Part 5/11:
Understanding the term is crucial to grasping the depth of the controversy. TERF stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, a pejorative used to describe feminists who do not include transgender women in their conception of womanhood. Critics accuse TERFs of being hostile to trans rights, though supporters argue they are standing up for biological sex-based feminism. The label has become a flashpoint in debates over free speech, gender identity, and women’s rights.