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what-is-woman [2024/12/25 23:41] – pittwhat-is-woman [2025/06/04 21:22] (current) – [The Answer and/or Response] pitt
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 The most consistent and humane definition is: A woman is anyone who sincerely identifies as a woman. The most consistent and humane definition is: A woman is anyone who sincerely identifies as a woman.
  
-This centers the fact that gender identity determines who is a woman, not anatomy, chromosomes, or conformity to stereotypes. As JoJoFromJerz powerfully asserts, //"A woman is whatever the hell she wants to be. We get to decide."//[(JoJoFromJerz2024)]+This centers the fact that gender identity determines who is a woman, not anatomy, chromosomes, or conformity to stereotypes.  
 + 
 +As JoJoFromJerz powerfully asserts, //"A woman is whatever the hell she wants to be. We get to decide."//[(JoJoFromJerz2024)]
  
 Biological essentialism fails to capture the diversity of both cis and trans women: Biological essentialism fails to capture the diversity of both cis and trans women:
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 TERF arguments rely on several logical fallacies: TERF arguments rely on several logical fallacies:
  
-False Dilemma: Insisting there are only two sexes/genders and you must be one or the other+  * **False Dilemma:** Insisting there are only two sexes/genders and you must be one or the other
  
-Naturalistic Fallacy: Claiming that what occurs in nature (e.g. XX/XY) is inherently good and defines categories+  * **Naturalistic Fallacy:** Claiming that what occurs in nature (e.g. XX/XY) is inherently good and defines categories
  
-Burden of Proof Fallacy: Demanding trans women "prove" their womanhood while assuming cis women's is self-evident+  * **Burden of Proof Fallacy:** Demanding trans women "prove" their womanhood while assuming cis women's is self-evident
  
-When confronted with the reality of biological diversity, TERFs often deflect by dismissing intersex people as irrelevant exceptions. But as biologist Dr. Anne Fausto-Sterling notes, "Biologically speaking, there are many gradations running from female to male."[(Fausto-Sterling2k)]+When confronted with the reality of biological diversity, TERFs often deflect by dismissing intersex people as irrelevant exceptions. But as biologist Dr. Anne Fausto-Sterling notes, //"Biologically speaking, there are many gradations running from female to male."//[(Fausto-Sterling2k)]
  
-The popular counter-point to this is typically some variation on "we do not make exceptions the norm.” Except we do, all the time, and when we want to make a definition, the exceptions absolutely do matter and count as everything. It is the test that validates, or repudiates, the proposed definition. Though my attempt is not original, it does pass its own test/validation. That is to say, this definition is inclusive of all women, and exclusive of all men. This is the core golden nugget that we really need to recognize, identify, and understand. This is what makes a strong definition.+The popular counter-point to this is typically some variation on "we do not make exceptions the norm.” Except we do, all the time, and when we want to make a definition, the exceptions absolutely do matter and count as everything. It is the test that validates, or repudiates, the proposed definition. Though my attempt is not original, it does pass its own test/validation. That is to say, this definition is inclusive of //all// women, and exclusive of //all// men. //**This is the core golden nugget that we really need to recognize, identify, and understand. This is what makes a strong definition.**//
  
-I posit that it is the only definition that is both strong and passes its own test/validation. And now that I said that, I am sure there will be someone who will comment with another different strong definition that passes the above test.+I posit that it is the //only// definition that is both strong and passes its own test/validation. And now that I said that, I am sure there will be someone who will comment with another different strong definition that passes the above test.
  
 Trans identities have existed throughout history and across cultures, from Indigenous North Americans to Indian Hijra to Polynesian Mahu.[(Stryker2k9)][(NB5)] In trans subcultures, self-identification is centered[(NB6)]. Terms like "woman" are expanded to paradigmatically include trans women, without qualification. An expansive theory of gender must recognize this multiplicity of meanings, not insist on a singular definition that erases trans perspectives. Trans identities have existed throughout history and across cultures, from Indigenous North Americans to Indian Hijra to Polynesian Mahu.[(Stryker2k9)][(NB5)] In trans subcultures, self-identification is centered[(NB6)]. Terms like "woman" are expanded to paradigmatically include trans women, without qualification. An expansive theory of gender must recognize this multiplicity of meanings, not insist on a singular definition that erases trans perspectives.
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 Some will object to our definition, calling it circular. But this definition, while seemingly round-about, is the most consistent and ethical one available. Here's why: Some will object to our definition, calling it circular. But this definition, while seemingly round-about, is the most consistent and ethical one available. Here's why:
  
-Self-identification respects individuals' inner sense of their own gender. It treats people's lived experiences and self-understanding as valid, rather than imposing external criteria on them. Circular as it may appear, this definition reflects how gender identity actually functions. +  - Self-identification respects individuals' inner sense of their own gender. It treats people's lived experiences and self-understanding as valid, rather than imposing external criteria on them. Circular as it may appear, this definition reflects how gender identity actually functions. 
- +  - Many important concepts resist simple, non-circular definitions. We'd be hard-pressed to define consciousness, justice, or love without some element of circularity - but that doesn't make them meaningless. What matters is that we capture something essential. 
-Many important concepts resist simple, non-circular definitions. We'd be hard-pressed to define consciousness, justice, or love without some element of circularity - but that doesn't make them meaningless. What matters is that we capture something essential. +  - Attempts at non-circular definitions based on biology or stereotypical gender roles quickly break down. They inevitably exclude many women, both trans and cis, who don't fit narrow criteria. Such a definition is virtually impossible. Insisting on non-circularity leads to worse definitions, not better ones.
- +
-Attempts at non-circular definitions based on biology or stereotypical gender roles quickly break down. They inevitably exclude many women, both trans and cis, who don't fit narrow criteria. Such a definition is virtually impossible. Insisting on non-circularity leads to worse definitions, not better ones.+
  
-We need a definition of "woman" that treats all women with dignity, reflects how gender identity functions in the real world, and centers individuals' self-understanding. Self-identification does that better than the alternatives, circular or not. Arguments should not be circular, but definitions can be. TERFs may pose the question or demand as though they are seeking a definition, but they are making an argument.+We need a definition of "woman" that treats all women with dignity, reflects how gender identity functions in the real world, and centers individuals' self-understanding. Self-identification does that better than the alternatives, circular or not. Arguments should not be circular, but definitions can be. Anti-Trans people may pose the question or demand as though they are seeking a definition, but they are making an argument.
  
 So while it may have a circular element in its phrasing, it does not seem to fully meet the criteria of a circular argument fallacy. The criterion is the important bit, and as such, the definition is not simply assuming the truth of the conclusion as a premise. If you dive into definitions a bit more deeply, you will find most all definitions are circular in some way. So while it may have a circular element in its phrasing, it does not seem to fully meet the criteria of a circular argument fallacy. The criterion is the important bit, and as such, the definition is not simply assuming the truth of the conclusion as a premise. If you dive into definitions a bit more deeply, you will find most all definitions are circular in some way.
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 Constantly interrogating trans women's identities fuels a climate of prejudice and hostility: Constantly interrogating trans women's identities fuels a climate of prejudice and hostility:
  
-It marks them as "suspicious" and subjects them to invasive scrutiny+  * It marks them as "suspicious" and subjects them to invasive scrutiny
  
-It emboldens harassment, discrimination, and even violence+  * It emboldens harassment, discrimination, and even violence
  
-It props up harmful policies like bathroom bills and bans on trans healthcare+  * It props up harmful policies like bathroom bills and bans on trans healthcare
  
 Fixating on defining womanhood in relation to a tiny minority is a cruel distraction from the sexism all women face, especially from cis men. As JoJoFromJerz notes: Fixating on defining womanhood in relation to a tiny minority is a cruel distraction from the sexism all women face, especially from cis men. As JoJoFromJerz notes:
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 This is why the best answer to this question/tactic is simply to not engage with it on their terms. Respond with a very pithy quote from JoJo: //“If you’re asking it means you don’t know and you don’t care to know.”// This is why the best answer to this question/tactic is simply to not engage with it on their terms. Respond with a very pithy quote from JoJo: //“If you’re asking it means you don’t know and you don’t care to know.”//
  
-If you must engage with this question/tactic, turn it around and ask them to provide it. Then proceed to point out every possible exception to their definition. I feel I must give you the disclaimer that such an effort will be as time consuming as it will be emotionally exhausting, and it is highly unlikely you will change any hearts or minds that engage with you. You will leave breadcrumbs for the readers who come after, and this is something I feel is very valuable; however, this should not come at the cost of your emotional well-being.+If you must engage with this question/tactic, turn it around and ask them to provide it. Then proceed to point out every possible exception to their definition. I feel I must give you the disclaimer that such an effort will be as time consuming as it will be emotionally exhausting, and it is highly unlikely you will change any hearts or minds that engage with you. You will leave breadcrumbs for the readers who come after, and this is something I feel is very valuable; **however**, this should not come at the cost of your emotional well-being.
  
 ===== A Better Way Forward ===== ===== A Better Way Forward =====
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 [(NB7> [(NB7>
-Yes, I am not happy to cut such a stark dichotomy here but I felt it appropriate. I feel very strongly about human rights issues, and trans rights are human rights. “The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing” comes readily to mind.)]+Yes, I am not happy to cut such a stark dichotomy here but I felt it appropriate. I feel very strongly about human rights issues, and trans rights are human rights. //“The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing”// comes readily to mind.)]

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