OSHKOSH, Wis–The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation is sticking with a controversial scheduled event speaker….for now.
Last week, the Women’s Fund of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation announced that professional surfer Bethany Hamilton would be the keynote speaker at their annual “Power of the Purse” fundraiser in May. Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack when she was 13,but has become one of the best female surfers in the world.
She was labeled as being “trans-phobic” last year after voicing opposition to a policy that would allow those assigned male gender at birth, but that are taking drugs to limit their testosterone levels, to compete in the women’s division of the World Surf League. The Facebook post on Wednesday announcing Hamilton’s appearance was followed by dozens of comments criticizing the Women’s Fund and the Community Foundation for the choice, and demanding that Hamilton’s appearance be canceled.
Development Director Karlene Grabner says they knew nothing about Hamilton’s stance before booking her….
Grabner says they have not made a decision on dropping Hamilton from the schedule….
