anti-warh0l:

radicalfeminisms:

• Just because the word is new does not mean it is not a slur.
  
  
• The definition of a slur is a pejorative (derogatory term or one used in abuse) meant to smear, slander, or socially ostracize a group of people.
  
  
• There is already a name for the group of people who the word labels (radical feminists).
  
  
• The group of people who are being labeled with the word (radical feminists) take offence and otherwise dislike when the word is used to label them.
  
  
• The group of people it is being used to describe (radical feminists) do not want it to be used to describe them.
  
  
• The people it is being used to describe (radical feminists) did not coin the word to describe themselves.
  
  
• The people using word do so in conversation where those who they are describing (radical feminists) are in disagreement with them and often it is used in a way to discredit or silence those who they are disagreeing with (radical feminists).
  
  
• The word is used to stereotype a group of people (radical feminists) without taking into account individuals within the group (radical feminists).
  
  
• The word is used with hostility, death threats, threats of abuse, etc. as a way of dehumanizing a group of people (radical feminists). There is evidence of this although I have not the energy to provide that at this moment.
  
  
• It is a word that has taken on a “boogeyman” feel, especially online in social justice circles, where no one should be seen interacting with anyone who has been labelled with the word (radical feminists).
  
  
• It is a word to describe a group of people who are already marginalized (females who are radical feminists), often by those with power (males).
  
  
• When the word is used by females, it is being exercised as a way to separate women who disagree (radical feminists and liberal feminists), often without further discussion or opportunity for communication (because there is toxicity from one or both parties engaging).

It has also gotten to the point where it’s used as a pejorative against basically anyone who is female, and the accuser wants to degrade them. For comparison, the word “slut” technically means “a sexually promiscuous woman” but is used as a sweeping bad word for a woman whether the slur-er believes them to be promiscuous or not. “TERF” has become so negative that whether or not someone is a radical feminist, being called “TERF” causes offense or marginalization. Sometimes even men are called TERFs- in these cases the slur is used to compare them to women, which shows that TERF is definitely a slur and also a highly gendered one.

Lesbians are called TERF for not accepting males in their sexuality. 

Survivors of male sexual assault are called TERF for not accepting males in their safe spaces.

Seems like quite the sweeping word, as slurs are generally used.