Event Statement and Participation Agreement

For "Gender Identity: Evidence and Impacts" Event on October 23, 2025

The following agreement has been sent to both participants, Morgane Oger and Mia Hughes, with the condition that it be accepted in full by Tuesday Oct 21. A failure to accept the agreement will be deemed a withdrawal from the event. The event will still go ahead if only one participant agrees.

Event Statement and Participation Agreement

Event: Gender Identity: Evidence and Impacts
Date: Thursday, October 23
Organizers: Heterodox Academy in collaboration with Wilfrid Laurier University faculty

Event Context

This event (the “Dialogue“) brings together two speakers, Morgane Oger and Mia Hughes, to examine the evidence and socio-legal implications of gender identity. The purpose is to model constructive, evidence-based dialogue between opposing viewpoints in keeping with The HxA Way, which emphasizes curiosity, viewpoint diversity, and intellectual humility.

Pre-Event Conduct and Good Faith

During planning for the Dialogue, one participant issued correspondence warning of potential legal or Human Rights Code proceedings in response to ideas that may be expressed in the Dialogue. Such implied threats are incompatible with the principle of good-faith engagement and contradict The HxA Way, which calls on scholars to “approach dialogue in good faith, giving others the benefit of the doubt, and seeking understanding rather than victory.”

Rather than cancel the Dialogue, the organizers have determined that both participants must explicitly agree to the following terms. Attendance or participation constitutes complete acceptance of these conditions.

Participation Terms

• Participation and attendance at the Dialogue are voluntary.

• The nature of a Dialogue, particularly on a controversial issue, means that some ideas expressed may be distasteful, objectionable, or offensive to another participant.

• Each participant acknowledges that, to the extent their opponent’s views are already part of the public record, they enter the Dialogue with a general awareness of those views.

• Participation and/or attendance at the Dialogue implies agreement not to claim harm, offence or discrimination from ideas expressed in the course of this academic discussion.

• No legal, administrative, or disciplinary action or complaint may be initiated, supported or threatened in response to views expressed during the Dialogue.

• The Dialogue concerns ideas, not individuals. Gratuitous, direct, ad hominem attacks against the other participants is prohibited, but there is no right not to be offended by the ideas and opinions expressed.

• The moderator reserves the right to end or redirect discussion if participants breach these terms.

• The event will be recorded to ensure transparency and to document adherence to these conditions.

Institutional Position

The views expressed in this Dialogue are solely those of the participants. Heterodox Academy and Wilfrid Laurier University do not endorse any position or statement made during the event. Their shared commitment is to uphold the principles of academic freedom and open inquiry under which free societies and universities thrive.