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I have read that article. She argues obliquely that trans women are not women[1], and she suggests that trans women are often dangerous predators[2]. Her statem
by veridies 6y ago
I have read that article. She argues obliquely that trans women are not women[1], and she suggests that trans women are often dangerous predators[2]. Her statement that "trans rights are human rights" is an intentional dismissal of that opinion as a form of virtue signaling[3]. She may believe that some trans women are women, but in general she believes that there is a "material difference" between trans women and women.
As for the term "people who menstruate," I could see how that could be true. I could also see a term that's designed to specify a subset of women (pre-menopausal cis women who menstruate) as well as a subset of trans men. It is not being used as a general replacement for "women"; it is specifying the relevant people more precisely than the word "women" would. Isn't that specificity and accuracy what we want to see?
[1] "I know transition will be a solution for some gender dysphoric people, although I’m also aware through extensive research that studies have consistently shown that between 60-90% of gender dysphoric teens will grow out of their dysphoria."
[2] ", I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe. When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman – and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones – then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside."
[3] "It would be so much easier to tweet the approved hashtags – because of course trans rights are human rights and of course trans lives matter – scoop up the woke cookies and bask in a virtue-signalling afterglow."
- SpicyLemonZest 6y agoI think your assessment of her opinions is correct, but again, I think this is something that most people believe. It's widely acknowledged that it's rude to go up to a trans woman and say "hey you are not a woman", but the idea that there's no material difference between trans women and cis women is not widely accepted.
- veridies 6y ago> I think this is something that most people believe I think it's about 50/50. The one good, recent poll I found on the issue seems to suggest that (I mentioned it at more length in the other subthread here). So I definitely don't think that there's an overwhelming consensus, but I do think that it's a pretty standard opinion. As for the "material difference" thing, sure. I think almost everyone would agree with that. My problem is that I believe Rowling is using it as a dogwhistle to argue that (most) trans women are not meaningfully women.