"Memory" by E. Prosser Rhys

We, the undersigned members, reps and branch officers of Swansea UCU, stand in solidarity with our trans siblings. Although we are not able to speak for the branch as a whole, we welcome the statements from our General Secretary Jo Grady and the multiple Congress motions which condemn transphobia in all its forms. It is our view that the proposed event at Taliesin Arts Centre, "on the front line of the war against women", has no place at our institution. Far from seeking to protect women's rights, the individuals involved seem to concern themselves primarily with denying rights to trans individuals, particularly women. This is within the context of rising hate crime against trans individuals, and their demonisation by broad sections of the mainstream press, as well as MPs and Government ministers. Although we recognise the importance of academic freedom, this is not an absolute right; it does not entitle a person to a platform, nor can it be invoked to shield a person from legitimate criticism, nor to bypass basic academic rigour. It is our opinion that "gender critical" ideology is a harmful and anti-intellectual fringe theory, which flies in the face of the overwhelming body of academic thought in this area, and that allowing its spread on our campus presents a danger to our trans students and colleagues. As a public body and a seat of learning, the safety and wellbeing of all on campus, regardless of gender identity, must surely be our absolute priority. We therefore call upon the management of Taliesin Arts Centre to deny the use of our facilities to these individuals, and to refuse future bookings to persons seeking to deny the rights of trans people.

Simon Crabtree
Emily Lowthian
Amy Williams
Aimee Grant
Sarah Aldridge
Elaine Forde
Ninian Frenguelli
Troy Astarte
Genevieve Clifford
Eve Elizabeth Moriarty
Patricia Xavier
Zoe Clëgg
Katrina Pritchard
Andrew King
Helen Williams

Trans* Solidarity Network

Glitter Cymru