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{{PageSeo | description = TERF is a slur used by transgender activists to debase anyone who criticizes their movement on the basis of feminist concerns.
{{PageSeo
|description = TERF is a slur used by transgender activists to debase anyone who criticizes their movement on the basis of feminist concerns.
|image = Sonicfox.png
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[[File:Terf-slur-02.png|thumb|300px|A typical tweet containing "terf"]]
[[File:Terf-slur-02.png|thumb|300px|A typical tweet containing "terf"]]
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The word ''TERF'' (or ''terf''; pl ''terfs'' or ''terves'') is a slur that is used predominantly by transgender activists and their allies against people who criticize the transgender movement on the basis of feminist concerns.  Since the slur is used for people with feminist concerns, the main target tend to be women.  As such, it's usually understood to be an anti-feminist, sexist and misogynist slur.
The word ''TERF'' (or ''terf''; pl ''terfs'' or ''terves'') is a slur that is used predominantly by transgender activists and their allies against people who criticize the transgender movement on the basis of feminist concerns.  Since the slur is used for people with feminist concerns, the main target tend to be women.  As such, it's usually understood to be an anti-feminist, sexist and misogynist slur.


The word was invented as an acronym for ''Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist'', where the "trans-exclusionary" part referred to those holding roughly the position that transwomen should not be included under a feminist definition of womanhood, and the "radical feminist" part was meant neutrally, i.e. for people who would indeed describe themselves as [[Radical feminism|radical feminists]] in the true sense. Over time, the acronym pretty much became a [[Wikipedia:Four-letter word|four-letter word]].  Nowadays the capitalization is frequently omitted, and the already ambiguous original meaning ignored entirely.  Still, users of the term tend to claim that it's a neutral description.  The "trans-exclusionary" part may now refer to anyone who thinks transwomen should not have unfettered access to all female-only spaces (e.g. changing rooms), should not partake in women's sports where they have [[Transwomen in women's sports|unfair advantages]], should not be considered a natural part of the lesbian dating pool, etc.  Although most members of the public would see these as rather sensible positions, considering a "transwoman" may have intact male anatomy, transgender activists nevertheless see all of these types of "exclusion" as unacceptable.
The word was invented as an acronym for ''Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist'', where the "trans-exclusionary" part referred to those holding roughly the position that transwomen should not be included under a feminist definition of womanhood, and the "radical feminist" part was meant neutrally, i.e. for people who would indeed describe themselves as [[Radical feminism|radical feminists]] in the true sense.
 
Over time, the acronym pretty much became a [[Wikipedia:Four-letter word|four-letter word]].  Nowadays the capitalization is frequently omitted, and the already ambiguous original meaning ignored entirely.  Still, users of the term tend to claim that it's a neutral description.  The "trans-exclusionary" part may now refer to anyone who thinks transwomen should not have unfettered access to all female-only spaces (e.g. changing rooms), should not partake in women's sports where they have [[Transwomen in women's sports|unfair advantages]], should not be considered a natural part of the lesbian dating pool, etc.  Although most members of the public would see these as rather sensible positions (especially when considering that a "transwoman" may have intact male anatomy), transgender activists nevertheless see all of these types of "exclusion" as unacceptable.


A closely associated term is ''SWERF'', which is supposed to stand for ''Sex-Worker-Exclusionary Radical Feminist'' and is used for those who see the sex industry (prostitution, pornography, etc.) as highly exploitative and sexist.  Like ''TERF'', the term is almost always applied as a slur, and to misrepresent the political position of the person it's used against.  Ironically, some of those who have to face the term most commonly are women who worked in prostitution and became anti-prostitution activists as a result of their own experiences as so-called sex workers.
A closely associated term is ''SWERF'', which is supposed to stand for ''Sex-Worker-Exclusionary Radical Feminist'' and is used for those who see the sex industry (prostitution, pornography, etc.) as highly exploitative and sexist.  Like ''TERF'', the term is almost always applied as a slur, and to misrepresent the political position of the person it's used against.  Ironically, some of those who have to face the term most commonly are women who worked in prostitution and became anti-prostitution activists as a result of their own experiences as so-called sex workers.


== History ==
== History and evolution towards hate speech ==


=== Origin ===
=== Origin ===
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The oldest known use of the term is by Viv Smythe aka "tigtog" in a blog post from 2008.<ref name=terf-origin/>  She defended the term as late as 2018, in an article for The Guardian.<ref name=guardian-smythe/>  Transgender activists frequently try to defend the term on the grounds that Viv Smythe is a woman who herself claims to be a radical feminist, and seems to have first used the term in a way that is not derogatory.  Of course, the benign origins of a term does not mean that it cannot evolve into a slur.
The oldest known use of the term is by Viv Smythe aka "tigtog" in a blog post from 2008.<ref name=terf-origin/>  She defended the term as late as 2018, in an article for The Guardian.<ref name=guardian-smythe/>  Transgender activists frequently try to defend the term on the grounds that Viv Smythe is a woman who herself claims to be a radical feminist, and seems to have first used the term in a way that is not derogatory.  Of course, the benign origins of a term does not mean that it cannot evolve into a slur.


=== Evolution towards hate speech ===
=== Early years and first principled critique ===
 
[[File:Mya-byrne-punches-terfs.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Totally not a slur!]]


The evolution of the term from 2008 into the early to mid 2010s is not well documented.  Mostly, feminists had to face the term on social media, where it began to be used regularly to debase their position.  In July 2014, [https://www.feministcurrent.com/ Feminist Current] published two articles referencing the term.  The first, written by C. K. Egbert and titled ''Defending the 'TERF': Gender as political'', explains and defends in length the political theory underlining the ideas supported by feminists who are slurred as "terf."<ref name=fc-egbert/>  The second, written by [[Sarah Ditum]] and titled ''How 'TERF' works'', shortly analyses a situation in which a woman is pressured to retract a statement opposing violence against women, on the grounds that the statement originally stems from a feminist who is considered a "terf".<ref name=fc-ditum/>  Since Feminist Current is highly acclaimed among radical-leaning feminists, its decision to support the women slurred with "terf" could be seen as a turning point.
The evolution of the term from 2008 into the early to mid 2010s is not well documented.  Mostly, feminists had to face the term on social media, where it began to be used regularly to debase their position.  In July 2014, [https://www.feministcurrent.com/ Feminist Current] published two articles referencing the term.  The first, written by C. K. Egbert and titled ''Defending the 'TERF': Gender as political'', explains and defends in length the political theory underlining the ideas supported by feminists who are slurred as "terf."<ref name=fc-egbert/>  The second, written by [[Sarah Ditum]] and titled ''How 'TERF' works'', shortly analyses a situation in which a woman is pressured to retract a statement opposing violence against women, on the grounds that the statement originally stems from a feminist who is considered a "terf".<ref name=fc-ditum/>  Since Feminist Current is highly acclaimed among radical-leaning feminists, its decision to support the women slurred with "terf" could be seen as a turning point.
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Another Feminist Current article defending those targeted with the slur was published in November 2015, written by [[Penny White]] and titled ''Why I no longer hate ‘TERFs’''.<ref name=fc-white/>  In the article, White explains how she herself used to be convinced that so-called "TERFs" are worthy of contempt, but changed her mind after starting to look closer into the issue.  This experience seems to resonate with many women and some socially liberal men to this day, who start out being supportive of the transgender movement, only to start becoming skeptical after negative experiences and observations, ultimately leading them to be also labeled "terf" and shunned by transgender activists and their allies.  After that, Feminist Current started publishing articles critical of the transgender movement with some frequency, much to the enragement of transgender activists.
Another Feminist Current article defending those targeted with the slur was published in November 2015, written by [[Penny White]] and titled ''Why I no longer hate ‘TERFs’''.<ref name=fc-white/>  In the article, White explains how she herself used to be convinced that so-called "TERFs" are worthy of contempt, but changed her mind after starting to look closer into the issue.  This experience seems to resonate with many women and some socially liberal men to this day, who start out being supportive of the transgender movement, only to start becoming skeptical after negative experiences and observations, ultimately leading them to be also labeled "terf" and shunned by transgender activists and their allies.  After that, Feminist Current started publishing articles critical of the transgender movement with some frequency, much to the enragement of transgender activists.
=== The mainstreaming of hatred ===
[[File:Mya-byrne-punches-terfs.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Totally not a slur!]]


In June 2017, transgender activist [[Wikipedia:Mya Byrne|Mya Byrne]] came to the San Francisco Pride Parade with a t-shirt reading "I PUNCH TERFS", decorated with a large fake blood-stain.  Byrne uploaded a selfie of him wearing the t-shirt at the parade, captioned "This is what gay liberation looks like #pride #yesallterfs" which sparked many negative reactions.<ref name=fc-tra-violence/>  The t-shirt would later be displayed at an "art exhibit" at the San Francisco Public Library, set up by the trans activist group ''The Degenderettes''.  After complaints, the library removed the t-shirt from the exhibition, though similar items showcasing a violent mentality remained, such as baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire and painted in the colors of the transgender pride flag.<ref name=fc-tra-violence/>
In June 2017, transgender activist [[Wikipedia:Mya Byrne|Mya Byrne]] came to the San Francisco Pride Parade with a t-shirt reading "I PUNCH TERFS", decorated with a large fake blood-stain.  Byrne uploaded a selfie of him wearing the t-shirt at the parade, captioned "This is what gay liberation looks like #pride #yesallterfs" which sparked many negative reactions.<ref name=fc-tra-violence/>  The t-shirt would later be displayed at an "art exhibit" at the San Francisco Public Library, set up by the trans activist group ''The Degenderettes''.  After complaints, the library removed the t-shirt from the exhibition, though similar items showcasing a violent mentality remained, such as baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire and painted in the colors of the transgender pride flag.<ref name=fc-tra-violence/>


[[File:Sonicfox.png|thumb|right|300px|Dominique McLean's tweet glorifying violence against women.]]
[[File:Sonicfox.png|thumb|right|250px|Dominique McLean's tweet glorifying violence against women.]]


In April 2019, professional video gamer [[Wikipedia:SonicFox|Dominique McLean]] aka "SonicFox" uploaded a video on Twitter, captioned "what I do to terfs," in which a male video game character strikes a female character's neck so hard that her skin comes off, while the camera shows her agony-filled face.  McLean can be heard yelling "terf!" into his microphone with each blow dealt to the female character, reminiscent of a lynching.<ref name=sonicfox/>  The tweet garnered hundreds of thousands of views, and many thousands of retweets and likes.
In April 2019, professional video gamer [[Wikipedia:SonicFox|Dominique McLean]] aka "SonicFox" uploaded a video on Twitter, captioned "what I do to terfs," in which a male video game character strikes a female character's neck so hard that her skin comes off, while the camera shows her agony-filled face.  McLean can be heard yelling "terf!" into his microphone with each blow dealt to the female character, reminiscent of a lynching.<ref name=sonicfox/>  The tweet garnered hundreds of thousands of views, and many thousands of retweets and likes.
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After McLean's tweet was reported for hate speech, Twitter initially decided that it [[:File:Sonicfox2.png|did not break their rules]].  Only after continued protest and many more reports did Twitter react, by removing the tweet and issuing SonicFox a mere 24-hour ban.
After McLean's tweet was reported for hate speech, Twitter initially decided that it [[:File:Sonicfox2.png|did not break their rules]].  Only after continued protest and many more reports did Twitter react, by removing the tweet and issuing SonicFox a mere 24-hour ban.
{{clear}}
<gallery caption="Aftermath of McLean's tweet" widths=300px heights=150px>
File:Sonicfox3.jpg | McLean defending his tweet on the grounds that Ronda Rousey is a "TERF" and as such deserving of the violent contempt
File:Sonicfox-copycat1.png | A copycat tweet showing another video game character dying brutally, with the caption "FUCK TERFS"
File:Sonicfox-copycat2.png | Another copycat tweet.  The GIF is of [[Wikipedia:Mortal Kombat 11|Mortal Kombat 11]] character [[Wikipedia:Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]] burning his opponent alive.
</gallery>
=== New trend: Threaten women with your face attached ===


In late 2019, a social media trend dubbed "POV you're a TERF in my mentions" started, in which trans activists would pose with a weapon (baseball bat, sword, machete, or the like), sometimes preparing to strike or showing them mid-strike, taken as a [[Wikipedia:Point-of-view shot|point-of-view (POV) shot]] and captioned with the phrase "POV you're a TERF in my mentions" or variations thereof.<ref name=pov-terf/>  The pictures are supposed to represent the point-of-view (POV) of a "TERF" being assaulted by the depicted person.  In other words, women called "TERF" who look at the pictures are supposed to imagine themselves being violently assaulted.
In late 2019, a social media trend dubbed "POV you're a TERF in my mentions" started, in which trans activists would pose with a weapon (baseball bat, sword, machete, or the like), sometimes preparing to strike or showing them mid-strike, taken as a [[Wikipedia:Point-of-view shot|point-of-view (POV) shot]] and captioned with the phrase "POV you're a TERF in my mentions" or variations thereof.<ref name=pov-terf/>  The pictures are supposed to represent the point-of-view (POV) of a "TERF" being assaulted by the depicted person.  In other words, women called "TERF" who look at the pictures are supposed to imagine themselves being violently assaulted.


In May 2020, a blog post was published on Medium.com equating so-called TERFs with Nazis in a credible-sounding tone and explaining how various methods such as infiltration, censorship, property damage, and physical violence should be used against them.<ref name=medium-izaguirre/>  The account posting the article was suspended from Medium.com on the same day and the content re-uploaded on WordPress soon after.<ref name=wp-izaguirre/>
<gallery caption="Some examples of the trend" widths=300px heights=150px>
File:Pov-terf-1.webp
File:Pov-terf-2.webp
File:Pov-terf-3.webp
File:Pov-terf-4.webp
File:Pov-terf-5.webp
File:Pov-terf-6.webp
</gallery>
 
=== Political justification of physical violence ===
 
In May 2020, a blog post was published on Medium.com equating so-called TERFs with Nazis in a credible-sounding tone and explaining how various methods such as infiltration, censorship, property damage, and physical violence should be used against them.<ref name=medium-izaguirre/>  The account posting the article was suspended from Medium.com on the same day and the content re-uploaded on WordPress.com soon after.<ref name=wp-izaguirre/> (Still online as of February 20th, 2021)
 
=== Not even pretending that this isn't a witch hunt? ===
 
[[File:Spain-witch-puppet.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Effigy of [[Wikipedia:Carmen Calvo|Carmen Calvo]] hanging from a tree.]]
 
In February 2021, Spanish news reported about the appearance of a puppet hanging from a tree, with its face made to resemble female politician, author, and vice president [[Wikipedia:Carmen Calvo|Carmen Calvo]] of the Socialist Workers' Party.<ref name=elcomun-calvo/>  Calvo had come under fire from trans activists for her opposition to a proposed [[gender self-identification]] law.  The puppet was hanging from a tree in Plaza 8 de Marzo in Santiago de Compostela, with a sign hanging from its neck saying "Me he perdido…por dónde queda el patriarcado" which could be translated as "I'm lost... where's the patriarchy again?" referring clearly to trans activist claim that it's not them who uphold patriarchal norms, but rather the feminists who oppose them.
 
{{clear}}
 
== Real-life assault, vandalism, and harassment ==
 
This section lists known incidents of real-life (offline) assault, vandalism, verbal abuse and other harassment against feminist organizations or women, by trans activists who are radicalized by the notion that so-called "TERFs" are after their human rights.  (The only case in which the motivation is not entirely clear is the triple homicide of a lesbian couple and their son, committed by formerly prominent trans activist Dana Rivers.)


=== Real-life vandalism, harassment, and assaults ===
=== Vandalism of Vancouver Women's Library ===


In February 2017, the newly opened Vancouver Women's Library was met with a small group of vandals, including a very obviously male person who claimed to be a female sex worker.  They ripped off a poster, poured wine on a book, and harassed those trying to partake in the opening celebration.  Their stated reason was that the library included books which they deemed to support so-called "TERF" and "SWERF" ideology.<ref name=vwl/>
In February 2017, the newly opened Vancouver Women's Library was met with a small group of vandals, including a very obviously male person who claimed to be a female sex worker.  They ripped off a poster, poured wine on a book, and harassed those trying to partake in the opening celebration.  Their stated reason was that the library included books which they deemed to support so-called "TERF" and "SWERF" ideology.<ref name=vwl/>


<youtube dimensions=500 alignment=right description="The assault by Tara Wolf on Maria MacLachlan (September 13th, 2017)" container=frame>
<gallery caption="Images of the vandalism" widths=210px heights=175px>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_d3ozhSE-U
File:VWL-Vandalized-1.jpg | Crude graffiti sprayed at the entrance
</youtube>
File:VWL-Vandalized-2.jpg | Close-up of some of the sprayed text
File:VWL-Vandalized-3.jpg | Wine poured on one of the books
File:VWL-Defamation.jpg | The supposed reason for the vandalism
</gallery>
 
=== Physical assault at Speakers' Corner, London ===
 
In September 2017, Maria MacLachlan was physically assaulted by a transgender activist.
 
Initially, a group of feminists wanted to hold a meeting to discuss proposed changes to the [https://www.feministcurrent.com/2018/09/14/never-mind-reforming-gender-recognition-act-theres-no-need-gender-recognition-certificates/ Gender Recognition Act] (GRA) in the [https://newxlearning.org/ New Cross Learning] community Library in London.  The library had to cancel the event after harassment by transgender activists.  The organizers of the meeting then decided to meet at Speakers' Corner, before going to the newly chosen meeting place, which was not announced to protect it from harassment.
 
[[File:Tara-Flik-Wood-threat.webp|thumb|right|300px|Wolf going by the name "Tara Flik Wood" on social media, posting intent to assault prior to the event]]
 
At Speakers' Corner, the women were met with a group of transgender activists shouting slogans, notably "when TERFs attack, we fight back."  Maria MacLachlan, who was filming the protesters with her digital camera, was attacked by someone running out of the trans activist group, who then tried to grab her camera.  As the unsuccessful attacker ran back behind his friends, MacLachlan tried to get closer to the group to get his face on camera.  Several of the activists started assaulting her in that moment.  The whole sequence of events was [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_d3ozhSE-U caught on camera] thanks others at the place also filming what was going on.  MacLachlan's camera was broken and the memory card stolen.
 
One of the attackers, later revealed to be Tara Wolf, was ultimately charged with assault by beating.  Prior to the event, he had posted that he wants to "f*ck up some terfs" on social media.
 
The event could be considered a cornerstone in the escalating hatred transgender activists show against feminists, as no such clearly documented assault in relation to the slur "TERF" existed before, and the event gained widespread attention in the news, being covered by The Guardian,<ref name=guardian/> The New Statesman,<ref name=statesman1/><ref name=statesman2/> The Telegraph,<ref name=telegraph/> The Times,<ref name=times1/><ref name=times2/> The Evening Standard,<ref name=standard/> and The Daily Mail.<ref name=dailymail/>  Of course, it was also covered by Feminist Current.<ref name=fc1/><ref name=fc2/>
 
In the aftermath of the event, many transgender activists online defended or even celebrated the assault, leading Meghan Murphy to publish the piece [https://www.feministcurrent.com/2017/09/21/terf-isnt-slur-hate-speech/ '' 'TERF' isn't just a slur, it's hate speech''].  Some publications in support of transgender activists have tried to claim that the assailant was really acting in self-defense, and tried to prove this claim by uploading carefully edited cuts of the recording showing the assault,<ref name=planettrans/> or by framing the assault as "standing up to bullies" who "provoke" transgender activists (by having opinions they don't like, we have to presume).<ref name=queerness/>
 
<gallery caption="Images" widths=300px heights=175px>
File:Tara-Flik-Wood-attack.png | A frame from the video documenting the assault
File:Tara-Flik-Wood-supporters.jpg | Some of Wolf's supporters outside court
File:MacLachlan-supporters.jpg | For contrast, MacLachlan's supporters
</gallery>


In September 2017, a group of feminists wanted to hold a meeting to discuss proposed changes to the [https://www.feministcurrent.com/2018/09/14/never-mind-reforming-gender-recognition-act-theres-no-need-gender-recognition-certificates/ Gender Recognition Act] (GRA) in the [https://newxlearning.org/ New Cross Learning] community Library in London.  The library had to cancel the event after harassment by transgender activists.  The organizers of the meeting decided to meet at Speakers' Corner, before going to the newly chosen meeting place, which was not announced to protect it from harassment.  In Speakers' Corner, they were met with a group of transgender activists shouting slogans, notably "when TERFs attack, we fight back."  Maria MacLachlan, who was filming the protesters with her digital camera, was attacked by someone running out of the trans activist group, who then tried to grab her camera.  As the unsuccessful attacker ran back behind his friends, MacLachlan tried to get closer to the group to get his face on camera.  Several of the activists started assaulting her in that moment.  One of the attackers, later revealed to be Tara Wolf, was ultimately charged with assault by beating.  Prior to the event, he had posted that he wants to "f*ck up some terfs" on social media.  The event could be considered a cornerstone in the escalating hatred transgender activists show against feminists, as no such clearly documented assault in relation to the slur "TERF" existed before, and the event gained widespread attention in the news, being covered by The Guardian,<ref name=guardian/> The New Statesman,<ref name=statesman1/><ref name=statesman2/> The Telegraph,<ref name=telegraph/> The Times,<ref name=times1/><ref name=times2/> The Evening Standard,<ref name=standard/> and The Daily Mail.<ref name=dailymail/>  Of course, it was also covered by Feminist Current.<ref name=fc1/><ref name=fc2/>  In the aftermath of the event, many transgender activists online defended or even celebrated the assault, leading Meghan Murphy to publish the piece [https://www.feministcurrent.com/2017/09/21/terf-isnt-slur-hate-speech/ '' 'TERF' isn't just a slur, it's hate speech''].  Some publications in support of transgender activists have tried to claim that the assailant was really acting in self-defense, and tried to prove this claim by uploading carefully edited cuts of the recording showing the assault,<ref name=planettrans/> or by framing the assault as "standing up to bullies" who "provoke" transgender activists (by having opinions they don't like, we have to presume).<ref name=queerness/>
=== Verbal abuse and other harassment against Prof. Rosa Freedman ===


In December 2018, human rights lawyer Prof. [[Rosa Freedman]] found her office door covered in urine after attending debates surrounding proposed changes to the UK's Gender Recognition Act.  She also reported being called a "Nazi" (she is Jewish) who "should be raped" (she is a survivor of sexual violence) and receiving abusive anonymous phone calls.<ref name=freedman/>
In December 2018, human rights lawyer Prof. [[Rosa Freedman]] found her office door covered in urine after attending debates surrounding proposed changes to the UK's Gender Recognition Act.  She also reported being called a "Nazi" (she is Jewish) who "should be raped" (she is a survivor of sexual violence) and receiving abusive anonymous phone calls.<ref name=freedman/>


In 2018, transgender activist Dana Rivers was on trial for triple murder.<ref name=rivers/>  The victims were a lesbian couple and their adoptive son.  Rivers stabbed and shot the victims, before trying to set their house on fire, in November 2016.  It remains unclear whether Rivers was motivated by the hatred against feminists and lesbians promulgated by transgender activists.  Rivers was, however, a member of the group [[Wikipedia:Camp Trans|Camp Trans]], which was created to protest the women-only rule of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival (aka MichFest).<ref name=camptrans/>  Autostraddle described Rivers as a "very well-known transgender activist."<ref name=autostraddle/>
=== Trans activist Dana Rivers commits triple homicide ===
 
In 2018, transgender activist Dana Rivers was on trial for triple murder.<ref name=rivers/>  The victims were a lesbian couple and their son.  Rivers stabbed and shot the victims, before trying to set their house on fire, in November 2016.  It remains unclear whether Rivers was motivated by the hatred against feminists and lesbians promulgated by transgender activists.  Rivers was, however, a member of the group [[Wikipedia:Camp Trans|Camp Trans]], which was created to protest the women-only rule of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival (aka MichFest).<ref name=camptrans/>  Autostraddle described Rivers as a "very well-known transgender activist."<ref name=autostraddle/>
 
=== Trans activist lashes at Julie Bindel after speech ===
 
[[File:Joe-brennan-twitter.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"Cathy Brennan" encouraging physical violence against women]]
 
In June 2019, [[Julie Bindel]] was physically attacked by a trans-identifying male person after holding a keynote speech about male violence against women at the Edinburgh University, together with Prof. Rosa Freedman.<ref name=edinburgh/>
 
Bindel recounted the incidence the following way: "He was shouting and ranting and raving, 'you're a f***** c***, you're a f****** bitch, a f****** Terf" and the rest of it.  We were trying to walk to the cab to take us to the airport, and then he just lunged at me and almost punched me in the face, but a security guard pulled him away."


In June 2019, [[Julie Bindel]] was physically attacked by a trans-identifying male person after holding a keynote speech about male violence against women at the Edinburgh University, together with Prof. Rosa Freedman.<ref name=edinburgh/>  "He was shouting and ranting and raving, 'you're a f***** c***, you're a f****** bitch, a f****** Terf" and the rest of it.  We were trying to walk to the cab to take us to the airport, and then he just lunged at me and almost punched me in the face, but a security guard pulled him away."  The male person, who calls himself "[[Cathy Brennan]]" (after famous lesbian and radical feminist lawyer, whom he despises) had previously stood out on social media for [[:File:Joe-brennan-twitter.jpg|encouraging physical violence]] against feminists at Gay Pride events.
The male person, who calls himself "[[Cathy Brennan]]" (not to be confused with the lesbian and radical feminist lawyer who was born with that name) had previously stood out on social media for encouraging physical violence against feminists at Gay Pride events.


In August 16, 2019, the Facebook account of [[Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter]] reported that a dead rat had been nailed to their door frame.<ref name=vrr-fb/>  On August 26, their Twitter account followed up by reporting their door and windows were vandalized with phrases such as "FUCK TERFS" and "KILL TERFS" as well as "TRANS POWER".<ref name=vrr-twitter/>  The repeated harassment and vandalism garnered attention in local and national news.<ref name=vrr-vancouverisawesome/><ref name=vrr-nationalreview/><ref name=vrr-citynews/>
{{clear}}


=== Gallery ===
=== Harassment and vandalism against Vancouver Rape Relief ===


<gallery caption="Discussion of McLean's hate tweet" perrow=3 widths=400px heights=200px>
In August 16, 2019, the Facebook account of [[Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter]] reported that a dead rat had been nailed to their door frame.<ref name=vrr-fb/>  On August 26, their Twitter account followed up by reporting their door and windows were vandalized with phrases such as "FUCK TERFS" and "KILL TERFS" as well as "TRANS POWER".<ref name=vrr-twitter/> The repeated harassment and vandalism garnered attention in local and national news.<ref name=vrr-vancouverisawesome/><ref name=vrr-nationalreview/><ref name=vrr-citynews/>
File:Sonicfox3.jpg | McLean defending his tweet on the grounds that Ronda Rousey is a "TERF" and as such deserving of the violent contempt
File:Sonicfox-copycat1.png | A copycat tweet showing another video game character dying brutally, with the caption "FUCK TERFS"
File:Sonicfox-copycat2.png | Another copycat tweet. The GIF is of [[Wikipedia:Mortal Kombat 11|Mortal Kombat 11]] character [[Wikipedia:Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]] burning his opponent alive.
</gallery>


<gallery caption="Harassment and vandalism of Vancouver Rape Relief" perrow=3 widths=400px heights=200px>
<gallery caption="Images of the vandalism" widths=300px heights=175px>
File:Vrr-vandalism1.jpg | A dead rat nailed to the door frame of VRR
File:Vrr-vandalism1.jpg | A dead rat nailed to the door frame of VRR
File:Vrr-vandalism2.jpg | The text "KILL TERFS ... TRANS POWER" written on the window
File:Vrr-vandalism2.jpg | The text "KILL TERFS ... TRANS POWER" written on the window
File:Vrr-vandalism3.jpg | The phrases "FUCK TERFS" and "TRANS WOMEN ARE WOMEN" written on the door and window
File:Vrr-vandalism3.jpg | The phrases "FUCK TERFS" and "TRANS WOMEN ARE WOMEN" written on the door and window
</gallery>
<gallery caption="Some examples of tweets using 'terf'" perrow=3 widths=400px heights=200px>
File:Terf-gallery-1.png | "terf isn't a slur ... terfs don't deserve rights"
File:Terf-gallery-2.jpg | "All terfs will be arrested on sight"
File:Terf-gallery-3.jpg | "It's [[Wikipedia:Pride Month|Pride]] punch a terf"
File:Terf-gallery-4.png | Putting "terf" right aside "nazi"
File:Terf-gallery-5.png | [[Wikipedia:Arthur Chu|Arthur Chu]] supporting SonicFox's hate speech
File:Terf-gallery-6.png | "Being a TERF is a choice.  Like being a Nazi."
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Analysis of the term ==
== Analysis of the term ==


[[File:Theterfs-delusion.png|thumb|right|500px|Some of the hyperbolic lies transgender activists use to justify hatred against feminists]]
[[File:Theterfs-delusion.png|thumb|right|500px|Some of the extreme hyperbole used to justify hatred against radical feminists]]


The original acronym could be split in two halves: "trans-exclusionary" and "radical feminist."  Though many people targeted with the word do not see themselves as radical feminists, their ideals most often tend to align with [[radical feminism]] anyway, making that part somewhat accurate.  The "trans-exclusionary" part however is rather ambiguous, and its meaning seems to change at the whim of the person using the term.
The original acronym could be split in two halves: "trans-exclusionary" and "radical feminist."  Though many people targeted with the word do not see themselves as radical feminists, their ideals most often tend to align with [[radical feminism]] anyway, making that part somewhat accurate.  The "trans-exclusionary" part however is rather ambiguous, and its meaning seems to change at the whim of the person using the term.
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* Exclude trans people from housing (make them homeless)
* Exclude trans people from housing (make them homeless)
* Exclude trans people from employment (make them unemployed)
* Exclude trans people from employment (make them unemployed)
* Exclude them from education
* Exclude them from education (keep them uneducated)
* Exclude them from accomodation equality
* Exclude them from accommodation equality
* Exclude them from local, state, national and United Nations protections(!)
* Exclude them from local, state, national and United Nations protections(!)


As such, the women labeled "TERF" are represented less as women who simply want to uphold women's sex-based rights, and more like fascist monsters, which is then used to incite hatred and violence against them.  It's also noteworthy how exclusion of transwomen (from female-only spaces etc.) turns here into supposed exclusion of all trans people (from whatever).  As a matter of fact, women targeted as "TERFs" will frequently say explicitly that they welcome transmen in their groups, since transmen also face the sex-based oppression all women face from birth.
As such, the women labeled "TERF" are represented less as women who simply want to uphold women's sex-based rights, and more like fascist monsters.  This is then used to incite hatred and violence against them.  It's also noteworthy how exclusion of transwomen (from female-only spaces etc.) turns here into supposed exclusion of all trans people (from whatever).  In fact, women targeted as "TERFs" will frequently say explicitly that they welcome transmen in their groups, since transmen also face the sex-based oppression all women face from birth.


The strategy of transgender activists of using simple definitions of "TERF" to make the term look accurate, but then twist the definition to justify hatred, is quite similar to a "troll" strategy that has been noted by philosopher Nicholas Shackel, and dubbed the ''Motte and Bailey Doctrine'' in a paper titled [https://philpapers.org/archive/SHATVO-2.pdf ''The Vacuity of Postmodernist Methodology'']:
The strategy of transgender activists of using simple definitions of "TERF" to make the term look accurate, but then twist the definition to justify hatred, is quite similar to a "troll" strategy that has been noted by philosopher Nicholas Shackel, and dubbed the ''Motte and Bailey Doctrine'' in a paper titled [https://philpapers.org/archive/SHATVO-2.pdf ''The Vacuity of Postmodernist Methodology'']:
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To summarize: there is not a single documented instance of a feminist group going up to a transgender group to assault or threaten them.  Any claims of "violence by TERFs" refer either to women trying to evict transwomen from female-only spaces, extremely rare verbal threats, and lots and lots of fabrication.  In comparison, transgender activists have gone to women's libraries to vandalize them,<ref name=vwl/> went to feminist meetings to assault women,<ref name=fc1/><ref name=fc2/> appeared with face masks at feminist conferences to intimidate women,<ref name=jamjar/> and the ubiquitous verbal abuse they send in the direction of women fills up [https://terfisaslur.com/ a whole website] set up solely to archive it.
To summarize: there is not a single documented instance of a feminist group going up to a transgender group to assault or threaten them.  Any claims of "violence by TERFs" refer either to women trying to evict transwomen from female-only spaces, extremely rare verbal threats, and lots and lots of fabrication.  In comparison, transgender activists have gone to women's libraries to vandalize them,<ref name=vwl/> went to feminist meetings to assault women,<ref name=fc1/><ref name=fc2/> appeared with face masks at feminist conferences to intimidate women,<ref name=jamjar/> and the ubiquitous verbal abuse they send in the direction of women fills up [https://terfisaslur.com/ a whole website] set up solely to archive it.


=== The term 'SWERF' ===
== 'SWERF' ==


The word ''SWERF'' is a close relative to ''TERF'' and is applied in a similarly dishonest, misrepresenting way.  Women (and men who care about women's rights) who are critical of the sex industry for its exploitative nature are accused of being "sex-worker exclusionary" in an attempt to make them seem hateful towards an oppressed group.
The word ''SWERF'' is a close relative to ''TERF'' and is applied in a similarly dishonest, misrepresenting way.  Women (and men who care about women's rights) who are critical of the sex industry for its exploitative nature are accused of being "sex-worker exclusionary" in an attempt to make them seem hateful towards an oppressed group.
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Notably, one of the biggest anti-prostitution and anti-pornography feminists [[Andrea Dworkin]] was an ex-prostitute herself, and not ashamed of admitting so.  Another notable example is [[Rachel Moran]], who was in prostitution between the ages of 15 and 22, only to become one of the most notable anti-prostitution, pro-Nordic Model activists in recent years.
Notably, one of the biggest anti-prostitution and anti-pornography feminists [[Andrea Dworkin]] was an ex-prostitute herself, and not ashamed of admitting so.  Another notable example is [[Rachel Moran]], who was in prostitution between the ages of 15 and 22, only to become one of the most notable anti-prostitution, pro-Nordic Model activists in recent years.
== Gallery ==
<gallery caption="Some examples of tweets using 'terf'" widths=300px heights=150px>
File:Terf-gallery-1.png | "terf isn't a slur ... terfs don't deserve rights"
File:Terf-gallery-2.jpg | "All terfs will be arrested on sight"
File:Terf-gallery-3.jpg | "It's [[Wikipedia:Pride Month|Pride]] punch a terf"
File:Terf-gallery-4.png | Putting "terf" right aside "nazi"
File:Terf-gallery-5.png | [[Wikipedia:Arthur Chu|Arthur Chu]] supporting SonicFox's hate speech
File:Terf-gallery-6.png | "Being a TERF is a choice.  Like being a Nazi."
</gallery>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* [[Transgender ideology]]
* [[Transgender ideology]]


=== External links ===
== External links ==


* [https://www.feministcurrent.com/2017/09/21/terf-isnt-slur-hate-speech/ TERF isn't just a slur, it's hate speech | Feminist Current]
* [https://www.feministcurrent.com/2017/09/21/terf-isnt-slur-hate-speech/ TERF isn't just a slur, it's hate speech | Feminist Current]
* [https://www.feministcurrent.com/tag/terf/ TERF Archives | Feminist Current]
* [https://www.feministcurrent.com/tag/terf/ TERF Archives | Feminist Current]
* [https://speakupforwomen.nz/dont-call-women-terfs/ Don't Call Women 'Terfs' | Speak Up for Women NZ]
* [https://speakupforwomen.nz/dont-call-women-terfs/ Don't Call Women 'Terfs' | Speak Up for Women NZ]
* [https://medium.com/@amydyess83/terf-is-hate-speech-and-its-time-to-condemn-it-6efc897ce407 TERF Is Hate Speech and It’s Time to Condemn It]
* [https://terfisaslur.com/ terfisaslur.com - Documenting the abuse, harassment and misogyny of transgender identity politics]
* [https://terfisaslur.com/ terfisaslur.com - Documenting the abuse, harassment and misogyny of transgender identity politics]


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|website=Medium.com
|website=Medium.com
}}
}}
</ref>
<ref name=elcomun-calvo>
{{cite web
|url=https://elcomun.es/2021/02/20/violencia-machista-ahorcan-a-una-muneca-con-la-cara-de-carmen-calvo-en-santiago/
|title=Violencia machista: Ahorcan a una muñeca con la cara de Carmen Calvo en Santiago (English: "Sexist violence: They hang a doll with the face of Carmen Calvo in Santiago")
|date=February 20, 2021
|website=El Común
}}
English translation by Google: https://2lovojqocmwrvggaapshhrg6yi-adwhj77lcyoafdy-elcomun-es.translate.goog/2021/02/20/violencia-machista-ahorcan-a-una-muneca-con-la-cara-de-carmen-calvo-en-santiago/
</ref>
</ref>


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