UCU being taken to tribunal over discrimination for 'gc' views

[ArabellaScott]

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/gender-critical-documentary-makers-take-ucu-tribunal

The filmmakers of 'Adult Human Female' are taking UCU to tribunal.

I'll try to find an archive copy.

Because she's been used as a guilt by association prop before.

Not only by trans activists, sadly.

In fact I’m sure some of those in the film have used guilt by association tactics.

Interesting to see, looking at Tribunal Tweets from yesterday that Grant Buttars says that opposition to the film was because "trans students were telling us they felt under threat and as union member had to take that seriously".

Which confirms my belief that UCU is increasingly more interested in students than in its actual members. You know, those members who pay those not inconsiderable subs.

Two statements by Tom Brown, the counsel for UCU, in this morning's session made me laugh with one of those hollow, forced laughs tinged with bitterness:

TB: We don't allow ppl to use language on their own terms
TWAW, Mr Brown?😠

And
TB: And UCU role is not to police the D&R

So what would he call this, if not 'policing':

Call on the University of Edinburgh (UoE) to ensure that all events held in the name of UoE and on UoE premises are in line with the Dignity and Respect Policy and that the UoE neither host nor facilitate meetings which contain content which is transphobic, biphobic, homophobic or otherwise detrimental to the safety and wellbeing of LGBT+ staff.
Having learned of Edinburgh AFAF’s planned screening of the film Adult Human Female, we therefore wrote to the Principal to ask UoE to withdraw support for this event. We are supported by the Staff Pride Network in making this call.
Statement on Edinburgh AFAF film screening — UCU Edinburgh

Can I pop a list in to the UCU of things that make me 'feel unsafe' and have them sort them out for me?

Putin, pretty much every political party, and some local road works come immediately to mind. Tinned sardines, they're going to need to go.

Seriously, what twaddle is this as an excuse?

It’s easy to justify why those things make you feel unsafe, @TheOtherRaven

Unlike some things that the UCU apparently attempt to sort out, even if it’s not their own members who say they are affected.

Today I only heard part of TB, none of NC, sadly. There was a point, though, where TB put several things as questions, saying the tribunal had to decide whether...or on the other hand whether...(this was about the point where I posted something whose side he was on) where it seemed clear his clients' case was the former. The case was so ridiculous that I wondered whether he did it that way because he couldn't bear to, or felt he couldn't ethically, assert his clients' case in his own voice. Presumably that can be hard - he could have said "my clients' case is X" but that draws attention to his possible disagreement. I wonder. Does anyone know anything about his record in similar cases, if any? At

https://www.cloisters.com/barristers/tom-brown

I see several possibly relevant publications and the comment "Since 2012, Tom has regularly lectured and organised workshops for practitioners and judges on EU gender equality law and EU anti-discrimination law at the Europäische Rechtsakadmie (Academy of European Law) in Trier. " - but depending on what he said there, that could well be a good thing! I did repeatedly think his heart wasn't in it, though that could be wishful thinking and I only heard bits and pieces of the case.

Thanks for that context, fanOfBen.

• *I have a degree of sympathy for lawyers who have to do their best to argue for something they don't have much faith in - they have to do their best, they train for it, that's their job, and court cases/tribunals wouldn't be fair without it.

My sympathy is somewhat tempered by the amount of money they are paid to do it😄

I'm too late to edit my post for weird formatting and a random asterisk.😠

Beware asterisks in posts. MN's auto-formatting gleefully pounces on them to mess up posts.

I think Tom Brown did fine. Where the case looked ropey was more to do with the material he was working with rather than his abilities.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate all of your contributions.

Just read todays submissions IMHO NC demolished TB’s arguments in their entirety, Thought it was interesting that the judge thanked NC for answering his questions.

Tom Brown is a Stonewall champion and Akua Reindorf is a fellow member of chambers!!

Thanks everyone. Just catching up. When can we expect the judgement for this?

Yes I think they were at the time of “Stickerwoman” so pre pandemic

6+ weeks if previous cases are anything to go by.

Thanks.
Any relation of Stick Man?

Thank you 🙏🏻

Stickers seem to have been in 2018. Here's the Edinburgh student union's attempt at manufacturing a very large mountain out of a very tiny molehill. www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/about/policy/liberation/transphobia

Thank you for the link @RoastOrMash much appreciated! Thank too for the informed commentary

Thank you @morningtoncrescent62
But wow. So much hyperbole. So much inaccurate legal understanding.

PriOn1 · Yesterday 22:31

Thanks, that's brilliant! I have "recycled" it to a few people.

I wouldn’t want to work the hours they do, plus my brain would explode if I tried to think the way they have to! I’d come up with a killer line…three weeks later

A friend is a barrister, he often has to defend the indefensible (literally, in criminal cases). If nothing else, someone advocated for them to the best of their ability, they’ve had a fair trial and they can’t claim otherwise (for appeal purposes or generally).

Thanks.
Any relation of Stick Man?

He had some trials and tribulations.

Stick Man, oh Stick Man,
He floats on and on,
Oh Stick Man, oh Stick Man,
Beware of the Swan!

It’s all so fucking depressing. Edinburgh uni does little to address sexual assaults on campus, hired cabaret of hate to yell at women, allows harassment of staff, and has totally corrupted what universities were set up to do.

it’s disgusting and I don’t undetsmd how Mathieson is still in a fucking job.

whoever suggested sending cards to Shereen is right. I’ll send a postcard to her c/o mathieson’s office so that fucker can read it.

I still read that phrase and my brain goes twang.

Gender Identity Politics: We have a cabaret of hate!

Typical person: fuck me.... what on earth?

Gender Identity Politics: It sings, dances, has a lovely time, and screams at and silences women who want equality and rights, and to not be used and abused by men!

Typical person: ...........<edges away>