Thursday 25-03-2021 - 21:30

The Students’ Union condemns all forms of discrimination. Lancaster should be a place that is safe and inclusive of all and is stronger and better because of the diverse and vibrant modes of life here. 

Rampant transphobia and antisemitism are not acceptable, and it’s the job of administrators of Facebook pages to be accountable for the content on their page. We therefore welcome the attempts by pages that have made it their mission to create a more welcoming environment that is reflective of the best of the Lancaster community, not the worst. 

However, even after being confronted by Amy Merchant, VP Welfare, the administrators of  Lancfessions Reborn have refused to take any responsibility for the content posted on their page, and actively defended their decision to platform transphobia, antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. 

Amy Merchant, VP Welfare says: “The content posted on this page is simply unacceptable and has no place within our university, and within the wider Lancaster community. It is our duty to call out this dangerous and divisive rhetoric, and we stand with students that have been affected. If you are a student who has been affected by the content, please reach out to us and seek support. We are here for you and will not tolerate this behaviour.” 

Jesse Phillips, LGBTQ+ Officer says: “This hateful rhetoric and these targeted attacks go against everything we as a Union and as a community stand for. This unacceptable and discriminatory behaviour cannot continue, and I encourage you all to report any discriminatory or abusive posts you see.” 

“Unfortunately, this isn't the first time a minority group at Lancaster has been under attack from people using this page, and we want to offer our support to all of the students affected.  We stand in solidarity with each other.” 

Noah Katz, Jewish Society Campaigns Officer and Executive Commitee Taught Academic Representative says: “There are multiple posts on Lancfessions Reborn that vary from Neo-Nazi dog whistles to grossly conspiratorial antisemitism. Despite warning from Amy, they continue to post clearly antisemitic confessions. We stand together with our siblings in the Trans* community who have also been subjected to vehement hatred from this page.” 

“We thank our Students’ Union for acting quickly to condemn this virulent page and would take this opportunity to reassure Jewish students that you are protected; in October, the Students’ Union reaffirmed their commitment to the safety of Jewish Lancaster Students.” 

We encourage students to report any offensive content and to refuse to engage with the page. We want to send out the message that we will not tolerate hate speech. 

If you’ve been affected by content on this page, please contact Amy Merchant at su.vp.welfare@lancaster.ac.uk, our Advice Service at advice@lancastersu.co.uk, or your College Wellbeing Officers.