A trans row has erupted at Edinburgh University after a critic of the LGBT charity Stonewall was appointed as Rector.
Simon Fanshawe helped found the charity in 1989, but in 2019 he signed an open letter accusing Stonewall of undermining "women’s sex-based rights and protections" and "demonising" anyone who disagrees with its gender policies as transphobic.
The former comedian will start the position next month after he was elected unopposed.
His appointment has been welcomed by free speech campaigner but has faced backlash from critics who have called for it to be blocked.
A trans row has erupted at Edinburgh University after a founder of LGBT charity, Stonewall - who turned on the organisation - has been appointed as Rector
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Transgender rights campaigners are rallying support for an open letter, asking the university to reject the appointment and find "a true advocate of equality, accessibility, diversity and inclusion" instead.
They claim that Fanshawe: "Creates a hostile environment for the many trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students studying at the university".
Gina Gwenffrewi, an academic at the university who has a PhD in transgender studies, tried to connect the move to the murder of Brianna Ghey.
"Ten days since the judge at the trial of Brianna Ghey’s killers identified transphobia as partial motive for the murder, the University of Edinburgh announces its new Rector is a founder of LGB Alliance," she wrote on social media.
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"This appointment happened without any apparent election. The insensitivity of such an appointment when the trans community is still traumatised and vulnerable to increasing hate crimes is difficult to put into words.
"This is an outrageous declaration of contempt by the University of Edinburgh for trans people."
Despite not being a founder of the LGB Alliance - a charity set up by two lesbians which is critical of transgender ideology - he has supported the organisation and spoken at its events.
Jonathan MacBride, a university officer at its staff pride network, said Fanshawe had an "excellent history of supporting gay and lesbian rights".
Simon Fanshawe helped found the LGBT charity in 1989, but in 2019 he signed an open letter accusing Stonewall of undermining 'women’s sex-based rights and protections' and 'demonising' anyone who disagrees with its gender policies as transphobic
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"But he speaks negatively and just offensively, to me and many people I know, about trans people. That is upsetting that the University of Edinburgh feels like this is someone suitable to have as our Rector," he told The Telegraph.
The Rector post at the university presides over the university court and are expected to represent the views of students and staff.
Fanshawe said: "I am delighted and honoured to have been named Rector. I will do all I can to advance the university and its staff and students and fearlessness in the exchange of ideas."
Leigh Chalmers, Vice-Principal and Secretary of the University of Edinburgh, said: "We look forward to working with Simon as the next Rector of the University of Edinburgh."
