Statement on the intended date for ‘Free Speech and Feminism’ being cancelled. The York Free Speech society event ‘Feminism and Free Speech’ was set to take place on the 16th of March in a lecture theatre at the university of York. The premise of the event was exploring why a single perspective of feminism is often presented as the only acceptable feminism on university campuses. Liberal/choice feminism. The speaker - Julie Bindel, had planned to speak on why those with feminist beliefs that don’t fit into a singular perspective on issues such as sex work and prostitution often feel alienated and feel afraid to speak up. She was also going to speak on the concept of political lesbianism. This is the brief that was presented to both the speaker and the student union. The event was approved by the student union and all of the relevant paperwork was completed on the 22nd of February. The event was then put on the website where tickets could be ordered on the 2nd of March.
Well done you. Uni was an exciting time of discussion and learning for me. While I am angry with these immature and intolerant students, the fault lies with the supine universities who have not stood up for free speech. They are failing in their most basic duties to encourage learning and enquiry - what has happened to these people?
-"The Nordic model decriminalises those in prostitution" this is inaccurate: the so-called Nordic model only decriminalises it for nationals, not for foreigners (the very ones who are most likely to be trafficked). Additionally, renting to a prostitute is considered pimping under the Nordic model which makes it hard for them to avoid homelessness.
-The original source for the murder statistics is a counting of newspaper headlines. It is not based on any sort of official statistics nor on any studies.
Actual studies, such as those in medical journals (e.g. https://www.thelancet.com/infographics/HIV-and-sex-workers) find that legalising sex work (instead of partially decriminalising) can lead to a decrease in HIV spread and save lives.
-It is not just her comments regarding gender identity that are controversial: her comments on bisexuality as a "trend" and her view that being gay is a choice are also controversial.
Well done you. Uni was an exciting time of discussion and learning for me. While I am angry with these immature and intolerant students, the fault lies with the supine universities who have not stood up for free speech. They are failing in their most basic duties to encourage learning and enquiry - what has happened to these people?
-"The Nordic model decriminalises those in prostitution" this is inaccurate: the so-called Nordic model only decriminalises it for nationals, not for foreigners (the very ones who are most likely to be trafficked). Additionally, renting to a prostitute is considered pimping under the Nordic model which makes it hard for them to avoid homelessness.
-The original source for the murder statistics is a counting of newspaper headlines. It is not based on any sort of official statistics nor on any studies.
Actual studies, such as those in medical journals (e.g. https://www.thelancet.com/infographics/HIV-and-sex-workers) find that legalising sex work (instead of partially decriminalising) can lead to a decrease in HIV spread and save lives.
-It is not just her comments regarding gender identity that are controversial: her comments on bisexuality as a "trend" and her view that being gay is a choice are also controversial.