The following statement appeared in some recent training: 'Men and women are protected from discrimination on the basis of their sex. This includes those who have, are, or will be undergoing gender reassignment.'
I'm confused. Is the implication that someone who has had gender reassignment is entitled to the protections of their 'new' sex? I.e. gender reassignment is sex reassignment? Is this the meaning in law?
Sex and gender reassignment are listed separately elsewhere with all the other protected characteristics. However, the training also goes into gender identity and pronouns at length, and gets more confusing. Terms are not defined and it states we are assigned a sex and gender at birth based on physical characteristics. It includes intersex people under the trans umbrella and uses sex, gender, gender identity etc interchangeably. It also talks about gender aligning with sex - how can two different things be aligned? Isn't that like trying to get my religion (atheist) to align with my shoe size (4)?
I've done a lot of reading around this previously and am really trying to understand it fully but this seems to have been written by someone with a shakier grasp than me.
I work in science.
I am in the process of sticking my head above the parapet for that if nothing else. Senior leadership, HR etc are all very much of the 'it's controversial... be kind' mindset. Any suggestions on an approach that is most likely to garner results would be gratefully received.
We have a huge gender pay gap.