UK’s biggest cervical cancer charity shuts down disgustingly transphobic lie that ‘only females get cervical cancer’
Stock photo of a gynaecological exam. (Envato)
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust says “everyone with a cervix” should have access to support and information about cervical cancer and smear tests, including trans and non-binary people, after a disgusting Twitter campaign by transphobes.
The UK’s leading cervical cancer charity was responding to a hashtag that trended on Twitter over the weekend insisting that “only females get cervical cancer”.
“We’re aware a hashtag is trending that raises the issue of gender identity and cervical health,” Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust tweeted on July 12.
“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.”
The charity then added a link to its support page.
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 (@JosTrust) July 12, 2020
As Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust emphasised, anyone with a cervix can get cervical cancer – so people with cervixes should attend regular screenings with their GP.
This includes trans men, trans masculine people, intersex people and non-binary people, as well as some trans women who have had gender confirmation surgery.
“This should only be about inclusive health care, raising awareness, and getting the right checks to the right people to save lives,” one woman wrote on Twitter after seeing the hashtag campaign over the weekend.
“It is not about erasing women or anyone else.”
https://twitter.com/lisasevern/status/1282198112463925249?s=20
Another person said: “So the TERFs got #OnlyFemalesGetCervicalCancer trending.
“Not to raise awareness about cancer, but to make trans men feel bad. THAT’S how sh**ty and awful they are.
“Anyone who has a cervix, from cis women to trans men, non-binary and intersex people, can get cervical cancer.”
Using inclusive language when talking about going for cervical cancer screenings, or smear tests, means that everyone with a cervix is reminded to go.
“Transphobes weaponising cervical cancer just so they can transphobe harder is undoubtedly the most vile thing I’ve seen in a while,” tweeted one cis lesbian.
“They would rather see trans men, intersex and non-binary folks dead than see them screened. This is so unnecessary.”
Several people said “RIP your mentions” to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust after its trans-inclusive tweet, in acknowledgement of how fiercely transphobes fight to stop trans people being included in healthcare discussions.
But happily, the charity was far from the only Twitter account to recognise the important of inclusive language when talking about cervical cancer.
Transphobes weaponising cervical cancer just so they can transphobe harder is undoubtedly the most vile thing I've seen in a while. They would rather see trans men, intersex & non-binary folks dead than see them screened. This # is so unnecessary.#OnlyFemalesGetCervicalCancer— 🏳️🌈 Izzy Rizinti (@BellaRizinti) July 12, 2020
Can they give it a rest already! The lack of empathy is so disgusting.
People who can get cervical cancer which INCLUDE Trans men, Non-binary and Intersex people are not your pawns to punch down at these same people.
You aren't making a point you are just hurting people pic.twitter.com/YdTEU26PHA— Shaira – Stop the slaughtering of Palestinians (@ShairaBambi) July 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/genderpunktheo/status/1282122529004556289?s=20
Cervical cancer is rare & treatable if caught through screening. Anyone with a Cervix is at risk. This includes Cis Women with a cervix, including those with neo vaginas for vaginal Agenesis, Trans men, Non Binary people with a cervix, & Trans women. See https://t.co/sdMqrCs2sI pic.twitter.com/zYe6KCGgUE— TransSafetyNow (@DadTrans) July 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/KateNambiar/status/1282313353583632384?s=20
This is what good trans-friendly healthcare looks like. Philosophical debates over who is or isn't "female" is irrelevant. What's important is acknowledging the anatomy people have, and the language they use to describe themselves and their body. https://t.co/BSIdNzj2rf
— Ruth Pearce (@NotRightRuth) July 12, 2020
