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Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) vs. transgender people

Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) is an American organization dedicated to anti-transgender extremism and sex segregationism. They espouse a trans-exclusionary version of what they call radical feminism.

WoLF frequently collaborates with other anti-trans groups, like religious right organization The Heritage Foundation.

Background

WoLF was founded by Lierre Keith in 2013, incorporated in 2016, and earned non-profit status in 2018.

In 2016, WoLF applied for a grant from religious conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom for a lawsuit challenging a May 13 Obama Administration guidance on Title IX, which directed agencies to interpret “on the basis of sex” to mean on the basis of gender identity.

Starting in 2016, WoLF began organizing an event called WoLF Fest.

Key people

  • Lauren Adams
  • Samantha Berg
  • Natasha Chart
  • Jennifer Chavez
  • Susan Cox
  • Kara Dansky
  • M. K. Fain
  • Elizabeth “Liz” Fedak
  • Chante Holsey
  • Susan Hyatt
  • Sarah Jones
  • Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull / Posie Parker
  • Lierre Keith
  • Tonya Keogh
  • Beth Lowe
  • Kacie Mills / Kacie Moon
  • Charlie Mountain
  • Trish Oliver
  • Constance Roberts
  • Marian Rutigliano
  • Mary Lou Singleton
  • Michelle San Buenaventura Peixinho Smith
  • Emma Spaulding
  • Hannah Sullivan
  • Carolynn Williams 
  • “Mindy”

WoLF Fest

Staring in 2016, the organization has held a conference.

2016

  • Dominique Christina, author of The Bones, The Breaking, The Balm: A Colored Girl’s Hymnal, They Are All Me,  This Is Woman’s Work
  • Lierre Keith
  • Max Dashu
  • Cindy Sheehan podcast Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox
  • Saba Malik Fertile Ground Institute
  • Samantha Berg Genderberg.com and Johnstompers.com
  • Mary Lou Singleton Albuquerque midwife
  • Erin Graham Vancouver. PhD 2014
  • Sera Rabbett serarabbett.bandcamp.com
  • Thistle Pettersen thistlespace.org
  • Susan Cox
  • Raquel Rosario Sánchez
  • Ree Walker
  • Meghan Murphy

Attacks on gender diverse youth

WoLF endorsed an anti-trans “Parents Resource Guide”(genderresourceguide.com)

Women’s Liberation Radio News

On May 5th, 2016, WoLF launched a podcast called Women’s Liberation Radio News hosted by Thistle Pettersen.

YouTube channel

2019 “Lesbians on Chairs” panel

  • Corrina D’Annibale
  • Jocelyn Macdonald
  • Marian Rutigliano
  • Linda Bellos

2020 “canceled women” panels

2019 Women Stand Up panel

2020 Fighting the New Misogyny: A Feminist Critique of Gender Identity panel

References

Quinlan, Casey (June 27, 2022). Experts on white nationalism say anti-trans rally in DC part of larger threat to democracy”. The American Independent https://americanindependent.com/white-nationalism-lgbtq-our-bodies-our-sports-anti-tran-rally-washington/

Martinez, Christian (November 25, 2021). Suit takes aim at law that lets transgender inmates choose housing based on gender identity. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-11-24/lawsuit-takes-aim-at-law-that-allows-transgender-inmates-to-choose-housing-location-based-on-gender-identity

Anita Noelle Green v. Miss United States of America, LLC, No. 21-35228 (9th Cir October 29, 2021). https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f232ea74d8342386a7ebc52/t/61802dee3eea9a7c7d33be5a/1635790318706/Filed.Green.v.MUSA.Amicus.Brief.WoLF.pdf

Norris, Sian (September 30, 2021). The Far-Right Co-Option of the Transgender Rights Issue. Byline Times.  https://bylinetimes.com/2021/09/30/the-far-right-co-option-of-the-transgender-rights-issue/

Staff report (April 26, 2021). Far-Right Groups Flood State Legislatures With Anti-Trans Bills Targeting Children. Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2021/04/26/far-right-groups-flood-state-legislatures-anti-trans-bills-targeting-children

Lee, Mia (February 24, 2021). Inclusion of anti-trans group in UW employment fair sparks controversy. The Badger Herald  https://badgerherald.com/news/2021/02/24/print-2-23-inclusion-of-anti-trans-group-in-uw-employment-fair-sparks-controversy

Kolowrat, Hayden (February 1, 2021). UPDATED: QLaw opposes Women’s Liberation Front’s involvement in UW Law interview program. The Badger Herald. https://badgerherald.com/news/2021/02/01/qlaw-opposes-womens-liberation-fronts-involvement-in-uw-law-interview-program

Gevisser, Mark (June 27, 2020). The front line of the new gender wars. Financial Times https://www.ft.com/content/003c71d6-b55c-11ea-8ecb-0994e384dffe

Bauer, Sydney (February 11, 2020). The New Anti-Trans Culture War Hiding in Plain Sight. New Republic https://newrepublic.com/article/156539/new-anti-trans-culture-war-hiding-plain-sight

Schmidt, Samantha (February 7, 2020). Conservatives find unlikely ally in fighting transgender rights: Radical feminists. Washington Post  https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/02/07/radical-feminists-conservatives-transgender-rights/

Staff report (December 11, 2019). Event at Seattle Public Library causes firestorm, group accused of being ‘hate group'”. KIRO 7 News Seattle. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/controversial-hate-group-event-seattle-public-library-causes-firestorm/SHZT7665XZAYRNCV3FT5OM5IWA/

Paul, Crystal (December 9, 2019). Amid outcry, Seattle Public Library weighs decision to provide venue for ‘radical feminist’ event criticized as anti-trans. Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/amid-outcry-seattle-public-library-weighs-decision-to-provide-venue-for-radical-feminist-event-criticized-as-anti-trans/

Burns, Katelyn (September 9, 2019). The rise of anti-trans “radical” feminists, explained. Vox https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/9/5/20840101/terfs-radical-feminists-gender-critical

Hachey, Isabelle (June 12, 2019). La femme qui dĂ©range. La Presse. https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2019-06-12/la-femme-qui-derange

Ring, Trudy (January 30, 2019). Anti-Trans Feminists Appear at Panel of Right-Wing Heritage Foundation. The Advocate https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2019/1/30/anti-trans-feminists-appear-panel-right-wing-heritage-foundation

Fitzsimons, Tim (January 29, 2019). Conservative group hosts anti-transgender panel of feminists “from the left.” NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/conservative-group-hosts-anti-transgender-panel-feminists-left-n964246

Langas, Amelia (November 14, 2017). ‘Radical’ feminist organization criticizes ETHS transgender locker room policy. Daily Northwestern https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/11/14/city/radical-feminist-organization-criticizes-eths-transgender-locker-room-policy/

Signatories (May 1, 2017). Petition for Rulemaking to Protect the Safety and Privacy of Women in Need of Shelter Due to Homelessness or Violence (PDF). https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f232ea74d8342386a7ebc52/t/5f2b1755105b13309f4d0484/1596659541814/HUD-Hands-Across-the-Aisle-Letter-to-HUD_dated-5-1-17.pdf

Haywood, Phaedra (August 12, 2016). Radical feminists sue Obama administration in New Mexico court over bathroom directive. The Santa Fe New Mexican. http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local%20news/radical-feminists-sue-obama-administration-in-new-mexico-court-over/article/53f86667-80aa-58dd-8d8c-299ca8b533d1.html

Joseph-Charles, Saeeda; Walz, Mackenzie (August 11, 2016). Case: Women’s Liberation Front v. U.S. Department of Justice. Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse. https://clearinghouse.net/case/15477/

Resources

Trans Data Library (transdatalibrary.org)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Women’s Liberation Front (womensliberationfront.org)

Women’s Liberation Radio News (wlrnmedia.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

WoLF Fest

Instagram (instagram.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)