Have you filled in the consultation on GRA?

The government said that they would consult with women, so I am taking that at face value.My responses will reflect my views and experience as a woman.

My main concerns are the definition of transwoman (who falls into the category?) and self-id (the very obvious pitfalls).

Here's a useful article to cite on the need for gatekeeping. I used it in my answer to Q3:

Without a diagnosis of gender disorder, there is no valid reason for someone to wish to pretend they are the opposite sex. This requirement helps to screen out people who are autistic, homosexuals with internalized homophobia, and most importantly those who are " seeking gender reassignment to facilitate or normalise paedophilia. This latter small group described gender reassignment as a means by which to increase their intimate contact with children, which they viewed to be more socially acceptable in a female role." (Kate Saunders and Christopher Bass, "Gender reassignment: 5 years of referrals in Oxfordshire", The Psychiatrist, Volume 35, Issue 9, 2011 , pp. 325-327.)

Just waiting for fairplayforwomen to release there guidance.

And am still reading through.

I got stuck on the first question anyway... and am still figuring out whether I am trans or not based on the current rules.

What did you think it would cover, OP?

More questions for Penny about the wording of this.

Thank you misscockerspaniel. I found the Scottish one hard, so I think I'll be looking at all available advice, thanks.

Caribou58 how can we trust them over sex-based exemptions when they don't appear to know that female is a sex not a gender?

Redshoesblueshoes here is the consultation.

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reform-of-the-gender-recognition-act-2004

I'm genuinely shocked at how it has nothing to do with anything though. Perhaps I should have guessed from the title. Really it's just "what do transgender people want".

Yes.

Please excuse my ignorance, but how can I access it ?

I think the most worrying thing about the consultation is that although it claims the existing sex-based 'exemptions' will remain, I don't see how they can if self-id comes in. I've said so in my response.

I have already written to my MP. I got a letter back on Friday. She hasn't given her own opinion, just thank you for taking the time and as requested she will pass my concerns to the Minister.

But at least I got to say my piece. And perhaps gave her food for thought with the links I included.

I too will wait for guidance on completing the consultation document, I want to get it right!

I think that as well as completing the consultation, everyone should write a considered, bullet-pointed letter to their MP - but closer to the time when it comes to a vote in the Commons.

I'm mentally preparing answers and will set aside a few days in my summer break to set to. No rush. You can save as you go OP. There will be some good guidance out soon.

I am waiting so as to get the benefit of all the wiser and more learned women here and elsewhere. I will be keeping a close eye on the Fair play for women website. fairplayforwomen.com

I have also donated to their campaign as it is not just the results of the consultation that will inform the decisions taken but changes in the political climate as previously mentioned.

I contributed to the Scottish Consultation but it was just before it closed as I had only just found out about all this and the issues. Later wished I had had more time.

I will be writing to my MP again. He didn't reply to the first letter but I think they do take notice of the volume of letters.

I’m working on it along with some colleagues.

All the more reason to wait and work out angles with which to respond to the various questions in order to include all relevant issues.

What I mean is it feels like we are being told it’s a minor administrative issue mostly of concern to trans people ...nothing to see here women, move along,

This. The consultation feels like it was written by Stonewall.

I am waiting for Fair Play for Women guidance, plenty of time to fill it in and I want to get it right.

I'm waiting for thoughts from various women's organisations, as well as trying to let my own thoughts percolate a bit more. I'm trying to understand the nuts and bolts of the current system some more, as the consultation is clear that that is what is up for discussion.

Agree, going to take my time and work out how to have most impact.

Also want to think about how best to challenge the broader premise of the consultation.

What I mean is it feels like we are being told it’s a minor administrative issue mostly of concern to trans people ...nothing to see here women, move along,

Yet we as well as the technical and legal detail of the proposals I think they also have importnant symbolic significance too - signalling and reinforcing wider changes in society, and shoring up a view that it is no longer safe or acceptable to defend the term women as meaning biological female.

As you can probably tell still thinking this through. Hoping there will be much swapping of notes and sharing of ideas for a response on MN and other places......

Also probably more importantly is doing my bit to help get lots and lots of people responding . Hopefully all 12k + people who signed the parliamentary petition asking for a debate will be responding for starters!

Whoever compiled the questions (an intern working for Stonewall?) doesn't appear to know the difference between sex and gender. Are they blissfully ignorant or deliberately muddying the waters ? eg Q.20: "Currently, UK law does not recognise any gender other than male and female". Seriously?

Anyway, I am taking the slow and steady response, and have drafted a response to two of the questions.

I also think the political landscape could change by late October so I want to reflect any changes.

Good point.