Feminist playgroup mention of TERFs...

[doricgirl]

A trial feminist playgroup to discuss feminist, equality and gender norms has been set up where I live and I was/am really excited about the prospect of discussing all of these issues with like minded people and not have to shut down that part of me now I’m a parent.

It was really interesting but the noticed at the end on one of the discussion boards someone had commented about TERFs being an issue and dithering about how to approach it.

I am really fine in that specific space to agree to disagree but I find the term TERF really offensive and don’t want it to be acceptable use in the group if i continue - not sure how/it to challenge if it comes up or to maybe contact the organiser to discuss?

In the rest of my life I run a women’s charity and have fairly strong views about the necessity of women only spaces and have been worn down by the continuing pressure to justify these spaces and losing out on funding due to not offering men’s services so I don’t think I’m capable of shutting up completely and I also don’t want my daughter to think it’s an ok term.

Any thoughts or advice are very welcome

Sorry was on holiday and not had a chance to reply- like the reverse idea but not sure I could carry it off while chasing a toddler- need to think about my responses and staying calm having just stepped away from a conversation on Facebook about sex segregated spaces on mh wards and saying I thought v sensitively that All needs have to be respected and valued to be told I can say a trans woman is the opposite sex to a woman so treading carefully...

Smart one liners welcome - our daughters don’t deserve to grow up learning even more ways to ignore their needs

doricgirl

I know it's really hard to speak up on these issues, but when we do we give other women permissions to do so too.

You can publicly object in the most kitten-soft way:

"Hi guys, I am totally on board with being inclusive of everyone and on that I'd just like to point out that "TERF" is a slur which is used against women for having an opinion that other people don't like, just like 'bitch' or 'c*nt'. We don't have to agree with other peoples opinions but if we are going to be using sexist slurs I can't be a part of this group."

and if they object just direct them to terfisaslur.com and make your exit.

I tried listening to the Riley clip. Lordy how that person does go on. I actually stopped be8ng able to listen at all. It just became annoying white noise with the word “genitals” repeated at regular intervals. Sort of rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb (whiney voice ) rhubarb GENITALS rhubarb .
I think I need a little lie down and then some Magdalen Berns.

A friend was browsing Etsy today and found badges with the logo Fuck terfs for sale and also with the logo Get the L out of LGBT . I don’t know who the seller is. She has reported it to Etsy as being in breach of their equality etc policies. So you could raise this as an example and innocently ask what people think.

Wow that’s appalling but a good example to raise - it’s not on again till 14/5 but thank you for the advice and ideas

I reported the fuck terfs merchandise before. It was also covered in the Spectator. Etsy would do well do remove them as people are starting to realise what it means and the link to incitement to violence.

I reported “Terf stomper” badges, with a pic of a DM boot on, to Etsy ages ago, they didn’t remove them.

Just had a look at Etsy. In the Get the L out of LGBT badge, the L stands for lout. Not obvious, granted, but the other badges from that seller includes Woman not Cis.