Quakers have been caught in the crossfire of a transgender row after hosting a “transphobic” feminist meeting in Oxford.
The meeting organised by A Woman's Place UK (WPUK), which was met by protesters from Oxford University, has prompted a wave of criticism towards the Quakers.
The Student's Union had called on the Quakers to cancel the event which took place on Wednesday night after writing an open letter condemning the meeting.
The event did go ahead, however Oxford Quakers have now revealed they are going to consider changes to their policy after protesters gathered outside the venue.
Denouncing the meeting in a public statement issued by Oxford Student’s Union LGBTQ Campaign, they said: “This event is predominantly about curtailing transgender people’s rights, and invites exclusively cisgender people to speak on this … This kind of trans-exclusionary feminism cannot be condoned.”
The hosting of these events has been regularly criticised as WPUK has faced several accusations of anti-trans behaviour in recent months.
One attendee of the meeting tweeted: 'I brought biscuits for the protesters at #WPUK'
One attendee of the meeting tweeted: 'I brought biscuits for the protesters at #WPUK'
In one instance the group had to relocate their meeting after pressure from opposers led to a hotel cancelling the session.
WPUK have been labelled as Terfs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) and their critics have now voiced their concerns about Quakers, who held a separate meeting for WPUK in Manchester in January.
Adam tweeted: “Sadly it's not the first time the Quakers have hosted transphobes. I really hoped the Quaker faith community would be allies to trans people in the UK but it seems not to be the case.”
Martin Newman added: “The news that the Oxford Meeting House is this evening hosting a transphobic organisation is incredibly disappointing to me.
“Correct me if i'm wrong but transphobia is against everything I thought the Quakers stood for, do you have any comment on the Oxford meeting house booking this event and then not listening to trans activists' reasonable concerns?”
In response to the criticism, an Oxford Quakers spokeswoman said that Quakers believe in peace and honesty and said it was hoped that “both sides in this debate, who hold passionate views, will engage together in peace and mutual respect.”
She said: “There were other meetings in our premises that evening, three of which involved vulnerable adults. The Clerk of the meeting asked the demonstrators not to harass people coming into the building. We are disappointed that the demonstrators did not immediately heed this request.”
The spokeswoman added that following the attention which the meeting received they are to consider “whether any changes in policies are required.”
Helen Drewery, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain said: “There are Quakers on both sides of this situation and we acknowledge feelings are running high. We want to provide space for free and honest discussion to enable understanding.”
Following the meeting, a spokeswoman for WPUK thanked everyone for their attendance “in the face of these threats and intimidation”, adding: “A special thanks to the local organisers and Oxford Quakers for enabling our respectful discussion to take place.”
A statement from The University of Oxford Student Union said: "We firmly oppose discrimination/harassment on the basis of gender identity. As such, we chose to co-sign statement to challenge groups, such as a Women's Place UK, and stand as a united community against hate speech.
"Oxford SU recognises and supports the right of students to protest peacefully, as a tool in calling for change."