What defines a woman? The common assertion from the “(trans)gender critical” crowd is that a woman is an “adult human female.” If we take that at face value, we are reducing individuals to their genitalia. Consider Andrea Dworkin—how can anyone definitively state she had a vagina? Is there a museum exhibit showcasing her anatomy? Do we have photographic evidence to verify her sex? Are her large gametes stored in an archive somewhere? If I were to argue that Dworkin was biologically male, how would you counter that without relying on gender identity or a birth certificate? Neither are a verification of sex, according to TERF ideology. It’s gametes or chromosomes, baby!
Recently, a TikTok comment claimed, “In no world do radical feminists say that’s all a woman is. They are also human and can have any personality under the sun. Our sex is simply the factor on which we are oppressed.”
NO.
Research shows that trans women face greater violence and poverty than cisgender women. Oppression is typically tied to perceived gender rather than biological sex. It’s not about inspecting genitalia; it’s about societal perceptions. Perception of gender identity significantly shapes the dynamics of oppression, more often more than biological sex. Those who don’t conform to traditional masculine roles face marginalization, regardless of their gametes, the appearance of their genitals, or their chromosomes. Individuals who don’t fit the mold of the “right kind of man” are scrutinized and discriminated against, regardless of their biological sex. Chaz Bono or Jamison Green won’t be oppressed based on whether they have a uterus, but because they aren’t considered the “right kind of man.” This layer of oppression transcends anatomy; it’s about societal expectations and the harsh realities faced by those who challenge them. Trans women (and trans men/non-binary folks) perceived as men endure higher rates of violence than cisgender women do.
When you say you’re oppressed because of sex, I frankly don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, and neither do you.
