Well my perspective is that this is such a minor issue, a minute intersection of a minority LGBT concern with feminism - that perhaps rather than pillory trans-people (who, in general have a pretty awful time of it) with awful exclusionary and abusive gatekeeping rhetoric on points of principle, that they should either support them - or if they cant do that - just ignore them.
As Reilly-Cooper puts it: “The fact that some humans are intersex in no way diminishes the truth of sexual dimorphism, any more than the fact that some humans are born missing lower limbs diminishes the truth of the statement that humans are bipedal.”
Like the transgender’s attempt to alter his given body to better fit his ailing mind, the abortion activist seeks to distort women’s given bodies to fit into a culture ailing in its hostility to dependent children.
Still, what's interesting to me is the point that identity politics (which are essentialist and prop up gender stereotypes even if they say they don't) have serious implications for women. As the feminist quoted in the article says, if 'female' now means 'anyone who believes they are female', how can feminists analyze the structural oppression of female persons as a class? Having a biologically female/male body determines which gender you are socialized into from birth (even if you resist it later in life), and this gender is what is used as the main tool of oppression (of females) in the patriarchy.
I think you underestimate how influential identity politics is becoming.
I think you underestimate how influential identity politics is becoming.
As in:
Opening up of safe female only spaces (public restrooms in USA for example) to anyone who identifies as female
Publically funded surgery, hormone treatment and puberty blockers for very young adolescents (if you google detransitioned people for example you will see some heartbreaking testimonies).ie, people are taught that there is something wrong with their bodies rather than society. Often those that regret reassignment treatment have found the effects to be irreversible. That is why feminists are critical of medicalised approaches to gender dysphoria (just as they are of young women feeling the need to have plastic surgery/ boob jobs etc to fit into the patriarchal idea of what women should look like)
The point is its not just some minor issue and its not above criticism either
. And criticizing the ideology that supports these things does not mean you hate trans people.
So? is there a single case of a woman being molested or interfered with in a toilet by a trans woman?
Sure, and google 'abortion regret' and you will also find thousands of heartbreaking stories. Im also struggling to see how anyone is 'taught' to be trans. if society creates and imposes gender norms on people, then how does it also do the exact opposite at the same time?
?