International Women’s Day (March 8) is over 100 years old, being first observed in 1911 by Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. It is now “a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.”
In recent years, however, organizations have appropriated this day to celebrate males who identify as women and/or to highlight trans rights. The following is a small sampling of messages from International Women’s Day 2020 on the one day of the year that should be a day exclusively about women:
- Changing “women” to the unpronounceable “womxn” and adding “trans” and “genderqueer” (Note: in English only; other languages referred exclusively to women, with correct spelling):
Womxn
Trans
Genderqueer
Femme
Mujer
女人
Mulher
женщина
Donna
Mwanamke
女性
Frau
Kadın
Γυναίκα
Կինը
Femina
महिला
Mulher
নারী
Vrouw
여자
Babae
Manਰਤ
النساءToday we celebrate every woman who resists patriarchy, insists on equality and persists for a better future. #IWD2020
— UN Women (@UN_Women) March 8, 2020
Happy International Women’s Day to every woman who is fighting for the country we want to live in. #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/RdCnwybbaT
— ACLU (@ACLU) March 8, 2020
- Declaring that “trans women are women”:
Happy #InternationalWomensDay! Today we're celebrating the achievements of women around the world – #trans women included! #IWD2020 #StandUp4HumanRights #TransIsBeautiful pic.twitter.com/tnbibnlgqD
— UN Free & Equal (@free_equal) March 8, 2020
Dahil #TransWomenAreWomen, suportahan natin itong screening ng @CallHerGanda via @therestisnoise_! Proceeds will go to a local trans org. Nagstart na sila ng 1pm pero baka may maabutan pa. Daliiii!#ArawNgKababaihan#IWD #IWD2020 #InternationalWomensDay https://t.co/XbSAXUs3sq
— 🌈Metro Manila Pride (@mmprideorg) March 7, 2020
- Highlighting transgender issues:
With her strong mobilization and media skills, Anastasiia is tirelessly fighting for transgender rights in Ukraine and helping countless transgender women along the way. https://t.co/ae5R8nydwW#GenerationEquality #IWD2020 pic.twitter.com/XSRM9ROIj3
— UN Women Europe & CIS (@unwomeneca) March 6, 2020
This #InternationalWomensDay we are raising #transawareness – come along to our event to find out more – https://t.co/CVXgMeRKWx#transgender #transinclusion #TransIsBeautiful #iwd2020 #eachforequal
— DiversiTech-Hub (@DiversitechH) February 26, 2020
- Celebrating “inspiring” transgender individuals who currently identify as women:
Kathryn Foss showed immense courage & determination beginning her transition as a transgender women in 2016 while serving as a member of the @CanadianForces. She now provides advice and assistance to diversity & transgender policy within the Forces. @KathrynFoss1#BecauseOfYou pic.twitter.com/ygmLOAhzZQ
— Women and Gender Equality Canada (@Women_Canada) March 7, 2020
Who inspires you?
Laverne Cox is a proud transgender woman who has made a positive impact on the lives of the LGBTQ+ Community, she inspires us.#InternationalWomensDay #InternationalWomensDay2020 #IWD #IWD2020 pic.twitter.com/x4NWbxyA11
— Coplus (@Coplus_UK) March 4, 2020
We welcome former officer of the British Army and transgender activist @hannahw253 to the screen to talk about the reciprocal value of equality #GBS2020 #EACHFOREQUAL #IWD2020 pic.twitter.com/ifMMjDV73P
— Women Ahead (@Women_Ahead) March 2, 2020
To all the beautiful trans women, we see you. 😍#EachforEqual #IWD2020 #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/xIA6G3hENU
— YWCA Edmonton (@YWCAEdmonton) March 5, 2020
A third of these are male. You couldn't find 30 women for IWD. Why bother at all?
— Siouxsie (keeper of the magical sorting hat)🤐🕸 (@SiouxsieAHF) March 8, 2020











We would really do well to reject Third Wave Feminism! They are allowing trans activists to move forward with their trans supremacy! If we are going to survive, then we have keep these trannies from participating in anything that has to do with women!
Yes! It’s ridiculous. I note that ‘only’ English speaking women have been told to really take a running jump this year. I’d love to be able to set up a rival women’s celebration. I’ve no idea how one might do that though… At any rate, I wouldn’t allow any men to directly participate. We’ve seen that it only leads to their hijacking the entire thing. What’s next I wonder?