An 18th-century religious movement led by a charismatic figure advocating for genderless spiritual identity.
Religion: Christianity
Founder: Jemima Wilkinson (Universal Public Friend)
Founded: Late 18th century
Location: United States (primarily New York)
Ended: Early 19th century
Other Names: Universal Friends, Publick Universal Friend Society
Born on November 29, 1752, in Rhode Island, the individual later known as the Public Universal Friend grew up in a devout Quaker household. Identified as female at birth and given the name Jemima Wilkinson, they were the eighth of twelve children, experiencing the loss of their mother at a young age. The family’s Quaker faith played a significant role in their early life, but their spiritual journey took a dramatic turn in their early twenties.
In 1776, amid the religious fervor of the First Great Awakening, Wilkinson became gravely ill with a fever. Surviving this ordeal, they proclaimed to have died and been reborn through the Spirit of God as the Public Universal Friend, a being without gender, sent to warn humanity of impending doom and to preach a message of repentance, the rights of women, and abolitionism. Rejecting their birth name and pronouns, the Friend adopted an appearance that defied traditional gender norms, wearing a blend of male and female clothing and keeping their hair short on top with ringlets at the back. This new identity marked a significant departure from their previous life and began their mission as a religious leader.
The Public Universal Friend’s teachings and practices attracted a diverse following, forming the Society of Universal Friends. The Friend emphasized direct communication with God, challenged conventional gender roles, and advocated for a more inclusive approach to spirituality. This message, combined with their non-binary identity, made them a controversial figure, facing both support and vehement opposition. Their sermons drew large crowds, consisting of supporters seeking salvation, curious onlookers, and detractors who labeled the Friend a fanatic. Despite this, the Society of Universal Friends grew, with the Friend traveling extensively across New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions to preach.
In the late 1790s, seeking a sanctuary for their beliefs, the Friend and their followers established the town of Jerusalem in New York. The community aimed to practice their faith freely, away from societal scrutiny and criticism. However, internal disputes, particularly concerning land ownership and religious practices, led to challenges within the Society. After the Friend’s death in 1819, the group gradually declined, facing criticism and legal challenges that questioned the legitimacy of the Friend’s claims to divine inspiration.
image via Nonbinary Wiki
