Oxford Union must stand firm on Kathleen Stock debate
ReactionApr 26, 2023
The Facts
On Tuesday, protesters interrupted a talk given at the Oxford Union involving feminist Professor Kathleen Stock, who is opposed to transgender women entering female spaces. One protester reportedly glued herself to the floor in front of the academic.
During her speech, which was interrupted for half an hour while police attempted to remove the protester from the floor, Stock stated that trans women entering female-only spaces are "not fair on females" and that "at least 50%" of imprisoned trans women were guilty of sexual assault.
The Spin
Right narrative
Criticism of Stock's appearance at the Oxford Union has been disappointing. Both Oxford and Cambridge often set the tone for intellectual discussion, and the desire to shut down the event could have had major implications for all other institutions. The Oxford Union must continue to stand firm and defend the importance of free speech.
Left narrative
Free speech should not be used as a guise to defend hate speech, which is what Stock is promoting regardless of her claiming not to be transphobic. Tellingly, though she claims to be an advocate for women, both of Oxford's originally all-female colleges have condemned her appearance. More voices must speak up to prohibit dangerous speakers from being invited to the Union again.