To think that pregnancy is an equalities issue?

[Bathtimesoaker]

I've just seen the story about Jo Swinson MP, who is currently 7 month pregnant and an Equalities Minister. She didn't have a seat at today's PMQ's and had to stand to watch the proceedings. Apparantly an aide has said that 'the idea that people should be outraged on her behalf is ridiculous. The idea that just because she is seven months pregnant she has lost all ability to stand on her two feeet or fend for herself is quite sexist'.

I feel like we are going back in time, to a place where we have to ask for our rights instead of automatically having them. Maybe IAMBU but a Minister for Women and Equalities shouldn't allow people close to her to say comments like the above. It's not sexist to take a seat when pregnant.

[MistressIggi]

It's an equality issue as pregnancy disproportionately affects one gender. (Which seems obvious, but that is why it is an equality issue - any disadvantage caused by pg or maternity is experienced solely by one sex).

[Bathtimesoaker]

For me, offering a seat is manners and I agree that I don't see people do this often enough anymore. However pregnancy and maternity is a recognised equalities issue and it's not sexist to offer a seat nor is it wrong to accept one.

Women who don't require a seat when pregnant surely wouldn't be offended by the offer of one, or is this too big an assumption?

[WishIHadAFunkyName]

On the rare times that someone did offer me a seat, I was so overwhelmed that I would say to them 'You're very kind but I'm ok. Thank you'. I was never offended and just thought that they were a really nice person.

[CommanderShepard]

Did she want a seat? At that point I preferred to stand because my sciatic nerve was hell otherwise.