I'm still processing my time in the radical feminist/lesbian feminist community but here are some initial thoughts.https://twitter.com/Chican3ry/status/1346737659406905344 …
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Much of the lesbian feminist culture they're connecting with does have value but they're also absorbing the idea that the most transphobic, essentialist, separatist, etc forms of lesbian feminism are the most pure and authentic.
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Their version of lesbian culture is set in opposition to queer/trans culture. Lesbians feminists started a grand project that got derailed by queer theory/activism and the trans movement and now they're trying to recover it and get it back on track.
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They're being told that the trans/queer movement cut them off from the radical lesbian culture that ought to be their birthright. There are attempts to create new lesbian feminist culture but a lot of energy is directed at recovering the past.
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A lot of queers bash lesbian feminists without really understanding them. People need to see why others find that movement/culture meaningful, what they get out of it. See the strengths not just the flaws and bigotry.
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Basically separate the problematic parts of lesbian feminism from those that have merit. There's nothing inherently transphobic about lesbian feminism though lesbian feminists produced a lot of transphobic theory.
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There's a lot to learn from studying lesbian feminist culture and politics, what it got right and wrong. It's possible to challenge the transphobia, essentialism, etc of that movement while also recognizing its achievements and insights.
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And challenge the idea that lesbian feminists, queer radicals and trans people must be in opposition to each other. Lots of lesbian feminists and radical trans and queer people have similar interests. We're all trying to overthrow patriarchy and we'd be stronger together.
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Also important to uncover the history of trans people participating in and creating radical feminist/lesbian feminist culture and politics, as well as cis lesbian feminist support of trans people. Don't let transphobic people control the narrative.
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A lot of queers think they've basically won the battle with cultural feminists and now just have to wait for them to die off and that's just not true. They're not dead and they're recruiting young people.
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There is now a small but growing community of young dykes who really do think their culture is being erased by trans people. And they're getting lots of praise from older lesbian feminists for keeping their interpretation of lesbian feminist culture alive.
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I don't fully understand what people get from these subcultures. I'm still figuring out what I got from them but I know understanding that is the key to countering the harmful tendencies of these groups.
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We need to be able to offer people alternatives that give them what they're looking for. Prove to them that you can embrace lesbian feminism/radical feminism without being transphobic, essentialist, etc.
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End of conversation
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