Forwomenscotland Please email your MSPs about GRA

[dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby]

Please, if you live in Scotland, get the message to your MSPs.

forwomenscotland.eaction.org.uk/MSP

Follow the link and it is all very easy. If you can share far and wide, that would be great.

Thanks dotoall

Done.

They can't pretend it's not been raised as an issue even if we get nil/infuriating responses back!

I did this yesterday and today got the most awful standard reply from one of my MSPs. Totally predictable stuff about pledging to make life better for an oppressed minority blah blah blah, ending with a nasty comment about there being a hate campaign against trans people.

No empathy for women. No reply to my point about vulnerable elderly women like my mum, in hospital and trapped in bed, unable to move away from a 'woman' with a beard and obvious penis.

They just don't care. Women don't matter to politicians like this one.

This is the reply from the Scottish Conservatives:
'Thank you for contacting me about the proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act.
A recent consultation on this legislation showed that four in ten organisations did not support the proposed reforms, which include reducing the time it takes for people to legally change their gender from two years to three months, and allowing people aged 16 and above to apply to change their gender.

These consultation responses confirm what we already knew – this is a sensitive topic and opinions are firmly split. We must protect women’s rights and take concerns that those rights are being eroded very seriously. For now, we await the details of this legislation and stand ready to scrutinise each aspect of it.

The Scottish Conservatives will not stand by and allow this SNP-Green Government to push this legislation through Parliament without all parties’ concerns receiving due consideration. There must be a full and informed debate on this issue and that this can only truly be done once we see what legislation is being brought forward.
Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me on this issue'.

This is the wording of the suggested e-mail:
I am a resident in your constituency.
Our government's moves to amend the Gender Recognition Act are deeply concerning, with the consultation questions raising alarm bells across the country.
Are you aware that consultation included the following suggestions:
Reducing the requirement for those wishing to be recognised as a different gender to have lived in their acquired gender from 2 years to 3 months prior to submitting an application, and for a 3-month reflection period after application.
Changing the age at which an application for legal gender recognition can be made from 18 to 16 without parental consent.
Removing the need for a gender dysphoria diagnosis.

This inevitably means that vulnerable children will be lead down a pathway which leads to lifelong medical interventions, sterilisation and, for many, ultimate regret.

It will also result in intact biological males, who have not been assessed by medical experts, being able to access women’s single sex spaces such as changing rooms. This is especially worrying in situations where vulnerable women are unable to choose to leave, such as prisons, psychiatric wards and hospitals. This is deeply concerning.

Safeguarding is not about pointing the finger at particular groups, but about preventing harm before it can take place. These suggestions disregard safeguarding principles and put women and children at risk.

As one of your constituents, I am asking you to vote against any Gender Recognition Reform that removes a gender dysphoria diagnosis by medical professionals, and that allows children to make potentially irreversible changes to their bodies without the due time, exploration of all potential issues and parental guidance, that would allow them to fully understand the long-term implications.
In doing so, you will provide reassurance to the women and girls who rely on single-sex spaces and protections, and parents of children who are questioning their identity.'

Thank you. Sent, though I did 'top & tail' your email 😁. Will post any replies I get.

Done

Done - earlier this afternoon. I have only received one personal reply so far - from my Tory MSP who shares my concerns and will be voting against. Looking forward to seeing what the others say...

Thanks for sharing. For anyone interested, this is really quick and simple to do.

I am already aware of my MSP's views, full on TWAW.

I actually got a reply from the greens. Usual SNP arse licking bollocks, but credit due for a considered reply….

Thank you for writing to me about your concerns.

The Scottish Green Party is proud to support rights for all women, including disabled women, lesbian, bisexual and trans women. We recognise the intersectional nature of power, which creates additional barriers for women facing multiple discriminations, and the necessity for feminists to work together to dismantle the patriarchy under which we live.

In accordance with this pledge, and our robust and proactive commitment to the rights of LGBT+ people, our manifesto commits us to deliver reform to the Gender Recognition Act, including statutory self-declaration. This commitment is reflected in the A fairer, greener Scotland Programme for Government, which embeds the cooperation agreement between ourselves and the Scottish Government. A fairer, greener Scotland confirms that:

“Within the next year we will bring forward the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, removing the current medical requirements and reducing the time that applicants for gender recognition need to have lived in their acquired gender from two years to three months.”

This reform is long overdue, after considerable consultation, and we will be working hard to ensure that it is now completed as soon as possible. As the European Court of Human Rights has confirmed, the human right to privacy requires that trans people are afforded proper legal gender recognition. Such fundamental human rights are not a matter for debate or delay, and we therefore robustly reject the divisive and procrastinating suggestion of a citizens’ assembly to discuss their existence.

Sadly, there has been much misinformation about what GRA reform does or doesn’t involve. The only effect of this reform will be to make the process by which a trans person can obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate less stressful, unfair, disrespectful and dangerous. It will have no effect upon the use of women’s spaces such as public toilets or upon participation in women’s sports, both of which are dealt with by the Equality Act. Neither will it change decisions about the type of prison to which offenders are sent, decisions which are made for individual prisoners on a case by case basis.

There is much work still to be done in protecting and enhancing the rights and the wellbeing of people throughout Scotland, including women, especially women prisoners, and LGBT+ people. This work includes many policy priorities set out in A fairer, greener Scotland: inclusive education, comprehensive childcare, an end to conversion therapy, access to trans healthcare and effective action on domestic abuse and sexual violence. We in the Scottish Greens are proud to have been in the forefront of many campaigns for equality, dignity and fair treatment, and will continue to speak and act for all who are still marginalised and oppressed within our society.

Best wishes,

Maggie Chapman (she/her)

I've just filled this in and sent it. Thanks for posting it.

all women, including disabled women, lesbian, bisexual and trans women. nice bit of forced teaming there

Fuller Reply from Scottish Labour MSP :

'Thank you for contacting me about your concerns regarding reform of the Gender Recognition Act.

I agree that legislation should consider the needs of women and girls but do not believe reform to the Gender Recognition Act necessarily threatens these rights.

I am a member of the Scottish Labour Party because Labour is the party of equality, committed to achieving a world free from all forms of bigotry and discrimination.

Trans people are one of the most discriminated groups in society – two in five young trans people have attempted suicide. It’s within this context that reform to the Gender Recognition Act is needed because the current process for obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate can be lengthy and traumatic for individuals who wish to change their legally recorded gender.

That’s why Labour would work with people to update the Gender Recognition Act to enable a process for gender self-identification while also continuing to support the implementation of the Equality Act, including the single sex exemption which allows the provision of women only spaces. This law rightly assumes the inclusion of trans women, except in specific circumstances.

Thank you for raising your concerns with me about this very important matter. I hope this clarifies my position on this issue.'

I am still confused by what she means re single sex spaces and am not impressed by the 'suicide statistic' they love so much.

Has the 2 in 5 youth trans suicide rate quoted in the labour response above actually been investigated? Surely someone needs to find out if their suicides are the result of discrimination or mental health issues that have arisen because of their transition? Have they transitioned and then realised that just because they were born female but hated pink, boys and pleating hair didn't mean they were actually meant to be a man and instead were actually just women who didn't conform to gender stereotypes? But by that point it was too late? It also works the other way for people born Male and hating stereotypical "bloke stuff" so thinking they should be a woman.

I think it's an important thing to understand before blaming all trans suicides on discrimination.

Has anyone come up with a response to the shitty standard reply coming from the Greens? Even though I've seen it posted on MN, it's given me the rage now it has dropped into my inbox

One reply from Labour so far. Diplomatically worded, but a bit devoid of content. Sounds like she's trying to appease both sides.

Thank you for writing to me regarding the proposed amendment of the Gender Recognition Act. I am very grateful to you for getting in touch about this important matter which is most timely. As you will be aware we are expecting legislation from the Scottish Government, but it is still unclear exactly what the detail of their proposals will be despite the heated debate which has been ongoing for some considerable time.

I have noted the concerns you have expressed in your letter particularly relating to children and to safe spaces for women. I will closely scrutinise the legislation at every stage to ensure that it adequately guarantees the rights and protections of all once the Bill is published. I note in particular your concern about some of the questions posed in the consultation. As I understand it, the intention of this legislation is to provide greater protections and dignity to trans people, and it needs to be drafted in such a way which does not impact on the safety of women and indeed in a way that ensures the rights and interests of children are respected.

I hope that once we know the details of the proposals you will provide me with any thoughts or comments at that point.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further queries on this or any other matter.

I've not had any replies yet 😟

@GCFeminist

Has anyone come up with a response to the shitty standard reply coming from the Greens? Even though I've seen it posted on MN, it's given me the rage now it has dropped into my inbox

I'm wondering about a variation of the Staniland question - specifically if this means they think it's fine for my daughters to be forced to see penises in a changing room. I know they do think it's fine but I still want to make them say it. Also thinking about pushing the "bad men" using the loophole aspect/safeguarding. I'm so bloody angry

"On behalf of Gillian Mackay MSP, and the Scottish Green Party, I would like to wholeheartedly reiterate our support for the rights of trans people including that of self-identification. Trans rights and women’s rights are not in conflict, as all humans have the same human rights. The human rights of minority groups should not be open to debate and interpretation, they should be accepted."

Trans rights and women’s rights are not in conflict, as all humans have the same human rights.
How thick does that sound.
It's like saying - all humans have the same rights, so as an able bodied person I should get to use the accessible toilets, lifts and sit in the priority seats on public transport.
All humans have the same rights, so as a white person I should get to join my workplace support group for BAME people.

Aaargh that Gillian Mackay response - absolute wilful blindness!

Honestly, their response made me furious.

They've responded to explicit concerns about the safety of women and girls with "BUT TRANS RIGHTS". Not a single acknowledgment of, never mind response to, the concerns raised.

Also sent

I am raging about these responses from elected representatives.

I’ve only had the Tory response so far as posted above.

First response is from Conservatives Douglas Ross:

Thank you for your email in relation to the Gender Recognition Act.

A recent consultation on this legislation showed that four in ten organisations did not support the proposed reforms, which include reducing the time it takes for people to legally change their gender from two years to three months, and allowing people aged 16 and above to apply to change their gender.

These consultation responses confirm what we already knew – this is a sensitive topic and opinions are firmly split. We must protect women’s rights and take concerns that those rights are being eroded very seriously. For now, we await the details of this legislation and stand ready to scrutinise each aspect of it.

The Scottish Conservatives will not stand by and allow this SNP-Green Government to push this legislation through Parliament without all parties’ concerns receiving due consideration. There must be a full and informed debate on this issue and that this can only truly be done once we see what legislation is being brought forward.

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

Kind regards
Douglas

DOUGLAS ROSS MP MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Highlands and Islands Region