Trish Oliver is a Canadian writer, educator, sculptor, and anti-transgender activist. Oliver is a founding member of the Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) and a founding member of Canadian Women’s Sex-Based Rights (caWsbar).
Background
Trish C. Oliver attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute in Toronto and has listed the degrees B.A., MES, and B.Ed. Oliver reportedly experienced “a violent and sexually exploited childhood” and identifies as lesbian.
Anti-trans activism
In 2013, Oliver was spokesperson for the RadFem Rise Up! conference. Originally to be held at the Beaver Hall artist co-operative in Toronto, the event was moved to a private home following complaints, and a protest was held across the street. Oliver described the protests as “extreme terrorism,” stating “There’s a lot of space for transgender people. […] There is nowhere for women to meet.” When asked why the events exclude transgender women, Oliver said, “They are still men: those who believe they can be female just by saying so.” Oliver claimed the Beaver Hall board members “seem have connections/working in and with the porn industry.”
In 2014, Quaker group Multnomah Friends Meeting backed away from hosting a RadFems Respond event in their meeting house. Several people published letters of protest, including Oliver, Owen Lloyd, Heath Atom Russell, Lee Dallas, Kourtney Mitchell, Jonah Mix, Max Wilbert, Susan B Journey, Lierre Keith, Jennifer Bilek, Holly Ellenbecker, Mary Ceallaigh, Frank Coughlin, Wade Chandler, and Lisa Blank.
In 2015, Oliver signed an open letter to Canada’s New Democratic Party leaders about their interest in repealing Bill C-36, recently signed legislation regarding sex work.
On March 8, 2024, Oliver spoke at caWsbar’s event Reality Based Women Unite in Toronto.
On March 8, 2025 Oliver spoke at caWsbar’s event Reality Based Women Unite in Calgary.
References
Currie, Espe (July 10, 2013). WTF Wednesday: RadFem 2013 in Toronto. https://this.org/2013/07/10/wtf-wednesday-radfem-2013-in-toronto/
Srtaff report (July 5, 2013). Toronto activists protest “transphobic” conference. Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-activists-protest-transphobic-conference/article_e89bc2f3-a020-5b4c-b481-c765760d31da.html
Selected writing by Oliver
Oliver, Trish, et al. (2013). Letters to Multnomah Quakers. RadFems Respond https://radfemsrespond.wordpress.com/60-2/
Oliver, Trish and signatories (October 9, 2015). Open Letter to the Federal New Democratic Party regarding Bill C-36. via Feminist Current https://www.feministcurrent.com/2015/10/09/ndp-supporters-demand-canadas-progressive-party-be-accountable-to-women/
Resources
No To RadFem Rise Up (notoradfemriseup.wordpress.com)
RadFem Rise Up (radfemriseup.wordpress.com)
Trinity Productions (trinityproductions.ca)
- Trish Oliver
- trinityproductions.ca/trish-oliver
Facebook (facebook.com)