A Twitter account impersonating a bogus transgender activist group purposefully targeted songs like Aretha Franklin’s 1968 hit “Natural Woman” to incite outrage toward the LBGTQ community.
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The troll Twitter account TCMA: Trans Cultural Mindful Alliance tweeted about “Natural Woman,” claiming that the song perpetuated harmful anti-trans stereotypes. It reads,“Aretha Franklin’s 1968 song “Natural Woman” perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes. There is no such thing as a “natural” woman. This song has helped inspire acts of harm against transgender women. TCMA is requesting it is removed from Spotify & Apple Music.” Despite a follow-up tweet stating that their entire account is satire, the tweet went viral and sparked outrage.
Aretha Franklin’s 1968 song “Natural Woman” perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes.
There is no such thing as a “natural” woman.
This song has helped inspire acts of harm against transgender women.
TCMA is requesting it is removed from Spotify & Apple Music.
— TCMA: Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (@TransMindful) January 20, 2023
As you now have probably figured out, this is satire and not actually serious.
Enjoy this beautiful rendition of “Natural Woman” done in tribute to Aretha by @MsPattiPatti and @ChakaKhan.https://t.co/qUSqnXIoNr
— TCMA: Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (@TransMindful) January 23, 2023
One user, @gofinyourself, wrote, “Imagine hating trans people so much that you go online and cosplay as a trans activist group because you know conservative news outlets will eat this up and use it as ammo in their attacks on trans people.”
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“Founded January 2023”
Account was created in 2009.
Just saying…obvious troll account is obvious. https://t.co/qRxhJwZkf3
— Bare(back) Necessities (@angryblkhoemo) January 23, 2023
So some ppl took a tweet from a parody account & ran with it… can y’all do some research before you start spreading this kind of stuff? https://t.co/pn8J1UoJhQ pic.twitter.com/v5bRn5BoT8
— The Wild Wild Breast (@Sleeee_33) January 24, 2023
The viral tweet even reached celebrities who commented on the tweet and believed the troll account was intentionally targeting biological women. Comedian D.L. Hughley created an Instagram post regarding the matter and said no one’s rights should be infringed based on a song.
“That song was written in 19MF68!!!STOP!! Freedom to identify or classify or assign whatever you feel like is YOUR RIGHT, cool… but NO ONE’S RIGHTS SHOULD INFRINGE ON ANY ONE ELSE’S, ESPECIALLY HOW THEY “FEEL” (LIKE THE SONG SAYS) !! Contrary to what I guess is unpopular opinion, there IS such a thing as a natural woman. Nothing about this song WRITTEN OVER HALF A CENTURY AGO has anything to do with hate or harm to anyone. This was a song about love and affection. Is nothing sacred anymore?“
The Twitter account responded to the backlash and said they were shocked that media outlets didn’t do their research to see that it was a parady account.
I am STUNNED that not a single media outlet who reported on the Aretha Franklin tweet even ATTEMPTED to contact this account for comment.
Based on the sheer ridiculousness of the content on this page, how could JOURNALISTS not comprehend that this is parody/satire. https://t.co/8xTKnil1vs
— TCMA: Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (@TransMindful) January 23, 2023