The media, anti-feminist groups, anti-LGBTQ groups, religious institutions, and our government have pitted supporters of Women’s Rights against the transgender community. They do this by saying that trans women are not valid in their womanhood. They say that trans women are just violent men looking to sneak into a women’s restroom to commit heinous acts. None of which is true or based on any reliable evidence of any kind.

This example is completely ridiculous, I agree, but the argument that all trans women are wolves in sheep’s clothing is even more ridiculous.

Despite their inaccuracy, some feminists believe these transphobic lies. Their reasons to do so range anywhere from genuine ignorance to outright hatred for the LGBTQ+ community. Believe it or not, there are groups of women’s rights activists who support right-wing ideology, never mind that that same ideology encourages gender inequality. We may not be able to sway the group with the latter reasoning, but genuine ignorance and misunderstandings can be solved through awareness and education.

Thankfully, organizations like the HRC and UN Women have been taking measures and enacting programs that have raised awareness and educated the public on this issue. As a result, many modern women’s rights activists agree that trans equality is essential to women’s equality.

Since the beginning, the core principle of the Gender Equality Movement has been to end oppression. To achieve that goal, all forms of gender oppression must be targeted. That includes discrimination and oppression against the trans+ community. We will never reach full gender equality in any area of society if we do not fight for the rights and freedoms of ALL genders.