SCOTTISH GRA REFORM ANNOUNCEMENT BROUGHT FORWARD

happy I agree. There is no need for it at all. Especially as the single - sex exemptions remain, and especially as gender reassignment is a protected characteristic by self-Id.

As far as I know all legal documents (passport etc) can all have sex marker changed too just by asking. The only thing you can't change is your birth certificate, but that isn't really used for anything other than correctly recording births.

I really think we should push to stop GRCs being given out-there is NO need for them. People can dress and present as they like, but you can't change sex.

Let the consultation begin (again). Let's make sure the right people are invited to the table and no-one is veto-ed. Imagine, discussing things properly, in Parliament, openly and without fear of bomb threats or threats of being 'fucked over'? Can't wait!

I actually think I was right with ya-cult?

I dunno, the three month thing is a carrot to shut up the TRA's "but, look, we're reducing the time you have to wait" - I bet it doesn't make it's way into law.

It's fair enough too, either we have a self declaration because there is no need for medical opinion, or, we do need medical review because there is an overlap between gender confusion and other conditions. And, anyone who is dysphoric is, by definition, having mental health challenges so what Kezia Dugdale meant with "they are not ill" is bemusing.

No one is saying that being trans is a mental illness. But, it is true to say that an awful lot of trans people also struggle with thier mental health. And that needs to be discussed and accounted for when making laws ad providing services.

LGBT -Y ?

Yogurt

(It's all a Ya-kult)

LGBT Youth - scottish advisory group started by paedo(jailed), gets loads of money from gvt to advise schools on brain rot, seemingly absent of actual qualifications of any sort. Also get paid loads by schools/charities etc to provide woke cookie courses.

I am not optimistic I am devastated by the total absence of logic, fact or fairness in any of this.

Youth

LGBTY
Y? Yo-yo, yahoo, yak, yacult???

If someone, anyone would show me a single case of single sex provision being upheld I would be more hopeful. Refuges were mentioned but the man who assaulted a child in supermarket toilets recently was housed in a refuge so sorry no that clearly isn't working. We know prisons/hospitals/changing rooms/toilets/classes are mixed sex and even the women's library refuse to host single sex organised meetings so where is the single sex provision?

Where is the fucking evidence?

I'm also feeling cautiously optimistic around the EA exemptions - I think Somerville said that they absolutely exist, that trans people (including with a GRC) can be excluded, and that they will look at producing guidance around this?

I'm struck by how many people want to rush the process so that dialogue on social media etc doesn't stop self id going through.

i dont know whether to laugh or cry. 3 months living as a woman? What constitutes living as a woman? And how will it be policed? How exactly can false declarations be proven? And if by some sheer miracle someone is actually found guilty, 2 years maximum. Which would automatically be halved. Which in reality means probably a suspended sentence given that men can violently and sexually abuse children and men and get away with a suspended sentence. Although I do hope that single sex provisions will be strengthened. But im not convinced.

Agreed with BernardBlacksWineIcelolly, grass roots has done this, well done.

It is a pause but undeniably a brush off and much much more work will need done to raise awareness and force the will of the people over the will of the SNP as is.

McAlpine was treated terribly during that.

Fantastic that new guidance will be given to schools, so no girls are excluded.

Jenny Mara - open door to MSPs for chat?

Answer - yeah totes let's talk

This is not a win. the statutory declaration is still a fucking disaster

but I do think we've earned a minute to sit back and draw breath and think about what we achieved here

I filled in that consultation. It was written in the sure and certain knowledge that self declaration was a done deal. well we changed that

well done you amazing women

Could have been a lot worse. I'm not Scottish, but have lots of connections to the beautiful country and have considered moving there in the near future to be closer to my elderly parents. Solidarity with the women there, looks like their activism has at least made a few stop, look and listen before jumping into traffic.

I think that was hugely encouraging - I'm quite surprised.

I'm also quite proud in the respectful way the discussion was conducted. Strong contrast with what we see at Westminster.

LGBT Youth Scotland had also seen seen the statement beforehand and had their reply ready:

twitter.com/LGBTYS/status/1141725685649747975

Frank questions need to be asked about the Scottish Government's links with lobby groups.

Rona Mackay - data and bias

answer - not linked to GRA but obvs important, plugs book whilst dismissing link

(how can they not be linked?!?)

oh, lovely to see a question about how the sex and gender data working group can improve the rights of women

Oliver Mundell - other people have a right to be unhappy

Answer - transphobia needs beaten, unite (and force this through)

Obviously they'd seen the Scottish Government statement before it was made public

God, feminists are so far out in the cold on this aren't we?

which makes it all the more impressive that we've managed to make the scottish government who were hell bent on this at least think twice

if the equality impact assessments are done properly, they will be key here

Wow sounds cautiously promising.