Aëthnic Union
 Information about the Union | |
| Formation | 1911 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Thomas Baty (also known as Irene Clyde) |
| Purpose | Radical feminism, pacifism, egalitarianism, gender neutrality |
| Location |
|
| Methods | Bi-monthly meetings, publishing articles, organising discussions |
Key people | Eva Gore-Booth, Esther Roper, Jessey Wade, Dorothy Cornish |
The Aëthnic Union was a radical feminist organisation. It was a precursor to the feminist journal Urania, forming part of a broader utopian vision. Established around 1911 in London, by Thomas Baty, it was a network for individuals including Esther Roper, Jessey Wade, and Dorothy Cornish, seeking to dismantle traditional notions of gender, sexuality, and societal organisation. The Union sought to challenge entrenched norms by promoting ideals of pacifism, egalitarianism, and gender neutrality.[1]
History
In 1908, the transgender lawyer Thomas Baty, also known as Irene Clyde, began a correspondence with the London Society for Women's Suffrage. In 1911, Baty founded the The Aëthnic Union in London;[note 1] Aëthnic was derived from the Greek, "ethnos", a race (of people).[3]
The Union consisted of prominent activists and intellectuals, including Eva Gore-Booth, a poet and suffragist, and was joined by figures such as Esther Roper, Jessey Wade, and Dorothy Cornish, each bringing unique contributions from their work in suffrage, animal welfare, and education.[1] The founders believed that: "Society has split perfection into two, and imposes on the individual spirit conformity to one of two warped ideals: the stern masculine and the trivial feminine."[2] It served as a safe space for radical discussions and a springboard for the ideals later expressed in Urania.[1]
The Union's principles emphasised breaking down the binary organisation of humanity and creating a society free from the constraints of gender roles. Members of the Union engaged in activities ranging from publishing articles to organising discussions that fostered intellectual and social solidarity. These ideals, however, often clashed internally due to differing views on class and political strategy, ultimately limiting the Union's broader impact.[1]
The Aëthnic Union operated actively for three years, organising regular meetings on a bi-monthly basis. These gatherings took place on the last Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, fostering consistent dialogue and engagement among its members. By 1916, the group's focus shifted toward the publication of Urania, which became the primary platform for disseminating its ideology.[1]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c d e f Maait Pepperell, T. (September 2022). A Monastery of Their Own: Imagining a Utopia from the Aëthnic Union to Urania (PDF) (Master's thesis). University of Essex. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
- ^ a b "'Society has split perfection into two': the Aëthnic Union, Urania and LSE". LSE History. 2023-11-13. Archived from the original on 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ a b "Thomas Baty and Gender". LGBT+ Language and Archives. 2020-06-14. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
Further reading
- Baty, Thomas (1912-02-22). "The Aëthnic Union". The Freewoman. 4 (14): 278–279 – via Brown University Library.
- Imperitura, Lorenzo (September 2024). The Forgotten Queer Utopia (Master's thesis). UiT The Arctic University of Norway.