Professors slam anthropology associations for canceling sex and gender talk.
A group of professors strongly criticized the American Anthropological Association (AAA) and Canadian Anthropology Society (CASCA) for canceling a talk on biological sex and gender in order to appease those who were offended by the panelists’ views.
“We are deeply concerned by the cancellation of a previously approved panel… over vague and subjective concerns that the panelists’ views on biological sex would cause ‘harm,'” said the Sept. 29 letter published by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
Last month, the AAA and CASCA canceled a session titled “Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: Why biological sex remains a necessary analytic category in Anthropology” scheduled for November. The panel focused on the importance of “sex” in the field of anthropology rather than “gender.”
It was set to discuss why “sex identification—whether an individual was male or female—using the skeleton is one of the most fundamental components in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology.”
In a Sept. 28 news release titled “No Place for Transphobia in Anthropology,” AAA claimed that the panel was rejected because it was “framed in ways that do harm to vulnerable members of our community.”
The organization accused panelists of attempting to “advance a ‘scientific’ reason to question the humanity of already marginalized groups of people, in this case, those who exist outside a strict and narrow sex/gender binary.”
The FIRE letter strongly criticized AAA and CASCA, stating that the cancellation sends a “chilling message” to social scientists that debates on gender and sex issues are no longer allowed to be freely discussed.
The letter pointed out that the organizations’ argument for canceling the panel due to a lack of scientific rigor “rings hollow” since both groups had previously approved the panel. It suggested that the cancellation was intended to “placate those offended by the panelists’ views.”
Those who find the panelists’ views harmful or incorrect are entitled to their opinion. However, their objections do not justify shutting down the discussion. On the contrary, this situation highlights the need for open and robust dialogue that explores different perspectives.
“Canceling the panel represents a retreat from the AAA’s admirable mission of ‘advancing human understanding and applying this understanding to the world’s most pressing problems,'” the letter stated.
“That mission requires unwavering dedication to free inquiry and open dialogue. It cannot coexist with inherently subjective standards of ‘harm,’ ‘safety,’ and ‘dignity’ that are inevitably used to suppress ideas that cause discomfort or conflict with certain political or ideological commitments.”
The letter emphasized that the free exchange of ideas is the only way to “produce and refine knowledge.” If only one side is allowed to speak, observers will understandably lose trust in the claims and findings, knowing that dissenting voices have been silenced.
Non-Binary Anthropology
On Sept. 29, the AAA further justified its decision to cancel the panel by posting a “letter of support” from three anthropologists who argued that human sex and gender categories are not simple or binary.
“Looking beyond humans, we see three forms of the adult orangutan. Does this represent a sex binary? Significant percentages of many reptile species have intersex genitalia. Are we still trying to call sex a binary? The binary limits the kinds of questions we can ask and therefore limits the scope of our science,” they wrote.
In an Oct. 4 post on X, Jerry Coyne, an emeritus professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago, criticized the arguments put forward by the three anthropologists.
“3 academics deny that human sex is binary, a denial that is purely ideological. Why is human sex NOT binary but sex in flies, lions, turtles, and sharks IS binary? Because biological truth is mistakenly thought to hurt transsexual and nonbinary folks,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the advocacy group Heterodox Academy (HxA) announced that they will host a virtual version of the panel canceled by AAA and CASCA on Nov. 8. The virtual event will feature the panel talks as originally planned and will last for two hours.
All five female professors who were originally scheduled to appear on the panel will participate in the virtual event.
John Tomasi, the president of Heterodox Academy, stated that “de-platforming distinguished scholars for having ‘harmful’ ideas about their own fields of expertise is a political action, not an academic one.”
AAA and CASCA’s cancellation is part of a trend of similar cancellations.
In late September, the American Public Square (APS), an organization that aims to bridge the partisan divide through civil discourse, canceled a talk on “Exploring Gender and Identities” after two representatives for transgender perspectives withdrew from the event.
One of the participants in the talk was Justice Horn, chair of the Kansas City LGBTQ Commission. In a Sept. 21 X post announcing his withdrawal, Mr. Horn mentioned receiving a call from a “trans kiddo” who pleaded with him not to be part of the panel and not to give anti-Trans people a platform.
Mr. Horn explained that he chose not to participate in order to avoid giving a “platform to people who are TERFs and traitors to our community.” TERF stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminists.
What concerns were expressed in the letter by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression regarding the cancellation of the panel
Ology: Session Pulled from Annual Meeting Program,” the AAA said they canceled the session due to concerns about the potential harm it could cause to transgender and non-binary individuals. They stated that the panel failed to adequately address the complexity and diversity of gender identities and claimed that the discussion could contribute to the marginalization of certain groups.
The decision to cancel the panel has sparked controversy and led to allegations of censorship and ideological bias within the AAA and CASCA. Critics argue that by silencing opposing viewpoints, these organizations are undermining academic freedom and stifling intellectual debate.
The letter by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), co-signed by over 60 professors from institutions across the United States and Canada, expressed concern that the cancellation sets a dangerous precedent. It suggests that controversial topics and perspectives can be silenced simply because they may offend or discomfort some individuals.
The letter states, “The cancellation of this event sends a message that presenting a strong scientific argument can be suppressed if the audience feels threatened by its implications, regardless of the merit of the argument or whether it is presented respectfully.” It emphasizes the importance of free and open inquiry in academia, urging the AAA and CASCA to foster an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and respectful dialogue.
The controversy surrounding the cancellation of the panel highlights the ongoing tension between the principles of academic freedom and the desire to create inclusive and safe spaces for marginalized communities. While it is essential to protect the rights and well-being of transgender and non-binary individuals, it is also crucial to ensure that academic institutions remain spaces for rigorous intellectual exploration and debate.
Some argue that the cancellation of the panel inhibits the advancement of knowledge and prevents the examination of important scientific questions. The discussion on biological sex and gender is not only relevant to anthropology but also to various fields of study, including biology, sociology, and psychology. By avoiding or suppressing these conversations, valuable insights and understanding may be lost.
While it is essential to approach these discussions with sensitivity and respect, it is equally important to foster an environment where challenging ideas can be scrutinized, debated, and critiqued. Academic institutions have a responsibility to promote intellectual diversity and to uphold the principles of academic freedom, which include the protection of controversial or unpopular viewpoints.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding the cancellation of the panel on biological sex and gender highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and engagement. It is crucial for academic institutions, like the AAA and CASCA, to engage in meaningful conversations that consider diverse perspectives and foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, respect, and academic freedom.
As societies continue to navigate complex issues related to sex and gender, it is essential to create spaces where rigorous academic inquiry can take place without fear of censorship or reprisal. It is through thoughtful and constructive dialogue that a deeper understanding of these complexities can be achieved, benefiting both academic scholarship and society as a whole.
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