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Freedom of Expression: Gender

Question for Ministry of Justice

UIN HL8840, tabled on 27 June 2023

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to clarify whether freedom of speech in the UK includes the right to criticise ideas around gender identity.

Answered on

7 July 2023

Freedom of expression has been interpreted in case law, for example on Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and under the common law. The concept of freedom of speech is also described for specific purposes in legislation such as the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. The fundamental right to freedom of speech is widely understood and protected by the courts. The Government has no plans to outline the specific content of freedom of speech on an issue-by-issue basis.