CW: Transphobia

On Monday 10 February, the Oxford Department of Sociology hosted Michael Biggs, Associate Professor of Sociology, to discuss how a ‘flawed question’ in the 2021 Census led to ‘spurious data’ on transgender identification in England and Wales. The talk was one of a series of seminars for LGBTQ+ History Month. 

The census asked respondents to answer the question “Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?”. Biggs, motivated by what one member of the audience described as a “hunch”,  analysed the data after noticing that the highest proportions of transgender people were reported in Newham and Brent rather than Brighton. This, he thought, was “odd”. Correlates examined by Biggs demonstrated a strong correlation between the percentage of people identifying as transgender, and the percentage of people whose first language was not English. As a result, this data was stripped of its status as “official national statistics”.

Allegations made by The Oxford Student linked Biggs to an account on X, formerly known as Twitter, that has both posted and reposted a variety of transphobic tweets under the handle “Henry Wimbush”. The account has been inactive for a number of years, but remains accessible on the platform. Amongst a slew of posts and reposts commenting on issues related to gender identity, Wimbush tweeted that “transphobia is a word created by fascists, and used by cowards, to manipulate morons”. Last year, the British Medical Journal reportedly refused to publish a comment by Biggs, on the grounds that he was ‘transphobic’.

Further to these allegations, a statement released by Oxford LGBTQ+ Society notes that Biggs is “a director of an anti-trans pressure group, Sex Matters”, as well as an advisor to the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM). OULGBTQ+ Society alleges that both of these organisations promote “anti-trans fringe theories”, and reports that Biggs compared gender-affirming care to “eugenics”. The society has requested an apology from the University, and a commitment to hosting a trans or non-binary speaker later in February as part of LGBTQ+ History Month. 

Although Biggs’ talk was data-focused and did not explicitly promote transphobic rhetoric, it raises questions regarding the University’s role in platforming figures with controversial views. As outlined in the University’s Transgender Policy, Oxford aims to create an “inclusive trans-friendly culture” where all transgender people are “treated with dignity and respect”. OULGBTQ+ Society believes that it is “wildly inappropriate” for the University to promote Biggs’ views on transgender people, in giving him a platform during LGBTQ+ History Month. 

The Oxford Blue received the following statement from a University spokesperson:

“The University policy on free speech states: ‘Within the bounds set by law, all voices or views which any member of our community considers relevant should be given the chance of a hearing. Wherever possible, they should also be exposed to evidence, questioning and argument.’ 

“All University events follow this policy. In the case of the Sociology LGBTQ+ seminar series, which is convened by members of the LGBTQ+ community, Dr Biggs is an associate professor in the Sociology department and is presenting, and can be questioned, on his own academic research which is highly relevant to the theme of LGBTQ+ history. The University has also provided platforms during LGBT+ History Month for speakers, including trans speakers, with a range of perspectives on trans issues, and would welcome further such events organised by University members. Examples of past speaker events include: LGBT+ History Month lecture 2024; LGBT+ History Month lecture 2023.

“Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are integral to Oxford’s mission and success as a university. Our commitment to EDI sits alongside our commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom. 

“The Oxford Literary Festival is separate from Oxford University and organises its events independently. Questions about its speakers should be addressed to them.”