Mathematician threatens lawsuit over trans policy

An academic and member of the London Mathematical Society has threatened to sue the society over their recent trans-inclusion policy.

The LMS published their ‘Statement of Commitment for Trans Inclusion’ which was approved by the society last month.

John Armstrong, who is senior lecturer in financial mathematics, probability and statistics at King’s College London and a gender-critical academic has said about the policy: “I support the measures that are there to improve trans experiences, but it’s the parts that take away women’s rights and free-speech rights that are the problem for me.”

Lawyers instructed by Armstrong sent a pre-action letter which claims that the new policy restricts free speech and does not permit gender-critical people to “freely manifest their beliefs”.

Armstrong condemned the policy’s warning that “consistently using incorrect titles, pronouns, or names to refer to a trans person” would be regarded as “inappropriate behaviour” and could lead to a member’s suspension.

“As written, this policy will include the ‘they/them’ pronouns of non-binary people and neo pronouns such as ‘xie/xer’,” he wrote. “Many people refuse to use such pronouns.”

David Barnes, general secretary of the LMS, responded: “Regarding the use of pronouns: if one does not wish to use ‘xie’ in a sentence, one can easily replace ‘xie’ with the name of the individual. The sentence can only become clearer with this change. I do not see how this restricts freedom of expression.”

Armstrong also argues that the new policy goes against the April judgment from the Supreme Court that the term ‘woman’ refers to biological sex. Commenting on the policy’s support of facilities that align with a person’s chosen gender, Armstrong said the Court’s decision made “clear that sex-segregated facilities must be provided on the basis of biological sex”.

Armstrong says that this policy means a “dramatic restriction on freedom of expression” and “a form of discrimination against people who hold gender-critical beliefs”.

“The LMS have no expertise in equalities and yet they think they know better than the Supreme Court how to balance women’s rights with trans rights. I just find that embarrassing.”