Normally meaning Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist, as in a feminist that excludes trans people, its usage has widened to describe almost anyone that excludes trans people ideologically, so alternatively can stand for Trans Exclusionary Raving Fool to more accurately describe the people it's used to call out.
by Jilly Bobsmith December 6, 2020
Get the TERFmug. A mild pejorative used to denote Radical feminists who exclude, display hatred and disgust for, and otherwise belittle transgender women on the false and inaccurate claim that they are men, because biological essentialism is actually okay with these "feminists", only as long as it's a cudgel used to shut up those dirty transes.
Internet TERFs may use talking points about how this is a "slur used to silence women and forced upon them by trans people", however, it should be noted that TERFS themselves coined the term TERF, and only pivoted positions when the general public stopped agreeing with them. A slur is a loaded pejorative associated with immutable characteristics. You cannot change being black, gay, trans, etc. and thus, insults directed at someone for being any of these are defined as slurs. TERFism is simply a scientifically incorrect ideology in baldfaced opposition to the American Psychiatric Association among others, and as you can change an ideology or outlook, it is not a slur. There are male TERFs, after all, ideologies aren't exclusive. And by TERF logic, things such as "nazi" "communist" and "liberal" would be slurs as well.
Internet TERFs may use talking points about how this is a "slur used to silence women and forced upon them by trans people", however, it should be noted that TERFS themselves coined the term TERF, and only pivoted positions when the general public stopped agreeing with them. A slur is a loaded pejorative associated with immutable characteristics. You cannot change being black, gay, trans, etc. and thus, insults directed at someone for being any of these are defined as slurs. TERFism is simply a scientifically incorrect ideology in baldfaced opposition to the American Psychiatric Association among others, and as you can change an ideology or outlook, it is not a slur. There are male TERFs, after all, ideologies aren't exclusive. And by TERF logic, things such as "nazi" "communist" and "liberal" would be slurs as well.
British feminism is notorious for being overrun by ideological positions favored by TERFs, as it is favored by white middle-aged cis, (usually) straight women who have never dealt with discrimination in their lives.
by Trash•Gordon March 9, 2021
Get the TERFmug. by Pollypockets January 13, 2015
Get the terfemug. by lilbizatchmo May 4, 2005
Get the terfmug. by Natalle February 5, 2023
Get the TERFmug. Normally meaning Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist, as in a feminist that excludes trans people, its usage has widened to describe almost anyone that excludes trans people ideologically, so alternatively can stand for Trans Exclusionary Raving Fool to more accurately describe the people it's used to call out.
by Jilly Bobsmith December 6, 2020
Get the TERFmug. by Kitty_funk May 23, 2021
Get the Terfmug.