Student protestors compare University bosses to “Nazis” in protest against recent trans policy changes

LGBTQUIA+ societies at Warwick staged a peaceful ‘Pride is a Protest’ demonstration on 12 June, arguing for a reassessment of the University’s trans policies following recent controversy.

The protest, which was held on the Piazza, comes after the recent ruling by the Supreme Court that the definition of a ‘woman’, according to the Equality Act 2010, is based on their biological sex at birth and not their gender identity, and the subsequent reassessment by the University of Warwick to initially ban transgender students and staff from using the toilets of the gender identity.

The ‘Pride is a Protest’ demonstration was led by a collection of societies that represent many of the LGBTQUIA+ students across the University, including Warwick PLAN and Warwick Trans Action, and came as part of a wider boycott of the University’s Pride Month events.

Approximately 40 students attended the protest.

The leader of the protest also compared Stuart Croft, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, and other University leaders to ‘Nazis’, and claimed that Croft does ‘not care about trans people’

The protest opened with attendees chanting “LGB with the T”. Other chants were also shouted throughout the event, with the most repeated being “Whose uni? Our uni” and “Stuart Croft, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide.”

The leader of the protest also compared Stuart Croft, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, and other University leaders to “Nazis”, and claimed that Croft does “not care about trans people”.

The event took an open mic format with various students and staff sharing their own stories and experiences of University life.

One speaker performed an acapella version of ‘Defying Gravity’, switching the words to ‘Defying Fascism’.

The demonstrators called for the expansion of gender-neutral toilet provisions at the University, as well as for the University to halt any policies which ban transgender students from using the toilets of the gender that they identify with

‘Pride is a Protest’ is just one of the events that the societies have scheduled and held over the last couple of weeks. An array of activities have been promoted on the societies’ social media, ranging from an academic panel to mindfulness events.

Throughout the protest, the demonstrators called for the expansion of gender-neutral toilet provisions at the University, as well as for the University to halt any policies which ban transgender students from using the toilets of the gender that they identify with.

They argued that transgender students should not just be relegated to the gender-neutral toilet, and should instead be permitted to use the toilet that they feel most comfortable with.

The protestors expressed that they felt as though the new proposed policy was “trans erasure”, adding they would “not fight quietly” against it.

Today’s demonstration was managed in line with our legal duty and commitment to freedom of speech. We fully respect people’s right to lawful and peaceful protest

University statement

The University Trans Inclusion Code of Practice was temporarily updated in May, with the new guidance seemingly confirming that trans students would be banned from using toilets of their identity gender. However, this guidance was later removed, with a working group established to review the policy.

Following the demonstration, the University told The Boar: “Today’s demonstration was managed in line with our legal duty and commitment to freedom of speech. We fully respect people’s right to lawful and peaceful protest.

“Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our community is our top priority and we continue to offer advice and help to all our students and staff through our support services.”