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I think the point above is that many of the women who get called TERF are scarcely feminists at all, let alone feminists who believe in a radical reordering of

I think the point above is that many of the women who get called TERF are scarcely feminists at all, let alone feminists who believe in a radical reordering of society. Many people accused of being TERFs are actually conservative women who believe in traditional sex roles and don't believe that gender is independent of biological sex. It's an insult levied against all transphobic women.

tsimionescu 4y ago
Except it's not an insult, unless it's levied at someone who is not, in fact, trans exclusionary (say, if calling a trans woman who thinks sharing your pronouns is a bit too much a TERF). I suppose it's also possible that some people who are trans exclusionary would take offense at being called (radical) feminists... But calling someone who is anti abortion "pro life" or even "anti choice" is not an insult, even if I find their position misguided and monstrous.
- robonerd 4y ago
  > Except it's not an insult It is if it's said as one. Benign terms can become slurs when used in the right context with a particular tone.
  - tsimionescu 4y ago
    Give me another example that is not a racial, religious or ableist slur.
    - fastball 4y ago
      > Give me an example of a slur, except for all these slurs I don't want you to use as an example Retarded accurately describes the mental development of certain individuals. Retarded was not always a slur. I'm sure you would agree it is used as one now. Not sure why you think TERF should be some sort of special exception.
      - tsimionescu 4y ago
        I think retarded is a slur when used against people who are not, in fact, mentally retarded. The term mental retardation is still somewhat acceptable, though its use as an insult against people who do not have a mental disability makes it highly problematic when used for the people with that mental disability, so it should be avoided. On the other hand, TERF doesn't imply any particular disability, just a belief that those it is used to refer typically do hold. If TERF started being used as a generic insult for someone who makes a mistake ("you can't put that there, you TERF"), like "retard" did, then I would agree that it has become a slur - but this is not the case.
        fastball 4y ago
        Calling a mentally retarded person "a retard" is not going to go well in most circles. Have fun though.
- fastball 4y ago
  It seems like you're trying to make the point that if the term is being used on the type of person it's intended for, it's not an insult. Which is just... nonsense?
  - tsimionescu 4y ago
    No, I'm arguing that a term that objectively correctly describes someone's beliefs or achievements can't be an insult of that person. If I believe all billionaires are a policy mistake, am I insulting Elon Musk if I call him a billionaire?
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]

tsimionescu 4y ago

Except it's not an insult, unless it's levied at someone who is not, in fact, trans exclusionary (say, if calling a trans woman who thinks sharing your pronouns is a bit too much a TERF). I suppose it's also possible that some people who are trans exclusionary would take offense at being called (radical) feminists... But calling someone who is anti abortion "pro life" or even "anti choice" is not an insult, even if I find their position misguided and monstrous.

robonerd 4y ago
> Except it's not an insult It is if it's said as one. Benign terms can become slurs when used in the right context with a particular tone.
- tsimionescu 4y ago
  Give me another example that is not a racial, religious or ableist slur.
  - fastball 4y ago
    > Give me an example of a slur, except for all these slurs I don't want you to use as an example Retarded accurately describes the mental development of certain individuals. Retarded was not always a slur. I'm sure you would agree it is used as one now. Not sure why you think TERF should be some sort of special exception.
    - tsimionescu 4y ago
      I think retarded is a slur when used against people who are not, in fact, mentally retarded. The term mental retardation is still somewhat acceptable, though its use as an insult against people who do not have a mental disability makes it highly problematic when used for the people with that mental disability, so it should be avoided. On the other hand, TERF doesn't imply any particular disability, just a belief that those it is used to refer typically do hold. If TERF started being used as a generic insult for someone who makes a mistake ("you can't put that there, you TERF"), like "retard" did, then I would agree that it has become a slur - but this is not the case.
      - fastball 4y ago
        Calling a mentally retarded person "a retard" is not going to go well in most circles. Have fun though.
fastball 4y ago
It seems like you're trying to make the point that if the term is being used on the type of person it's intended for, it's not an insult. Which is just... nonsense?
- tsimionescu 4y ago
  No, I'm arguing that a term that objectively correctly describes someone's beliefs or achievements can't be an insult of that person. If I believe all billionaires are a policy mistake, am I insulting Elon Musk if I call him a billionaire?
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]