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Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism vs. transgender people

The Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) campaigns against diversity and inclusion movements, with a focus on gender and race.

Its members and leadership include key figures in the modern global anti-transgender movement.

note: for the media watchdog founded in 1986, see FAIR.

Background

FAIR was founded in 2021 by Bion Bartning, who was upset that teachers had introduced Bartning’s children to concepts associated with postmodernism, critical race theory, and intersectionality.

FAIR later expanded its mission to attack the rights of sex and gender minorities, primarily through its division FAIR in Medicine.

FAIR’s anti-transgender positions

FAIR claims schools are teaching children “to reject biology and to accept and reinforce gender norms and stereotypes.” They claim this is confusing children into thinking they are trans or gender diverse and “can lead some to consider serious and irreversible medical interventions.”

They also support the “parental rights” faction of anti-trans activists, saying “educators should inform families when a child is experiencing confusion or dysphoria around gender at school,” even if the educators know this may have negative consequences for the child.

While they claim to support “all sides of a clinical debate” about gender affirming care, their main goal is to support an activist minority within pediatrics and psychology who want to restrict or ban care for trans people under age 26. They do this through promoting the ex-transgender movement.

Key people

Founder

  • Bion Bartning

Board

Advisors

Others

2021 anti-trans seminar

In 2021, FAIR hosted a webinar entitled “Gender Ideology: Problems and Pro-Human Solutions.” Participants included:

2023 petition supporting Kenneth Zucker

In 2023, the Archives of Sexual Behavior published the latest in its 50 years of academic attacks on trans and gender diverse youth. The first author is “Suzanna Diaz,” a fake name used by someone with Parents of ROGD Kids, an anti-transgender front group for unsupportive parents of trans and gender-diverse children. The second author is transphobic psychologist J. Michael Bailey.

Fired sexologist Ken Zucker, Archives‘ longtime editor, was defended by FAIR in an open letter after International Academy of Sex Research opened an investigation into how the Diaz/Bailey paper was published.

Signatories (rearranged alphabetically)

2023 open letter criticizing the American Psychiatric Association

In 2023, FAIR attacked the American Psychiatric Association for publishing the book Gender-Affirming Psychiatric Care. The open letter was signed by many key figures in anti-transgender extremism. 

David Bell, Katherine Prudhomme O’Brien, Karl Benzio, Jillian Spencer, “Anonymous” Kristopher Kaliebe

Cyrus Nowrasteh

Juliet Singer

A.W. Rousseau

“Dr. J“

References

Green, Emma (June 5, 2023). Is it possible to be both moderate and anti-woke? The New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-activism/is-it-possible-to-be-both-moderate-and-anti-woke

Wright, Colin (June 11, 2023). An antiwoke organization implodes. Why Evolution Is True https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2023/06/11/an-antiwoke-organization-implodes/

Villareal, Daniel (June 7, 2023). GOP donor gave lesbian transphobe Bari Weiss $500K to start an “anti-woke” non-profit. LGBTQ Nation https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/06/gop-donor-gave-lesbian-transphobe-bari-weiss-500k-to-start-an-anti-woke-non-profit/

FAIR in Medicine (2023). Open Letter in Support of Dr. Kenneth Zucker and the Need to Promote Robust Scientific Debate. https://www.fairforall.org/open-letters/archives-of-sexual-behavior/

Hulvalchik, Alex (October 18, 2022). New Trier accused of creating an uncomfortable environment by ‘pro-human’ activist group. Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-wtk-fair-letter-new-trier-tl-1020-20221018-blnf2elm5rhufnvktdjmbnkyfy-story.html

Hirsh, Jeff (May 21, 2022). Activist group challenges D65 race and gender curriculum. Evanston Now https://evanstonnow.com/activist-group-challenges-d65-race-and-gender-curriculum/

Novak, Alison (February 16, 2022). Local Commotion: National Divisions on Race and Equity Are Roiling Vermont School Boards. Seven Days https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/local-commotion-national-divisions-on-race-and-equity-are-roiling-vermont-school-boards/Content?oid=34905201

Wells, V.S. (October 24, 2022). ‘Deeply concerned’: Anti-LGBTQ2S+ candidates are running for school boards across Ontario. Xtra Magazine https://xtramagazine.com/power/anti-trans-school-board-candidates-ontario-238209 Retrieved January 31, 2023.

FAIR signatories (December 28, 2023). Open Letter to the APA. https://www.fairforall.org/open-letters/open-letter-apa/

Media

Carrie D. Mendoza and Gender Exploratory Therapy Association members Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad, Roberto D’Angelo, Lisa Marchiano (January 27, 2023). The Gender Exploratory Therapy Association’s New Clinical Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbrUfxaw7QI

Carrie D. Mendoza, Joseph Burgo, Zander Keig (Jan 20, 2023). The Errors & Failures of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health w/ Dr. Joe Burgo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ql-Rt22V9Q

Carrie D. Mendoza, Zander Keig, Teva Johnstone, Lisa Littman, and Stella O’Malley (December 21, 2022). Understanding Gender Dysphoria and Its Impact on Clinical Care. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siwfghKcv8U

Zander Keig (August 17, 2022). There Is a Diversity of Thought in the Trans Community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxAGYvXLo2o

Zander Keig (July 27, 2022). The Genderbread Person Isn’t the Way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2rZyQ98Fwo

Carrie Mendoza, Stella O’Malley of Genspect, Corinna Cohn, Aaron Kimberly, Zander Keig (May 23, 2022). How Activism Impacts Transgender Healthcare: A Pro-Human Discussion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxg2tWPRdSA

Zander Keig (February 23, 2022). ‘Gender Dysphoria Isn’t Why I Transitioned’ – Mini Clip from FAIR Perspectives Ep. 6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLI9rSZcfhc

Abigail Shrier, Colin Wright, Zander Keig, Carrie Mendoza, Candice Jackson, Miriam Grossman (December 16, 2021). FAIR’s Gender Webinar with Abigail Shrier, Colin Wright, Zander Keig, and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XYzCE1ph5s

Resources

Trans Data Library (transdatalibrary.org)

FAIR (fairforall.org)

FAIRstory (fairstory.org)

FAIRtransparency (fairtransparency.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Substack (substack.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)