Woodhull Freedom Foundation

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation & Federation (WFF), which works through research, advocacy, and public education to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right, is a national sexual freedom advocacy organization named in honor of early American suffragist Victoria Woodhull [1]. The non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC.

Woodhull believes that each individual’s unique sexuality has positive personal, social and moral value. The Woodhull Freedom Foundation envisions a world where all individuals enjoy personal liberty, freedom of expression, and societal acceptance, and where compassion for others and the right to privacy are embodied in our policies and attitudes toward sexual practices, orientation and expression.

Over the past several decades, conservative forces have advanced an agenda that criminalizes abortion services, attacks LGBT people and their families, and fosters shame and sexual ignorance. They have succeeded by developing a powerful master narrative that includes a values vocabulary and imagery that reinforces their narrow- minded view of good vs. evil in a forceful and articulate way. It is time that advocates for sexual freedom get off the defensive and develop a compelling counter-narrative. Woodhull seeks to shift the focus of this debate to principles that the majority of Americans hold dear in both their political and their religious traditions: individual liberty, freedom of expression, privacy, and compassion.

A multiplicity of groups exist today whose interests include some aspect of the sexual freedom struggle. However, these organizations tend to be fragmented and narrowly focused, unlike the right wing’s well-defined and coordinated agenda on sexual matters. While we believe that it is important for various communities to lobby and work for their individual rights, there is danger in allowing the emphasis to be placed on specific forms of sexual expression that our opponents can demonize. Instead, we believe that the focus should be on the fundamental right of individuals to make personal choices, whatever they may be, without undue interference from the government and society.

Mission Statement

To affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right by creating a world where all individuals are free to engage in consensual sexual expression without societal or government intervention

Vision

Woodhull envisions a world which recognizes sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.

Goals

To build a sexual freedom movement
To reshape the national dialog around sex and sexuality
To effect social change
To be the resolute national voice that consistently raises the interconnections between various identities, communities, and the issue of sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.

Working as a convener and coalition builder, Woodhull addresses laws, government policies, and corporate practices that restrict sexual freedom and discriminate against people on the basis of their consensual sexual expression.

The Foundation addresses these issues through research and public education, while the Federation conducts strategic advocacy campaigns.

The global perspective of the Foundation and Federation relies on research and analysis of laws, judicial decisions and enforcement practices.

Through education, we seek to mobilize diverse communities, write model legislation, build alliances, and change public attitudes to advocate for the sexual rights and responsibilities of all.

Specifically:

We educate the public on the importance and value of sexual freedom and counter the arguments of groups seeking to restrict sexual rights;

We advocate for decriminalization and social acceptance of consensual sexual expression;

We seek to change antiquated, repressive and discriminatory sex laws and enforcement practices;

We advocate for freedom of speech and artistic expression on sexual themes;

We promote the empowerment of people to take control of their bodies and their sexuality;

We support legal action to overturn court decisions adverse to sexual freedom and privacy rights, and we work to affirm and expand decisions, like Lawrence v. Texas, that support sexual freedom and privacy;

We oppose abstinence-only sex "education" and endorse an age-appropriate, comprehensive approach to sex education; and

We seek to protect and foster scientific research on sexuality.

Organizational Structure

WFF is comprised of two separate corporate entities, the Woodhull Freedom Foundation and the Woodhull Freedom Federation. Both the Foundation and the Federation are part of the same overall organization, but it is necessary to have two separate organizations in order for Woodhull to do a broad range of work in affirming sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. Its website collectively refers to the two organizations under the name "WFF." There is some overlap in the work done by each organization, but lobbying can only be done by the Federation, not the Foundation. Federal law limits the extent to which the Foundation, as a 501(c)(3), may engage in lobbying activities and so most of the lobbying activity is done by the Federation, a 501(c)(4). The work of the Foundation is research, education, legal advocacy and public speaking, activities that are essential to achieving the goal of sexual freedom for all.

Partners, Allies and Coalitions

Among our many partners, allies and coalitions are:

This list is in no way a complete list of allies, but is intended to be represenative of the broad scope of work in the sexual freedom human rights framework.

External links