The language of the gender critical movement: recycled homophobia and sexism.

Trigger warning: transphobia, homophobia, sexism and sexual assault

The language of the gender-critical movement is recycled sexism and homophobia. I’ll explain why, giving examples from my recent experiences on X and the historical use of some of the words used.

Over the weekend, someone I had blocked on X (formerly Twitter) posted my profile picture and bio on their page with the words, “Meets (sic) Sarah, a larping nurse. Women should not have to be treated by males. #blokeinawig.” This is problematic for several reasons. I am not a trans woman; I am what they would describe as a “biological woman,” the very people the gender critical movement claims to protect. The tweet suggested the belief that men cannot be nurses and reinforced the sexist standards of feminity and beauty to be deemed worthy of womanhood- standards that I do not meet. I was called “ugly” a few times- given as justification for why I’d been assumed to be a trans woman. These are people who say they can “always tell” if someone possesses a cervix or not.

The “man in a dress” and “bloke in a wig” tropes are nothing but stereotypes of femininity. Women must have long, flowing, glossy hair and wear traditionally feminine clothing. Women should cover up just the right amount of skin: too much…