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Both Rosa Freedman and Jo Phoenix had invitations to speak at the University of Essex rescinded because of their "transphobic" views.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

Am still a bit baffled on how stonewall see this as some huge win, and TRAs are crowing all over too

Also still cannot get my head around stonewalls excuse for misrepresenting the law to essex uni/others. Basically they have pretended they did not know anything about the legal framework, of the law they were wishing to change but failed on. hich is surely suspicious in itself

We didn't know selfID was not law, no way. We also campaigned aggressively (including advising minors to vote when underage..) to make it law, but unfortunately failed because bigots. We then never gave it another thought really, which is how we totally forgot that our attempt to change the law failed rather than suceeded. Totally honest mistake that anyone could have made.

Apologies, that was meant for another thread, but fits quite well here too if you ignore the first sentence!

Was meant for here - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4249261-A-Belfast-court-judgment-has-been-hailed-by-as-a-landmark-moment-in-UK-transgender-rights-by-influential-campaign-group-Stonewall

The Essex report warrants a paragraph in today’s Kathleen Stock interview in the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/22/kathleen-stock-taboo-around-gender-identity-chilling-effect-on-academics

That's a fantastic article in the Guardian. Thank you for sharing it.

Another piece in the Times today

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/there-is-a-culture-of-fear-in-universities-say-criminologist-jo-phoenix-and-lawyer-rosa-freedman-cancelled-for-transphobia-c2b6zv98j?shareToken=30f6c94cf93c1693dc4f68e4219101ec

[quote boatyardblues]The Essex report warrants a paragraph in today’s Kathleen Stock interview in the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/22/kathleen-stock-taboo-around-gender-identity-chilling-effect-on-academics[/quote]
Bloody hell. A reasonable piece in THE GUARDIAN?

In Higher Education rather than news or culture sections, but even so.

Sorry I haven't read the full thread, but I found this article interesting, and also infuriating. Never once does it mention the rights of women as being an issue.

wonkhe.com/blogs/what-can-we-learn-from-essexs-free-speech-cases/

Valancy yes I felt the same. It was a pretty accurate description most of the way through, but didn't grasp the problem is the conflict of needs. Ultimately missed the point. I don't just mean he disagreed with my pov, but he didn't didn't address these key things.

Just wanted to say that jo Phoenix is family and I am so proud.

Excellent article in Herald on Sunday about this and Abertay University by Iain MacWhirter. Unfortunately a premium article.

Interesting point on Twitter:

CK @Ceeekerrr Replying to @ProfAliceS
Reindorf report was highly critical of this tactical smearing when considering the no platforming of Rosa Freeman. Hard to see how Stonewall can continue to deny it was their influence which led to the offence if Kelly continues to repeat the smear after the Uni has apologised?

@GenderCriticalEssex

(Have NC for this post)

I'm also staff at Essex. It's been a miserable couple of years for women here. I honestly don't feel safe voicing an opinion on gender issues at work and I'm not 100% sure that will change in the near future. So much for the 'Challenger Brand' eh?

Waves to @xxchromosome**

It's good to know I'm not alone!

I don't feel safe expressing GC views either. I know how colleagues would turn on me. I really admire those academics who are brave enough to speak out and I often feel shame that I'm not one of them.

So much for the 'Challenger Brand' eh?
But biological reality is so dull. Not challenger at all