City Council Bans Feminist Group from Debating Proposed Law on Gender ID

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After all we’ve been through – and our recent decision from the Court of Appeal confirming that freedom of speech obligations apply to council-owned speaking venues – Christchurch City Council has done a Phil Goff. They’ve barred a feminist group, “Speak Up for Women”, because the group’s views might (to use the Council’s words) conflict with the Council’s “commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all”.

According to Stuff:

Speak up for Women NZ wanted to host a talk about sex self-identification on Tuesday and booked a room at Turanga three weeks ago, but received notification that its booking had been cancelled on Monday. After appealing the decision, the group was also told its meeting would not be permitted in any of the city’s libraries. 

An email from library manager Chris Hay, seen by Stuff, said the subject of the group’s meeting may be in conflict with the library’s code of conduct, “particularly our commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment”. […]

The library received 10 complaints from the public when the event was advertised, which gave staff a better understanding of the risks associated with hosting the event, [Libraries head Carolyn Robertson] said.

Georgina Blackmore, one of the coordinators for Speak Up for Women is a member of the Free Speech Union. She told me:

“Sex and gender identity are very different. Sex is protected in the Human Rights Act which means women can have spaces and services that are single-sex. The BDMRR Bill would further erode the ability for these rights to be asserted.” “We’re really fed up. The vast majority of people accept that in certain circumstances, sex matters, and that while people can express their identity however they want, when it comes to how legislation recognises sex, there is more at stake than identity. This isn’t hate or exclusion. We simply want to be able to discuss the impacts of this Bill.”

Human Rights Commission Is Missing in Action

You’d think the Human Rights Commission would be all over this story. But alas, they are literally refusing to comment to the media! They’re not even talking to the Speak Up for Women group. Pathetic. That leaves it to us to defend free speech.

Unlike the Canadian speakers / Auckland Council de-platforming, as far as we know, no threats of protest or violence were received prior to the cancellation. And unlike the Auckland event involving Canadian speakers, this is literally New Zealanders wanting to debate a Bill before the New Zealand Parliament.

This is what I told the media yesterday afternoon:

MEDIA RELEASE
CHRISTCHURCH CITY LIBRARY BAN OF FEMINIST GROUP ILLEGAL - FREE SPEECH UNION

The Free Speech Union is writing a ‘please explain’ to Christchurch City Council and its libraries after the feminist group ‘Speak Up for Women’ was banned from holding a debate on a controversial piece of legislation relating to sex identification.“

This decision totally ignores the Court of Appeal’s decision issued last month confirming that council-owned venues must uphold free speech,” says Dr David Cumin, a spokesperson for the Union.

“A few complaints, presumably by political opponents of the group, doesn’t justify a de-platforming. This isn’t even some controversial overseas speaker - this was to be a debate about a piece of legislation before the New Zealand Parliament.

De-platforming these discussions undermines the very heart of democratic debate - precisely the debates civil venues were built for.”

“We will be offering assistance to the Speak Up for Women group. We need to defend tolerance, freedom of speech and to disagree, without rule by the mob and de-platforming of uncomfortable topics.”

ENDS

Our volunteers will be working over the weekend on this issue. We can not let the enemies of free speech win. We must uphold the law, and stop councils picking and choosing who we can hear from.

We have to put a stop to those who shut down debate to intimidate and control our civilized discourse.

Events like this are why we set up the Free Speech Union. Protecting free speech is why we’re asking for New Zealanders like you to back this important work. Watch this space.

PS. we’ve received a couple of enquiries about a YouTuber who is being targeted for opinions he’s express online, particularly about the Maori Party. He has reached out to us and we are assessing whether we might be able to help. Because it is employment-related, and there is so much material to work through, it’s taking some time (don’t take our lack of public comment to mean we’re ignoring it)

Please share so others can discover The BFD.