Introduction
Feminists for Liberty (F4L) is leading a new wave of an old idea—that people should be treated equally under the law, regardless of their gender or sex.
If feminism is “the radical notion that women are people,” libertarian feminism is the even more radical notion that women (and men) are individuals and should be treated as such.
Feminists for Liberty is anti-sexism and anti-statism, pro-markets and pro-choice—in everything. We are classically liberal, anti-carceral, and sex positive. We share many of the concerns of mainstream feminists, but believe the best means of creating change in society isn’t based on coercion, criminalization, censorship, or bigger government.
Guided by a long tradition of individualist or libertarian feminism, Feminists for Liberty provides a counter-narrative to prevailing ideas about what feminism is and means, raising awareness about our space within the diversity of feminist thought.
We’re gathering allies and independent thinkers—no matter your labels—to challenge conventional wisdom about feminism and libertarianism.
A wave starts with just a little wind blowing along the water’s surface, creating a small disturbance that steadily builds into something bigger.
Let’s create a disturbance.
Feminists for Liberty is a grassroots group dedicated to promoting libertarian feminist ideas and voices. It was founded in 2016, incorporated in the District of Columbia in 2018, and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2019.
Our Mission
- To inject a libertarian feminist perspective into contemporary political conversations and media.
- To promote policies that advance gender equality while respecting individual rights, free markets, and civil liberties.
- To oppose government-sanctioned sexism in all its forms and advocate for systems in which sex and gender are irrelevant to how one is treated under the law.
- To amplify the voices of freedom-minded feminists.
- To drive more diverse and open liberty-movement discourse on issues surrounding sex, gender, sexuality, reproductive decisions, family issues, and equal rights.
- To highlight economic liberty’s crucial role in women’s advancement and push back on the notion that free markets are bad for feminism.
- To be fearless, intellectually honest, and unite more than we divide.
- To promote liberty and gender justice for all.
Statement of Values
We believe true feminism and libertarianism are highly compatible, as both are centered on the inherent worth and power of the individual.
We believe that historically and currently, the state has been one of the largest perpetrators of sex discrimination, gendered oppression, and sexual violence.
We believe the law shouldn’t discriminate based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, or relationship status.
We believe in promoting voluntary solutions to gender inequity, and working towards the social, cultural, and economic conditions in which these solutions can flourish.
We believe that free speech, an open internet, religious freedom, sexual privacy, self-defense, and robust due process rights are essential to an equal and just society.
We believe collectivism is bad policy—and that there’s really nothing more collectivist than treating someone as simply a representative of their sex or gender.
And, we believe that feminism is for everyone.
Our Co-Founders
Kat Murti is co-founder and executive director of Feminists for Liberty. She is also executive director of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, and the communications director and D.C. chapter co-leader for the Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA). She previously worked at the Cato Institute and at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She grew up between North Texas and South India, earned a political science degree at the University of California at Berkeley, and now lives and works in the Washington, D.C. area.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown is co-founder and president of Feminists for Liberty. She is also a senior editor at Reason magazine, where she authors Reason‘s “Sex and Tech” newsletter and writes frequently about topics surrounding free speech, sexuality, technology policy, economic liberty, and criminal justice. Bown’s writing has also been published by The New York Times, The Daily Beast, Buzzfeed, Playboy, POLITICO magazine, Libertarianism.org, the Los Angeles Times, and numerous other publications. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband, two cats, and two kids.
FAQ
What is Feminists for Liberty? Feminists for Liberty is a grassroots, nonprofit group dedicated to spreading the ideals of libertarian feminism. We look at feminist issues from a free-market, anti-carceral, and individual-rights lens + promote engagement with “women’s issues” within the liberty movement.
Are you just for women? No. We welcome engagement and participation regardless of sex or gender.
Are you liberals, or conservatives? Neither. Overall, our core beliefs are probably best described as small-l libertarianism, with our principals informed by classical liberal, individualist feminist, anarchist feminist, and related traditions.
Are you affiliated with any other groups? No. We aim to work with broad coalitions of people, including those on the left and right, but we are not part of or supported by any other organizations.