This weekend, Austin, Texas, is hosting the highly publicized Natal Conference, an event dedicated to addressing declining birth rates. However, its connection to far-right ideologies has attracted significant attention. Organizers have planned matchmaking events for attendees, including the option to marry on-site, fueling discussions about their mission to encourage global repopulation.

Event Overview

The sold-out Natal Conference, taking place on March 28-29 at a University of Texas-operated hotel, claims to have “no political or ideological goal other than a world in which our children can have grandchildren.” Despite this assertion, the conference features controversial speakers such as Jack Posobiec, known for promoting conspiracy theories, and other figures espousing eugenics and demographic concerns.

Notable Speakers and Ideological Concerns

Among the speakers is Kevin Dolan, an event organizer and father of six, who notably aligns eugenics with the pronatalist movement, echoing sentiments that emphasize perceived genetic superiority of certain groups. Dolan’s previous comments have highlighted concerns about declining birth rates and their implications for the future.

The Natal Conference’s agenda includes closed-door sessions aimed at tackling these urgent demographic issues, although details remain sparse.

Matchmaking as a Central Theme

Details obtained by WIRED indicate that matchmaking will play a crucial role at the conference. An email promoting a pre-conference mixer highlighted attendees’ demand for a focus on matchmaking, marriage, and family formation. The email, circulated by an event producer, emphasized the widespread interest from singles, parents, and various family units.

“This is a special email to NatalCon attendees who indicated they were highly interested in finding the missing puzzle piece for singles, matchmaking, marriage, and family formation,” the email read.

Cost and Registration Details

Attendance at the Natal Conference comes at a steep price, with full weekend registration originally set at $10,000, a significant increase from prior costs. The event appears to prioritize vetting attendees, requiring them to submit social media handles and undergo approval processes before payment.

Single attendees are also asked to provide detailed information about their family preferences and values, contributing to the matchmaking process.

Statements and Reactions

Despite inquiries, Natal Conference organizers, including Dolan, have not publicly responded to a request for comments regarding the event’s purpose and affiliations. As the conference unfolds, the intersection of pronatalism, matchmaking, and potential ideological controversies continues to spark debate.