Reminder that TERF rhetoric doesn't start with "we have a raging and irrational hatred for half the human population based on biochemical characteristics, just like literal fascists," it starts with more rational sounding statements that place you in the role of victimhood and gain your sympathy.
"Testosterone causes dominance and aggression."
"Not all men, but we can't tell which men so we must assume all men are predators."
"Even men you know could secretly be predators."
"We don't want men in women's restrooms."
"It's unfair for AMAB people to compete in women's sports, they have a physical advantage."
These are all relatively accepted points among central and even liberal circles of women. They sound like they are logically sound and only concerned with protecting women from harm.
Testosterone does not cause aggression. That's bioessentialism, which is bad science.
Fear mongering works to separate you and "others" into groups; us vs them, you're put on the defensive. Assumptions about gender essentialism are shown to widen the gap in so-called gender-based behaviors. Not only that, they actively increase hostility towards trans individuals.
Men are not slaves to their biochemistry or gender identities. Studies show that young boys given education on relationships and consent don't go on to be perpetrators of DV and sexual assault.
Additionally, intimate partner violence is reciprocal far more often than reported due to the fact that men are unlikely to report abuse. DV is not a problem of gender--it is a learned behavior.
Arguments about "men" in women's spaces is not about cis men--it is a dogwhistle for transphobia.
Trans feminine individuals on HRT experience a decrease in Hgb/HCT levels to equal that of cisgender women, as well as lose muscle mass, which steadily declines beyond 3 years on HRT. They also show no difference in V02 peak to cis women.
Additionally, there is no rationale behind using trans people as a whipping dog in discussions of gender.
"Almost half of all transgender people have been discriminated against in hiring or firing decisions and more than 40 percent have experienced workplace harassment because they are transgender." This is comparable to rates of sexism that cis women experience in the workplace.
Trans women were paid 60 cents for every $1 earned by the average American worker, compared to the 84 cents earned by cis women.
Trans people face significant barriers to accessing sexual, reproductive, and general healthcare.
Trans people face 4x the rate of violent crime as cis people (including cis women).
