A Statement of Trans-Inclusive Feminism and Womanism

[Shana A]

A Statement of Trans-Inclusive Feminism and Womanism

http://feministsfightingtransphobia.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/a-statement-of-trans-inclusive-feminism/

We are proud to present a collective statement that is, to our knowledge (and we would love to be wrong about this) the first of its kind.  In this post you'll find a statement of feminist solidarity with trans* rights, signed by nearly 100  feminists/womanists from at least eleven different countries [it's now 790 individuals and 60 organizations --  a total of 850 signatories! -- from 41 countries] who wish to affirm that feminism/womanism can and should be a home for trans* people as well as cis.  It has been signed by activists, bloggers, academics, and artists.  What we all have in common is the conviction that feminism should welcome trans* people, and that trans* people are essential to feminism's mission to advocate for women and other people oppressed, exploited, and otherwise marginalized by patriarchal and misogynistic systems and people.

...

We, the undersigned trans* and cis scholars, writers, artists, and educators, want to publicly and openly affirm our commitment to a trans*-inclusive feminism and womanism.

There has been a noticeable increase in transphobic feminist activity this summer: the forthcoming book by Sheila Jeffreys from Routledge; the hostile and threatening anonymous letter sent to Dallas Denny after she and Dr. Jamison Green wrote to Routledge regarding their concerns about that book; and the recent widely circulated statement entitled "Forbidden Discourse: The Silencing of Feminist Critique of 'Gender,'" signed by a number of prominent, and we regret to say, misguided, feminists have been particularly noticeable.  And all this is taking place in the climate of virulent mainstream transphobia that has emerged following the coverage of Chelsea Manning's trial and subsequent statement regarding her gender identity, and the recent murders of young trans women of color, including Islan Nettles and Domonique Newburn, the latest targets in a long history of violence against trans women of color.  Given these events, it is important that we speak out in support of feminism and womanism that support trans* people.

We are committed to recognizing and respecting the complex construction of sexual/gender identity; to recognizing trans* women as women and including them in all women's spaces; to recognizing trans* men as men and rejecting accounts of manhood that exclude them; to recognizing the existence of genderqueer, non-binary identifying people and accepting their humanity; to rigorous, thoughtful, nuanced research and analysis of gender, sex, and sexuality that accept trans* people as authorities on their own experiences and understands that the legitimacy of their lives is not up for debate; and to fighting the twin ideologies of transphobia and patriarchy in all their guises.

[Michelle-G]

Oh, this is brilliant!  I am SO resending this out!

[KabitTarah]

Absolutely wonderful!

I also think men can be feminists. I see the gender binary problem, whether you're looking at the male end or female end of the spectrum, as the core issue of feminism. Until we stop recognizing the unreachable masculine and feminine ideals and stop the preference to all things masculine and rejection of all things feminine (which is something that applies to both men and women), women and gender fluid people will continue to be treated as second-class citizens.

Many of the feminists I know reject almost any form of femininity. If you're not all-natural, breast feed your children, don't wear makeup, and don't care about your body and looks... you're giving into male society. Sure... you can do all those things and be a feminine woman - I would never say that... but you can also be fashion chic, leggy, into beauty, into your own health, and still be a feminist.

That is exactly why we need to be integrated into the 3rd-wave (or 4th... maybe it's time to redefine it again...) feminist movement.

[Robin Mack]

I'm with Kabit...
There is a long and unfortunate history of feminist organizations discriminating against transgendered women (you know, the ones who insist on expressing their gender identity as female so strongly that they are willing to completely change their lives and risk losing family, friends, and careers in order to present themselves as the gender they are inside).

Seems to me, if you're willing to go through all *that* to be treated the same as genetic women, you'd be a strong ally in the fight for equality. I'm thinking that *any* allies are valuable, whether they be men, women, trans, gay, straight, or alien beings from Omicron Persei 8. But that's just me... wait, maybe it isn't now.  Thank you, Shana!  I have so totally shared this with everyone I know on Facebook! 

[Gina_Z]

Yes! Feminism should include Trans. The original Feminism promoted a more masculine version of women, IMHO. Instead, there actually is a full range of gender expression.

[Jamie D]

Thanks for posting this. 

[Shana A]

Thanks for posting this. 

Thanks for bringing it to my attention! I have signed, and shared it on FB too.

[Mercédes]

 
I have recently been included in a woman's FB group, not by invite but added to the group by one of the admins who is a friend.  At first I was like "oh, nice. Thank you ladies." and then after reading a few postings I became a bit more apprehensive, and doubtful if I really belong there. but of course I do, my friends in the group understand me and really are supportive and helpful in my emergence into feminine culture. I think the plan will be to just be a lurker and read all the postings, but I'm afraid that I'll become judgmental of the interactions among women makes me question my femininity. Some of the issues some of the girls are sharing with each other deals a lot with what I deal with alone on a daily basis. like fashion/vanity how much is for us and how much is for men or society as a whole. when to draw the line between just friends and romantically interested (friend zone). I hear some of them asking each other about body/comfort issues and I want to explain that I too understand their plight but I refrain as I think this will only draw attention to that which makes me different than Cis-women instead of reinforcing how I'm just "one of the girls."

I am how ever going to share this article with our group as I'm curious of the reactions it might evoke. the Group is progressive and ascribes to those tenants put forth in the article. I's as if they've chosen me as a mascot or sacred cow, and I'm not even sure if I want to be in the vanguard or not.