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Original poster

Campaign Launch: Why it's time to review the Equality Act. 60 tickets left.

156 replies

PencilsInSpace · 14/06/2018 20:22

You know how we are constantly being told that there are no planned changes to the EA, and that therefore the proposed changes to the GRA don't affect us?

Well, it turns out a group of politicians are launching a campaign to review the EA.

The launch event is free to attend, Wed 20th June, 4-6 pm, House of Commons

Description

The Equality Act 2010 was established to cover nine protected characteristics: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage or Cvil Partnership, Pregnancy and Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex, and Sexual Orientation.

However, in 2018 alone, we have seen the gender pay-gap issue, punish a Muslim day letters, concerns about anti-Semitic attitudes and behaviour, and the Windrush Scandal. All of these issues have in common the way in which they compel us to question what equality means in today's society. A number of characteristics such as homelessness, ethnicity, and poverty, although can give rise to discrimination, are not covered by the act. We believe that the equality act needs to be strengthened in order to ensure that we live in a fair and equal society for all.

We are marking the launch of our campaign with an event in Parliament titled "Why it's time to review the Equality Act?". Our speakers include:

1. Afzal Khan MP and Shadow Minister for Immigration
2. Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith
3. Wes Streeting MP
4. Shabana Mahmood MP
5. Jess Philips MP
6. Mark Lewis (Solicitor)

I'm going to this.

OP posts:
Pluckedpencil · 19/06/2018 09:26

There are already inconsistencies which are known in the equality act, like the protection of breastfeeding and pregnant mothers. I'd like to know why they were not included in the header, and represented on the panel. I'd also like to know when a mother is going to be defined as a female sex person for purposes of the law.

Typeractive · 19/06/2018 09:25

Just remembered the name of the pub: Westminster Arms. It's on Storey's Gate.

Ereshkigal · 19/06/2018 09:24

Thanks Prawn, I would have liked to see you too! I've got to go away for work next week and playing catch up all the time sadly.

Ereshkigal · 19/06/2018 09:22

I'm having a think about questions.

Typeractive · 19/06/2018 09:20

I've just booked for this.

I'm pretty useless at thinking on my feet/speaking coherently, but maybe I can raise a question from this thread?

I'd like to meet up beforehand too. I think there's a pub the other side of Parliament Square, just off Birdcage Walk. Can't remember what it's called...

Pratchet · 19/06/2018 09:19

That is a great question.

I assume someone is planning to ask for an assurance that there will be no attempt to remove the word 'sex' nor to legally expand the definition away from biological sex.

drradfem · 19/06/2018 09:17

I'm going!

Pluckedpencil · 19/06/2018 09:12

At a public meeting of the Redbridge Citizens' Assembly on 6 May 2014, Cllr Streeting on behalf of his group promised that, if elected, he would not reduce the level of Council TaxSupport provided to low income working age residents. Once elected, the Labour council cut the level of support so as to treble from April 2016 the amount of Council Tax paid by supported residents, and his council made a further reduction from April 2017 and is proposing a third reduction from April 2018

Can someone ask why we have a mendacious politician on the panel who went back on election promises to the people who he is now claiming to represent?

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 19/06/2018 09:10

Does anyone who's not going have any specific questions they want asking?

Pratchet · 19/06/2018 09:09

Good point upstart

heresyandwitchcraft · 19/06/2018 09:09

Call me cynical but I'm extremely concerned about this move. Existing legislation is not being upheld, but would deal with all their complaints.

Me too. Thanks Prawn for going!

Pluckedpencil · 19/06/2018 09:09

Under the leadership of Wes Streeting the NUS abandoned its long-standing commitment to free education and backed a graduate tax as its preferred outcome of the Browne Review into higher education funding

What a career politician he is.

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 19/06/2018 09:02

That's a shame, Erishkigal. Would've liked to see you.

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 19/06/2018 09:01

I'm going and would like to meet up first. Please PM me. I used to know central London very well but have entirely forgotten where there's a nice pub that way.

Ereshkigal · 19/06/2018 08:45

I'm so busy and can't get out of work early on Weds but I know some amazing women are going.

UpstartCrow · 19/06/2018 07:59

Call me cynical but I'm extremely concerned about this move. Existing legislation is not being upheld, but would deal with all their complaints. Misogyny and anti Semitism aren't even on the agenda.

Flikka40 · 19/06/2018 07:32

I'm going. Pm me if anyone going wants to meet up first.

Italiangreyhound · 18/06/2018 23:26

@PencilsInSpace "Have you got a particular question you want raised?"

I want to make sure biological sex remains a protected category for all the reasons you can imagine.

The info says "The Equality Act 2010 was established to cover nine protected characteristics: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage or Cvil Partnership, Pregnancy and Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex, and Sexual Orientation."

I can imagine that there will be times when some of these do clash, so we need to know that things will be worked out to preserve the rights of everyone.

PlectrumElectrum · 18/06/2018 23:17

That is an excellent question BetsyM00 - hope someone asks that, and we get an answer.

BetsyM00 · 18/06/2018 23:11

I'd like to know why domestic violence refuges are given as an example of a perfectly legitimate use of the exceptions provided for in the Equality Act, yet the Government funding conditions to refuges actually prohibit their use.

See:
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/schedule/3/part/7
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/notes/division/3/16/20/7

Seems like a good case to strengthen the single-sex provision in the Equality Act.

Terfulike · 18/06/2018 22:59

Let's keep this thread buoyant so we can decide on some really piercing questions to ask on behalf of all by those who can make it.

Terfulike · 18/06/2018 22:56

There's 43 left. Just got one. Not going to let gender be changed for sex

Original poster
PencilsInSpace · 18/06/2018 22:51

Have you got a particular question you want raised?

OP posts:
Italiangreyhound · 18/06/2018 22:43

Just heard back from my 'possible' child sitter, she is not free to have my son on Wednesday.

So I can't join you but I wish you all well, please do keep us updated.

Italiangreyhound · 18/06/2018 22:39

I wonder how we might get speakers onto things like this?

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