We are academics and the directors of the documentary feature Adult Human Female, the first UK film to explore the clash between women's rights and trans activists promoting gender identity claims.

Scheduled screenings of our film have twice been cancelled by protestors at the University of Edinburgh. On both occasions the Edinburgh branch of the Universities and College Union (UCU) denounced the film as 'hate speech' and 'transphobic'. We are members of UCU and yet the union has treated us and the film as beyond the pale and unworthy of a place on campus. 

We are raising funds to bring an employment tribunal claim against UCU for unlawfully discriminating against us because of our protected 'gender critical' beliefs. UCU champions those who believe that men who identify into the opposite sex should be treated in policy and law as women. We believe that this view is harmful to women's sex-based rights. UCU not only disagrees with our position but opposes our right to screen the film and discuss the issues. 

UCU is the main academic union in the university sector. It needs to conduct itself in a way that protects academic freedom for all members engaged in reasoned debate. We are taking this action because we hope that it will encourage UCU to alter course. UCU should protect the employment and civil liberties rights of all members, not just those of trans rights activists.

Gender critical beliefs are protected in law. It is unlawful for a union to discriminate against its members by harassing them or subjecting them to any form of 'detriment'. UCU has lost many members over this issue. 

We are raising funds to cover the initial cost of presenting our claim to the tribunal. Our solicitor has estimated this at £6,500. The stretch target is the estimated cost to the end of the final hearing. Any unused funds will be distributed to other gender critical causes.

Please support our crowdfund to help protect academic freedom for staff, students and the public. Thank-you.