Trans exclusionary feminism on Twitter: a biased monologue in #AgainstTheErasureOfWomen

Abstract

This article focuses on studying the language of the movement that has been called TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists) on Twitter. Through interpretative research of exploratory scope, the case focuses on the hashtag #ContraElBorradoDeLasMujeres, analyzed from January 1 to April 9, 2021. A content analysis table has been generated with categories of circulation, reaction, rhetorical content and stance. The results show how, from the appropriation of a hashtag by a collective, a community of people with shared feelings and opinions can be created. However, this group does not seem to have expanded based on its circulation on Twitter. The discourse deployed in the tweets under this hashtag is markedly emotional, does not generate dialogue, has clear transphobic overtones and functions as a label of identification and reinforcement of TERF users. Of the tweets analyzed, only one is contrary to the TERF position, so the hashtag has been defined as a "safe space" in which to reaffirm positions. This study adds to the field of transphobic discourse identification that has recently been developed.