By Sophie Molly
The level of hatred against trans people in the UK has reached a fever pitch—one of all-out hysteria. Last week, Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay spent an afternoon in the Scottish Parliament trash-talking trans and non-binary people, dismissing their existence as a “fringe obsession” and a “toxic agenda.” He went on to accuse former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of “trampling on women’s rights” simply for supporting trans people’s right to self-identify.
During his speech, Findlay showered praise on trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs), calling them “warriors” and openly supporting their campaign to exclude trans people from single-sex spaces that don’t align with their so-called biological sex. Are they warriors? Yes, but not for women’s rights. They are warriors of the patriarchy, hellbent on undermining the very rights they claim to defend.
The TERF Playbook: Propping Up Misogyny and the Far Right
Maya Forstater, CEO of the anti-trans hate group Sex Matters, made her allegiances clear when she eagerly welcomed Donald Trump’s return to power, calling his executive order reaffirming binary sex a “bold and necessary step in the fightback against trans activism.” (Source) Conveniently, she omits the fact that Trump is a convicted felon, found guilty of crimes that include sexual abuse and misconduct. (Source)
This pattern—TERFs fawning over powerful misogynistic men—is nothing new. Anti-trans extremist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (also known as Posie Parker) has a history of promoting anti-Muslim rhetoric and openly supporting far-right agitator Tommy Robinson. (Source) Robinson played a key role in inciting the UK race riots of 2024. Clearly, TERFs are not championing women’s rights—they are aligning with those who actively work against them.
When Misogyny Comes from “Feminists”
These so-called defenders of women regularly resort to misogyny themselves. They ridicule women who don’t conform to outdated gender norms, assuming anyone who doesn’t fit their narrow definition of femininity must be a man.
Take Algerian professional boxer Imane Kelif, who was relentlessly harassed by TERFs and their allies in the mainstream media during the 2024 Paris Olympics. J.K. Rowling, one of the most vocal anti-trans figures, referred to her as “male” and accused her of “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s punched in the head.” (Source) Kelif, who was assigned female at birth, was demonized simply for having a more muscular physique due to naturally higher testosterone levels.
A core tenet of gender-critical ideology is the assertion that trans women are not “real” women. But this belief does more than erase trans identities—it upholds rigid, exclusionary standards that harm all women. By insisting that only those with a strict set of biological traits are “true” women, they marginalize cisgender women who don’t fit their mold: women with higher testosterone, women without XX chromosomes, women with deep voices, muscular women, tall women—the list goes on. This ideology isn’t just anti-trans; it’s deeply misogynistic.
Feminism Should Be About Inclusion—Not Gatekeeping
Despite all this, Russell Findlay continues to champion TERFs while disparaging trans women. But here’s the truth: neither Findlay nor TERFs speak for the majority of women. Most women recognize trans women as women. Most women don’t want trans people excluded from female spaces.
True feminism isn’t about gatekeeping who qualifies as a woman—it’s about fighting for real issues that affect us all: equal pay, better working conditions, and increased access to healthcare. The fight for women’s rights is not served by exclusion. It is served by unity. And that means standing together—all women, cis and trans alike—to demand equality and justice.
About the Author
Sophie Molly is a dedicated political activist and intersectional feminist committed to advancing policies that promote inclusivity and equality. Sophie’s work emphasizes the importance of recognizing interconnected forms of oppression and advocating for comprehensive solutions that benefit all individuals, regardless of gender identity.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Transvitae.com. We are committed to providing a platform for diverse voices within the transgender community and beyond, fostering discussion on critical issues affecting trans individuals worldwide.
