“Rio Veradonir” / Peter Baumann vs. transgender people

“Rio Veradonir” is the pen name of Peter A. Baumann, an American writer and anti-transgender activist. Baumann is editor-in-chief of anti-trans group blog Queer Majority. Baumann is an advisor to anti-trans group Institute for Liberal Values and is a lead organizer for the anti-trans American Institute of Bisexuality.

Background

Peter Alan “Pete” Baumann was born on July 6, 1984. Baumann’s parent Peter Edward Baumann is an author and golfing entrepreneur. Baumann attended Southern Oregon University.

Both parent and child were involved in International Golf Services, Inc. (I.G.S.), Probe Golf, and Reciprocal Golf, which made putters. When the elder Baumann announced plans to sell the concern, a number of unhappy investors and distributors warned others of getting involved.

In the 2010 book Love Was Not Enough, Baumann’s parent Peter E. Baumann mentions “The author’s son Pete (professional name Rio Veradonir) and Pete’s fiancé, Talia.” In a press release for the film Spin of Fabrications, directed by the child and financed by the parent, it notes: “IGS, Inc. (dba Reciprocal Golf), producers of the new much talked about independent film Spin of Fabrications, by Rio Veradonir. […] Three years after writing Spin of Fabrications, Veradonir asked his Dad, president of IGS, Inc., if he would cover the costs of producing his film.”

Show notes for a 2019 podcast appearance listed Baumann as “Rio ‘Riopublican’ Veradonir.”

Baumann is married to Talia Squires and in a long-term relationship with Damian Emba, both of whom also write for Queer Majority,

References

Christian, M. (January 5, 2022). About the Editor: Rio Veradonir. Queer Majority https://www.queermajority.com/about-the-editor-sub/about-the-editor-rv

Press release (May 15, 2009). Producer of Independent Film SPIN OF FABRICATIONS, by Rio Veradonir, announces Church Group wants 4,000 DVDs. https://www.1888pressrelease.com/producer-of-independent-film-spin-of-fabrications-by-rio-ve-pr-119539.html

Baumann, Peter Edward (2010). Love Was Not Enough. Trafford Publishing, ISBN 9781426928390

Curci, Mark A. (May 31, 2007). Rio Veradonir and the path to universal truth. Ashland Daily Tidings http://archive.dailytidings.com/2007/0531/stories/adt31artist.php [archive]

Selected writing by Baumann

“Veradonir, Rio” (January 5, 2022). Issue X: Clash of Ideologies. https://www.queermajority.com/issues1/clashofideologieseditor

“Veradonir, Rio” (March 18, 2021). Issue IX: Community. https://www.queermajority.com/issues1/community

“Veradonir, Rio” (March 24, 2023). Why Everyone Is a Little Bit Queer. Areo https://areomagazine.com/2023/03/24/why-everyone-is-a-little-bit-queer/ [archive]

Media

Heterodorx with Nina Paley and Corinna Cohn (February 27, 2025). Episode 162: The Straight-Inclusive Queer Majority with Rio Veradonir. https://heterodorx.com/podcast/episode-162-the-straight-inclusive-queer-majority-with-rio-veradonir/

The Umbrella Hour with An Goldbauer, Zander Keig, and “Rio Veradonir” (February 27, 2025). Guest: Rio Veradonir. https://theumbrellahour.substack.com/p/guest-rio-veradonir

Queer Majority / Institute for Liberal Values (September 9, 2024). A Liberal Approach to Queer Diversity and Inclusion with Rio Veradonir. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM51xbZZ9zA

Queer Majority / The Dissidents with Helen Pluckrose and “Rio Veradonir” (August 7, 2024). Slippery Slopes: Helen Pluckrose & Rio Veradonir talk Liberal Norms and Moral Panic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UTTpteYQNQ

Quillette with Iona Italia and “Rio Veradonir” (June 20, 2024). Liberalism and the LGBT Movement: Rio Veradonir. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugqnj20xF_s

Cut The Bull with Wilfred Reilly, Christy Kelly, Charles Love, and “Rio Veradonir” (July 28, 2023). Cut The Bull – S3 – Ep. 28 – Rio Veradonir. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lptvj9VGUE

Counterweight Media (September 19, 2022). The Counterweight Conference: Rio Veradonir. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-b2ggoEMVQ

Mind Wave with “Rio Veradonir” (October 21, 2019). Humanity First (8) Rio Veradonir. https://mindwave.podbean.com/e/humanity-first-8/

“Rio Veradonir” (2009) Spin of Fabrications trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJqpHc3XWVQ [deleted] alt url https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1054128477306 [deleted]