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Eric Kaufmann is a Canadian conservative academic and anti-transgender activist based in the United Kingdom.

Kaufmann has prepared reports on sex and gender minorities for anti-trans publications Quillette and City Journal, as well as for anti-trans extremist Richard Hanania via Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology.

Background

Eric Peter Kaufmann was born 11 May 1970. Kaufmann’s parent Steve is a polyglot and diplomat. Kaufmann’s younger sibling Mark Kaufmann is a former hockey player and software developer.

Kaufmann attended Hillside Secondary, then earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Western Ontario in 1991. Kaufmann then attended The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), earning a master’s degree in 1994 and a doctorate in 1999.

Kaufman has studied transitions in politics, religion, and demography in Western cultures, particularly as it pertains to white populations and culture.

After teaching at University of Southampton from 1999 to 2003, Kaufmann served as Professor of Politics at Birkbeck, University of London from 2003 to 2023

Kaufmann left for the same appointment at University of Buckingham:

“After 20 years, I am leaving a full University of London professorship for the University of Buckingham. In January, I launch a new low-cost online course open to the public on Woke: the Origins, Dynamics and Implications of an Elite Ideology.

Why leave? My university’s uncertain financial position played a role, but I was also repelled by cancel culture and attracted by the chance to help build Buckingham as the only ‘free speech university’ in Britain.

Whereas the US has some 150 non-leftist research centres, nothing of this kind exists in Britain. In January I will therefore establish the Centre for Heterodox Social Science at Buckingham to pursue countercultural social science and humanities research.

Progressive conformity and cancel culture are distorting the teaching and research mission of universities. Between the extremely controversial and the progressive-controlled monoculture of academia is a vast and growing zone of unspoken truth.”

Kaufman (2023)

Anti-transgender activism

Kaufmann believes that being trans is a trend or social contagion that will eventually “peak.”

“Limiting the social spread of transgenderism (linked to worse life outcomes) is compatible with wanting truly transgender people to flourish. Those who insist the two are incompatible are committing an error known as the fallacy of composition.”

Kaufmann frequently appears in anti-trans platforms, including Debra Soh, Heterodox Academy, Coleman Hughes, Gad Saad, Matt Goodwin, Alex Kaschuta, Lotuseaters, and GBNews.

References

Kaufmann, Eric (May 29, 2022). Born This Way? The Rise of LGBT as a Social and Political Identity. Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology https://www.cspicenter.com/p/born-this-way-the-rise-of-lgbt-as-a-social-and-political-identity

Kaufmann, Eric (June 14, 2022). Progressivism, Sexuality, and Mental Illness. Quillette https://quillette.com/2022/06/14/progressivism-sexuality-and-mental-illness/

Staff report (May 31, 2022). Have we passed peak trans? UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/have-we-passed-peak-trans/

Kaufmann, Eric (June 5, 2023). Don’t Take This Personally: How the fallacy of composition produces policy failure. City Journal

Media

(Nov 7, 2022). Why are so many people identifying as LGBT? | Eric Kaufmann. Aporia Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYPeR-JYsaw

May 16, 2023 Eric Kaufmann | In Defense of Particularistic Nationalism | NatCon UK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVzUfl1RQU0

(Dec 16, 2022). Britain’s future is woke Canada if the Left wins culture war | Eric Kaufmann interview. The Telegraph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V3Ni8_8Z70

Connor Tomlinson (Dec 15, 2023). Are Demographics Destiny? | Interview with Eric Kaufmann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YWbKHXFhGU

CSPI Oct 24, 2022 Identity and Elite Polarization | Eric Kaufmann & Richard Hanania. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUoE3PjeA4E

Resources

Eric Kaufmann (sneps.net)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

The Spectator World (thespectator.com)

Greg Lukianoff is an American author, lawyer, and anti-transgender activist. Lukianoff leads the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a key resource for the “academic freedom” faction of anti-transgender activists.

Background

Gregory Christopher “Greg” Lukianoff was born in 1974 in New York City to Joanna Dalton Lukianoff and Basil Lukianoff. Lukianoff earned a bachelor’s degree from American University and a law degree from Stanford.

In 2012 Lukianoff married Michelle Aline LaBlanc (born 1977). Children Benjamin and Maxwell were born in ~2015 and ~2017.

Anti-transgender activism

In 2019 Lukianoff and Heterodox Academy founder Jonathan Haidt co-authored The Coddling of the American Mind.

They are key figures in promoting Alice Dreger’s cover-up of J. Michael Bailey’s fabricated “Danny Ryan” case report that got him tenure.

References

Lukianoff, Greg; Haidt, Jonathan (2019). The Coddling of the American Mind How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure. Penguin, ISBN

Staff report (October 14, 2012). Weddings: Michelle LaBlanc, Gregory Lukianoff. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/14/fashion/weddings/michelle-lablanc-gregory-lukianoff-weddings.html

Resources

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Dave Rubin is a conservative media figure.

Background

David Joshua Rubin was born on June 26, 1976 in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Syosset High School in 1994, Rubin earned a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University in 1998. Rubin pursued stand-up comedy and intered on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Rubin hosted the podcasts Hot Gay Comics, The Ben and Dave Show, and The Six Pack. Rubin amassed a large following on Twitter.

In 2013, Rubin began hosting The Rubin Report on The Young Turks Network, which later moved to RYOT News, then Ora TV. In 2014 Rubin hosted The Golden Girls Ultimate Fan Club.

Rubin came out in 2006 and married producer David Janet in 2015.

Views on LGBTQ+ politics

Rubin is part of the anti-progressive faction of anti-trans media figures.

In 2022, Rubin spoke out against rainbow logos for gay pride month.

Rubin’s Twitter account was suspended after retweeting Jordan Peterson’s misgendered actor Elliot Page.

Rubin said “If I found out a teacher talked to my 6-year-old about gender or sexuality, I might kill that person.”

References

Staff report (September 15, 2022). Dave Rubin: If I found out a teacher talked to my 6-year-old about gender or sexuality, “I might kill that person.” Media Matters for America https://www.mediamatters.org/google/dave-rubin-if-i-found-out-teacher-talked-my-6-year-old-about-gender-or-sexuality-i-might

Ortiz, Candice (September 16, 2022). Dave Rubin Declares if a Teacher Talked to His Kids About Gender and Sexuality He ‘Might Kill That Person'”. Mediaite https://www.mediaite.com/podcasts/dave-rubin-declares-if-a-teacher-talked-to-his-kids-about-gender-and-sexuality-he-might-kill-that-person/

Resources

Rubin Report (rubinreport.com)

Rubinville (rubinville.com) [archive: 2001–2009]

  • dailydave.rubinville.com [archive: 2008–2011]

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Locals (locals.com)

Rumble (rumble.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

IMDb (imdb.com)

Counterweight was an anti-transgender organization founded by Helen Pluckrose. The organization was active from 2021 to 2023.

People

The Counterweight website listed the following people:

  • Helen Pluckrose – Founder
  • Harriet Terrill – Director of Content
  • Isobel Marston
  • David Bernstein
  • Jodi Shaw
  • Lori K Oham
  • Laura Walker-Beaven
  • Jennifer Richmond

Media

Counterweight events and media included many key conservative and anti-trans figures, including:

2023 Closure

In 2023 Counterweight closed and recommended that supporters go instead to similar anti-trans organization Institute for Liberal Values.

Important Announcement

It is with heavy hearts that we have decided to close Counterweight. Thank you so much for your support and guidance throughout the past few years. Though we are closing, we see a hopeful future in the hands of other very capable organisations. We’ve worked closely with the Institute for Liberal Values, in particular, and see our mission live on through their advancement of liberalism, equality of opportunity, and justice. You can visit their website to access their support and resources here: ilvalues.org

References

Khazan, Olga (September 27, 2021). A Support Group for the Unwoke. The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/09/counterweight-cancel-culture-support-ground/620203/

Walden, Celia (February 17, 2021). Why I started an anti-woke helpline: Helen Pluckrose explains why she set up a service that helps to get people talking – and resolve conflicts. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/inside-counterweight-anti-woke-helpline-fighting-workplace-cancel/

Ames, Jonathan (October 15, 2021). I help thousands of Britons fight for social justice, says anti-woke campaigner Helen Pluckrose. The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-help-thousands-of-britons-fight-for-social-justice-says-anti-woke-campaigner-helen-pluckrose-fqg73dtd9

Resources

Counterweight (counterweightsupport.com) [archive: 2021 to early 2023]

Facebook (facebook.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Institute for Liberal Values (ilvalues.org)

Hold my Drink Podcast / Counterweight Podcast

Greg Gutfeld is a conservative media figure and anti-transgender activist.

Background

Gregory John Gutfeld was born September 12, 1964 in San Mateo, California. Gutfeld grew up Catholic and earned a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley 1987.

Gutfeld worked for Rodale Press titles Prevention and Men’s Health. In 2003, Gutfeld was fired as editor of Stuff, then was editor of Maxim for two years. From 2005 to 2008, Gutfeld wa s a contributor to The Huffington Post.

Gutfeld joined Fox News in 2007, hosting Red Eye. In 2011, Gutfeld joined panel show The Five. In 2015 Gufeld began hosting The Greg Gutfeld Show.

References

HRC (October 30, 2011). HRC to FOX News: Stop Employing Anti-LGBT Bigots. HRC https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/hrc-to-fox-news-stop-employing-anti-lgbt-bigots

Staff report (January 7, 2009). GLAAD lists worst anti-gay defamers of 2008. OUTvoices https://outvoices.us/amp/glaad-lists-worst-anti-gay-defamers-of-2008-2655385476

Gutfeld, Greg (June 14, 2023) Greg Gutfeld: Trans Is Everywhere. Gutfeld! / Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/video/6329380875112

Vaillancourt, William (March 23, 2023). Greg Gutfeld Wonders About Transgender Athlete’s ‘Junk’. The Daily Beast https://www.thedailybeast.com/greg-gutfeld-wonders-about-transgender-athletes-junk

Resources

Greg Gutfeld (ggutfeld.com)

Greg Gutfeld (ggutter.com) [archive]

(ontheroadwithgutfeld.com)

(http://gutfeld.unisonevents.com/)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Locals (locals.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Mark Steyn is a conservative media figure and anti-transgender activist.

Anti-transgender activism

According to GLAAD:

  • Referred to transgender activists as “Big Tr*nny”: “So, when Big Tr*nny came for [the Boy Scouts], they caved instantly, and admitted transgender cubs.”
  • Called a Canadian non-discrimination law protecting trans people an “Orwellian assault on the most fundamental language, the language which defines the two sexes.”
  • A critic of transgender youth in sports, insisting that trans competitors “wreck a statewide sport for all the other participants.”
  • Suggested transgender activism is “biological man’s” attempt to replace women: “But where else can a biological man’s natural genetic strength find an outlet in today’s world? All the physical jobs are being lost to automation, and all the non-physical ones—from hotshot lawyering to the paper-shuffling cubicle jobs in health-care administration—are better done by women. When it comes to being the breadwinner and the provider, women are better at being men. When it comes to the fashion catwalk and the beauty pageant and the female athletics track, men are better at being women. Sooner than you think, the swap will be complete.”
  • Demeaned presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren for saying she would include the voices of transgender youth: “[Voters] wanted actual, serious policy, and they are not interested in letting the 9-year-old transgender fly the plane. They understand all that rubbish for the gesture politics that it is.”

Resources

GLAAD (glaad.org)

Mark Steyn (steynonline.com)

-PrisonerOfWindsor.com
MarkSteynClub.com
MarkSteynCruise.com
MarkSteynShow.com

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Xenny Xu is a conservative American author, politician, and activist who opposes affirmative action policies and progressive transgender policies.

Background

Kenneth M. “Kenny” Xu was born on August 6, 1997 to Cheng Kenneth Xu and Weiguang Grace Zhang (both born 1967). Xu attended Princeton High School in Princeton, New Jersey. Xu applied to Princeton University for college but was rejected. Xu believes this was due to policies that penalize applicants of Asian descent.

Xu earned a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College in 2019. While there, Xu interened at Young America Foundation and Heritage Foundation.

Xu is involved in activism opposing affirmative action, founding Color Us United and serving on the board of Students for Fair Admissions, the group that prevailed in a landmark 2023 Supreme Court ruling against Harvard over race-based admission policies.

Xu has authored books, including:

  • Trisk (2013)
  • An Inconvenient Minority: The Harvard Admissions Case and the Attack on Asian American Excellence (2021)=
  • School of Woke: How Critical Race Theory Infiltrated American Schools and Why We Must Reclaim Them (2023)

Anti-trans activism

Xu has stated opposition to healthcare for trans and gender diverse youth, as well as opposition for sex education until after many students have reached puberty. Xu stated:

Most Americans and I are supportive of topics around sexuality to be out of the classroom until at least middle school. But transgender care outfits like UNC Health and ECU Health claim to “work with schools” to identity kids who are eligible for their transitioning clinics.

Xu has appeared on several shows with anti-trans hosts, including Tim Pool, Megyn Kelly, Robby Soave, Lauren Chen, Debra Soh, Peter Boghossian, Allie Beth Stuckey, Christopher Rufo, Benjamin Boyce, Vivek Ramaswamy, James Lindsay, Charles Murray, Tucker Carlson, Jonathan Kay, and Sebastian Gorka.

Xu is an advisor to anti-trans group Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism.

References

Xu, Kenny (December 16, 2021 ) Elite Winsor Girls School In Boston Moving Away From Calling Girls “Girls.” Legal Insurrection https://legalinsurrection.com/2021/12/elite-winsor-girls-school-in-boston-moving-away-from-calling-girls-girls/

Resources

Kenny Xu for Congress (kennyxuforcongress.com)

Color Us United (colorusunited.org)

Students for Fair Admissions (studentsforfairadmissions.org)

Inconvenient Minority (inconvenientminority.com) [unsecure]

Twitter (twitter.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Andy NgĂ´ is an American writer and anti-transgender activist. NgĂ´’s coverage of trans topics consistently depicts trans people in a negative light.

NgĂ´’s writing has appeared many anti-trans publications, including Quillette and The Post Millennial.

Background

Andy Cuong NgĂ´ was born on April 6, 1986 and grew up in Portland, Oregon. NgĂ´ earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 2009.

NgĂ´ came out as gay around age 30.

In 2015, NgĂ´ enrolled in graduate school at Portland State University. NgĂ´ was fired from student newspaper Portland State Vanguard in 2017 after allegedly misrepresenting statements made at a protest.

NgĂ´ organized or filmed campus appearances of:

NgĂ´ covered leftist student protests at Evergreen State University. After that, NgĂ´ became well-known for covering Antifa activity in the Pacific Northwest. NgĂ´ would frequently attend protests and publish mugshots of those arrested. NgĂ´ is author of the 2021 book Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy.

Anti-transgender activism

NgĂ´ was suspended from Twitter in 2019 for a tweet disputing rates of violence against trans people.

In 2021, Ngo revealed that sex offender Darren Agee Merager was the suspect in an incident at Wi Spa in Los Angeles. Merager identifies as a trans woman and was accused by Wi Spa guests of indecent exposure while nude in a sex-segregated part of the spa. The incident was initially declared a hoax by some people who covered it, and it led to tense protests.

NgĂ´ hosted the podcast Things You Should Ngo and has appeared as a guest on many anti-trans shows, including shows by or with Tucker Carlson, Dave Rubin, Peter Boghossian, Allen West, Michael Malice, Charlie Kirk, Adam Carolla, Laura Ingraham, Megyn Kelly, Glenn Beck, Konstantin Kisin, Francis Foster, Jennifer Bilek, Drew Pinsky, Dan Crenshaw, Jesse Kelly, Tim Pool, Julia Hartley-Brewer, Jordan Peterson, Kennedy, Lotuseaters, Maajid Nawaz, Brandi Kruse, Sebastian Gorka, Joe Rogan, Bret Weinstein, Wilfred Reilly, Eric Weinstein, Greg Gutfeld, Ben Shapiro, and Debra Soh.

NgĂ´ has reported from anti-trans events like the LGB Alliance conference and has interviewed many anti-trans figures, including:

References

Griffin, Anna (February 8, 2018). For Immigrants’ Son, Vietnam Trip Led To More Conservative Worldview. Oregon Public Broadcasting https://www.opb.org/news/series/racenw/immigrants-vietnam-oregon-conservative-worldview/

Gais, Hannah (September 11, 2019). The Making of Andy Ngo. Jewish Currents https://jewishcurrents.org/the-making-of-andy-ngo/

Gupta, Arun (August 2019). Portland’s Andy Ngo Is the Most Dangerous Grifter in America. Jacobin https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/08/andy-ngo-right-wing-antifa-protest-portland-bigotry

Dickson, EJ (September 3, 2019). How a Right-Wing Troll Managed to Manipulate the Mainstream Media. Rolling Stone https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/andy-ngo-right-wing-troll-antifa-877914/

Urquhart, Evan (June 14, 2023) Did Andy Ngo coin “TRANTIFA”? Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/did-trantifa-originate-with-andy-ngo

Bernstein, Joseph (July 18, 2019). Andy Ngo Has The Newest New Media Career. It’s Made Him A Victim And A Star. BuzzFeed News https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/josephbernstein/andy-ngo-portland-antifa

Work by NgĂ´ and supporters

Ngo, Andy (May 12, 2017). Fired for Reporting the Truth. National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/05/free-speech-islam-portland-state-vanguard-editor-fired-tweets/

NgĂ´, Andy (September 2, 2021). Sex offending suspect claims transgender harassment in Wi Spa case. New York Post https://nypost.com/2021/09/02/charges-filed-against-sex-offender-in-wi-spa-casecharges-filed-against-sex-offender-in-notorious-wi-spa-incident/ [alt headline: Charges filed against Darren Agee Merager in Wi Spa case]

Ngô, Andy (September 17, 2021). Wi Spa suspect still at large — has history of indecent exposure and masturbation. New York Post https://nypost.com/2021/09/17/wi-spa-suspect-still-at-large-has-history-of-indecent-exposure-and-masturbation/

Herzog, Katie (December 7, 2018). Anti-Racist Protesters Harass Gay Asian-American Journalist. The Stranger https://www.thestranger.com/politics/2018/12/07/36874512/anti-racist-protesters-harass-gay-asian-american-journalist

Singal, Jesse (September 3, 2021). Some Mainstream Outlets Can’t Even Perform Basic Newsgathering Functions Anymore: How Andy Ngo’s coverage of the Wi Spa controversy humiliated Slate, The Guardian, and other outlets. Singal-Minded https://jessesingal.substack.com/p/some-mainstream-outlets-cant-even

Media

Peter Boghossian (May 30, 2023). Moving the Needle on Gender Ideology (with Peter Boghossian, Billboard Chris, Andy Ngo, Savanah Hernandez, Matt Thornton, & Honey Badger Mom) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLtd6NhxFbc

Resources

Andy Ngo (andy-ngo.com)

Locals (ngolocals.com)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Patreon (patreon.com)

SubscribeStar (subscribestar.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

The Federalist (thefederalist.com)

  • Andy Ngo
  • thefederalist.com/tag/andy-ngo

“Michael Malice” is the stage name of Michael Krechmer, a Ukrainian-American podcaster and troll who frequently platforms conservative and anti-transgender guests.

Background

Michael Schock Krechmer was born on July 12, 1976 in Lviv. Krechmer’s family came to the US about two years later, settling in New York City.

In 2000, Krechmer co-founded the blog Overheard in New York.

Anti-transgender activism

In 2017, Krechmer began hosting the podcast Your Welcome. Conservative and ati-trans guests include:

References

Pekar, Harvey (2006). Ego & Hubris: The Michael Malice Story. Ballantine, ISBN 978-0345479396

Malice, Michael (2019). The New Right: A Journey to the Fringe of American Politics. St. Martin’s Press, ISBN 9781250154668.

Resources

Michael Malice (michaelmalice.com)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Iinstagram (instagram.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Erec Smith is an American academic and anti-transgender activist. Smith’s work opposing progressive racial policies and views overlaps with people and groups opposing progressive gender policies and views, including:

Background

Smith earned a doctorate from University of Illinois Chicago in 2002. Smith began teaching at York College of Pennsylvania.

Free Black Thought

Smith co-founded Free Black Thought, a group of “heterodox” academics who oppose progressive policies and positions regarding race. They produce a Substack newsletter and podcast.

  • Michael DC Bowen
  • Dave Gilbert
  • Tabia Lee
  • Jason Littlefield
  • Jake Mackey
  • Connie Morgan
  • Glenn C. Loury
  • John McWhorter

References

Smith, Erec (August 4, 2021). They Don’t Speak for Me: The need for free black thought in academia—and beyond. City Journal https://www.city-journal.org/article/they-dont-speak-for-me

Media

Institute for Liberal Values and Free Black Thought (September 28, 2021). AUTHENTICITY: ERASED & REPLACED, with Prof. Erec Smith, Angel Eduardo, and Zander Keig. Host Jen Richmond https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg0v5y_7cQE

Resources

Twitter (twitter.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Free Black Thought (freeblackthought.com)

Substack (substack.com)

Cato Institute (https://www.cato.org/people/erec-smith)