Scottish women! Please write to your MSPs!

That was in response to Reducing the age: we recognise 16-year-olds as adults in most other areas of rights, such as voting, so I am not in principle opposed to allowing them to seek help if they are trans. The waiting period and length of the process are also very long

even taking into account the fact that waiting times are long

The difference between having the vote at 16 and transitioning at 16 is that you can vote differently next time! You can't get your breasts back if you have them lopped off.

😔

<crosses fingers>

We should know tomorrow Tuesday 6 Dec when the stage 3 debate will be, unless, as we hope the bill is paused.

If you are on Twitter you can join us with Not Your Shield which is happening now

I’ve only had one response. The others didn’t bother to reply. Speaks volumes.

Please keep writing and emailing them. They can’t ever say “ no one told us” if you keep on telling them. This appalling bill is just the start up here, it will be all over the UK soon.

This response from Neale Hanvey's office

With your permission, I would like to forward your email on directly to Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison MSP ([email protected])

The more people who express their concerns about the GRA Bill direct to Scottish Government minister the better.

No response from my MSP Annabelle Ewing!
Can we gather at Scot Parl to protest?

Sorry, I'm new and thought I was responding to the person who quoted me. I'd clicked on 'add message' without realising I needed to use the quote function.

Ah sorry, thanks!

now we are so dangerously close to the passing of the Bill, I'd suggest we all put a poster in the window saying something like "defend the safety and dignity and privacy of all- ban the GDA bill."

Sorry, Quinnloveseris not Erin!

I think Erin was thanking the poster who added a link to the petition and it cross posted with your post.

It's great they all clapped when the mic woman took over? I find it shameful a room full of people did not 'hear hear' or support the woman speaking up for women. They sat grimacing and looking deeply uncomfortable and were mightily relieved when she was shut down.

Not at all, that's great!

Shame on every woman who sat and clapped when this brave woman was closed down. Complicit.

Hope you don't mind but I've linked that petition here:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/petitions_noticeboard/4688427-repeal-the-gra

This was my reply from Labour's Katy Clark.

Thank you for contacting me about the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill which is currently going through Parliament. As you may be aware, this Bill passed the Stage 1 vote on 27 October following a debate on the general principles of the Bill. Amendments to this Bill are now being considered. The Committee has spent two days considering amendments which have been put down by MSPs. The Bill will then return to the full Chamber where all MSPs will get the opportunity to vote on further amendments. This is normal parliamentary practise.

Many of the concerns being raised about this Bill, its causes and consequences, relate to Scottish Government policy rather than the legislative framework. As a Labour MP in 2010 I voted for the Equality Act in 2010 which brought together various equalities legislation and provided protection for single-sex spaces and continue to believe this Act provides the correct framework. The Bill, now being considered, does not change the definition of sex but alters already existing gender recognition laws.

The proposals the Scottish Parliament are currently considering are a modernisation of gender recognition laws. The legislation that relates to gender and equalities is reserved. In itself, this Bill does not change the definition of sex but alters already existing gender recognition laws. I have included a link to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s guide on the Equality Act sex and gender reassignment provisions. This guide provides more information on the way the Equality Act protects single-sex spaces through exemptions. Please see here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/separate-and-single-sex-service-providers-guide-equality-act-sex-and-gender  

I will continue to listen very closely to this debate.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch again about this or any other matter.

With best wishes,

Katy

Katy Clark MSP

Same. I've always been SNP/Green.

Spoiling my ballot until parties wake tf up.

Me too. Never voted SNP but have voted Green in the past.

this legislation progresses through Parliament. It is crucial that no individual or organisation should feel excluded from this process, regardless of their views.

As I understand, these concerns relate to the relationship between the Equality Act 2010 and this new legislation and the lack of clarity that the bill provides in its current form. It is essential that any improvements made to the process for transgender people do not come at the expense of women’s rights and safety. This Bill puts vulnerable individuals and young people at risk, while undermining hard-won protections for women and girls. The SNP Government should redraft this Bill so that it does not end up doing more harm than good.

The Scottish Conservatives have a free vote on this issue, but the great majority of our MSP, myself included, voted against the Bill at Stage 1. We submitted over 100 amendments to the Bill for Stage 2 (all sadly defeated). The Bill will now move to Stage 3.

Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me on this issue.

Kind regards,
Murdo

1 response so far. Murdo Fraser understanding the issues and voting against.