Jean Chadbourne is an American teacher, gallerist, and anti-transgender activist. Chadbourne is affiliated with the website and podcast Women Are Real and has testified against trans-supportive legislation in California.
Chadbourne identifies as a “sex realist” and “lifelong Democrat” and is associated with Women’s Declaration International, Women’s Liberation Front, the Coalition of People who Are Not Nazis, and Independent Council on Women’s Sport.
Background
Jean Mary Chadbourne Adams earned a bachelor’s degree from Reed College. Chadbourne taught high school mathematics from 1999 to 2014.
Chadbourne and Michael “Mike” Kershnar co-founded The Growlery, an artists’ space originally in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. It later relocated to Oakland.
Chadbourne sometimes uses the nickname “the Beige Ghost.” Chadbourne is a parent.
Media
Woman’s Hour / The TERF Report with Kara Dansky and Jean Chadbourne (February 27, 2026). Jean Chadbourne from Women Are Real. https://karadansky.substack.com/p/listen-to-womans-hour-the-terf-report-c53
Resources
The Growlery (thegrowlery.org)
Digital Democracy: CalMatters (calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org)
- Jean Chadbourne
- https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/people/186225
X/Twitter (x.com)
Women Are Real (womenarereal.org)
Facebook (facebook.com)