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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.

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Meghan Murphy Founder & Editor Meghan Murphy is a freelance writer and journalist. She has been podcasting and writing about feminism since 2010 and has published work in numerous national and international publications, including The Spectator, UnHerd, the CBC, New Statesman, Vice, Al Jazeera, The Globe and Mail, and more. Meghan completed a Masters degree in the department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University in 2012 and lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her dog.