Tory anger as University imposes transgender title compliance coverage
Furious Tories have accused college bosses of “pandering to a woke edict” after ordering college students to adjust to transgender names and pronouns or face punishment.
Queen’s University Belfast’s new code of conduct calls for that each workers and college students use no matter title and pronouns a person calls for.
Failure to take action is now handled as bullying or harassment.
It additionally applies to anybody who makes “derogatory” jokes about transgenderism.
The code additionally covers anyone who units foot on campus, together with outdoors contractors like cleaners, caterers, and suppliers, and anybody employed by them.
Senior Tory Sir John Hayes mentioned he and different Conservative MPs could be writing to the University.
“This is an extraordinary decision. They are pandering to a woke edict and they are not fit to hold office,” he mentioned.
The new code emphasises that the college has a “zero-tolerance approach to all bullying and harassment”.
“Transphobic abuse, harassment or bullying (including name-calling / derogatory jokes / repeated or intentional use of incorrect pronouns or name) will be dealt with under the Bullying and Harassment Policy which states that the University will not tolerate such behaviour.”
“It will be treated by the University as a disciplinary offence.”
The college mentioned the brand new code got here into drive “following further equality screening” and mentioned “disciplinary matters are implemented by senior managers”.
A University spokesperson mentioned: “Section 75 and Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 came into force on the 1 January 2000 and placed a statutory obligation on public authorities such as the University, in carrying out their various functions relating to Northern Ireland, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity, which includes transgender people.”
“The University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all and to ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and with dignity and respect. It is also committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming community where staff and students are enabled to meet their full potential and are treated as individuals.”
“This includes providing advice, support and understanding to those individuals who are trans, gender non-conforming or questioning their gender identity. The Trans Equality Policy was enacted in 2016 and updated following further equality screening which was completed in January 2023.”
“This includes providing advice, support and understanding to those individuals who are trans, gender non-conforming or questioning their gender identity. The Trans Equality Policy was enacted in 2016 and updated following further equality screening which was completed in January 2023.”