As a Trans actor, I see lots of Breakdowns with interesting language- always in an effort to come across as inclusive/woke/Trans friendly but often resulting in alienating the people they are hoping to include.
Terms like “Woman+”, “preferred” pronouns, and blanket statements that treat “Trans” as an entire single identity- as if all Trans people are interchangeable- come across my email every now and then (more often when the NYC Theatre Industry wasn’t on a scary indefinite hiatus).
In a recent ~ virtual ~ gig offer I saw the describer of “Womxn” being used. I quickly & simply explained to the team that “womxn & allies” could be better worded as:
"Female and TGNC Artists" or " A Gender Inclusive Ensemble of Artists" or "Women and Nonbinary folks" (if there were no Binary Trans Men involved). It was a simple and successful interaction, however when I went to find an article that I could send to further explain what I was saying and to save myself the labor- I was unable to find anything of use!
SO here we are!
The term “Womxn” continues to pop up in spaces that are eager to signal that they are LGBTQ – emphasis on the “T” friendly- some simple Googling will tell you that “Womxn” originated from “Womyn” which was a label that Feminists in the 70’s used in place of “Women” as “Women” is a label that could be perceived as coming from “Men”- “Womyn” was a term used by some Cis, White, Feminists as an expression of independence from Men. The label mutated over time with ally’s shifting from “Womyn” to “Womxn” as some TERFS had started using “Womyn” as a label to exclude Trans Women- Thus – “Womxn” was born.
The perfect Gender Inclusive Label for all Cisgender Women, Trans Women, Nonbinary People, and Gender Queer Folks! Right?!
No!
While I understand the urge to want to fight TERFS and include marginalized people in movements, what actually happens when we use “Womxn” is some of the following:
Subliminal messaging that Cis Women and Trans Women are not the same.
Trans Women are just that- Women.
There is no need to “include” them by adding an “x”, saying “Women+”, or any other similar label. You can just say “Women”.
That AFAB Nonbinary People (like me) are really just WomenLite™.
Nonbinary people are just that- Nonbinary.
Putting Nonbinary people under the “Womxn” label is potentially triggering for them whether they present as masc, femme, or fluid, and it is absolutely harmful and erasing for Binary Trans Men to be included in “Womxn” as well.
Neither of these groups of people need to be included under the “Women” umbrella as they are not Women they are either Nonbinary, Some other identify under the TGNC spectrum, or Male.
So as we can see, “Womxn” does not actually include anyone; it erases Trans Identities like “Nonbinary”, “Genderqueer”, and “Agender”, potentially lumps Trans Men into a space that erases them, and invalidates Trans Women.
While the origin of this label could have come with good intent, Today, I see it being initiated and used overwhelmingly by Cis Women.
If the people who you are creating a label for (in this scenario, Trans Femmes and other TGNC folk) aren’t using it for themselves- what is its purpose?
As a Trans person, It is othering and performative for Cis people to create a label for you.
Trans Women call themselves Women. I would never identify with “Womxn” or “Women+” I am Nonbinary, Trans Men would never want to be included in something labeled as “Womxn _” All women of various Races are Women and included in the label of “Women”.
“Womxn” does not add anything to a conversation or space, but it does take away.
I think we all feel a lot of pressure to be “right”, especially with Social Media adding stakes to accurately represent yourself at all times for fear of being misinterpreted.
When you are leading a group or are in charge of an event or company where you want to make sure that everyone feels safe and included and you want to know that you are welcoming in a diverse group of people into your space, the way to do these things is to not use performative labels but to hire and consult with people from the demographics that you are seeking to represent and welcome.
If you want to make it clear that you are an inclusive space, or that you are a space that seeks to include everyone with the exception of Cis Men try phrases like:
“Women and Trans People”, “TGNC Folks & Ally’s”, or “Gender Inclusive” (followed by a disclaimer about your group where you can explain that you are seeking to include Women, and all People across the TGNC Spectrum – i.e.: Cis Men need not apply) I know it is easier to type “Women” with an “X” and call it inclusive, but lazy activism is not the way to signal to marginalized people that you are ready and willing to do the work. Gender is complicated, creating inclusive spaces is complicated and you can expect to need more than one slightly modified word to do the job right!
We are all CONSTANTLY learning, and for people who truly do have others best interest in mind, I know it can be disheartening to learn that something you said in the past is now being revealed to be less than ideal language.
It is ok to be wrong, it is ok to look back and wish you had known something that you know now.
Look to Trans People to lead you when it comes to including Trans People. Look to Black People to lead you when it comes to including Black People. If you want to “include” folks of any marginalized demographic, do just that: Include them. Listen to them. Make space, and if necessary, Step Aside for them.