Home Kickstarter Kickstarter suspends crowdfunding campaign for book on women's sports activists

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Mar 25, 2026

Kickstarter suspends crowdfunding campaign for book on women's sports activists

Kickstarter has suspended a crowdfunding campaign for the forthcoming book "She Handled It" by author Arwen Becker. The project aims to feature interviews with activists involved in efforts to preserve sex-based categories in women's sports, including former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, former gymnast Jennifer Sey, former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Paula Scanlan, North Carolina State volleyball player Brooke Slusser, former high school volleyball player Payton McNabb, former track athlete Stephanie Turner, Connecticut high school track athlete Selina Soule and others.[1][2]

The campaign page on Kickstarter's website currently displays a "suspended" status.[3]

Becker stated to Fox News Digital that Kickstarter informed her the suspension occurred due to "strong evidence" of violating the "spirit of Kickstarter rules," specifically citing "hateful or offensive content that fails to meet Kickstarter's spirit of inclusivity by promoting discrimination, bigotry or intolerance toward marginalized groups."[1]

Following the suspension, Becker transferred the campaign to GiveSendGo, a crowdfunding platform known for hosting projects rejected elsewhere.[1][4]

Becker noted that the controversy has increased visibility for the project, describing it as "absurd" and attracting support from those upset by the decision. She did not attempt to appeal to Kickstarter.[1]

Riley Gaines gained prominence after tying for fifth place with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Division I Championships.[5][6] Other listed individuals have publicly shared experiences competing against transgender athletes in female categories.[1][2]