Sex in the Census 2021 website launched; 3 part action plan

I emailed my MP about this issue. I did not question the inclusion of the gender ID question, I purely concentrated on the sex question and how it had to reflect biological reality. We have a new male Tory MP who replaced an excellent female Labour MP who had always responded thoughtfully about trans issues.

Here's his answer (completely missing my point):

Dear XX,

Thank you for contacting me about the new question on gender identity in the 2021 Census.
I am glad that the 2021 Census will be the most inclusive to date and aims to collect results that reflects our society as it is today. The Office for National Statistics' (ONS) work on new questions has been informed by extensive consultation, research and engagement. New questions or response options are only included after research and consultation that provide compelling evidence for their inclusion. The new voluntary questions about gender identity and sexual orientation will allow as yet unknown numbers of LGBT citizens, as well as those who have transitioned their gender identity, the chance to be recognised in official statistics. This is a huge step forward for the LGBT people of this country.
It is important to note that the question on gender identity is voluntary, as the Census will state, and will be collected in addition to the question on sex. There are currently no official figures for those who identify their gender as different from the sex registered at birth, so this approach will produce better quality data for equality monitoring and means that public services can be planned and provided better. ONS' research and consultation showed that there is a clear need for information on gender identity in order to support policy development and service provision, as well as advancing equality in this country.
I believe the Census questions mark a key distinction between sex and gender identity, and believe the way the two questions are posed will allow reliable data to be collected on both topics. I am confident that the new voluntary questions about gender identity and sexual orientation will show officially the welcome scale of diversity that exists in our society, and I do not agree that this will be at the detriment of other groups.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact me and if I can ever be any further assistance to you then please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Yours sincerely
Tory MP

Is what I've said wrong? Is the action here 'complete the census' or something else?

How exactly does that 'send a message' that will persuade the ONS or the courts that in compromising the integrity of the sex data being gathered, they risk compromising the whole exercise? The answer to that Q effectively says 'no, there's no risk, here's the campaign challenging our decision confirming that this campaign isn't going to cause any other issues, and have we explained how insignificant this decision is blah blah blah'.

This is a nonsense 'campaign' & isn't any risk whatsoever to the census or the ONS in defending their decision in court.

@TheShadowyFeminist

So this 'action' is just 'fill in the census'?

Did you have any other thoughts?

So this 'action' is just 'fill in the census'?

Excellent, very comprehensive and well laid out....(no surprise really, its written by women for women!). Whether you are part of the 15 grassroot groups organising this action, or doing so as an individual this is worth a look.

Just a reminder - 'the Sex in the Census campaign is NOT a boycott of the census but asks people to request a paper copy of the census and return it with a letter that will ask the ONS to confirm that they will only record the respondent’s sex as “sex registered at birth”.
The group is calling for the mandatory sex question to clearly and accurately count men and women based on sex'.

We are not challenging the voluntary “gender identity” question.

Meanwhile, Fair Play for Women plans to challenge the ONS in court, stating it is for Parliament not the ONS to decide the census questions.

Please share with other women as well as with dads, brothers, blokes in general, everyone has their part to part in this.

sexinthecensus.org/

Brilliant. Thanks to all the groups that have made this happen. Special shout out to @MerchedCymru from a fan!

Fantastic website. Very clear instructions. I hope it gets a lot of publicity.

Good model for Scotland if the NRS here insists on going with the self-id route next year.

Thanks @gardenbird48

Placemark for later, thanks op.

There are three clear steps and the dates to take them given on the site. This seems to me a very good way to respond without putting women at risk of fines or convictions for daring to suggest there are fucking major issues here.

Oh. just looked at it. I thought we were getting steps to take to send a message and it would be launched today?

Thank you!

Ooooh thanks OP.

have been waiting for this