This is a very unfortunate situation. What started out as an amazing opportunity to address gender inequality in education seems to be turning into an anti-trans organization. At least this is how it looks from some recent tweets by founder of the project, Triona Kennedy. The LAST thing the transgender community needs is a transphobic organization teaching kids. Our community can’t even handle the current amount of hate and violence directed at is. This is a very serious situation if this project takes off. Currently there are only around 450 signatures on the petition.
The following tweet was tweeted by the @astellproject:
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/343681264106217474
Here she puts identifying in quotes and then goes on to mock transgender people. There seems to be no ambiguity here. She was called out on it but wanted to answer in private. However, she did give a generic response.
@astellproject this is an incredibly problematic tweet. Do you truly believe this to be the case? Sex ==gender, what frightens you so much?
— Cllr Ani Townsend (@AniST) June 10, 2013
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/344015909331013632
@astellproject not sure have time for that today. Besides if you're willing to tweet original statement on twitter, why not unpack here too?
— Cllr Ani Townsend (@AniST) June 10, 2013
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/344039749679472640
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/344040087044108289
Looking at the project’s timeline really brings it home as they support #radfem2013 and also publishes retweets of transphobic feminists. The following are some of the retweets:
Equalities Act allows for single sex services – Femi Otitoju #radfem13 #RadFem2013
— Cathy Brennan (@bugbrennan) June 9, 2013
Absolutely. Changed me for sure. “@FrenchFem: Every women should experience women only space at least once in their lives #radfem2013”
— Rusty (@radfemrusty) June 9, 2013
https://twitter.com/K_IngalaSmith/status/343419300192849921
Because it's not hateful to discuss and organise against the abuse of women in its many forms #RadFem2013
— Change the World (@LiberationLover) June 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/LilRadFem/status/343333634121551872
Here are some supportive tweets to #radfem2013 where blatant transphobia has been posted by TERFs. Not one transphobic comment called out by this “feminist”. She also attended the conference.
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/343824672003072000
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/343691264367153152
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/343681264106217474
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/343423901398884352
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/343314239022313473
Here are some tweets from #radfem2013 that had to be seen by the Astell Project. And many tweets protesting the transphobia in the hashtag.
Women who attack women for knowing transwomen are men have Stockholm Syndrome. I have nothing but compassion 4 u #radfem13 #radfem2013
— Cathy Brennan (@bugbrennan) June 8, 2013
Gender is #maleviolence against women, hope some day some of you make that connection to trans issue @radscummery @pareayh @planetcath
— Cathy Brennan (@bugbrennan) June 8, 2013
I used to be a girl now I'm a woman so I'm a trans woman
— Cathy Brennan (@bugbrennan) June 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/LilRadFem/status/343681820224806912
https://twitter.com/Jackieme2009/status/343658679507222528
Women who attack women for knowing transwomen are men have Stockholm Syndrome. I have nothing but compassion 4 u #radfem13 #radfem2013
— Cathy Brennan (@bugbrennan) June 8, 2013
Anti-trans
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/317966668548698112
Now for a tweet from December 11, 2011 which does not seem to match the above activity.
https://twitter.com/astellproject/status/145814472680947712
Something must have happened since. Hopefully we will find out soon.
The more I learn from trans* women the more it seems to me that the natural allies post did not go far enough, if a feminist is transphobic she will be anti sex work and vice versa. The hatred in those tweets is horrible to too see, solidarity in the face of it.