What does ‘terf island’ actually mean?

[Sparklybutold]

I went to a conference today. One of the speakers mentioned TERF island. It was said when talking about the difficulties faced by trans and non binary people living in the UK. I can't help but feel this was an inappropriate term to use but then it was her lecture?

How does everyone feel about the phrase ‘terf island’ and what does it mean to them?

I have always taken it as a compliment, a recognition that women are being recognised in the UK for standing up.

It's a term to indicated that Britain is full of trans exclusionary witches who want literal genocide for trans folks.

Talk was obviously delivered by a TRA.

It's where all the cool people live. You know, women who know what women are and who don't want kids on harmful drugs or cutting off body parts.

Saying that, I don't like the word TERF as it isn't a fair representation of what most of us are, but it's stuck.

Yes - they were a ‘they/them’

There you go.

Personally I hear the term and feel pride at the stand UK women have taken.

I'd love to know exactly what the 'difficulties' are that trans and non binary folk have in this country.

Apart from pesky women wanting their sex class recognised and protected or being forced to pander to genderists entirely made up oppression.

*not being forced

I'm interested in this too - but this wasn't the focus of the talk. It was a brief comment in the middle that piqued my attention. I wonder whether using the term within the context she was using is appropriate as it is a derogatory term. I ask because I wonder whether it's worth feeding it back - anonymously.

I have a mild sense of pride in knowing that our little islands have gained an international reputation for standing up to fetishists.

I’d much rather live on Terf Island than in Tranada, home to ‘Jessica’ Yaniv and the teacher with the silicone spacehoppers up his shirt.

Dh and I were talking about this term, and agree well yes it's accurate for us, both of us think males should be excluded from female spaces, some job roles and opportunities, why is it an insult?!

TERF is inaccurate but I've embraced it. I'm proud to live on TERF island and I like the fact that UK women standing up for women's rights are such a thorn in the side of misogynists the world over.

It refers to an island of difficult women who have said no and are fighting to have their sex based rights prioritised over gender where sec matters.

They mean it as a slur.

However, as a resident of the island, I am pretty proud that we have made the rest of the world take notice that actually what women are saying is based in truth and fact and should never have been dismissed in the first place.

If UK Is Terf Island, then is this board the capital?

Makes me think of this from the second world war, alone but still defiant.

🤣

I would, while I’m happy to cal myself a TERF I think it’s ultimately a slur and not appropriate in a professional context. Our feminism is worthy of respect in a democracy society, I think this person could do with being reminded of that.

Yes.

And we’ll be swapping out flags after the coronation. This is the new design:

(made by Lily Maynard, I believe)

I much prefer the pirate flag, I use this one;

Heh! That's what they call the uk on the bird farming site.

I'm fine with it.

It refers to an island of difficult women who have said no and are fighting to have their sex based rights prioritised over gender where secx matters.

what @Helleofabore says - isn't that amazing. I am also proud of us all. Nothing to do with trans. We are women.

We need a queen

Actually we have a queen: J K Rowling 👸

I'd love to live on TERF island. Where is it?

Anywhere The Tervish dwell can be a Terf Island.

fly your flag!

❤️ the flag. Has anyone stitched it into a quilted flag yet?