Trans activists took to social media today to celebrate the resignation by a feminist Sussex university professor, who quit amid controversy over her views about gender.
Kathleen Stock, University of Sussex professor announced yesterday that she was quitting her job following a campaign of bullying and harassment.
The philosophy professor was at the centre of a blazing row – and a student-led protest – at the university after saying she believes gender identity does not outweigh biological sex ‘when it comes to law and policy’.
She also stated that people cannot change their biological sexuality, angering protesters who accused her transphobia.
The protestors behind the demonstrations, which included spraying graffiti with the phrase “Stock Out” on it, are now using social media to celebrate the departure of the professor.
One Instagram post shared an image of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. The caption included the phrase “Ding Dong the Witch are Dead” – a reference to the same song.
Kathleen Stock, University of Sussex professor, announced yesterday that she would be stepping down after being subject to bullying and harassment.
In one Instagram post, the group shared an image of the Wicked Witch of the Wizard of Oz along with the phrase “Ding Dong the Witch of Dead” – a quote from the film.
Instagram page Antitfersussex, who describe themselves as an unaffiliated network of queer and trans students at the university, also posted a statement in response to Ms Stock’s departure, in which they said ‘good f*****g riddance’.
The group stated that it was a significant victory for trans and nonbinary students who had protested the university’s support of transphobia, abuse, and discrimination.
“The unity and solidarity of the queer, trans, and colonial communities at Sussex University was not equal to the full weight of a colonial institution, including the national media circuit and ministers of government.
Professor Stock, 48, a specialist in gender and sexual orientation, was branded a “transphobe” by some outraged students, who demanded her to be fired for her comments on gender.
Posters put up in the tunnel from Falmer station to the university’s campus earlier this month said she ‘makes trans students unsafe’ and ‘we’re not paying £9,250 a year for transphobia’.
A banner stating “Stock Out” was also displayed alongside burning flares. Scores of people were also criticizing her online under the hashtag #ShameOnSussexUni.
Adam Tickell, the Vice Chancellor of the University, strongly defended her untrammelled’ right to say what she believes’. In addition, more than 200 academics at other universities signed a letter denouncing alleged abuses by ‘trans activist bullying’.
Yesterday, Professor Stock made it clear on Twitter that she was unable to continue her current position and expressed disappointment. She also stated that she hopes that “other institutions can learn from this.”
In a letter addressed to staff, Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of Sussex, stated that the university had defended her right to exercise her academic freedom and lawful speech freedom, free from bullying or harassment.
He said, however, that he hoped Professor Stock would feel able and able to return work, and that he would have supported her to do this.
“She has decided that it is not possible due to recent events, and we are respectful and understand her decision.
In a letter addressed to staff, Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of Sussex, stated that they had ‘vigorously’ defended her right to exercise her academic freedom and lawful speech freedom, free from bullying or harassment of any kind.
Posters put up in the tunnel from Falmer station to the university’s campus earlier this month said she ‘makes trans students unsafe’ and ‘we’re not paying £9,250 a year for transphobia’
“We will be missing her many contributions, from whom the University has benefited throughout her time here.”
He also stated that Professor Stock had made “vital” contributions to philosophy. The ‘intolerance’ she received would be ‘always’ in direct opposition to the most basic principles and values of academia.
“I want to make it very clear that it’s illegal to discriminate against someone based on sex or philosophical belief. He said that his departure was a loss to all of us.
“We will, of course, reflect on Professor Stock’s experiences. It will form part of the University’s learning process and help us all move forward – together.
Professor Stock tweeted that she was sad to announce that she was leaving.
“This has been a difficult few years, but the leadership has been admirable and decency in recent years.
“I hope other institutions can learn from this.
‘I’m especially glad that University stresses that bullying and harassment of anyone for their legally held beliefs are unacceptable at work.
She said that it was a terrible time for her and her family. It’s over now. I’m looking forward to brighter days soon, I hope.
Professor Stock stated previously that she is ‘at war’ with a large segment of academics because her belief in gender identity is not more important then facts about biological sexuality, especially when it comes down to policy and law.
A banner stating “Stock Out” was also displayed alongside burning flares. Scores of people were also criticizing her online under the hashtag #ShameOnSussexUni
Michelle Donelan, universities minister, stated on Twitter: “It is a sad moment for freedom of speech – given the toxic environment @sussexuni made it untenable to @docstockk’s position there.
“No academic should ever have fear for their safety.”
“This only reinforces the necessity for our Free Speech Bill.
Prof Stock was accused by a union of ‘effectively ending’ her career when it asked her employer to take a strong stand against transphobia.
The University and College Union (UCU), Sussex branch released a statement stating that all trans and nonbinary members should be given the unwavering support of the University of Sussex.
Ms. Stock has insisted that she is not a transphobe in the past. However, attention has intensified since her book Material Girls was released in May.
She has spoken and written extensively about sex identity and gender sex – arguing that manhood and womanhood reflect biological sex, and not gender or gender identity.
Ms. Stock also claims transgender women are not women. Sexual orientation is determined by the same-sex attraction and not gender identity.
She also wants to ban transgender women from women’s changing rooms. She claims that many transgender women are still men with male genitalia in 2018.
Despite this, she was branded a “Terf” on Twitter amid a lot of criticism.
After posters were placed calling for her resignation, Sussex Police began an investigation into whether Professor Stock had been harassed.
Kishwer Falkner, the head of the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission, was among those who slammed the attacks on the academic.
She wrote to The Times to denounce the bullying behaviour of a minority of students who ‘disagree with someone’s entirely lawful expert views’.
In a public letter, the equality watchdog chief confirmed that trans rights must not be violated, but reiterated the importance and freedom of expression on UK university campuses.
Ms. Stock also spoke out, telling her 46,000 followers on Twitter: ‘If your work is where I do, you know what’s going on at the moment (which will be discussed later), this is the right time to speak up.
“Not for me, but you.” What kind of university future would it have if intimidation determined what is said and taught?
The group that led the protests against her was an anonymous group called ‘Anti Terf Sussex’. This collective described itself as an unaffiliated network for queer and trans students’. Terf is a trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
It was JK Rowling’s response to an article on ‘people who have menstruated’.
The author had tweeted last year: ‘I’m sure there used to be a word for those people’, suggesting that word was ‘women’.
Since her May publication of Material Girls, attention has intensified on her views
Professor Tickell said in his earlier defense of Professor Stock: “It’s clear that all our staff have an untrammelled rights to say and believe whatever they think.” We take it very seriously when people try to stop that right being exercised.
“I must confess that I am concerned that we have masked demonstrators, putting up signs, calling for somebody to be fired for exercising her rights to express her opinions, and it is a matter for real concern.
In a letter to Sunday Times she supported Professor Stock with support from more than 200 other academics.
It was signed by figures including Cambridge economist Sir Partha Dasgupta and physicist Sir Michael Pepper.
The letter was entitled “We will never bow to trans activist bullies at campus” and stated that it was not just a question of freedom of expression. It’s also a matter discrimination and harassment.
“Universities are creating hostile environments for students and staff who recognize that sex is important.
“Most victims are female and many are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.”
After Professor Stock announced her resignation, a University of Sussex spokesperson said that the University of Sussex had vigorously and unambiguously defended Professor Kathleen Stock’s right to exercise academic freedom and lawful speech freedom, free from bullying or harassment.
“These freedoms and protections are for and to the benefit of all people, and we will protect them today and in future.”
He stated that there were no substantive allegations of wrongdoing against her.
“Professor Stock leaves University of Sussex with our gratitude to her significant contributions as an academic and teacher.”