Julie Bindel banned from appearing at censorship debate over ‘dangerous’ trans views
Two speakers at a debate on feminism and censorship have been banned from appearing at the University of Manchester.
Manchester University Students’ Union has banned radical feminist Julie Bindel, saying she has “dangerous” views on transgender people.
She has frequently come under fire in the past for her controversial views about the validity of trans people’s experiences.
In addition, Breitbart associate editor Milo Yiannopoulos has also been banned from appearing at the debate.
The event is hosted by the university’s Free Speech and Secular Society, titled ‘From liberation to censorship: does modern feminism have a problem with free speech?’
Bindel says she was told she would not be allowed to speak over concerns that her views would “incite hatred” over previous comments about trans women.
Manchester Students’ Union Women’s office Jess Lishak has denied that they were blocking free speech through preventing Bindel and Yiannopoulos from appearing.
She said it was down to Bindel’s “dangerous for transpeople and they’re dangerous for feminist and liberation movements in general”.
On the barring of Yiannopoulos from speaking, a SU spokesperson added: “We have been made aware of various comments lambasting rape survivors and transpeople, and as such we are concerned for the safety of our students on the topic of this event. He is a rape apologist and has repeatedly used derogatory and debasing ableist language when describing members of the trans community.
“As such, this undermines the principles of liberation enshrined in the Students’ Union, as outlined in the Safe Space policy. We believe these views could incite hatred against both transpeople and women who have experienced sexual violence. As we believe it is probable these views would be aired in this discussion should he be allowed to speak on campus, we have no choice but to ban him.
“As we made clear to the society, this means that this event with the proposed speakers will not be going ahead under the banner of the Students’ Union, with our support or using our resources.”
Bindel accused the SU of conducting a “personal witch-hunt” against her, before the decision to also ban Yiannopoulos from speaking was made.
Ms Bindel has, in the past, said that she has chosen to be a lesbian and more women should do the same.
Bindel has previously claimed that a “trans cabal” were “running a witch hunt” against people who offended them, after becoming embroiled in a dispute with trans activists.
Earlier this year, she refused to weigh in on Caitlyn Jenner’s transition.
She has also claimed that gay marriage is “a waste of time and effort”, and claimed that the term “queer” was being used by “anyone who is into kinky sex”.
