Lisanne Ferne Anderson (born January 11, 1956) is an American amateur photographer and “autogynephilia” activist. Anderson created and maintained The Autogynephilia Resource website between 2004 and 2012 and was one of the three people responsible for about two-thirds of all the content on the main “autogynephilia” discussion group.
Background
Anderson is a native and lifelong resident of Brooklyn, New York. Like her Canadian counterpart Willow Arune, Anderson is on disability for some unspecified ailment and is a well-known internet kook. Anderson variously claims to have mild to moderate cerebral palsy, scoliosis, or anxiety disorders which leave Anderson unable to work. Anderson has “detransitioned” at least once in 1995 and was once married. She has previously had conversations and arguments online from 1998 to 1999 with Lori Anjou, an alter-ego sockpuppet Anderson created.
Despite being one of the major proponents of the disease, Anderson said on 13 June 2004, “I am not autogynephilic… I believe that all views have credibility, but that those who attempt to silence those who disagree with them lose some of their credibility in doing so.”
I suppose all views do have credibility to someone who can argue with an alter ego online. For the record, I am not interested in “silencing” anyone. I am interested in documenting and contextualizing the statements being made by all parties in this matter, because I want a historical record of who said what when this fake disease is finally discredited.
Proponents featured on autogynephilia.org included:
Anderson on “autogynephilia”
From “About This Website” on autogynephilia.org:
Since I made the decision three years ago to involve myself with the question of Autogynephilia I have been constantly asked why I have placed myself in such a position. Indeed, there have been times when I have wondered so myself. The intensity of hatred shown towards anyone who considers autogynephilia to be scientifically sound would make most people pause in their tracks. But the realization that the causative factor for their animosity is often fear makes it imperative to provide a venue for the dissemination of factual information about the theory.
My initial step was to involve myself with the creation of an e-mail discussion list on Autogynephilia. My hope was to create a dialogue between those on both sides of the controversy regarding the theory. However, it was during this time that Autogynephilia was becoming a focal point of politicalism within the transsexual community, and civil discussion was becoming quite difficult. One of the casualties of this environment was my own neutrality. As the arguments against Autogynephilia grew more emotional, and the decision was made by some of more visible members of the community to extract an ounce of blood from advocates of the theory I found myself compelled to speak out against such excesses. Along the way I came to believe that the motivations of these individuals came more from self-aggrandizement than concern.
Their attempts at discrediting the theory had the result of increasing awareness of it. I cannot answer with certainty whether this was an unexpected outcome, or one which the leaders had no concern towards; their only true goal was increasing their own public profile.
The need for factual information on Autogynephilia became quite plain. The source for such information would have to be those who are most familiar with it, and best able to explain it precisely and clearly.
Since the Internet (and its various search engines) makes it relatively easy to find material on almost any subject a web site devoted to Autogynephilia would be invaluable. This despite the fact that there was some intelligent content already available.
Resources
The Autogynephilia Resource (autogynephilia.org)
- 2004-2012 [archive]
Flickr (flickr.com)
Pinterest (pinterest.com)