Oshkosh Area Community Foundation faces criticism for spring speaker choice
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – For the first time, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation officials are addressing concerns about a speaker they’re bringing in for a spring event who has previously made controversial comments about transgender women.
“Over the years, the Women’s Fund Power of the Purse event has hosted a wide range of powerful speakers from all backgrounds whose diverse experiences and perspectives have imparted impactful lessons of hope, and perseverance—and Bethany Hamilton is no different. Both a world-renowned athlete and survivor, Ms. Hamilton will share her own story with our community of overcoming obstacles, facing fears and triumphing as an individual. Although her scheduled appearance has been met with some criticism due to her reported personal views on transgender athletes – a stance unknown to us at the time nor the focus of her appearance – we still very much believe her inspirational message of determination and resilience can transcend our differences.”
Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Statement
Hamilton, who is a professional surfer, received criticism for comments she made about transgender women and their place in professional surfing leagues, saying she wouldn’t compete in or support the World Surf League if transgender women were also allowed to compete in the women’s division. She also said she thinks league officials should create a separate division for transgender women.
Over 200 people have signed an open letter asking the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to remove Hamilton from the event.
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Hamilton became a professional surfer despite losing her arm in a shark attack when she was 13 years old. She’s also an author and motivational speaker.
In a post on their Facebook page on Jan. 10, the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation wrote that “Bethany’s story of overcoming obstacles and living with resilience, perseverance, and heart has helped her live an Unstoppable life. We’re thrilled for the community to hear her message in hopes that it will inspire others to live unstoppable.”
In a statement shared with Local Five News, a group opposed to Hamilton speaking at the event wrote that “Bethany Hamilton’s freedom of speech protects her right to express anti-transgender viewpoints. However, those viewpoints make her an inappropriate choice as keynote speaker for any organization with a mission to “improve the lives of women, girls and all members of the
communities of Winnebago County through philanthropy, grant making, and education.”
The original Facebook post announcing Hamilton as the event’s speaker has generated over 150 comments from people both supporting and criticizing the decision to bring her to Oshkosh.
Supporters have maligned what they call ‘cancel culture’ and feel like her story of perseverance is appropriate for an event like this and can be told without involving her thoughts on transgender athletes.
Others have a very different view on this, saying they’ve been threatened or harassed on social media for expressing opposition to Hamilton coming to Oshkosh.
“Anti-transgender viewpoints and rhetoric harm everyone,” opponents of Hamilton coming to Oshkosh said in a statement sent to Local Five News. “The time for silence is over. Transgender women and girls are and must remain equally loved, supported, welcome, and worthy of inclusion in the Fox Valley. The word “all” can have no exceptions.”
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Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found in their 2021 youth risk behavior report that nearly 70 percent of LGBQ+ reported feeling persistently sad and hopeless. The same study found that LGBQ+ youth were about four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual
“We want to first stress that we have enormous respect for our LGBTQ+ community and allies, and the voices who shared their views on the rights of transgender athletes,” said officials from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to engage in these important conversations as we champion mutual understanding and empathy as the key to strengthening our local communities and beyond.”
