The question of whether it is useful or destructive for feminists to engage with, work with, sit on panels with, or ally with right wing individuals or groups is a contentious one. Some believe we should try to reach as many people as possible, regardless of their political persuasions. Others believe the optics of sharing panels with, speaking with, or working with those who, on many issues, are political opponents, will hurt the feminist movement. This debate has heated up, in light of a recent panel hosted by right wing think tank, The Heritage Foundation, wherein left wing feminists shared their concerns about gender identity legislation.
In an effort to bridge the gap, and try to facilitate understanding among those on different ends of this debate, I spoke with Kathleen Stock, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sussex who has been writing about gender identity ideology and trans activism on Medium, and Natasha Chart, board chair of Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) and a member of the cross-partisan Hands Across The Aisle Coalition.
