Helen Joyce

Has Cambridge abandoned debate?

From the way one college has treated me, it certainly seems like it

(Getty)

My views on gender identity are well known. I believe that biology, rather than a person’s feelings, determines whether they count as a man or woman. My arguments support what many instinctively believe to be true. However, in academic circles, the idea that biology informs gender is far more contentious. So contentious that respected academics have denounced me as ‘offensive, insulting and hateful’.

I am due to speak at an event next week. The philosophy professor Arif Ahmed invited me to talk about my work on gender identity. The discussion is due to be held at Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge, although it is not an official event put on by the college authorities. This has clearly upset senior members of the college. The idea of a writer discussing her work is, it seems, too dreadful a possibility for these academics. The master of the college, along with a senior tutor, have written the following email to graduates and undergraduates:

Subject: A message regarding Criticising gender-identity ideology: what happens when speech is silenced, 25 OctoberWe are responding to concerns raised with us by members of Caius about the 25 October event here featuring Helen Joyce. We are writing in our personal capacities, not as Master and Senior Tutor but as Pippa and Andrew.Freedom of expression is a fundamental principle which we wholeheartedly support. Individuals should be able to speak freely, within the law. Views should then be challenged by debate, key in academic freedom. This is the case no matter the subject or topic.However, on some issues which affect our community we cannot stay neutral. The event featuring Helen Joyce is not a College event, although it is taking place at Caius. We do not condone or endorse views that Helen Joyce has expressed on transgender people, which we consider offensive, insulting and hateful to members of our community who live and work here.Caius

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