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April Hutchinson vs. transgender people

April Hutchinson is a Canadian powerlifter and anti-transgender activist. Hutchinson is a prominent opponent of transgender athletes competing in sex-segregated competitive sports.

Background

April-Lea Christina Hutchinson was born on April 30, 1976 in Toronto. The family moved to London, Ontario when Hutchinson was five.

In 2020, Hutchinson took up powerlifting at age 44 while working to reduce alcohol use.

In November 2021, Hutchinson debuted at the Central Canadian Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships, winning the Master’s division. At the North American Regional Powerlifting Championships in August 2022, Hutchinson took first place overall in the Masters division and set the North American Masters deadlift record.

Hutchinson is married to Chad Yeo.

Anti-trans activism

In 2023, Hutchinson wrote to powerlifting governing bodies to complain after learning that transgender women were allowed to compete.

In August 2023, after transgender powerlifter Anne Andres won a competition and broke a record, Hutchinson expressed disapproval on social media and in an interview with Piers Morgan, referring to Andres as a “biological male.” Hutchinson received a two-year suspension from the Canadian Powerlifting Union, later reduced to one year. Hutchinson was also removed from a “Resilient London” exhibit at Museum London, Ontario.

Hutchinson then made dozens of appearances in anti-trans media, including interviews with Nzube Olisaebuka, Keri Smith, Stuart Varney, Leo Kearse, Jatinder Dhillon, Mike Hart, Tammy Peterson, Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad, Buck Angel, Frances Widdowson, David Freiheit, Birdy Rose.

Hutchinson became a fixture on Rebel News, doing multiple interviews with Sheila Gunn Reid, Ezra Levant, and David Menzies. Rebel News set up the website standwithapril.com

On March 8, 2024, the event Reality Based Women Unite was held by anti-trans group Canadian Women’s Sex-Based Rights (caWsbar) in Toronto. The event was significantly funded by right-wing civil liberties group The Democracy Fund and featured Hutchinson as well as Trish Oliver, Amy Hamm, Eva Kurilova, Raine McLeod, Heather Mason, Meghan Murphy, and Linda Blade.

Hutchinson is a brand ambassador for anti-trans clothing company XX-XY Athletics and appeared in an ad for the brand.

References

Staff report (November 24, 2023). Powerlifter removed from Museum London exhibit after comments on trans athletes. CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/powerlifter-removed-from-museum-london-exhibit-after-comments-on-trans-athletes-1.7038702

Staff report (November 13, 2023). Female powerlifter: I’m banned for ripping transgender rival’s advantage. London Free Press https://lfpress.com/sports/local-sports/female-powerlifter-im-banned-for-ripping-transgender-rivals-advantage

Staff report (August 11, 2023). Independent Council on Women’s Sports and USA Powerlifting Appeals Ruling in Transgender Case. Sports Litigation Alert https://sportslitigationalert.com/independent-council-on-womens-sports-and-usa-powerlifting-appeals-ruling-in-transgender-case/

Anti-trans coverage

Harding, Lee (May 27, 2025). April Hutchinson matches strong body and convictions to champion females in sport. Niagra Independent https://niagaraindependent.ca/april-hutchinson-matches-strong-body-and-convictions-to-champion-females-in-sport/

Downey, Caroline (December 11, 2023). Top Female Powerlifter Files Appeal after Suspension for Criticizing Male Intrusion into Women’s Sports. National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/news/top-female-powerlifter-files-appeal-after-suspension-for-criticizing-male-intrusion-into-womens-sports/

Menzies, David (February 5, 2024). Alberta to ‘spark change’ in Canada to protect women’s sports: Powerlifter April Hutchinson. Rebel News https://www.rebelnews.com/alberta_canada_womens_sports_gender_youth_transition_danielle_smith_april_hutchinson_powerlifting

Gryboski, Michael (November 10, 2023). Canadian Powerlifting Union suspends woman for opposing men competing against women. Christian Post https://www.christianpost.com/news/canadian-powerlifting-suspends-woman-for-opposing-men-in-sport.html

Grossman, Hannah (August 16, 2023). Powerlifter reacts to biological male taking women’s national record: ‘Completely unfair.’ Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/media/powerlifter-reacts-biological-male-taking-womens-national-record-completely-unfair

Downey, Caroline (May 2, 2023). Canadian Powerlifting Group Reaffirms Policy Allowing Men to Compete as Women. National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/news/canadian-powerlifting-group-reaffirms-policy-allowing-men-to-compete-as-women/

Hays, Charlotte (May 1, 2023). April Hutchinson: Record-breaking Canadian Powerlifter. Independent Women https://www.independentwomen.com/people/april-hutchinson/

Selected writing by Hutchinson

Michelle Mackness and signatories Meghan Murphy, Bryony Dixon, Niki Fortier, Linda Blade, Mia Hughes, April Hutchinson, Janayh Wright, Magdalena Huston, and Kim Zander (October 3, 2024). Open letter to The Royal Canadian Legion regarding their coerced response to hosting Vancouver Island Speaks. Feminist Current https://www.feministcurrent.com/2024/10/13/70477/

Hutchinson, April (January 5, 2024). Update: My 2-year suspension over advocacy to keep women’s sports female reduced on appeal. April Hutchinson https://www.aprilhutchinson.com/p/update-my-2-year-suspension-over

Hutchinson, April (December 16, 2024) I am April. April Hutchinson https://www.aprilhutchinson.com/p/i-am-april-hutchinson

Media

Rebel News with Lise Merle and April Hutchinson (February 1, 2026). April Hutchinson says women’s sports issues remain unresolved in Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eXg1gzAKEQ

Irene BritUSA with Irene Brit and April Hutchinson (May 20, 2025). Why WOMEN Enable Entitled Men! April Hutchinson on Why She Walked Away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcEB_B3yilk

he Famous Artist Birdy Rose with April Hutchinson (April 5, 2025). April Hutchinson – BirdIsTheWord S2E2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6-gxpsSnU8

Viva Frei with David Freiheit and April Hutchinson (March 31, 2025). Oh Trans Canada! April Hutchinson, Suspended for Calling Out Male Competitor in Female Powerlifting! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuGiBPeyGr0

Frances Widdowson with April Hutchinson (March 29, 2025). Interview with Canadian Powerlifter April Hutchinson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNI2ww6RU4

Rebel News with David Menzies and April Hutchinson (March 18, 2025). Offside! Female athletes condemn Nike Super Bowl ad for promoting ‘fake feminism.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrv8DFGuJ-o

April Hutchinson ad for XX-XY Athletics (March 2025). Keep speaking up. Fairness in women and girls sports depend on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l-Jaz_w2oM

April Hutchinson (December 31, 2024). End of year compilation- This is why we speak up. #savewomenssports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RrIAypO2Rs

Buck U with Buck Angel and April Hutchinson (December 10, 2024). A Win For Women’s Rights FT April Hutchinson-Buck U : LIVE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a121GLtIrI

Rebel News with Sheila Gunn Reid and April Hutchinson (October 19, 2024). Banned powerlifter weighs in on Alberta Premier’s Crack Down on men in women’s sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPSi7wZ4hbs

Gender: A Wider Lens with Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad, and April Hutchinson (October 26, 2024). Premium: Does Physical Strength Help Build Psychological Strength? with April Hutchinson. https://www.widerlenspod.com/p/premium-does-physical-strength-help

Gender: A Wider Lens with Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad, and April Hutchinson (October 5, 2024). Women’s Sports Should NOT Include Male People, with April Hutchinson | Ep 190. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsu0qW1Bkn4

The Tammy Peterson Podcast with Tammy Peterson and April Hutchinson (October 25, 2024). Will Gender Policies RUIN Powerlifting? | April Hutchinson | EP 120. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFkG4B5-KKo

Meghan Murphy with April Hutchinson, Bryony Dixon, and Kellie-Lynn Pirie (June 7, 2024). April Hutchinson speaks about her fight to keep men out of female powerlifting—Victoria, May 30 2024.

Newsmax / National Report with Emma Rechenberg and April Hutchinson (March 28, 2024). Female powerlifter: Unfair to have biological men in women’s sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aquWWM5xtU

The Tammy Peterson Podcast with Tammy Peterson and April Hutchinson (March 24, 2024, released October 18, 2024). The Fight for Fairness in Women’s Sports | April Hutchinson | EP 118. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znYxHYOFLp8

Rebel News with Sheila Gunn Reid, Linda Blade, and April Hutchinson (). Linda Blade and April Hutchinson join forces to offer solutions to the crisis in women’s sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E2f_G-BpAM

Rebel News with David Menzies and April Hutchinson (May 16, 2024). April Hutchinson on the fight to protect women’s sports | Rebel News LIVE! Toronto. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVbVE9U5ick

Megyn Kelly with April Hutchinson, Isabelle Ayala, Jordan Campbell and Robby Starbuck (March 7, 2024). Radical Trans Ideology Hurting Kids and Female Athletes, with Hutchinson, Starbuck, Ayala & Campbell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgg2hEaqGzE

The Josh and Artemis Show with April Hutchinson (February 24, 2024). April Hutchinson joins us LIVE to discuss the threats she is receiving from MALE powerlifter! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nv5xAzces4

Rebel News with Sheila Gunn Reid and April Hutchinson (February 23, 2024). Male-born ‘female’ powerlifter wishes painful death on critic April Hutchinson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKLHp66AjXM

GBNews with Martin Daubney and April Hutchinson (February 21, 2024). It’s women’s rights being taken away! | OUTRAGE: Trans cyclist could SUE cycling body over trans ban. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJNpepPg4SE

TRT World with April Hutchinson (February 9, 2024). Women’s Sports l True Colours – Episode 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urODFoWZNmI

Hart2Heart with Mike Hart and April Hutchinson (December 28, 2023). Keep Female Sports FEMALE with April Hutchinson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tocitzG7CE

Rebel News with David Menzies (December 5, 2023). Uber-woke ‘Museum London’ embraces cancel culture, removes display of powerlifter April Hutchinson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoqrfaxsFgU

Rebel News with David Menzies and April Hutchinson (December 5, 2023). April Hutchinson on woke museum ‘cowards’ who removed sobriety exhibit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxSY_5Zi_aM

JDhillon with Jatinder Dhillon and April Hutchinson (December 2, 2023). Female Powerlifter BANNED For 2 Years For Speaking Out Against Trans Athlete Tells All
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOoXAN91AfY

Rebel News with Sheila Gunn Reid and April Hutchinson (November 28, 2023). Ban appeal over trans powerlifter criticism will go ahead: Stand With April update. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZEau8rHBwo

Rebel News with Sheila Gunn Reid and April Hutchinson (November 20, 2023). Stand With April UPDATE: Appeal for 2-year suspension filed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cnwj_FEJz8

Rebel News with Sheila Gunn Reid and April Hutchinson (November 16, 2023). Stand With April update: President of Canadian Powerlifting Union resigns! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD69xORO-4U

Rebel News / TalkTV with Piers Morgan and April Hutchinson (November 15, 2023). ‘It’s not consensual’: Female powerlifter tells Piers Morgan women don’t want to compete against men. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CagPjTDrRDI

Sky News Australia with Piers Morgan and April Hutchinson (November 14, 2023). Piers Morgan blasts Megan Rapinoe over comments about trans athletes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-g8Lr1Zl8g

Sky News Australia with Piers Morgan and April Hutchinson (November 14, 2023). ‘Blown away’: Canadian powerlifter suspended for speaking out against trans competitor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdQDb0LphW0

Rebel News (November 14, 2023). Stand With April: Stop silencing women who speak out for fairness in sport! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfmvt3rEA_g

Piers Morgan Uncensored with Piers Morgan and April Hutchinson (November 15, 2023). “It’s Licensed Cheating” Piers Morgan Reacts To Transgender Athletes In Women’s Sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dufvNwG6ss

Piers Morgan Uncensored with Piers Morgan and April Hutchinson (October 9, 2023). “It’s Not Transphobic To Ask For Fairness In Women’s Sports!” Female Powerlifter On Trans Athletes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP6nr-W8YyE

GBNews with Leo Kearse and April Hutchinson (August 19, 2023). Trans athlete Ann Andres sets women’s powerlifting record in Canada | April Hutchinson reacts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLZnukkuaJI

JDhillon with Jatinder Dhillon and April Hutchinson (August 19, 2023). Female Powerlifter April Hutchinson CALLS OUT Trans Athlete After DESTROYING Women’s Event! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgOhVK0pZbw

Fox Business / Varney & Co with Stuart Varney and April Hutchinson (August 17, 2023). ‘COMPLETELY UNFAIR’: Trans athlete sets new women’s powerlifting record. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJdCHjDYAA4

New York Post (August 16, 2023). Powerlifter reacts to biological male taking women’s national record: ‘Completely unfair.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mro5Ykd7u9A

Rebel News with Ezra Levant and April Hutchinson (August 16, 2023). Trans-identifying male smashes women’s weightlifting national record, beats opponent by 200kg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8RC-1e6JvQ

Piers Morgan Uncensored with Piers Morgan and April Hutchinson (August 14, 2023). “They Almost Banned Me!” Female Powerlifter On Calling Out Transgender Athletes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltKdLc6FrWs

Newsmax / Carl Higbie Frontline with Lidia Curanaj, Riley Gaines, and April Hutchinson (August 14, 2023). They want to keep us quiet: Riley Gaines | Carl Higbie FRONTLINE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lN-FU7vQdY

Ezra Levant with April Hutchinson (June 11, 2023). Team Canada powerlifter April Hutchinson on the effort to erase women’s sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vShUcsWiO68

Deprogrammed with Keri Smith and April Hutchinson (June 8, 2023). Deprogrammed – Being a Woman in Women’s Sports – April Hutchinson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfgP1cQ1WTk

Real Talk with Zuby with Nzube Olisaebuka and April Hutchinson (April 6, 2023). The Battle For Women’s Sports – April Hutchinson | Real Talk With Zuby Ep.252. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhb4axTUu5w

Resources

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Substack (substack.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)