Kathleen Stock, a Philosophy professor at the University of Sussex, was targeted by mob
An embattled professor who sparked fury after writing that people cannot change their biological sex has received backing from some in the trans community who are 'appalled' the she is being silenced.
Feminist philosopher Kathleen Stock has been warned by police to stay away from the University of Sussex campus and teach online as critics accuse her of being 'transphobic'.
Demonstrators held banners saying 'Stock Out' alongside burning flares and scores of people have been criticising her under the Twitter hashtag #ShameOnSussexUni – while many others have been using it to support her.
Prof Stock was last week backed by the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Baroness Falkner of Margravine, who called the attacks disgraceful.
And she received a further boost over the weekend courtesy of equalities minister Liz Truss, who added her approval to Baroness Falkner's thoughts.
Now a group of transgender people have written a letter to The Times voicing their support for the academic. It says: 'As transsexual people, we deplore the continuing attacks on Professor Kathleen Stock.
'We are appalled that trans rights — our rights — are being used to excuse an unprincipled campaign of harassment and abuse.
'Like any other group, trans people hold a range of opinions. Attacks on the freedom of expression are not progressive, and do nothing to fight against actual prejudice or win better services for trans people.
'If bullies manage to silence Kathleen Stock, they will not stop there.'
NHS worker Kristina Harrison, who had been penalised by Twitter for tweeting that 'sex and gender are not the same', is among the signatories, along with school teacher Debbie Hayton, who previously wore a T-shirt saying 'Trans women are men. Get over it.'
Ms Truss tweeted 'No one should be targeted and harassed simply for holding an opinion'
The Equalities Minister said people should not be hassled over holding an opinion
Liz Truss has tweeted her support, saying: 'Fully support this letter from the chair of the equality and human rights commission - no one should be targeted and harassed simply for holding an opinion.'
Online, Prof Stock has been targeted with abuse from users who say she is 'on the wrong side of history'. One post shared a picture of a man with a gun captioned 'Kathleen Stock rest your weary head.'
Police have become so concerned for her safety that the 48-year-old has been given access to a hotline to call.
Now, Stock, who was awarded an OBE earlier this year, says she 'fears for the future' and is questioning her career.
Online, she has been targeted with abuse from users who say she is 'on the wrong side of history' while posters are put up around campus campaigning for her dismissal
Banners saying 'Stock Out' have been held alongside burning flares and scores of people have been criticising her under the Twitter hashtag #ShameOnSussexUni
It's not the first time Ms Stock feels she has been in danger. When writing for MailOnline earlier this year, she revealed she has previously been advised to take measures to protect herself.
'Two years ago, I was shocked when the campus security manager advised me about the emergency phone system and arranged to have a spyhole put in my door,' she said.
'When, at a later graduation event, I was taken aside by security and told the quickest way to get off the stage in an emergency, I was no longer shocked – the experience had become commonplace.'
Recently, she filed a complaint against the University because she believes it has failed to support her, uphold its duty of care and protect her academic freedom - claims that the university is said to be investigating.
In a groundbreaking and similar case earlier this year, Essex University was found to have failed to uphold free speech after two female professors, Jo Phoenix and Rosa Freedman, were dropped from speaking events.
The pair hold similar views to Ms Stock.
Earlier this year, the Government announced plans to crack down on issues around free speech at universities, launching the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill.
The Bill aims to end 'no-platforming' on campuses by giving a regulator the power to issue fines, giving the Office for Students (OfS) a mandate to promote the importance of 'freedom of speech within the law' and 'academic freedom for academic staff' at universities.
The OfS has the power to fine institutions and student unions for breaching new duties designed to foster 'a culture of open and robust intellectual debate'.
