Radical feminism... often slips through the cracks of LGBTQ+ communities.
Now, that's not to blame anybody. I do, however, think it's good to be informed. Here's a list of common radfem views and terminology.
Due to wanting this post to remain informative, I will try to remain neutral. However, as all people do, I have bias and that will probably slip through.
First, there are "caution signs." These views and words are commonly used amongst radfems, but could just as easily be used by other leftist, well-meaning, or unknowing people. This contains a mix of neutral and negative terms/viewpoints.
Gender abolition; not just abolition of gender binarity, but gender (as a system) itself. To be clear, some trans and trans allies are gender abolitionists. The difference is that most trans and trans-allied gender abolitionists believe that, even without gender, people would still want to transition.
"Transwoman" and "transman," as in without the space between these words specifically. These are TERF dog whistles that are meant to other trans people, essentially calling them "not real women/men." However, some unknowing trans people have picked it up.
"I believe in transandrophobia, just under a different name." (What they often mean is they call it misogyny.)
Using terms like "libfem" (liberal feminist) to refer to other feminists.
Using terms like "nuancefem" (nuanced feminist) to refer to other feminists.
Generally, differentiating gender identity from gender as a societal system isn't inherently radfeminist. However, disregarding trans people with ideas like "nobody has an internal, innate sense of gender" (disregarding gender dysphoria and gender euphoria), and especially insisting it's "just gender non-conformity" or "just your personality," is often rhetoric used by radfems.
"Gender socialization" (male socialization, female socialization). This refers to the idea that men and women are raised with differing expectations and treatment. To be clear, this is also a general sociological concept.
"Desisting" (when in reference to gender). Essentially, this refers to social detransitioning.
"Sex-based oppression." It's mainly used by radfems to refer to cis women and "TIFs" being oppressed on the basis of their sex. (While it's true that those with traits such as breasts, uteruses, vaginas, etc. are often deeply regulated and attacked for these traits, sex-based oppression isn't the greatest name.)
"Protect gender nonconformity" or similar phrases. This usually means something akin to "stop forcing people to be trans, let them just be gender-nonconforming."
While not all radfeminists and TERFs are anti asexual, a lot of them are on the basis that it's not LGB. They often also express that, in the case a woman is asexual, "it's normal to not be sexually attracted to a class that has power over you."
Being anti bi-lesbian. Radfems/TERFs believe lesbian refers to SSA (same-sex attraction).
Then, there are "red flags." These terms are, mostly without a doubt, radfem and TERF termsβor, at the very least, associated with bigotry (especially queerphobia.)
TIM/TIF, meaning trans-identified male and trans-identified female respectively.
"Peaking," meaning something akin to "awakening to the truth." I've seen this used to mean things like "becoming radfem," "realizing one agrees with radfem beliefs," and "becoming disillusioned with transness/trans people/trans communities"
AGP (autogynephilia) and AAP (autoandrophilia).
SSA (same-sex attraction), especially when used to define lesbian and gay.
Calling oneself "gender critical."
Calling others TRAs, as in trans rights activist. This was coined to compare us to MRAs, as in men's rights activists.
Calling oneself crypto (radfem/TERF), meaning a radfem or TERF who is undercover/pretending to be in support of trans people.
Calling oneself febfem, meaning "female-exclusive bisexual female/feminist." (Female-exclusive meaning one only dates cis women.)
Anti-kink rhetoric. Radfeminists and TERFs often believe that kink is a tool used to get away with abusing women. There is often an emphasis placed on certain kinks, such as ones to do with pain, for example.
(Don't be violent to radfems and TERFs on my post. It's misogynistic, plain and simple.
Also, please don't debate with me on this postβI'm not interested, and this isn't meant to denounce or endorse every single term and viewpoint. It's simply meant to act as a list.)
