The University of Edinburgh will, for the third time, attempt to host a screening of the controversial film Adult Human Female.
The film is described by its directors Deidre O’Neill and Mike Wayne as: “the first UK documentary feature to look at the clash between women’s rights and trans ideology.”
A number of organisations at the university, including the Edinburgh branch of the University and College Union (UCU) and Pride Society, have described the film as “transphobic.”
The screening is being hosted by organisation, Edinburgh Academics for Academic Freedom (EAFAF).
Two attempts have already been made by the university to host a screening of the film, once in December 2022 and another in April 2023.
Both attempted screenings attracted widespread protest and were subsequently cancelled.
In response to the event’s cancellation, the university was met with accusations that it was “stifling academic freedom.”
Read More: Peter Mathieson says some Adult Human Female protesters will be investigated
Adult Human Female is scheduled to screen in Lecture Theatre C, 40 George Square at 6pm on 22 November.
The event will feature a discussion panel with film-makers Dr. Deirdre O’Neill and Professor Mike Wayne.
The panel will also feature three of the contributors to the film: Dr. Shereen Benjamin, founding member of Edinburgh Academics for Academic Freedom, speaking in the film as a member of the Labour Women’s Declaration working group; Lisa Mackenzie of policy analysis collective MurrayBlackburnMackenzie; and Susan Smith, co-director of For Women Scotland. The discussion will be chaired by an independent senior University of Edinburgh colleague.
A protest has been scheduled to occur prior to the screening, hosted by the Trans and Non-Binary Campaign, the LGBTQ+ Campaign; and in collaboration with FemSoc, Gender Liberation, Pride Society and the Staff Pride Network.
In a post on Instagram, Gender Liberation announced that a protest would occur from 5:30 outside 40 George Square.
Their post stated: “The University is once again allowing an attempted screening of Adult Human Female, and we are once again saying that a film that paints trans people as predators, and whose supporters harass and abuse members of our community, has no place on campus.”
Photo courtesy of Rayna Carruthers.