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Original poster

Recourse for being banned from a help group for stating sex is real

34 replies

lifeturnsonadime · 16/02/2022 22:22

I'm posting this thread because this has now happened to me. I don't think there is any recourse but just want to check with people who know.

A group set up to support parents whose children need alternative provision at school because of SEN or other reasons posted an advert for a TRA webinar.

I expressed concerns that this was not in the ethos of the group as it is a political position which removes the rights of female children and women.

I was then immediately removed from this support group, and have subsequently found I am not the only person for being 'transphobic and a terf'.

The founder has a male child who trans identifies.

This is a really key group for support in an area which impacts families with children who may be disabled. I think it's dreadful to be 'removed' for having completely lawful (Forstarter) views.

Is there any recourse?

OP posts:
Original poster
lifeturnsonadime · 16/02/2022 23:07

To be clear the specific advice has nothing to do with gender issues. They just choose not to offer 'the service' to women who believe in sex.

OP posts:
Original poster
lifeturnsonadime · 16/02/2022 23:06

It is a facebook group but where I think it crosses a line is that it sells services to families who require support for things that have nothing to do with gender ideology.

The founder sells webinars about a very specific form of education which applies to children who can't access education. The founder is a lawyer and this facebook group more or less operates as a commercial enterprise with the business of supporting families in a very specific legal position vis a vis education and local authorities.

How is that different to running any other commercial service which refuses access to people based on different political and/ or religious views?

OP posts:
Doona · 16/02/2022 23:05

There needs to be discussion on these issues and a tra webinar is facilitating discussion. You don't have to go, or you could go and express concerns if you have any.
Especially if the founder has a trans child, they is probably trying to learn more about it and gain support from the group, which seems natural and fair. There are also intersections between trans identity and autism which seem relevant to a SEN group. Maybe consider trying to add to the discussion rather than shutting other people down?

Witheringtong · 16/02/2022 23:04

I guess it would be similar to a vegan joining a Sunday Roast group and accusing all the meat eaters of being animal haters.

That anology doesnt work. Its like a vegan joining a vegan group and being thrown out for not agreeing that the earth is flat.

Whitefire · 16/02/2022 23:01

In terms of the vegan analogy, I mean that has been recognised as a valid belief, so whilst one can state something, it doesn't mean the group has to allow that person a platform.

You can't be sacked for the viewpoint, but thrown out of a group, surely there is no stopping that. Be careful as these things work both ways.

Whitefire · 16/02/2022 22:57

Is this a real life group or a FB one? Was it the founder who said about the webinar? I'm not sure of any recourse, has there been a tangible loss to you? Even having a view / belief / fact doesn't mean a group has to include you. I guess it would be similar to a vegan joining a Sunday Roast group and accusing all the meat eaters of being animal haters.

It's a harder situation because of the founder's child, so it has been taken personally.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/02/2022 22:43

Does this group have any "official" standing eg a charity?

Witheringtong · 16/02/2022 22:39

I'm pretty sure voluntary organisations have to abide by The Equality Act, as they provide a service. So technically you should have legal recourse, but it seems to be expensive.
I wonder if you could get together with the others and fund a solicitors letter pointing out the parts of the EA covering victimisation and harassment.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85028/vcs-service-providers.pdf

26 Harassment
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/26

27 Victimisation
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/27

parietal · 16/02/2022 22:32

I doubt there is any legal recourse. can you set up your own group? recruit the others who have been forced out too.