Professor Rosa Freedman

[SusanBunch]

As some of you on here know, I am an academic and I have just seen on twitter that another prominent voice has been added to the GC side: Prof Rosa Freedman, professor of Law at Reading:

twitter.com/GoonerProf/status/1029037165815185413

I cannot begin to explain how significant this is. Until today literally no legal academics have come out in support of the GC side and no articles are being written from a GC perspective, even in feminist journals. Given that the whole debate is around law-reform (duh) this is quite astonishing. Loads of woke-bro articles in support of course though.

Part of Rosa's motivation was the way that the academic community closed ranks on Kathleen Stock (one of my heroines). She says on her thread that she has already been thrown out of an academic online group for defending Professor Stock.

So, round of applause for Rosa and I hope this marks the beginning of many more female academics 'coming out'. I know quite a few of them think it (I can see who follows A Woman's Place ) but nobody dares say anything. I am far too junior and unimportant to risk being the object of vilification, so I am being a coward and keeping quiet, but inside I am celebrating.

Assoc. Professor Michael Biggs (Oxford)
users.ox.ac.uk/~sfos0060/FreeSpeechOxford.pdf

"A meeting was held on 25 April 2018 to discuss proposed changes to the law on gender recognition. The proposed legislation will eliminate sex-segregated spaces and activities, from women’s refuges to competitive sports. In a democracy, people have the right to meet to discuss—and indeed oppose—legislative changes. This should be incontrovertible. I am appalled that a small number of students at Oxford used extreme measures to stop this meeting from being held....
(concludes)
I have entered this debate not because I am a feminist but because freedom of speech is one of the highest values of a democratic society, and the basic foundation of university life.
Transgender activism poses a grave threat to freedom of speech. I think of the young MPhil student who had to disguise herself to attend this meeting because she feared the reaction of fellow students. This is the generation that we have educated."

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3257819-Michael-Biggs-Sociology-Dept-Oxford-Free-speech-at-Oxford-Do-women-have-the-right-to-meet-to-discuss-legislation

And thank you Michael Biggs.

Anti woman activists have provided a handy list of institutions where there are gender critical academics, or indeed anyone who sticks up for women's rights to discuss things which affect us. I was wondering who was Oxford:

twitter.com/lisaquestions/status/1029977501961867264?s=20

If I worked in any of those departments I'd secretly be hoping that TRAs were being steered elsewhere.

Thank you Professor!

recent threads & links which include academics' comment:

medium.com/@kathleenstock/anonymised-responses-from-other-academics-to-my-articles-on-sex-gender-and-philosophy-f1cc0db04554

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3289890-great-piece-by-academic-kathleen-stock-mentions-mn

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3254291-Philosophical-perspectives

Academics support for Frredom of speech & Womans Place UK open letter:
www.feministcurrent.com/2018/06/07/open-letter-freedom-speech-university-bristol/
thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3259500-Trans-Student-Faces-Expulsion-from-Univeristy-of-Bristol

Also important to acknowledge the many patient, erudite responses from BowlofBabelfish.
Bowl has been asking the question, 'So can a human change sex?'

Whilst she is away on maternity leave, an advanced search will provide all neccesary scientific responses to those of us with lesser qualifications. This though was a rather special moment (in the midst of the derail of the Kathleen Stock thread)

TRA "Wow. That's great. Thank you. Is yours GCSE, or not that up to date? Because I'm getting a bit fedup with hearing from people who think the stuff they learned in the first year or two of secondary school trumps the expertise of serious research scientists and consultant-level specialist clinicians."

BowlofBabelFish reply : I have a GCSE yes.
I also have some A levels
And two first degrees (a double first, if you’re asking)
two masters degrees,
a PhD done under a Nobel Laureate,
And a couple of postdocs,
then a career, amounting to 22 years as a ‘serious research scientist’, then a second career mixing said previous life with clinical trials and drug development. Is that enough for you or is there perhaps a swimming certificate or two I can add in as well? I’m sure I have some in the loft....

Funnily enough though this IS GCSE level biology, and I’d imagine any person on here with an iota of common sense can follow the actual science because it isn’t hard.

I also go to bed rather early these days, I’m afraid my pesky female biology has made me a bit pregnant (if anyone from class 3b can answer how that works they can earn five house points) so I’m a little tired.

So, about the science. What did you want to ask about?"

Scientists and Medics met on this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3249928-Gender-Critical-Science

twitter.com/selina_todd/status/1029792450154573825

Free Speech in Universities:
May 2018 "Sam Gyimah, the universities minister, will announce tough guidance on the issue at a meeting today, calling attempts to silence debate “chilling”.

He will accuse some student societies of “institutional hostility” to certain unfashionable but perfectly lawful views. A “murky” legal landscape, with guidance from various regulators, lets zealots censor those with whom they disagree, Mr Gyimah will say."
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sam-gyimah-crackdown-on-students-silencing-free-speech-x28jx85fc
threads:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3239267-Free-Speech-No-Platforming-at-Universities

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3238951-some-good-news

Bristol:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3233018-Freedom-of-Speech-A-statement-by-the-Chair-of-the-Universitys-Equality-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Group

Newcastle:
"A Northumbria University spokesman said they decided to allow the event to take place because it was their “legal duty to uphold freedom of speech”.

He added: “We can confirm that this external event took place on campus on Thursday evening, which provided an opportunity for constructive and peaceful debate.

“The university considered this request carefully on the basis of our legal duty to uphold freedom of speech."
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3208735-Womens-Place-Newcastle?pg=2&messages=100

Sussex:
University of Sussex Vice Chancellor's statement, 'Living Our Values':
(extract)
"I have also reflected upon a situation involving an academic member of staff here at Sussex and the concerns raised by some members of our community on the views that she has shared on the Gender Recognition Act, which the government is currently consulting on.

The academic in question has come under fire for articulating views, informed by her philosophical research and scholarship, on the laws and customs surrounding gender identity. Although she has stated that she is fully supportive of the rights of everyone to identify their own gender, she has also raised questions about where boundaries should be set and these have provoked strong feelings and, in some cases, accusations. It’s at this juncture I’ve felt uncomfortable about the implication that there may be something more sinister going on.

This situation is actually a telling example of how we can choose to call upon our values to inform how we act.

By celebrating inclusion, we must recognise the personal courage of the many individuals who come up against abuse or unacceptable behaviour - just because they are being themselves. I know it has been extremely difficult for many people in the transgender and non-binary community to hear the views held by our academic.

But for me, alongside this, we must also be kind to those people who are brave enough to share their own views – and respect the courage they have for doing so. Whether it is one of our academics or another member of staff, or one of our students, I feel very strongly that we must respect their right to free speech. I hold a deep-rooted concern about the future of our democratic society if we silence the views of people we don't agree with – even if our disagreements are vehemently opposed." (continues)
www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/newsandevents/?id=45388?ref=emailaccessible
thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3292400-WPUK-Brighton-Meeting-Turning-the-Tide

Thank you Selina!

(Also, that BowlofBabel quote needs to be engraved on a plaque somewhere, thanks for the links R0wan!)

Also, that BowlofBabel quote needs to be engraved on a plaque somewhere,

"Yes/no question for you. It’s a simple one.

Do you believe humans can change sex?"

Have just emailed Simon Chandler-Wilde and Ellie Highwood
(Deans of Inclusion & Diversity) at Rosa's University as she requested. And cc'd her in. Would be lovely if they were knee-deep in supportive messages by the time she gets back from the UN.
Thanks Rosa.

Will email. Just not good at this. Anyone want to provide a template to help me. I’m not sure what to say

I was asked to comment on our shiny new draft student code of conduct today, before it goes for institutional sign off.
If I get sacked, it’s (ironically) because I quoted the EA and asked them to include both sex and gender identity/ expression instead of just ‘gender’ as protected characteristics.
I will be most unchuffed if they don’t amend it.

People attempting to argue points of law WITH A PROFESSOR OF LAW.

Marvellous twitter thread.

If I get sacked, it’s (ironically) because I quoted the EA and asked them to include both sex and gender identity/ expression instead of just ‘gender’ as protected characteristics

Yeah, I've just looked at our free speech policy, and they MISQUOTE the Equalities Act and use 'gender' instead of 'sex.'

Given my experience, I'm currently being a coward at pointing out their illegal policy error. I must find out whom to contact to point out the illegality.

Hi Truth
Here's an anonymised version of my email in case it's useful. I had a very nice, supportive reply this morning.

^I am writing to you to support the courage of Professor Rosa Freedman who has providing a thoughtful and carefully argued response to current attacks on the rights of women and girls. In doing so she has put herself on the firing line in what is a difficult and often violent debate.

This is a vitally important issue, perhaps the most significant human rights issue of our time. Women are being frightened into silence, both on social media and in real life; meetings are being disrupted and individuals threatened. It is absolutely essential that the expert voice of people like Professor Freedman is heard.

I sincerely hope that you will formally acknowledge her courage in speaking out, support her right to do so, and continue to ensure that academic freedom prevails.^

Thanks Oldstyle

Great email Oldstyle

aw thanks Chatty!

Just posting this here (also on its own thread) to maximise readership...

Rosa and her colleague back out on the barricades with this clear overview. We're starting to build quite a collection of well-argued expertise to pit against the gibberish.
ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/womens-rights-and-the-proposed-changes-to-the-gender-recognition-act/

OldStyle
Yes great email. Thanks again.

And I just learned how to bold.

(Sorry to go slightly off topic but Academics’ Corner is unsurprisingly quiet at this time and I saw this so,
FAO STEM academics

The BSA have a mission around diversity and inclusion in science and have just received a big Wellcome grant.
www.britishscienceassociation.org/news/bsa-receives-sustaining-excellence-funding-from-the-wellcome-trust
They are asking for feedback on what to look at in this work.

Further academics to follow/support:

Posted by @SaulGoodWoman on the Queer up North former Director page:
Dr Jane Clare Jones- have really enjoyed reading her stuff, brilliant blogger.

Sorry if someone has linked to it before, but have just managed to start reading Dr Jane Clare Jone's piece of post structural feminism and a material analysis of patriarchy, and it is bloody brilliant.

janeclarejones.com/2018/07/18/post-structuralism-butler-and-bodies/

Finally on a really depressing note for free speech and free academic thinking:

I looked at Dr Jane Clare Jones’s Twitter which RTs the #steerclear campaign by TRAs- which is around 2018 university clearing.

mobile.twitter.com/FeministRoar/status/1030220516211216384/photo/1

It’s an obnoxious campaign to peer pressure students who are trans ’or who care about social justice’

Wait for it... warning them off certain university departments- or whole Universities

(..sorry Bristol! - guess that will be payback for telling off those little thugs who intimidated women at the WPUK meeting there)

Because ’these departments have been claimed to have transphobic staff’

WTAF.

They mean gender critical. NOT the same thing. And who the fuck do these vacuous man-pleasing thought police think they are, telling young people to avoid ideas..?!

It’s all LITERAL HERESY! (Won’t somebody think of the CHILDREN?

Makes you wonder what carefully-approved fun these intolerant fragile tossers are planning for freshers week?

All getting their onesies on together while drinking hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows around a book-burning?!

Anyway.. I think this is campaign is also worth posting in one of MNs university admissions threads. I think most people will be shocked to see the level of moral blackmail being applied to potential students and university staff... simply for daring to remind people about real biological facts, real law or women’s oppression or in any other way to question the TRA transborg.