Once again, proponents for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) community seem to have lost the plot, as a recent round of infighting has erupted between lesbian women and transsexuals. The bizarre development follows a long-running free speech row concerning the views of a professor at the University of Sussex. Dr. Kathleen Stock OBE, a former professor of analytical philosophy at the university, tendered her resignation on Thursday. She had been viciously targeted by transsexual campaigners after expressing the pragmatic view that such people should not have the right to “self-identify” as a particular gender without a psychological or medical diagnosis. Stock had been quoted in 2018 as saying that many transsexuals are “still males with male genitalia, many are sexually attracted to females, and they should not be in places where females undress or sleep in a completely unrestricted way”. [1] [2]
https://twitter.com/Docstockk/status/1453737720316981249
Stock, who has published academic papers on sexual orientation, imagination, fiction, and aesthetics, was until last week a professor of philosophy at the University of Sussex. She first joined the academic institution in 2003 after experiencing a number of lecturing spells at the University of East Anglia and the University of Lancaster. She identifies as gay, and is herself a supporter of the so-called LGBTQ community. However, she has rapidly fallen out of favour after expressing views which have been received as discriminatory towards transsexuals. [3] [4]
At the same time, Stock was once quoted as saying:
“I gladly and vocally assert the rights of trans people to live their lives free from fear, violence, harassment or any discrimination. I think that discussing female rights is compatible with defending these trans rights. This has nothing to do with any particular trans people – it is about a general structural issue in our society and how to deal with it.” [2]
The intra-LGBTQ debacle has shed light on the complex nature of such ‘liberal’ movements, and clearly evidences that the distinctions and acceptance of gender-related identities and their associated classifications are bound to fail. In addition, the question of free speech and the extent to which academics and others alike can engage in open discussions about ‘trans’ issues has been shown to be near enough nonexistent. Rifts have been widening between the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual facets of the wider LGBTQ+ community, and some British professors have said they are being blocked from exploring such issues. Universities are in a predicament as to how to react or how to ensure free speech remains intact in a “toxic environment”, where different sides feel unsafe. [1] [5]
In a move that is likely to further inflame tensions, the higher and further education minister Michelle Donelan gave her backing to Kathleen Stock. Donelan said in a statement:
“It is absolutely appalling that the toxic environment at the University of Sussex has made it untenable for Professor Kathleen Stock to continue in her position there. No academic should ever have to fear for their personal safety.
“The sustained campaign of harassment and intimidation she has faced is deplorable and the situation should never have got this far.” [1]
Gender identity classifications such as ‘agender’, ‘genderfluid, ‘nonbinary’, and ‘genderqueer’ are unfortunately becoming commonly accepted in so-called Western or liberal nations. In such countries, including the US and the UK, proponents argue that sex changes and gender identity are a matter of choice for the individual. However, from an Islamic perspective this goes completely against the innate and natural disposition, which is known as the fiṭrah. [6] [7]
As Muslims, we are taught to be content with the decree of Allah. He عز وجل says in the Qur’an:
“To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is the All-Knower and is Able to do all things.” [8]
While non-Muslim societies are obsessed with indulging in what they perceive to be freedoms for individuals, Islam has clearly laid out what is acceptable and what is not. The views of Stock are not unique; she has consistently argued that self-identification of gender for transsexuals is a step in the wrong direction. Ahead of a 2018 government consultation on the revamp of the 2004 Gender Recognition Act, an event called A Woman’s Place Is Turning The Tide was held on July 16 in Brighton. Prior to the day, organisers demanded “respectful and evidence based discussion about the impact of the proposed changes”. Alarm bells were raised, with worries that the ‘de-medicalisation’ of gender identification by the Theresa May administration risked ushering in “the end to single sex spaces and the provision of single sex services”. [2] [9]
Fortunately, the following Conservative Johnson-led government in 2020 backtracked on the proposed 2018 amendment to the Gender Recognition Act. Instead, women and equalities minister Liz Truss announced a reduction in the £140 cost of a gender recognition certificate to a “nominal amount”. [10]
Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-59084446
[3] https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p127266-kathleen-stock
[6] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-gender-identity#types-of-gender-identity
[8] Al Qur’an, 42:49
