so it is clearly ultimately more advantageous to stay as a man rather than to become trans-women whether or not you get on a shortlist.

JKR makes perfect sense.

Emma Watson doesn't.

@bellinisurge

I'm going through it too..... it's all in our heads

Sad isn't it that some people actually believe some of the claptrap they spout.

I’ve just been put on HRT. I’ll just phone my gynaecologist and tell her that there’s no point as biology isn’t a thing anymore. I expect she’ll want to retrain in something more useful.

Labour believe that transwomen should go on all women's shortlists for running for office. So in theory, you could have all Labour MPs actually male, but it would still be 'equal representation'. Does that sound fair?

I think that theory is extremely unlikely to be reality.

Oh, dear ..

www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/new-york-city/new-york-city-elects-its-first-trans-district-leaders.html

As vote totals were finalized about a month after the June 23 primary, two women in Queens made history: Melissa Sklarz and Emilia Decaudin became the first openly trans people to become Democratic district leaders in New York City.

(contd)

coming to a political party near you.

Because you don’t agree with her she isn’t a feminist... so is there only one way to be a feminist... surely putting down Emma’s views is anti feminist too. I don’t like her but agree with thing she says.

I think it's always so very sad having these conversations, the most upsetting thing is they never ever help the trans people just quietly getting on with their lives in the best way they can. Emma Watson is a young woman trying to be all things to all people, I think I was probably like that. I believed that we were all equal and women could go where they wanted and do what they wanted (in heels or otherwise), then I had a baby and realised what a lot of shit that was. Career gone. Job prospects on hold. Older, not so fresh, past my sell by date... But the men going onwards and upwards. I desperately don't want to watch young women wake up to this reality, I don't want to see a young girl sobbing her heart out because she has to give up the swim team as she's too frightened to show her body in front of a boy self id'd in her changing room. God help her when that same boy competes on the team and thrashes her. Feminism is fucking awful, it's a bloody grinding disillusionment knowing no matter how hard you shout you won't be heard. So if a man wants to come and join the club fucking let him... I bet he will do it in stockings, heels and a scarlet lip and show us how to do it properly.