r/IntersectionalWomen • • 1d ago

News & Current events Weekly News Roundup - Discuss important developments around intersectionality and events affecting marginalized communities during the week.

2 Upvotes

Use this thread to discuss important news, policies, court judgments, research, protests, elections, cultural moments, or other developments that have impacted marginalized communities over the past week.


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 12h ago

News & Current events What do you think about Ilhan Omar? And the raid on her home this week?

32 Upvotes

I think she’s an anti-racist, anti-bigotry humanist: and she should have the support of all liberty loving men and women in America.

The republicans perpetually scapegoat her out of bigotry, xenophobia, racism and sexism.


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 18h ago

Discussion Trans women faced brutality from Police, and faced unfair detention, as cis women were released early. Police tried to keep them in Male cells.

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807 Upvotes

ACAB! They were dragged by the police.

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r/IntersectionalWomen • • 1d ago

Question How can I advocate for other marginalized groups without coming across as one of THOSE people?

25 Upvotes

Y'know, the kinda people who think of themselves as a savior or representative of those groups and thinks their more progressive than they actually are. I know how much those can people (understandably) get the nerves of the people they're trying to advocate for but I struggle with social cues and can come across as more harsh or smug than I intend to. So how would YOU like an ideal ally to act?


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 1d ago

Question Arguments for reproductive rights

11 Upvotes

My parents are extremely anti abortion and I would like to be able to defend my pro choice stance better when the topic arises. Does anyone have some arguments that I can use?


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 1d ago

Discussion The Way You Talk about Lesbians (and What that Says about Your Feminism)

186 Upvotes

(I posted this on 2X but I think it fits here. Also 2X has some issues with being very white and heteronormative)

---------------------------

I'm sorry in advance if this comes across as aggressive but I'm very frustrated.

Guys, please stop telling me I'm "lucky" to be a Lesbian. It's an extremely out of touch thing to say. You're acting like homophobia doesn't exist and like queer women somehow aren't oppressed by misogyny.

The sentiment I do understand is: "You're lucky that the gender you're attracted to isn't actively oppressing you and/or is an immediate danger". I agree with this completely.

However, a lot of straight women seem to think being a Lesbian somehow protects you from systemic patriarchal violence; on some level it does, as I will never be in an intimate relationship with a man. That doesn't change that men are still dangerous to me, that male friends of mine have tried to assault me and have succeeded, that I will always be objectified, sexualized, and dehumanized for being a woman. Specifically for being a lesbian. Not to mention that complete and utter social isolation queer women (especially lesbians) experience because the entire world is male-centered. Nothing is for me except a few spaces and even those are overrun by the most disgusting straight men.

And good lord, the way some straight women respond, acting like somehow Lesbians won't face standard relationship problems (ghosting, incompatibility, lack of options, etc) is crazy. Yes, I'm less worried about my safety with my partners, but that does not negate the existence of homophobia, fetishization, and misogyny that I (and other queer women) still face. Genuinely, it seems like some straight cis women seem to believe that being a lesbian gives me this magical bubble that repels all men.

I fucking wish. I still get harassed and catcalled and groped.

Honestly, it's downright offensive when straight women will say "I wish I were a lesbian" or "you're so lucky to be a Lesbian" sometimes because you're implying i'm gay because I hate men.

I'm a lesbian because I love women.

My sexuality has nothing to do with my distrust for men as a social group. If tomorrow, we all woke up and patriarchy was gone and misogyny was no more, I'd still be a lesbian because I fucking love women.

Quite honestly, some straight women aren't really feminist, they are either:

Just focused on their interpersonal issues and how those are affected by gender. By this I mean women who only ever talk about feminism or "hating men" when it comes to a guy ghosting them or just being an asshole. Yeah, that sucks. And yes, gender dynamics do play a role in these behaviors, but a situationship not texting you back is really NOT the most pressing feminist issue

OR

They are feminist but associate with and date the most deplorable men on the planet. You know, the liberal girls and their neo-nazi boyfriends

Anyways, this entire post isn't me trying to erase the danger women who date/are attracted to men face, but rather to bring attention to the fact that being a lesbian doesn't protect me the way a lot of people seem to think it does.


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 1d ago

News & Current events Incarcerated criminals who are Trans, should have absolute right to HORMONE THERAPY 🏳️‍⚧️. However we should discuss the White supremacist hatred.

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473 Upvotes

A 19 year old trans teenager, (who self identified himself as a neo-nazi and white supremacist), planned a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois. He was quite racist to Indians, and displayed sadistic pleasure while describing his plan to shoot Indians. He drove to the temple with an AR rifle, 300 rounds of ammunition, and body armor.

Paporakis's rifle jammed during the attempt. He fled the scene and sent a video and text message to a co-worker explaining that the gun failed to fire and that he intended to fix it and retry. The co-worker alerted the authorities, leading to his arrest. Police and the FBI found an eight-page manifesto titled “Why I fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter's Manifesto)” containing white supremacist and anti-Indian sentiments, and items featuring Nazi symbols.

However, we believe that transgender rights are human rights. So despite the hateful act, we should uphold his right to HRT in prison. The judge ordered that Paporakis continue receiving gender-transition hormone injections while in jail, alongside medical treatment for ADHD, depression, and anxiety.

source

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r/IntersectionalWomen • • 1d ago

News & Current events Trans Dehumanization Defense in the Tennessee Appeals Court

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411 Upvotes

Content: transmisogyny, murder

This is about the case of Paris Lee's killer having his conviction vacated by the Tennessee appeals court pending a retrial. I'm not a lawyer, of course, but the arguments made are not exclusively legal territory, they are also social and "biological". I break down the facts of the case, the arguments the appeals court uses, and analyze them briefly from a feminist lens.

I talk about how the appeals court agrees that the guns involved negates that "strength" and "size" matter, but argues that "any" nebulous and undisclosed scientific differences between the sexes (no matter how "insignificant") is enough for her trans status to be evidence.

I talk about how her calling a man for help, a frequently used survival tactic for women who are being harassed by men, gets twisted against her as proof that "males" and "females" are different, then used to assign her "male behavior" as an implied way that the "physiological differences" between the sexes would matter. (Her being unable to use "male intimidation" against a harassing, trespassing man yelling at her and refusing to leave is why she had to call for help in the first place.) In other words, they're implying that because "male" and "female" "behavior" are different, it matters which "biological sex" was holding the gun. (This exposes the dog whistle, they have no intention of considering her a woman in any social sense either when they call her a "biological male".)

And I find that the defendant was making a trans dehumanization defense: when he made his testimony conditional on being able to out Paris Lee to the jury, his stated concern was that the jury would think he "Just did something to a [cis] woman". In other words, he wanted to argue that his victim's life was less valuable because of her trans status. It's the appeals court that launders this dehumanization into a trans panic defense of self-defense--the idea that her transness makes her inherently more dangerous.

My blog post may not be perfect, I was up writing it until 6am and I'm a middle aged woman now, not the all-nighter college student of my youth.


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 2d ago

News & Current events Trans women murdered. Court overturned the conviction because jury wasn't told that the victim was a black trans woman.

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1.4k Upvotes

Source

The Initial Trial: In May 2025, a Shelby County jury did convict Samuel Ward Jr. of voluntary manslaughter. He was subsequently sentenced to 6 years in prison after the jury rejected his initial claims of self-defense.

(October 2026) The appellate court ruled that the original trial judge made a procedural error by hiding Paris Lee's transgender status from the jury. The appeals court stated that because the defendant, Samuel Ward Jr., claimed self-defense, withholding the victim's sex assigned at birth "misled" the jury and prevented him from fully presenting his case.

The judges argued that a person's biological sex is a "significant fact" when evaluating a physical threat in a self-defense claim due to physical differences. They maintained that the jury needed this context to decide if Ward's fear during the altercation was reasonable, regardless of the fact that prosecutors stated Ward and Lee had been in a relationship for two years and he already knew she was trans.

The ruling highlights a growing legal divide. While more than 20 U.S. states have explicitly banned the use of LGBTQ+ panic defenses, Tennessee law does not prohibit it, making this case a focal point in national legislative debates.

source


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 3d ago

rant Literally all men's spaces revolve around miosgyny

359 Upvotes

There's a certain subreddit on here where guys can take pictures of their food and post them with stories.

And surprise surprise, a huge portion of those posts are just incel talking points and whining that women aren't immediately having sex with them.

Love it.


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 4d ago

Discussion Petition · #TISEMA (#ትሰማ) Campaign Petition: Declare Violence Against Women a National Crisis

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39 Upvotes

r/IntersectionalWomen • • 4d ago

Question How do you cope with seeing stuff like misogyny, transphobia and racism on a daily basis?

123 Upvotes

I always felt out of place because I'm Autistic and I think learning and engaging with other marginalized groups and how they deal with stuff would help me cope with being different (on top of also making more knowledgeable about the world of course).


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 5d ago

Question Transfeminist work recs that touch a good chunk on trans genital misogyny?

46 Upvotes

I’ve been having trouble looking for resources so please drop me your recs! Ty <3


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 5d ago

Question Intersectional Feminism Literature

16 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m interested in learning more about how intersectional feminism views the concept of male attention, both how it is conditioned by patriarchal structures and how its dynamics vary across different identities.

Specifically, I would love to hear your thoughts or recommended readings... Thanks!


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 6d ago

Art Looking for nonbinary musicians/ singers to listen to

51 Upvotes

Do you have a favorite nonbinary artist? I'm happy to hear about any art but I have been looking for nonbinary musicians in hopes of finding relatable lyrics and stuff. Also my first post here hello! 💚


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 6d ago

News & Current events All Cops are B@stards: Indian Police brutality over protestors. Please support us.

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280 Upvotes

Delhi Police has gained a notorious reputation for their unprofessional attitude against protestors. It may be our last chance to save democracy in the state. The far right government has unleashed goons, who don't care about peaceful dissenters.

There's an overall source for the matter: source

source


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 6d ago

Edit this You can't be a feminist if you don't support queer rights!

691 Upvotes

Edit: So... Yeah, if you don't agree with anything I just said, PUH-LEASE just scroll and stop fucking replying to this post??? Intersectional feminism is for anyone who identifies as a woman, and if you have a problem with that, then leave! This subreddit is supposed to be a safespace for all women. And unless you'ce come here to genuinely learn, then do NOT say anything. You will not be pat on the back for being transphobic. Stop it or i'll get the spray bottle.

This is more of a vent; so feel free to skip if you aren't in the mood but gowrl, I NEEDED to get this off my chest.

I accidentally came across a transphobic post in some other sub that annoyed me, so saying this as a cis lesbian;

YOU CANNOT, AND I MEAN CANNOT, IDENTIFY AS A FEMINIST IF YOU DON'T SUPPORT QUEER RIGHTS!

The whole point of feminism is to deconstruct the patriarchy and deprogram ourselves from that hypertradition bullshit, and yet for SOME reason TERFS cling onto Bioessentialist bullshit that THE PATRIARCHY TAUGHT THEM. Trans women ARE women, trans men ARE men and non-binary people ARE neither!

Transphobia and homophobia are things the patriarchy taught us and TERFS seem to cling to it without even realising. Being a TERF is just cis washing feminism so it's more digestible for other cis people, such as myself, and it's disgusting! Trans and genderqueer people have been here since fucking JESUS, we just didn't have a word for it. Being trans is NOT something that someone can choose to be, just like how a cis woman cannot be forced to shun her womanhood for the sake of a man!

It pisses me off especially now bc I've been doing my best to deprogram and really dig into Transfeminism and how important it is to the broader feminism as a whole regardless of how I identify, which means these people COULD learn but they just don't want to??? I was transphobic as a child without realising it but I managed to change, so why can't these people do the fucking same?

But yeah, to be blunt; if you only support a select group of women, you are NOT a feminist. Because you are the same type of person, who if born a man (imo), that would do nothing to protect women's rights, liberties or freedoms because you yourself already have plenty privileges. You are a pawn in the patriarchy, so deprogram! TERFS are pawns of the oppressors and will only continue to hinder the progress earlier feminist movements managed to fight for.

TERFS are cowards!

🏳️‍⚧️❤️🏳️‍🌈


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 7d ago

News & Current events "what rights do trans people not have?"

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4.6k Upvotes

r/IntersectionalWomen • • 7d ago

News & Current events Chinese Female University Professor Dismissed Over Radical Gender Remarks: Amid Economic Downturn and Intensifying Social Conflicts, Gender Antagonism in China Worsens; Against the Background of Gender Inequality, All Sectors Should Show More Understanding and Tolerance Toward Women and Feminism

107 Upvotes

ㅤIn September, Pei Yi (裴轶), an assistant professor at Beijing Institute of Technology (北京理工大学), became embroiled in a public controversy after making some radical feminist remarks, including statements disparaging men. Later, it was revealed that she had also made politically sensitive remarks in class, such as saying that “all seven members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China are men, with no women.” Following reports against her from multiple parties and mounting pressure, Beijing Institute of Technology announced the termination of Pei Yi’s employment. After the decision was made public, some applauded it, while others believed the punishment was excessive. Those applauding the decision have had an overwhelmingly dominant voice on the Chinese-language internet.
ㅤ
This incident is yet another highly controversial case arising against the backdrop of escalating antagonism between men and women in China. Previous cases have included the suspected sexual harassment case at Wuhan University (武汉大学疑似性骚扰事件), the Shanxi engagement rape case (山西订婚强奸案), the Hunan “Huolala” driver case (湖南“货拉拉”司机案), Xianzi’s sexual harassment lawsuit against CCTV host Zhu Jun (弦子诉央视主持人朱军性骚扰案), and the conflict and riots between men and women involving “TF Entertainment” in Chongqing (重庆“时代峰峻”男女冲突和骚乱), among others. Without exception, these incidents have produced deeply polarized public opinion. Men and women have largely taken sides according to gender, with supporters of the man and supporters of the woman each insisting on their own version of events, while facts and truth are selectively raised or ignored.
ㅤ
And these public controversies are no longer confined to online verbal battles; a culture of reporting others and “witch-hunting” has gradually emerged. Men and women on opposing sides report each other’s remarks to schools, workplaces, and public authorities, attempting to have the other party expelled from school, dismissed from employment, or even imprisoned. Pei Yi’s dismissal following reports against her is the latest and one of the better-known examples. It also signifies a further intensification of gender antagonism in China, as online gender conflict increasingly spills over into the offline world, affecting people’s real lives and even their destinies.
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The increasingly severe gender antagonism in Chinese society is caused by multiple factors. In recent years, China’s economic downturn, widening wealth disparities, and worsening difficulties in people’s livelihoods have been underlying causes of the intensification of social conflicts, including gender conflict. When the economy is doing relatively well, people’s lives are happier, and they are optimistic about the future, people of different genders, ethnic groups, and values can communicate relatively peacefully, and disputes are more likely to end in mutual understanding and compromise. But when the economy declines and everyone is struggling, people compete more fiercely over limited resources, their state of mind also worsens, and hostility between people increases while tolerance diminishes.
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In addition, the broader international environment and the internet age have both catalyzed gender antagonism. In today’s world, where populism and identity politics are rampant, antagonism between men and women is intensifying not only in China but around the globe. In elections in countries such as the United States, European countries, South Korea, and Brazil, for example, there are significant gender differences in the votes received by different candidates and parties: men are increasingly leaning to the right, while women are increasingly leaning to the left. Political positions and gender positions have become intertwined and mutually reinforcing, making gender antagonism and social polarization ever more severe.
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The internet, which connects the world, has facilitated communication and enabled strangers thousands of miles apart to talk to one another. Yet instead of promoting mutual understanding and integration, it has generated more verbal conflicts and real-world tensions, fueling “identity politics” and gender antagonism. Over time, “echo chambers” have also formed: men and women cluster separately, each reinforcing their own gender narratives on social media platforms and within circles where they hold an advantage, forming factions and attacking those who differ from them, further deepening the divide. For example, on two well-known Chinese social media platforms, Zhihu (知乎) and Xiaohongshu (小红书), the former is dominated by men and male-centered discourse, while the latter has more women and feminist discourse.
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On the issue of gender antagonism, both men and women have valid points, and both have made mistakes. But the two sides should not simply be treated as equally at fault. Whether in China or globally, women as a whole and in most circumstances occupy a relatively disadvantaged position and are more vulnerable to bullying and harm. In domestic violence, for example, most perpetrators are men and most victims are women; in serious violent crimes such as murder, robbery, and abuse, men account for more than 75% of perpetrators; and the proportion of women subjected to sexual harassment or sexual violence by men is overwhelmingly higher than the proportion of men subjected to such abuse by women.
ㅤ
Because of inherent physiological differences between men and women, especially women’s relative disadvantage in physical strength and capacity for violence, as well as the long-standing, historically inherited definitions, scrutiny, and discipline imposed on women in social life that persist to this day, women are almost inevitably more disadvantaged than men of the same class and social status. Even in relatively developed Western countries such as Germany, surveys show that women are more reluctant to go out at night and more worried about being attacked, whereas men’s level of concern is significantly lower. The same is, of course, true in developing countries such as China.
ㅤ
There was once a well-known WeChat public account called “Girls, Don’t Be Afraid” (女孩别怕), which was later banned by the authorities for purposes including maintaining social stability. It collected, documented, and presented numerous cases of women suffering sexual harassment, intimidation, abuse, and other forms of mistreatment, including hidden sexual abuse of girls on school campuses, the rampant underground industry of secretly filming women in hotels, and women subjected to “PUA (psychological manipulation and emotional abuse).” Beyond physical violence and abuse by intimate partners, women are also more vulnerable, both online and in real life, to sexual and gender-based “slut-shaming” and to resulting physical and psychological trauma. In severe cases, women are forced to drop out of school or give up their jobs. Men, by contrast, encounter sexual humiliation less frequently, and even when subjected to similar attacks, the harm tends to be less severe.
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Against this broader backdrop of inequality between men and women, in an environment where women are more vulnerable and more susceptible to harm, people should not treat men and women and their words and actions as equivalent without considering the background, causes, and specific circumstances. In most cases, for example, the physical and psychological harm caused when a man beats a woman is significantly greater than when the genders of the two parties are reversed.
ㅤ
Sometimes, when women post remarks disparaging or insulting men on the internet, in classrooms, or in public or private spaces, this is because the women concerned have previously suffered bullying or even abuse by men and carry trauma and psychological scars, as well as because women as a whole occupy a position in which they are relatively more often humiliated and harmed than men. Such remarks may therefore be impassioned expressions arising from grievance and anger. Although the remarks themselves may indeed be inappropriate, there are mitigating circumstances, and they are unlikely to cause men substantial harm. It is like a young child “punching” an adult: should the adult really take offense, let alone hit the child back or demand that the child be sent to prison?
ㅤ
According to United Nations statistics, one-third of women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner. Sample surveys conducted by some Chinese universities and nonprofit organizations show that more than half of Chinese women have experienced sexual harassment to varying degrees. The data and documented cases of violence and abuse against women are overwhelming and can also be cross-verified. People should not turn a blind eye to the widespread and severe physical and psychological harm suffered by women while focusing exclusively on some of their extreme remarks, fiercely condemning them and demanding harsh punishment. Punishing some women for making impassioned remarks about men constitutes a form of “secondary victimization” of women and also indirectly suppresses women’s voices and their efforts to speak out about the harm they have suffered.
ㅤ
In terms of power structures and state policy, although the Chinese authorities advocate women’s rights, men unquestionably remain the dominant holders of power. Moreover, the authorities monopolize the discourse surrounding women’s issues and the power to define women’s rights, while suppressing feminist figures and activities that emerge from civil society and operate independently of the authorities.
ㅤ
Pei Yi’s statement that all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China are men was a statement of fact, and it also illustrated the inequality between men and women in political power. Her remark echoed the irony used by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg regarding the reality that the U.S. Supreme Court had long been overwhelmingly male, with women long absent and marginalized. Such statements of fact and restrained expressions of dissent should not be punished.
ㅤ
Of course, men’s emotions, rights, and dignity should also be respected and protected, and certain forms of suffering and demands specific to men should also be taken seriously. Lower- and middle-class Chinese men, amid limited resources, intense competition, economic stagnation, difficulties in education and employment, and relatively low incomes, often also bear responsibilities and pressures associated with being men, such as doing exhausting work, getting little rest, being expected to display certain masculine qualities and a sense of responsibility, directly confronting conflicts and setbacks, and supporting the entire family, including female family members.
ㅤ
Compared with women, who have feminism as a means of solidarity and collective expression, men lack a moderate and reliable community of their own. In some disputes and conflicts involving men and women, the victim is indeed male and the perpetrator female, and such cases should of course be assessed on their individual facts. In relations between different genders and in gender-related issues, class and social status must also be taken into account. For example, lower- and middle-class men are often in a worse position than women from higher social classes.
ㅤ
Women and all sectors of society should also understand and empathize with these difficulties and suffering faced by men. When promoting feminism, people should also consider the circumstances and men’s feelings, and appropriately incorporate concern for men’s identities and an agenda of dialogue with men, so that feminist advocacy can be more broadly accepted.
ㅤ
Going further, while defending women’s rights, women should also promote improvements in the overall social environment and in the circumstances of the general public, including men, thereby creating fertile ground in which feminism can thrive; women themselves would also live in a more tolerant and friendly environment as a result. While enjoying rights, women should also fulfill necessary obligations, avoid imposing additional and unnecessary burdens on men, and refrain from making excessive demands of men. Just as women’s circumstances should be taken into consideration, people should also put themselves in men’s position and understand the difficulties they face.
ㅤ
But overall, and particularly when comparing the circumstances of men and women, women are indeed still in a relatively disadvantaged position. They are especially more vulnerable to violence, abuse, and humiliating treatment; inequality between men and women remains deeply entrenched; and women need greater tolerance, kindness, and supportive consideration. Therefore, both the Chinese authorities and civil society should show understanding and tolerance toward some intense or unconventional words and actions by women, including radical feminist rhetoric. The authorities should not politicize and escalate such controversies by punishing women who express controversial views through measures such as dismissal. Instead, they should listen to different voices and tolerate diverse viewpoints.
ㅤ
Men with insight and social awareness should actively speak up for women and support feminism. This is not only reasonable, but also a matter of personal integrity and responsibility. Some men, especially those from the middle and upper classes and those with public influence, should exercise restraint even if they disagree with feminism or with particular feminist words and actions. They should not bully women or “kick them when they are down,” nor should they abandon the basic virtue of modern human civilization: respect for women.
ㅤ
(The above suggestions and appeals of mine are not made with much expectation that they will actually have a significant effect. This is not only because my voice carries little weight, but also because social conflicts and gender antagonism in China are deeply entrenched. With both the economy and society in decline, these conflicts and antagonisms are difficult to ease and may instead become increasingly severe. Moreover, many principles are easy to explain and understand, but much harder to put into practice.)
ㅤ
(Regarding several feminist issues and controversies mentioned in this article, I have also documented and commented on them in several of my other articles on feminism, such as “Feminism and Holism.”)

(The author of this article, Wang Qingmin (王庆民), is a Chinese writer living in Europe and a researcher on international politics.)


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 7d ago

News & Current events Non Binary student leader of India, fighting against the brutal cops of fascist Indian government (Neha Bora)

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856 Upvotes

They are holding their ground against the incumbent fascist government of India. FYI: India is ruled by a far right political party. The govt resort to all kinds of Islamophobia, Queerphobia, Moral policing, Misogyny, Corruption, and ofc Suppressing the dissent. The leftist leader Neha Bora (who is also an Enby), is one of the leader in the protest. They have suffered repeated detention by the police (which involved allegations of improper touch and brute force). They haven't given up till now. We all need your support, for winning this protest. ACAB ✊

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r/IntersectionalWomen • • 8d ago

Question I have a weirdly specific problem and i'm not sure if it's a result of the patriarchy or if it's a personal problem (or maybe both). TRIGGER WARNING:Suicide and Abuse, Please only read if you're in a good headspace. Spoiler

24 Upvotes

TW:Suicide and emotional abuse

Disclaimer: I am not in danger, so please don't waste emergency resources on me.

I curate my circle and social media feed to avoid misogynists and try to fight sexism whenever I can. But sometimes I encounter jokes or phrases (almost always online) that dredge up bad memories and unwanted feelings. I'm not sure who I should turn to but the people on this sub have proven to be trustworthy, empathetic and knowledgeable enough to help. I checked with the mods if this was alright to post and they seemed fine with it.

Here's my problem: I know most people are joking or exaggerating when they say things like "kill all men" or "all men are pigs" but I still emotionally process them literally even though I know they're jokes or exaggerations. Is this a me problem or is this a symptom of a larger issue that i'm unaware of?

For context:I'm a 19 year old cisgender male. I have autism spectrum disorder (I am low support needs but I still have trouble with jokes and sarcasm). I've struggled to keep in touch with my highschool friends so I spend most of my time online. I have also suffered physical and emotional abuse by my grandmother and older sister. I have been used as an emotional lightning rod for a lot of my life. I'm not suicidal but i've had thoughts of killing myself and how i'd do it (i've never had any intention of acting on those thoughts however).

What specifically triggers me: Jokes about physically or emotionally harming men, men being inferior to women and jokes about male suicide. Statements that use the word "men" as a blanket term or any negative statement about men that use the word "all". These trigger me because I'm afraid of being beaten or shouted at by women. I know these fears are irrational but I can't make them go away. I also get intrusive thoughts telling me my female loved ones secretly hate me and that they would be better off if all men (myself included) vanished.

I know this is mostly just an online problem but I personally believe that what happens online can still affect the real world (mostly our mental health). So is it unreasonable to expect people to cater to people like me or are they being irresponsible by making those jokes? This is a genuine question because I don't know how common my problems or circumstances are, whenever I try to search for others who've struggled with these issues I have trouble finding anyone, and whenever i've talked to others about this a lot of them basically just told me to suck it up. Is this a common issue or did I just get a bad hand in life?


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 8d ago

Discussion Ex friends misogynistic partner

36 Upvotes

I stopped being friends with A like 6 months ago due to some issue with her behavior when her boyfriend is around. He is 'leftist' but further along their relationship I got the inkling that he was slightly a 'men's rights activist'.

I find disgusting how he goes around being this big 'progressive' on social media platforms and grossly speaks over woman.

If I had a problem with a man that was harassing me or a friend. And became very vocal, he seemed to feel uncomfortable making me and anyone who agreed 'mean girls'. And overtime, when he realized I don't value his opinions on situations he personally was not invloved in. My friend A would voice on his behalf, while he cowered behind her.

I obviously didn't care, if you are literally stalking woman throughout campus, calling them a fat bitch, etc. I can be a little bit of a bitch towards you yk? If they cant handle it, dont harrass women? Its not like I randomly choose these 'poor perverts' to bully. I myself had to tell a handful of them off because they were making me and other people uncomfortable, its not like it comes out of nowhere and their ignorant of how they come off?

When I confronted her about it, she said i can be 'scary' to confront and 'inappropriate'. Which i found very microaggresive. We've been friends for years but now conveniently me (and the only other black woman you're friends with) are impossible to confront?

Obviously the friendship ended. But whenever a mutual friend brings her up, its always framing her as a 'poor girl' stuck with a loser boyfriend. However, as far as I know this relationship isn't abusive (and i definitely would hope not). She too is misogynistic?

Yeah she may present as 'progressive', but she obviously values her relationship over morals. She's not a child and is very opinionated herself, why is she with him? Probably because they both agree with those values, secretly.

I can acknowledge that I do not 100% know the inner workings of their relationship. I could be wrong and he could be manipulating her. His misogynistic views may even be directed towards her!

But we can acknowledge that is someone is dating a racist... they are racist

A transphobe... they are a transphobe

I don't understand this framing as women as complete victims with no power. I can understand where it comes from and the reasoning behind why they do it. But we all must hold ourselves accountable in the harmful systems we knowingly or unknowingly participate in. Even if she broke up with him, she herself has very problematic misogynistic and racist views! The same way that he as a man of color will advocate against the systems that oppress him, but completely disregarded women's experiences.

Even in media, conventionally attractive women dating very problematic men are babied. Could he be victimizing her? That could be likely, however, another likely scenario is that they are equally bigoted!


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 8d ago

News & Current events Weekly News Roundup - Discuss important developments around intersectionality and events affecting marginalized communities during the week.

4 Upvotes

Use this thread to discuss important news, policies, court judgments, research, protests, elections, cultural moments, or other developments that have impacted marginalized communities over the past week.


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 10d ago

Informational Please can you recommend intersectional feminist literature

53 Upvotes

I accept that I haven't read enough theory, not even nearly enough. There are huge gaps in my knowledge and the language that I'm armed with.

So, please recommend your favourite tome. What's educated, inspired and invigorated you.

My main proviso, is that I'm worried about being ambushed by transphobia. The book must absolutely not push a transphobic narrative. (And the writer(s) absolutely must not be transphobic, even if it's not mentioned in the text.) I can't stress how sensitive I am to that, in the current climate.

Thank you in advance, I'm sorry the request is so broad, but I'm really hoping that opens folks up to recommend what really set their mind ablaze. 🩷


r/IntersectionalWomen • • 11d ago

Discussion asian women, what are your intersectional experiences (misogyny + racism) with scrutiny and hostility in social/interpersonal settings?

45 Upvotes

i’ve been spiraling trying to figure out if my case is a form of unconscious misogynistic and racist bias.

for context, i had a fallout with some ex friends who failed to communicate with me about concerns, criticized me for my feminist behaviors (i am very anti-patriarchy and some might see me as a misandrist/man hater when i literally have guy friends), socially excluded me, talked shit behind my back, etc which is why our friendships ended. i am very sure that this is coming out of insecurity, jealousy, immaturity, but questionably the potential intersection of misogyny and racism. i think this because i am an asian women who breaks the behavioral stereotypes of being quiet, agreeable, and passive. i’m rather outspoken, direct, confident, and can be loud. unfortunately i think this is being seen as rude, abrasive or “mean” as they call me. now i am not outwardly “mean” to just anyone, however, if someone does me dirty, im not going to be nice about it. if im being harassed in any way im going to set my boundaries. if i think someone or something is wrong i am going to call them out. now if a person outside my marginalized identity displayed outspoken, direct, confident attitudes, i doubt they would face scrutiny or hostility in social settings as much as i do. this is because i look at my ex’s friends’ friends who have done WORSE behaviors than me but still accept them and keep them as friends? one of them is friends with this girl who keeps sexually harassing men. one is still friends with my other ex friend who talked shit behind my back and then lied to my face when i confronted her about it. one is still friends with the other one who socially excluded me from my own friend group and was just blatantly rude and immature. their friends have all done MORE morally questionable things. not to mention they associate themselves among misogynists. it goes unquestioned because they are gay men. they also basically do not have any asian women friends, who are outspoken or break the submissive stereotype at least. all i’m trying to say is, they are willing to break a friendship with me over some trivial concern of me being “mean” with absolutely no context except me talking badly about men who deserve it while they keep friends that are misogynists, sexual harassers, and narcissistic liars and don’t hold them accountable for it?

the hypocrisy in this has made me believe that this is not only a case of misogyny but also the intersection of racism. it is so subtle due to how little research there is on misogyny towards asian women. there are a lot of studies on misogynoir which i am glad, but there is a lack of asian women representation in the topic of intersectionality i guess because of the model minority myth. i feel like i am the only one experiencing this unique situation as i cannot find another asian woman who can relate to this specifically. please let me know if you need any more context i need answers to this so i can figure out if this is an isolated incident or if this is part of a systemic/broader social issue i am tweaking😭