Virtually all MSM attention in Scotland has focused on the risks that the implementation of the Gender Recognition Act by the SNP Government, to protect the rights of Trans people, may pose for ‘hard-won’ women’s rights and on the ‘flight’ from the party by, loosely, ‘Gender Critical Feminists’. Other parties, such as the Lib Dems, have escaped any scrutiny, ‘under the radar.’
This is one of many areas in which I am not competent to be pontificating but as I understand things, both Trans groups and women are far too often the victims of discrimination, including predominantly male violence, monstrous amounts not reported or prosecuted.
My interest here, as always, is media bias against the SNP, the FM, the SG or just Scotland.
The above image from a tweet by @LaurenOxleyx drew my attention and triggered a wee search for evidence of how the the Lib Dems are dealing with this.
Again, as I understand it, the SNP Government wishes to both protect the Trans community and, equally, reassure women’s groups.
The Lib Dems, it seems, are less concerned to try to hold things together. Witness this rejection of a GC woman in 2018:
Here’s the text:
Today I emailed the Lib Dems expressing an interest in joining their party.
I stated no one should receive discrimination or abuse for their transgender status but explained that I am GC and I asked if there was room for GC women in the party.
I received the following response:
Thank you for getting in touch. Whilst we appreciate your interest in joining, you should be aware that the Liberal Democrats are a trans inclusive party, and we have made it clear that we fully behind trans communities. As liberals we champion everyone’s right to live the life they want. By the sounds of your email it appears that your values are not aligned with ours so we are probably not the right the party for you.
Where is the media attention to the Lib Dems and their ‘problems with women?’
Talking-up Scotland / Scottish media fact checking is like shooting fish in a barrel 
Attempt to get leverage from disaffected minorities.
Survation poll shows alba gains no seats but SNP list down a bit.
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All these matters are a Red Herring
And being thrown the electors way in the vain hope that it turns back the Tsunami of Yes votes rushing towards the Unions shore line
At the end of the day every single one of the voters know exactly what the upcoming election is all about
Tis a trial run for a Indy referendum
Nothing more nor less
The Trans issue falls into the less pot
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The Gender Recognition Act (2004) was implemented 16 years ago by the UK Gov and adopted by the then Labour-LibDem coalition in the Scottish Parliament. Therefore the GRA has been in operation for 16 years and still is. Almost 5000 or so people in the UK have gone through the process set out in the Act to obtain certification of a legally acquired gender.
An inquiry by a House of Commons Committee in 2016 rommended reform of this section of the Act.
Both the Uak and SG have held public consultations on draft proposals for reform of the act. Both governments have shelved the entire reform process until some future date.
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Legerwood, thank you for this information , i think information like this is critical in helping people to understand why this subject is so prominent .
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Well John, I understand the need to protect people of all kinds, however, from a womans point of view, it is damaging their rights as women and blurring the issue of the reality of self gendering . Trans men in women’s sports, Trans men in what was women’s toilets and showers. Where you girls might go too.
As my partner says, and she too is angry about this, ” If a trans has men’s bit’s, he is still a man, I cannot argue that at all.
I also think the majority of women would either. Or men for that either. Parents of young children of any gender must be terrified for them with these ideas.
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Les Wilson,
Sport
This is the section of the GRA 2004 that deals with participation in sports. As far as I am aware there is no intention by either Gov to change this.
QUOTE
GRA 2004
This about Sport from the act
“”(1)A body responsible for regulating the participation of persons as competitors in an event or events involving a gender-affected sport may, if subsection (2) is satisfied, prohibit or restrict the participation as competitors in the event or events of persons whose gender has become the acquired gender under this Act.
(2)This subsection is satisfied if the prohibition or restriction is necessary to secure—
(a)fair competition, or
(b)the safety of competitors,
at the event or events.
(3)“Sport” means a sport, game or other activity of a competitive nature.
(4)A sport is a gender-affected sport if the physical strength, stamina or physique of average persons of one gender would put them at a disadvantage to average persons of the other gender as competitors in events involving the sport.
(5)This section does not affect—
(a)section 44 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (c. 65) (exception from Parts 2 to 4 of that Act for acts related to sport), or
(b)Article 45 of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 ( S.I. 1976/1042 (N.I. 15)) (corresponding provision for Northern Ireland). ]
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7/section/19
UNQUOTE
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Les Wilson
Toilets and trans people.
This is a link to the full statement Ms Somerville made to the Scottish Parliament in June 2019
https://news.gov.scot/speeches-and-briefings/statement-on-gender-recognition
A quote from the statement on women only spaces such as toilets.
QUOTE
“”One particular area of concern that has been raised about gender recognition reform – both during and since the consultation – is the impact it will have on the provision and protection of single sex or women only spaces and services.
“Presiding Officer, it is vital to be clear on this important point.
“The Equality Act [2010] already allows trans people to be excluded, in some circumstances, from single sex services where that is proportionate and justifiable, including where a trans person has legal recognition. The Government’s proposals to reform the Act will not affect that position.””
UNQUOTE
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Can someone please explain what “GC” means? I might guess that it stands for “gender critical”, but that phrase has no obvious precise meaning.
I agree with the remark in the first reply, to the effect that this is not a major issue for the election, despite the noises emanating from some quarters, but it is very odd that “woman” was not included as a protected characteristic in the Hate Crime Bill. How insensitive!
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I too am not competent to spout on this subject, but somehow I think this topic set to play a bigger than it should part of the election campaign, if yon blogger is set to play a part in the Alba manifesto.
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The matter of gender recognition and the complex of issues/concerns that surround it will all need to be played out and resolved whether after this May’s election the SNP has a majority or a minority administration. It’s an issue that would need to be played out and resolved whether we had independence or not. Time for reform has come: the key issue is HOW to effect this rather than stop it IMHO.
Anyway, a much weakened SNP in Holyrood may not prevent a gender recognition reform bill being submitted- in some form that cannot yet be known precisely – as there is cross-party support for reform. Moreover, if a formal bill does get submitted, there is a lengthy legislative scrutiny process to go through, with amendments and votes before any new act is passed. There is a very long and uncertain way to go.
Similar matters of reform have been and are still are being addressed at a different pace and in different ways in countries across the world. Some have already reformed to permit self-identification.
And in the UK, i.e. not just Scotland, it is not a single party issue. See this from the Independent on Labour’s support for reform.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-manifesto-trans-rights-women-only-spaces-single-sex-corbyn-a9214656.html
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This article goes into the background of the GRA and similar legislation around the world. It’s by one of the original signatories to the ‘Yogyakarta Principles’ (which “demanded that a person’s self-defined gender identity be legally recognised without the need for medical treatment”) who now recognises that women’s rights were not considered at the time: https://thecritic.co.uk/issues/april-2021/the-trans-rights-that-trump-all/?fbclid=IwAR2d5Afv9d9vgwy3C_FT3HbWh7q8bqEm64GzSoeCpDxpEfSyUHNb6KMUOmA
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Apologies, the article is not by the signatory but focuses on his viewpoint.
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Though I’m not suggesting our biology defines who we are, it is crucial to our health and political participation. As well as our legal rights. Male and female biology are not the same, and it really isn’t a good idea to allow ideology to define the legal and public realm.
Biology, Equality, and the Law: The Legal
Significance of Biological Sex Differences
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/147634469(dot)pdf
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I see Ms Somerville is still being punted as a credible voice. For the umpteenth time, the consultation was as bogus as the proposed legislation.
International Human Rights and Feminism: When Discourses
Meet
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/232710623(dot)pdf
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Women still do not have equal rights. Trans gender women, identifying as women, will still not have equal rights, All women do not have equal rights. ID or otherwise.
Women who co habit (the majority) do not have equal rights. They have to put in a claim within a year and it costs £thousands in legal fees. Women can lose their house, their home. The roof over their heads. It is an absolute scandal. Women have to stay in unhealthy, abusive situations. Even worse than people wanting to self ID. They have changed the system in England so women who co habit get legal aid. It has to be paid back in any case.
Women/self ID have to stay in unhealthy, abusive situations. In the wrong body. Being bullied, abused and affecting their mental health. Affecting children. People who want to ID can end up bullied, abused, self harming and wanting to commit suicide. They are so troubled and unhappy. Just like women who co habit (the majority) without equal rights.
There have been mixed changing rooms for years in sports facilities etc.There are absolutely no problems. Open spaces are safer for people. There are separate cubicles. Staff and cameras. It allows more women to access the facilities with their children. (Mixed). There are family changing rooms as well. All regulated extremely well. Providing separate self ID toilets would not be a problem. There are already separate disabled toilets. They were introduced under legislation.
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