And it would be good if the rule against using 'trans identified male / female' was removed.
The special rules say:
Can I use the expression ‘TIM’ (trans-identified male) in conversation with one another, as long as we don’t use it in conversation with someone who is themselves transgender?
We're likely to delete this term however it's used. 'Trans-identified' seems pretty goady – people generally don't identify as trans, but as the opposite sex. As someone said on this thread, one person can't really tell another how they identify, even if they disagree with the logic.
‘TIM’ also focuses heavily on natal sex. We don’t wish to prevent anyone from asserting as part of their gender critical position that transwomen are born male, and as ever, there is room for mods to exercise their individual judgment. But we think trans people will feel unwelcome if users habitually use a collective term which defines them by an aspect of their identity that they have explicitly rejected, so we’ll usually delete collective terms for trans people which centre on natal sex.
I don't think this is consistent with today's ruling, especially as women are only realistically left with variations of 'trans woman' / 'trans man' to use instead. Personally I've gone for 'tw' / 'tm' - but it still feels like compelled speech every time.
people generally don't identify as trans, but as the opposite sex
This has never seemed accurate to me. Many people have all sorts of gender identities that are neither 'man' nor 'woman'.
We don't have a permitted term for [the group of male people who have a gender identity that is other than 'man']. This is especially pertinent because the trans individuals referred to in Maya's case were Gregor Murray and Phillip / Pippa Bunce, neither of whom identifies as the opposite sex.
I have no interest in telling anyone else how they identify. I just don't believe in gender identity.
I don't want to have to tie myself in knots, tread on eggshells or expend effort on finding out exactly which of a myriad gender identities someone is adopting today (BBC once said there were over 100) simply in order to use the correct compelled terms to refer to them.
Of course we focus heavily on sex. That's the only reason we're discussing this in the first place. I respect people's right to believe in gender identity, it's just not relevant or interesting to me. If a male person is demanding access to a female only space I don't care if he identifies as a woman or as non-binary or gender fluid or whatever else. I just care that he is male.
There has been a lot of discussion about why Maya's case was a matter of 'belief' when it's just obvious material fact that there are two sexes and you can't actually change sex. One very important factor in Maya's argument that qualifies it as a belief is this:
Sex is important
Sex matters. It's absolutely shocking that Maya had to go to court to establish this when sex is already a protected characteristic in the EA and some of our oldest anti-discrimination laws (possibly the oldest?) are based on sex.
But that's where we are and the courts have decided today that a belief that sex is important is protected in law. This particular part of the special rules is especially at odds with today's ruling because it says that sex is not important and should be subordinated to other people's gender identity beliefs.
I'm happy not to use TIM because it sounds like a man's name and I can understand that could be upsetting. Like Maya I have no wish to be impolite for the sake of it. I suggest 'male with a trans identity' (MTI) as an alternative.