Furious Tories have accused university bosses of “pandering to a woke edict” after ordering students to comply with transgender names and pronouns or face punishment.
Queen’s University Belfast’s new code of conduct demands that both staff and students use whatever name and pronouns an individual demands.
Failure to do so is now treated as bullying or harassment.
It also applies to anyone who makes “derogatory” jokes about transgenderism.
The code also covers anybody who sets foot on campus, including outside contractors like cleaners, caterers, and suppliers, and anyone hired by them.
Senior Tory Sir John Hayes said he and other Conservative MPs would be writing to the University.
“This is an extraordinary decision. They are pandering to a woke edict and they are not fit to hold office,” he said.
The new code emphasises that the university has a “zero-tolerance approach to all bullying and harassment”.
“Transphobic abuse, harassment or bullying (including name-calling / derogatory jokes / repeated or intentional use of incorrect pronouns or name) will be dealt with under the Bullying and Harassment Policy which states that the University will not tolerate such behaviour.”
“It will be treated by the University as a disciplinary offence.”
The university said the new code came into force “following further equality screening” and said “disciplinary matters are implemented by senior managers”.
A University spokesperson said: “Section 75 and Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 came into force on the 1 January 2000 and placed a statutory obligation on public authorities such as the University, in carrying out their various functions relating to Northern Ireland, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity, which includes transgender people.”
“The University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all and to ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and with dignity and respect. It is also committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming community where staff and students are enabled to meet their full potential and are treated as individuals.”
“This includes providing advice, support and understanding to those individuals who are trans, gender non-conforming or questioning their gender identity. The Trans Equality Policy was enacted in 2016 and updated following further equality screening which was completed in January 2023.”
“This includes providing advice, support and understanding to those individuals who are trans, gender non-conforming or questioning their gender identity. The Trans Equality Policy was enacted in 2016 and updated following further equality screening which was completed in January 2023.”
