Josephine Livingstone criticizes the lack of complexity and intersectional analysis in the #MeToo movement. Noting the relative invisibility of women of color and working-class women in the movement, she also argues that
Trans, nonbinary, and non-conforming gender identities have been shunted to the side. The Office for Victims of Crime describes how transgender people experience “shockingly high levels of sexual abuse and assault” of between 50 percent and 66 percent. In the ongoing war between those who advocate for trans visibility in feminism and those who think that advocacy detracts from the mission of protecting ciswomen, #MeToo became another hot topic. Trans-exclusionary feminists in America are happy to tweet #MeToo, while downplaying the need for trans women to have access to safe bathrooms in their own workplaces.
Does this seem a fair critique to you? Why or why not?
I do believe that this a fair critique made by Josephine Livingstone. The #MeToo movement has been very successful in bringing sexual harassment to the forefront of conversation in the United States, yet it fails to advocate for the protection of Trans, nonbinary, non-conforming gender identities, women of color, etc. in its message. Gabriel Arkles goes into depth on this lack of advocacy in the article, “Making Space for Trans People in the #MeToo Movement”. Arkles talks in depth about the fact that these groups are disproportionately subject to sexual harassment and violence, yet they are pushed aside by the #MeToo Movement. Arkles also notes that over 10% of trans people have done sex work, and how much larger the risk of sexual violence is for those that are sex workers. Not only this, but there is also a lack of support for Trans people who have suffered from sexual harassment. Arkles cites stories of victims who were turned away from services because their voice was too deep. From this it seems evident that there is a lack of complexity in the advocacy of the #MeToo movement, and that those who receive the most support are straight, white women.