Free Speech at the University of Toronto

Jordan Peterson is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, where he studies and teaches about personality, social conflict, and the psychology of religion. His many scholarly publications include the book Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief. He also posts presentations on YouTube.

On October 3, 2016, Professor Peterson’s department chair sent him a letter noting concerns “raised by members of the University of Toronto community” about public “statements … regarding transgendered persons in a recent YouTube presentation.” Noting that applicable laws, regulations, and policies forbid “discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression,” the letter focuses on two specific concerns.

One concern is that Professor Peterson questions the claim “that gender identification can be independent of biological sex.” Some transgendered persons, the letter suggests, “may perceive” him “as refusing to acknowledge their existence in a manner that would permit equal treatment without discrimination.”

The other concern is that Professor Peterson has said he does not “recognize the right of others” to tell him “which personal pronoun to use when addressing them.” The letter notes that some transgendered persons “believe that particular pronouns other than he or she are appropriate or necessary … to signal basic acceptance of their statutorily protected right to equality and equal treatment.”

The letter concludes: “Having consulted with the Vice-President and Provost, and the Vice-President of Human Resources and Equity, I wish to remind you that in your activities as a University of Toronto faculty member you are expected to comply with applicable human rights law.”

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Watch:  Joe Rogan interviews Professor Peterson