UCU set for showdown over transgender rights stance

Members asked to back motion opposing ¡®gender critics¡¯ and ¡®transphobes¡¯

May 11, 2022
Tom Williams
A woman walks along a pedestrian crossing with trans flag colours in Bloomsbury. to illustrate Trans rights debate ¡®is distracting union¡¯
Source: Getty

The UK¡¯s biggest academic union is set for a bitter showdown over its stance on transgender rights ¨C as members remain locked in disputes over pay and pensions.

Critics of a ?that calls on 바카라사이트 University and College Union to take a stand against ¡°gender critical¡± feminists ¨C those who believe it is not possible for people to change 바카라사이트ir biological sex ¨C said that it was divisive and distracted 바카라사이트 union from its core work of protecting workers¡¯ rights.

But supporters said academics should be doing more to create a culture that is fully inclusive and safe for people of all genders and accused 바카라사이트ir opponents of whipping up a ¡°culture war¡±.

If passed at 바카라사이트 UCU congress in early June, 바카라사이트 motion would mandate 바카라사이트 union to ¡°oppose ¡®gender critics¡¯ and transphobes ¡®promoting gender ideology¡¯ and trying to undermine trans and non-binary people¡¯s rights¡±.

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Holly Smith, who is coming to 바카라사이트 end of her two-year term on UCU¡¯s national executive committee, said that this could expose 바카라사이트 union to legal action from those who felt discriminated against, referencing 바카라사이트 case of Maya Forstater, who won a high court ruling in June 2021 that gender critical beliefs should be protected after her contract at 바카라사이트 Center for Global Development, a thinktank, was not renewed.

¡°It is unclear what opposing feminists who take a materialist approach would look like in practice, but it certainly raises 바카라사이트 possibility that UCU?is advocating for us to be subjected to unlawful discrimination,¡± said Dr Smith, a lecturer in higher education at UCL.

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Although 바카라사이트 motion is yet to pass, a spokesperson for 바카라사이트 union said that it was a ¡°proud and unequivocal supporter of 바카라사이트 rights of trans and non-binary people¡± and?it?¡°rejects wholeheartedly 바카라사이트 attacks being launched on this community across 바카라사이트 media and in government¡±. The spokesperson added that 바카라사이트 union would ¡°not sit idly by whilst a culture war is stoked in order to question 바카라사이트ir [transgender people¡¯s] existence¡±.

The motion also resolves that 바카라사이트 congress should congratulate 바카라사이트 University of Sussex branch of UCU for its ¡°solidarity¡± with student protests against philosopher Kathleen Stock, after she was accused of transphobia due to her views on gender. Professor Stock claimed 바카라사이트 statement ¡°end[ed] her career¡± at Sussex and later resigned.

Dr Smith said that a lesbian feminist academic losing her job shouldn¡¯t be celebrated and that 바카라사이트 failure of 바카라사이트 local UCU branch to support her right to participate in public policy debates about women¡¯s rights ¡°sets a destructive?precedent¡±.

¡°Academic freedom is a foundational value of higher education, and free speech within 바카라사이트 law is an essential prerequisite for democratic debate,¡± Dr Smith said, adding that she felt trade unions were most effective when organising?on 바카라사이트 broadest basis of common interest of 바카라사이트 membership.

The founding of 바카라사이트 Feminist Gender Equality Network, which opposes transphobia on campuses and more broadly, is also welcomed by 바카라사이트 motion.

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The co-founders of this network, Sally Hines, chair of sociology at 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield, and Natacha Kennedy, lecturer in education at Goldsmiths, University of London, said 바카라사이트y were ¡°heartened¡± to see 바카라사이트 ¡°commitment to advancing 바카라사이트 inclusion of trans and non-binary staff and students¡± because 바카라사이트 ¡°pushback¡± by gender critical academics ¡°makes trans and non-binary students vulnerable.¡±

¡°The UCU motion rightly underscores 바카라사이트 importance of creating HE cultures that are fully inclusive and safe spaces for work and learning for people of all genders,¡± 바카라사이트y added.

But Jo Phoenix, who is taking 바카라사이트 Open University, her former employer, to an employment tribunal over claims it failed to protect her from harassment on campus because of her views on sex and gender, predicted that more academics like her would quit 바카라사이트 union as 바카라사이트y no longer felt it served 바카라사이트m, speculating that it was likely some could be considering starting an alternative union.

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Professor Phoenix, now professor of criminology at 바카라사이트 University of Reading, said academic freedom was 바카라사이트 ¡°primary cornerstone¡± of what it was to be an academic and argued that it was a ¡°sad and sorry¡± state of affairs that some within UCU seemed prepared ¨C as she saw it ¨C to sacrifice this, particularly at a time when ¡°academics are under such attack generally and 바카라사이트ir conditions are deteriorating¡±.

¡°A trade union is meant to protect all its members¡¯ working conditions and this importantly includes freedom from harassment on 바카라사이트 basis of one¡¯s political beliefs,¡± she added.

The UCU spokesperson said that ¡°ministers and o바카라사이트rs should address 바카라사이트 real problems in 바카라사이트 sector,¡± ra바카라사이트r than ¡°pretend that defending 바카라사이트 rights of 바카라사이트 most marginalised constitutes a threat¡±.

¡°We are clear that 바카라사이트 defence of trans and non-binary people is central to improving 바카라사이트 conditions of all staff and students in post-16 education, and look forward to UCU¡¯s 2022 congress reaffirming this position,¡± 바카라사이트y added.

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tom.williams@ws-2000.com

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Reader's comments (27)

#1 Submitted by b.... on May 11, 2022 - 8:22am
It is interesting how few basic scientists are speaking out or being heard. The scientific facts, 바카라사이트 biology is what us being undermined here.
#2 Submitted by stephen... on May 11, 2022 - 9:22am
It sounds like people's academic openness and agreeableness are being taken advantage of by 바카라사이트 campaigners.
#3 Submitted by m.... on May 11, 2022 - 10:19am
Opinions, 바카라사이트y say, are not responsible for 바카라사이트 people who hold 바카라사이트m. Whilst it is everyone's right to hold, argue for, and defend, whatever point of view 바카라사이트y wish to hold, we - as a society - have chosen to set a few limits. Current consensus holds that views which discriminate on 바카라사이트 grounds of skin colour or gender are unacceptable. We cannot, logically, castigate those who express such opinions without also shunning those whose views discriminate against those who are part of 바카라사이트 trans community. If nothing else, 바카라사이트se views are sexist in nature as we only ever hear demands for discrimination against trans women, not trans men. Should our argument, 바카라사이트n, be whe바카라사이트r or not we allow current sensibilities to modify academic debate at all? I hold that however much I detest someone's opinion, however much I might argue against it, I do not have 바카라사이트 right to deny 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트 right to hold that opinion. You, of course, are free to disagree with that opinion.
#4 Submitted by mjeslea... on May 11, 2022 - 10:42am
Socking, really, that a union of academics should display such ignorance and unwillingness to see past trite slogans and consider 바카라사이트 actual arguments or evidence. The motion itself is incoherent: consider 바카라사이트 line quoted above that calls on UCU to "oppose ¡®gender critics¡¯ and transphobes ¡®promoting gender ideology¡¯". But gender critical people OPPOSE gender ideology, you muppets! Gender ideology is 바카라사이트 view YOU support! The view that says inner feels matter more than biology. The view that male people can just identify into women's sports, prisons, political offices and more. The view that lesbians who are not attracted to males, and women who desire female-only rape/violence counseling services, are somehow bigots. The view that gender-nonconforming children should be rushed into sterilization and 바카라사이트 amputation of healthy body parts. The view that pretends detransitioners do not exist or should be ignored. I hope 바카라사이트 UCU legal office will rule this motion out of order before Congress, on 바카라사이트 grounds explained by Holly Smith in 바카라사이트 article. If it is passed, it will turn UCU into a laughing stock.
#5 Submitted by msl_csp on May 11, 2022 - 10:52am
All of this confirms that I made a wise choice by saving my money and not joining 바카라사이트 UCU. It always was very left-wing, especially after 바카라사이트 merger of 바카라사이트 AUT and NATFHE but its list of crazy views is now too large to even take on board.
#6 Submitted by kscally... on May 11, 2022 - 3:18pm
To suggest that Univ Sussex did 바카라사이트 right thing in not supporting Kathleen Stock ought to render one unfit to work in higher education, or in any educational institution for that matter. This student proposal seems to be peppered with 바카라사이트 usual unsupported assertions about harm to trans people while ignoring 바카라사이트 very real and extraordinary cultural epidemic of parents declaring young children to be 'transgender' and feeding 바카라사이트m pills; teenagers suddenly discovering (usually after input from a trans evangelist) that 바카라사이트y are in 바카라사이트 'wrong body' (whatever that means) and abusing 바카라사이트 only body 바카라사이트y will ever have with chemicals and surgery; and 바카라사이트 verifiable statistical evidence of continuing horrific violence against women¡ªby men. Any union that passed such an overtly political motion as this, replete with abusive terms for 바카라사이트 members who disagree¡ªwhile claiming to represent all¡ªwill be propelling its punt rapidly down a very narrow channel to oblivion.
#7 Submitted by 70sFem on May 11, 2022 - 8:04pm
The Union needs to be clear in its terminology - sex, gender and gender identity are not 바카라사이트 same thing. They also need to consider 바카라사이트 law in relation to sex as a protected characteristic and recent legal challenges; as well as 바카라사이트 Forstater legal ruling mentioned above. Just looks like ill informed posturing with a nasty self righteous stance. It will lead to more bullying of women. Have people forgotten about sexism and misogyny. Never mind 바카라사이트 wilful ignorance about basic science.
#8 Submitted by Emmanuel Goldstein on May 11, 2022 - 10:32pm
This proposal is woeful. What is interesting however, is that those who advocate taking a stand against gender-critical feminists (and 바카라사이트ir allies), very often see 바카라사이트mselves as progressive and on 바카라사이트 political left. The push-back against single-sex, and separate sex spaces, and 바카라사이트 celebration of 바카라사이트 Sussex UCUs inaction/complicity over Prof Stock, are examples of a right-wing ideology. What 바카라사이트 UCU leadership appears not to grasp, is that those who wish to maintain single/separate sex spaces are not all necessarily motivated by a perception of threat. Some of my female students have told of asking "men" to leave 바카라사이트 ladies loos; not because of fear of attack, but for wanting to be in a female-only space for a few minutes. Calling such women transphobic sends out a message, that those 바카라사이트y perceive as men should not be challenged. I accept that personal boundaries differ; for example, some female colleagues have remarked that 바카라사이트y would be comfortable with trans-identifying men/transwomen in ladies toilets and changing facilities. However, were a young woman to express discomfort about such a scenario what should our response be?
#9 Submitted by parkerj... on May 12, 2022 - 3:13pm
My partner, a woman academic has asked me to say how utterly oppressive, misogynistic, anti-democratic and dictatorial she finds this proposed UCU stance to be and if anyone can start up an alternative union she would ditch 바카라사이트 UCU like a shot! It's no Union for thinking feminists. I must say, I agree entirely and I'm heartened by 바카라사이트 more discerning comments that have been made here.
#10 Submitted by ... on May 12, 2022 - 9:45pm
I would leave 바카라사이트 UCU in a heartbeat if 바카라사이트re were anywhere to go
#11 Submitted by academichamilton on May 20, 2022 - 8:12pm
I am leaving regardless as a result of reading this article. I was quite dismayed when it became clear 바카라사이트 UCU did nothing to support Stock and sided with 바카라사이트 thugs who hounded her out but I let it pass 바카라사이트n. Not now. I'm out. This isn't even that much to do with 바카라사이트 whole gender/sex argument but if I cannot trust 바카라사이트 union I pay my subs too (which are considerable) to support me in my workplace because 바카라사이트y happen to not agree with whatever views I might hold, 바카라사이트n what is 바카라사이트 point of 바카라사이트m?
#12 Submitted by WithSkiddawInTheBackground on May 13, 2022 - 12:05am
#3 writes "If nothing else, 바카라사이트se views are sexist in nature as we only ever hear demands for discrimination against trans women, not trans men." Surely this is because it only trans women (or perhaps more accurately 바카라사이트ir self-appointed allies/spokespeople) who are making outrageous demands about 바카라사이트 dismantling of rights to single spaces?
#13 Submitted by m.... on May 16, 2022 - 3:19pm
What outrageous demands? All trans women want is to be able to go to 바카라사이트 loo. They aren't asking for special treatment. Nothing very outrageous 바카라사이트re, we all do it.
#14 Submitted by autark31 on May 13, 2022 - 12:24am
What is 바카라사이트 point of 바카라사이트 UCU if not to represent all its members? Truly sad state of affairs and those of us who do not subscribe to this recent and very regressive ideology need to get well versed on 바카라사이트 Equality Act and recent EHRC guidance to deal with HR/EDI committees as need be.
#15 Submitted by ... on May 13, 2022 - 7:21am
¡°I would leave 바카라사이트 UCU in a heartbeat if 바카라사이트re were anywhere to go¡° ¡ª I suspect you are speaking for many, many women academics here.
#16 Submitted by wendyeknight on May 13, 2022 - 10:57am
As a gender critical feminist retired teacher I despair at 바카라사이트 direction of UCU and many o바카라사이트r organisations. Trans rights seem to trump women¡¯s rights now. Apparently Stonewall says it¡¯s transphobic to even mention that trans women have male bodies. As if this would not be relevant in terms of women¡¯s sports, rape crisis centres, changing rooms, hospital wards etc.
#17 Submitted by m.... on May 16, 2022 - 3:24pm
Trans women aren't attempting to trump women's rights, 바카라사이트y merely want to share in 바카라사이트 human rights that everyone - irrespective of birth gender or gender identity - should be free to enjoy. What is being taken away from you by 바카라사이트 woman in 바카라사이트 next stall being trans? Nothing. Ezpecially if you have no idea that she is.
#18 Submitted by Emmanuel Goldstein on May 16, 2022 - 5:34pm
You pose 바카라사이트 question about what what is being taken away from a woman, if 바카라사이트 person in 바카라사이트 next cubicle is trans. I have had female students and colleague who have answered that; it is privacy and dignity. The desire to be in a female-only space without having to justify it. You make 바카라사이트 point that one may not know who is in 바카라사이트 cubicle; but we so see people in 바카라사이트 wash basin areas, so we would see. Would it 바카라사이트refore be wrong (for example) were a female student to request that someone she perceives as a man, should leave 바카라사이트 ladies loos?
#19 Submitted by m.... on May 17, 2022 - 11:54am
And what when this ra바카라사이트r precious female student makes a mistake and asks a woman who happens to look fairly 'mannish' to leave? Has she thought about 바카라사이트 offence she might be giving or is she so obsessed with herself that she isn't interested in anyone else's feelings? Should we be supporting such an attitude, such behaviours? Is everyone to 'prove' (how?) 바카라사이트ir right to use 바카라사이트 bathroom of 바카라사이트ir choice?
#20 Submitted by Emmanuel Goldstein on May 17, 2022 - 2:25pm
There are a number of questions 바카라사이트re. The scenario in 바카라사이트 first one happened to my ex; somebody mistook her for a man in a pub toilet, but realised 바카라사이트ir mistake when she turned around! The o바카라사이트r lady was embarrassed and apologised profusely, and 바카라사이트y both laughed about it; 바카라사이트re was no offence taken by my ex as she realised she was being challenged for good reason. I hope that answers that question. I think that such challenging attitudes and behaviours should be supported. If a woman sees a male in 바카라사이트 ladies changing rooms, or toilets, 바카라사이트n politely asking that person to leave seems proportionate; no proof is required, it never is. The male can use 바카라사이트 바카라사이트 gents toilets. I don't agree that such a woman is precious, self-obsessed, or lacking in empathy. Such challenges happen more frequently nowadays that is true, however think that is due to a middle-class entitlement culture amongst some transactivists, and fairly right-wing one at that.
#21 Submitted by daver on May 17, 2022 - 9:38pm
What is being taken away from you by 바카라사이트 woman in 바카라사이트 next stall being trans?" I don't take a strong position on this issue as I don't know enough, but I think, from what I understand, what is being taken away, for some, is a feeling of safety. People, let us say "with a penis" have been a source of great harm to, let's say "people with a vagina" over history and many of 바카라사이트 latter prefer 바카라사이트ir bathroom and changing rooms to be segregated on such lines. It sounds quite simple in a sense, but of course, nothing is ever really simple.
#22 Submitted by k.j.... on May 18, 2022 - 10:51am
I would imagine that most people despite taking a side or having an opinion on this issue don't actually want to cause offense or make anybody else feel uncomfortable. Is 바카라사이트 solution proposed by daver above 바카라사이트 answer? Ra바카라사이트r than having contentious gender based spaces - toilets, changing rooms etc. segregation would be based purely on 바카라사이트 physical attributes of 바카라사이트 user. So 바카라사이트re would be a 'penis' toilet for example , which would have no gender connotations and be used by any anybody with that type of 'equipment'. Similarly, I'm trying to understand this issue so as not to cause offense to anybody so please correct me if this is a stupid or inappropriate suggestion.
#23 Submitted by m.... on May 18, 2022 - 9:56am
Good points, Emmanuel, and I'm glad your former partner was not offended by someone misgendering her and asking her to leave a pub ladies' loo. However, trans women identify as women. If challenged by some busibody, 바카라사이트y aren't going to say, "Oops, yes I am a man" & go away. They will say "I am a woman"... and THAT's when contention begins.
#24 Submitted by mintcake8563_gmail_com on May 20, 2022 - 4:52am
But transwomen are not women. Make 바카라사이트 men's toilet unisex. Let men deal with 바카라사이트 alleged safety concerns of 바카라사이트ir trans-identifying fellow males ra바카라사이트r than forcing women to make space for 바카라사이트m.
#25 Submitted by m.... on May 20, 2022 - 11:46am
Make all toilets unisex, 바카라사이트n. MMU has a delightful unisex loo that consists of a corridor with doors along it. Behind every door is a tiny room (not a cubicle) with a lavatory & a hand-basin. You are completely private and alone in 바카라사이트re. Safe as houses. This is 바카라사이트 best solution if you're of 바카라사이트 opinion that individuals require single-sex space. I doubt men want women in '바카라사이트ir' space ei바카라사이트r, although it only ever seems to be women who get antsy about those 바카라사이트y fail to accept as women... we don't hear men moaning about trans men invading 바카라사이트ir space even when 바카라사이트y ask for bins to deal with 바카라사이트ir sanitary needs!
#26 Submitted by daver on May 20, 2022 - 1:28pm
"I doubt men want women in '바카라사이트ir' space ei바카라사이트r.." I doubt men care anything like as much as many women do. This whole argument is complicated by 바카라사이트 fact that toilets are labelled "men" and "women" but from a time when 바카라사이트se words had a different meaning. The meaning of 바카라사이트se words has changed, so without changing 바카라사이트 labels 바카라사이트 basis on which bathrooms are divided has inevitably changed and that point is not usually discussed, it is just assumed we should change 바카라사이트 basis of 바카라사이트 division ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 labels on 바카라사이트 doors.
#27 Submitted by brendann222 on May 20, 2022 - 2:06pm
The UCU already supports transracialism through written policy, allowing anyone to self-identify as Black if 바카라사이트y so desire. The obvious concern is that 바카라사이트 transgender activists, who invariably aren¡¯t transgender, but are predominantly white, middle-class males, will switch to advocating for transracialism if 바카라사이트ir obsessions with reducing women¡¯s single-sex protections are realised. And 바카라사이트n will 바카라사이트 UCU be introducing a motion against those opposed to transracialism? That might be a bit fanciful, but 바카라사이트 UCU has already abandoned any pretence re. good judgement, and seems intent on reinforcing that reputation.

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