One speaks of the Streisand effect when only an unsuccessful attempt to make a taboo popular.

The lecture by biology doctoral student Marie-Luise Vollbrecht, which was canceled at Humboldt University, is now to be made up there on July 14.

The biology PhD student will then be able to discuss academic freedom with Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) and Berlin Science Senator Ulrike Gote (Greens).

Thomas Thiel

Editor in the Feuilleton.

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Vollbrecht's lecture, which explains why biology assumes two sexes, was supposed to take place at the weekend during the "Long Night of Science" and was canceled due to safety concerns.

The working group of critical lawyers had previously announced a protest against the speaker's alleged transphobia.

According to the university, the student representatives then called on the entire student body to take part in the demonstration.

A counter-action by supporters of Vollbrecht had also been announced.

The university then canceled the event without committing itself to content.

A spokeswoman later announced that certain opinions expressed by Marie-Louise Vollbrecht in an article in "Welt" were not in line with the university's mission statement.

The lurching course of the Humboldt continued on Monday.

A spokesman told the German press agency that the decision was based solely on security criteria, which was in clear contradiction to the previous statement.

Meanwhile, the CDU MP Adrian Grasse asked the Berlin Senate a small question asking whether the alleged danger really existed and whether the Berlin universities were still able to protect academic freedom.

The university has given up its plan to confront Vollbrecht with trans groups and members of the student council at the catch-up date, i.e. the very body that had questioned her moral and academic integrity.

"Basic Biology"

Meanwhile, the “working group of critical lawyers” is continuing its smear campaign.

In a statement, he welcomes the cancellation and once again accuses Vollbrecht of being transphobic and unscientific.

In the lecture that she spontaneously gave on YouTube on Sunday, Vollbrecht only explains why biological sex is not included in the social science concept of gender.

Various media reports express their astonishment that the basic biological knowledge imparted in the lecture could become a public issue at all.

The Bayerischer Rundfunk speaks of "biology at the basic level".

However, the biological dimension of sex is being made to disappear even at the highest political level, in the Ampel government's recent draft self-determination law.

The gender confusion extends to the federal government.

Perhaps Marie-Luise Vollbrecht will also talk to the Federal Research Minister about this.