Margaret Atwood
(Picture: Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images)Margaret Atwood has sparked outrage online after she reposted an article titled “Why can’t we say ‘woman’ anymore?”
The opinion piece, written by Toronto Star columnist Rosie DiManno, debates the ever-evolving conversation surrounding gender-Inclusive terminology. DiManno argued that the fight for gender-neutral diction has resulted in the word ‘woman’ becoming unacceptable.
DiManno wrote, “‘Woman’ is in danger of becoming a dirty word … struck from the lexicon of officialdom, eradicated from medical vocabulary and expunged from conversation.”
The writer continued: “It shouldn’t leave well-meaning people tongue-tied, lest they be attacked as transphobic or otherwise insensitive to the increasingly complex constructs of gender.” Adding, “There’s more than a whiff of misogyny to it. Why ‘woman’ the no-speak word and not ‘man’’? Why not ‘persons who urinate standing up’ or ‘people who eject semen’?”
The Handmaid’s Tale author’s decision to share the controversial article with her followers has raised questions about her own opinions surrounding trans activism.
Why can’t we say ‘woman’ anymore? https://t.co/ghcQDJgxWE via @torontostar
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) October 19, 2021
Since posting DiManno’s article, Atwood has faced heavy backlash on Twitter. Responding to tweets in an effort to defend herself she urged a follower to read the article, saying the person who wrote it is“not a Terf.”
“No one is banning the word ‘woman.’ Many organizations are — rightly — opting for precise language when talking about things that have to do with biological traits rather than gender identity. It’s not an attack on womanhood to NOT equate gender with specific biology,” author Katie Mack commented on Atwood’s post.
No one is banning the word “woman.” Many organizations are — rightly — opting for precise language when talking about things that have to do with biological traits rather than gender identity. It’s not an attack on womanhood to NOT equate gender with specific biology.
— Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) October 19, 2021
Another Twitter user compared Atwood to J.K Rowling’s problematic anti-trans views: “DEVELOPING: Margaret Atwood throws her hat in the ring to become Canada's J.K. Rowling.”
DEVELOPING: Margaret Atwood throws her hat in the ring to become Canada's J.K. Rowling
— CBC Pitchbot (@CBCPitchbot) October 19, 2021
It should be noted that the 81-year-old author signed an open letter just last year advocating for trans rights, making her stance on the issue all the more confusing for many.
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