Debate over Toronto professor's talk in Ottawa heats up on social media

A professor from the University of Toronto refuses to use genderless pronouns, which has transgender advocates pushing for the National Gallery of Canada to cancel his talk next week. But some people are speaking up in favour of allowing the talk.

Transgender advocates want National Gallery of Canada to cancel March 9 talk

CBC News · Posted: Mar 02, 2017 12:00 PM EST | Last Updated: March 2, 2017

Transgender advocates want the National Gallery of Canada to cancel a talk by a Toronto psychology professor who refuses to use gender-neutral pronouns, but others say that would not be progressive and violates free speech.

One of the advocates, Cara Tierney, is also a former employee of the gallery. She has emailed the federal art institution to try to get Jordan Peterson's talk cancelled.

Others also spoke out, which you can see in the link below.

There's a push for <a href="https://twitter.com/gallerydotca">@gallerydotca</a> to cancel a talk by professor who refuses to use gender neutral pronouns: <a href="https://t.co/fuXEwIPXgI">https://t.co/fuXEwIPXgI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/wYuADEn09A">pic.twitter.com/wYuADEn09A</a>
—@CBCOttawa

More people supported the call on Thursday.

<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/gallerydotca">@gallerydotca</a> Peterson makes $200,000 / year to attack trans people. He should not be invited to our gallery.
—@DJCPI

<a href="https://twitter.com/TabathaSouthey">@TabathaSouthey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/1loriking">@1loriking</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ladurantaye">@ladurantaye</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/gallerydotca">@gallerydotca</a> I saw one of his videos. He's lost it.
—@MarkBourrie

<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ArielTroster">@ArielTroster</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/gallerydotca">@gallerydotca</a> Howbout "a professor who hatefully misgenders and disrespects his own students." That's clearer.
—@n_ysabet

"<a href="https://twitter.com/gallerydotca">@gallerydotca</a> urged to cancel talk by bigot" < Fixed the headline for you, <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a>
—@merweinhold

Jordan Peterson's defenders spoke up for free speech.

I hope that <a href="https://twitter.com/gallerydotca">@gallerydotca</a> doesn't cancel <a href="https://twitter.com/jordanbpeterson">@jordanbpeterson</a> - free speech is important; so too the context of words & ideas <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a>
—@iaincredible

<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ladurantaye">@ladurantaye</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/gallerydotca">@gallerydotca</a> because shutting down speech is the new progressive way. Sounds like totalitarian apprach.
—@GtaThoughts

<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> Imagine it the other way, if LGBTQ speech was banned because it made someone uncomfortable. Banning speech halts progress
—@embacic

Others pushed for a variety of voices and opinions.

<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/gallerydotca">@gallerydotca</a> political correctness gone too far.
—@Mikebeauch

Some defended Peterson and his beliefs, specifically.

<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa">@CBCOttawa</a> Oh give me a break!
—@JaimeFraser

Amanda Jette Knox is the mother of a transgender child who also lives with a transgender partner. She wants the talk cancelled.

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