Turning TERF Rhetoric into Teachable Moments

Kat Highsmith is the example that just keeps on giving

^October 30th, 2024 Kat writes this comment^

Okay PITT crew¹, let's take a moment and analyze this and see what we can learn from this Kat's comment²:

1. Logical Fallacies

• Ad Hominem: Using insults instead of addressing arguments

• False Dichotomy: Claiming concepts can't be interconnected if they're different

• Straw Man: Misrepresenting the argument about gender's complexity as contradiction

• Appeal to Ridicule: Using mockery instead of counterarguments

• Non Sequitur: "infinity genders" doesn't conflict with sexual dimorphism

• False Attribution: Misrepresenting Butler's arguments

• Argument from Incredulity: Rejecting complex concepts because they seem contradictory to them

The insults and mockery is more than reason enough to not answer any of the questions they raise. But we cannot forget the misrepresentations!

2. Misrepresentations:

• Claims there's "no peer-reviewed anything" despite extensive citations in the original article

• Mischaracterizes the relationship between dimorphism and gender spectrum

• Falsely presents Butler's work as claiming gender has "absolutely nothing" to do with sex

• Confuses multiplicity with contradiction

Which often overlap with the straight-up falsehoods.

3. Falsehoods:

• "Cannot simultaneously be psychology, social, sex..." - Many scientific concepts involve multiple interacting factors (like health, consciousness, personality)

• "These terms literally contradict each other" - They don't; they're complementary aspects of a complex phenomenon

• The claim about lack of peer-reviewed research is demonstrably false

• The characterization of Butler's work is incorrect

Kat's Response Pattern Analysis:

Let’s take a deeper look at what we can learn about/from Kat by peeling that onion

A. Rhetorical Tactics:

• (Potentially) Deliberate misunderstanding of how complex biological and social phenomena work

• Rejection of nuance in favor of oversimplification

• Use of inflammatory language to mask lack of substantive argument

• Classic TERF tactic of demanding oversimplified definitions while rejecting complex reality

B. Psychological Indicators (i.e. Projection):

• The aggressive tone and emotional language

• Dismissing complexity as "talking in circles"

• Immediate retreat to oversimplified binary questions

• Frustration with multiple interconnected concepts

C. Cognitive Patterns:

• Lacks the conceptual framework to process complex systems thinking

• Masks intellectual insecurity with aggression

• Uses ridicule to deflect from their own comprehension limitations

• Reduces complex topics to simple binaries because that's their comfort zone

---

OK, But What Are The Substantive Counter-Points?

For the sake of completeness, here are the points I managed to infer from Kat's comment and what I think is a well reasoned response:

Basic debate and respond to the (inferred) claims made:

1. "Gender cannot simultaneously be psychological, social, biological..."

   1. "These terms literally contradict each other"

2. "No peer-reviewed anything to support..."

3. The Butler contradiction claim

4. The "infinite genders" argument

Let’s address these and break them down.

1. The Complexity Argument

The claim that biological, psychological, and social factors can't coexist in one phenomenon/as parts of a single definition reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of human biology and the very definition as written. Many well-documented human traits involve multiple interacting factors³⁴:

• Intelligence combines genetic predisposition, neurological development, and environmental influences

• Language acquisition involves biological capacity, psychological development, and social learning

• Personality emerges from genetic factors, neurological structure, and social experiences

2. The Research Base Argument

The assertion that "there is no peer-reviewed anything" is demonstrably false. Consider:

• Neuroimaging studies showing distinct brain patterns in transgender individuals⁵

• Longitudinal studies documenting gender identity development⁶

• Meta-analyses of gender-affirming care outcomes⁷

• Anthropological research on gender across cultures⁸

3. The Butler Question

Regarding Judith Butler: Kat fundamentally misrepresents Butler's work and current understanding. While Butler argues that gender roles and expressions are socially constructed, they never claimed biological sex is irrelevant or doesn't exist⁹. Instead, their work examines how society interprets and creates meaning around bodily realities. Butler's more recent work explicitly supports trans inclusion and rights, demonstrating how gender categories can and should expand while maintaining a critical analysis of how gender operates in society.¹⁰ Butler has gone to some length to engage with and correct the misunderstandings and misrepresentations of their work, particularly as it is being applied to trans people.

We can see that the evolution of Butler's thoughts through their latest book and recent interviews, where Butler shows increasing clarity about how gender categories can and should expand, while maintaining a critical analysis of how gender operates in society. Their recent work particularly emphasizes the importance of understanding gender as both a lived reality and a site of ongoing social negotiation. Which is reflected in the definition of gender I provided.

This understanding aligns very neatly with modern scientific consensus that gender involves complex interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors. It's not an either/or proposition - acknowledging the social construction of gender roles doesn't negate the reality of gender identity or biological factors. This kind of nuanced understanding is precisely what TERF rhetoric attempts to oversimplify and distort.

4. The "infinite genders" argument

The "infinite genders" argument confuses individual expression with underlying biological and psychological frameworks. Sexual dimorphism provides a biological foundation, while individual gender identity and expression exist on a spectrum within and around this framework¹¹ - much like how basic color categories (red, blue, yellow) exist alongside infinite possible shades. Anthropological research further documents gender diversity across cultures.¹²

Other Aspects

The demand for definitions of "man" and "woman" deliberately ignores points being made, raised, or countered. It sidesteps everything so they don’t have to contend with anything that contradicts, to distract and goad people into engaging with their questions. This is an attempt to not only distract, but by engaging with those very questions, we are lending a legitimacy to the content of the comment as is. So this isn't about inability to provide definitions¹³ - it's about refusing to engage with bad-faith tactics designed to derail substantive discussion.

This tactic is not about sincere debate or truth-seeking - it's about forcing others to engage on their bad-faith terms.

Except this is not about winning or being right - this is about debate and discourse, education, discovery, and understanding. Things that lead to personal growth, and that happens best when we treat our minds like a parachute - it works best when opened.

In Conclusion…

Ironically, comments like Kat's demonstrate exactly why projects like PITT and the Q&A Collab with TransFriend are necessary. They show us where education is needed, what misconceptions we need to address, and how to better structure our resources to combat misinformation¹⁴¹⁵. In helping us identify these patterns of rhetoric and fallacious reasoning, they ultimately strengthen our ability to advocate effectively for trans rights and human rights more broadly.

Through this kind of engagement, we're motivated to create better organized, structured responses and ultimately bring about more real, positive, and effective change - not just for trans people or LGBTQIA+ people, but for all people, because trans rights are human rights. The best response to such rhetoric isn't endless debate, but finding a way of using it to fuel better education, advocacy, and positive change.

So next time you encounter rhetoric like Kat's, take a moment to critically examine it. Identify the fallacies, misinformation and distortions. Share your analysis with others in a reply/post to spread awareness of these manipulative tactics. Need some help? Check out our Q&A section!

Consider supporting organizations or advocates that are working hard every day to combat transmisic propaganda and advocate for trans rights. Donate and amplify their educational content, or get involved in your local and/or online campaigns and groups! I encourage this, but I also recognize that this is not for everyone. Even a kind word, a comment, a like/heart, an email or DM “good job on this” or “thanks for this” goes a long way to bolstering and supporting those who are engaged¹⁶.

I like to believe that together we can turn the challenges posed by TERF rhetoric and trolls like Kat into opportunities to educate, to activate, and to create real positive change. One debunked comment at a time, we'll build a society of understanding and inclusion for all. Join us.

1. Just thought of this as I was working on the various revisions that ended up being this article. What do you all think? If you don’t like it, I will stop using it :)

2. For context, this link should take you to the first/parent comment of the thread.
Link: https://pittpeople.substack.com/p/what-is-gender/comments#comment-74583589

3. Sevelius, J. M. (2013). Gender affirmation: A framework for conceptualizing risk behavior among transgender women of color. Sex roles, 68(11), 675-689.

4. Hyde, J. S., Bigler, R. S., Joel, D., Tate, C. C., & van Anders, S. M. (2019). The future of sex and gender in psychology: Five challenges to the gender binary. American Psychologist, 74(2), 171.

5. Saraswat, A., Weinand, J. D., & Safer, J. D. (2015). Evidence supporting the biologic nature of gender identity. Endocrine Practice, 21(2), 199-204.

6. Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 137(3).

7. Almazan AN, Keuroghlian AS. Association Between Gender-Affirming Surgeries and Mental Health Outcomes. JAMA Surg. 2021;156(7):611–618. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2021.0952

8. Nanda, S. (2014). Gender diversity: Crosscultural variations. Waveland Press.

9. Butler, J. (1990). Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity. Routledge.

10. Butler, J. (2021). Why is the idea of 'gender' provoking backlash the world over? The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2021/oct/23/judith-butler-gender-ideology-backlash

11. Richards, C., Bouman, W. P., Seal, L., Barker, M. J., Nieder, T. O., & T'Sjoen, G. (2016). Non-binary or genderqueer genders. International Review of Psychiatry, 28(1), 95-102.

12. Nanda, S. (2014). Gender diversity: Crosscultural variations. Waveland Press.

13. I am currently working on a draft article for the Q&A to address this very question. I hope to have it done by the end of the week/weekend.

14. Serano, J. (2013). Excluded: Making feminist and queer movements more inclusive. Seal Press.

15. Pearce, R., Erikainen, S., & Vincent, B. (2020). TERF wars: An introduction. The Sociological Review, 68(4), 677-698.

16. Seriously, no joke, I am not kidding around here folks - these little things are often underrated and overlooked, but they really do matter!