Rosa Freedman is a British barrister, legal scholar, sex segregationist, and anti-transgender activist.
Background
Rosa Freedman was born in 1983. Freedman earned a bachelor’s degree from Queen Mary University of London in 2005 and a master’s degree at University College London in 2006. Following a bar vocational course at City University of London in 2007, Freedman qualified as a barrister of Gray’s Inn. Freedman earned a doctorate from Queen Mary University of London in 2011.
Freedman taught at University of Birmingham from 2014 to 2016 , then joined the faculty of University of Reading in 2016.
Much of Freedman’s research focuses on the United Nations and other human rights bodies.
Anti-trans activism
In June 2019, The Institute for Education, Teaching and Leadership “Women’s Sex-Based Rights: What Does (& Should) the Future Hold?” Speakers were:
- Julie Bindel: Writer; co-founder of law-reform group Justice for Women
- Professor Rosa Freedman: Professor of Law, Conflict and Global Development, University of Reading
- Claire Heuchan: Author and award-winning blogger
- Lucy Hunter Blackburn: Policy analyst, MurrayBlackburnMackenzie
- Dr Louise Moody: Research Associate, Philosophy, University of York
- Professor Sarah Pedersen: Professor of Communication and Media, Robert Gordon University
- Chair: Dr Gale Macleod, University of Edinburgh
Freedman and Rosemary Auchmuty contributed a chapter titled “Sex and Gender in Law” to the 2023 anti-trans book Sex and Gender: A Contemporary Reader.
References
Sullivan, Alice; Todd, Selina [Eds.] (2023). Sex and Gender: A Contemporary Reader. Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9781032261195
Reindorf, Akua (May 18, 2021). Reindorf Review on “no platforming.” Cloisters – Barristers Chambers https://www.cloisters.com/reindorf-review-on-no-platforming/ [archive]
Morgan, John (May 18, 2021). Essex apologises to academics disinvited over gender views. Times Higher Education https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/essex-apologises-academics-disinvited-over-gender-views
Forster, Anthony (May 17, 2021). Review of two events involving external speakers. University of Essex https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2021/05/17/review-of-two-events-with-external-speakers
Baynes, Chris (06 June 2019). Julie Bindel: Feminist writer claims she was ‘physically attacked’ by trans activist after university talk on violence against women https://www.the-independent.com/news/education/education-news/julie-bindel-attack-feminist-trans-activist-women-rights-talk-edinburgh-university-a8947351.html
Griffiths, Sian (October 06, 2019). Welcome to campus, professor. Here’s the panic alarm and your chaperone. The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/welcome-to-campus-professor-heres-the-panic-alarm-and-your-chaperone-0nlvwckzh
Davidson, Gina (8th May 2019). University debate on women’s rights branded ‘transphobic.’ The Scotsman https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/university-debate-womens-rights-branded-transphobic-1418085
Staff report (5 December 2018). Rosa Freedman: Professor’s door ‘covered in urine’ after gender law debate. BBC News. 5 December 2018 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-46454454
Andrews, Kieran (6 December 2018). Trans lobby has sent me death threats, says Professor Rosa Freedman. The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trans-lobby-has-sent-me-death-threats-says-professor-rosa-freedman-0bl8cpcqh
Naysmith, Stephen (5th December 2018). Scottish Government is “changing what it means to be female” with census bill, academics warn. HeraldScotland https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17278626.scottish-government-is-changing-what-it-means-to-be-female-with-census-bill-academics-warn/
Rosa Freedman and Rosemary Auchmuty (Aug 17, 2018). Women’s Rights and the Proposed Changes to the Gender Recognition Act. Oxford Human Rights Hub. https://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/womens-rights-and-the-proposed-changes-to-the-gender-recognition-act/
Media
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) (Sep 30, 2021). Shut the **** up ****: Reason and respect, and the culture of silencing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWKNPQ6mvGs
Cambridge Radical Feminist Network (Dec 13, 2019). Rosa Freedman – Gender Critical Feminism in Public & Academic Discourse – Cambridge Uni, 5.12.2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYkSQVjoG8o
Moray House School of Education and Sport (Jul 25, 2019). Women’s Sex-Based Rights: What Does (& Should) the Future Hold? panel event, 5 June 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHn1Bj5It8
Speak Up for Women NZ (Mar 12, 2019). Professor Rosa Freedman, Speak Up For Women event, 26 Feb 19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8az9URBZCs
For Women Scotland (Feb 6, 2019). ForWomen.Scot, 31Jan2019 :: Rosa Freedman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGbno_r9ArE
Woman’s Place UK (Dec 20, 2018). A Woman’s Place is at the Bar (Professor Rosa Freedman, Reading, 4th December 2018). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYQL5PZ_tSU
Peachyoghurt Genderfree (Dec 9, 2018). Professor Rosa Freedman and Susan Smith on Sex Based Rights and Gender Identity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6ZK2ouG3k
Resources
University of Reading (reading.ac.uk)
- Rosa Freedman
- reading.ac.uk/law/our-staff/rosa-freedman
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)