Is using TRA rude and dismissive (a bit like how the word T**F) is used?

[dyslek]

I was wondering if using the term TRA to describe people is unhelpful. Does it entrench the idea that there are only two positions, and that we are not nuanced?
Obviously its not the most important point in this debate but it just struck me that maybe its not helpful and plays in to their hands.

I think it's an unhelpful term because it suggests that feminists are against trans people having rights, when IME that's not the case at all.

The reason I use 'TRA' is that there are so many terms we are not allowed to use.
Also, I'm usually arguing with this that wish to take away women's rights, or impose their misogynistic views upon me. TRA distinguishes between those people and other trans people. Indeed, TRAs are not necessarily trans.

Yes. It's a deliberate play on MRA and insinuating that trans activists are basically men's rights activists rebranded. It's not a term that is going to persuade a waverer to your perspective any more than t*rf will.

I know the term Handmaid has been critisised, and I can def see why, but blimy, it really does encapsulate the mentality of women who freakout at the thought of not centering men.
But I do think using terms like TRA is an easy way to dismiss someone. We have the arguments so we dont need to dismiss anyone IYSWIM.

Yes I’m not sure it is helpful. Suggests that any activists who is trans will have the same opinions.

It's always used by feminists rather than the TRAs themselves, but it's never associated with violent threats, insults and dehumanizing language like 'terf' is.

@KarmaViolet

Yes. It's a deliberate play on MRA and insinuating that trans activists are basically men's rights activists rebranded. It's not a term that is going to persuade a waverer to your perspective any more than t*rf will.

Ahh, I had not realised that.

I tend not to use the term TRA because it's jargon that will baffle some people in a diverse audience so mainly I use "trans activist". I like people to see the word "activist", it's not always seen as a positive characteristic these days as more people are being exposed to less appealing manifestations of activism.

People used to say TA rather than TRA, but that sounds like Teaching Assistant to me
Also, TRA/MRA is a useful parallel.

I have just started to think 'genderists' might be more accurate, as the difference of opinion is that feminists consider sex and biology the crux of the issue, whereas others are apparently saying that gender is actually the thing.

I don't use TRA because I don't think that the gender ID movement is much to do with the rights of what most of the population thinks of as trans people - people who want to undergo medical transition.

I call them Self ID activists or gender ID activists, since that is accurate - they are activists pushing the idea of Self ID or gender ID.

TRA/MRA is great for in-group discussion but needs to be explained to anyone outside the in-group. Don't make the message harder to understand for those not already in the know.

@ArabellaScott

I have just started to think 'genderists' might be more accurate, as the difference of opinion is that feminists consider sex and biology the crux of the issue, whereas others are apparently saying that gender is actually the thing.

this

Yes I use TRA specifically for the more aggressive gender activists, and genderist as a more neutral term.

Good point that many transactivists are not actually trans people

It's also interesting to note that 'genderism' is a movement - a set of beliefs - that not everyone shares. In fact, I would say it's a minority of people that genuinely subscribe to, for example, 'transwomen are women'. Useful to see the edges of the movement, and to describe the central pillars of it.

Trying to describe it to myself ... I suppose ... genderism is the belief that social stereotypes and cultural ideas about how people relate to their sex matter more than biological sex and can 'over ride' biological sex. Accurate?

I'm inclined to agree, OP. More explicit and specific terms are generally more comprehensible. I'm not 100% sure 'genderist' would be universally understood though.

I think that the central position of the movement is this:

Everyone had an innate gendered soul. This soul may show up in gendered behaviour and the desire to transition medically, or it may have no symptoms at all apart from the desire to be called a certain pronoun. But the recognition of these souls and treating people in line with them is the number one priority for society, and not believing in their existence makes someone an evil person.

A quick Google suggests 'genderism' is used to mean a variety of rather disparate things.

@aliasundercover

The reason I use 'TRA' is that there are so many terms we are not allowed to use. Also, I'm usually arguing with this that wish to take away women's rights, or impose their misogynistic views upon me. TRA distinguishes between those people and other trans people. Indeed, TRAs are not necessarily trans.

Yes, that’s how I see it too. Not all trans people agree with TRA views and many TRAs are not trans.

It would be good if some people who share these ideas that we are trying to describe would chip in, here! Please do, nobody will bite you. How would you describe your aims, beliefs, and tenets?

Oops strike two!!

Mmmm, I’ve wondered the same thing. I should say ‘transactivists’ rather than ‘trans rights activists’, because those I oppose are not campaigning for their rights — they already have full human rights in this country. They are campaigning for extra privileges that would remove women’s rights.

I’ve slipped into the habit of using TRA, just because it’s recognisable shorthand and TA isn’t. But I’ve seen some better options on this thread., eg ‘genderist’. Or WART for the sort of people who call us TERFs