An employment tribunal ruled that a woman who claimed that people can’t change their biological sex was discriminated by her employers.
After a series tweets about gender, Maya Forstater, tax expert, was not allowed to renew her contract.
2019: A tribunal judge ruled that such views were not worthy of respect in democratic societies.
In a 2021 appeal, another judge ruled that “gender-critical views” were protected by the Equality Act 2010.
A new tribunal was ordered by the judge, and it published its decision on Wednesday.
Andrew Glennie, an employment judge, found that Ms. Forstater’s decision to not offer her an employment contract or renew her unpaid visiting fellowship at Center for Global Development in February 2019 was direct discrimination based on her “gender-critical beliefs.”
Ms Forstater is a St Albans woman from Hertfordshire who believes that biological sex can be changed and should not be confused with gender identity.
Judge Glennie stated that her complaint about being victimized after she was removed from a company’s website was “well-founded”.
He dismissed all other complaints, including victimisation for her withdrawal of an offer to become a consultant and harassment.
Ms. Forstater was happy with the result.
In a statement, she said: “My case is important for all who believe in truth and freedom of speech.
“All people are free to believe what they want. We are not allowed to force others to believe the same things, to silence others who don’t agree with us, or force them to deny reality.
Amanda Glassman, chief executive officer of the Center for Global Development, stated that the organization was currently reviewing the judgement.
She stated that the think tank’s “primary goal has always been to uphold its values and maintain an environment and workplace that are welcoming, safe and inclusive for all”
The case of Ms. Forstater was previously well-known, and attracted some high-profile supporters such as JK Rowling, Harry Potter author.
Rowling tweeted after the ruling: “Every woman harassed or bullied because of her gender-critical beliefs is freer today, thanks to [Maya Forstater].
