A word that is creeping into use here on the Feminism boards

[JellySlice]

'Genderism'

Why are we using it?

Like 'transwoman' to the newcomers, 'genderism' is an unclear word. It took me a while to work out that 'genderism' referred to trans ideology and not to gender critical.

Why are we using unclear language? We know how damaging unclear language can be. We only use transwoman because the clearer descriptor, the one involving the biologically correct noun, is banned on MN.

I use 'Genderism' as a term for the neo religion that teaches the gender is an innate part of the human sexed experience. You can use Trans Ideology in the same way, but Genderism for me covers the aspects of the beliefs about gender that aren't necessarily to do with transing, like pink for girls etc. even though trans ideology is completely based in gender. It's a fairly basic idea in feminist thought that gender is a negative idea. Some people like the term GC or gender critical. I don't really care, most of these words are shorthand for a larger set of ideas that need unpacking to a certain degree.

Speaking of words and terms, one that I don't like and think is cause for confusion is "gender non-conforming". I think it has similar problems to "non-binary" as a concept. However, I haven't got an alternative word to describe those who very obviously do not live up to gender roles and I accept one is needed so I try not to dwell on it.

I just used the word "genderist" in another post which I think goes with "genderism". It's a word I've been using for about 5 years. To me it's a short way of describing those who subscribe to the idea of innate gender and all that entails. I didn't think it was confusing - though I wouldn't use it if speaking to someone new to the subject I admit. Hmm.

I find 'genderism' useful. It's the opposite of gender critical. To me, it means believing in innate gender, and that this innate gender is more important than your biological sex. I see it as synonymous with 'trans ideology', but 'trans ideology' might be mistaken for an attack on trans people, while 'genderism' wouldn't be.

I use 'Genderism' as a term for the neo religion that teaches the gender is an innate part of the human sexed experience.

Yes. I use it because it's a belief system that reifies "gender".

yup, I like genderism to refer to the weird collection of beliefs held by those who believe gender is innate and edifying

I'll still be using it - sorry OP

I agree that it's a useful word to describe the aspects of the beliefs about gender that aren't necessarily to do with transing, like pink for girls etc.

But both groups, the trans ideologists and the gender critical, use the word gender extensively, so both could appear to be 'genderists'.

Wouldn't 'Transgenderists' be a clearer way to describe the believers and practisers of this neo-religion?

And to name the neo-religion 'Transgenderism'?

It has never seemed unclear to me. Genderism is when weird and unscientific beliefs are trumpeted as the one true faith. With the result that anyone who dares to doubt, or question the blatantly false articles of faith must be denounced as a heretic, shunned, fired from their jobs, burnt to death in a grease fire, kerb stomped, or raped with a barbed wire wrapped baseball bat by the faithful.

gender is harmful to everyone

i think people who don't understand that are seriously misguided

i'm good with genderism, thanks

I like genderism/genderists and gender abolitionists as descriptors.

I also like the term. It's the ideology of gender itself that's problematic. I object to being told I identify with a gender, I object to being told that gender overrides sex, I don't object to the "trans" aspect particularly I object to the whole philosophy of gender and "identity" overriding observable reality.

I use 'Genderism' as a term for the neo religion that teaches the gender is an innate part of the human sexed experience.

Yep, that. I was using Butlerism (after Judith Butler); Anti Women Activists was used for a while, but Genderism seems to be sticking.

I think we need this word:

1. The term TRAs makes it seem (wrongly) like we are fighting against those who support trans rights. The vast majority of us support trans rights and TRAs are often deeply hostile to the wellbeing of actual transsexuals.

1. Even once you get over the transphobia nonsense, using TRA frames the debate around trans rights. It's not, it's about women's rights.

1. Genderism is more than just a desire for self ID- it's a philosophy that material reality is less important than subjective belief. Most people don't fully understand what Genderism is arguing for- if they did, they would not support it.

We need to be able to name our enemy (and it certainly isn't Trans people).

But both groups, the trans ideologists and the gender critical, use the word gender extensively, so both could appear to be 'genderists'.

I think using Genderist and Gender Critical makes the difference pretty clear.

But both groups, the trans ideologists and the gender critical, use the word gender extensively, so both could appear to be 'genderists'

It's quite obvious who is criticizing gender and who is worshipping it.
"Genderist" applies to the latter.

I've not used it, but I don't find it unclear. It might be if used to members of the general public.

^oops X post

To be fair I tend to use "gender ideologist" rather than "genderist" BC as far as I know "genderist" isn't actually in the dictionary.

JellySlice wrote - "But both groups, the trans ideologists and the gender critical, use the word gender extensively, so both could appear to be 'genderists'."

Karl Marx used the word "capital" a lot, but that didn't make him a capitalist.

I think the widely accepted convention is that an "ism" refers to the supporters of the "ism" not the opponents. Genderism is consistent with this convention because it refers to supporters of the belief that gender identity is innate, not related to biological sex and should determine a person's gender role. Genderism doesn't describe critics of gender identity or critics of gender roles.

I'm aware that gender critics often describe transgender ideology as genderism and describe its supporters as genderists, but I have not noticed transgender supporters (or anyone else) describing criticism of gender as genderism or describing opponents of gender as genderists.

Urban dictionary is giving this definition as the top one, which to me makes sense. And defining it as an ideology.

However there are a few attempts to define it in a similar way to "racism." Though it's getting short shrift.

I hadn't noticed the word here actually.

I've been noticing gotten too much

I'm probably using gender ideology at the moment.

But both groups, the trans ideologists and the gender critical, use the word gender extensively, so both could appear to be '

The IST indicates adherence to a belief system. If the position was opposition to the belief system it would have 'anti' before it
Cf feminist / anti-feminist
Racist / anti-racist
Genderist couldn't possibly refer to GCs - it makes no semantic sense

I tend to use the term "transgenderism" when referring to the political ideology that supports gender identity, but the short form "genderism" works just as well.

Genderism could also be used in non-transgender contexts when referring to ideologies that support gender roles e.g. misogynistic religions.

Genderism could also be used in non-transgender contexts when referring to ideologies that support gender roles e.g. misogynistic religions

YY vesuvia , I would class both the westboro baptist church and jordan peterson as genderist

it's not transgenderism I object to per se - it's what it springs from: the belief that gender is good and natural

Genderism to me is useful because it draws a direct comparison between both of the major groups of followers of the cult of gender:

1. Those who believe “we all have a gender identity” so you’d better alter your body via surgery and hormones to match

1. those who believe you’d better conform to the arbitrary set of stereotypes associated with your sex (eg “gender”) because it’s “gods will” / “the law of nature”

Non genderists aka feminists believe there’s no causal relationship between your behavior and your sex, but what sexist society compels.

Just me then. Fair enough, I'm probably easily confused.