it's not *become* a dog whistle, its entire purpose is as a dog whistle.

seriously, prior to 2015 the term had been used exactly once on here. it's a term that's been invented *purely* to justify trans exclusion. https://twitter.com/notCursedE/status/1255434976608358400

after that, the next two instances seem to be people arguing against gender equality/feminism in favour of egalitarianism? idk, it's difficult to tell without knowing the accounts or what they were like 5 years ago.

here's where things get relevant again, though. in late 2015 it became a bit of a buzz phrase for the founder of anti trans campaign group transgender trend.

also, a disgracefully late manual RT that originated from... another anti-trans activist.

through the beginning of 2016 it was still a term pretty much exclusive to anti-trans activists arguing for trans exclusion. you'll probably recognise a few of the avatars here.

some interesting developments towards the end of 2016 though!

the first interesting development is that after 10 years, we finally have our first person using on twitter using the term to argue for a feminist position!

well done doctor caroline!

now i haven't been keeping score but i think that makes it roughly 87 arguing for trans exclusion vs 1 not arguing for trans exclusion.

the second interesting development is... uh oh. there are now as many people using the term in a context that has nothing to do with trans people as there are evangelical pastors using it.