GCB

[Sparklybutold]

Are gender critical beliefs actually protected in real time? One doesn't have to take long to find someone's reputation or job has been lost owing to having GCB. So despite Maya Forstaters case being won in support of GCB, why is there still a fight for this?

Although I have an idea, it doesn't feel accessible somehow, so if anyone could share there much more accessible and articulate thoughts than I can seem to muster! that would be very much appreciated.

Because HR departments are slow to react and it costs a lot of cash to take a former employer to tribunal.

it’ll take a while before companies realise that they are in legal hot water if they fire someone for being GC.

I'm currently a post grad student and my GCB have been highlighted as concerning and an ethical dilemma by another student. As I'm on a professional course I am actually worried about what impact this will have on me and my future career.

Contact Sex Matters (and possibly legal feminist, but see what Sex Matters say first). Join the free speech union. Yes, you are legally protected, but you might need some support in making your institution understand this.

The spell is breaking. In a few years your GC beliefs (aka recognising reality) will be seen as a good thing.

Chin up, don’t let the little blue haired bastards grind you down

Well it seems the person who I really didn't want to know about my GCB now knows and has hinted it might be a professional concern. Part of me thinks - nope - there's literally nothing they can do, whilst the other part of me is worried that this person could make the rest of my training extremely difficult.

It is hard my boss has a list of people with 'unacceptable beliefs' (eg thinking that sex is real and it matters) that she won't work with. And she shares this list with others. HR aren't interested and the senior managers just don't want to know. Fortunately I've been working on an escape to a new team so she won't be in charge of my promotion prospects for much longer

The problem is that challenging discrimination in the workplace is stressful and expensive. Read some of the threads elsewhere on MN about women who have been unlawfully dismissed while on mat leave for example- that's not a new law. So unless you're prepared to fight (and I'm not sure I would be), your employer can do what they like.

I read something recently where a company - can’t remember who but probably related to education - said although it was legal to hold those beliefs, saying them publicly was deemed unprofessional, unacceptable and they would consider it disciplinary worthy.

So we have gained nothing.

Which if it went to court, would not stand up.

However taking it, repeatedly, to court, relies on a woman having the time, financial backing, mental energy and capacity to fight the months of shit it will involve.

Which is why it is taking so long to turn around.

They are what is known as a bully OP. Looking to intimidate and denounce you for wrongthink.

I don't think there's a perfect way to deal with toxic people like this and it does depend on the field you're in. Are they "hinting " to other students, staff? Trawling through your social media? Gossiping behind your back?

Would it help if we could find you some GC buddies, either in your institution or failing that, the nearest town?

I find all of this much easier to tolerate due to having a real life network of people who think similarly - perhaps we could help you find the same?

Legally, it’s not something you can be dismissed over unless you are causing direct harassment to someone with a protected characteristic (I.e gender/trans). Legally, you shouldn’t be sacked for GCB.

I say legally because I’m not sure many places are following the law.

@TheClogLady

Sounds interesting - I'm pm you tomorow

Is this person able to actually articulate to you what they think your beliefs are? Could they write down a list of things you believe? (Clearly defined, so as not to e.g. conflate sex and gender, and if they are using words to mean something other than the English definition, spell out what they mean by it - so if, for example, they said TWAW, they would need to comprehensively define 'trans' and 'women' to check you're on the same page).

Don't volunteer anything - ask them to set out what you believe, then you can say whether they are correct or not. You could find out they don't actually know what you believe and have just guessed or assumed.

@LaughingPriest I am absolutely taking this approach IF it becomes anything more.