Claire Lehmann is an Australian writer and anti-transgender activist. Lehmann is a key figure in the so-called intellectual dark web, described as a gateway to the far right. Lehmann is founding editor of anti-trans publication Quillette, also classified a pathway to right-wing radicalization.
Background
Claire (Jensen) Lehmann was born on July 18, 1985 and grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. Lehmann earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Adelaide in 2010. Jensen married Harold M. “Harry” Lehmann at age 27 and dropped out of graduate school when their first child was born in 2013.
Lehmann worked from 2011 to 2014 as a Policy Research Assistant at Australian College of Nursing and from 2015 to 2016 as a communications officer at National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.
Lehmann has contributed to other anti-trans publications, including Rebel News, The Australian, The Dispatch, and Colin Wright’sReality’s Last Stand.
Anti-transgender activism
Lehmann founded Quillette in October 2015. It was incorporated in Australia as Quillette Pty Ltd in 2018.
Lehman profiled anti-trans psychologist Lee Jussim in 2015.
Lehmann began writing for alt-right publication Rebel News in 2017.
Lehmann, Claire (April 24, 2017). “Transgender is the new black”: More teens than ever want to “try out” a different sex. A Brisbane psychiatrist who works in a gender clinic has reported that many adolescents are now coming to him with the aim of “trying out” transgenderism. Rebel Media https://www.therebel.media/_transgender_is_the_new_black_teens_beg_to_try_out_a_different_sex [archive]
Lehmann, Claire (May 16, 2017). Platform for misandrist “screeds” ends, with death of feminist Fairfax Media. Rebel Media https://www.therebel.media/platform_for_misandrist_screeds_ends_with_death_of_feminist_fairfax_media [archive]
Lehmann, Claire (May 7, 2017). Nick Gillespie: Today’s universities are “constipated and stultified.” Rebel Media https://www.therebel.media/no_longer_a_place_for_dangerous_ideas_universities_constipated_and_stultified [archive]
Lehmann, Claire (May 2, 2017). Third wave feminist hypocrisy: “Deep down, they know they’re wrong” Daisy Cousens, freelance writer for the Spectator Australia and Quadrant Magazine, is a critic of third wave feminism. Rebel Media https://www.therebel.media/third_wave_feminist_hypocrisy_deep_down_they_know_they_re_wrong [archive]
Lehmann, Claire (April 13, 2017). Transgender athletes crush females: It’s “violence against women.” Last month, New Zealand transgender weight lifter Laurel Hubbard dominated, setting records in the women’s international competition held in Melbourne Australia. Rebel Media https://www.therebel.media/transgender_athletes_crush_females_it_s_violence_against_women [archive]
Lehmann, Claire (April 7, 2017). Here’s the real reason banks are suddenly launching “social justice” campaigns: HSBC has just announced that they will be offering their customers 10 gender neutral pronouns for their trans and non gender binary customers. Rebel Media https://www.therebel.media/here_s_the_real_reason_banks_are_suddenly_launching_social_justice_campaigns [archive]
Lehmann, Claire (February 27, 2017). How Libertarian Students Can Save Universities From Victimhood Culture. Rebel Media https://www.therebel.media/how_libertarian_students_can_save_universities_from_victimhood_culture [archive]
Lehmann, Claire (February 13, 2017). Why the old Left was better than the new Left. Rebel Media https://www.therebel.media/how_new_left_abandoned_old_left_s_fight_to_defend_liberal_values [archive]
Lehmann, Claire (May 29, 2015*). Feminism Must Be Reclaimed From Radicals.Quillette http://quillette.com/2015/05/29/feminism-must-be-reclaimed-from-radicals/ *note: this date is prior to the blog’s October 2015 founding.
Network State Podcast with Balaji Srinivasan and Claire Lehmann (July 16, 2025). Claire Lehmann on the Internet Century. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCoegnhTaDs
Quillette is an anti-transgender media organization that includes a group blog and podcasts. It is a key historic platform for conservative trans people and anti-transgender activists.
Ad Fontes finds that Quillete “skews right” politically. Media Bias / Fact Check rates Quillette right-wing and “low credibility.”
Columbia Journalism Reviewnoted that Quillette is among “the worst offenders in the disinformation world,” adding that it is “the right wing’s highly influential answer to Slate. Lehmann publishes members of the “intellectual Dark Web”—academics, journalists, and tech entrepreneurs who defend debunked race, gender, and climate science.”
Quillette is a key publication within the so-called intellectual dark web, a group of reactionary academics and media figures that has been described as “a gateway to the far right.”
The show featured a number of other anti-transgender activists and people associated with the so-called intellectual dark web, a loose alliance described as a “gateway to the far right.”
Chris Elston is a Canadian anti-transgender activist. Elston is best known for purchasing or wearing signs with anti-transgender messages. Elston gets money and attention by trying to provoke responses from trans and gender-diverse people and their supporters. Elston has been arrested, banned from venues, and involved in numerous legal disputes.
Elston is one of several “parental rights” activists who appear in public holding or wearing anti-transgender signs, including January Littlejohn and “Sidewalk Steve.”
Background
Christopher David Elston was born in 1976. Elston has used a number of nicknames, including
Christoph Elston
Christophe Elston
Chris Elston
Billboard Chris
Elston’s spouse Sheree Lynn (Peacock) Elston earned a bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University in 2003, followed by a master’s degree in education from Simon Fraser in 2007. Sheree Elston was a schoolteacher before becoming an administrator at Semiahmoo Trail elementary school in South Surrey, British Columbia. The Elstons have been members of Village Church, an evangelical Christian church with a location in Surrey. Their older child Arya was born in 2010, followed by Mila. Both children are involved in the same local sport.
Scientology
Around age 20, Elston became involved in Scientology while traveling in Ireland. Elston joined the organization’s elite Sea Org, a group of Scientology’s most dedicated members, in March of 1996. Because of that zeal and fervor, Elston was soon assigned to the Church of Scientology’s Saint Hill Manor property in East Grinstead, West Sussex. The location is called Scientology’s Advanced Organization & Saint Hill United Kingdom. It is an 18th-century manor originally purchased by L. Ron Hubbard in 1959 and later renovated as a Scientology museum. Elston was reportedly assigned to run the Hubbard Communications Office (HCO) in the Continental Liaison Office (CLO).
In June 1997, Elston was a witness to the death of 17-year-old Sea Org member Russell Dienes. Elston was part of a car procession hurrying to work at Saint Hill. Dienes pulled in front of an oncoming truck, causing Dienes’ death and the serious injury of teen passengers Thilo Gnass and Frederik Zengel.
Elston remained with Scientology for almost two years:
I joined the Sea Org in March 96, worked their 100 hour weeks and escaped in the middle of the night Dec. 98 when I was told I couldn’t go home on a visit to see my parents. Passport and plane ticket had been seized.
Elston returned to Canada and reportedly was the subject of an “SP Declare,” a document outlining why Scientology designates Elston as a Suppressive Person, or Anti-Social Personality. Elston has been involved in anti-Scientology activism ever since.
Insurance career
After moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, Elston took a job as an investment advisor at Canaccord Capital (later named Canaccord Financial, now called Canaccord Genuity). Elston worked there from 2001 to 2008, then was a Financial Advisor at Raymond James from 2008 to 2014. After founding Elston Insurance Agency in 2014 and selling insurance, Elston began generating significant income and media coverage from anti-transgender activism. After Elston’s insurance license expired in 2022, Elston began doing anti-trans activism full-time.
Anti-transgender activism
Elston pivoted from anti-Scientology activism to anti-transgender activism following several controversies in the Vancouver area.
Jessica Yaniv aka Jessica Simpson
Elston got involved in several controversies related to Jessica Yaniv, now known as Jessica Simpson, a frequent litigant who used anti-discrimination laws to bring numerous complaints against local businesses. Simpson identifies as transgender and brought many complaints against waxing practitioners who would not wax Simpson’s genitals.
In December 2020, the Western Standard reported that the Langley Royal Canadian Mounted Police had charged Simpson with mischief and uttering threats in relation to an incident in October 2020 concerning Elston.
I ♥ JK ROWLING
Elston met nurse and anti-transgender extremist Amy Hamm at a Simpson hearing. They began purchasing billboards with the slogan “I ♥ JK ROWLING,” a reference to British author J. K. Rowling’s anti-transgender activism. British anti-trans extremist Posie Parker had purchased similar out-of-home ads. Elston’s first one was taken down following complaints. Elston got the nickname “Billboard Chris” soon after.
Elston has been arrested for disturbing the peace after showing up to pro-trans events wearing provocative anti-transgender messages like “Gender ideology does not belong in schools,” and “No child is born in the wrong body,” and “Children cannot consent to puberty blockers.” Elston is no longer allowed on the street around the Vancouver art gallery where Elston was arrested.
Elston’s goal is to be verbally or physically assaulted, which has happened several times. Elston then uses video of those encounters to get money and attention.
“Christophe Elston, the transphobic insurance agent who hangs out with known fascist “John Southern,” showed up to yesterday’s Mi’kmaw solidarity rally for some reason. He was briefly detained by the VPD, and had his “I ♥ JK Rowling” sandwich board taken away.”
Christophe Elston, the transphobic insurance agent who hangs out with known fascist "John Southern," showed up to yesterday's Mi'kmaw solidarity rally for some reason.
Naylor, Dave (December 31, 2020). Transgender activist Yaniv wanted by police in BC. The Western Standard. Wildrose Media Corp. [archive] https://www.westernstandardonline.com/2020/12/transgender-actvist-yaniv-wanted-by-police-in-bc/
Cupp, Anne Renner (March 26, 2018). [Scientology discussion page] https://www.facebook.com/groups/1097697983669219/posts/1407298826042465/?comment_id=1407325562706458&reply_comment_id=1408239902615024
“Chris Elston ingratiates himself to people to gather personal information on them and the moment they cross him, it gets splashed across the internet. He’s a known serial offender and it’s always women. Always. Ginger has been hoodwinked by a master at his craft. I was too, once. […] Maybe her new BFF who is a financial advisor should coach her on that, when he’s not too busy harassing other women.”
Eva Kurilova is a Canadian anti-transgender activist. Kurilova identifies as a TERF and has been affiliated with anti-trans extremist groups Gays Against Groomers and LGB United. Kurilova has contributed to anti-trans group blogs and Substack newsletters, including Gender Dissent, Reality’s Last Stand, and The Distance.
Background
Kurilova lives in Calgary, Alberta and earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Calgary in 2013.
Anti-trans activism
In 2022, Kurilova signed an open letter supporting anti-trans extremist Amy Hamm.
Kurilova is part of the LGB separatist movement. In 2024, Kurilova told conservative Canadian publication True North:
“I’m a very gender non-conforming person, and I was that way as a child… I was a tomboy,” she said. “I really really worry and fear that if I was a child today, I would be a prime candidate for transition, for teachers and counsellors and doctors to tell me, ‘you know you can be a boy.’ That’s kind of why I have a very strong personal investment in these issues, and why I want to help protect kids.”
It Is MA’AM! with K Carnelian, Mel, and Eva Kurilova (September 1, 2023). It is MA’AM! Ep. 010 Eva Kurilova. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64XpRZIri4
Wesley Yang is an author and anti-transgender extremist. Yang has written for several anti-trans publications, including Tablet and The Guardian. Yang is affiliated with anti-trans hate groupGenspect.
Background
Yang was born on October 3, 1974 and grew up in New Jersey.
Yang attended Rutgers University from 1993 to 1997. Yang began freelance writing in 2005. From 2011 to 2013, Yang was a contributing editor at New York. Since 2017 Yang has been a columnist at Tablet. In 2018 Yang became a contributing editor at Esquire.
Yang is author of the 2018 book The Souls of Yellow Folk: Essays. That book includes Yang’s provocative 2008 piece on mass shooter Seung-Hui Cho.
Yang coined the term “successor ideology.,” which was popularized by other reactionary centrists and conservatives. Yang describes it as “authoritarian Utopianism that masquerades as liberal humanism while usurping it from within.”
In 2022 Yang, spouse, and child were living in Montreal.
Anti-transgender activism
Yang got explicity involved in anti-transgender activism in around 2022 through Jesse Singal, Lisa Selin Davis, and “Eliza Mondegreen.” Yang cites anti-trans activism in Sweden and Finland as what finally provided cover for coming out as anti-trans. Yang walked around with anti-trans extremist “Billboard Chris” and found that nearly everyone agreed with the anti-trans messages Billboard Chris wears, yet still claims that anti-trans views are “heterodox.” Yang also had an extensive conversation with anti-trans extremist Leor Sapir.
Year Zero with Wesley Yang, Joey Brite and a Christian Homeschooling Mother (November 10, 2022). You’re never gonna be a man. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNi9HpaE4y8
Lesbian and Gay News was an anti-transgender publocation in operation from February 2021 to March 2023.
Background
Merrywell London Ltd. and BM Payments Services Limited
Many readers will know that LGN came into being as a result of its editor, David Bridle, who is also the owner of Boyz magazine, tweeting a request that asked people to give LGB Alliance a fair hearing before coming to a judgement about them.
“The censorious groupthink of a LGBTQIA+ mindset has closed down wider discussion and investigation. It has closed down much responsible lesbian and gay current affairs and commentary. But now we hope Lesbian and Gay News will help resurrect that journalism.”
“The constituency of GC LGB activists is still small, and there was no way we were going to be able to flourish unless LGB Alliance kept us in the loop, continued to actively promote us, and regularly provided us with information and material to publish relating to their activities and planned activities. As time progressed, it became clear that we were overwhelmingly being kept at arm’s length – notwithstanding some tokenistic gestures that fell far short of what we needed.”
People
The following people had bylines or were cited or reprinted in LGN:
“Mia Hughes” (November 21, 2021). A guide to peaking the woke. https://lesbianandgaynews.com/2021/11/a-guide-to-peaking-the-woke-by-an-lgn-reader-most-people-have-no-idea-of-the-harm-that-lies-beneath-the-rainbow-flags-and-the-seemingly-innocuous-mantras/
(March 27, 2022). Announcement from the LGN Management Team: Lesbian and Gay News is closing https://lesbianandgaynews.com/2022/03/announcement-from-the-lgn-management-team-lesbian-and-gay-news-is-closing/
Resources
Lesbian and Gay News (lesbianandgaynews.com) [archive]
Alex Gutentag is an American writer and anti-transgender activist. Gutentag is associated with anti-trans activist Michael Shellenberger.
Background
Alexandra Kyra Ryan-Gutentag was born on September 6, 1990 to Eduardo Gutentag (born 1947) and Constance “Connie” Ryan (born 1950). Gutentag grew up in Oakland, California and earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University.
Gutentag worked in special education for eight years in New York City and was a Special Day Class teacher in Oakland Unified Schools before becoming a writer.
Gutentag has written for Tablet and Compact. Gutentag collaborated with Shellenberger at the organization Environmental Progress and on The Twitter Files reports into the platform’s COVID misinformation policies.
Anti-transgender activism
Gutentag has written anti-trans work for Public, a reflection of founder Michael Shellenberger’s immersion into anti-trans activism.
Leighton Woodhouse is an American writer, filmmaker, and anti-transgender activist. Woodhouse is closely associated with anti-trans extremists Michael Shellenberger and Bari Weiss. Woodhouse is a co-founder of anti-trans Substack Public and has written for Tablet and The Free Press.
Background
Leighton Akio Woodhouse was born on February 3, 1975 and grew up in Berkeley, California. After graduating from Berkeley High School in 1993, Woodhouse earned a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in 1997. Woodhouse earned a master’s degree from UC Berkeley in 2006.
As an adult, Woodhouse replaced the middle name Akio with Akira.
Woodhouse was a union organizer for SEIU United Healthcare Workers West. Woodhouse then worked at Brave New Films before becoming communications director for the National Union of Healthcare Workers.
Woodhouse led the voter mobilization group Driving Votes. Woodhouse has written for The Huffington Post and Calitics.
Woodhouse and spouse Carolina De La Paz Aparicio (born 1986) have one child (born 2020).
References
Woodhouse, Leighton (December 9, 2021). When the Crime Wave Hits Your Family.The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/when-the-crime-wave-hits-your-family
Their record on fairly covering transgender people is spotty, and they have not had a transgender journalist on their masthead or staff since 1848.
The Atlantic is one of several “centrist” publications with an unusually high proportion of trans-skeptical and anti-transgender staffers and contributors, including Jeffrey Goldberg, David Frum, Scott Stossel, Adrienne LaFrance, Don Peck, Swati Sharma, Denise Kersten Wills, Sarah Yager, Adrienne Green, Hanna Rosin, Olga Khazan, Conor Friedersdorf, Helen Lewis, Michael Powell, and Emily Yoffe.
Contributors
Chris Bodenner
TRANSGENDER DEBATE (2016)
Why Is the T in LGBT?
Will Trans Servicemembers Be as Controversial as the Bathroom Issue?
Could the Transgender Debate Lead to Pay Toilets?
What Makes a Man or a Woman?
What About Transgender Women in Women’s Shelters?
Is the ‘Trans Lobby’ Disproportionately Strong?
Why Not a Private Restroom for Everyone?
‘Trans Issues Are Not Left/Right’
Is the Transgender Movement a Spiritual One?
Much Ado About Genitalia
Does the Left Have a Smug Problem?
Gillian Branstetter
Sketchy Pharmacies Are Selling Hormones to Transgender People (2016)
Garrett Epps
How Birth Certificates Are Being Weaponized Against Trans People (2018)
Ashley Fetters
How Pediatricians Fail Gender-Nonconforming Kids (2018)
Lori Gottlieb
Dear Therapist: I Love My Trans Daughter, but I’m Still Struggling (2020)
Emma Green
The Culture War Over ‘Pregnant People’ (2021)
Jenny Hall
Coming Out as Transgender Made Me a More Effective CIA Officer (2017)