Do you remember the RSB tweet telling a biologist to take their transphobia out of the hash tag.
I got a reply to my email yesterday, it doesn't answer my questions but it sounds like whoever tweeted might be in a little trouble.
Email and reply here
Hi
I'd l;ike some clarification on a tweet sent on behalf of the RSB. I enclose a summary of the exchange here.
Today is #iamabiologist day - some would say, the BEST day in #BiologyWeek! We'll be showcasing some amazing biologists and the work they do, so make sure to share your selfies by tagging us and using the hashtag so we can share it too!
#iamabiologist who knows that sex is determined at conception, observed at or before birth and is immutable. I also know that #BiologyIsntBigotry and that women are #AdultHumanFemales.
Royal Society of Biology @RoyalSocBio Replying to @TriciaFrasman
Please take your transphobia out of our hashtag please. BYE
Please can you confirm whether the Royal Society of Biology believes it is abusive (transphobic) to state that in humans sex is determined in utero and that it is also bigotry? Or does the society believe adult human females are women?
At this point I'd like to take the opportunity to state that 'sex' is a protected characteristic in the Equality Act. The tweet replying to Tricia Frasman was not directed at me but was stated in a public forum, it is offensive to all women to call our existence 'transphobic'.
I look forward to hearing from you
Reply here - I have redacted my real name
Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. They have been raised internally and we will take them forward.
The Royal Society of Biology is committed to supporting and promoting an environment in which the development and sharing of knowledge about the science of life is open to all. We work to ensure that the biological sciences are accessible to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sex, ethnicity or nationality, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background. Increasing the understanding of life can benefit all, with the complex areas of sex and gender remaining areas of active research in their fields.
Our #biosciencesforall programme advocates for, and invites, the inclusion of everyone with an interest in the biosciences, and aims to address challenges to access at all levels. We are actively collaborating with other organisations to help make science more accessible and are a signatory of the Science Council’s Declaration on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.
Further detail of our work can be found on our website.
Best wishes
Laura
Dr Laura Bellingan FRSB
Director of Policy and Public Affairs
020 3925 3468
077 2059 2802
www.rsb.org.uk
Royal Society of Biology | 1 Naoroji Street | London | WC1X 0GB