Woodhull Freedom Foundation

{{short description|Non-profit organization advocating for sexual freedom}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = Woodhull Freedom Foundation

| logo = Woodhull Freedom Foundation Logo.png

| type = 501(c)(3)

| founded_date = {{Start date|2003|2}}

| founder = Mary Frances Berry, Melinda Chateauvert, Richard O. Cunningham, Judy Guerin-Cunningham, Jeffrey Montgomery, and Ricci J. Levy.

| location = Washington, D.C.

| origins = Named after suffragist Victoria Woodhull

| key_people = Ricci J. Levy (President & CEO), Hardy Haberman (Board Chair)

| area_served = United States

| product =

| focus = human rights
sexual expression
sexuality
civil rights issues
freedom of speech
social and political change

| method = Research, advocacy, public education, social change

| revenue =

| endowment =

| num_volunteers =

| num_employees =

| num_members =

| subsib =

| owner =

| homepage = http://www.woodhullfoundation.org

| footnotes =

}}

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation,{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.woodhullfoundation.org/about-us/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=Woodhull Freedom Foundation|language=en-US}} also known as Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance, is an American non-profit organization founded in 2003 that advocates for sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.{{cite news|work=The Huffington Post|title=LGBT History Month Icon of the Day: Buck Angel|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/18/lgbt-history-month-icon-buck-angel_n_1939788.html|last=Tungol|first=JR|date=October 18, 2012|access-date=October 31, 2012|publisher=TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3170|access-date=October 31, 2012|work=The Bay Area Reporter|title=Business briefs: A walk on the style side – Big Mac under attack|date=July 17, 2008|first=Raymond|last= Flournoy|publisher=Benro Enterprises, Inc. |location=San Francisco, California}} The organization is based in Washington, D.C., United States. Named after an influential member of the American woman's suffrage movement, Victoria Woodhull, its focus includes analyzing groups and individuals that seek to perpetuate a culture of sexual repression.

Sexual Freedom Day, officially recognized in 2011 in Washington, DC, and held every September 23, celebrates the birthday of Victoria Woodhull. The Woodhull Freedom Foundation (WFF) has held the Sexual Freedom Summit annually since 2010. Organization members have included LGBTQ activist Jeffrey Montgomery, former chairwoman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights Mary Frances Berry, writer Eric Rofes, lawyer Lawrence G. Walters, and activist Dan Massey.

In the furtherance of activities relating to its goals, the organization has allied itself with groups including the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, the Tully Center for Free Speech at Syracuse University, National Coalition Against Censorship, the Heartland Institute, National Association of Scholars, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, Accuracy in Academia, and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. An academic paper in the Journal of Homosexuality characterized the organization as one "that addresses both international and national sexual freedom issues as well as a host of other health and human rights issues."

History

=Foundation: 2003=

File:Ricci Levy testifying in Washington, DC.jpeg at a hearing on same-sex marriage on November 2, 2009 in front of the Council of the District of Columbia; Chair of the hearing was Commissioner Phil Mendelson.]]

The organization was founded in 2003 with the name Woodhull Freedom Foundation. It began with a focus on global and domestic human rights, specifically looking at sexual freedom.{{cite journal|first=Susan|last=Wright|title=Discrimination of SM-identified individuals|journal=Journal of Homosexuality|volume=50|issue=2–3|doi=10.1300/J082v50n02_10|year=2006|pages=217–231|publisher=Routledge|pmid=16803765|s2cid=5912959|issn=0091-8369|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1171065}} It is named for Victoria Woodhull (1838{{endash}}1927), the first woman to own a company on Wall Street and to run for President of the United States.{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/06/09/fighting-for-a-liberated-view-of-sexuality/|title=Fighting for a liberated view of sexuality|last=Reese|first=Phil|date=June 9, 2011|work=Washington Blade|access-date=October 31, 2012|publisher=Brown, Naff, Pitts Omnimedia, Inc.}} Its focus includes examining the stakeholders that maintain a climate of sexual repression.

The organization releases an annual report in September on "Sexual Freedom Day" called the "State of Sexual Freedom", which describes goals towards increasing sexual freedom. Woodhull's public relations representative Jeffrey Montgomery told the Washington Blade that their goals intersected with human rights: "Woodhull is the organization at the intersection of all sexual freedom issues because of the common core value of fundamental human rights. ... Without sexual freedom all personal freedoms are at risk." Woodhull tracks laws and regulations pertaining to sexual activity in the United States.{{cite news|title=Old laws hover over Virginians' bedrooms|date=January 24, 2005|first=Monique|last=Angle|work=Daily Press|location=Newport News, Virginia|page=C1}}

=Early activities: 2004–2009=

In 2004, Woodhull joined with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in devoting resources towards analyzing old regulations used to harass LGBTQ people.{{cite news|title=Gay marriage critics say 'radical' groups at work|first=Kevin|last=Miller|date=October 29, 2009|work=Bangor Daily News|location=Bangor, Maine|page=B4}}{{cite journal|journal=Bay Area Reporter|title=NGLTF, Woodhull announce sex law study|date=June 10, 2004|volume=34|issue=24|page=23|last=Highleyman|first=Liz|location=San Francisco, California }} The purpose of the study was to analyze existing regulations in the United States with regards to sexual activity, and simultaneously to foster ties between those against sexual repression and LGBT organizations. In 2005, Woodhull again coordinated with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in order to organize an event known as "Red, White and Leather for Independence Day", in which over 30 leather bars in 17 cities took part.{{cite journal|title=General news |journal=The Leather Journal |date=June 2005 |issue=183 |page=20 |location=Hollywood, California |url=http://www.theleatherjournal.com/?q=user/15/page/140 |access-date=November 2, 2012 |publisher=EBSCO Publishing; Database: LGBT Life with Full Text |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717013512/http://www.theleatherjournal.com/?q=user%2F15%2Fpage%2F140 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 }} Writer Eric Rofes served on the board of Woodhull before passing away in 2006.{{cite news|url=http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=959|access-date=October 31, 2012|title=Author, activist Eric Rofes dies|work=The Bay Area Reporter|date=June 29, 2006|first=Liz|publisher= Benro Enterprises, Inc.|location=San Francisco, California|last=Highleyman}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sfbaytimes.com/article_p.php?article_id=5153|work=San Francisco Bay Times|location=San Francisco, California|date=June 29, 2006|access-date=October 31, 2012|title=Veteran Activist Eric Rofes Dies at 53|first=Dennis|last=McMillan|publisher=www.sfbaytimes.com|archive-date=February 2, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202010717/http://www.sfbaytimes.com/article_p.php?article_id=5153|url-status=dead}} In 2007, its Sexual Freedom Day was commemorated with a discussion group examining the idea of sexual freedom as a segment of human rights.{{cite news|work=Philadelphia City Paper|title=Just Do It: Sexual Freedom Day|url=http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/2007/10/04/just-do-it-2|access-date=October 31, 2012|date=October 2, 2007|first=Deesha|last=Dyer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|archive-date=February 21, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221071015/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/2007/10/04/just-do-it-2|url-status=dead}} Sexual Freedom Day took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the first event of its kind on October 6, 2007 and included "a fund raiser featuring the Peek-a-Boo Revue and DJ Johanna Constantine and DJ Roots and Groove."{{cite journal|journal=Philadelphia Gay News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|title=Sexual freedom comes to Philly|date=September 28, 2007|volume=31|issue=39|page=9|issn=0742-5155}}

File:2011 Vicki Sexual Freedom Award recipients.jpg, Ricci Levy, the Executive Director of Woodhull Freedom Foundation, Pamala Stanley, Carmen Vázquez and Robert Corn-Revere at the Vicki Award Ceremony on Sexual Freedom Day, 2011.]]

In July 2008, when the American Family Foundation called for a McDonald's boycott after the fast food restaurant said it would join the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Woodhull's executive director announced a "buycott" asking those interested in supporting the restaurant to purchase additional meals. Woodhull joined with the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups in 2009 on an amici curiae brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case, Federal Communications Commission v. Fox Television Stations.{{cite news|url=http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-usa-v-fox-et-al-no-10-1293-sup-ct-9|title=FCC & USA v. Fox, et al., No. 10-1293 (Sup. Ct.)|work=Federal Communications Commission v. Fox Television Stations|year=2009|first=Steven R.|last=Shapiro|author2=Christopher A. Hansen }} [http://www.fepproject.org/courtbriefs/FOXvFCC.2dCir.9-16-2009.pdf alternate link] On November 29, 2009, the Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend (CLAW) organized a leather dance reception in San Diego, California, so as to raise money for charitable purposes to assist the activities of Woodhull.{{cite journal|title=CLAW Nation San Diego Helps Woodhull Foundation|last=Teague|first=Bryan|journal=The Leather Journal|date=January 2010|issue=238|page=20|location=Hollywood, California|publisher=EBSCO Publishing; Database: LGBT Life with Full Text}}

=Recent work: 2010–present=

The organization gave its 2010 Victoria Woodhull Sexual Freedom Award on September 23 of that year to Kushaba Moses Mworeko, an individual from Uganda who sought asylum in the United States due to his sexual orientation.{{cite news|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=5634|work=Metro Weekly|title=Radical Retelling|date=October 2, 2010|access-date=October 31, 2012|first=Will |last=O'Bryan|publisher=Jansi, LLC. |location=Washington, D.C.}} Author Hardy Haberman was a board member of Woodhull in 2011.{{cite news|title=All I want for Christmas ..|url=http://www.dallasvoice.com/christmas-1097357.html|access-date=October 31, 2012|date=December 23, 2011|work=Dallas Voice|location=Dallas, Texas|publisher=Voice Publishing Company, Inc.|first=Hardy|last=Haberman|archive-date=August 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825172402/http://www.dallasvoice.com/christmas-1097357.html|url-status=dead}} On November 17, 2011, Woodhull worked with the DC Trans Coalition, the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, Gender Rights Maryland, Get Equal DC, Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS), the Rainbow Response Coalition, and Transgender Health Empowerment to form a coalition sponsoring a "Transgender Day of Action" in Washington, D.C., that highlights examples of mistreatment of transgender people by law enforcement.{{cite news|title=Activists Picket MPD and Prosecutors: Transgender Day of Action protesters deliver complaints and demands to D.C. authorities|work=Metro Weekly|date=November 23, 2011|access-date=October 31, 2012|first=John|last=Riley|publisher= Jansi, LLC.|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=6801}} The event served as a precursor to the Transgender Day of Remembrance which followed on November 20.{{cite news|work=Metro Weekly|title=Protestors Picket Police and Prosecutors: Transgender Day of Action activists deliver complaints and demands to D.C. authorities|date=November 17, 2011|access-date=October 31, 2012|first=John|last=Riley|publisher=Jansi, LLC.|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=6786}}

In January 2012, the organization joined with other groups including the Tully Center for Free Speech at Syracuse University, National Coalition Against Censorship, the Heartland Institute, National Association of Scholars, Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom, Feminists for Free Expression, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, Accuracy in Academia, and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni to send a letter asking the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to use the precedent of the 1999 Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education case to apply a definition of harassment for academic institutions (so as not to harm freedom of speech).{{cite news|title=Free speech hindered on campuses|work=The Sacramento Bee|date=January 12, 2012|access-date=October 31, 2012|first= Greg|last= Lukianoff|url=http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/12/4184352/free-speech-hindered-on-campuses.html}} In 2012, Buck Angel served on the organization's Board of Directors of the organization, and sexologist Megan Andelloux served as an advisory board member.{{cite news|title=Pawtucket-based sexologist wins First Tracks Award|work=The Pawtucket Times|location=Pawtucket, Rhode Island|date=July 17, 2012|page=A3}} Lawrence G. Walters was the general counsel for Woodhull in 2012.{{cite journal|first=Lawrence G.|last=Walters|author-link=Lawrence G. Walters|title= Shooting the Messenger: An Analysis of Theories of Criminal Liability Used Against Adult-Themed Online Service Providers|journal=Stanford Law and Policy Review|publisher=Stanford University|year=2012|volume=23|page=171|issue=1|url=http://www.firstamendment.com/articles/Shooting%20the%20Messenger.Stanford%20Law%20and%20Policy%20Review.pdf}}

On June 28, 2018, attorneys for Woodhull filed the first legal challenge to the unconstitutional SESTA/FOSTA legislation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.woodhullfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Woodhull-Freedom-Foundation-v.-United-States_Redacted.pdf|title=Woodhull Freedom Foundation v the United States of America|website=Woodhull Freedom Foundation}} According to Ricci Levy, President & CEO of Woodhull, "FOSTA chills sexual speech and harms sex workers. It makes it harder for people to take care of and protect themselves".

In August 2019, Woodhull's [https://www.sexualfreedomsummit.org Sexual Freedom Summit celebrated] its 10th anniversary.

Reception

An academic paper by Susan Wright in the Journal of Homosexuality about those who faced discrimination due to sadomasochism (SM) described Woodhull as an organization "that addresses both international and national sexual freedom issues as well as a host of other health and human rights issues." Wright noted Woodhull dedicates its focus towards changing regulations and existing laws.

Vicki Sexual Freedom Awards

2022

Shanna Katz Kattarri
Al Vernacchio

2020

Cyndee Clay
Joan Price

2019

2018

Caroline Bettinger-López
Mia Mingus

2017

Willie J. Parker, MD, MPH, MSc
Loretta J. Ross

2016

2015

John D'Emilio
Diego Miguel Sanchez
Monica Raye Simpson

2014

2013

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Mandy Carter
Heather Corinna
Matt Foreman

2012

2011

Ajamu Baraka
First Amendment attorney Robert (Bob) Corn-Revere
Carmen Vasquez

2010

{{Cite web|url=https://www.woodhullfoundation.org/our-work/the-vicki-sexual-freedom-awards/vicki-award-recipient-list/|title=Vicki Award Recipient List|access-date=2021-07-22|archive-date=2021-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722213904/https://www.woodhullfoundation.org/our-work/the-vicki-sexual-freedom-awards/vicki-award-recipient-list/|url-status=dead}}