You think I just don't understand, but I don't believe you.

Happy holidays!

What I would say to a trans*sister, whoever you are:

I first went to MichFest in 2002, and it was wonderful and amazing. When I left, my feet stood on the earth more solidly, and my gaze was level.

When I first heard about various trans* conflicts on the Land, I stopped and thought about it. I felt that to be a woman born in a male body must be agony.

My own issues with femaleness had to do with how not to feel naked when I checked out at the grocery store and I had stare at the magazines with scantily clad women on *every* cover; how to deal with my menstrual cycles in high school when the boys in Social Studies made snide references to how the girls’ swim team left ‘blood in the pool;’ how to be heard in math class when, overnight at 13, I went from the smart kid to practically invisible; how to travel on a plane or bus without being accosted by some dude who claimed the right to monopolize my attention and energy; and countless other daily challenges.

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As Females, we have devoted much time to supporting Trans* causes. Why are we doing this, when it seems clear that Trans* does not extend us the same respect?

Abortion: Here. Here. Here. Here. Here.

Free Speech: Here. Here.

Rape: Here.

Birth Control: Here.

Add your own links to comments, articles and the assorted detritus of the Internet where Trans* people make it very clear that they don’t give a flying fuck for Females.

We need to change this.

Rethinking Gender Abolition

by Pogoniptrail

The goal of eradicating gender has become axiomatic for radical feminists over the past several years. Not only the debased role of woman but gender itself–the very concept–has been framed as the root of all women’s oppression. It is my position that gender abolition is neither necessary for women’s liberation nor a worthy goal. I base this conclusion on the following points:

1) Gender abolition is a reactionary position that has gained traction as a result of the assault on women’s autonomy vis-a-vis transactivists and gender identity theorists.

2) It is a disembodied view that emphasizes minds and brains over women’s entire physical being.

3) It is an abstract solution imposed on an existing order rather than an organic theory arising out of women’s experiences.

4) It does not allow for sex-based diversity in religious and ethnic subcultures.

5) It frames autonomous women’s spaces and organizations in negative rather than positive terms.

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For every lesbian you bully into sex – a radical feminist is born.

For every woman you threaten with violence – a radical feminist is born.

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