In an era where free speech is increasingly under threat, many individuals have found themselves penalised for expressing their views, particularly when it comes to issues relating to gender identity.
In this exclusive interview with GB News National Reporter Charlie Peters, Sybil Ruth, a writer and editor, shares her personal experience of being ostracised for voicing her gender-critical views.
Ruth, who had spent decades helping aspiring writers as an editor, describes herself as a "gender-critical feminist," believing that biological sex is binary and immutable.
She explained: “We live in strange times. Apparently, we’ve got a prime minister who’s actually seemed to be unclear about this at one point. I think he’s said conflicting statements about the exact percentage of women who have got a penis.”
Her views led to one specific tweet that caught the ire of her employers "I think women are often now put in a very, very difficult and even impossible situation of due to men to go into female-only spaces when women in those spaces are vulnerable," Ruth said, explaining how she felt that allowing men into women’s spaces could increase the risks to women who had experienced trauma.
Ruth’s tweet about "nightmarish" scenarios of men identifying as women entering female-only spaces led to her being exited by her employer. "It was very puzzling," Ruth recalled. "I didn’t get the information until quite far down the line when I did something called a subject access request. And then I found the tweets in question."
In response, Ruth sent an email expressing her concerns. "I’m very aware that we live in an environment where sometimes women talking about women’s sex-based rights is seen as something that’s problematic or as hateful or discriminatory against other vulnerable groups," she said. "I don’t share that view. I really feel it’s important to explore certain issues on social media. If that’s a problem, let’s discuss it more."
Ruth’s fight for free speech was supported by the Free Speech Union, an organisation dedicated to helping individuals facing professional and social backlash for their beliefs.
"The Free Speech Union were enormously helpful because, you’re quite right, nobody can do this alone," she added.
Despite fears that her case might not succeed, Ruth pressed on, confident in the righteousness of her stance. “I just kept coming back to it. No, I don’t think I have [made a mistake]. I’ve expressed some quite ordinary views on social media, not in an offensive way, and I ought to have the freedom to do this and to keep the job.”
Eventually, the organisation settled the case before the tribunal hearing, issuing an apology and a settlement.
Ruth’s case highlights the chilling effect that political correctness and fear of retribution can have on creative industries. "How many stories do we see published that channel this political view, the one that you have?" Peters asked.
Ruth explained that, while the publishing industry is saturated with progressive ideologies, there is little space for those who hold gender-critical feminist views.
In her own professional experience, Ruth believes the industry’s fear of controversy limits creative expression.
Ruth’s message to others who might be facing similar challenges is clear.
"It may feel scary, but what I’m saying is, I think go for it," she urged. "If you feel that being quiet is going to make you unhappy and eat yourself inside, go for it. I feel it was better for me to do that. I’ve got no regrets whatsoever," she added.
Sibyl Ruth spoke out on the threat to literature in this country with the limitation of freedom of speech
GB News
She also emphasised the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs. “We live in a world where I think the closing down of freedom of speech is dangerous. We can’t get out of it, so you might as well see whether you can.”
As Ruth’s case shows, fighting for free speech is not only about legal victories; it is about reclaiming the right to express personal beliefs without fear of professional or social retribution.
For Ruth, it was a matter of personal integrity. "I couldn’t have lived with myself if I hadn’t done it," she concluded.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder to others that standing up for free speech, no matter how difficult, is not only necessary but also empowering.
Cornerstones was contacted for comment, but failed to reply at the time of publishing.
