Thanksgiving is going to look different this year. But pandemic or no pandemic—the holidays are often fraught.

At Rewire News Group, we hope you’re able to safely enjoy the holiday away from toxic relatives, but we also know that might not be possible.
Toxic relatives come in many forms: the Trump supporter, the devil’s advocate, the COVID-19 denier.

There’s also the TERF: the trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
Throw the turkey at them. If you do not have the upper-body strength to throw the turkey, you can opt for something slightly easier to lift like a handful of mashed potatoes or some stuffing.

A pie also works, and offers an added comedic effect.
Ignoring them works; so does repeating everything they say back to them in a mocking tone. Think: What would your most annoying little cousin do?
You don't need to entertain a bigot with reasoned debate, but if you want to, here are some talking points: The gender binary isn’t real! Violent men CAN actually just walk into women’s bathrooms whenever they want, irrespective of whether we allow trans women to pee in peace.
Talk about how gender-affirming care is necessary and lifesaving treatment, and trans people should be entitled to it the same way you’re entitled to your colonoscopy, Aunt Karen. Explain to your relatives that whether someone has medically transitioned, their gender is VALID.
TLDR: If you’ve got a TERF in your holiday midst, you have a couple options. You can engage; you can ignore; or you can, as we’ve stated, launch assorted foods across the table until they retreat.
You never need to make yourself feel unsafe or uncomfortable in order to entertain their bigotry.
You also bear no obligation to sit quietly and politely as someone spews hatred simply because it’s the holidays and you’re supposed to get along like family—whatever that means.

TERFS can respectively piss off. 🤗
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