Maya Forstater

I am troubled by vocal views in #globaldevelopment that equate womanhood with biology. As we approach #InternationalWomensDay, I’ve been doing some thinking on why Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists (TERFs) exist and why it’s so counterintuitive to #intersectionalfeminsim

TERFs believe that woman is an “adult human female” - I see this definition everywhere. TERFs equate womanhood to sex, something that has historically put women behind men.

Let’s go back a few steps - why does feminism exist and why are we constantly struggling against the patriarchy? Because of exclusion. If we are excluding, we are reinforcing the patriarchy.

How does the sex-based definition of womanhood view those who have had surgeries to remove, or have been born without, the organs seen as vital to this definition of an “adult human female?” Are they forever put into the “other” category? If no, why?

These arguments are based on fear of the “other” and potential extreme dangers that are NOT useful for women’s empowerment conversations. Exclusionary feminism does nothing except perpetuate the current social hierarchy.

Hi Sarah - thanks for engaging again. I am not a radical feminist...(1/)