Mick Hartley

You'd have been forgiven for thinking that the University of Essex had taken the lesson to heart, after it was forced to apologise in May for the cancellation of two visiting speakers for alleged "transphobia", and a report suggested that the university's allegiance to Stonewall might be in need of a rethink – not least because it was giving the university unlawful advice. Professor Anthony Forster, university vice-chancellor, said at the time: “On behalf of the university, I am offering an open apology to staff and students regarding the procedural and other failings that have occurred.”

Apparently not. The very same Professor Anthony Forster, having acquired a taste for apologising, and perhaps accepting that this is now his main role in the life of the university, has now offered a grovelling apology to "our trans and non-binary staff and students". 

Thus:

• My personal view is that the current law in the UK does not fully respect and protect the identities of trans and non-binary people. I understand that, in meeting our obligations to respect academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law, we have given the impression that we might not care about the lived reality of trans and non-binary people. As we revise our equality, diversity and inclusion policies and procedures we will continue to go beyond the minimum standards required by law, wherever we can, to ensure that we recognise, respect and protect the identities of trans and non-binary people. Listening to our trans and non-binary staff and students will be central to us understanding the changes that will have the most impact in creating a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment – and ensuring the lived experience of our trans and non-binary staff and students is positive.
• We are committed to working with Stonewall and other organisations, as the University takes steps, within the context of Action 10 of our agreed action plan, to repair relationships amongst University members.
• Our Acting Director of People and Culture, the University's Chief of Staff and the Registrar and Secretary, will continue to meet with our trans and non-binary students and staff on a regular basis, to review how we are supporting trans and non-binary students, and combating transphobia on our campuses.

Clear enough? The "lived reality of trans and non-binary people" is the most important factor here, since these are the people who make the most noise about being offended/persecuted/having their feelings hurt. Any concession to complying with the Equality Act, in terms of recognising the rights of the gender-critical, will be grudging at best, since that doesn't fully recognise the feelings of trans and non-binary people, which are the most important feelings in the world.

And, yes, we'll continue to work with Stonewall. To hell with the law.