It's such a good development. I hope OU hold steady in supporting them.
This is the kind of thing they are up against - LSE Gender Studies department have published this:
www.lse.ac.uk/gender/news/june-2021/Statement-of-Solidarity-with-Open-University-Staff-and-Postgraduate-Research-Students
Some lowlights
It starts by talking about the "unwelcoming and atagonistic environment because of the newly created Gender Critical Research Network."
"The Gender Critical Research Network is an explicitly anti-intellectual attack on Gender Studies, trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people, and inclusive, intersectional feminist politics. Proponents of the “gender critical” perspective, including the Members and Affiliated Members of the Network, are adamantly and openly opposed to recognising trans people’s rightful and valid claims to their gender and their rights. Their efforts to undermine trans rights are particularly concerning now at a time when trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people in the UK and elsewhere are already experiencing such immense restrictions on their social, medical, interpersonal, and political livelihoods."
"those espousing gender critical perspectives routinely make transphobic, discriminatory, inaccurate, and harmful claims about trans people specifically, and gender more broadly.... "
"Providing an institutional platform for this network is an explicit endorsement of their derogatory positions, and it creates a learning environment that is openly hostile to the urgent projects of equity, diversity, and inclusion ..."
Says OU's policy is to “eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, to promote and advance equality of opportunity and to promote and foster good relations between people.” By giving the Gender Critical Research Network institutional support, the OU is in breach of this aim."
Rather defamatory hyperbole.