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So I've been trying to find a way to really illustrate why I feel that the GC absolutist notions of female-only spaces seem so awkward, and I think I've got a good way of explaining what the problem is without resorting to name-calling or frustration.
So, let's dive in.
So, let's dive in.
I want to begin by stating that I'm not going to put forward an argument about the rightness or wrongness of the philosophy or sentiment itself.
Instead, let's divorce the concept from the abstract and look at how natal-female only spaces would work in practice.
Instead, let's divorce the concept from the abstract and look at how natal-female only spaces would work in practice.
So our goal, in this thought experiment, is to create a cis-female only space and see how it would work.
Let's say it's an exclusive club whose only criteria for entry is that you must have been born female.
How does one prove one's eligibility?
Let's say it's an exclusive club whose only criteria for entry is that you must have been born female.
How does one prove one's eligibility?
There are a number of ways:
1) Birth certificate.
2) Chromosome test.
3) Visual/physical test.
But all of these have flaws.
1) Can be changed, or if not, can be wrong in cases of XY females.
2) Because XX males and chimeras exist, some people born with penises would get in.
1) Birth certificate.
2) Chromosome test.
3) Visual/physical test.
But all of these have flaws.
1) Can be changed, or if not, can be wrong in cases of XY females.
2) Because XX males and chimeras exist, some people born with penises would get in.
3) Visual tests are embarrassing and often violating, and any test that involves touching a person's private parts is *definitely* violating. Especially for anyone whose experienced sexual abuse. Many who would need a space like this would be traumatized, so 3 is out.
Both 1 and 2 would be able to cancel out each other's flaws, and therefore to maintain a space patrons could be *confident* is cis-female only, they would need to provide both a birth certificate and proof of XX chromosomes.
So now we've established our safe space.
So now we've established our safe space.
There are two obvious questions:
1) Who would be interested in such a space?
2) Would there be enough interest to maintain this space in the long term? Is this a good business model? Why or why not?
1) Who would be interested in such a space?
2) Would there be enough interest to maintain this space in the long term? Is this a good business model? Why or why not?
Starting from the top:
1) Who would be interested in such a space?
Considering how much of a pain in the ass the entry requirements would be, one would require more than a mild interest to go through the process. So we can postulate that those who do will feel strongly.
1) Who would be interested in such a space?
Considering how much of a pain in the ass the entry requirements would be, one would require more than a mild interest to go through the process. So we can postulate that those who do will feel strongly.
Considering that the whole selling point of the place is that it's a male free zone, we could postulate that it's for socialization or whatever, but this wouldn't be right because if that were all then there would be no need for all the extra precautions. People can go anywhere.
And it wouldn't be because they are afraid of men, specifically, because otherwise they wouldn't need the birth certificate or chromosome test.
The only possible reason for the entry requirements, therefore, is a very powerful desire to make certain there are no trans women.
The only possible reason for the entry requirements, therefore, is a very powerful desire to make certain there are no trans women.
In fact, the structure of such an environment and it's entry requirements would nearly guarantee that, assuming the place had some kind of regular patronage, at any given point the most popular topic of conversation will, in fact, be about trans women.
In other words, such a space can *only* be motivated to exist by people who are so afraid of trans women that they would go to extreme lengths to avoid us.
Ergo: logically speaking, the only motivation strong enough to actually establish a space like that is transphobia.
Ergo: logically speaking, the only motivation strong enough to actually establish a space like that is transphobia.
2.1) Would there be enough interest to main the establishment in the long run?
There might be, I don't know. One point I could make is that crazy requirements in and of themselves could be quite the draw because it would feel exclusive. It might actually work quite well.
There might be, I don't know. One point I could make is that crazy requirements in and of themselves could be quite the draw because it would feel exclusive. It might actually work quite well.
On the other hand, it would really make a lot of people angry, and it's existence would make it quite clear to society what the true motivation behind these kinds of arguments are, and I think that would help trans people in the long run, so I'm all for it.
2.2) Is this a good business model?
Prejudice is *always* a good business model. As is fear. Just think about how toilet paper companies are doing right now, or how rapidly the gofundme campaign for the wall hit millions.
Prejudice is *always* a good business model. As is fear. Just think about how toilet paper companies are doing right now, or how rapidly the gofundme campaign for the wall hit millions.
Would it work in the long term? I don't know. But it would be quite interesting to see what would happen if someone put their money where their mouth is and tried it out.
The ultimate point I want to make here is that absolutism doesn't require identity-based arguments to be revealed for what it is. We don't need to call people names or rail against their ideas in frustration.
Just look at the ideas for what they are. Put them in context.
Just look at the ideas for what they are. Put them in context.
And anyway, if a space like this were made, it would be a fantastic method of making women's spaces a much more comfortable experience for everybody, including cis women who simply don't care, or who look physically masculine.
It's a win-win.
It's a win-win.
Anyway, trying very hard to get put of this sort of discourse and entirely into art land, but I guess I'm not very good at not saying what I think. XD
