Calls for Greer's disinvitation from the Union were among several instances of 'no platforming' named in The Observer

Today, academics and institutions from around the University of Cambridge have voiced their reactions to the open letter against ‘no platforming’ that was published in The Observer on Sunday, commenting on both its content and the way it has been received in Cambridge and online communities since. 

The letter, whose 132 signatories include gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, Cambridge academic Dr Lucy Allen, feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez and Professor Mary Beard, argues that ‘no platforming’ policies are being used for the “intimidation and silencing of individuals whose views are deemed ‘transphobic’ or ‘whorephobic’”. Such “tactics” are described as “illiberal and undemocratic”.

The letter continues: “Universities have a particular responsibility to resist this kind of bullying”. 

Since its publication, the letter has been the subject of considerable debate both within Cambridge and online.

Speaking to Varsity, Beard defended the open letter and expressed her disappointment at some of the reactions it has received, saying "the barrage of stuff I have had for the last 4 days is one good reason for preserving free, open and informed debate in the tradition of the university".

She described the "misquotation and misinterpretation" of the open letter as "quite spectacular", calling the notion of free speech "always more complicated than many people would like to imagine". She continued, however, that "free debate is fundamental to the principles of the university and often exposes silly or nasty views for what they are."

Referring to the recent controversy over whether Germaine Greer should be disinvited from the Cambridge Union, Beard said: "I thought Rachael Padman's response in Varsity... was spot on."

Dr Rachael Padman, whose fellowship to Newnham College Greer unsuccessfully campaigned against on the grounds that Padman, who had sex reassignment surgery in 1982, could not be admitted without contravening the college’s statutes, told Varsity: "While one might question some of Germaine's judgements, particularly concerning trans women, there is no doubt that her writings inspired a generation of women, and a few men, coming of age in 1970s England and Australia. Rather than look back at the events of 1997, it seems much more profitable to consider the enormous steps made since then: the 2004 Gender Recognition Act; the 2010 Equalities Act; most recently equal marriage in 2014. We should celebrate the fact that whatever happened in 1997 could not happen again today.

"I hope the Union will give Germaine a fair hearing, but of course robustly interrogate her, as befits the academic community that is Cambridge."

The question of Greer's appearance at the Cambridge Union was one of several recent incidents of 'no platforming' associated with Cambridge University specifically named in The Observer's open letter.

“[P]ressure” faced by the Green Party to “repudiate the philosophy lecturer Rupert Read after he questioned the arguments put forward by some trans-activists" was another.

In addition to these named events, instances of ‘no-platforming’ in Cambridge over the past year have included a dispute with one of the letter's signatories, Caroline Criado-Perez. In Michaelmas 2014, the CUSU Women’s Campaign wrote an open letter to the organisers of the Women of the World Festival condemning Criado-Perez’s invitation to speak there. It said: “Criado-Perez… has persistently attacked trans people and other feminists online, including members of the Women’s Campaign”. 

However, Sunday’s open letter maintained that “The feminists who hold these views [deemed ‘transphobic’ or ‘whorephobic’] have never advocated or engaged in violence against any group of people” and so their presence at University events does not constitute “a threat to a protected minority group’s safety”.

Taking to social media, Tim Squirrell, former President of the Cambridge Union Society, Tweeted: "Oh no, we're being silenced by imaginary students! Better publish a letter in the Observer to demonstrate how marginalised we are!’"

He continued, "We just don't want to give a prestigious platform to toxic views which undermine the humanity of our peers. Is that so illiberal?" and proceeded to engage in a conversation with Mary Beard in which she asked him to email her so they could speak privately.

Not all Twitter reactions, however, have ended so cordially; Beard faced potent attacks, including threats and accusations of transphobia. On her blog Beard wrote of "wanting to weep" in the aftermath of the Twitter backlash, and stated that she was "NOT signing up to an attack on the trans community." 

A transgender academic has written a blog post addressed to Mary Beard, criticising a number of factors concerning the open letter, including its "one-sidedness". Natacha argues for the method of 'no platforming', writing that "engaging in any debate on those terms represents a considerable advantage to those who would like to see us dead". She goes on to assert that universities should be a safe place for transgender individuals to express their identity.

Dr Lucy Allen, of the English faculty, was one of the signatories. Speaking exclusively to Varsity, she wished to stress that "protests are crucial to good debate" but pointed to the "broad issue, which is that it is women's voices, on the whole, that are silenced." This opinion was furthered in her blog post on the issue, which argued that while "it’s certainly reasonable to demonstrate, or protest, against invitations to speakers with whose views you profoundly disagree", the pattern shows that "we are still much more willing to silence women than men, feminists than not."

Talking to Varsity, Allen also expressed a desire for all views on the matter to be heard, including those opposed to her stance. She showed solidarity with fellow Cambridge academic, Mary Beard, stating: "I think she has responded with a huge amount of grace and generosity. I'm proud to have signed with her."

When contacted, the Cambridge Union stated that it provides "neutral platform for a variety of speakers, allowing them to be heard, challenged and debated" and finished by expressing sympathy "to Mary Beard, Peter Tatchell and others who signed the open letter opposing censorship on campus for the abuse they have received online."