Summarised by Centrist
Auckland University has apologised to Professor Elizabeth Rata after its Equity Office demanded she amend a lecture stating there are only two sexes — a claim she defended as scientifically accurate and a matter of academic freedom.
As Graham Adams writes, “it made a tactical error by trying to bully Elizabeth Rata… she is not easily intimidated.” In her lecture, Rata noted “biologists would say… there are only two sexes.” After a complaint, the Equity Office insisted: “It is a scientific fact that human biological sex is not binary.”
Rata refused, calling a correction “inaccurate” and saying, “It is my responsibility… to ensure that students develop the ability to think critically.” She also rejected the Office’s authority over academic content: “It had no right to interfere in the knowledge taught by academics.”
Eight senior academics backed her, stating, “biological sex is defined by reference to gametes,” and warning: “Sex denialism… is a misguided attempt to co-opt biology to support… political positions.”
In a surprise turn, Pro Vice-Chancellor Cathy Stinear later apologised “unreservedly,” admitting the Office had overstepped.
Rata welcomed the outcome: “The authority for knowledge is with the disciplinary experts.” Adams called the backdown “significant — and overdue,” noting the university had picked the wrong target.
