ISBI Update 18 Jul 2024

Jul 18, 2024

1. Status

In the period 24-28 Jun 2024 we emailed 41 universities in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia asking them to state whether or not it is possible to change sex1:

We have received responses from only four universities

The University of Queensland did not answer the question but directed us to their Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Behaviours Policy;
Queen Mary University London did not not answer the question but directed us to their Trans Inclusion Statement of Commitment. We responded that QMU does have an institutional position based on its Transgender policy that a male observed at birth can become a female. We will be asking alumni to write to the VC to provide evidence that a male can change sex or to align with the Sussex University position that a male observed at birth cannot become a female.
University College London responded, confusing a position with an opinion. We responded that UCL does have an institutional position based on its Transgender policy that a male observed at birth can become a female. We have asked them to provide evidence that a male can change sex or to align with the Sussex University position that a male observed at birth cannot become a female.
Edinburgh University responded that it did not take an institutional position on this matter. We responded that Edinburgh University, based on the University’s Trans_Equality_Policy (updated 4 May 2023), does have an institutional position that a male observed at birth can become a female. We have asked the VC to provide evidence that a male can or, like Sussex University, state that it is not the University's position that a male observed at birth can become a female. On 8 Jul we asked alumni of Edinburgh University to write to the VC to provide a position. To date no alumnus has written to the VC.

2. Revised Approach

We analysed the Transgender policies for 15 universities:

9 in the UK Russell Group
2 in each of the USA, Australia and Canada

and identified statements in their policies that confirmed that they took an institutional position that it it possible to change sex/gender.

So we are asking alumni to write to the VC of their alma mater requesting the VC to:

Provide evidence that a male observed at birth can become a female
or, like Sussex University in the UK, state that it is not the University's position that a male observed at birth can become a female. The University could add a statement along the lines that the University recognizes that some people claim a Gender Identity that does not match their birth sex and, in the interests of diversity and inclusion, the University makes accommodations for such beliefs?

We need your help. We have no leverage to get a satisfactory response from these universities. That is why we wanted a university to host this initiative, but Oxford University and Exeter University refused.

3. Alumni Encouragement

There is a Substack post for each of these 15 universities. Each:

identifies the statements that confirms the University has taken an institutional position that a male can beome a female
contains the text of the email to be sent to the VC

The UK

The University of Cambridge
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-3-university-of-cambridge-alumni

Edinburgh University
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-6-edinburgh-university-alumni

Exeter University
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-7-university-of-exeter-alumni

Glasgow University
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-8-university-of-glasgow-alumni

Imperial College London
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-9-imperial-college-london-alumni

Leeds University
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-11-university-of-leeds-alumni

Manchester University
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-13-the-university-of-manchester

Oxford University
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-16-university-of-oxford-alumni

Queen Mary University London
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-17-queen-mary-university-of

The USA

The University of California (Berkley)
https://mneill.substack.com/p/isbi-24-university-of-california