Gender-critical beliefs defined as ‘transphobic’ by universities

GENDER-CRITICAL academics are considered “transphobic” at nine universities in the UK, it has been claimed.

A report by the Committee for Academic Freedom, a group of academics worried about the erosion of free speech on campus, said that under definitions of transphobia in nine university policies, academics who believe that transgender women are not women are transphobic.

The universities named in the report include Imperial College London, the University of Aberdeen, the University of Huddersfield, Brunel University, Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds Beckett University, London Business School, Robert Gordon University and the University of Plymouth.

Sheffield Hallam, for instance, uses a definition of transphobia that includes “denying their gender identity or refusing to accept it”. The report warned: “By defining gender-critical beliefs as transphobia, a university takes the view that gender-critical beliefs are wrong.

“The existence of such an official point of view must restrict freedom of thought among academics.” It added that the policies make it “next to impossible for academics and students in those universities to freely explore and debate gender-critical ideas”.

A Universities UK spokesman said: “Academic freedom and freedom of speech sit at the heart of the UK’S higher education sector. Universities take very seriously their responsibility to protect and promote this through their policies and processes, and by raising awareness among staff and students.”

They added: “At the same time, universities invest and work hard to create a climate in which all students and staff can discuss a range of topics ... in the knowledge that they will be listened to and treated with mutual dignity, tolerance and civility.”