One small word triggers an avalanche of indignation. In an attempt to avoid offending trans men and non-binary people, a British charity has suggested that the female genital organ should be referred to as a "bonus hole" - at least that's the media portrayal. Biological women who neither identify as transgender nor non-binary should also be referred to as “people with a bonus hole.”

This picture is currently making the rounds on social media!

Screenshot with the inscription “The trans scene now calls women, i.e. real women, “people with bonus holes”
Screenshot with the inscription “The trans scene now calls women, i.e. real women,
“people with bonus holes”

But wait – is that the whole truth? Obviously not. What we have here is a well-intentioned but non-binding proposal from an organization to use alternative terminology in medical care for transgender and non-binary people. There is no mention of a blanket demand to replace the word “vagina” with “bonus hole” in the glossary cited. A storm in a teacup develops so quickly.

It is a war of words that is sweeping across the middle ground of gender identity in Britain

The seemingly innocuous but controversial choice of words – “bonus hole” instead of “vagina” – has sparked a confusing debate that is dividing the nation and once again drawing attention to the need for non-discriminatory language.

ClaimsFact check
The term “bonus hole” is intended to be used as a universal term for the vagina of all women, including cisgender women.Incorrect . The term was introduced as an alternative, non-binding term by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust to support trans men and non-binary people.
The term “bonus hole” is misogynistic and offensive.Subjective . The term can be perceived as misogynistic or offensive, but it was introduced with the intention of supporting trans men and non-binary people.
The British Conservative Party portrays itself as a victim of a politically correct language agenda.Correct . The Conservative Party has actually positioned itself as a victim of an alleged left-wing society that wants to impose politically correct language.
The Conservative Party is cracking down on those who disagree while criticizing restrictions on freedom of expression.Correct . There are reports and examples of the Conservative Party taking strong action against dissent while speaking out against perceived attacks on freedom of expression.
The “bonus hole” vs “vagina” debate is an indicator of a wider “culture war” in Britain.Correct . This debate is part of a larger debate about issues such as gender identity, political correctness and social inclusion.

A quick look at the origin

Since 2020, the term “bonus hole ,” proposed as an alternative term for the vagina, has roamed the online sphere. The British charity Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust , known for its commitment to the medical care of trans and non-binary people, introduced the term in its glossary for healthcare professionals.

Suggesting this terminology does not mean that all women should suddenly be referred to as “people with bonus holes.” It is a sensitive language proposal to support trans men and non-binary people whose gender identity differs from that assigned at birth.

Outrage, culture war and the conservative resistance

Despite the good intentions behind the term's introduction, it sparked a wave of outrage among conservative commentators in Britain. Headlines like "The word 'vagina' is now so offensive we have to use the term 'bonus hole'" and "Is 'bonus hole' the craziest euphemism yet in the trans debate?"

These violent reactions are part of a larger “culture war” that permeates British politics. At its core, it is about the question of how open society should be to new concepts and terms in order to better represent and protect minority groups. Conservative voices see this as an exaggeration of political correctness, while activists and progressive voices emphasize the need to promote inclusive and respectful language.

Britain's Conservative Party, also known as the Tories, has announced that it will make this debate a central theme of its campaign for the 2024 general election. The party presents itself as a guardian of “real people” and attacks liberal charities and activists.

The context: conservative victimhood and double standards?

Despite their long reign in Great Britain, the Conservatives repeatedly present themselves as victims of a supposedly left-wing society that wants to impose politically correct language. However, this resistance to linguistic change is criticized by many as a double standard, as conservatives themselves are known for being harsh on dissenting opinions.

Conclusion: The “bonus hole” and beyond

The debate about the “bonus hole” is more than a discussion about word choice. It is a symptom of a deeper debate about acceptance, inclusion and the way we talk about gender. It is crucial that in this heated debate we do not lose sight of respect for individual identity and try to find a language that includes rather than excludes. The “culture war” may continue, but it is to be hoped that dialogue, empathy and understanding will prevail in the end.

Source: dpa.faktchecking

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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )