Trans/non-binary comedian Mae Martin has the perfect advice for Bette Midler
“I just want to say this in case this is useful to you if you have people in your own life – older feminist icons even – who are perplexed and threatened by inclusive language.Those figures, like Better Midler, fought hard for women’s rights and they’re upset when, in the context of reproductive rights, they read phrases like ‘people with uteruses.’They feel reduced and negated and confused.
I would say to them: Nobody is negating the fact that people assigned female at birth have a unique struggle against an oppressive patriarchy.
Nobody is denying the power and magic of cis women.I am trans/non-binary, not a woman. I am medically and culturally transitioning and so ‘woman’ is not an accurate word to use when describing me.The use of inclusive language when talking about abortion rights meant that I – with all my shared experience and shared threat of pregnancy as I also sleep with cis men – can participate and be acknowledged in the conversation and fight alongside women.I hope that people like Bette continue to learn and evolve.
I really want to be able to enjoy Hocus Pocus 2, which I’ve been waiting for for about twenty years, feeling safe in the knowledge that my idol is on the side of personhood and freedom and unity, and would include me in that fight.The best part of life is continuing to learn and grow.
