Curbs on students’ ability to voice “transphobic” views in Northern Ireland would make them wary of stating that there are only two sexes, and undermine academic freedom.

Those are the views of two activist organisations in response to the social media policies of both the province’s universities.

The News Letter recently discovered that both Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast have policies which tightly limit what students can say on social media.

The policies drew criticism from the Free Speech Union and the Committee for Academic Freedom, which warned that they are far too broad.

placeholder image — Various pro-transgender badges (and other progressive ones) on display at Belfast City Hall in August 2024, during a protest in favour of giving puberty-blocking drugs to children; activists have voiced concern about the effect of universities' policies on the ability to discuss trans matters

Now gender-critical activists have added their voices to that criticism, focusing in particular on how the universities’ policies would apply to posts about transgenderism.

Ulster University’s policy applies to “any communication by an Ulster University student made in a personal capacity”, and bars “offensive or derogatory comments relating to sex, gender, race (including nationality), disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age”.

The Queen's policy is similar, and applies if someone can deduce online that you are a Queen's student.

It states that students must not “express or support sexist, racist, sectarian, homophobic or transphobic views”, or do anything “which could reasonably be considered as negative, derogatory or offensive in terms of a person’s gender identity/expression (this includes transgender and non-binary people); pregnancy or maternity status; marital or civil partnership status; whether or not they have dependants (including caring responsibilities); religious belief or political opinion; race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, including Irish Travellers); disability; sexual orientation and age”.

Queen’s says “this policy does not intend to restrict the freedom of speech of students”.

In both cases, breaches of the policy can lead to disciplinary action.

Helen Joyce of the campaign group Sex Matters said: “These misguided policies go far beyond what is reasonable.

“The sweeping ban on anything which ‘could reasonably be considered as negative’ in relation to ‘a person’s gender identity/expression (this includes transgender and non-binary people)’ in the Queen’s policy puts the belief that some people have special ‘gender identities’ that override their sex beyond criticism.

“In fact this belief has no factual basis, and most people do not believe it.”

She said the rules “place far too much importance on whether someone takes offence”.

Women's Rights Network NI said: “While we support the need for respectful online engagement, these social media policies may restrict lawful expression and risk discriminating against students who hold gender-critical beliefs.

“In Northern Ireland, our beliefs are protected under Fair Employment and Treatment legislation, and universities must ensure that students are not penalised for holding or expressing lawful views.

"Universities should be places of learning and discussion, not of silencing those we disagree with.”

In response to criticism of its policy, Ulster University said that “there is no intention on behalf of the university to restrict lawful speech” and that its policy is currently being updated.

Queen’s said nothing.