CN: GRA & trans exclusion
There are names on this open letter that I recognise, including colleagues whose research I respect. I wish it was possible to have an open and respectful dialogue about implications of GRA, but I've not found it possible so far
theguardian.com/society/2018/o…
There are names on this open letter that I recognise, including colleagues whose research I respect. I wish it was possible to have an open and respectful dialogue about implications of GRA, but I've not found it possible so far
theguardian.com/society/2018/o…
This is because 'gender critical' scholars' opening assumption is that trans' peoples identities should not be respected. Any meeting between trans people and critical scholars therefore starts with ontological disagreement: do trans people exist, or not?
Unsurprisingly, this is a terrible position from which to begin a conversation, and I cannot possibly imagine how it feels to be so dismissed as an interlocutor, and an entire ontological category.
'Gender critical' scholars accuse trans people & allies of doublethink, cognitive dissonance, prioritising 'feeling' over fact. This describes gender & trans identity as an equation to be solved by formal logic, not a lived experience that's cultural, social, personal, political
It's perfectly possible to make a case for trans identity using queer, gender & feminist theories. However, I don't think an academic explanation is really what's really at stake in these discussions.
I think that people, even academics, feel the way they do, based on lived experience and social prejudice, and construct arguments against trans identity using the conceptual toolkit they have to hand. What I'd like to suggest then, respectfully, is stop for a moment.
Trans people's lives aren't fodder for philosophical speculation. Gender categories like man and woman are historically and culturally contingent, and endlessly changeable. We can discuss them, but remember, real people have been forced to inhabit them.
Perhaps try to speak and write about trans issues as if trans people are in the room, and as if their experience--however strange to you--makes sense to them, and has been shaped by unnecessary pain, prejudice and cruelty.
And if you are speaking and writing about trans issues, please try to create a context in which trans people ARE IN THE ROOM. If trans people don't want to be in the room with you, YOU HAVE BUILT THE WRONG ROOM.
Trans people are *not going anywhere.* Trans people, particularly trans women of colour, are disproportionality victims of male violence. We are all terrified of abusive men. We are all survivors of patriarchy.
If we all could start from that place, then open discussion about GRA implications and all issues affecting women's lives would be possible.
And if you haven't already, fill in the consultation document by 19th Oct. I'm happy to discuss implications, as I understand them, though I suggest people first look at @stonewalluk 's advice & listen to the many trans people who've written & spoken out gov.uk/government/con…
