The Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance

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Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance
Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance logo
Founder(s) Mary Frances Berry, Melinda Chateauvert, Richard O. Cunningham, Judy Guerin-Cunningham, Jeffrey Montgomery, and Ricci J. Levy
Type 501(c)(3)
Tax ID No. 11-3681116
Founded February, 2003
Location Washington, DC
Origins Named after suffragist Victoria Woodhull
Key people Ricci J. Levy (Executive Director)
Area served United States
Focus sexual expression, sexuality, sexual freedom
Method research, advocacy, public education, messaging
Revenue $61,241 (2009)[1]
Motto Affirming Sexual Freedom as a Fundamental Human Right
Formerly called Woodhull Freedom Foundation and Federation
Website http://www.woodhullalliance.org
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The Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance (WSFA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. WFF is based in Washington DC. The Executive Director and President of the Alliance is Ricci Levy. The Board of Directors are Gloria Brame, Patti Britton, Hardy Haberman, Nina Hartley, Dorree Lynn, Jim Rea, and Alyssa Royse.

Contents

[edit] Vision

The Alliance holds the vision of a world in which individuals have the ability to develop and express their unique sexuality; where people have personal autonomy with regard to bodily integrity and bodily expression; where every individual has the right to sexual dignity, privacy and consensual sexual expression without societal or governmental interference, coercion or stigmatization.

[edit] History

Founded as the Woodhull Freedom Foundation and Federation, the organization was named for Victoria Woodhull, who was born on September 23, 1838 to a poor family. During a rocky marriage, Victoria began to solidify her commitment to free love, spirituality, and women's rights. Victoria was a stock broker and newspaper editor in the late 19th century.

Victoria ran for President of the United States in the 19th century even though women were not allowed to vote or have any official voice in government. After the unsuccessful attempt at running for President, Victoria began various campaigns to support the right of every person to have fundamental human rights. Victoria believed that everyone had a right to have individual freedom in choosing partners, marrying, and freedom from government intrusion into US citizen's lives.

Most notably Victoria stated the following:

"The uses of government should be to foster, protect and promote the possession of equality. How does the condition of society reply to this standard for government? I Is there anything that even approaches this equality in any various phase of life? I unhesitatingly answer, No! Look where we may...everything is made to turn on the rights of property, and nothing on the rights of humanity. "

"I am a free lover. I have an inalienable, constitutional and natural right to love whom I may, to love as long or short a period as I can; to change that love every day if I please."

Victoria died June 9, 1927 in England.

[edit] Work

Woodhull has a strong record of bringing like-minded voices together to demonstrate and show how to integrate sexual freedom into their work and also in promoting contact with each other, thus bringing strength to the movement. We take on a very important role of facilitator of that work, a role for which Woodhull is uniquely suited. As a valued ally and supporter yourself, you are already aware of this aspect of Woodhull - bringing together allies to give all involved the best possible arguments, reasons and research to integrate and help lead the work of sexual freedom into broader movements and advocacy efforts.

Most recently, Woodhull has established Sexual Freedom Day on September 23, participated in the United Nations Universal Period Review of Human Rights processes in all countries - most notably for the first time this year including the US. They have published the first annual "State of Sexual Freedom in the US, 2010 Report" and are actively engaged in human rights advocacy on a national basis.

[edit] Core beliefs

WSFA believes that people’s sexual identity and sexual orientation have positive personal and social value. WFF 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, as confirmed in the recent Supreme Court decision, Lawrence v. Texas.

[edit] Programs

[edit] Sexual Freedom Day

The Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance encourages the celebration of 23 September as Sexual Freedom Day.[2]

[edit] Support / Funding

Woodhull accepts donations - which are tax deductible - online and via mail. They also sell merchandise online.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links