Kathleen Stock Questioned by Oxford University Students

Oxford Union on Twitter: @OxfordUnion

Kathleen Stock is a philosopher, writer and formerly a professor at the University of Sussex, until she resigned in October 2021 following attacks on her by colleagues as well as a student campaign. She has spoken against proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act, which would allow gender self-identification without a medical diagnosis. In her book, Material Girls, she defends the notion that biological sex is real and not a continuum.

ABOUT THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY: The Oxford Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. Since 1823, the Union has been promoting debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe.

[victoriab]

I'm in awe of this woman.

Poised, articulate, logical, intelligent, firm. She wiped the floor with those arriving with the predictable hyperbole.

Thank you Kathleen for your incredible spine. A pivotal moment in the evolution of this ideology.

[boxerann]

Dr. Stock has far more patience than I have! She is a hero!

[PeakTrans]

It's not just about violence against women, dude. It's about women's FEELINGS. Feeling anxious, uncomfortable, embarrassed... whatever reason women might not want men in our spaces is reason enough for them not to be there. Why can't they use the gents? Oh, don't tell me...it's because of their damn feelings, right? Well then, let them campaign for their own spaces instead of invading ours.

[martinanderson]

Oxford Union absolutely did the right thing in welcoming Kathleen Stock to this debate. That's what Student Unions are for, and those that tried to cancel her should be ashamed.

[parker-iifg]

Kathleen Stock is not some fringe fanatical bigot.

She is a highly qualified academic whose views I would say are supported by well over half the population of the UK.

She has every right to be heard, whether you agree with her or not. We are supposed to be living in a free and democratic country. We are not living in North Korea.

[Catherine-]

We aren't cis women, we are women. We don't need the qualifier thanks.

[andreabell]

“Nobody seems to care about the women…. and that’s what I care about.”🙏❤️Thank you Kathleen Stock

[christianhoney]

Can you hear the hysteric mob of — I can't believe we have to call them that — Oxford University students outside the Union hall? I studied at Oxford and I am ashamed that the culture of free enquiry appears to have been utterly eradicated, catalysed by the self-serving and smug transgressions of diversity and inclusion officers.

[Skullskoot]

Stock is pretty great here. Tide is definitely turning on this debate. These activists and their allies just seem like regressive, religious bullies that think sexist stereotypes are sacrosanct.

[qrvy]

I don’t know how she can bear the tsunami of hate that’s directed toward her. She’s a hero.

[liampalmer]

The young people leading the Oxford Union deserve enormous respect. Not only did they stand up to the mob, but they prepared well to have a deeply thought through debate. It's called being an adult and they are clearly well ahead of their peers in being ready for the real world. Well done.

[mountainwoman]

She is witty, articulate, level-headed, charismatic, calm, brave, fiercely intelligent... everything those who try to silence and attack her are not. Thank you Kathleen for a brilliant talk. 😊🎉

[nicoleadair]

As a woman who's been sexually assaulted having a safe space in the bathroom or changing room is necessary. Woman who have been traumatized by men can be re traumatized by having any kind of man in the bathroom where they feel vulnerable. It's that simple.

[tuppence]

How does the potential for harm to trans women i.e men, in the male changing rooms/loos become the responsibility of women. It is for men to question any violence committed in male spaces to trans women. Their behaviour should change.

[jacobcohen]

Every woman in the country should support Kathleen.

[kayemm]

She's so clear and for her to be seen by a group as some sort of monster is genuinely bananas.

[felixmacnee]

At 58:28 the questioner states: "out of over 100 cases of sexual assault within prisons, only 5 were committed by transgender prisoners" and says that seems a small proportion. Only if transgender people make up 5 percent of the prison population. Are one out of twenty people in prison trans? Statistics without complete information can be misleading.

[ApacheMagic]

How she kept her cool and could think and respond despite all that wailing outside was incredible. What a woman.

[nikkioshea]

Kathleen Stock is a honest, decent, compassionate, articulate and intelligent woman.

[diveinnjim]

the guy askes overtly complicated questions and Professor Stock answers in plain, easy to understand English, well done Professor Stock,
It was great to hear her talk.