I'm not a TERF

[musicalfrog]

I'm not radical.

I've always known, since I was a little kid, that boys and girls are different and can't change into one another.

That's not radical. Never has been.

So I don't need a label.

Just because some weird mad ideology grew up around me in the last few years, doesn't change who or what I am, I haven't changed at all.

I'm just me, just like I always have been.

It also means Root as in Original feminism aka Old school 2nd wave rather than 'intersectional' feminism, which is the one with the TRAs in it.

The kind who started shelters and rape crises centres and try to stop violence against women, not the ones who try to undo our rights.

A good example, Julie Bindel, first to speak out on Rotheram in the press despite being accused of Islamophobia in 2004.
Writes about TRAs shortly after, has recieved death threats and cancellation ever since
20yrs...
And has spent her adult life trying to prevent VAW and the sex trade along with her partner Harriet Wistrich

Love that.

The term "radical feminist" doesn't mean that - it's radical as in root (the meaning of the Latin word). More like second-wave feminism and definitely not like "liberal feminism" aka faux, male-pandering non-feminism. Unfortunately the word radical isn't generally used that way, and hasn't been for a long time, so clarifying its meaning tends to be a losing battle!

I don't call myself a radical feminist because I've never done any sort of activism. I guess I'm a TE! (Definitely want all the TiMs out of all women's spaces and away from children. TiFs' attempts to reject their sex are pitiable but also harmful, so I'm on the fence about them.)

ETA, sorry, didn't read far enough to see several people had already made this point! 🫢

And Totally Excellent Real Female.

Terf loud and proud here. Reclaim the slur ✊

In what way aren't you a feminist?

I'm not radical.

The term 'terf' refers to 'radical feminists' - the feminist bit is quite important. The phrase 'radical feminist' is quite important!

Broadly put: Radical feminism is a version of feminism which argues that women's oppression is a central foundation of maintaining the patriarchy. And that women's oppression under patriarchy is due to our specific role in reproducing the species.

Of course, it's more nuanced than that - have a look at the work of Sheila Jeffreys, or listen along to some of the Radical Feminist webinars stored in YouTube and organised by Women's Declaration International (WDI).

Same here, I consider it reclaimed.

Anyone in this thread who is saying they aren't a terf shouldn't you use the term though, I find that offensive.

I find the "radical" a bit redundant because I struggle to see "feminists" who aren't "radical feminists" as feminists at all.

Well, there is that @JeremiahBullfrog and I tend to agree.

But it's a grass roots movement, which could potentially involve 51% of the population (ie all women & girls). So there are bound to be a lot of different ideas, and I try to remember that it behoves me to be tolerant and take whatever positives I can - even from liberal/choice feminism!

Cos I'm a bloke. @BeachParty , so I'll sidestep that one! 🙂

Same. I’d be a rubbish Female Separatist (3 time divorcée!)

2017-2018 I was afraid of being accused of tervery, now I see it as a badge of honour.

We took the sting out of the pejorative by looking the accusers right in the eye and saying, ‘Yeah? And?’

I struggle with why not wanting to call men women is considered radical, rather than rational 🟩⬜️🟪

Because again, it comes from "radical feminist" which is radical as in getting to the root, not radical as in extremist.

That's it I think Yellow. Many of us find ourselves thrown into this world that we never expected to be part of and there is a lot to learn. Even for someone who did well at A Level Sociology (albeit many years ago!)

I think the grass roots nature of the women's movement is both its strength & its weakness.

The strength is obvious - there's a commonality of broad experience which most girls & women share, being raised in a patriarchy.

But the weakness tends to be that splits & arguments do harm the movement (as we've seen in the latest debate between left wing feminists & those who are happy to associate with the far right.

I saw this in my local underground feminist network at the General Election - the willingness of some women to vote for Reform, simply because they were the only party who'd 100% say sex is immutable. I know those women would still call themselves feminists, but I doubt the Reform party on the whole is good for women, and especially not great for feminists.

Anyone else read the subject line and immediately hear it to the tune of 10cc "I'm not in love"?

I'm not a TERF, so don't forget it
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because I call men men
Don't get me wrong, don't think I'm one of them

[Chorus]
I'm not a TERF, no, no
(It's because)

[Verse 2]
I like trans women, but then again
That doesn't mean I think they're girls like me
So if I say no, don't come in here
Don't tell your friends I'm full of hate and fear

[Chorus]
I'm not a TERF, no, no
(It's because)

[Interlude]
Be quiet, but boys aren't girls
Those boys aren't girls
Those boys aren't girls
Those boys aren't girls
Those boys aren't girls
Those boys aren't girls

[Verse 3]
I see the rainbows upon the wall
They hide the scary truth that's happening
So don't you tell me that I'm just cis
Cos sex defined by mind don't make no sense to me

[Chorus]
I'm not a TERF, no, no
(It's because)

I love 10cc and that was fab. I'm sure someone much cleverer than me could do another Eric Stewart song Good Morning Judge