Transgender feminism on Twitter: a biased monologue in #ContraElBorradoDeLasMujeres

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Carme Ferré Pavia

Abstract

This article focuses on studying the language of the movement that has been called TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists) on Twitter. Through an interpretative research of exploratory scope, the case focuses on the hashtag #ContraElBorradoDeLasMujeres, analyzed from January 1 to April 9, 2021. A content analysis table has been generated with categories of circulation, reaction, rhetorical content and stance. The results show how, from the appropriation of a hashtag by a collective, a community of people with shared feelings and opinions can be created. However, this group does not seem to have expanded based on its circulation on Twitter. The discourse deployed in the tweets under this hashtag is markedly emotional, does not generate dialogue, has clear transphobic overtones and functions as a label of identification and reinforcement of TERF users. Of the tweets analyzed, only one is contrary to the TERF position, so the hashtag has been defined as a "safe space" in which to reaffirm positions. This study adds to the field of transphobic discourse identification that has recently been developed.

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Article Details

Section

DIGITAL CULTURES IN SOCIAL NETWORKS

Author Biographies

Carme Ferré Pavia, Autonomous University of Barcelona

Profesora titular del citado departamento. Directora del grupo de investigación Comress-Incom UAB

Gorka Zaldívar, Magíster, UAB

Journalist and Master's degree in Media, Communication and Culture from the Autonomous University of Barcelona

How to Cite

Ferré Pavia, C., & Zaldívar, G. (2022). Transgender feminism on Twitter: a biased monologue in #ContraElBorradoDeLasMujeres. Journal ICONO 14, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.7195/ri14.v20i2.1865

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