to think men and women should be counted in the census?

[Sunkisses]

The Office of National Statistics have recently 'tentatively recommended' that the question about what sex we are should be deleted from the census, so not to upset the tiny transgender part of the population. This has massive implications for the whole of society. We need the data on our biological sex to measure important things like life expectancy, sex discrimination, the gender pay gap, and inequality in childcare, social care, housing and health. The ONS rejected sensible options like asking people about both their sex and their gender identity (which would help us actually know how big the trans population actually is). To me, this recommendation seems utterly crazy.

Please consider signing this petition to the government, to keep the sex category in the 2021 census: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/202435

For more background, please see this article here: www.thetimes.co.uk/article/feminists-fight-to-keep-gender-question-in-census-vqv3lr9gj

There's only two sexes for me.

This again?

YANBU, I've signed.

Why can't they include the third option? M/F/T?

I’ve signed

The third should surely be intersex (which might need to be subdivided, depending on which gender has been adopted for day to day life)

Dottyblue - ONS considered and rejected a third option, so instead propose to make the question optional, which doesn't seem like a solution to me!

YANBU. I've signed. I urge all Mumsnetters to do so if you care about government being able to keep track of all the things the OP mentions - life expectancy, sex discrimination, the gender pay gap, and inequality in childcare, social care, housing and health.

Without statistics, we can't know where the inequalities are, and if we don't know where they are, we can't do anything to address them.

YANBU - I've signed it.

The census is used for planning of services like healthcare and maternity. Women will lose out if this goes ahead.

Done

YANBU I've signed too. I use this data for work in central government. It's vital for planning and monitoring services.

Done

THIS AGAIN because it is a current and on going debate in Parliament etc. If you are a political ostrich then dont get involved. Fortunately most people care about the things which will affect them and their families.

Done

Signed. Am baffled as to why this is even being considered? Is this the only source of accurate statistics?

It's utterly bizarre. How can you possibly work out what maternity provision might be needed just for one thing? Just to placate a very tiny percentage of the population

I dont think people realise how much the sex category is used in research for just about anything. Even the way the male body and female body respond to medical treatments is different so looking at provision for specific targeted interventions is crucially using this data.

so beyond the 'feminist' angle, and beyond being a nod to a very vocal minority, (and as far as I can tell from people I know who were at the consultation process - it was the minority, NOT the ONS who rejected the second question about gender / 3rd option for 'other' - why?? WHY?? surely they want to know that their own discrimination and services can be measured and addressed) for allowing the UK to maintain its place as a leading research country, we need to keep the sex question on the table and in the census

Yes those things are important. But let’s not pretend that some people are using this as yet another tool to bash trans people with.

Yeah, wanting enough midwives is so unjust to trans people

Because of glaring bias in this country (gender, race, ability, sexuality, age) we need that information. Only in a genuine equal and egalitarian society would that information be irrelevant.

YANBU.

Signed.

YANBU It's nuts that we're even discussing this. I don't understand how brainy statistician types could think it's a good idea to stop gathering meaningful data on sex. Signed.

Signed & just like other posters have I woke up to Planet Crazy?! FML

Done

YANBU. Have signed.