Let's ban "TERF" and "TRA"

[MissScarletInTheBallroom]

Both these acronyms are inaccurate.

It's not "TERF", it's "MERF". Feminism includes all female people including those who do not identify as female. It excludes all male people however they identify.

And it's not "TRA", it's "trans activist". None of the things they are demanding are rights. Trans people have all the same rights as everyone else, plus apparently a few more that no one else has.

TERF is outdated admittedly - I know plenty of women, especially young women/girls, who are absolutely not radical feminists in any way, who object to men in women's spaces.

Terf was always stupid. I don't think it really means what the acronym stands for. Words derive meaning from how they are used. Terf was always just a derogatory term for feminists objecting to trans misogyny. Even if it were possible to ban it, another daft acronym will just pop up.
I think TRA is different. It's useful shorthand in that we know exactly the kind of person that is meant by it, but I agree with your point about rights.
The demands they are making aren't for 'rights', its for 'entitlements' and the removal of certain of women's rights.
Personally, I prefer the term gender extremists. I think that's more accurate.

I often use the terms "alleged transwomen" or "purported transwomen" in discussions. I usually get flack for it, except among GC people.
I also call what some people refer to as God "the alleged deity."
God believers don't like that either. I use that language because I have no firm opinion on the existence of either trans people or of a deity. I consider both possible (because almost anything is possible) but unlikely. I only know it's something other people believe. We are expected to show respect for those beliefs, yet they don't have to be respectful of ours. I'm polite about it and that should be sufficient.

I like TERF but then for me it stands for Tired of Explaining Reality to Fuckwits. 🤣

I love that!

😂perfect

I can't claim credit for it, I picked it up along the way, and it was so good, that's how I've seen things ever since.

I think TRA came about because it was analogous to MRA. MRA meant Men's Rights Activists, which was the self-chosen name of some online misogynists who thought feminism had gone too far and believed men were oppressed by having to pay maintenance for their own children and things like that.

The association was made due to the obvious hatred of women that was just beneath the surface of both movements.

Yawn.

Clicked this thread thinking perhaps you were going to say ‘the inflammatory language is getting in the way of helpful discussion on this complicated issue, so let’s drop it on both sides’.

But no.

My username is a more accurate version of TERF that applies to me

There's no need for the TE

Radical Feminist is fine.

My (male) partner was called a TERF in the pub last year, he challenged the person and said "You don't even know what means or stands for!" and they didn't and had to slink away! 😂

I genuinely thought the same.

I've also seen Totally Excellent Real Female.

No, inaccurate language is getting in the way of productive discussion.

I often use the terms "alleged transwomen" or "purported transwomen" in discussions. I usually get flack for it, except among GC people.
I also call what some people refer to as God "the alleged deity."
God believers don't like that either. I use that language because I have no firm opinion on the existence of either trans people or of a deity. I consider both possible (because almost anything is possible) but unlikely. I only know it's something other people believe. We are expected to show respect for those beliefs, yet they don't have to be respectful of ours. I'm polite about it and that should be sufficient.

I am active in a variety of interfaith initiatives, so I interact with many religious people of various faiths. The vast majority would have no issue with your term 'alleged deity'. The few that would (off-hand I can think of one who is a born-again evangelical Christian, and one who is an Imam), would nonetheless debate with you in an interested and respectful manner.

Curiously, this never happens with trans ideology. True believers and Be Kind adherents cannot tolerate any diversion from their catechism. Any diversity of thought is framed as an attack.

There is no inflammatory language on the Terf side (I love 'tired of explaining reality to fuckwits' - definitely what it means! Thanks@TheywontletmehavethenameIwant)
The abuse, foul language, physical assaults etc are all on the Trans Rights Activist's side. TRA to mean means this: misogynist men's rights activists.
And it's not a complicated issue. Men cannot become women and men have no place in women's private spaces, their sports, prizes, refuges, hospital wards etc. Simple.

Can we get rid of gender too?

I just came across an acronym which is new to me: Woman Obliterating Radical Misogynist.

Curiously, this never happens with trans ideology. True believers and Be Kind adherents cannot tolerate any diversion from their catechism. Any diversity of thought is framed as an attack.

This.

Confusing Ulterior Male Supremacist Tactics As Inclusive Niceness

Sorry not sorry. Rude acronyms are like catnip for me

😆

@thebrollachan and @BezMills - brilliant! 😂