Writers are defecting from the Society of Authors to another union after it was overrun by freedom of speech over claims it failed to properly defend gender-critical authors from being ‘cancelled’
Members claimed union didn’t support figures like JK Rowling because of ‘transphobia’
Rival Free Speech Union has set up a new facility for authors in the face of gender squabbles
FSU said they are offering writers an alternative to ‘protect themselves’
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Writers are leaving the Society of Authors for another union after the first was engulfed in a free-speech row over claims it failed to properly defend gender-critical authors from being “cancelled.”
The Society of Authors, the UK’s largest writers’ union, has angered members over claims it did not support figures such as JK Rowling, who have been accused of ‘transphobia’.
Authors who feared the union was “lost to abolish culture” would already be defecting to the rival Free Speech Union, which pledged to “defend the beleaguered authors.”
It has drafted a new provision specifically for authors, particularly those under pressure to reject the belief that self-identified sex takes precedence over biological sex.
As the UK’s largest writers’ union, the Society of Authors has angered members over claims it did not support figures like JK Rowling accused of ‘transphobia’
The Free Speech Union, founded by Toby Young, announces: ‘It has become increasingly clear to us that freedom of expression is under severe pressure within the literary world, with publishers and literary agents often failing to defend their authors when their expression is under pressure. attack.’
“The freedom of authors to express themselves and people to read their work without the interference or interference of self-proclaimed censors is a fundamental human right.”
The Free Speech Union said they provide an alternative to the Society of Authors that allows authors to “protect themselves, defend their colleagues or build a public voice capable of defending freedom of speech as vigorously as possible.”
Joanne Harris, president of the Society of Authors, was recently at the center of controversy when members claimed the union under her leadership failed to stand up for authors who were ‘cancelled’ for their critical views on gender ideology or condemned abuse faced by JK Rowling for her gender-critical position
They have appointed a Writers’ Advisory Council to oversee the offerings for authors, whose members include Helen Joyce, Julie Bindel, Anna Pasternak and Andrew Roberts, as well as comedians Andrew Doyle and Jack Dee.
The union said: “Our hope is that this will give the FSU’s voice authority when it speaks out in defense of freedom of expression and comes to the aid of beleaguered authors.”
Joanne Harris, president of the Society of Authors, has recently been at the center of controversy members claimed that under her leadership the union has not spoken out in favor of authors who have been ‘cancelled’ for their critical views on gender ideologyor JK Rowling’s convicted abuse for her gender-critical position.
The author of Harry Potter has herself claimed that the Society under Ms Harris’ leadership has “consistently failed” to protect gender-critical writers.