A university lecturers’ union has tried to defend its controversial decision to exclude straight, white men from equality conferences.
Heat Street reported on Tuesday that the University and College Union (UCU) declared that attendees must register a “protected characteristic” if they want to be involved in breakout sessions.
These sessions will be held exclusively for women, LGBT, ethnic minorities and disabled people as a way of providing a “safe space” for those with the “protected characteristics” to talk openly about their situations.
Today, a spokesman for UCU attempted to explain the decision – despite the blatant irony in banning a select group from the next equality summit.
The spokesman told Heat Street: “[Our] members voted to continue the convention whereby different groups of people meet at a conference to discuss unique obstacles they face in the workplace. This is standard practice throughout the trade union movement, and certainly not a new initiative.”
They added: “Anyone can attend the plenary sessions and there is also an equality reps conference that anyone interested in equality can attend. It is the specific four equality conferences (Black members, women, disabilities and LGBT) that are for people within those groups.”
The decision has caused confusion, with many outlining the hypocrisy of excluding straight, white men – many of whom will be interested in fighting for equality – from the sessions.
Emma-Jane Phillips, who sits on the UCU equality committee, said: “Equality reps are passionate about equality regardless of their own situation. To infer that someone does not understand someone’s situation just because you don’t tick a box is insulting.”
When asked specifically why heterosexual males were banned, the UCU spokesman added: “In previous years there was an LGBT conference that LGBT members attended, a women’s one that women attended, one for disabled members, and a Black members one.
“These are an opportunity for them to get together and discuss issues relating to those different groups. This is nothing new and self-defined groups have always gathered for these events.
“This year those events are being combined and taking place at the same time. There will still be the separate conferences for the different groups, but there will also be plenary sessions and workshops. Anyone is welcome to attend those.”
