Introduction
Transgender women are women, although if you get caught up in the many political dog whistles being sounded these days, you may begin to question otherwise. This is not a new phenomenon; women have been subjected to political dog whistles since before they had the right to vote. In contrast, a primarily male political system built on the back of the patriarchy has continued as it has for hundreds of years.
What are dog-whistle tactics?
Political dog whistles are coded messages that politicians use to appeal to specific groups of voters without explicitly saying what they mean. These messages are often used to appeal to voters' prejudices or fears.
In politics, a dog whistle is the use of coded or suggestive language in political messaging to garner support from a particular group without provoking opposition. The concept is named after ultrasonic dog whistles, which are audible to dogs but not humans. Dog whistles use language that appears normal to the majority but communicates specific things to intended audiences. They are generally used to convey messages on issues likely to provoke controversy without attracting negative attention. - Wikipedia
In the UK, political leaders on both sides of the chamber have used dog whistles to appeal to voters who oppose transgender rights. For example, some leaders have used language that suggests that transgender women are a threat to women and girls. This language is often used to justify policies that discriminate against transgender people.
We must be aware of political dog whistles to challenge them when we hear them. We should also call on political leaders to stop using these tactics to divide and alienate people.
How are dog-whistle tactics used?
There is evidence that dog-whistle politics was used in the UK elections. For example, during the 2017 general election, the Conservative Party ran an ad that featured a woman with a pram. The ad was widely seen as an attempt to appeal to voters with sexist beliefs about women's place in society.
The Conservative Party has also been accused of using dog-whistle politics to attack women's rights. For example, in 2019, the party proposed a law that would have made it more difficult for women to access abortion. The law was widely seen as an attempt to appeal to voters who hold anti-abortion views.
Dog whistles employ language that has usual meanings to the majority but can be implied or loaded to mean very specific things to intended recipients. An example commonly believed to be dog-whistling is the use of 'family values' as a signal to Christians that the candidate is Christian and would support policies related to Christian values without raising flags among the non-religious who might oppose a Christian candidate. This dog whistle would gain popularity with Christians without losing popularity with non-Christians.
Acceptance without Understanding
If you have experienced anything I have written, taught, or shared, there is usually a theme of Acceptance without Understanding ™ so this shouldn't be a surprise as my approach to this topic.
Acceptance without Understanding teaches us to accept each other as human beings first. We do not need to understand each other’s journeys. We are all unique human beings on our journey in life.
The fact that I have a C-suite background and am fortunate to have been a national leader for a feminist organisation fighting for women's rights in Canada shape my grasp of the topic. The three trans identities have formed me through the life journey that allows me to find a middle ground through the biases created by these experiences.
It wasn't solely the time spent leading the feminist organisation that shaped my grasp. Along the way, I used to create a community with very diverse groups of women to discuss the day's news, socialise, and reduce barriers between each other. It was never perfect; we had to create a safe space for all women. None of us enjoyed the same experience as those with the gender-based privilege of safety in society. This journey has taken me from a very hyper-femme way of relating to the world to one today where I am much more authentic being a queer feminist woman with a transgender history where my identity as a woman and transgender exist equally.
Cisgender and Transgender Women
The debate over transgender women's rights has been a hot topic in recent years, with some people arguing that transgender women are a threat to cisgender women. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Transgender women are more likely to be victims of violence and discrimination than cisgender women.
Transgender women are women. They are not a threat to cisgender women. They are simply trying to live their lives. We should all work to create a more inclusive society for all women, regardless of gender identity.
Cisgender and transgender women can uplift each other by working together to create a more just and equitable society. We can do this by educating ourselves about transgender issues, speaking against discrimination, and supporting transgender-inclusive policies. We can also create safe spaces for transgender people to live, work, and play.
Here are some specific ways that cisgender women and transgender women can uplift each other:
Educate yourself about transgender issues. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about transgender people, so it's essential to educate yourself about the facts. You can read books, articles, and websites about transgender issues. You can also talk to transgender people and learn from their experiences.
Speak out against discrimination. If you see or hear someone being discriminated against because of their gender identity, speak up. Let them know you don't tolerate discrimination and support transgender people.
Support transgender-inclusive policies. Many policies can help to create a more inclusive society for transgender people. You can support these policies by contacting your elected officials and letting them know you support transgender rights.
Create safe spaces for transgender people. Transgender people often face discrimination and harassment, so creating safe spaces to live, work, and play is essential. You can do this by volunteering at a transgender-friendly organisation or starting a transgender-inclusive group.
Share your experiences. Women can share their experiences with each other to help them understand the challenges that transgender people face. This can help to build empathy and understanding between the two groups.
Be an ally. Transgender women can ally with cisgender women by advocating against discrimination. This can help to create a more just and equitable society for all women.
Celebrate womanhood. Transgender women can celebrate womanhood in all its diversity. This can help to challenge stereotypes and promote acceptance of all women.
The Implications of dog-whistle politics for all women
The implications of dog-whistle politics for women are that it can be used to manipulate and control them. Dog-whistle politics can be used to appeal to women's fears and insecurities and to make them feel like they are not safe or that their rights are under attack. This can lead women to vote for candidates who do not have their best interests at heart.
For example, in the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump used dog-whistle politics to appeal to white women voters. He made statements about immigration and crime that were coded to appeal to white women's fears of outsiders and their desire to protect their families. This helped Trump win the support of many white women, even though his policies would have harmed them.
In the 2019 general election, the Conservative Party used dog-whistle politics to appeal to working-class voters in North England. They made statements about immigration and crime that were coded to appeal to working-class voters' fears of outsiders and their desire for a return to a "traditional" way of life. This helped the Conservatives win many seats in the North of England, even though their policies would have harmed working-class people.
Dog-whistle politics can also be used to silence women's voices. When women speak out about issues that matter, they are often dismissed as too emotional or too sensitive. This can make women feel like they are not being heard and that their opinions do not matter.
Dog-whistle politics is a dangerous tactic that can be used to harm women. We must be aware of this tactic to resist and protect ourselves from its harmful effects.
Conclusion
Dog-whistle politics is a political communication strategy that uses coded language to appeal to a specific subgroup of voters. This strategy is often used by politicians to appeal to women voters, who are often seen as a key swing votes in elections. Dog-whistle politics can be used to manipulate and control women voters by appealing to their fears and insecurities. Women must be aware of this tactic to resist it and protect themselves from its harmful effects.
The debate over transgender women's rights is complex and nuanced. There are several factors to consider, and there is no easy answer. However, it is essential to remember that transgender women are women. They are not a threat to cisgender women. They are simply trying to live their lives. We should all work to create a more inclusive society for all women, regardless of gender identity.