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'''Magdalen Berns''' (6 May 1983 – 13 September 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.feministcurrent.com/2019/09/13/whats-current-lesbian-feminist-shero-magdalen-berns-passes-away-at-36/ |title=What's Current: Lesbian feminist shero Magdalen Berns passes away at 36 |publisher=Feministcurrent.com |date= |accessdate=2019-09-14}}</ref> was a British [[Programmer|software developer]] and [[YouTuber]]. Berns, a [[lesbian]] and [[Radical feminism|radical feminist]], came to prominence as a result of a series of YouTube [[vlog]]s focusing on lesbian politics, [[Freedom of speech|free speech]], [[Women's rights|women's sex-based rights]] and the [[gender identity]] debate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvTTakI97sQ4SkMnsH8r0qQ |title=Magdalen Berns |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2019-09-14}}</ref>
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[[File:Magdalen_Berns.jpg|thumb|right|Magdalen Berns]]
'''Magdalen Berns''' (6 May 1983 – 13 September 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.feministcurrent.com/2019/09/13/whats-current-lesbian-feminist-shero-magdalen-berns-passes-away-at-36/ |title=What's Current: Lesbian feminist shero Magdalen Berns passes away at 36 |publisher=Feministcurrent.com |date=September 13, 2019 }}</ref> was a British software developer and YouTuber. Berns, a [[lesbian]] and [[Radical feminism|radical feminist]], came to prominence as a result of a series of YouTube vlogs focusing on lesbian politics, free speech, women's sex-based rights and the [[gender identity]] debate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvTTakI97sQ4SkMnsH8r0qQ |title=Magdalen Berns |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2019-09-14}}</ref>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==


===Education===
=== Education ===
Berns attended the [[University of Edinburgh]], where she was a recipient of a Doris Gray Scholarship Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wes.org.uk/content/current-recipients-doris-gray-scholarships |title=Current recipients of the Doris Gray Scholarships |publisher=[[Women's Engineering Society]] |accessdate=2019-09-15}}</ref>
 
Berns attended the University of Edinburgh, where she was a recipient of a Doris Gray Scholarship Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wes.org.uk/content/current-recipients-doris-gray-scholarships |title=Current recipients of the Doris Gray Scholarships |publisher=[[Women's Engineering Society]] |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref>


=== Work and career ===
=== Work and career ===
In 2013–2014, she participated in the [[Google Summer of Code]] programme,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/SciRuby/sciruby/wiki/Google-Summer-of-Code-2018-Application |title=Google Summer of Code 2018 Application |publisher=[[Github]] |date=January 2018 |accessdate=2019-09-15}}</ref> working on implementing the [[FFTW|FFTW3]] [[Library (computing)|library]] for [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sciruby.com/blog/2014/06/04/introducing-the-fftw-sciruby-gsoc-project/ |title=Introducing the FFTW SciRuby GSoC Project |publisher=SciRuby.com |date=2014-06-04 |accessdate=2019-09-15}}</ref> She went on to join the [[GNOME Foundation]] as a [[Programmer|software developer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgsiegel.net/talks/gnome-outreach-yearbook-2013.pdf |title=GNOME Outreach Program Yearbook 2013 |publisher=[[GNOME Foundation]] |date=August 2013 |accessdate=2019-09-15}}</ref> She developed the Java ATK Wrapper, a module to translate [[Swing (Java)|Swing]] [[Event (computing)|events]] for the [[Accessibility Toolkit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gnome.org/news/2015/08/pictures-from-guadec-2015/attachment/magdalen-berns-present-her-work-with-improving-the-java-atk-wrapper/ |title=Magdalen Berns present her work with improving the Java-ATK-Wrapper |publisher=[[GNOME Foundation]] |date=August 2015 |accessdate=2019-09-15}}</ref>
 
In 2013–2014, she participated in the ''Google Summer of Code'' programme,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/SciRuby/sciruby/wiki/Google-Summer-of-Code-2018-Application |title=Google Summer of Code 2018 Application |publisher=Github |date=January 2018 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> working on implementing the ''FFTW3'' software library for the Ruby programming language.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sciruby.com/blog/2014/06/04/introducing-the-fftw-sciruby-gsoc-project/ |title=Introducing the FFTW SciRuby GSoC Project |publisher=SciRuby.com |date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> She went on to join the [[Wikipedia:GNOME Foundation|GNOME Foundation]] as a software developer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dgsiegel.net/talks/gnome-outreach-yearbook-2013.pdf |title=GNOME Outreach Program Yearbook 2013 |publisher=GNOME Foundation |date=August 2013 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> She developed the Java ATK Wrapper, a module to translate Swing (Java) events for the Accessibility Toolkit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gnome.org/news/2015/08/pictures-from-guadec-2015/attachment/magdalen-berns-present-her-work-with-improving-the-java-atk-wrapper/ |title=Magdalen Berns present her work with improving the Java-ATK-Wrapper |publisher=GNOME Foundation |date=August 2015 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref>


=== Radical feminism ===
=== Radical feminism ===
Berns' statement that "there's no such thing as a lesbian with a [[penis]]" made her well-known, as well as her opposition to the "cotton ceiling”, a term coined by Canadian [[Trans_woman|transwoman]] and activist Drew DeVeaux, which refers to the perceived injustice of lesbians not wanting to have sex with transwomen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afterellen.com/general-news/571815-celebrating-magdalen-berns-a-lesbian-feminist-warrior |title=Celebrating Magdalen Berns, a Lesbian Feminist Warrior |publisher=Afterellen.com |date=2018-05-29 |accessdate=2019-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@mirandayardley/girl-dick-the-cotton-ceiling-and-the-cultural-war-on-lesbians-and-women-c323b4789368 |title=The Cotton Ceiling and the Cultural War on Lesbians and Women |publisher=medium.com |accessdate=2019-09-15}}</ref>


Berns was criticised by supporters of the [[transgender rights]] community as a [[trans-exclusionary radical feminist]], and has stated that it was this accusation that first led her to research radical feminism. She was also known for her arguments against the concepts of [[Gender variance|gender self-identification]] and [[Gender|gender]] itself. Speaking on the subject of gender and [[Human_sexuality|sexuality]], Berns stated: "You don’t get ‘assigned’ reproductive organs.....males are defined by their biological sex organs. Likewise, [[Homosexuality|homosexuals]] are people who are attracted to the same [[Sex|biological sex]].”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://feministlegal.org/scotlands-magdalen-berns-feminism-a-shero-among-women/#.XX5zTShKjIU |title=Scotland’s Magdalen Berns & Feminism — A ‘Shero’ Among Women |publisher=feministlegal.org |date=2019-09-07 |accessdate=2019-09-15}}</ref> In June 2019, British author [[J.K. Rowling]] followed Magdalen Berns on [[Twitter]], bringing her more visibility and prompting criticism towards Rowling from transgender activists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indy100.com/article/jk-rowling-twitter-transphobe-magdalen-berns-terf-lgbt-8974041 |title=JK Rowling criticised for following 'transphobe' Magdalen Berns on Twitter |publisher=indy100 |date=2019-06-25 |accessdate=2019-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/j-k-rowling-transphobic-behavior/ |title=J.K. Rowling Faces Backlash For Allegedly Displaying Transphobic Behaviour |publisher=altpress.com |date=2019-06-28 |accessdate=2019-09-15}}</ref> Berns was labelled as a [[transphobia|transphobe]] and a self-professed transphobe.<ref>{{cite news |last= Zatat |first= Narjas |date= 25 June 2019 |title= JK Rowling criticised for following a 'famous transphobe' on Twitter |url= https://www.indy100.com/article/jk-rowling-twitter-transphobe-magdalen-berns-terf-lgbt-8974041 |work= Indy100 (from The Independent) |access-date= 15 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Maurice |first= Emma |date= 25 June 2019 |title= JK Rowling under fire for following a ‘proud transphobe’ on Twitter |url= https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/06/25/jk-rowling-under-fire-following-transphobe-twitter/ |work= Pink News |access-date= 15 September 2019}}</ref> In August 2019, Dr. [[Rachel McKinnon]] of the [[College of Charleston]] attracted criticism after describing the celebration of Berns' impending death as "ethically justified" in light of Berns' positions on gender.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/the-tweet-heard-round-the-world-charleston-professor-sparks-global/article_4a462cda-c9c7-11e9-8134-d32dc721835d.html |title=The tweet heard 'round the world: Charleston professor sparks global Twitter debate |publisher=[[Evening Post Industries]] |work=[[The Post and Courier]] |date=2019-08-29 |accessdate=2019-09-15 |author=Jenna Schiferl}}</ref>
Berns' statement that "there's no such thing as a lesbian with a penis" made her well-known, as well as her opposition to the "cotton ceiling”, a term coined by Canadian [[transwoman]] and activist Drew DeVeaux, which refers to the perceived injustice of lesbians not wanting to have sex with transwomen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afterellen.com/general-news/571815-celebrating-magdalen-berns-a-lesbian-feminist-warrior |title=Celebrating Magdalen Berns, a Lesbian Feminist Warrior |publisher=Afterellen.com |date=May 29, 2018 |access-date=2019-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@mirandayardley/girl-dick-the-cotton-ceiling-and-the-cultural-war-on-lesbians-and-women-c323b4789368 |title=The Cotton Ceiling and the Cultural War on Lesbians and Women |publisher=medium.com |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref>
 
Berns was slurred by [[Transgender ideology|trans activists]] as a [[TERF|trans-exclusionary radical feminist]], and has stated that it was this accusation that first led her to research radical feminism. She was also known for her arguments against the concepts of gender self-identification and [[gender]] itself. Speaking on the subject of gender and sexuality, Berns stated: "You don’t get ‘assigned’ reproductive organs.....males are defined by their biological sex organs. Likewise, [[Homosexuality|homosexuals]] are people who are attracted to the same [[Sex|biological sex]].”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://feministlegal.org/scotlands-magdalen-berns-feminism-a-shero-among-women/#.XX5zTShKjIU |title=Scotland’s Magdalen Berns & Feminism — A ‘Shero’ Among Women |publisher=feministlegal.org |date=September 7, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> In June 2019, British author J.K. Rowling (of Harry Potter fame) followed Magdalen Berns on Twitter, bringing her more visibility and prompting criticism towards Rowling from trans activists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indy100.com/article/jk-rowling-twitter-transphobe-magdalen-berns-terf-lgbt-8974041 |title=JK Rowling criticised for following 'transphobe' Magdalen Berns on Twitter |publisher=indy100 |date=June 25, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/j-k-rowling-transphobic-behavior/ |title=J.K. Rowling Faces Backlash For Allegedly Displaying Transphobic Behaviour |publisher=altpress.com |date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> Berns was labelled a [[transphobia|transphobe]] and a self-professed transphobe.<ref>{{cite web |author=Narjas Zatat |date=June 25, 2019 |title= JK Rowling criticised for following a 'famous transphobe' on Twitter |url= https://www.indy100.com/article/jk-rowling-twitter-transphobe-magdalen-berns-terf-lgbt-8974041 |website= Indy100 (from The Independent) |access-date= 15 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Emma Maurice |date=June 25, 2019 |title= JK Rowling under fire for following a ‘proud transphobe’ on Twitter |url= https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/06/25/jk-rowling-under-fire-following-transphobe-twitter/ |website= Pink News |access-date= 15 September 2019}}</ref> In August 2019, Dr. [[Rachel McKinnon]] of the College of Charleston attracted criticism after describing the celebration of Berns' impending death as "ethically justified" in light of Berns' positions on gender.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/the-tweet-heard-round-the-world-charleston-professor-sparks-global/article_4a462cda-c9c7-11e9-8134-d32dc721835d.html |title=The tweet heard 'round the world: Charleston professor sparks global Twitter debate |publisher=Evening Post Industries |website=The Post and Courier |date=August 29, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-15 |author=Jenna Schiferl}}</ref>


=== Health and death ===
=== Health and death ===


Berns was diagnosed with a [[Glioblastoma|glioblastoma]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-brCJkXxzaM|title=My ladybrain update #2}}</ref> Notably, [[Irish_people|Irish]] comedy writer [[Graham Linehan]] voiced vocal support for Berns on Twitter and other platforms,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Linehan|first1=Graham|title=Magdalen Berns 1983–2019|url=https://glinner.co.uk/stunning-and-brave-magdalen-berns-1983-2019/|website=Glinner|date=13 September 2019}}</ref> and visited her in [[Palliative_care|palliative care]]. She was also visited by fellow radical feminist activists [[Julie_Bindel|Julie Bindel]]<ref>{{cite tweet|user=bindelj |author-link=Julie Bindel|number=1171341052109873152|date=10 September 2019|title=I am visiting our Queen, Magdalen Berns tomorrow. I would be delighted to pass on any messages of love and appreciation to her if you would like to send me in a (short) DM? Thank you x}}</ref> and Rachel Moran.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=RachelRMoran|author=Rachel Moran|number=1172459990570938368|date=13 September 2019|title=I just feel so lucky to have been able to spend time with Magdalen the two weekends before she died. If people could see the carry-on in that hospice room there would be peals of laughter. She was absolutely her feisty determined self to the very end. Rest well little Sister, xxx}}</ref>
Berns was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (aggressive brain cancer) in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-brCJkXxzaM|title=My ladybrain update #2}}</ref> Notably, Irish comedy writer [[Graham Linehan]] voiced vocal support for Berns on Twitter and other platforms,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Linehan|first1=Graham|title=Magdalen Berns 1983–2019|url=https://glinner.co.uk/stunning-and-brave-magdalen-berns-1983-2019/|website=Glinner|date=September 13, 2019}}</ref> and visited her in palliative care. She was also visited by fellow radical feminist activists [[Julie_Bindel|Julie Bindel]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/bindelj/status/1171341052109873152 |author=@bindelj ([[Julie Bindel]]) |date=September 10, 2019|title=I am visiting our Queen, Magdalen Berns tomorrow. I would be delighted to pass on any messages of love and appreciation to her if you would like to send me in a (short) DM? Thank you x |website=Twitter }}</ref> and [[Rachel Moran]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RachelRMoran/status/1172459990570938368 |author=@RachelRMoran ([[Rachel Moran]]) |date=September 13, 2019|title=I just feel so lucky to have been able to spend time with Magdalen the two weekends before she died. If people could see the carry-on in that hospice room there would be peals of laughter. She was absolutely her feisty determined self to the very end. Rest well little Sister, xxx |website=Twitter }}</ref>
She died on 13 September 2019, aged 36 in [[Edinburgh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.feministcurrent.com/2019/09/13/whats-current-lesbian-feminist-shero-magdalen-berns-passes-away-at-36/ |title=What's Current: Lesbian feminist shero Magdalen Berns passes away at 36 |publisher=Feministcurrent.com |date= |accessdate=2019-09-14}}</ref>
She died on 13 September 2019, aged 36 in Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.feministcurrent.com/2019/09/13/whats-current-lesbian-feminist-shero-magdalen-berns-passes-away-at-36/ |title=What's Current: Lesbian feminist shero Magdalen Berns passes away at 36 |publisher=Feministcurrent.com |date=September 13, 2019 }}</ref>
 
== References ==


==References==
<references/>
{{reflist}}
 
== External links ==


==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvTTakI97sQ4SkMnsH8r0qQ Official YouTube Page]
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvTTakI97sQ4SkMnsH8r0qQ Official YouTube Page]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Berns, Magdalen}}
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[[Category:1983 births]]
 
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[pt:Magdalen Berns]]
[[Category:British software engineers]]
[[Category:British YouTubers]]
[[Category:Deaths from brain tumor]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Scotland]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:Place of death missing]]
[[Category:Scottish feminists‎]]
[[Category:Trans-exclusionary radical feminism]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Edinburgh]]

Latest revision as of 02:22, 4 June 2021

Magdalen Berns

Magdalen Berns (6 May 1983 – 13 September 2019)[1] was a British software developer and YouTuber. Berns, a lesbian and radical feminist, came to prominence as a result of a series of YouTube vlogs focusing on lesbian politics, free speech, women's sex-based rights and the gender identity debate.[2]

Biography

Education

Berns attended the University of Edinburgh, where she was a recipient of a Doris Gray Scholarship Award.[3]

Work and career

In 2013–2014, she participated in the Google Summer of Code programme,[4] working on implementing the FFTW3 software library for the Ruby programming language.[5] She went on to join the GNOME Foundation as a software developer.[6] She developed the Java ATK Wrapper, a module to translate Swing (Java) events for the Accessibility Toolkit.[7]

Radical feminism

Berns' statement that "there's no such thing as a lesbian with a penis" made her well-known, as well as her opposition to the "cotton ceiling”, a term coined by Canadian transwoman and activist Drew DeVeaux, which refers to the perceived injustice of lesbians not wanting to have sex with transwomen.[8][9]

Berns was slurred by trans activists as a trans-exclusionary radical feminist, and has stated that it was this accusation that first led her to research radical feminism. She was also known for her arguments against the concepts of gender self-identification and gender itself. Speaking on the subject of gender and sexuality, Berns stated: "You don’t get ‘assigned’ reproductive organs.....males are defined by their biological sex organs. Likewise, homosexuals are people who are attracted to the same biological sex.”[10] In June 2019, British author J.K. Rowling (of Harry Potter fame) followed Magdalen Berns on Twitter, bringing her more visibility and prompting criticism towards Rowling from trans activists.[11][12] Berns was labelled a transphobe and a self-professed transphobe.[13][14] In August 2019, Dr. Rachel McKinnon of the College of Charleston attracted criticism after describing the celebration of Berns' impending death as "ethically justified" in light of Berns' positions on gender.[15]

Health and death

Berns was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (aggressive brain cancer) in 2018.[16] Notably, Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan voiced vocal support for Berns on Twitter and other platforms,[17] and visited her in palliative care. She was also visited by fellow radical feminist activists Julie Bindel[18] and Rachel Moran.[19] She died on 13 September 2019, aged 36 in Edinburgh.[20]

References

  1. What's Current: Lesbian feminist shero Magdalen Berns passes away at 36. Feministcurrent.com. September 13, 2019.
  2. Magdalen Berns. YouTube. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
  3. Current recipients of the Doris Gray Scholarships. Women's Engineering Society. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  4. Google Summer of Code 2018 Application. Github. January 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  5. Introducing the FFTW SciRuby GSoC Project. SciRuby.com. June 4, 2014. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  6. GNOME Outreach Program Yearbook 2013. GNOME Foundation. August 2013. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  7. Magdalen Berns present her work with improving the Java-ATK-Wrapper. GNOME Foundation. August 2015. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  8. Celebrating Magdalen Berns, a Lesbian Feminist Warrior. Afterellen.com. May 29, 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
  9. The Cotton Ceiling and the Cultural War on Lesbians and Women. medium.com. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  10. Scotland’s Magdalen Berns & Feminism — A ‘Shero’ Among Women. feministlegal.org. September 7, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  11. JK Rowling criticised for following 'transphobe' Magdalen Berns on Twitter. indy100. June 25, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
  12. J.K. Rowling Faces Backlash For Allegedly Displaying Transphobic Behaviour. altpress.com. June 28, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  13. Narjas Zatat (June 25, 2019). JK Rowling criticised for following a 'famous transphobe' on Twitter. Indy100 (from The Independent). Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  14. Emma Maurice (June 25, 2019). JK Rowling under fire for following a ‘proud transphobe’ on Twitter. Pink News. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  15. Jenna Schiferl (August 29, 2019). The tweet heard 'round the world: Charleston professor sparks global Twitter debate. The Post and Courier. Evening Post Industries. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  16. My ladybrain update #2.
  17. Linehan, Graham (September 13, 2019). Magdalen Berns 1983–2019. Glinner.
  18. @bindelj (Julie Bindel) (September 10, 2019). I am visiting our Queen, Magdalen Berns tomorrow. I would be delighted to pass on any messages of love and appreciation to her if you would like to send me in a (short) DM? Thank you x. Twitter.
  19. @RachelRMoran (Rachel Moran) (September 13, 2019). I just feel so lucky to have been able to spend time with Magdalen the two weekends before she died. If people could see the carry-on in that hospice room there would be peals of laughter. She was absolutely her feisty determined self to the very end. Rest well little Sister, xxx. Twitter.
  20. What's Current: Lesbian feminist shero Magdalen Berns passes away at 36. Feministcurrent.com. September 13, 2019.

External links