A campaign group called “Free Art” (FITA) has sent a letter to the University of Leicester, England, threatening to prosecute it for “misleading” guidance on promoting trans inclusion in museums and galleries.
FITA also requires universities to immediately remove the guidelines titled “Inter-intellectual Culture” from their websites.
The guidelines were published by the University’s Center for Museums and Gallery Research (RCMG) and developed a framework for cultural institutions that “produce inclusive public places and workplaces” two years ago. It addresses legal and ethical issues about transgender, which it says must be prioritized “all other forms of bias and discrimination.”
22 cultural and heritage organizations support these guidelines, including the International Museum of the United Kingdom (ICOM UK) and the Association of Independent Museums (AIM).
Choreographers Rosie Kay and Denise Fahmy, former staff of the Arts Council in England, co-founded Fita, which guides the university’s guidelines that misrepresent the meaning of “gender” under the 2010 Equality Act. FITA claims this violates the decision of the Supreme Court earlier this year’s “women”, ruling that “women” and “sexual behavior” are conducted only in “Proportional Women” and references to sexual behavior.
The ruler angered the LGBTQ+ organization in the arts and culture of the UK, which warned that it would be more difficult for transgender and gender-inferior people. Although the ruling applies widely to same-sex spaces, the most intense debate focused on getting bathrooms in museums and galleries.
Fita claims that the University of Leicester’s trans museum guidelines encourage policies that may violate the law, such as allowing individuals to use toilets based on their gender identity. The team believes that this guidance discriminates against employees with gender-critical beliefs and discourages public discussion in the arts.
A Fita survey of “Fear of Free Speech” with 483 art workers found that 84% of people rarely or never could express their opinions publicly (especially on gender and gender issues), involving concerns about professional consequences. The group offered to help the university review its guidance, but said it was denied in July. The university has not responded publicly.
By contrast, thousands of people in the art world expressed support for transgender. More than 2,000 cultural workers have signed an open letter defending trans rights, indicating that they will not use it in toilets. “We maintain solidarity with the trans, non-binary and bisexual communities … we cannot and are unwilling to regulate the genders that people use toilets,” the letter reads.
Meanwhile, Sharon Heal, director of the Museum Association, said: “Museums should be everyone, including members of the trans community, and it’s a safe and welcoming place.”
Earlier this year, RCMG co-director Richard Sandell Art newspaper: “If you look back on the initial guidance, the biggest part is that the Supreme Court has not changed at all, because museums can, should and must do a lot of things legally under the equal responsibility of their public sector [also part of the Equality Act].
“This is a legal thing [under this duty]: Working to promote transgender inclusion to protect this group from discrimination and prejudice. [The Supreme Court’s ruling] It is both a critical moment and a time when neither subverting or undermining the central driving force that leverages cultural potential to advance trans integration. ” he continued.
Many groups have been listed as supporters of the guide, rejecting the Sepia When exposed to comments. They include the Museum Association, ICOM UK and AIM. Margaret Middleton, a museum consultant specializing in inclusive practice, did respond and criticized the key points of Fita’s “defending critical gender speech” and promoting “transgender”.
“Critical feminism is based on the notion that gender is binary, determined at birth and cannot be changed, and that gender is not socially constructed,” she said. “When applied to policies, gender-critical feminism tries to discriminate socially against transgender people and limits their opportunities to services including health care and public toilets… ‘Transex Culture’ reports respond to the increase in transgender discrimination and proposes suggestions to make the art safer and provide more welcome space for transgender people.”
when Sepia “Respecting anyone who identifies is fundamental. However, our research emphasizes an oppressive and suffocating culture in the art that is supported and complicated by illegal policies. Our case against the University of Leicester aims to restore a positive and affirmative culture in the art, which is free, and free.”
