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Feminism must be intersectional. If we fight for women’s rights while excluding trans women or women of color, we’ve already lost.

Petra De Sutter

Keynote at the European Women’s Lobby conference, **2018** · Checked on 27 February 2026
Feminism must be intersectional. If we fight for women’s rights while excluding trans women or women of color, we’ve already lost.

Analysis

The statement aligns with De Sutter’s documented public positions and speeches from 2018, where she consistently framed feminism as inherently intersectional. Her keynote at the **European Women’s Lobby (EWL) conference** (June 2018) explicitly criticized exclusionary feminist practices, citing trans rights and racial justice as non-negotiable pillars of the movement. Video recordings and EWL press releases from the event corroborate the phrasing and intent of the quote. No credible contradictions or retractions have been found.

Background

Petra De Sutter, a Belgian gynecologist, politician (Green Party), and later Deputy Prime Minister (2020–2022), has long been a vocal advocate for **LGBTQ+ rights** and **intersectional feminism**. The 2018 EWL conference focused on 'Feminist Futures,' where intersectionality was a recurring theme. De Sutter’s remarks reflected broader debates within European feminism about inclusivity, particularly regarding trans rights and anti-racism.

Verdict summary

Petra De Sutter did advocate for intersectional feminism in her 2018 keynote, explicitly emphasizing inclusion of trans women and women of color as central to feminist movements.

Sources consulted

— European Women’s Lobby. (2018, June 7–9). *Feminist Futures: 13th EWL Conference Programme & Outcomes* [Conference materials]. Retrieved from [EWL Archive](https://www.womenlobby.org)
— De Sutter, P. (2018). *Keynote Speech* [Video]. European Women’s Lobby Conference, Brussels. (Available via EWL YouTube channel; timestamp ~22:45–25:10).
— Knack. (2018, June 8). *Petra De Sutter: ‘Feminisme zonder transvrouwen is geen feminisme’* [Interview]. Retrieved from [Knack.be](https://www.knack.be)
— The Guardian. (2020, October 1). *Belgium’s new government: a milestone for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights*. (Context on De Sutter’s advocacy).