Kathleen Stock Interrupted By Trans Activists

Hannah Walton-Hughes

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Gender-critical feminist, Dr Kathleen Stock, had to halt her speech at the Oxford Union after a trans-rights activist glued themselves to the floor of the debating chamber. 

Stock claims she wants to see trans people ‘protected from violence and discrimination’ and argues that she is not anti-trans, despite critics labelling her as such. Stock has also urged her critics to read her book, Material Girls. 

“Why should females take this burden on?”

Despite her claims that she is not anti-trans, Stock has been open in her belief that the rights given by biological sex cannot be translated to trans people. In her speech, Stock said it was not fair for women to be expected to share spaces like toilets with trans women. Stock expressed her concern that this could be a threat to women’s safety. 

Stock said: “We are supposed to care about women. It is a risk of a man saying he is a woman and going into a space and taking advantage of that.

“Why should females take this burden on?”

She suggested the creation of a third space in order to protect trans people.

Kathleen Stock Interrupted by Trans-rights Protest

When challenged about her views, Stock answered: “I’m definitely saying something that is unpopular as you can all tell. But if you don’t go with reality it will hit you in the face. You can’t overcome your body. When you are lost in the fiction and can’t talk about reality you’ve got a problem.”

During Stock’s speech at the Oxford Union, there were many interruptions led by trans-rights activists. Nearly 200 people were protesting outside the chamber before a group made their way inside the building. The protestors shouted slogans and waved flags.  

Some were escorted back outside by security.  One activist wearing a shirt which read ‘No more dead trans kids’ proceeded to glue themselves to the floor two metres from where Stock was sitting. After about 20 minutes, the activist was removed by four police officers.  

“I care about the trans members of my community who need to know someone has their back.”

The president of the Oxford University LGBTQ+ Society, Amiad Haran Diman, led the march adorned with a banner that said: “Trans Women are Real Women.” Diman insisted that they believe in freedom of speech, and did not wish to stop the event.

Diman told The Guardian: “I will be on the frontline to make sure that everyone can come in. I’ll make sure that the event goes ahead because I don’t believe in violence. I believe in the rule of law. And I’ll be fighting for her freedom of speech.

“I don’t care about Kathleen Stock and I don’t care about Oxford Union. They love attention. But I care about the trans members of my community who need to know someone has their back. Someone is caring for them. So that’s what the protest is about.”

“I’m very ready to have a conversation, but if the Oxford Union had wanted to have this real conversation they would have invited an expert on gender identity or on trans healthcare; instead they invited someone who has no expertise and who just abuses people.”

Diman also doesn’t believe in Stock’s “good faith”, calling her behaviour online “hateful and intolerant,” adding: “[Stock] wants to be the polite voice of a trans-exclusionary movement.”

Kathleen Stock’s Response

There were a small number of counter-protestors in support of Stock. One member held a sign reading ‘Doc Stock Rocks.’

In response to the protests, Stock commented that she doesn’t “blame the protest,” believing that you can differ in opinion “reasonably” and “still be friends.”

Stock also expressed her worry that people who shared her views would feel too “intimated” to stand up to the trans campaigners’ “propaganda machine.”

Riz, the protestor who glued themselves to the floor, has since created a Twitter thread to explain why responded in the way they did.  

Reasons Behind the Protest Against Kathleen Stock

Whilst Riz stated that they respected Stock’s right to free speech, they pointed to the consequences of “anti-trans propaganda.”

This evening I glued my hand to the floor of the Oxford Union debating chamber, wearing a t-shirt which said “NO MORE DEAD TRANS KIDS”, in front of Kathleen Stock during her talk at the Union. Here’s why I felt I had to take this action: pic.twitter.com/m4AC9AF8I9

— riz (they/them) (@rizpossnett) May 30, 2023

Riz explained that trans people are “stigmatised, threatened and harassed.” They also condemned the wider media hatred towards trans people. They highlighted the adversities the trans community faces, including higher suicide rates and a higher risk of physical and sexual violence.

Riz also revealed someone taking part in the peaceful Oxford Trans Pride protest has received a death threat via a post. 

“These series of events links to the overarching and ongoing debate…about trans rights.”

Riz expressed their frustration that the Stock speech went ahead, despite the Student Union voting to condemn her visit. They think that everyone who listened to the talk should also be aware of the other side, and the “dangerous consequences” that Stock’s views have for trans people. 

Near the end of the thread, Riz tweeted: “Kathleen Stock is not welcome here. TERFs are not welcome here.” They also promised to fight for justice, healthcare, joy, and dignity for the trans youth. 

Riz has received a great deal of backlash and angry replies on Twitter.  

This series of events links to the overarching and ongoing debate in the media and wider society about trans rights. 

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Photo by Karollyne Videira Hubert on Unsplash. No changes made to this image. Image license found here.