Separatist feminism

Separatist feminism is a form of feminism that does not support heterosexual relationships due to a belief that sexual disparities between men and women are unresolvable. Separatist feminists generally do not feel that men can make positive contributions to the feminist movement and that even well-intentioned men replicate the dynamics of patriarchy.^[1] Instead, separatist feminists concentrate on directing their energies and allegiances towards other women, outside of a patriarchal context. This typically includes working with other women towards political or social goals, choosing living and family arrangements that are female-only, and avoiding hiring or working for and with men. Author Marilyn Frye describes separatist feminism as "separation of various sorts or modes from men and from institutions, relationships, roles and activities that are male-defined, male-dominated, and operating for the benefit of males and the maintenance of male privilege — this separation being initiated or maintained, at will, by women."^[2] Separatist feminism is controversial both inside and outside the feminist movement, and within the feminist movement only a small number of women advocate separatism. These women usually choose to live either in celibacy or lesbian relationships (see lesbian feminism) in order to escape what they see as a patriarchal society. Some of these arrangements are permanent while others are viewed as a "first step" period to enhance personal growth.

Lesbian separatism

Lesbian separatism is a form of separatist feminism that may incorporate queer nationalism and political lesbianism. Lesbian separatism has inspired various works of lesbian science fiction depicting all-female societies whose advances in reproductive technology have eliminated the need to have men for human reproduction; but such societies had been depicted (generally unfavorably) in science fiction for decades prior to the rise of lesbian separatism. Lesbian separatism is frequently associated with Dianic paganism.^[3][4]

Controversy

Separatist feminism is highly controversial, and is frequently a subject of dispute, even within the feminist movement itself. Critics such as bell hooks argue that the beliefs of separatist feminists run counter to the many of the original goals of feminism, and instead of seeking to create equality, attempt to establish a female-centric and female-dominated society in which men are subjugated and misandry is brought into the mainstream.^[5] Critiques of the term "separatist" have also emerged from feminist critics such as Sonia Johnson who, while advocating a broadly separatist policy, point out that feminist separatism risks defining itself by what it separates itself from, i.e. men.^[6] Julie McCrossin quotes "dead men don't rape" and "kill them in their cots" as slogans of extreme lesbian separatists.^[7] Valerie Solanas's SCUM Manifesto suggested that it was the job of females to "destroy the male sex." Some extremist separatist feminists seemingly predict or advocate the attrition of men by a process of evolution, murder or abortion. While some of these statements may be empowerment fantasies rather than literal calls to violence, one men's rights activist compared separatist attitudes and hate speech towards men to those taken by Nazis towards Jews.^[8] Men's rights groups have described women-only events and organizations as "separatist", with the UK Men and Father's Rights Website describing women-only library tables, for example, as "apartheid practices of excluding men".^[9] However, while organizations restricted to or geared towards only women are exclusive, they are not necessarily associated with the theories and political stance of separatist feminism.

Noteworthy separatist feminists

Separatism within the feminist movement enjoyed a peak in popularity during the 1970s. Organizations associated with separatist feminism include:

• Cell 16 (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Chicago Lesbian Liberation
• Collective Lesbian International Terrors
• The Killer Dyke
• The Furies Collective (Washington, D.C.)
• The Gorgons (California)
• The Lesbian Separatist Group (Seattle, Washington)
• The Lesbian-Feminist Center (Chicago, Illinois)
• Radicalesbians Revolutionary Lesbians (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
• Tribad (New York City, New York)
• Aristasia

Individuals associated with separatist feminism include:

• Rita Mae Brown, author and founder of The Furies Collective
• Charlotte Bunch, international human rights activist
• Mary Daly, theologian and former Boston College professor
• Andrea Dworkin, American author
• Charlotte Perkins Gilman, author of Herland
• Karla Jay, English professor and former member of the Gay Liberation Front
• Judy Grahn, American poet
• Sonia Johnson, American author and activist
• Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, American activists
• Kate Millett, author of Sexual Politics
• Adrienne Rich, American poet
• Jane Rule, Canadian author
• Linda Shear, American folksinger
• Barbara Smith, African-American activist
• Valerie Solanas, American writer and would be assassin
• Heidi Wyss, Swiss writer

References