Argument Submitted by: D.B., PhD

Person A: “Transwomen are not women.”

Person B: “You don’t think transpeople exist? There are tons of people with gender dysphoria.”

Person A: “Well yes, they exist, but—”

Person B: “So then you believe transpeople exist. Therefore, transwomen are women and transmen are men.”

This is a great example of Equivocation. Equivocation occurs when the same term changes meaning throughout the course of an argument to reach a dubious conclusion. Equivocation can be an effective rhetorical strategy since it can fluster an opponent by simply confusing him/her. Equivocation is made even easier when a term is poorly defined, vague or encompasses several meanings to begin with.

In the case of the example above, Person B is using the word “transpeople” to mean “individuals with gender dysphoria,” which is an undeniable psychological condition. Person B then changes the meaning of “transpeople” to “individuals whose gender identity is what they say it is,” which is a much stronger assertion of fact.

To counter equivocation, it is usually best to simply note that it has happened and insist that meaning be kept consistent.