On belonging
More stifling of free association in the U.K. Or, rather, the stifling of a lack of non-association.
This is yet another instance of victimzation politics, specifically gender identity politics rearing its ugly head. It seems that a Christian student union has had its charter suspended and assets frozen; for the crime of not being inclusive of all religious faiths. Think of that for a second. This demand is akin to demanding that a Muslim be allowed to accept communion, or that a Christian be allowed to make the Hajj. It just doesn’t make sense. Never mind that they don’t exclude anyone from their meetings, only their (voting) membership.
In addition, the Union claims that they were also told they must include language that explicitly mention[s] people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. They were also advised that the use of the terms “men” and “women” in the constitution might be construed as excluding “transgendered” and “transsexual” persons.
Understand what this means. This insistence by group-identity politics advocates that their special group must be explicitly included in all organizing charters serves but one purpose: to make sure that members of a recognized victim group don’t have their little feelings hurt. This is based upon the fallacy that a lack of explicit inclusion is necessarily an implicit exclusion.
My advice to those who are aggrieved of the existence of an organization that neither explicitly forbids them nor flamoyantly announces their unwavering devotion to them? Grow up. We in the adult world understand that not everyone is going to like us, and it is none of our business to try to force them to. Get over yourself, you’re just as insignificant as the rest of us.
Hat Tip: James Lileks