Call to write to your MP before Commons debate

[GarlicSpartaterf]

On Thursday 1st December 2016, The House of Commons will debate a motion on Transgender Equality.

Maria Miller’s Committee has called for the removal of qualifying requirements for gender change, so that anyone could easily become legally a member of the opposite sex, without the need for any form of social or medical transition.

We’re asking anyone worried about the implications of this move to contact their MP.

"We" are Fair Play For Women. There's a lot more detail in the link.

[treaclesoda]

I've had a reply. I will post a copy, but I need to edit it because it mentions my full name and address in the body of the letter.

However, it has, of course, dismissed my concerns as nonsense. But worse than that, it completely sidesteps the issue of self identification and talks about gender reassignment treatment, and how stringent the procedures are to be approved for it.

[thenightsky]

I've had no response, but just an automated reply saying they've received it.

[2kids2dogsnosense]

Done - but my MP is very selfishly unwell and won't be there for the debate.

[2kids2dogsnosense]

He does calim to be fully in support of my concerns.

[2kids2dogsnosense]

*claim - what the heck is "calim"?

[Tissunnyupnorth]

Have sent email to our MP (Theresa Villiers).

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

That's a good idea Datun. Though given how long it took me anyway I think mine would never have got sent then

[Twogoats]

Who's the mp Treacle?

[treaclesoda]

The MP who sent the patronising response is Caroline Dinenage. My own MP didn't make any comments one way or another, just acted as go between.

But the more I think about the letter, the more mad it makes me because it just ignored the actual question I was asking.

[Datun]

treacle

My MP, Caroline Dinedage, Maria Miller. All women. Who clearly haven't done their homework. Just interested in the short term courting of public approval.

I have absolutely no faith.

[NatashaRomanov]

I didn't even get an automated response from my MP!

[MrsGWay]

I got an automated response to my email. I have had no reply on the content.
I have set Sky to record BBC Parliament to see the debate later.

[ghostlyghoulie]

In an article in today's Times Maria Miller says

"The number of hate crimes against trans people have trebled in the past 5 years; half of all young trans people have attempted suicide;"

Am I missing something? I can't see how the proposals being debated in parliament today address this. Surely if more people can self-identify as trans without medical intervention or a period of social transition surely hate crimes could actually increase as more people reach 'peak trans'.

[fieldofschemes]

Being debated now, for anyone who's about.

[fieldofschemes]

Thank goodness for Caroline Flint

[Lorelei76]

I have written to my MP. He normally acknowledges emails very quickly as we know each other a bit from local stuff.

no answer. Def not a good sign from him.

a pp mentions "courting public approval". it will be interesting to see how much coverage this debate gets as I still think a major issue is that the public are unaware of the possibility of self identification.

[Datun]

fieldofschemes

Trying to watch it now, but in fits and starts. Getting wound up to be honest. What did Caroline Flint say? I missed that bit.

[fieldofschemes]

Had to pop out at 13:30, so missed the end of the debate unfortunately.

Caroline Flint was the only mildly dissenting voice I heard. She suggested changing legislation could lead to some men taking advantage and could leave women vulnerable. This was airily dismissed by Maria Miller, who said that any incidents would be a criminal justice issue and that the rights of one group should not infringe upon the rights of another group. How she squares that last opinion with what she's proposing is beyond me.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Fuck

[fieldofschemes]

Apologies in advance for my half-arsed notes. A very, very rough outline of what I heard.

Intro by Maria Miller.

Caroline Flint: see above post.

Ben Howlett : 72 trans prisoners across 33 prisons. He thinks they should be housed in prisons that reflect their gender identity.

Special mention for Tara Hudson.

Ruth Cadbury: convert to the cause. Trans should be seen more on tv. There should me more teacher training re: trans issues. GPs are acting as 'gatekeepers'. Trans people being 'refused' timely treatment. Trans prisoners: see Ben Howlett.

Angela Crawley: well and truly drunk on kool aid. We (society) need to be swept along with these progressive moves. File under right-on.

Lyn Brown: focused on health. Half of young trans people and a third of adult trans people have attempted suicide. No reference for stats. (I actually agree with a lot of what she's saying. Better healthcare for any vulnerable group is a good thing and everyone should be treated with sensitivity).

Kirsten Oswald: wishy washy. Tolerance, diversity, equality...blah blah. Strong and unnecessary Scottish nationalist pride... Scotland leading the way blah blah. She's almost got it...'we're all people'....so near, yet so far.

Christopher Elmore: uh oh. I think us terfs would disgust him. Sigh. Stats bash. Discrimination in the workplace and education system. Mermaids stats....ahhh, did wonder. More suicide and mental health stats. Substance abuse. (Again, I agree that trans people need more mental health support and support in regards to education and work).

Stephen Doughty: trans women greater risk of hiv. (Again, this reflects a need for better support and healthcare for trans people).

That's all I caught. Apologies again for the flippant tone. I have great sympathy for trans people but not so much for the extreme TAs who I think have done a good job of shutting down any and every opportunity for reasoned debate.

[Lorelei76]

Field, thank you for that, useful to know - can't get to a TV.

so they aren't even talking about the actual point of self identification, or the "need" for it or anything? So weird.

[IndominusRex]

I'd like to propose the following to the Women & Equalities Committee:

1. Introduce 'gender identity' as an additional protected characteristic for employment rights.
   
2. Retain sex as the protected characteristic used to define access to refuges, single sex hospital wards, prisons, toilets (but add additional unisex facility), sports, and for monitoring things in which womens ability to get pregnant is a key factor like pay gaps/top level representation.
   
3. Make misogyny a hate crime.
   
4. Ensure appropriate mental health care is given to all trans people, and ensure this is holistically managed alongside any other MH issues.
   
5. Work harder to break gender stereotypes, stop the pink/blue brain bias that has been created by marketers, and stop putting children in boxes of what they can or can't achieve as a result of their sex.
   

These measures would at least demonstrate a willingness to consider women as humans of equal value to trans. Seeing as it's, you know, Women & Equalities, and that. Also why is that even a thing. Ggggrrrrrrrrrr

[MrsGWay]

I gave up with watching it as I found the way the MPs talk infuriating. Mostly waffle and no real points being addressed.

My overall take was that they are desperate to be pioneers in trans rights. They will achieve this global recognition at all costs. Unfortunately it will be women who have to pay those costs not the MPs.

[Thelilywhite]

Thanks field At work so couldnt tune in. Its not looking good is it? Am wondering what the next step is for us Sparticus's..

[Lorelei76]

I see from Twitter there were only about 20 people there

does anyone know what the next step is in Parliament? Maybe whatever the next step is will mean more analysis of self defining?