By Andrew Allison, Head of Campaigns
Lisa Keogh is a 29-year-old mature law student at Abertay University in Dundee. During a video seminar discussing gender feminism and the law, she commented that women have vaginas and that women are not as physically strong as men. She was stating biological facts, but cue the outrage from her fellow students. They reported her to the university and faces disciplinary action.
Her fellow students are all aspiring lawyers. If they can't have a robust debate without reporting it to the teacher, it doesn't say much about them or the university, which should have rejected the complaints.
Then there is the story about a LNER train conductor who greeted passengers with a friendly, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls." An outraged passenger called Laurence tweeted a message of complaint. He (although he prefers the pronoun "they") said that as a non-binary person the announcement didn't apply to them so he (they) would not be listening.
LNER replied by saying that train managers should "not be using language" like this. The reply continued: "Please could you let me know which service you are on and I will ensure they remain as inclusive as we strive to be at LNER."
Language like this? Someone who has a penis is a man and someone who has a vagina is a woman. I am stating a biological fact. The vast majority of people agree with me because they understand it is a biological fact. But a small minority who want to turn the world on its head are determined to persecute anyone who disagrees with their views.
When will this madness end? It won't end when a university threatens disciplinary action against Lisa Keogh. She is in her final year. This could ruin her career. Another victim of cancel culture. It won't end when LNER takes Laurence's complaint seriously. It won't end when businesses cave-in because a Twitter mob descends on them. It will never end if we are craven, don't say anything and opt for a quiet life. It will only end when we fight back. Are you up for the fight?
Photo © Christopher Hilton (cc-by-sa/2.0)