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:
Why don't all us women start "identifying" as men to claim the missing 20% of our paychecks? That'll work. Sex isn't a feeling #radfem2013
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 9, 2013
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?
— ani (@AniST) June 10, 2013
Good morning Ani @amberanima Hope all's well with you. Skype/GV me later. Happy to unpack this tweet & yours, but not on Twitter.
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 10, 2013
@astellproject not sure have time for that today. Besides if you're willing to tweet original statement on twitter, why not unpack here too?
— ani (@AniST) June 10, 2013
@amberanima I'll decline your invitation, thanks. You know I'm gender-critical & I know you don't agree with the feminist analysis which…
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 10, 2013
…informs my activism. That's OK by me. @amberanima
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 10, 2013
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:
https://twitter.com/bugbrennan/status/343651917748121600
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.
Deep thanks to all the amazing women who made #radfem2013 happen. Here's to consciousness raising, movement building & liberation! x
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 9, 2013
All woman's issues are around boundary violations – not having the right to say "No" #radfem2013
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 9, 2013
Why don't all us women start "identifying" as men to claim the missing 20% of our paychecks? That'll work. Sex isn't a feeling #radfem2013
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 9, 2013
Uplifting day at #radfem2013 My little son enjoyed many cuddles from his many radfem aunties 🙂 #womensliberation is back & growing
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 8, 2013
Amazing start from Lierre, Dani & Julia at #radfem2013 Putting faces to the names in the break 🙂
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) June 8, 2013
Here are some tweets from #radfem2013 that had to be seen by the Astell Project. And many tweets protesting the transphobia in the hashtag.
https://twitter.com/bugbrennan/status/343482355215892482
https://twitter.com/bugbrennan/status/343321364721197056
https://twitter.com/bugbrennan/status/343254755730128896
https://twitter.com/LilRadFem/status/343681820224806912
Men get off on playing dress up as laydees. THATS THE TRUTH. #radfem2013
— Naefearty (@Jackieme2009) June 9, 2013
https://twitter.com/bugbrennan/status/343482355215892482
Anti-trans
@ProfLizKelly @ehungerford crystal clear, compelling. Proponents of trans theory have a case to answer.
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) March 30, 2013
Now for a tweet from December 11, 2011 which does not seem to match the above activity.
RESULT! Gender Equality lessons back on central govt agenda http://t.co/SDHFwzkZ
— The Astell Project (@astellproject) December 11, 2011
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.