The TERF conference TORCH, which was previously reported on by Assigned Media, has been cancelled. An internal email for faculty at Worcester State University stated, “the Oct. 9-11 TORCH Conference by Total Woman Victory will not proceed this weekend as planned,” simply citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
According to a publicly accessible social media post by a person who planned to attend the conference, the organizers had to cancel after they were required to pay for security at the event. The post claims that TWV was “ordered to come up with $40K for security in a late addendum.” Assigned Media has not been able to independently verify this claim.
The cancellation comes after a flyering campaign organized by members of the queer community in Worcester. “We’re glad WSU is no longer hosting this hate group’s conference, and we recognize that the work is not done,” said an organizer with Snuff the Torch, the group leading the opposition to the conference, “We will continue to organize against any attempt to further oppress already marginalized women, whether or not they wrap their hate in a veneer of feminism.”
While some in the Worcester community still have concerns that the conference may find a replacement venue, TWV and its organizers have not made any publicly accessible posts regarding any alternative venue. Buttons for ticket sales have been removed from their website.
Total Woman Victory did not respond to Assigned Media’s request for comment before publication. We will update our story to include any comment we may receive subsequently.
Valorie Van-Dieman (they/she) is the Associate Editor of Assigned Media. @valorievandieman.bsky.social
