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Both Rosa Freedman and Jo Phoenix had invitations to speak at the University of Essex rescinded because of their "transphobic" views.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

I sincerely hope almost equal proportions of men and women hold gender critical views, seeing as quite a large part of 'gender critical' I actually think is either 'reality' or 'common sense'.

It is probably true that more women than men tend to publically express that view, as more women than men are harmed by policies that stem from a 'TWAW' viewpoint.

Chrysanthemum5

" Blimey - this from the twitter feed"

I cheered when I read that, wish it could be the main headline in every newspaper tomorrow

if the university do continue to have what seems to be a very cosy relationship with Stonewall then they better be damn sure they dont screw up again because this is close as you can get to saying "do not work with this organisation because they lie about the law" as you can get without actually saying it

I cheered when I read that, wish it could be the main headline in every newspaper tomorrow.

You know what? It won't even be in Times Higher Education. This ought to be a huge story for THE, and yet it has resolutely and obstinately refused to cover the silencing of gender-critical academics. It's unbelievable.

This wasn't written by anyone at Essex Uni though they commissioned it. It was written by specialist discrimination barrister Akua Reindorf of Cloisters Chambers instructed by solicitors Eversheds.

Woah.

The message this sends out is clear. Why these institutions still suck up stonewall toxicity I have no idea. Let’s hope the others see the writing on the wall. If only Stonewall did...

Essex is the home of the infamous woke-bro TRA, Dr Matt Lodder. His areas of academic expertise are tattoos and porn (most of his publications are in a journal called Porn Studies) and he loves telling women to STFU. So I am not surprised at how toxic it is there @GenderCriticalEssex. Solidarity to you and yay for the report. Let’s hope that the rest of the universities who have engaged in this follow suit.

@RoyalCorgi

I cheered when I read that, wish it could be the main headline in every newspaper tomorrow.

You know what? It won't even be in Times Higher Education. This ought to be a huge story for THE, and yet it has resolutely and obstinately refused to cover the silencing of gender-critical academics. It's unbelievable.

Yes that is shocking. They should be ashamed.

The person who likened Jewish professor Rosa Freedman to a Holocaust denier on Holocaust Remembrance Day is called Dr Daragh Murray and is based in the Law School.

That is a really thorough review. I am pleasantly surprised to see a university reviewing this sort of thing properly.

Lodder has expressed 'solidarity and love' with someone who feels unsafe because of the report.

@teawamutu

Lodder has expressed 'solidarity and love' with someone who feels unsafe because of the report.

Lol! Also a few days ago he was saying he was close to quitting his job due to some ‘Nazi’ who was ‘radicalising’ his students. Please don’t let us hold you back, Matt.

I'm reading through properly now. Section 226 is very useful on the right to deny people access to the facilities of their identified gender.

232 - leaflets are not a hate crime

243 - discussions about trans rights are not hate speech or harassment

@slug

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!!!!!

Let's hope this leads to others re-examining themselves and their policies.

The free rein this nonsense has given too many people to throw women's rights under the bus and treat us with not even thinly-disguised misogyny is quite astonishing.

@teawamutu

Lodder has expressed 'solidarity and love' with someone who feels unsafe because of the report.

"Unsafe".

Blimey, what a time it is to be alive when (perfectly reasonable) words are "violent".

This wasn't written by anyone at Essex Uni though they commissioned it. It was written by specialist discrimination barrister Akua Reindorf of Cloisters Chambers instructed by solicitors Eversheds.

Wow - I realised it was written by an independent external reviewer but hadn't appreciated it was an expert in discrimination law. That gives a lot of weight to the stuff about Stonewall's misrepresentation of the law and the fact that the university may have been illegally discriminating against women.

Give me strength, this from the preamble to the Report by the University:

The report covers material relating to gender that some readers may find distressing or triggering. We have put in place a number of measures to provide support for members of our community who may be affected directly or indirectly by the issues raised.

Fgs.

This though about Hate Crime Laws should be widely disseminated and certain parts put on billboards with big flashing lights and klaxons:

^However these laws do not contain a standalone offence of inciting hatred on grounds of transgender identity, and indeed no such law currently exists (although there are laws relating to incitement to hatred on grounds of race, religion and sexual orientation). Thus, the University would not be able to restrict a person’s freedom of expression on the sole basis that it suspected that the speaker intended to incite hatred on grounds of transgender identity, since
this would not be prescribed by law^.

Excellent comment in the report regarding Stonewall and their framing of the law how they want it to be not how it actually is. Also excellent recommendations about the application of the Equality Act.

It is amazing how whenever Stonewall edicts are looked at from a legal standpoint they are found to be wanting, a cynical person could conclude that Stonewall are guilty of deliberately mis-framing the Law and misinforming institutions, public bodies, private businesses et al.

A weighty, devastating and objective report and recommendations and about time too.

Professor Phoenix and Professor Freedman, the witch hunt, abuse and threats directed against you are appalling.

I genuinely think that Stonewall need challenging time and time again about what their purpose is, where they receive money from and what they spend it on.

Ooh thank you.

Lodder is a prize clown, as well as a misogynist.

@RoyalCorgi

I cheered when I read that, wish it could be the main headline in every newspaper tomorrow.

You know what? It won't even be in Times Higher Education. This ought to be a huge story for THE, and yet it has resolutely and obstinately refused to cover the silencing of gender-critical academics. It's unbelievable.

Looking at Google there appears to be an article about this in the THE online posted about 16 minutes ago. I'm not a subscriber so couldn't get further than the headline.

@RoyalCorgi

This wasn't written by anyone at Essex Uni though they commissioned it. It was written by specialist discrimination barrister Akua Reindorf of Cloisters Chambers instructed by solicitors Eversheds.

Wow - I realised it was written by an independent external reviewer but hadn't appreciated it was an expert in discrimination law. That gives a lot of weight to the stuff about Stonewall's misrepresentation of the law and the fact that the university may have been illegally discriminating against women.

That's even more encouraging and exciting.

I hope all the other universities are taking note...