RadFem2012 - bans trans women

[Hannah Ryan]

Hi all, 

Just read this article http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/25/radical-feminism-trans-radfem2012 about the upcoming RadFem conference, and I am sickened that people calling themselves feminists are still engaging in this divisive and destructive agenda of trans exclusion.  Trans people are feminists' natural allies - transphobia is an extension of misogyny, as both are based around the tenets of patriarchal notions of gender-determinism.  Banning trans women from a conference like this not only results in bad press for feminists everywhere, as we are inevitably tarred with the same brush, but further weakens our movement with in-fighting and a race to claim the title of 'most oppressed'.  

I would like to write to the conference's organizers, and the main speakers (who include Gail Dines and Sheila Jeffreys) to register my objection to this policy. 

What do people think of this issue, and are there any objections to my writing on behalf of MWM and the LWN?

Hannah 

[Hannah Ryan]

This is a draft of a letter to RadFem.  Please comment/add to/disagree with!!!  I will send the final version tomorrow evening.

Dear RadFem 2012,

I am writing to you on behalf of Merseyside Women’s Movement, Angry Women of Liverpool and the Liverpool Women’s Network to urge you to change your policy and make RadFem 2012 a trans-inclusive space.

Trans women are the focus of stigma, hate speech and discrimination that is undoubtedly from the same auspices of patriarchal gender determinism as that aimed at women.  In other words, it is misogyny.  The arduous process of transitioning requires confronting the complexities of sex, gender and gender discrimination that draws many trans people to feminist theory and principle. To exclude trans women from a feminist gathering like this is to foreclose our movement to a group of people who are our natural allies, and who’s well-being and rights are intimately intertwined with our own.

All of the above-named groups construct women-only spaces as part of our activist practice, and we realise the power of these spaces in feminist activism.  We also all adopt a trans-inclusive policy for these spaces.   We find do not find that this allows a co-option of these spaces for a male-dominated agenda or a trans-dominated agenda.  We find that being inclusive increases the feeling that the space is a safe one for women.   

We suggest that inviting trans women to participate in the conference is far from perpetuating the patriarchal dominance of personal and political spaces.  These are people who can testify to the violence, indignity and terror patriarchy can render, and they deserve to be listened to by feminists.

You might also wish to consider the position of many ‘women born women’ who will not be attending the conference due to your trans-exclusive policy. 

I await your response with interest.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Hannah Ryan

Secretary,

Merseyside Women’s Movement

On 28 May 2012 15:21, Autumnpsyche <autumn...@gmail.com> wrote:

I agree, trans exclusion should not be part of feminism. If I lived
nearer, I'd definitely join that picket.

On 28 May 2012 14:43, Emma Pooka <purpl...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> There are some women in Liverpool going down to picket outside with trans
> allies – anybody who wants to join them, let me know and I’ll put you in
> touch.
>
> And yes, Hannah I’d be happy for you to write that statement in the name of
> AWOL, too, if nobody objects.   We could also post it on the blog.
>
> Emma
>
>
>
> From: angry...@googlegroups.com [mailto:angry...@googlegroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Chloe Emmott
> Sent: 28 May 2012 14:17
> To: angry...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [AWOL] RadFem2012 - bans trans women
>
>
>
> Go for it!

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[Maria Pendaraki]

I made some suggested changes, mostly  in order to change the us/ them divide.My changes follow after the +++++++

in solidarity,

Maria.

---

Απο: Hannah Ryan <hannah...@googlemail.com>
Προς: angry...@googlegroups.com; merseysidewo...@googlegroups.com
Στάλθηκε: 7:02 μ.μ. Δευτέρα, 28 Μαΐου 2012
Θεμα: Re: [AWOL] RadFem2012 - bans trans women

This is a draft of a letter to RadFem.  Please comment/add to/disagree with!!!  I will send the final version tomorrow evening.

Dear RadFem 2012,

I am writing to you on behalf of Merseyside Women’s Movement, Angry Women of Liverpool and the Liverpool Women’s Network to urge you to change your policy and make RadFem 2012 a trans-inclusive space.

Trans women are the focus of stigma, hate speech and discrimination that is undoubtedly from the same auspices of patriarchal gender determinism as that aimed at women.  In other words, it is misogyny.  The arduous process of transitioning requires confronting the complexities of sex, gender and gender discrimination that draws many trans people to feminist theory and principle. To exclude trans women from a feminist gathering like ++++++++ this is to annule in practice  the basic feminist principle of self determination. After all  trans women's  well-being and rights are intimately intertwined with every woman's well being and rights.

All of the above-named groups construct women-only spaces as part of our activist practice, and we realise the power of these spaces in feminist activism.  We also all adopt a trans-inclusive policy for these spaces.   We do not find that this allows a co-option of these spaces for a male-dominated agenda or a trans-dominated agenda.  We find that being inclusive increases the feeling that the space is a safe one for women.   

We suggest that inviting trans women to participate in the conference is far from perpetuating the patriarchal dominance of personal and political spaces.  ++++Trans women can testify to the violence, indignity and terror patriarchy can render, and +++++++++++++ their liberation is part of women's liberation.

You might also wish to consider the position of many ‘women born women’ who will not be attending the conference due to your trans-exclusive policy. 

+++++++We would like you to reconsider your exclusionary practice. We are waiting for your reply.

 

++++++++++++++In sisterhood,

 

Hannah Ryan

+++++on behlaf of:

Merseyside Women’s Movement

Angry Women of Liverpool 
Liverpool Women’s Network