Quick Hit

Elspeth Duemmer Wrigley, a UK government lawyer, successfully defends her right to express gender-critical views after being sued for stating that only women can menstruate.

Key Details

• Legal Battle Withdrawn: The lawsuit against Elspeth Duemmer Wrigley, known for her remarks on biological sex, was formally withdrawn, yet the claimant still seeks remedies that could impact gender-critical voices within the Civil Service.
• Freedom of Expression: Wrigley defends her statements under Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, emphasizing the legal protection of beliefs regarding sex and gender, akin to religious or philosophical beliefs.
• Support for Gender-Critical Views: As chair of the Sex Equality and Equity Network (SEEN), Wrigley champions a space for civil service staff to express gender-critical perspectives.

Diving Deeper

The case of Elspeth Duemmer Wrigley, a lawyer for the UK's Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, stands as a testament to the enduring value of free speech and the complexity of gender debates. According to the Daily Mail, Wrigley found herself at the center of controversy for stating, during a work seminar, that only women can menstruate—a view that led to a lawsuit accusing her of creating a hostile work environment.

Wrigley's defense leans on the fundamental principles of freedom of belief and expression, protected by Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Her argument is clear: just as the law protects various beliefs, including those on religion and philosophy, so too should it protect views on biological sex and gender identity. Wrigley's position is not merely a personal stance but reflects a broader, legally recognized category of "gender-critical" views that affirm sex as binary and biologically determined.

The lawsuit against Wrigley was eventually withdrawn, marking a significant, albeit not final, victory for the lawyer and the broader gender-critical movement. However, the claimant's pursuit of remedies that could affect Wrigley and others within the Civil Service and the SEEN network underscores the ongoing legal and cultural battles over gender identity and freedom of expression.