Mick Hartley

Stonewall may be losing its lustre, with the BBC the latest to withdraw from its diversity champions scheme and CEO Nancy Kelley finally agreeing to debate, but there are still institutions that are completely in thrall to the whole Stonewall-inspired gender ideology nonsense. Warwick University, for instance:

A Russell Group university has been criticised for its “capture” by Stonewall and a push to reach the upper level of the campaign group’s equality rankings.

Warwick University guidance says people should be introduced using the gender-neutral pronoun “they” by default, asks supporters to challenge and unlearn their biases and has relabelled all its single-occupancy toilets to be gender neutral.

Its website states that the university is working to move up the Stonewall workplace equality index and is proud of its current ranking, 123rd out of 500.

The university describes the index as the definitive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion in the workplace. It said: “Over the last three years, Warwick has risen 220 places, demonstrating our commitment to the LGBTQUA+ community.” It said the abbreviation stands for “lesbian, gay, bi+, trans, queer, undefined (for those who are questioning or who choose not to define their sexual orientation, in the latter case some individuals may also use the word queer), asexual/aromantic”.

This improvement “showcases Warwick as an inclusive place to work and study”, it said. Professor Chris Ennew, provost of the university, said: “This is a great achievement in an exceptionally competitive list.

“Congratulations to all those involved. We will continue to work to ensure that we provide an inclusive, welcoming and dynamic environment for all staff, with a clear aspiration to join the top 100 in the future.”

Professor Kathleen Stock, the academic who resigned from Sussex University after suffering abuse and being accused of transphobia, tweeted yesterday: “If you want a quick snapshot of what Stonewall can do in human resources once the carrot of workplace equality index membership is dangled in front of an institution, Warwick University handily lays it out here.

“It’s really worth following some of the links here to get a sense of a Stonewalled environment in a captured institution. Check out the embedded link to Warwick’s ‘Rainbow Allies programme’ for instance, and what you are told to do to be one.”

Warwick said it “spearheaded extensive works across campus to re-sign all gendered single occupancy toilets to be labelled simply as ‘toilet’”.

On pronouns, it said: “Consider wearing a badge displaying your pronouns to help normalise sharing pronouns. If you’re not sure, ask people what their pronouns are — ‘sorry I didn’t catch your pronouns’.” People should be introduced as “they” until they voice their pronouns.

It added: “LGBTQUA+phobia exists at Warwick and needs to be actively challenged. Signing up to be a Rainbow Ally is a way to commit to ongoing learning to challenge phobias when they are witnessed, and be confident to hold conversations about terminology, and inclusive behaviours.”

"Sorry I didn’t catch your pronouns". One to avoid, perhaps.