Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Radfems Have Some Good Points

I often state, only half-jokingly, that I am an extreme moderate, a member of the Radical Middle, the Far Center.  By that, I mean that I tend to disagree with those who are extremists. For example, I have a lot of disagreement with both extremists on both sides of the abortion issue.  I believe that abortion should be illegal except in cases of rape, incest (which I consider to be a form of rape), and to save the life of the mother.  I do not believe that women who have abortions should be prosecuted for doing so.  I believe that adoption is a superior alternative to abortion, and was once rather vulgarly attacked by someone (a note left on my windshield) because I had a bumper stick that read, "Don't Abort, I'll Adopt."  I have also been attacked by those who think I am a just too darned liberal on the issue because I don't favor executing women who have abortions, or think that abortion should be illegal, even if the mother's life is in danger (somehow it is lost on those extremists that the child will almost certainly die as well as the mother).  But, such is the nature of extremists.  I can respect your right to disagree, but I expect the same in return.

I feel the same way whenever a group of radical feminists start blindly attacking "transgender" people.  They tend to take a very broad brush approach.  But, I also find that the truth, again, falls somewhere in the middle.  The Radfems, as they are known, have some views that are, unfortunately, rooted in ignorance.  A lot of their philosophy is rooted in the rejection of a biological basis for gender.  To them, it is all nurture, and no nature.  Men and women are different because of social environment.  And yet, they also seem to take a "biology is destiny" view that rivals that of some on the extreme Right.  They push the idea that gender is oppression, but they wish to oppress those who feel their gender does not actually match their body.

Now, as I say, they have some good points.  The fact is, sadly, the vast majority of so-called "transwomen" (a term I don't care for) may be "trans" but they are not remotely women.  I am often amazed at how so many of them seem to take a surprisingly male approach to the act of "being a woman."  They seem "womanhood" as something to be taken by force, as an entitlement that they have a right to, and they attack anyone who has the audacity to challenge them on it.   

Just look at the behavior of the most extreme of transgender activists, like "Autumn" Sandeen, who decided that having himself castrated entitles him to claim that he is now a "womon born womon" (and yes, he actually used that spelling) and that he just might show up at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival.  Look at "Colleen" Francis, and his supporters who think that a "transwoman's" right to flash his penis around a women's locker room trumps the rights of the women.  Even if young girls are involved.  Look at the style of "Cristan" Williams, and how his writing seems more that of a man trying to shove his views down women's throats than anything else.  He loves to gloat, strutting like a Banty rooster" when he imagines he has scored a victory (which is usually more imaginary than real, as he tends to present straw arguments and then ignore any refutation of his silliness).  I still get a laugh from his silly response when I refused to let him set the terms of a debate.  He refused to continue, and accused me of "the Jennifer Shuffle."  How, classically male, but not unusual.

And don't even get me started on the absurd, stereotypical way many transgender men (i.e. transwomen) think real women should behave.  Just check out a video or two of Mr. Sandeen flouncing around in one of his outfits.  It is an insult to women, period.  I remember once, a person who, in retrospect, was more likely transgender than transsexual, commented to me, "You dress like a housewife."  It was meant as a criticism, but I took it as a compliment.  I also remember, after attending a Halloween event at a local LGBT center, being told that several had wondered why a "straight woman" was there with her daughter.  Again, I took it as a compliment.    That is, after all, what I am.  Not a drag queen, not some bizarre caricature of a woman who favors the label "transwoman" because I want to hang on to my past, but simply an ordinary, run of the mill, woman.

Unfortunately, like most extremists, the Radfems paint with a broad brush.  And, unfortunately, they follow the transgender approach of lumping transsexuals in under the "umbrella" that is "transgender."  This is largely because they don't want to believe that there is a biological basis for transsexualism, which would refute their position that men and women are exactly the same emotionally and mentally, except where differentiated by nurture, even though that is clearly an invalid position.  But, when it comes to the behavior of the transgender, they are dead on.  Any woman should be offended by much of the behavior of transgender extremists, not just the Radfems, and no one should attack them for expressing such offense.  But Heaven help anyone who actually finds fault with transgender behavior.  Even if they are right on many of their points.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Dear Jennifer,

I read your blog, although we do not always completely agree I do not criticize your works. I am heartened by this post. I have long felt some vicious radfems have dangled "acceptance" to post-TS women and used them as weapons against the entire concept of transition and gender affirmation surgery. I, for one, hate being manipulated for someone ELSE'S agenda. Interestingly this is as true for the TGQ movement AND the fringe radfems. I admire your ability to BE in the public eye and still NOT be used by either party. I will continue to avidly read your writings.

Just Jennifer said...

I have never seen any evidence of Radfems doing such as that. I have, on rare occasions, seen some transsexuals who try to latch onto the Radfems' views to "prove" their superiority to other transsexuals. That is, they try to claim, because they agree with Janice Raymond, that they are more woman than than others. This, of course, is absurd. Womanhood is not quantifiable. You either are, or you are not.

Pretty much any acceptance of a post-op by a Radfem is based on ignorance of that person's status.

And no, I am not particularly in the public eye. A few people have tried to invade my privacy, but by and large, I am pretty much stealth. I am not used by either party because, quite simply, I actually think for myself. Something most fail to do.

Nicky said...

You should see what's going on with Gallusmag and Cathy Brennan. The TEEGEE pomo trans crowd just fired a shot at the Radfems and tried to shut down and silenced Gallusmag. Here's the link https://radfemcentral.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/the-power-of-female-rage/

Unknown said...

Yes Mr. Chaleuphone *gag* I am well aware your precious gallus opened an email attachment and caught a nasty virus. No, wordpress was not responsible. Now gee whiz, how do you think I know that? Karma, luv.

Unknown said...

I refer to Dana Lane Taylor, but your point is well taken. Indeed, "Rose Verbena" for all that she was a rabid "radfem" was in fact a self-loathing non-op.

I meant you are more in the public eye than those of us who do not have the talent or courage to write on contentious issues and be solidly on message despite abuse. I was unclear in my statement. At any rate, I enjoy your blog.

Nicky said...

@Robyn Messy Elliot
Let me guess, another man with his important opinion. Very Typical of men trying to shove it to Natural women, Lesbian and Intersex people. It's why Radical Fems are not going to sit quietly on this one. People will one day wise up and see how violent all the Male born Trans are. Your days are Numbered.

Unknown said...

jennifer, why do you allow this strange little nicky to defile your blog and insult TS women? If I want insults I'll go to church. Plz tidy your blog and send nicky back to creepy pornland. I LIKE your blog, but I cannot stand that boy's disrespect.

Unknown said...

As an afterthought, anyone who needs a lesbian's approval of their identity is trying too hard. Lesbians are no better than gay men, who are no better than TS women. The day I need a lesbian to confirm my life is the day the lesbians PAY CASH MONEY so I can be a wealthy socialite and get in trouble with Lindsey Lohan. Put in other words, Nicky, I'm married to a REAL man. YOU have a date with your palm. Enjoy.

Just Jennifer said...

Robyn, unlike the usual TG blogger, and a certain "Woman Born Transsexual" who has pretty much joined the TG crowd, I don't censor posts. The only hard and fast rule here is NO INVADING PRIVACY. That is, I don't allow the outing of people against there will. If someone, like Sandeen, has voluntarily posted their name, that is one thing, but I would not allow someone to reveal someone's name against their will. That sort of thing.

I generally give the idiots a chance to make fools of themselves to their heart's content...

Just Jennifer said...

"As an afterthought, anyone who needs a lesbian's approval of their identity is trying too hard. Lesbians are no better than gay men, who are no better than TS women. The day I need a lesbian to confirm my life is the day the lesbians PAY CASH MONEY so I can be a wealthy socialite and get in trouble with Lindsey Lohan. Put in other words, Nicky, I'm married to a REAL man. YOU have a date with your palm. Enjoy."

That is pretty much my attitude. I have seen some people fall all over themselves trying to get some self-appointed judge of womanhood to favor them with approval. I remember one very insecure post-op who still occasionally sucks up to Suzan Cooke as though the slightest sign of approval from Cooke will somehow verify her identity. If you need others approval, then well, you have serious problems.

Unknown said...

@ Jennifer. I can understand that, and it is your call. I just find Nicky to be loathesome. His threat of "your days are numbered" is in keeping with his boundless creepiness. His infatuation with ts women makes me cringe. He's the consummate "tranny chaser", and seeks us out everywhere he can to threaten and abuse. Seems creepy stalkerish even on his best day. The radical feminists dont have the power of numbers, so they tolerate him. He needs a hobby other than obsessing over transsexuals. I have the suspicion that he masturbates furiously to shemale porn, like the prototypical transvestite. I'm pretty sure he smells. Ew!

Just Jennifer said...

I have found more than a few people who comment here to be a bit loathsome, but as I say, I choose not to censor. I know that may occasionally lead to some nasty stuff, but I find it even more loathsome how some try to avoid facing reality by censoring out anyone they disagree with...

Just Jennifer said...

Again, the one cardinal rule her is NO INVASIONS OF PRIVACY. That means mine, and that ALSO means others. Unless someone chooses to post there past me publicly and you can show evidence of this, I will not approve posts where you choose to out them. I just got such a message in what appears to be a childish and silly radfem vs. trans feud. It will not appear. And I might add, as a precautionary note, I am not inclined to allow threats of violence against anyone either. If it comes to it, I will turn stuff over to law enforcement.

But yeah, a post just got denied.

Unknown said...

I can totally respect that rule, and THANK YOU! I get really creeped out by the stalking, and I have this guy following all around the web accusing me of being a "mid-30s physician that had SRS 10 years ago that hates intersex persons". MOST transvestite people actually embellish their age, education, and surgery status when in reality they never even began HRT, which makes the "accusation" even MORE bizarre. I honestly think this guy must be IN LOVE with the idea of the woman he is stalking. Thank you for sparing us that unpleasantness.

Just Jennifer said...

I have been cyberstalked more than once, and I will not tolerate it here. I know how you feel. And yes, in some cases, one does have to wonder about the motivations of some who engage in such behavior.