The United Kingdom’s Civil Service’s recent internal disputes have raised questions about values, mainly concerning matters of gender and identity. Here’s what happened.
The Problem
The controversy centers on differing perspectives on gender identity, with some civil servants expressing concerns about the rise of what they see as overly progressive ideologies.
Gender-Critical Views
The conflict came to light through the activities of the Sex Equality and Equity Network (SEEN), a group of civil servants who advocate for what they refer to as “gender-critical” views.
Sex Is Binary
According to SEEN, they hold the belief that biological sex is binary and immutable.
This perspective has put them at odds with colleagues and advocates of more fluid interpretations of gender identity.
Resembles Nazism
One online meeting turned particularly bitter when SEEN members were accused of “holding views that resemble Nazism.”
Destroy the LGBTQ+ Community
The clash between these competing viewpoints escalated further when one SEEN member was accused of wanting to “destroy” the LGBTQ+ community.
The divisiveness of these exchanges was such that at least one SEEN member felt compelled to leave the meeting in protest.
Appropriate Action Will Be Taken
In response to these allegations, a Government spokesman said, “As required by the Civil Service Code, and as the public rightly expects, all civil servants must act impartially.
Where any individual is found to be breaking the Civil Service Code, appropriate action will be taken.”
Not an Isolated Incident
However, this controversy is not isolated but is part of a broader trend.
Some civil servants argue that the civil service is experiencing what they describe as a “woke takeover” regarding issues related to gender identity and trans rights.
Serious Harassment
More than 40 high-ranking officials from various government departments penned a letter to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, expressing their concerns about the climate within the civil service.
The letter argues that staff face “serious harassment” at work if they hold gender-critical views.
Intrusive Employment Disputes
“Many of us have experienced some form of professional disadvantage because we do not believe that the concept of gender identity is meaningful or that it is more important than sex.
Several of us have been through stressful and intrusive employment disputes,” the letter read.
Breach of Impartiality
“We are concerned that the widespread incorporation of the concept of ‘gender identity’ into the language and internal policies of the Civil Service constitutes a significant breach of impartiality,” it added.
Don’t Use “Mum and Dad”
Claims have also emerged that civil servants have been encouraged to use gender-neutral language and refrain from using phrases such as “mum and dad.”
Allow Biological Men to Use Female Bathrooms
Additionally, there are reports of debates over whether to allow biological men who identify as women to use female bathrooms.
The Response
While the Cabinet Office acknowledged the concerns raised in the letter, it also affirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case responded to the letter, indicating that senior civil service leaders take these matters seriously.
Online Users Expressed Their Views
Several online media users shared their thoughts on the incident.
One user wrote, “This is beyond worrying. How on earth did we get here?”
This Is Terrible
Another user added, “Terrible that people are being forced to pretend they agree with stuff just to keep their jobs.”
The Age-Old Fight
A third user commented, “‘Gender critical’ people consider anyone who expresses opposing views as them being bullied.”
A fourth user wrote, “So it is the age-old fight of the people on the left calling the right Nazis and the people on the right calling the people on the left commies. And most people are in the middle.”
The post Gender-Critical Stance Met with Nazism Label by Colleagues, Woke Takeover Concerns Rise first appeared on Pulse of Pride
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / fizkes. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
