Draft:Colette Colfer

Colette Colfer is a lecturer in religious studies at South East Technological University, Ireland. She is an award-winning poet.

Background and education
Colfer is from Hook Head in County Wexford. She graduated from the Open University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Religious Studies and in 2008 earned a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Waterford Institute of Technology. Her research topic was Islam in Ireland. She received a Certificate in Holocaust Education from Trinity College Dublin in 2012 and a Professional Certificate in Holocaust Studies from University College Dublin in 2023.

Career
From 2003 to 2006, Colfer was a local radio journalist at WLR FM. Since 2006, she has been a lecturer in world religions at South East Technological University.

Gender-critical activism
Colfer has described gender identity as a religion. She does not believe that gender identity can be separate from biology.

In 2022, Colfer produced a "poetry pamphlet" on gender-critical themes. The short publication's only testimonials were from anti-transgender activist Graham Linehan, author Rachel Rooney, whose writing has been described as "anti-trans" and "terrorist propaganda", biologist Colin Wright, who has been described as an "anti-trans extremist", journalist Helen Joyce, whose transgender-critical book was criticised as antisemitic, and psychotherapist Stella O'Malley, founder of the controversial Genspect group, described as an "organisation which opposes transgender rights".

Colfer has written for conservative magazine, The Critic. All of her articles have been on the topic of gender identity in Ireland, arguing against proposed transgender rights legislation, promoting gender essentialism, criticising the LGBTI+ National Inclusion Strategy, criticising Transgender Equality Network of Ireland, claiming that "no human being can change sex", and questioning the categorisation of transgender rights as human rights.

Colfer and her husband produce a podcast called Spokes. They describe it as "featuring conversations with some of the great thinkers and creatives of our time." Although it is labelled as "society and culture", the vast majority of their guests are involved in controversial discussions around gender identity, including Kathleen Stock, Bret Alderman, Janice Fiamengo, Alice Dreger, Helen Pluckrose, Stella O'Malley, Jonathan Haidt, Benjamin Boyce, and Lisa Marchiano. The podcast is hosted by Acast and has been promoted by Colfer's employer, South East Technological University.

In October 2023, Colfer highlighted in the media her refusal to follow her employer's Gender Identity and Expression Policy. Her approach was contrasted with that of fellow activist Enoch Burke. In April 2024, SETU amended it gender identity policy, removing references to misgendering being “unlawful discrimination or harassment”. Colfer welcomed the change.

Personal life
Colfer is married to Terry Hackett, a musician.