Believe it or not I worked for 12 hours straight on this article! It wasn’t my intention but I am passionate about my writing and I work very hard on it, especially research-based essays like this one. I made it free and open to the public because I want this information and viewpoint to be accessible, so please share it widely!
Also If you value my work and want to invest in my sustainability as a Writer, I encourage you to consider a paid subscription. As a full time Artist, it really makes a huge difference.
This essay was absolutely fucking brillant. The most clear headed and precise framing I have read in a short form essay. It takes great skill to condense down the issues you covered in this way. Thankyou so much. I have subscribed for now but unfortunately I cannot guarantee for what length of time, as finances are tight, but I wanted to at least sub for a couple of months as a small contribution.
Hi Renaee, thank you so much for your encouraging words of support and monetary contribution! I really appreciate it and it means a lot to me. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading my other works 🌺
They also refuse to go after the demographic that does cause violence to trans people, usually trans people of color - men. What does that say about your oppression when you violently go after the group LEAST likely to harm you - women?
Excellent article! You have hit on all the big problems with the trans activist movement. Of course there is a lot of money being made too! I applaud you for stepping out! There are a lot of us TERFs out here who support you so don’t let the bastards get you down! Thanks for being here!! You have more support than you know!
As usual you get right to the heart of everything wrong with this. I love you for it. Every word. Every post. Every inch you refuse to cede. Thank you.
“We need to cultivate a society that truly accepts people for who they are, and begin to think critically about Transgenderism and the buzzwords it has created in our culture.” THIS!
I too have been repeatedly pushed to adopt Queer™️, Nonbinary™️ and Trans™️ as a label. I am gender non conforming and straight. I simply said no and stood firm with the very hard fought self love and self acceptance it took me decades to build.
Again thank you for making me feel seen and less alone in this battle. Thank you for your incredible gift of expression in conveying the things I stumble on conveying. You are a hero. ❤️
What a brilliant writing you have, so straight and didactic. People have to try very hard not to understand it! I'm a brazilian reader and it amazes me how everything you described also totally fits into our current political moment when it comes to trans activists! These are difficult times for women... Thanks for the bravery ❤️🔥
Thank you, Leticia! Yes, I’ve heard about Brazil and appreciate the women who are speaking up about what is going on in the country. I would like to visit one day! Appreciate you reading & sharing 🌺
Wow, this is a fantastic article. Well written and fleshed out, I will definitely be revisiting. I'm glad you talked about the religious aspect of persecution/prejudice. In my experience (having grown up in a part of the country that is deeply evangelical christian) the people claiming most loudly to be persecuted or "in danger" are members of the ideology that is widely celebrated and which is believed by most members of the community. The parallels between that and the trans rights movement/discourse within the broader queer community are striking, yet most do not (cannot? refuse to?) see it that way. Thank you for shedding light on this topic as always <3
Thank you so much for reading & sharing! You make a great point about how those in power will often victimize themselves to gain leverage. I also plan to write a piece about the parallels between the Christian ex-gay movement and trans movement!
Brilliant!!! Thank you so much for this! I've been saying trans is not real for decades, but the response is predictably vicious and threatening, because we are challenging those getting privilege from playing this female-hating game, and they are usually the most privileged people already. (It's a way for the Euro-descent men to claim oppression, and, from what I've seen, that's who most often is murdering Lesbians and women, though the media calls them "women.")
It's enraging because it's all about erasing women and especially Lesbians and the most oppressed females. Almost everything I'm seeing in the news that refers to "LGBTQI" etc. actually names and promotes trans as being the most abused and needing the most support. And then the news goes on assuming we in that list are all allied. (I keep saying they might as well as KKK to their list, because that is how hateful and dangerous trans is to us.)
They have taken over what little we had because of their privilege, money, etc. and too many well-meaning women are on their knees before them. I've seen ordinary and mainstream-looking feminine Euro-descent young women declare they want to be addressed with male pronouns and suddenly everyone present looks at them like a god just appeared and speaks in hushed tones near them. That's a hell of a motive, but there is so much more, including money.
So yes, trans does not exist and neither does "transphobia" or oppression of trans. They are the ones running the game and with all the power. But I have no idea how to get other people to notice and say no and protest as you are doing.
They have basically destroyed my Lesbian community across the world. It's hard enough to create spaces and support for us, but getting rape and death threats (which the trans so love to send) usually makes it just not worth it.
Thank you so much again for this!!! Great to see handsome Pippa's photo!
I just saw this in my newsfeed from ten years ago, but explains what they do to us:
Last night I saw the new film by a Lesbian director, Out in the NIght. It's so important for everyone to see. The film is excellent. But, why, with a mostly Lesbian audience, were we subjected to hours of "entertainment" that was predominately men, including a piece read that was disgusting and obscene -- especially considering this is with a film about African-American Lesbians being in prison for years because they defended themselves against a man who was sexually harassing them and then attacked them.
At this rare Lesbian event, NOTHING was said about the many African-descent and other Lesbians we know in our community who have died young from cancer and other stress-related illnesses -- yet we were told to have a moment of silence to remember AIDS victims (mostly men) and call out their names, even though AIDS is an avoidable STD. Lesbians have already done so much for gay men who despise us and wanted nothing to do with us until the AIDS epidemic where they even asked for our blood. They kicked dying Lesbians out of the Shanti Project to make it be for men, yet gay men have SO much more resources and money than Lesbians. A gay man I know with AIDS told me, he is regularly approached by gay men who ask him to give them AIDS. Why are men always the priority?
The male MC really avoided the word "Lesbian" also, though it was a rare Lesbian film about Lesbians. Instead, "homophobia" was mentioned and "transphobia," which is about gay men and het men, for the most part, both of who oppress Lesbians.
Just wipe out Lesbians entirely. Already, men pretending to be Lesbians, who have so much more resources than real Lesbians, are re-writing our history.
Instead of the men performing, why not have Lesbians reading from Pat Parker's brilliant work which is entirely relevant to the film.
This is why I avoid "GBT" events. It's always a reminder of how Lesbians are not supported and yet expected to give support to those who oppress us. We were added to "LGBTQI" against our will.
Thank you for sharing so thoughtfully, as always. I wrote this piece because I see accusations of transphobia being thrown around so viciously—towards myself and others who dissent, and also as a prohibitive warning to others to not be “transphobic” even if nobody has said or done anything at all.
It’s extremely pervasive, and of course with the sort of writing I do, I am posited as a “transphobic” author. I felt the need to respond clearly and concisely to that—in a way that can be documented, referenced, and shared…and in a way that is thorough.
You bring up so many points about what this movement is doing that just breaks my heart.
In regards to the death and rape threats that women receive for creating our spaces…does that mean it is really not worth it to try to create those spaces? I think it is worth the risk.
If we don’t stand up for ourselves, nobody will do it for us, and we’ll just be pummeled and erased, forever. People from other groups can support us, but we still have to lead the way to give them the cue. We have to use our voices.
Thankfully, the gender-critical movement has the strength of people from all different backgrounds: all races, various political backgrounds, both men and women, LGB + straight allies, detrans people, and even some trans-identifying people. That means it has a very strong foundation. People may be involved for different reasons depending on their politics and not everyone who opposes transgenderism truly cares about women.
But one common thread is that nobody agrees with women being taken down by trans activists for having a female-only space, and there is support available for us if a real threat was ever made or carried out.
It’s scary for me to speak up and takes a lot of courage, but I know I am doing the right thing and I try to remind myself that I am more supported than I may realize. I just want to build community and alliances with other women, because it helps to reinforce that sense of safety for me.
Thank you for the film recommendation! I am definitely going to check it out. I appreciate you 🌺
I appreciate you so much too! I completely agree that we should never stop fighting for our own (female-only and ideally Lesbian) spaces. The threats and fear are one thing (and never stop me either) but a major issue is money. When I first found Lesbian community I was underage for the bars, but soon church halls were rented for dances and meetings, and there were so many cheaply rented group houses with enough space for meetings and dances. ($50 a month for a big room in a big house, but now that is long gone and rooms can cost $2000, and a small house at least a million.) The most radical and brave of us are barely able to survive. (I do know of a parallel "community" that seems to be for the rich only and I'm guessing they are also segregated based on race, which always goes along with class. I'm guessing got the money from family but also ex-husbands and might not have come out at all if we hadn't made a welcoming Lesbian community they took advantage of.)
Now I'm also seeing important organizations for Lesbians have flipped to include trans/men, so they are no longer Lesbian. One of the historical groups I know of is a huge loss. They are just too afraid. I will never understand it.
Sorry to go on. Yes, we will continue. There will always be more of us and they can't stop us. And your bravery is so appreciated and important! (I haven't seen the film in years so I hope it is good.)
I understand. Money is important to keep any effort moving, along with community. That is why I am intentional about building an audience and encouraging people to invest in me as a writer through paid subscriptions.
Understandably not everyone is able to do it, but if my work gains enough of an audience I can use it to support myself--and what I have been able to earn on this platform has already been very supportive to me. It encourages me to keep going.
Money has also been a huge barrier for me over the years, as well as having space to do my Art. Ultimately, I am only able to speak freely because I earn my money as an independent Artist, rather than depending on a job that demands my silence. I also have other non-monetary resources in place, which help reduce my cost of living.
I believe that we can be brave, radical, and also be well-supported and sustained if we are intentional with how we build. At least, this is what I choose to believe for myself. 💜
I so hope you can survive and more with being paid for your writing! I can't try it because of my income, but also can't donate anywhere. It's frustrating hearing moneyed friends talk about mainstream organizations they donate to when you are so much more important. And yes, it's terrible to be silenced to just have a job (that is usually horrible.) You are so needed! I shared you post on my FB post and hope others read it. xoxo
Since I can't comment at your recent post about Black Butches, wanted to say that I believe they are or have been in the forefront of fighting the trans cult. Years ago there was a local meeting for Lesbians about the cult and it was Black Butches who were the most vocal and eloquent about fighting the cult. But, like with so many Butches of other races now, too many have died young, including Lenn Keller. (That is even more upsetting since Lenn helped start the Bay Area Lesbian Archives/BALA that was truly Lesbian only. I don't know for sure but am afraid it's changed with Lenn gone. Pippa is a friend, and I'm glad she's still firm. There are others in the Bay Area too...
Such clarity. Really interesting way of making a point through the two photos, about gender non-conformity. How both women are being themselves in terms of style. But one uses a false label. Very effective.
Transgender used to be defined as a mental illness delineating severe gender dysphoria and this only afflicts 0.002% of the population. There are a handful of trans public figures who hate what the transgender activists have done and continue to do (buck angel and blaire white come to mind) who fight against this nonsense movement and warn about the harms of this ideology. I’ve heard them both speak to all of the points you made in this essay and It’s refreshing and comforting to know that there is a small faction of actual trans people who have retained common sense, morality, and decency.
Hi Anna, thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! Transgender was never defined as a mental illness. Transsexualism was the first word coined in the 20th century, describing people who had undergone "sex reassignment surgery" and then it moved onto transgender, which refers to an identity, as I mentioned.
Yes, many people who are diagnosed as having "gender dysphoria" (which is a new concept and not concrete in its criteria) are also told by doctors that they must be transgender. That does not mean that trans is defined as having gender dysphoria.
People identify as transgender for different reasons, and this includes autogynephiles or other people who may identify as trans and nonbinary for social purposes. Some people may equally have "gender dysphoria" and never identify as trans. Even the concept of gender dysphoria is rooted in gender stereotypes, since there is no such thing as feeling like a male or female.
If you follow the logic presented in my essay, you'll see that there is no such thing as being truly trans. You cannot be inherently transgender. No matter how you slice it, trans is rooted in identity and there is no trans-identified person who is more "real" than the next.
The public figures you're speaking of such as Blair and Buck have made a fortune off of separating themselves from other trans-identified individuals, making fun of delusional and (clearly) mentally ill/vulnerable TikTokers and attempting to gain brownie points with the general public by "not being like those people" when they are all really the same.
They may acknowledge their biological sex, and maybe they don't want children to have surgery but these are easy stances to take. They still want other people to affirm their delusion that they are a man or woman when they are not. I believe that Blair even talked about not belonging in a male prison. Marcus Dibbs claims to be a gay man who enjoys dating gay men.
So they still want to have access to spaces that are not designed for them, under the guise that they are more special or legitimate than the rest. And they still want people to call them something that they are not. They do this by being on your side, comforting you with doses of rational thought, and encouraging you to do it out of politeness.
This is not to mention that people like Blair and Buck set a poor example for gay, gendernonconforming youth. If the answer to some people’s gayness and mental health issues is to cut off healthy body parts, anyone can claim that that is their answer too. It’s become fairly simple for anyone to get a diagnosis for gender dysphoria in order to have the “gender-affirming” surgery and for the medical world to deem you transgender.
When you take a step back, it’s completely bogus for cosmetic surgery and a total change in identity (complete with everyone else following along) to be viewed as an appropriate response to a mental health issue, at any level. That is why this is a cult…and a very elaborate, institutionalized one, at that.
I’d love to see a TRA argue against your points here.
And this is to say nothing of the trans-identifying males who are merely erotic cross-dressers. They likely still make up the largest percentage of trans-identifying people, they’re nothing more than fetishists doing erotic cosplay—many don’t even do it full-time. These are supposedly the people who are on the verge of suicide if all the demands of TRAs aren’t met. For god’s sake.
And they have *nothing* in common with the confused, abused, often autistic girls who want to escape the reality of their sexed bodies.
I really appreciate you writing on this. I think you are spot on. It is my opinion that social and or medical transitioning is something that can help the small amount of people who truly have severe gender dysphoria (which is rare!), but that those people already enjoy equal rights. As you point out, a lot of trans activists seem to be confusing equal rights with being able to do whatever they want with zero regard for how it might affect others. Also, I know it wasn’t the main point, but I feel safe asking here: can we agree that non binary is not a thing and just a way to score on an oppression bingo card 😆?
Hey Maura, thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Yes, the whole trans movement is absolutely about creating a human rights dilemma that doesn’t exist, both for profit-motive and to further men’s sexual access to women. It sounds crazy to someone who may be new to this information but that is only because most people have been shielded from what this movement is about due to censorship and perhaps reality just hasn’t hit them yet.
In regards to the Nonbinary identity: Nonbinary is no more or less illegitimate than the Trans identity. After all, it is under the trans umbrella. I understand why it looks more bogus--and it’s an easy target to make fun of for that reason--but it is all the same thing. Not to mention, a lot of Nonbinary-identified individuals also “transition” and there are even special top surgeries and micro-doses of cross-sex hormones which are marketed as options for those looking to be a little more "in between".
I do not agree that cosmetic surgery should ever be framed as “medically-necessary”. Cutting off healthy body parts and taking hormones to affirm someone’s delusion is never a proper response to a mental health issue, even in severe cases. The diagnosis of gender dysphoria is already hazy, as it is.
Once you open the door for some people to be affirmed as transgender within the medical world, you maintain the lie that transgenderism is a real solution, and you open the door for any and all. Trans is ideology. No medical doctor is rightfully positioned to decide who gets to do extreme physical modification as a result of someone believing in the ideology more than others.
We need to be firm and set boundaries.
Trans surgery needs to be separated from medical care entirely, and named as a cosmetic procedure. People become addicted to plastic surgery all the time in an effort to build self-esteem but at least in those cases, as a culture—we see that for what it is.
The purpose of keeping “gender affirming care” in the medical world is how even the most privileged white male trans rights activists gain legitimacy as an oppressed class.
“Once you open the door for some people to be affirmed as transgender within the medical world, you maintain the lie that transgenderism is a real solution, and you open the door for any and all. Trans is ideology. No medical doctor is rightfully positioned to decide who gets to do extreme physical modification as a result of someone believing in the ideology more than others.” This is a really good point, and I’ll admit that it’s something my thoughts have bumped up against as I continually learn and puzzle things out. For example, there are many people who fetishize physical disabilities (particularly amputation). A subset of these folks try and go to medical professionals to have their own healthy limbs amputated and have cited the transgender medical movement as justification. So I do think you’re right in the sense that if we allow it for one hazily defined psychological affliction how can we deny it to others who claim similar vague illnesses? Maybe we also need to reconsider the idea that psychological problems can be fixed with surgical intervention.
If you ever want to read a crazy (and very good) book about physical disability fetishization, I highly recommend “Geek Love.” It’s a work of fiction, but it really made me think about medical self identification, medical cults and cultists, and the common perceptions of disabled people a lot of people have. I also thank you for your kind and thought provoking response to my original comment.
Dear Readers,
Believe it or not I worked for 12 hours straight on this article! It wasn’t my intention but I am passionate about my writing and I work very hard on it, especially research-based essays like this one. I made it free and open to the public because I want this information and viewpoint to be accessible, so please share it widely!
Also If you value my work and want to invest in my sustainability as a Writer, I encourage you to consider a paid subscription. As a full time Artist, it really makes a huge difference.
Thanks for all of your wonderful support!🌺
This essay was absolutely fucking brillant. The most clear headed and precise framing I have read in a short form essay. It takes great skill to condense down the issues you covered in this way. Thankyou so much. I have subscribed for now but unfortunately I cannot guarantee for what length of time, as finances are tight, but I wanted to at least sub for a couple of months as a small contribution.
Hi Renaee, thank you so much for your encouraging words of support and monetary contribution! I really appreciate it and it means a lot to me. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading my other works 🌺
They also refuse to go after the demographic that does cause violence to trans people, usually trans people of color - men. What does that say about your oppression when you violently go after the group LEAST likely to harm you - women?
Excellent article! You have hit on all the big problems with the trans activist movement. Of course there is a lot of money being made too! I applaud you for stepping out! There are a lot of us TERFs out here who support you so don’t let the bastards get you down! Thanks for being here!! You have more support than you know!
Thank you so much, Catya 💜
As usual you get right to the heart of everything wrong with this. I love you for it. Every word. Every post. Every inch you refuse to cede. Thank you.
“We need to cultivate a society that truly accepts people for who they are, and begin to think critically about Transgenderism and the buzzwords it has created in our culture.” THIS!
I too have been repeatedly pushed to adopt Queer™️, Nonbinary™️ and Trans™️ as a label. I am gender non conforming and straight. I simply said no and stood firm with the very hard fought self love and self acceptance it took me decades to build.
Again thank you for making me feel seen and less alone in this battle. Thank you for your incredible gift of expression in conveying the things I stumble on conveying. You are a hero. ❤️
Awww 🥰 Thank you so much, Kelly. Your words and support mean a lot to me, truly. I appreciate you too. 🌺
Ever see this??? Give her the money? Nah. I’ll give YOU the money. Money well spent in a battle that’s far from over.
https://youtu.be/-jF13nKaXRQ?si=pkRY-80S7p9g8J1x
What a brilliant writing you have, so straight and didactic. People have to try very hard not to understand it! I'm a brazilian reader and it amazes me how everything you described also totally fits into our current political moment when it comes to trans activists! These are difficult times for women... Thanks for the bravery ❤️🔥
Thank you, Leticia! Yes, I’ve heard about Brazil and appreciate the women who are speaking up about what is going on in the country. I would like to visit one day! Appreciate you reading & sharing 🌺
Wow, this is a fantastic article. Well written and fleshed out, I will definitely be revisiting. I'm glad you talked about the religious aspect of persecution/prejudice. In my experience (having grown up in a part of the country that is deeply evangelical christian) the people claiming most loudly to be persecuted or "in danger" are members of the ideology that is widely celebrated and which is believed by most members of the community. The parallels between that and the trans rights movement/discourse within the broader queer community are striking, yet most do not (cannot? refuse to?) see it that way. Thank you for shedding light on this topic as always <3
Thank you so much for reading & sharing! You make a great point about how those in power will often victimize themselves to gain leverage. I also plan to write a piece about the parallels between the Christian ex-gay movement and trans movement!
Can't wait to read that piece when you release it! Thanks for all you do.
Your hard work shows. Thank you!
Brilliant!!! Thank you so much for this! I've been saying trans is not real for decades, but the response is predictably vicious and threatening, because we are challenging those getting privilege from playing this female-hating game, and they are usually the most privileged people already. (It's a way for the Euro-descent men to claim oppression, and, from what I've seen, that's who most often is murdering Lesbians and women, though the media calls them "women.")
It's enraging because it's all about erasing women and especially Lesbians and the most oppressed females. Almost everything I'm seeing in the news that refers to "LGBTQI" etc. actually names and promotes trans as being the most abused and needing the most support. And then the news goes on assuming we in that list are all allied. (I keep saying they might as well as KKK to their list, because that is how hateful and dangerous trans is to us.)
They have taken over what little we had because of their privilege, money, etc. and too many well-meaning women are on their knees before them. I've seen ordinary and mainstream-looking feminine Euro-descent young women declare they want to be addressed with male pronouns and suddenly everyone present looks at them like a god just appeared and speaks in hushed tones near them. That's a hell of a motive, but there is so much more, including money.
So yes, trans does not exist and neither does "transphobia" or oppression of trans. They are the ones running the game and with all the power. But I have no idea how to get other people to notice and say no and protest as you are doing.
They have basically destroyed my Lesbian community across the world. It's hard enough to create spaces and support for us, but getting rape and death threats (which the trans so love to send) usually makes it just not worth it.
Thank you so much again for this!!! Great to see handsome Pippa's photo!
I just saw this in my newsfeed from ten years ago, but explains what they do to us:
Last night I saw the new film by a Lesbian director, Out in the NIght. It's so important for everyone to see. The film is excellent. But, why, with a mostly Lesbian audience, were we subjected to hours of "entertainment" that was predominately men, including a piece read that was disgusting and obscene -- especially considering this is with a film about African-American Lesbians being in prison for years because they defended themselves against a man who was sexually harassing them and then attacked them.
At this rare Lesbian event, NOTHING was said about the many African-descent and other Lesbians we know in our community who have died young from cancer and other stress-related illnesses -- yet we were told to have a moment of silence to remember AIDS victims (mostly men) and call out their names, even though AIDS is an avoidable STD. Lesbians have already done so much for gay men who despise us and wanted nothing to do with us until the AIDS epidemic where they even asked for our blood. They kicked dying Lesbians out of the Shanti Project to make it be for men, yet gay men have SO much more resources and money than Lesbians. A gay man I know with AIDS told me, he is regularly approached by gay men who ask him to give them AIDS. Why are men always the priority?
The male MC really avoided the word "Lesbian" also, though it was a rare Lesbian film about Lesbians. Instead, "homophobia" was mentioned and "transphobia," which is about gay men and het men, for the most part, both of who oppress Lesbians.
Just wipe out Lesbians entirely. Already, men pretending to be Lesbians, who have so much more resources than real Lesbians, are re-writing our history.
Instead of the men performing, why not have Lesbians reading from Pat Parker's brilliant work which is entirely relevant to the film.
This is why I avoid "GBT" events. It's always a reminder of how Lesbians are not supported and yet expected to give support to those who oppress us. We were added to "LGBTQI" against our will.
https://www.facebook.com/OutInTheNight
Out in the Night
New documentary film by blair dorosh-walther that tells the story of 4 young women....
Hi Bev,
Thank you for sharing so thoughtfully, as always. I wrote this piece because I see accusations of transphobia being thrown around so viciously—towards myself and others who dissent, and also as a prohibitive warning to others to not be “transphobic” even if nobody has said or done anything at all.
It’s extremely pervasive, and of course with the sort of writing I do, I am posited as a “transphobic” author. I felt the need to respond clearly and concisely to that—in a way that can be documented, referenced, and shared…and in a way that is thorough.
You bring up so many points about what this movement is doing that just breaks my heart.
In regards to the death and rape threats that women receive for creating our spaces…does that mean it is really not worth it to try to create those spaces? I think it is worth the risk.
If we don’t stand up for ourselves, nobody will do it for us, and we’ll just be pummeled and erased, forever. People from other groups can support us, but we still have to lead the way to give them the cue. We have to use our voices.
Thankfully, the gender-critical movement has the strength of people from all different backgrounds: all races, various political backgrounds, both men and women, LGB + straight allies, detrans people, and even some trans-identifying people. That means it has a very strong foundation. People may be involved for different reasons depending on their politics and not everyone who opposes transgenderism truly cares about women.
But one common thread is that nobody agrees with women being taken down by trans activists for having a female-only space, and there is support available for us if a real threat was ever made or carried out.
It’s scary for me to speak up and takes a lot of courage, but I know I am doing the right thing and I try to remind myself that I am more supported than I may realize. I just want to build community and alliances with other women, because it helps to reinforce that sense of safety for me.
Thank you for the film recommendation! I am definitely going to check it out. I appreciate you 🌺
I appreciate you so much too! I completely agree that we should never stop fighting for our own (female-only and ideally Lesbian) spaces. The threats and fear are one thing (and never stop me either) but a major issue is money. When I first found Lesbian community I was underage for the bars, but soon church halls were rented for dances and meetings, and there were so many cheaply rented group houses with enough space for meetings and dances. ($50 a month for a big room in a big house, but now that is long gone and rooms can cost $2000, and a small house at least a million.) The most radical and brave of us are barely able to survive. (I do know of a parallel "community" that seems to be for the rich only and I'm guessing they are also segregated based on race, which always goes along with class. I'm guessing got the money from family but also ex-husbands and might not have come out at all if we hadn't made a welcoming Lesbian community they took advantage of.)
Now I'm also seeing important organizations for Lesbians have flipped to include trans/men, so they are no longer Lesbian. One of the historical groups I know of is a huge loss. They are just too afraid. I will never understand it.
Sorry to go on. Yes, we will continue. There will always be more of us and they can't stop us. And your bravery is so appreciated and important! (I haven't seen the film in years so I hope it is good.)
I understand. Money is important to keep any effort moving, along with community. That is why I am intentional about building an audience and encouraging people to invest in me as a writer through paid subscriptions.
Understandably not everyone is able to do it, but if my work gains enough of an audience I can use it to support myself--and what I have been able to earn on this platform has already been very supportive to me. It encourages me to keep going.
Money has also been a huge barrier for me over the years, as well as having space to do my Art. Ultimately, I am only able to speak freely because I earn my money as an independent Artist, rather than depending on a job that demands my silence. I also have other non-monetary resources in place, which help reduce my cost of living.
I believe that we can be brave, radical, and also be well-supported and sustained if we are intentional with how we build. At least, this is what I choose to believe for myself. 💜
I so hope you can survive and more with being paid for your writing! I can't try it because of my income, but also can't donate anywhere. It's frustrating hearing moneyed friends talk about mainstream organizations they donate to when you are so much more important. And yes, it's terrible to be silenced to just have a job (that is usually horrible.) You are so needed! I shared you post on my FB post and hope others read it. xoxo
Thank you so much, Bev. 🌺
Since I can't comment at your recent post about Black Butches, wanted to say that I believe they are or have been in the forefront of fighting the trans cult. Years ago there was a local meeting for Lesbians about the cult and it was Black Butches who were the most vocal and eloquent about fighting the cult. But, like with so many Butches of other races now, too many have died young, including Lenn Keller. (That is even more upsetting since Lenn helped start the Bay Area Lesbian Archives/BALA that was truly Lesbian only. I don't know for sure but am afraid it's changed with Lenn gone. Pippa is a friend, and I'm glad she's still firm. There are others in the Bay Area too...
Every word ~ Solid ❤️🖤
Such clarity. Really interesting way of making a point through the two photos, about gender non-conformity. How both women are being themselves in terms of style. But one uses a false label. Very effective.
Excellent essay! I couldn’t agree more.
Transgender used to be defined as a mental illness delineating severe gender dysphoria and this only afflicts 0.002% of the population. There are a handful of trans public figures who hate what the transgender activists have done and continue to do (buck angel and blaire white come to mind) who fight against this nonsense movement and warn about the harms of this ideology. I’ve heard them both speak to all of the points you made in this essay and It’s refreshing and comforting to know that there is a small faction of actual trans people who have retained common sense, morality, and decency.
Thank you for your brilliant writing!
Hi Anna, thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! Transgender was never defined as a mental illness. Transsexualism was the first word coined in the 20th century, describing people who had undergone "sex reassignment surgery" and then it moved onto transgender, which refers to an identity, as I mentioned.
Yes, many people who are diagnosed as having "gender dysphoria" (which is a new concept and not concrete in its criteria) are also told by doctors that they must be transgender. That does not mean that trans is defined as having gender dysphoria.
People identify as transgender for different reasons, and this includes autogynephiles or other people who may identify as trans and nonbinary for social purposes. Some people may equally have "gender dysphoria" and never identify as trans. Even the concept of gender dysphoria is rooted in gender stereotypes, since there is no such thing as feeling like a male or female.
If you follow the logic presented in my essay, you'll see that there is no such thing as being truly trans. You cannot be inherently transgender. No matter how you slice it, trans is rooted in identity and there is no trans-identified person who is more "real" than the next.
The public figures you're speaking of such as Blair and Buck have made a fortune off of separating themselves from other trans-identified individuals, making fun of delusional and (clearly) mentally ill/vulnerable TikTokers and attempting to gain brownie points with the general public by "not being like those people" when they are all really the same.
They may acknowledge their biological sex, and maybe they don't want children to have surgery but these are easy stances to take. They still want other people to affirm their delusion that they are a man or woman when they are not. I believe that Blair even talked about not belonging in a male prison. Marcus Dibbs claims to be a gay man who enjoys dating gay men.
So they still want to have access to spaces that are not designed for them, under the guise that they are more special or legitimate than the rest. And they still want people to call them something that they are not. They do this by being on your side, comforting you with doses of rational thought, and encouraging you to do it out of politeness.
This is not to mention that people like Blair and Buck set a poor example for gay, gendernonconforming youth. If the answer to some people’s gayness and mental health issues is to cut off healthy body parts, anyone can claim that that is their answer too. It’s become fairly simple for anyone to get a diagnosis for gender dysphoria in order to have the “gender-affirming” surgery and for the medical world to deem you transgender.
When you take a step back, it’s completely bogus for cosmetic surgery and a total change in identity (complete with everyone else following along) to be viewed as an appropriate response to a mental health issue, at any level. That is why this is a cult…and a very elaborate, institutionalized one, at that.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
I’d love to see a TRA argue against your points here.
And this is to say nothing of the trans-identifying males who are merely erotic cross-dressers. They likely still make up the largest percentage of trans-identifying people, they’re nothing more than fetishists doing erotic cosplay—many don’t even do it full-time. These are supposedly the people who are on the verge of suicide if all the demands of TRAs aren’t met. For god’s sake.
And they have *nothing* in common with the confused, abused, often autistic girls who want to escape the reality of their sexed bodies.
Exactly this! 👏👏👏👏👏Thanks for putting it so succinctly, N3VLYNNN
Thank you, Cate! 🤎
Wow! You really hit stride with this one!
(Next pay day $$$)
An absolute knock out!
Thanks so much! 🌺🙏🏾🌺
Excellent article. What trans activists are complaining about is big abrogation of their civil rights!
I really appreciate you writing on this. I think you are spot on. It is my opinion that social and or medical transitioning is something that can help the small amount of people who truly have severe gender dysphoria (which is rare!), but that those people already enjoy equal rights. As you point out, a lot of trans activists seem to be confusing equal rights with being able to do whatever they want with zero regard for how it might affect others. Also, I know it wasn’t the main point, but I feel safe asking here: can we agree that non binary is not a thing and just a way to score on an oppression bingo card 😆?
Hey Maura, thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Yes, the whole trans movement is absolutely about creating a human rights dilemma that doesn’t exist, both for profit-motive and to further men’s sexual access to women. It sounds crazy to someone who may be new to this information but that is only because most people have been shielded from what this movement is about due to censorship and perhaps reality just hasn’t hit them yet.
In regards to the Nonbinary identity: Nonbinary is no more or less illegitimate than the Trans identity. After all, it is under the trans umbrella. I understand why it looks more bogus--and it’s an easy target to make fun of for that reason--but it is all the same thing. Not to mention, a lot of Nonbinary-identified individuals also “transition” and there are even special top surgeries and micro-doses of cross-sex hormones which are marketed as options for those looking to be a little more "in between".
I do not agree that cosmetic surgery should ever be framed as “medically-necessary”. Cutting off healthy body parts and taking hormones to affirm someone’s delusion is never a proper response to a mental health issue, even in severe cases. The diagnosis of gender dysphoria is already hazy, as it is.
Once you open the door for some people to be affirmed as transgender within the medical world, you maintain the lie that transgenderism is a real solution, and you open the door for any and all. Trans is ideology. No medical doctor is rightfully positioned to decide who gets to do extreme physical modification as a result of someone believing in the ideology more than others.
We need to be firm and set boundaries.
Trans surgery needs to be separated from medical care entirely, and named as a cosmetic procedure. People become addicted to plastic surgery all the time in an effort to build self-esteem but at least in those cases, as a culture—we see that for what it is.
The purpose of keeping “gender affirming care” in the medical world is how even the most privileged white male trans rights activists gain legitimacy as an oppressed class.
“Once you open the door for some people to be affirmed as transgender within the medical world, you maintain the lie that transgenderism is a real solution, and you open the door for any and all. Trans is ideology. No medical doctor is rightfully positioned to decide who gets to do extreme physical modification as a result of someone believing in the ideology more than others.” This is a really good point, and I’ll admit that it’s something my thoughts have bumped up against as I continually learn and puzzle things out. For example, there are many people who fetishize physical disabilities (particularly amputation). A subset of these folks try and go to medical professionals to have their own healthy limbs amputated and have cited the transgender medical movement as justification. So I do think you’re right in the sense that if we allow it for one hazily defined psychological affliction how can we deny it to others who claim similar vague illnesses? Maybe we also need to reconsider the idea that psychological problems can be fixed with surgical intervention.
Exactly! And that is a great analogy. Thank you.
If you ever want to read a crazy (and very good) book about physical disability fetishization, I highly recommend “Geek Love.” It’s a work of fiction, but it really made me think about medical self identification, medical cults and cultists, and the common perceptions of disabled people a lot of people have. I also thank you for your kind and thought provoking response to my original comment.
I’ll check it out, thank you too!