Toronto

The University of Toronto has slapped down a professor who openly criticized the use of gender-neutral pronouns and political correctness at the post-secondary institution.

Jordan Peterson, a psychology prof, was sent a letter Tuesday that told him that he must refer to students by whatever pronoun they wish — not just ‘he’ or ‘she’ — and that he must also refrain from making public statements on the topic.

“They had to make their decision whether they were going to make a stand for free speech or whether they were going to censor me and they’ve decided,” Peterson told the Toronto Sun Wednesday. “It’s unfortunate; I’m not happy about it; I’m disappointed.

“But it doesn’t surprise me because it is the fact that such things are happening that was the motivation for me to make the damn videos to begin with,” he said.

The professor published two YouTube videos on the topic of political correctness in response to the university’s plan to conduct anti-racism and anti-bias programs.

His comments sparked tense rallies both for and against his position, which argued against gender-neutral pronouns and in favour of free speech.

The university said the refusal to use gender-neutral pronouns when asked would be discrimination.

“These laws are the first laws that I’ve seen that require people under the threat of legal punishment to employ certain words, to speak a certain way, instead of merely limiting what they’re allowed to say,” Peterson said. “So the law’s put words into our mouths.”

The U of T letter, signed jointly by arts and science dean David Cameron and faculty and academic life vice-provost Sioban Nelson, said the university is committed to free speech but that right has limits.

“Your statements that you will refuse to refer to transgendered persons using gender neutral pronouns if they ask you to do so are contrary to the rights of those persons to equal treatment without discrimination based on their ‘gender identity’ and gender expression,’” the letter says.

Students have also reported being the target of violent threats, the letter says.

“We trust that these impacts on students and others were not your intention in making these remarks,” the letter says. “However, in view of these impacts, as well as the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code, we urge you to stop repeating these statements.”

Althea Blackburn-Evans, a spokesman for the University of Toronto, said Peterson’s views are his own and he has a right to express them, but he also has an obligation as a faculty member.

“We expect all members of our community, including Prof.Peterson, to foster a learning environment that’s free from discrimination and harassment,” she said.

aartuso@postmedia.com