Guest blog: TERFism, or why trans women should matter to youth-lovers

[BLueRibbon]

Young transfem MAP Lial writes in with her guest blog on why MAPs should reject TERFism (trans-exclusionary radical feminism) and support transfeminism. She illuminates how TERFism is in many ways connected to the hatred of MAPs in general.

https://www.map-union.org/perspectives/ ... uth-lovers

[Julia]

I am truly heartened to see this perspective being embraced. Without the principle of intersectionality, this movement risks losing its effectiveness and purpose. Although I have only recently become involved with the MAP community, my commitment to advocating for the rights of marginalised individuals spans over seven years, during which I have been a highly influential champion for various underrepresented groups — some of which I belong to and others that I support as an ally.

It is widely recognised among those in marginalised communities that our strength lies in unity. To achieve meaningful progress, we must weave together our individual struggles into a collective tapestry of resistance. When one member of a marginalised group faces an attack, it is imperative that allies from other groups rally in their defence. Our identities may differ, but the challenges we encounter as marginalised individuals are fundamentally similar.

By standing in solidarity with one another, we significantly reduce our vulnerability and enhance our capacity to effect change. After all, the forces that seek to oppress various marginalised groups often stem from the same sources. We share common adversaries, and it is through our collective action that we can confront and dismantle these systemic injustices. Together, we can forge a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

[Fragment]

This can be quite a divisive topic within the MAP community, maybe second only to contact stances. A lot of the older generation of BLs especially seem to struggle with the idea that a potential YF might go from being a boy into being a girl. There is also a very strongly "anti-psychology" contingent that sees transitioning as being something coming from the psychology establishment, rather than being in line with the actual wishes of youth themselves.

I think those concerns need to be heard and addressed. We need to be able to have conversations about these issues without dismissing the other side out of hand. I think that a lot of Trump's success, ironically, comes from the way he and his followers have been demonized. If people on the left had done a better job of engaging with people instead of calling them "racist" and "~phobic".

That said, this is an important article, and expresses a valuable opinion held by many in our community, but with proper academic framing. Mu is here to try and amplify the voices of MAPs from all corners of the community, while the organization itself tries to remain neutral on topics of division within the community. Obviously we won't adopt any stances that are explicitly anti-MAP, but our goal is to show that there is no single image of a "MAP", despite what shows like Law and Order: SVU try to portray.

[Fragment]

I most certainly cannot ignore either when my fellow trans women are accused of being pedophiles as though it were some grave sin and persecuted on this basis.

I just wanted to add that I absolutely love this line.

It's what I feel like pointing out to anti-MAP LGBTQ+ people who want to throw us under the bus to protect themselves from allegations of pedophilia.

Antis only have that weapon against the LGBTQ+ community because being a pedophile is seen as the worst thing ever.

No-one would care in the modern era if they were called a "negro lover". Slurs lose all meaning once the underlying characteristic is respected, rather than spurned.

[Julia]

This can be quite a divisive topic within the MAP community, maybe second only to contact stances. A lot of the older generation of BLs especially seem to struggle with the idea that a potential YF might go from being a boy into being a girl. There is also a very strongly "anti-psychology" contingent that sees transitioning as being something coming from the psychology establishment, rather than being in line with the actual wishes of youth themselves.

I think those concerns need to be heard and addressed. We need to be able to have conversations about these issues without dismissing the other side out of hand. I think that a lot of Trump's success, ironically, comes from the way he and his followers have been demonized. If people on the left had done a better job of engaging with people instead of calling them "racist" and "~phobic".

That said, this is an important article, and expresses a valuable opinion held by many in our community, but with proper academic framing. Mu is here to try and amplify the voices of MAPs from all corners of the community, while the organization itself tries to remain neutral on topics of division within the community. Obviously we won't adopt any stances that are explicitly anti-MAP, but our goal is to show that there is no single image of a "MAP", despite what shows like Law and Order: SVU try to portray.

You hit the nail on the head! Resistance often leads to further division and conflict when it stems from a place of enmity and hatred. It is crucial to recognize that instead of fighting against other people, we should focus on challenging the traits and ideas that provoke opposition. Frequently, the very traits that incite resistance in others can also be found within ourselves. Traits such as hatred, enmity, violence, self-centeredness, resentment, groupthink, prejudice, fear, and apathy are what drive people to oppose us. If we allow these traits to guide our own resistance, we only exacerbate our problems and make little progress.

Our primary tools in this struggle should be compassion, patience, understanding, and empathy. The goal is not to defeat others but to find a path toward peace and reconciliation with them. By fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, we can create a more harmonious environment where constructive dialogue can flourish.

[Morning_Lily]

As Liana's girlfriend, and as a trans woman childlover (who had to endure OtherChat's views on trans women iykyk), I am obviously biased here but this is a solid blog post sharing transfem views on a topic that is too often ignored in the CL community but is really important if our activism is to go anywhere. I simply hope it leads some cis people in our community to reflect on the points shared here by Liana so we can start building a safer world for all youth lovers, us transfems included.

[Rolo]

What a crap piece. It conflates Trans-Exclusive Radical Feminism with US conservative/religious/traditional thinking. According to Lial, Trump is a radical feminist. Even while being against abortion, the American Right are apparently all radical feminists. This is obviously stupid to anyone with 5 brain cells and some basic honesty. It is obvious that the term "TERF" is not used in any sensible way and nothing in this piece is defined at all and none of the pieces connect with each other. It's not an important piece and it can absolutely be dismissed out of hand, like most things from stupid, dishonest Americans can be. Even this comment is a mistake because engaging with such stupidity only gives it more attention.

[Fragment]

Rolo, I’d appreciate if you moderated your language and focus on challenging specific points of the article rather than delivering overly broad criticisms.

We’re trying to build connections throughout the community here. How do you think we should work with trans members of the community, even while disagreeing with them?

[Rolo]

I made specific criticisms. TERF is a ridiculous term that doesn't even apply to what is being referred to. Trump is a radical feminist? Give me a break.

How do I think we should "work with trans members of the community"?

1. There is no community
2. Don't, at least don't single it out as a group in need of special attention

They want to do their own trans thing, fine, whatever. Not everyone and everything needs to be included in everything. I don't see discussion about how we need to incorporate Islam or Buddhism or communism or nationalism or whatever into "the community", so why should trans be treated as the special child?

[Julia]

They want to do their own trans thing, fine, whatever. Not everyone and everything needs to be included in everything. I don't see discussion about how we need to incorporate Islam or Buddhism or communism or nationalism or whatever into "the community", so why should trans be treated as the special child?

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this topic. I understand that discussions about gender identity can be quite passionate, and it's important to have open conversations. I wanted to share a perspective that might help clarify things a bit.

Being transgender is not a belief system or a choice like a religion or ideology; rather, it is a fundamental aspect of a person's identity, just like being a MAP is. For many, it’s about aligning their external appearance and social identity with their internal sense of self. This experience is deeply personal and often comes with significant challenges, including societal stigma, discrimination, and mental health struggles.

Transgender people frequently encounter discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment, housing, healthcare, and education. This stigma can lead to social isolation and a lack of support. Due to the stress of navigating a society that may not accept their identity, many transgender individuals experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The lack of acceptance and support can exacerbate these feelings. Studies have shown that transgender individuals, particularly youth, have a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to their cisgender peers. Factors contributing to this risk include discrimination, bullying, and lack of support from family and friends.

Transgender individuals, especially transgender women of colour, are at a heightened risk of violence and hate crimes. This can create a constant sense of fear and insecurity, impacting their mental health and overall quality of life. Many transgender individuals experience rejection from family members upon coming out. This lack of support can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, and increased risk of homelessness. The combination of discrimination, stigma, and rejection can lead to social isolation. Many transgender individuals may struggle to find supportive communities, which can further exacerbate mental health issues.

As you may have observed, the struggles faced by transgender individuals bear a striking resemblance to those encountered by MAPs. When someone is both transgender and a MAP, they often face nearly double the challenges compared to their cisgender MAP counterparts. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including advocacy for policy changes, increased awareness and education, and the creation of supportive environments. It's important to listen to and uplift the voices of transgender individuals to better understand their experiences and needs.

It's important to recognise that everyone deserves respect and acceptance for who they are. Supporting trans individuals in our community can help create a more inclusive and understanding environment for everyone. I believe that fostering compassion and empathy can lead to more productive conversations and a stronger community overall.