University of Essex apologises to Jo Phoenix and Rosa Freedman for infringing their freedom of speech

[RoyalCorgi]

Both Rosa Freedman and Jo Phoenix had invitations to speak at the University of Essex rescinded because of their "transphobic" views.

The university's vice-chancellor has now conducted a review and concluded that the cancellations were wrong.

twitter.com/jophoenix1/status/1394604603300253696

A glimmer of good news! Thanks for posting this, shows it's worth making a fuss.

Fantasitc news and a very important referral to the Equality Act. Let’s hope other universities are taking note!

That's good, if they'd done that in the first place and shown some gumption the govt wouldn't have got involved.

Oh that is really interesting - especially point 28 about Stonewall guidance maybe having led university staff to believe gender critical academics could be uninvited

The wording of Recommendation 28:

"The University should give careful and thorough consideration to the relative benefits and disbenefits of its relationship with Stonewall, bearing in mind the issues raised in this report. In particular, it should consider that this relationship appears to have given University members the impression that gender critical academics can legitimately be excluded from the institution."

That will put the cat among the pigeons.

Really interesting thread thank you OP.

In their preamble to the downloadable report (much redacted) uni of Essex says this, which is so important and should be read carefully by other institutions especially Abertay University re Lisa Keogh ( www.spectator.co.uk/article/lisa-keogh-and-the-myth-of-campus-censorship ):

"I was deeply concerned to read the input into the review from some staff and students who said that they felt constrained to self-censor their speech and activity because of concerns about how we manage the balance between freedom of speech and our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. We must re-commit to providing a supportive and inclusive environment within which people can expect to learn, grow and develop through challenge. As a community this means that we may encounter ideas or arguments which may be experienced as objectionable or offensive; with a line drawn at conduct which is unlawful or contrary to the University’s policies. On behalf of the University, I am offering an open apology to staff and students regarding the procedural and other failings that have occurred in relation to the two events covered in the Reindorf Report, and for any distress caused. We are also committed to taking a range of actions to address the impact of these events on members of our community. This will include consulting with our community to devise and ensure implementation of a strategy for repairing relationships amongst University members. I apologise to members of our community for any distress that has resulted from these failings by the University."

www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2021/05/17/review-of-two-events-with-external-speakers

Blimey - this from the twitter feed

Just reading this - it's really hard hitting. Am cautiously encoraged.

Name changed for obvious reasons.

I'm an academic at Essex. The culture is toxic. I very nearly cheered reading the report. So much sunlight- especially re Stonewall. It's also explicit about what hate speech is and isn't, which is nice to see.

I await a great deal of wailing and gnashing of teeth in my inbox complaining how terrible the report is.

Great to see Stonewall being highlighted for their deliberate mangling of the law. We will see much more of this.

@persistentwoman

Great to see Stonewall being highlighted for their deliberate mangling of the law. We will see much more of this.

Yup. This.

The report and conclusions were glorious.

Who was that eejit from the uni who was leading the charge on the no-platforming? Written about tattooing, I think? Want to check their Twitter feed...

I'm curious about the apparent early draft (in December?) And how different it was to the final version.

Was it purely that more legal advice needed to be sought?

That is clear and concise and very close to the hallelujah chorus for me.

Thank fuck someone at that university was taught critical thinking before it became too triggering.

Another nail in the coffin of Stonewall law.

I applaud the University for the honesty of their approach. I'd like to see them being a bit more upfront and apologising on their twitter feed

That previous Twitter screenshot is just glorious. "Actual law, not what Stonewall want it to be."

@GenderCriticalEssex

Name changed for obvious reasons.

I'm an academic at Essex. The culture is toxic. I very nearly cheered reading the report. So much sunlight- especially re Stonewall. It's also explicit about what hate speech is and isn't, which is nice to see.

I await a great deal of wailing and gnashing of teeth in my inbox complaining how terrible the report is.

I'm not surprised to hear this about Essex. The most toxic misogynist TRA in my field works there.

249.As for indirect discrimination, the decision taken in relation to Prof Phoenix may contribute to indirect sex discrimination against women at the University,on the basis that more women than men tend to hold (and publicly express)gender critical views140. If that can be shown, it can be argued that women are more likely than men to be put at a disadvantage by a practice of excluding gender critical voices.

Ooohhhh!!!!!

This is good news. I am cautiously optimistic too.

@Chrysanthemum5

Blimey - this from the twitter feed

Stonewall law. Every institution that has had advice from stonewall need to check that stonewall law isn't leading them to break the actual law.

Encouraging news, thanks for posting

Wow! The conclusions and recommendations are brilliant. Particularly the emphasis that Stonewall law is not the actual law. Also it will send a signal to other universities. Bravo.

Recommendation 28 seems to be DOA. The University's response is action 15:

Stonewall has been a valued University partner and we have been working with Stonewall across a wide range of issues. We will review how we address the specific issues raised in the report. We want to work with Stonewall and others, as the University takes steps, within the context of Action 10, to repair relationships amongst University members.

From recommendation 28:
If the university considers it appropriate to continue its relationship with Stonewall, it should develop a strategy for countering the drawbacks and potential illegalities described above

Sunlight! Very, very interesting to have this spelled out so clearly. Interesting to see how this intersects with the FOI requests about involvement with Stonewall in universities and other public bodies earlier this year.