This column is an opinion from Jessica Triff, a technical service representative in Regina. For more information about CBC’s Opinion section, please see the FAQ.
I am a transgender woman who began my transition in 2011 and completed it in 2014, with my gender reassignment surgeries. I believe in trans rights and protections against discrimination in employment, housing, health care and education based on gender identity, as was the intent of Bill C16.
What I don’t believe in is some of the new, more radical, and in my view more toxic forms of activism that have sprung up over the last decade.
This type of activism advocates for the censorship and de-platforming of any woman who voices concern about the effect the expanding of trans rights has or may have on the right to maintain single-sex spaces where vulnerable women can find safety, support and healing.
I don’t necessarily agree with all of these positions or arguments against trans inclusion. However, I disagree with the tactics that amount to slander and defamation by some trans activists, who immediately label and vilify anyone raising those concerns or arguments, as we saw with the Canadian feminist writer Meghan Murphy when she spoke at the Toronto Public Library two years ago.
Overly confrontational
Personally I’ve found this toxic, in-your-face activism overly confrontational. I believe it creates more, not less, animosity toward the trans community.
Any trans person, like myself, who doesn’t agree with this type of activism and doesn’t jump to the defamatory labelling of anyone who disagrees as a bigot or TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist) is usually called a “bootlicker.” That’s because, of course, women or feminists who campaign for women’s rights are “fascists,” from the point of view of these trans activists.
I’ve definitely felt excluded by my own community for not going along. I have been regularly appalled by the attacks on even well known celebrities, such as J.K. Rowling, Martina Navratilova and, most recently, Margaret Atwood, who have run afoul of the views held by that type of trans activism by expressing an opinion on the topic!
We live in a pluralistic, democratic society and everyone has the right to express their views or opinions on laws or policies that impact their lives, rights and security. Suggesting that all criticisms are rooted in transphobia or are “hate speech” is mostly inaccurate. Women have fought for decades for their rights and equality in society and deserve to be heard and given real answers regarding their concerns.
It’s important to note that making legal sex change more accessible over the past 10 years has caused undeniable issues related to trans inclusion. A decade ago, you required therapy, approval letters from psych and medical professionals, hormonal therapy and gender reassignment surgeries. Today, in some jurisdictions, all that’s required is a simple self declaration.