Gendered Intelligence

@Datun Agreed but (you may have missed this, I only sort of alluded to it) I meant specifically within the organisation to which both OP and I belong. I'd love to know by which channel this actual mandate (if it is that) arrived on this person's desk.

D & I bollocks has got to these extreme lengths because we've allowed self invested individuals to take up work time (and funds) with narcissistic presentations about themselves and their ideology to the exclusion of all the other protected groups.

Spot on.

I volunteered for one of these groups because I suspected that the other PCs wouldn't get a look in. I think more of us boring ordinary people should join in (although I can think of at least 3 PCs that apply to me and I suspect that's not at all unusual).

If I was in a position liek yours I'd get Barry Wall in to be honest. He will probably blow a hole right through all the spiel and focus you on what it is you are trying to achieve whatever that is. EDI JEster. EDI is his thing.

Yes, these are all very good points. Equality awareness is what we need, not just trans awareness training.

Yes, it should just be equality awareness, with equal time devoted to each protected characteristic.

it's because transactivism has tried to misinterpret equality law and force that interpretation on companies, lest they be caught out violating it.

And pretending that it's a complete minefield.

I too am very interested to know where the motivation to deliver trans awareness training specifically is coming from.

I'd suggest using some data to help decide. What are the real issues re diversity inclusion that impact on the work place? What's highlighted by the data? (In schools we'd look at attainment, participation, behaviour in lessons & around the school, bullying, subject choice, mental health etc. What groups are failing? invisible, presenting for extra support, dropping out of courses, poor attendance, poor behaviour etc (for students). Different issues for staff.
D & I bollocks has got to these extreme lengths because we've allowed self invested individuals to take up work time (and funds) with narcissistic presentations about themselves and their ideology to the exclusion of all the other protected groups. Their material self identifies as being relevant for schools / workplaces but is in fact completely irrelevant. Any institution worth its salt should be using their own data and staff/ student / customer experiences to identify and prioritise what their inclusion challenges are.

Very wise. The best diversity training i had was before EDI in its current form. It was facilitated by an external provider but it very much concentrated on being interested in cultural difference and not being scared to ask people about their different cultures and religion etc. Times have changed since then.

Anyway sorry I'm getting sidetracked.

I don't see why there needs to be outside training; it's just a money-making and / or ideology pushing endeavour. It is basically knowing the Equality Act (something GI falls very short on -I've seen their teaching materials),common sense, and some concrete examples and guidelines relevant to that particular workplace.

Apologies, I just presumed they would do training. Might be worth contacting Sex Matters and see if they will do a training course?
There seems to be a massive gap in the market for proper, practical training on Equality Law

@Whatwherewherewhat I agree, it's excellent that they were open-minded about it and listened to feedback. Goes to show it's always worth speaking up in these situations.

Well done OP, I too would be very interested to know who the complainants were, what they said and who it was that decreed them to be 'unpleasant'. The email from the organiser has a whiff of resentment about it, doesn't acknowledge the complaints and only alludes to the possibility that GI will not be re-booked (I'd be flabbergasted if they were, if what you said is accurate):

Dear colleagues,

I am very sorry about the short notice, but for reasons outside of our
control, we are having to postpone tomorrow's trans awareness workshop
with Gendered Intelligence. We will give you an update in the new year
on when the sessions will be re-scheduled for - and whether they will be
delivered by GI or another provider.

With apologies again for the short notice.

Simon Fanshawe was a founder of Stonewall, back in the days when they cared about LGB rights. He’s not involved any more so that’s ok.

Until you see them yourself, I might be inclined to think that unpleasant was another word that has been redefined.

So glad it's been cancelled OP. I think your uni is going in the right direction.

What did your comment mean...?
'Apparently there were MANY complaints, some very unpleasant.' By unpleasant did they mean women were pointing out the problems with Gi?