Joan McAlpine

Somerville's statement comes at the same time as John Boyne's ordeal with trans activists over the publication of a novel designed to be sympathetic to the trans cause.

I think it's rather good that the newspapers have labelled her inept and ignorant statement as a call for trans rights to the public's sympathy and compassion. I don't believe that the public is so inclined on the basis of recent events.

Poor Shirley-Anne. Wrong side of history

TRAs are a powerful lobby but surely voters back Joan? Pressuring local members to stand with her is the only way I think

It’s seems unrelenting for Joan - why can’t her colleagues find the courage to speak up with a united voice? A real campaign to get her sacked.

This is in the Times today:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/unite-against-transphobia-urges-equalities-secretary-bjl2385hc?shareToken=c9624a295b8192a40ee22f73580de494

I'll try and remember to send a card tomorrow.

I'm disappointed in Nicola over this.

Really disappointed to see Mhairi Blacks position. I admire her hugely but why can't she support actual women on this?

I just mentioned to DH today that I was going to send her something and then came in and spotted this thread! She has been consistently excellent on all of this and much braver than any of her peers in the parliament.

Hello BrightonReSisters! If you have any way of spreading the word through the other groups to take part in this v easy campaign I’d be grateful

Hi @Badgerthebodger we thought this was a great idea, and have written to Joan today. We've been absolutely blown away by Joan's bravery, and like you, want her to know that we're standing in solidarity.

We've also written to Ash, Ruth and Gillian. We hope that our words of support and encouragement may help in some small way, as they face the predictable barrage of abuse, for standing up for women's rights.

Women's rights and not transphobic, and that pernicious narrative really needs to go.

Shirley-Anne Somerville's blog on why we should all unite against transphobia is taking comments subject to moderation. Please go and comment if you can. I've seen worse, but she reduces women's concerns to the Trojan horse argument, and though she says that people with genuine concerns shouldn't be automatically accused of transphobia, she says nothing about misogyny, it's all about the protection of trans people.

It hadn't, I hoped someone would pop on with a share token

The SNP obviously don't have a proper position on this, their statement seems to very carefully avoid saying anything....

Don't know if this has been shared yet:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sturgeon-is-out-of-step-on-trans-rights-msps-claim-psmx2xpsp?shareToken=e135a76183ee092091ac94f06f6eccac

Oops, Sturgeon actually said:

This is a very good blog by @SASomerville. As both a #TransAlly and a proud feminist, I want us to understand and address the concerns being expressed, so we can build a Scotland where everyone feels safe and secure. t.co/lRyHbIeeCj

Sturgeons comment today:

In a blog about transgender rights, Equalities Secretary @SASomerville explains that Scotland should be a place where everyone should feel safe, secure and accepted for who they are ➡️ t.co/2wryj8aY7a

The blog linked to very carefully doesn't say anything, but seems to indicate a lack of understanding of the issues raised by women?

Done, via Touch Note on my phone which was incredibly easy. Can’t get out in the next few days as I’m disabled and reliant on someone to take me so just wanted to let people know it was v easy to do via an app. There’s lots of others as well to let you send a postcard.

Great idea. Will do.

My task this weekend - postcards to Joan, Ash, Ruth and Gillian.

Also if someone could tweet this story to her it might be of interest:

www.scottishreview.net/MMorrison476a.html

Card written, ready to drop in the post tomorrow. It may be a drop in the ocean, but those drops add up.

I emailed Joan last week cheering her on after her "not letting the bullies get me down" article, and she replied to me first thing the next morning saying she appreciated it and had no intention of dropping this. So defs send cards because it'll make a difference!

I'm thinking particularly of Angela Crawley MP (SNP) who sits on the Women and Equality Parliamentary Committee, alongside Maria Miller.

Mhairhi Black, Angela Crawley and another SNP MP tweeted their solidarity and declared themselves Trans Allies this morning. Possibly with the intention of "taking sides".

It's a fecking disgrace that a member of Maria Miller's Committee admits to being biased in favour of trans privileges.

Crawley's tweet:

twitter.com/AngelaCrawley30/status/1118263411236855813

Black's tweet (gets a lot more flak and plaudits because she has a higher profile):

twitter.com/MhairiBlack/status/1118263880088739840

My card is bought, written and waiting to pop into the post box

My constituency MSP is one of the ones involved in the leaked conversation. Over the past few months I've sent her lots of requests by email and tweet to speak out, and I've been to see her in person. I've tweeted my support to her over this leak but I'm going to wait to do more till I see whether she's prepared to say anything publicly in support of Joan and women's rights. She's an elected representative, and if she has concerns she should say so openly, the way Joan's doing. That's what leadership in public life is all about. If she's only prepared to talk to her close friends in (what she imagines to be) private then I'm afraid my support for her will be similarly muted. I don't for a moment condone the act of leaking people's private correspondence, and I do support three MSPs up to a point, and will certainly be publicly condemning any harrassment they might receive in consequence. But I hope this latest is the spur they need to fully step up to the plate - in which case I'm ready with my cards, flowers and the most vocal support I can give.