Should ‘misgendering’ someone be a disciplinary offence? One Oxford college seems to think so. Yesterday, Regent’s Park College posted a ‘Trans Inclusion Statement’, burnishing its existing bullying and harassment policy. On a long list of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ that might warrant punishment is ‘consistently using incorrect titles, pronouns or names to refer to a trans person’ – also known as ‘misgendering’ or ‘deadnaming’ someone.
The obvious problem here is that the list of speechcrimes provided could apply to almost anyone who simply doesn’t believe in the eccentric tenets of gender ideology
The timing can’t have been coincidental. All eyes were on Oxford this week due to the strangely controversial appearance at the Oxford Union of gender-critical feminist Kathleen Stock, whose great heresy is to believe in biological sex and women’s rights. There were protests and demands the event be cancelled. Regent’s Park College says it has been working on this policy ‘since 2022’, but just so happened to choose this week – of all weeks – to publish it.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in