Back in 2019 Maya Forstater, now 47, lost her tex expert job at think tank Center for Global Development job due to tweets she had put out about trans people not being women.
She then lost her appeal with the judge stating that her approach was ‘not worthy of respect in a democratic society’. Today she has won a tribunal appeal in a move that will no doubt delight the likes of JK Rowling who come out in support of Forstater and her Sex Matters appeal.
According to the BBC, ‘Ms Forstater believes trans women holding certificates that recognise their transgender identity cannot describe themselves as women.’ This will no doubt re-ignite the entire damaging and painful debate whereas Judge James Taylor in her previous case had stated:
“It is a core component of her belief that she will refer to a person by the sex she considered appropriate even if it violates their dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment”.
It’s important to note that this was a philosophical case meaning her beliefs fall under the Equalities Act but it does NOT mean that she can misgender or harass trans people as the below tweet by journalist Sam Dowler makes here.
JK Rowling’s tweet of support is below, along with few choice words form the likes of ally Patricia Arquette. Have a read of the comments if you can stomach the rage.
It’s important to note in the Maya Forester case that she might have won that her beliefs are philosophical but it ‘does not mean, however, that those with gender critical beliefs can indiscriminately and gratuitously refer to trans persons in terms other than they would wish’ 🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/35WmejZHnp
— Sam Dowler (@samdowler) June 10, 2021
Dress however you please.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 19, 2019
Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you.
Live your best life in peace and security.
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill