The showing of ‘Adult Human Female’ at Edinburgh University has made the campus a less safe space for staff and students.

The film has about as much academic standing as ‘Birth of a Nation’, and the arguments within are just as toxic; but its showing has been hailed as a victory for “common sense” and “free speech” by the Edinburgh Academics for Academic Freedom.  Why, when over 20 university groups say that having the film on campus is a very dangerous idea, have they repeatedly pushed for its showing?

Because they are primarily a gender critical support group.

When their previous attempts at screening this thinly veiled propaganda piece were thwarted by peaceful direct action, supported by large scale protests, they did not pause to reflect.

Rather than listening to the facts, the voices of staff, students, and the LGBT community, they chose to hire private security and waste the time of police officers so a group of already committed bigots could hold what effectively amounts to an anti trans rally, clapping and cheering to a film they have already seen.

It’s the gender critical way.  They say they oppose “cancel culture”, but call into question the validity of a Trans Day of Remembrance, and then remain silent when the university attacks students for pro-Palestine activity.  At the same time they label any opposition to their views as “extreme trans-rights activism”, while ignoring the additional dangers their own views create.

The screening of ‘Adult Human Female’ is part of an escalating effort to push trans people out of the university and public life entirely, and for that the AFAF expects the gratitude and support of the conservative establishment.  If some of the students are intimidated by the security, that’s a bonus for the AFAF.

But when you promote a film that characterises trans people as a “contagion”, who should “know their place”, a film that compares trans people to “criminals” and “perverts”, you attract a far-right following; and amongst the attendees on the night, as previously, were members of the Scottish Family Party.

The AFAF should have a good think about that.  When gender critical ideology dominates your views you are no longer an academic, and when you consider everyone who is gender critical an ally, don’t be too surprised when the far-right  turns up.  You’ll soon discover that they are no friends of freedom.