The Issue

Thistle Petterson, a gender-critical woman, musician, and artist, is under fire for speaking words that proponents of “gender identity” ideology do not agree with. An article was written and published by the Editor in “Our Lives Madison” slandering Pettersen and two other feminists who she interviewed on a radio station. People are being told, with no evidence, that condemning the buying of women for sex and criticizing “gender identity” politics are tantamount to being a Nazi. In addition, she was recently put on the public bill to be a performer at Cinema Systers Film Festival in Paducah, Kentucky, this weekend and 24 hours later, “gender identity” proponents attacked the producer of the festival and she was removed from the bill.

What You Can Do

Write and/or phone publisher of “Our Lives Madison.” Tell them to stop attacking and harassing women. (Contact information below.)



Email Script

To Patrick Farbaugh, Publisher of “Our Lives Madison”, and Others Who It May Concern,

I am objecting to the blatant and irresponsible mischaracterization of the women cited in your Editor Emily Mills’ article “TERF Wars.”

You held Mills to no standard of journalistic integrity or accuracy. Not once did Mills detail how any of the women targeted are bringing harm to the communities mentioned, and yet Mills nonchalantly likens them to Nazis. What a mind-blowing feat to make this stretch, and how utterly offensive it is to compare the stated opinions of feminists to the most infamous genocide in the history of the world.

I am writing to challenge the basis of your Editor’s comparison. It is the ethical duty of any publication that purports to be journalism to uphold basic journalistic standards of fair, truthful and responsible reporting. Likening feminists to Nazis (the “feminiazi” trick) simply for stating an opinion that Mills disagrees with is a gross misrepresentation of the situation at hand and it is irresponsible for it to have been published without meeting its own burden of proof.

Mills herself admits that the feminists mentioned in the article have been de-platformed repeatedly because of opinions. Not because of violence. Not because of genocide. Not because of any physical manifestation of hatred or abuse, but because of stated opinions. Their alleged crimes are speaking, writing, conducting interviews, and associating with a feminist organization. Your article is an attack on the fundamental right of free speech.

I wonder, is Mills even aware of what the Nazi Party did? I wonder, is Mills aware that systemic de-platforming is a sign that these women do not have power? I wonder, did you bother to ask Mills before publishing, how are these women anything like Nazis?

Not a single quote was put into context. Even the link given to research “TERF” views are that of those who already agree with Mills and not the detailed and outlined opinions of the women Mills is accusing of Nazi-level hatred. The failures of this piece are astounding.

Apparently Mills believes that by calling these women “TERFs”, “anti-trans,” “anti-lgbt,” and “bigots” enough that people will just believe it. As someone who read this piece, I’m here to tell you that I don’t.

Mills has made extraordinary claims with no proof.

Your utter lack of journalistic standards of fairness, truthfulness and integrity harms the community and damages freedom of speech and the civil discourse of diverse ideas and beliefs that is vital to democracy.

I am therefore cc’ing this letter to other news organizations.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Phone Script

Patrick Farabaugh, I’m calling regarding your recent article “Terf Wars” by your Editor Emily Mills in “Our Lives Madison.”

I am appalled at your publication’s lack of journalistic standards or integrity.

Not once did Mills detail how any of the women targeted are bringing harm to the communities mentioned, and yet Mills nonchalantly likens them to Nazis. What a mind-blowing feat to make this stretch, and how utterly offensive it is to compare the stated opinions of feminists to the most infamous genocide in the history of the world. This is outrageous and despicable, and it is harmful to the women targeted in your publication. One woman in particular was dropped from a performance gig in direct result of this article.

Stop mischaracterizing and defaming women for speaking opinions and views that differ from yours.

Your utter lack of journalistic standards of fairness, truthfulness and integrity harms the community and damages freedom of speech and the civil discourse of diverse ideas and beliefs that is vital to democracy.

Targets

Copy and paste into an email message:

pfarabaugh@ourlivesmadison.com

Copy and paste into the cc field:

mcgrory@globe.com, readers@washpost.com, acooper@sfchronicle.com, gandersen@SFexaminer.com, dbaquet@nytimes.com, cosmo.mail@hearst.co.uk, evening@cbsnews.com, NBCNewsMediaRelations@nbcuni.com, readers@washpost.com, Rachel@msnbc.com, betsy.reed@theintercept.com, submissions@truthdig.com, info@truthout.org, counterpunch@counterpunch.org, queries@cjr.org, USinfo@theguardian.com, letters@harpers.org, hrwpress@hrw.org, scoop@motherjones.com, mail@newleftreview.org, comments@newstatesman.co.uk, support@salon.com, slateoffice@slate.com, newsdesk@independent.co.uk, Stephanie.ebbert@globe.com, editorialsubmissions@nymag.com, comments@nymag.com, outreach@democracynow.org, stories@democracynow.org, nermeen@democracynow.org, mike@democracynow.org, producers@democracynow.org, amy@democracynow.org, george.stanley@jrn.com, jsedit@journalsentinel.com, david.haynes@jrn.com

Comment on the Our Lives Madison webpage :

https://ourlivesmadison.com/contact-us/

Or call them directly:

Patrick Farabaugh, Publisher, “Our Lives Madison” (608) 358-8680