Lecturer sues own union for stopping gender-critical film being shown to students
A university lecturer is suing her own union for stopping a gender-critical film being shown to students.
Dr Deirdre O'Neill, a lecturer at Hertfordshire University, and Michael Wayne, a professor at Brunel University, were criticised by the University and College Union (UCU) over their film, which argues against claims made by trans rights activists.
An employment tribunal, which is being held remotely, heard that in November 2022 the pair released Adult Human Female, which examines claims made by trans rights activists that 'trans women are women and should be treated as women in all legal and social contexts'.
The UCU condemned the film as an attack on trans identity.
Protesters, including some wearing balaclavas, twice blocked screenings at the University of Edinburgh and 'hurled insults at those trying to attend', documents presented to the tribunal said.
The academics say the UCU's public opposition to them amounted to unlawful discrimination on grounds of their gender-critical belief that there are only two sexes.
When UCU's Edinburgh branch became aware of a planned screening at the university in December 2022, a letter was sent to principal Peter Mathieson demanding that the screening be halted, the tribunal heard.
The union also launched a series of social media posts denouncing the screening, describing it as transphobic hate, and encouraging protests, the tribunal was told.
On the day of the screening, protesters, including students, blocked the entrance to the venue as well as a back-up venue.
Between 100 and 150 people who had arrived to watch the film were stopped from doing so, the tribunal heard.
Grant Buttars, the UCU Edinburgh branch president, later published an article describing the 'victory' of having blocked the screening, the tribunal was told.
When the screening was rearranged for April 2023, it was again blocked by protesters, who shouted insults at those trying to attend, the tribunal heard.
The screening was eventually able to go ahead in November 2023, but Dr O'Neill said the university had to bring in extra security for the event.
Women who wanted to go to the toilet during the screening had to be 'escorted by security' for their own safety, the tribunal heard.
Defending the film, Dr O'Neill told the tribunal it was 'very important to hear both sides of the argument'.
A lawyer representing the UCU questioned the academic on some of the opinions shared by contributors in the film.
Dr O'Neill continued: 'The bar is so low now that any attempt to discuss (this area) and you get accused of being a transphobe.'
The academic told the tribunal she wanted to start a discussion about the topic.
'We wanted people to be able to come along and say, 'Actually, you're not quite right there',' she added.
'There's no hate in the film. Trans rights in some areas clash with female rights, we wanted to work out how we address that.' The tribunal continues.
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