NI universities accused of censoring gender-critical students

Universities in Northern Ireland risk “silencing” students who uphold the reality of sex, women’s rights campaigners have warned.

According to the Belfast News Letter, Ulster University has outlawed “offensive or derogatory” social media comments relating to sex and gender. Queen’s University Belfast, likewise, forbids students from expressing “homophobic or transphobic views” and anything that could be “considered as negative, derogatory or offensive in terms of a person’s gender identity/expression”, “sexual orientation” or “marital or civil partnership status”.

Sex Matters and Women’s Rights Network NI have criticised the universities for placing transgender ideology above freedom of expression.

‘Discrimination’

Women’s Rights Network NI stated: “While we support the need for respectful online engagement, these social media policies may restrict lawful expression and risk discriminating against students who hold gender-critical beliefs.

“In Northern Ireland, our beliefs are protected under Fair Employment and Treatment legislation, and universities must ensure that students are not penalised for holding or expressing lawful views.

“Universities should be places of learning and discussion, not of silencing those we disagree with.”

‘No factual basis’

Helen Joyce, Director of Advocacy at Sex Matters, said the policies “place far too much importance on whether someone takes offence”.

She noted that “the Queen’s policy puts the belief that some people have special ‘gender identities’ that override their sex beyond criticism. In fact this belief has no factual basis, and most people do not believe it.”

Queen’s University Belfast states that its policy “does not intend to restrict the freedom of speech of students”. In addition, Ulster University said that “there is no intention on behalf of the university to restrict lawful speech” and it is updating its guidelines.

‘Self-censorship’

Last year, it was reported that university staff and students across the UK have suffered “extreme personal consequences” for upholding the reality of biological sex.

In an analysis of 130 responses to a call for evidence, a Government-commissioned report cited barriers to research including “self-censorship and chilling effects” (58 per cent), “bullying, harassment and ostracism” (42 per cent) and “institutional policies and training” (32 per cent).

The analysis, ‘Report 2: Barriers to research on sex and gender’, urged universities to “prioritise the pursuit of truth as the core principle underlying university education and research” and “help students to develop the ability to deal with robust disagreement as an opportunity for intellectual growth rather than a threat”.