The least based subset of feminists of all time. It's an acronym for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists, but there's nothing radical or feminist about them. Unironic misandrists who don't let their hatred of men stop at just men; they see trans women as villains and trans men as lost lesbian sisters.
A: Bro JK Rowling is really on her terf madness again
B: During pride month, a pandemic, and a global human rights movement?
A: Yes :(
B: During pride month, a pandemic, and a global human rights movement?
A: Yes :(
by YourTrueAdvisor June 07, 2020
by Anarrrchia January 05, 2021
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 06, 2020
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 09, 2021
by Natalle February 06, 2023
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 06, 2020
Someone who claims to be a feminist and/or claims to care about women, however actively harms women in the name of "women's rights"
This word can also apply to a group of people who active campaign against the human rights of a heavily marginalized group of people for no fucking reason at all other than some made up perceived threat based on strawmen arguments
This word can also apply to a group of people who active campaign against the human rights of a heavily marginalized group of people for no fucking reason at all other than some made up perceived threat based on strawmen arguments
Jimmy: I care about women's rights! Therefore I think biological men shouldn't be in women's restrooms!
Reasonable individual with basic human common sense: if you cared so much about women's rights wouldn't you be an activist for their rights in the middle east? What about the wage gap? Sexual assault? Shouldn't you be spreading awareness on that if you cared about them so much? A trans woman minding her own business in the bathroom should be the very least of your made up problems, goddammit Jim you're not a feminist as much as you wish you were, you're just a TERF goddamn
Jimmy: I- uh... SNOWFLAKE GROOMER!!!
Reasonable individual with basic human common sense: if you cared so much about women's rights wouldn't you be an activist for their rights in the middle east? What about the wage gap? Sexual assault? Shouldn't you be spreading awareness on that if you cared about them so much? A trans woman minding her own business in the bathroom should be the very least of your made up problems, goddammit Jim you're not a feminist as much as you wish you were, you're just a TERF goddamn
Jimmy: I- uh... SNOWFLAKE GROOMER!!!
by Jeans6818 June 12, 2022