A United Kingdom cervical cancer charity sent a message of support to the transgender community on Twitter, denouncing the hashgtag #OnlyFemalesGetCervicalCancer, and advising the community that anybody with a cervix was welcome to support, regardless of gender identity.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust wrote their tweet to clarify their position after the #OnlyFemalesGetCervicalCancer hashtag appeared and began trending on Twitter, polarizing debate over biology versus gender identity.
In a tweet, the charity wrote “We’re aware a hashtag is trending that raises the issue of gender identity and cervical health. At Jo’s we want to ensure everyone with a cervix has access to the information and support they need to attend #CervicalScreening, regardless of their gender identity.”
We're aware a hashtag is trending that raises the issue of gender identity and cervical health. At Jo's we want to ensure everyone with a cervix has access to the information and support they need to attend #CervicalScreening, regardless of their gender identity. (1/2)
— Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust (@JoTrust) July 12, 2020
The tweet itself further confounded many social media users. Some were particularly miffed by the message as there concerns rested with vulnerable, disaffected biological women.
“Many of the most vulnerable women in our society and globally are those who will not understand that ‘everyone with a cervix’ applies to them. Congratulations on being so inclusive that your brains fell out,” one person commented.
https://twitter.com/nic_jameson/status/1282448301149745153
Another person joked, “Where can people buy a cervix? Are they available online, or do you have to buy in person from a licensed retailer? Is it possible to buy a reconditioned one, or are they only sold new? Do they come with a warranty, and for how long? Is the install DIY or pro only?”
Where can people buy a cervix? Are they available online, or do you have to buy in person from a licensed retailer? Is it possible to buy a reconditioned one, or are they only sold new? Do they come with a warranty, and for how long? Is the install DIY or pro only?
— God Zilla (@TrumpsterTrash) July 13, 2020
LGBT+ news source Pink News supported the charity’s message, blasting the original hashtag as a “disgustingly transphobic lie.”
In an article titled “UK’s biggest cervical cancer charity shuts down disgustingly transphobic lie that ‘only females get cervical cancer’” the publication condemned the Twitter campaign that was deemed as not inclusive of transgender and non-binary owners of cervixes, noting that female-to-male transgendered men and nonbinary individuals can both have a cervix.
The original hashtag was used to draw attention to the prevalence of the disease, and does not appear to have been used by all campaigners to silence the transgendered community.
“We must be able to talk about female biology. We must be able to talk about cervical cancer, and uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. We must be able to talk about smear tests. Not being able to talk about these puts us at risk,” tweeted one campaigner.
We must be able to talk about female biology.
We must be able to talk about cervical cancer, and uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer.
We must be able to talk about smear tests.
Not being able to talk about these puts us at risk.
— Terra Firma 🏴 (@TerraFirth) July 12, 2020
While another person wrote, “So apparently TERFs started #OnlyFemalesGetCervicalCancer because an intersex person spoke up about their cervical cancer, objected to being called female and immediately copped harrassment [sic] for it, and then one of their harrassers [sic] got banned. So TERFs then made that hashtag.”
So apparently TERFs started #OnlyFemalesGetCervicalCancer because an intersex person spoke up about their cervical cancer, objected to being called female and immediately copped harrassment for it, and then one of their harrassers got banned. So TERFs then made that hashtag
— TheOccultTherapist (@OccultTherapist) July 12, 2020
So the TERFs got #OnlyFemalesGetCervicalCancer trending
Not to raise awareness about cancer, but to make trans men feel bad. THAT'S how shitty and awful they are
👉 Anyone who has a cervix, from cis women to trans men, non-binary and intersex people, can get cervical cancer
— Lisa Severn (@lisasevern) July 12, 2020
National File previously reported on how biological men were reportedly invited to take part in cervical cancer “smear” tests–despite not possessing a cervix.
A Canadian cancer charity used a clearly biological male, transgender woman as a photo for their page on cervical cancer.
