i was doing my usual “jump down the TERF rabbithole to increase the database for shinigami eyes” and i encountered a TERF that had deliberately added “TERFs DNI” to her bio, and then she bragged about it in a post a little further down her blog.
while I knew right away that she was a TERF, because she reblogged exclusively from known TERFs and the posts were direct rhetoric, I think it’s important that I spread this information for people who are not as well-versed in the way TERFs operate on this website.
TERFs hide in plain sight. it is not unusual for a TERF to put “TERFs DNI” or “TME” (transmisogyny exempt) in their bio. In fact, some joke that “TME” stands for “transmisogyny enthusiast.” They do this in order to avoid being reported and banned. They also do this in order to trick people into feeling safe and following them. That way, more people will be exposed to transmisogynist rhetoric.
Just because someone has “they/them” in their bio does not mean they are not a TERF. Nonbinary people can be TERFs. GNC women can be TERFs. Don’t let pronouns lull you into a false sense of security.
Crypto-TERFs are a thing. These are people who follow and reblog from TERF blogs, but avoid reblogging posts containing direct rhetoric so as to not be detected as transmisogynists. Someone might have a blog full of pretty pictures and art, but when you look at WHO they’re reblogging that art from, it becomes very clear that they endorse those beliefs. They also serve as a bridge between the TERF community and tumblr at large. You may follow someone because they reblog poems or art, and then feel inclined to check out the blogs they got that content from. This is deliberate recruitment tactic.
TERFs will sometimes have an about page or a pinned post insisting that they “aren’t a TERF” and “support trans people” but then proceed to write THE most transphobic garbage after it. The idea is to have someone skim the text, read the “not a TERF” part, and move on, while the rest of the text is intended to signal to other TERFs that they are, in fact, a TERF.
reblogs from other TERFs (obvi)
URLs that reference reproductive organs (like uterus, ovary, vulva, vagina, pussy, cunt, clit) are almost always TERFs. I’m sure exceptions exist, but I have never encountered one. Also keep an eye out for “rad” and “radical” (in reference to “radical feminst”/”radfem” - which is what TERFs call themselves.) Also, a dead giveaway, but I HAVE seen it: “TERF” or “Terve” etc. in URLs.
TERFs are radfems. Radfems are anti-sex work, lesbian separatists, bioessentialists, and misogynists. They spend a lot of time attacking other women for shaving or wearing makeup, for doing sex work, for dating men, and doing other things they personally disagree with. They also believe that men are inherently predatory. If a blog is spreading radfem beliefs, they’re either a TERF or a crypto-TERF. There is no such thing as “trans inclusive radical feminism.”
use of “TRA” (trans rights activists), “genderists” (transgender people), posts about “men invading women’s spaces” (they mean trans women), use of the word “female” - ESPECIALLY “adult human female” which is a well-known TERF slogan in the UK , use of this emoji 🏁 (”only two genders”), the phrase “sex-based oppression”, salem witch trial references (”we’re the daughters you didn’t burn”), and references to suppression (”i will not be silenced”), mentions the “S.C.U.M. manifesto” (a manifesto insisting that “the male sex” should be ELIMINATED. the author attempted to KILL andy warhol.)
bios containing: XX, radfem, adult human female, female, gender critical, terven (TERF), ex/former TRA, febfem (”female exclusive bisexual” - TERFs who consider all trans men and transmascs to be women/female. they are chasers unable to reconcile their sexual feelings for men.)
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