Joan McAlpine on sex and census. Wow.

That is fantastic! Thank you Joan, I may also send this to my tight lipped msp to see if she will respond in a meaningful way

I have never known an SNP member allowed to break rank.

I agree, the SNP like to control everything from the centre which makes Joan's actions all the more admirable. I've tweeted but also sent her a longer email. I hope lots of people do the same so that she has a bank of evidence for when she's leaned on.

Ive also written to thank her and sent her thread to my SNP MSPs .

I have been thinking about this since yesterday. I am politically homeless.

The SNP stance on this topic so far has horrified me, their rampant idiocy in the removal of legal sex as a status together with the ridiculous "blazing a trail" attitude to the total dismantling of safeguarding, particularly around children.

I have never known an SNP member allowed to break rank.

Joan McAlpine has my vote based on her complete understanding of the removal of women's rights and the support she has shown us by standing up for women publicly.

I hope for a change in approach among the SNP but suspect she will be leaned on to retract or forced out. I will vote against transideology.

If she holds fast she has my vote, either independently or with SNP changing to backing her and supporting women and girls.

Joan McAlpine for First Minister.

Brava Joan McAlpine!

We need proper data.

I love Joan. I love Joan. I love Joan. Joan for First Minister!!!! Joan for FM!

She is currently my favourite woman in the entire world.

That tweet thraad is word-perfect.

Sticking your head above the parapet like that takes some intestinal fortitude at the moment, especially in light of Sturgeon's comments. Bravo Joan.

I see she received some stick for her comment about "women experiencing discrimination on the basis of biology" because trans women experience the same discrimination because they are women - could've seen that one coming a mile off.

Even if that is how you think, why then is it such a terrible idea to protect sex class?

Let us not forget the SNP need the Greens to get a majority

Anyway apologies for derailing the thread as I didn't mean to detract from the amazing Joan McAlpine.

There are a load of women and beardy men who are insistent they absolutely don't mind unisex spaces and it's no different to loos at home that aren't sex-segregated so I'm sure it'll be fine!

but provide provision for those who don't want to use them

Yes but third spaces are only inclusive spaces if enough biological men and women chose that space rather than a sex specific one. I'm not sure many people would.

Betsy Thank you for reporting the minutes of the whole debate. Fascinating reading and I'm not surprised you danced around the room.

So many SMPs recognising finally that woman do need a say in this! I still can't believe that we are battling in 2019 to have biological sex acknowledged.

I noted Ross Greer of the green party leading the opposition to the committee's findings. Backed up by Alex Cole Hamilton of the liberals. Reminded me of Aimee Challenor's fingers in those pies...

leftfootforward.org/2018/10/ex-green-party-spokesperson-aimee-challenors-application-to-join-lib-dems-under-review/

Ive written to thank her

Alex Cole-Hamilton is as much use as a chocolate teapot. He has but one interest and that is himself. He promises stuff to his constituents, doesn't deliver (I have had dealings with him as part of my job ). As with all the lib dems, their misogyny is pretty ingrained in the name of progressiveness. He was one of the 6 MSPs who decided to change the definition of female in the Gender Recognition and Public Bodies Bill (the rest of them in Holyrood bar the Tories went along with it). See details from Fair Play For Women
fairplayforwomen.com/scottish_stole_woman/

What a star. Absolutely brilliant.

Thingybob

I think the idea with third spaces is that they're mixed sex spaces so everyone can use them. It's not solely preserved for transpeople but is the "gender-neutral" space that seems so coveted. The "third" is important though because it means that women-only and men-only spaces are preserved but provide provision for those who don't want to use them. The fact they're for everyone also removes the "outing" element of using a different loo/changing room etc.

surely the majority of trans women, trans men and those who identify as non binary would not welcome shared third spaces

They are effectively trying to make current female only spaces into third spaces so I don't see how they could mind.

What a fantastic set of tweets. I am going to register on Twitter just to say thank you!

provision of third spaces

I'm always confused about the third spaces thing as surely the majority of trans women, trans men and those who identify as non binary would not welcome shared third spaces. Even they must notice that they are rather different to each other dependent on the sex they were born.

The census information on the number of trans people will be necessary to make a proper decision on the provision of third spaces. I think it’s valid to ask it at this point in time, and to see if it goes up or down in ten years (is it a fad or not?)

Joan is a SHERO!

Now come on, Jess Phillips. No excuses. Be the gobby shite we need on the left in Westminster

Ooops, Joan McAlpine that should be. I'm all of a flutter this morning!

I’m confused. Someone at the Scottish Parliament said Hamish wore a skirt and was therefore a girl? At the Scottish Parliament? A skirt which was possibly made from a length of pleated tartan fabric perhaps?

You win the internet today, birdsfoottrefoil. I laughed for ages at this. You don't win yesterday, though, that honour has to go to the magnificent Joan Ryan. She's not my MSP but I've written to thank her.

What particular medical needs would these be, which wouldn't be a need for a girl, boy, woman or man?

Extra resources put towards monitoring people on cross sex hormones. Extra resources put towards mental health care. For example. But it's not just medical care, it's also assessing the need for things like resources for trans wings in prisons.

I am really impressed by this. Those of you on Twitter, please retweet!