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# Auckland University backs down after trying to ‘correct’ professor on biological sex
- URL: https://goodoil.news/auckland-university-backs-down-after-trying-to-correct-professor-on-biological-sex/
- Published: 2025-04-23T21:46:08.000Z
- Updated: 2025-04-23T23:43:18.000Z
- Description: “The authority for knowledge is with the disciplinary experts.”
- Author: Centrist
- Tags: News

Summarised by [Centrist](http://www.centrist.nz/?ref=goodoil.news)

**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.

[**Read more over at Bassett, Brash, and Hide**](https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/graham-adams-university-backs-down-in-sex-gender-debate?ref=goodoil.news)

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