Statement on Buck Angel and “Trans Men Fight Back”

Sticker by nephilimnat

On July 23rd, a letter was posted titled “Trans Men Fight Back”. Hosted by the Gender Dysphoria Alliance Canada and cosigned by TRans Educational Voices, it was signed by GDAC founder Aaron Kimberly, alongside TReVoices founder Scott Newgent, Buck Angel, Ken Pirie, Aaron Terell, and “those who don’t wish to be named”. In the letter, a series of wild, vague accusations were leveled at unnamed trans women, who the signatories claim they have been silenced by.

We, the undersigned, speak against this letter, and the ongoing campaigns by these trans men to undermine and discredit current trans activism, particularly the activism done by trans women. We feel “Trans Men Fight Back” is a group of trans men presenting a convoluted regurgitation of the same anti-science rhetoric championed by fundamentalist Christians, alt-right grifters, and regressive “feminists” disguising their transmisogyny in the phrase “gender critical”. The language of “Trans Men Fight Back” repeatedly uses “LGB” to erase trans contributions to queer liberation and distance themselves from “gender identity”, something they picked up from “gender critical feminists”. We stand in solidarity with trans women, who are repeatedly misgendered in this letter.

We challenge the claims made in this post, and assert:

• Autogynephilia theory has been widely disproven by science [Autogynephilia in women, Moser (2009), Autogynephilia: A scientific review, feminist analysis, and alternative ‘embodiment fantasies’ model, Serano (2020), Making Sense of Autogynephilia Debates, Serano (2019)]
• Trans women are women, period.
• Conversion therapy is not simply psychotherapy and is in fact a harmful practice, both for trans people [The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, Human Rights Campaign (2019)] and for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people [LGB people who have undergone conversion therapy almost twice as likely to attempt suicide, UCLA School of Law (2020)]
• Trans people are diverse in their orientation [Injustice at Every Turn, National Center for Transgender Equality (2012), Autogynephilia, Ad Hoc Hypotheses, and Handwaving, Serano (2020)]

Many of us have been part of or adjacent to the sex-positive, sex education and/or the feminist/queer porn communities, who claim to be supportive of our diversity and who say they stand with trans women. We are frustrated, therefore, that these communities have platformed Buck Angel without critique for too long and have stayed silent, enabling his misinformation campaign. Some of us have spoken up about his transmisogyny, transmedicalism, and mockery of nonbinary identities for over 10 years, but as individuals, we have been shut down as “divisive” (with trans women in particular shut down as self-serving).

Now, we come together, all across the gender and orientation spectrum, to stand with all those who bear the impact of transmisogyny and say: No More.

There is a wider context of transphobia that this letter completely ignores. Anti-trans violence is on the rise in the United States. At a protest down in Southern California, two people were stabbed when the right-wing fabricated a story about a predatory trans woman at a spa and proceeded to protest the spa. Various transphobic bills are being introduced all over the States under the guise of “protecting children”.

Many Americans claiming to be “gender critical” find open arms in the United Kingdom, where the head of media for Stonewall UK just stepped down, citing “a tsunami of transphobia”, adding “I’m tired of the abuse”. The media and the government both have ramped up their vocal transphobia over the years, leading to cases like this one, where under 16s were found by a judge to be “unlikely to be able to give informed consent” when it comes to puberty blockers. J.K. Rowling has found celebrity status again, this time as a famous transphobe. Despite finding that changes to gender recognition laws would be beneficial to many, the Tory government shut down any such reform.

Ignoring this problem or whispered support behind closed doors is not enough. It never was.

We call upon the sex-positive, sex education and/or the feminist/queer porn communities to stand with us in condemning transmisogyny, and transphobia more widely, by not platforming Buck Angel while he promotes these theories. This means not selling his merchandise, not inviting him to speak at their conferences or on their podcasts, not collaborating with him on videos or essays, until such a time as he has made a full, public apology acknowledging the harm he has caused to trans people by repeatedly spreading false scientific claims. We would also like to see a public apology from Buck Angel for repeatedly dismissing critiques as “divisive” and “homophobic”. We do not believe anyone is disposable, but we also feel that any attempts to reach out and address this behavior have been met with, at best, silence, and at worst, bullying, for over 10 years.

Enough is enough.

If you would like to add your support for this statement, please sign here

If you are a trans man, you can also sign this letter by Evan Tess Murray

Signed:

1. Kitty Stryker, California, USA, editor of “Ask: Building Consent Culture”
2. Chrissy Holman, New York, USA, Div44CNM/NCSF/Asexuality educator
3. Roz Kaveney, England, UK, Author of Tiny Pieces Of Skull
4. Semona Baston (Dirty Lola), Brooklyn, USA, Sex Educator
5. Kaelea Kae, Delaware, USA, Trans educator & LGBTQ+ non-profit treasurer
6. Dr. Liz Powell, Pennsylvania, USA, Sex therapist, author, speaker, coach
7. Dr. Kiera Anderson, England, UK, Private individual
8. Matthias Rand, Georgia, USA, Owner of Rand Leather
9. Christopher Argyros, California, USA, Owner of Boone’s Red Onions
10. Lilly Delvaux, Connecticut, USA, Former blogger
11. Chris Hall, California, USA, Writer/Editor
12. Nix Ortenberg, California, USA, Private Individual
13. Gwen Snyder, Pennsylvania, USA, Organizer
14. Evan Tess Murray, Maine, USA, Organizer
15. Zach Budd, Texas, USA, Sex Educator, MSW student, Sex-Positive Activist
16. Shafiq, Edinburgh, Scotland, Private Individual
17. Heather Newhouse, Colorado, USA, Sex Education & Somatic Practitioner
18. Leslee Petersen, New Hampshire, USA, LGBTQ+ activist in the Libertarian Party
19. Jessie Anderson, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Owner of Big Bro’s Barbershop
20. Sunny Megatron, USA, Certified Sex Educator & Coach
21. Patrick Califia, Oregon, USA, Author and Trans Activist
22. Nyx Taylor, California, USA, Private Individual
23. Merril Doty, Illinois, USA, Sex Educator
24. Emma McGowan, California, USA, Sex Educator
25. Tammy Cravit, Arizona, USA, Private Individual
26. Mahx Capacity, NYC, USA, Creative Director of AORTA films
27. Dax Skratch, California, USA, Private Individual
28. Jesse Murray, Nonbinary Activist for Sex Education
29. Raven Malouf-Renning, California, USA, SAFEhouse for the Performing Arts
30. Jenny Wilson, Yorkshire, UK, Founder International Day of Consent #IDoConsent
31. Bax J Ferguson, Oaxaca, Mexico, Journalist
32. Maggie McMuffin, New York, USA, Reproductive Health Instructor, Sex Educator
33. Hannah Harris-Sutro, unceded Kanien’kehá:ka territory aka “montréal”, Somatics Practitioner & Trauma Therapist
34. Jaclyn Friedman, Massachusetts, USA, Feminist Activist and Author
35. Edison Reid-McLaughlin, California, USA, Private Individual
36. Erin Kennedy, Illinois, USA, Teacher, Sex Educator, Writer, Advocate
37. B.M. Watson, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Private Individual
38. Rory Abel, New York, USA, Private Individual
39. Tristan Crane, California, Ohlone Land, Photographer
40. Charlie Gray, California, USA, Performer and Educator
41. Jeremy Tidwell, California, USA, Private Individual
42. Roz Kieran Canaan, USA, Writer, Artist, Founder of West Central PA LGBTQ+
43. Shane Burley, Oregon, USA, IWW
44. Gwendolyn Ann Smith, California, USA, Columnist for the Bay Area Reporter
45. Mack Frankwich, Florida, USA, Private Individual
46. Daria Phoebe Brashear, Rhode Island, USA, Private Individual
47. Jaymie Wagner, Minnesota, USA, Chair of 3M Pride ERN
48. Harris O’Malley, Writer/Educator
49. Rin, California, USA, FemmeDomme
50. Justin Fisher, Massachusetts, USA, Private Individual
51. Casey Morrissey, New York, USA, Bookseller
52. Zev Hoffman, California, USA, Formerly Ran a Nonprofit
53. Mathew R, Private Individual
54. Denali Winter, California, USA, Adult Performer, Gender-Affirming Trans Hairstylist
55. Angel Adeyoha, California, USA, Executive Director, Folsom Street
56. Ren Grabert, Illinois, USA, Sex Educator
57. Thiago Silva, New York, USA, Sex Educator
58. Caz Killjoy, Co-Founder of the Disability and Sexuality Access Network
59. Noah Adams, Toronto, Canada, Leadership of the Transgender Professional Association for Transgender Health
60. Susi Beck, Louisiana, Activist
61. MK Anderson, Georgia, Private Individual
62. Lydia Rogue, USA, Nonbinary Author
63. L M deLeon, California, USA, Private Individual
64. Liv Magnotta, New York, USA, Private Individual
65. Izebel V., Massachusetts, USA, Friendlytherapy.info
66. Sam Schmitt, Minnesota, USA, Sexual Violence Advocate and Professor of Gender Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Augsburg University
67. Teresa M. Theophano, New York, USA, Therapist, author, and activist
68. Trystan Reese, Oregon, USA, Collaborate Consulting, LLC
69. Aida Manduley, Massachusetts, USA, Licensed Social Worker, Therapist, and Sexuality Educator
70. Aaron Seaboch, Delaware, USA, Private Individual
71. Jamila Dawson, LMFT, Nevada, USA, Trauma-Informed Sex Therapist
72. Tara Darcy, Florida, USA, Private Individual
73. Luke Stavrand, First Saturday Trans Gathering
74. Luisa Ramírez Lartigue, Mexico, Coach, Sex Educator, and Trans Rights Activist
75. Kerry Recht, New York, USA, Private Individual
76. Molly Stratton, DC, USA, Sew Queer DC
77. Chris T, New York, USA, transfemme
78. Chase Douglas Michael Onhasey, Vancouver, BC, Canada, transgender man
79. Ev Evnen, Colorado, USA, Director of MaeBright Group
80. Ela Maxine Bambust, Belgium, Private Individual
81. Shelley Arellano, California, USA, Private Individual
82. Angelo Duncan, Oregon, USA, Nonprofit
83. Valerie Pfister, Kentucky, USA, MSSW
84. Cam DiNardo, Massachusetts, USA, Private Individual
85. Jeni Grant, North Carolina, USA, Transmasculine individual
86. Allison Landry, Texas, USA, Private Individual
87. Lacey Field, California, USA, Private Individual
88. Gwen Warman, Maryland, USA, Private individual, former Our Whole Lives facilitator
89. Heather Flescher, California, USA, Playwright, Spoken Word Artist, Trans Activist
90. Gary Smith, Winnipeg, Canada, Private Individual
91. Djaz, New York, USA, Nonbinary Librarian
92. Faye Hermine, Massachusetts, USA, Sex Educator
93. Laura Zeman, Kentucky, USA, Private Individual
94. Melody Pond, New York, USA, Recording Engineer
95. Claire Roche-Sabatino, New York, USA, Owner of Violet Leather Co
96. Tiana No, Oregon, USA, Civilian Queer with Activist Tendencies
97. Renée Ishlove, Canada, Private Individual
98. Taran Hayes, Colorado, USA, Private Individual
99. Avery Genetti, Michigan, USA, Private Individual
100. Scott Beccard, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Private individual
101. Laurie Penny, Melbourne, Australia, Author and journalist
102. Rachael, California, USA, Concerned Citizen
103. Mia Fine, Marriage and Family Therapist
104. Crista Anne, North Carolina, USA, Sex Educator, Writer & Advocate
105. Jamison Wagner, New Mexico, USA, Private Individual
106. Richard Larsen, NSW Australia, Believer in Equal Rights
107. Cal Light, California, USA, Calibration Fitness
108. Katherine Rossiter, Oregon, USA, Sex Educator, Trans Woman
109. Anna Schibrowsky, Illinois, USA, Community Activist
110. Meghan Krause, California, USA, Private Individual
111. Gabrielle Dalphonse, California, USA, Private Individual
112. Whitten Steele, Colorado, USA, Sexuality Education Facilitator, GSA co-sponsor
113. Colt Seidman, Oregon, USA, Musician
114. Rowan Pierce, UK, Trans Activist/Organiser
115. Emily A, Kentucky, Private Individual
116. Alessandra Mondin, UK, LGBT+ Community Worke
117. Rachel Y, Ontario, Canada, Activist, Consultant, Educator, Library worker
118. Somhairle Kelly, UK, Artist
119. Ariel Berman, USA, Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology
120. Ian Clark, Ontario, Canada, Private Individual
121. Jacq Jones, Maryland, USA, Sex Educator, Store Owner, & Graduate Student in Counseling Psychology
122. Colin Smith, California, USA, Lay Minister Member of the Leather Community
123. Chris Maxwell Rose, New York, USA, Founder of PleasureMechanics.com
124. Nadia West, New York, USA, Former Blogger
125. Indie Cusack, New York, USA, MSW
126. Lars Dabalsa, New York, USA, Private Individual
127. Arlo Dennis, Florida, USA, Adult Educator and Transgender Activist
128. b0ihazard, New York, USA, BDSM Educator
129. Cassandra Corrado, Florida, USA, Sex Educator Behind @FeministSexEd
130. L Sugrue, North America, Private Individual
131. Sal Creber, England, UK, Private Individual
132. Alice little, Nevada, USA, Sex Worker, Sex Educator
133. Andy Inkster, Ontario, Canada, Student
134. Robin Lynn, LGBTQIAA Educator
135. Emily Judd, California, USA, Peer Counselor
136. Dee Glickman, Maryland, USA, Nonbinary Attorney who Trains on Trans Competency
137. Rachel B Randig, Oregon, USA, Trans Woman/Private Individual
138. Jaki Griot, Ohio, USA, Creator of Perverts of Color
139. Sunny Kahn, California, USA, Private Individual
140. Augustin Kendall, Minnesota, Therapist
141. Emily Norwood, California, USA, Private Individual
142. Bryan Ellicott, New York, USA, Program Coordinator — Princess Janae Place
143. Rev. KC Slack, California, USA, Unitarian Universalist Minister, Sex Educator
144. Rosa Zamora, New Mexico, USA, Private Individual
145. romham pàdraig gallacher, Vancouver, BC, Private Individual
146. Lyndzi Miller, Wisconsin, USA, Sex Educator at The Tool Shed: An Erotic Boutique
147. Gray Haak, California, USA, Just a Trans Masc Human
148. Nina Stavinga, California, USA, Bodyworker/Educator
149. Ethan Levine, Pennsylvania, USA Antiviolence Advocate, with a Specialization in Supporting LGBTQ+ Survivors of Sexual Violence/Assistant Professor
150. Courtnee Fallon Rex, PNW, LMT, CGRS, SEAF Performance Director 2013–2014
151. Elizabeth Miller, Massachusetts, USA, Public School Sexuality Educator
152. Dr. Jessica X. Rosewillow, California, USA, Ethicist and Author
153. Heron Greenesmith, Massachusetts, USA, Senior Research Analyst for LGBTQI Justice, Political Research Associates
154. Angela Kempf, Colorado, USA, Sex Writer
155. Bran Sharpton, Virginia, USA, Psychology Major
156. Andy R. Izenson, New York, USA, President, National Lawyers Guild-NYC, Sr. Legal Director, Chosen Family Law Center, Inc.
157. Devyn Stone, Colorado, USA, Sex Educator & Alternative Lifestyles Coach
158. Rabbi Andrea Myers, Montreal, Canada, Rabbi, Spiritual Counselor
159. Angie Gunn LCSW CST, Oregon, USA, Sex Therapist, Supervisor Connective Therapy Collective
160. Grayson Schultz, USA, Sex Educator, Writer, and Transmasc Activist
161. Ilde Senesence, Wisconsin, USA, Sex Educator, Journalist, contributor to ChronicSex
162. Rachel Rennie, New York, USA, LCSW
163. Lucie Fielding, Virginia, USA, Therapist, Sex Educator, Author (Trans Sex: Clinical Approaches to Trans Sexualities and Erotic Embodiments)
164. Steph Nagoski, Delaware, USA, Nonbinary Activist, Educator, Peer Counselor, and De-escalator.
165. August Stockwell, Illinois, USA, Researcher and Educator
166. Lisë Donnelly, Georgia, USA, Private Individual
167. Kym Julia Lambert, New Hampshire, USA, Private individual
168. Phoebe Queen, Manchester, UK, Trans Safety Network
169. Dr. Natacha Kennedy, England, UK, Goldsmiths, University of London
170. Kit O’Connell, Texas, USA, Writer, Organizer with OS!WN? Collective ATX
171. Lauren Ford, New York, USA, Private Individual
172. Sara Doherty, Vancouver, BC, Private Individual
173. Britta Okes Carlisle, LICSW, Washington, USA, Gender Affirming Therapist
174. Zen Lara, Georgia, USA, Queer Community Organizer, Healer, Embodied Inclusion Educator, and Tech Worker
175. Oskar, England, UK, Private Individual
176. Kat Stark, Vancouver, Canada, Author, Sex Educator, Podcaster
177. Justin Cascio, Massachusetts, USA, Transgender Community Leader, “All transmen know each other” Facebook Community Founder/Admin
178. O., UK, Temporary Cruising Zone
179. Shanna Kattari, Michigan, USA, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator
180. Molly Adler, Tiwa Territory (known as Albuquerque, New Mexico, US), Therapist, Sex Therapy New Mexico
181. Danielle Mason, Oregon, USA, Private Individual
182. Mac (Meg) Nickerson, New Jersey, USA, just a trans guy who agrees
183. Lauren Simpson, Hertfordshire, UK, Private Individual
184. Marie Camacho, Texas, USA, HIV prevention educator
185. Kathryn A. Darcy, Florida, USA, Private Individual
186. Worner Leland, Illinois, USA, Sex, Sexuality, and Gender Educator
187. Logan Trudeau, BC, Canada, Private Individual
188. Dawn Nummer, Florida, USA, GSA Club Sponsor- Freedom High School
189. Jess Gamba, Illinois, Doctor of Behavior Analysis
190. Intimacy ConAmore, Texas, USA, Polyamorous Freedom to Love
191. Alo Johnston, California, USA, LMFT
192. Kevin Patterson, Pennsylvania, USA, Poly Role Models / Unfuck Your Polyamory
193. Stacey Spencer, California, USA, LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist trainee
194. Fi Jacobson, UK, Private Individual
195. Sierra Willis, Maryland, USA, Private Individual
196. Stevie Lynn, New York, USA, just a transmasc person who was engaged by that letter
197. Christopher Clark, USA, Private Individual
198. Sage Pembleton, FTM with an MTF partner
199. Sugarcunt, Oregon, USA, Sex Educator/Writer/Marketer
200. Katie Saulnier, Montreal, Canada, Lawyer and Policy Analyst
201. Kitty Edwards, Sydney, Australia, Private Individual
202. Ty Aponte, California, USA, Medical Professional
203. Meg G, Pennsylvania, USA, Sex Blogger
204. Alys Trunzo, California, USA, Private Individual
205. Cowen Conaghan, California, USA, Local Hedonist
206. Meg Munoz, California, USA, Former Sex Worker/Harm Reductionist, LA Community Health Project
207. Georgie Kelly, California, USA, Therapist
208. Rory K. Mitchell, Texas, USA, LCSW (degree in-progress) and trans individual
209. Yves Polich, Louisiana, USA, Private Individual
210. Mike Malaspina, California, USA, Private Individual
211. A.V. Flox, California, USA, author of Disrupting The Bystander: When #MeToo Happens Among Friends
212. Blu Brackish, Vancouver, BC, Canada, trans person
213. Margaret Walsh Applegate, Florida, USA, Private Individual
214. Ray Ranger, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Registered Massage Therapist
215. Harley Vale, Maryland, Community Organizer and Proud FtM Trans Individual
216. Jennifer Creson, Maryland, USA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Sex Therapist
217. Eli Perry, Massachusetts, USA, Run several trans safe spaces within the online community
218. Bettie Bondage, California, USA, Sex education/BDSM
219. Paula Ellis, Texas, USA, Trans activist
220. Anne Russell, New Zealand, Private Individual
221. Mikee Inton-Campbell, California, USA, Professor of Trans and Queer of Color Studies, CSU San Marcos
222. Liam Llambias, United Kingdom, Trans man
223. Korrigan, Canada, Advocate for 2SLGBTIA+ communities
224. Jack Molay, Norway, Trans blogger and activist
225. Frank Nasca, Osgoode Hall Law School
226. Jupiter Sky, United Kingdom, Teacher. Erotica Writer
227. Isaac Griffiths, United Kingdom, Private Individual
228. Jordyn Page, Winnipeg, Canada, Community health
229. Owen Meehan, New York, USA, Trans & nonbinary gender educator
230. Sylett Strickland, Texas, USA, Private Individual
231. Elijah G., Student
232. AV, Finland, Volunteer
233. Jacob Kyle, Tennessee, USA, Trans man, student
234. Jayden Medina, Florida, USA, Private Individual
235. Cian Hanson, United Kingdom, Private Individual
236. Brandon, Massachusetts, USA, College student
237. Marissa du Bois, Oregon, Private individual
238. Juliette Dowling, United Kingdom, BiCon 2014 organiser
239. Zefyr Scott, California, USA, Private individual
240. Alexandra Helena, United Kingdom, Private Individual
241. Eli Heina Dadabhoy, California, USA, blogger at The Orbit network
242. Skye M. Kahoali’I, Hawai’I, USA, Bi-gender trans femme māhū
243. Ashley Altadonna, Wisconsin, USA, Trans / Sex Educator
244. Mx Rose, Texas, USA, Trans masc non binary person
245. Kay Higgins, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Private individual
246. Remy, Arkansas, USA, Private Individual
247. Vicente Ugartechea, USA, Artist/Sex Education
248. Samantha Waugh, Midwest, USA, Private Individual who happens to be transgender
249. Ivy Verona, England, Adult Content Creator
250. Nickie Brother, Texas, USA, Historian
251. MrBLK, USA, Sex educator and nonprofit leader
252. Anna Louise Peterson, Ed.D., LCPC, Montana, USA, Psychotherapist
253. MK Lords, California, Advocate/Writer
254. Sarah Doherty MSW, Michigan, USA, LGBTQIA+ higher education professional
255. Natalie Burnham, Victoria, Australia, Private Individual
256. Sandra Seaman, PsyD, Washington, USA, LMHC
257. Pamella Smith, Canada, Student Nurse
258. Elias Rose Gordon, Sweden, Assistant leader at local LGBTQ+ youth meetup
259. Nicole, Illinois, USA, Sex educator
260. Shannon C. Kelley, Iowa, USA, Private Individual
261. Zoey, Washington, USA, D&I volunteer and activist
262. Lena Collins, United Kingdom, Private Individual
263. Ciara B., Iowa, USA, Ms.
264. Jay Tyler, New York, USA, Manager of Youth Prevention and Education at a non profit
265. Tara O’Donnell, trans nonbinary
266. Bryona Besse, Florida, USA, Private Individual
267. Ashe “Nyxfall” Palmer, Wisconsin, Sex & kink educator — Tool Shed Toys
268. Hannah Howard, California, USA, Long term trans activist, previously Board Secretary and fundraiser, Gender Justice Los Angeles
269. Oz Sager, Washington, USA, Admin of largest polyamory group on Facebook
270. Beck Duffield, Florida, USA, Doctor and Master of Laws, Conflict Management Coach, Human Rights Advocate
271. Jacki Yovanoff, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Sex and relationship educator
272. Lena Wilder, Minnesota, USA; Dakota and Ojibwe land, nonbinary trans dyke
273. Morgan Wilkinson, UK, Private Individual
274. Katherine Williams, Illinois, USA, (ArticulatedKat on Medium) Sexual Freedom Activist, studying Communications: Public Policy/Advocacy at WI
275. Darya Teesewell, California, USA, Independent writer
276. Janet Rose, Colorado, USA, Rose Connections, leadership trauma-informed care training
277. Fiona Flora, California, USA, Trans woman attorney
278. Saul Accetta, Massachusetts, USA, FTM
279. Xarles, Pennsylvania, USA, Trans guy
280. Luke Blackwell-Drummond, Ontario, Canada, Activist