Lectures & Libations with LEAF Hamilton: Equality Day 2026

Join us for the commencement of Lectures & Libations — a new series from Bird Bolt Law — and the 2026 LEAF Hamilton Equality Day fundraiser.

On Tuesday, May 27, we'll gather at Bird Bolt Law's offices in the King John Building for cocktails, conversation, and a long-form lecture from Dr. Shana MacDonald of the University of Waterloo on her recent research into misogyny and femmephobia in the manosphere.

Why this topic, why now

Dr. MacDonald's recent co-authored paper, published in the Journal of Femininities (February 2026), examines how influencers like Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes — and the broader ecosystem of "manosphere" podcasts — don't simply express hatred of women. They systematically devalue femininity itself, construct rigid binaries between "good" and "bad" women, and create a cultural atmosphere in which gender-based violence feels justified. The research draws on large-scale computational analysis of over 22,000 podcast episodes alongside close reading of four representative episodes.

For anyone working in employment, human rights, education, or family law — or raising children in 2026 — this research speaks directly to what we are seeing in our files, our schools, and our workplaces.

A note on content

The lecture discusses misogyny, sexual violence, and calls to violence in manosphere discourse. The material is frank. We've designed the evening to hold space for a serious conversation while offering genuine hospitality — good food, good wine, good company — because these conversations are better had in warmth than in isolation.

**Thank you to our generous sponsor, , for making this event possible!**

About LEAF Hamilton

LEAF Hamilton is the local branch of the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund — a national Canadian charity founded in 1985 on the day section 15 of the Charter came into force. For 40 years, LEAF has intervened in landmark equality cases, advanced law reform, and delivered public legal education. LEAF Hamilton, founded in 2021, brings this work to our local community. All proceeds from this event support LEAF Hamilton's public education, advocacy, and community work.

About the speaker

Dr. Shana MacDonald is an Associate Professor of Communication Arts at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on digital feminist activism, online misogyny, and visual and media culture. She is a co-principal investigator on multiple research projects examining disinformation and networked misogyny, and her work has been widely published in academic and public-facing venues.

A limited number of free Equity Tickets are available for those who would like to attend this event but are unable to purchase a ticket. Please email us to request an Equity Ticket.

Tickets are non-refundable as proceeds support LEAF Hamilton. Tickets are transferable — if you cannot attend, please email us at least 48 hours before the event with the name of your replacement guest.

If you have any questions about this event, please don't hesitate to contact LEAF Hamilton for more information at [email protected]. Thank you!

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