Gender-critical feminism

Gender-critical feminism, also known as trans-exclusionary radical feminism or TERFism,^[1][2][3][4] is an ideology or movement that opposes what it refers to as "gender ideology":^[5] the concept of gender identity and transgender rights, especially gender self-identification. Gender-critical feminists believe that sex is biological and immutable,^[6] while believing gender, including both gender identity and gender roles, to be inherently oppressive.^[7] They reject the concept of transgender identities. These views have been described as transphobic by feminist and scholarly critics,^[1][4] and are opposed by many feminist and LGBT rights organizations.^[8][9]

Originating as a fringe movement within radical feminism mainly in the United States,^[10][4][11] gender-critical views have achieved a degree of prominence in the United Kingdom, where they have been at the centre of a number of high-profile controversies.^[12] The Council of Europe has condemned gender-critical ideology, among other ideologies, and linked it to "virulent attacks on the rights of LGBTI people" in Hungary, Poland, Russia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and other countries.^[13] It has been linked to promotion of disinformation^[14][15][16] and to the anti-gender movement.^[17] In some countries, gender-critical feminist groups have formed alliances with right-wing, far-right, and anti-feminist organisations.^{[18][19][20][21]}