Asked to see MP about trans issues. What do I say to their aide?

[goodyzoe]

I've asked to see my local MP to talk about trans issues. I didn't give much detail.

An aide is calling me tomorrow. What do I say to them? Are they likely to try to put me off?

My MP is usually very good at responding to local issues. No idea where he stands personally on this, although his party (as all mainstream ones) officially drank the kool aid.

Can you link the overarching issue to anything local to you? Concern over refuges, women's services or initiatives in your local area and how he can assure you they will they remain safe and fit for purpose.

Great point, make it local. I'll have a think how.

Do you think the aide will want details and try to put me off, or are they just ringing to make an appointment?

You want to talk about women's rights, safeguarding of children, the equalities act and free speech and what your MP is doing to protect all of those.

My MP's aide was very nice and knew exactly where I was coming from!

Can you ask if they support the changes to the Equality Act that will remove peoples rights? They cant very well say yes...

You could also link to any areas that could affect your or your family eg a family member who needs personal care/support at home, young women active in sport.

I work for an MP.
It's possible they will want your concerns in writing so they can research an answer in advance. They will probably want to look up the party position, so will be trying to get from you as much detail as possible about your concern.

And yes- give specific examples of where self-id will threaten women. Lots of MPs his havent thought about it that much.

OK, here's what I've got on how self-ID will effect women's rights.

I've got two primary aged DC. My main concern on a personal level is how it might affect them.

That is a great list! I have written to my MP and am waiting for a response but may book an appointment as well. How long do you have? I would probably choose your top 5 or 6 from that list (mine would be nudity, sex-based statistics, sports, hospitals and personal care, along with employment protections for refusing to body search men, but you may have different ones). I would then follow up the meeting with a letter/email about the rest.

PS are all of those definitely true in the UK? A few (like eliminating the legal right of lesbians to congregate publicly) seem a bit odd to me.

PS are all of those definitely true in the UK? A few (like eliminating the legal right of lesbians to congregate publicly) seem a bit odd to me.

As a lesbian, I can tell you that, whatever the legal status, that has already completely gone. Most trans-identified males are heterosexual and, therefore, identify as lesbians and attend (and domninate) lesbian support groups, social groups, events etc. I think we are one of the groups (like women prisoners) who are very heavily already seeing (and suffering) the practical implications of men being able to self-identify as women.

Just realised how you were probably reading the above statement. Yes, lesbians still can (and will be able to) congregate publicly, it's just that 'lesbian' is now a term that includes a lot of men so actual female lesbians can't congregate without men (and also there is a lot of pressure to accept 'male lesbians' as sexual partners as not doing so is considered transphobic.)

I used to work for an MP.

Juat give an idea of what you want to say, the range of issues that constituents see thier MP for is so wide that they'll want to be prepared and have any policy documents handy.

They made an appointment - but not till half term.

They asked me to send some stuff for my MP to read ahead of time. So I'll compile some stuff.

I don't want to overwhelm him! But there's so much.

Reckon I'll include for starters:

• James Caspian campaign about Bath Spa uni withdrawing funding as they feared the trans backlash www.crowdjustice.com/case/uphold-freedom-of-speech-in-our-universities/

• something about the different people under the trans umbrella these days

• something about women's spaces and why it's important to protect them

• something on rapid onset FTM transition as this is a worry that my DD will have to navigate this

• something about women's sport

• something about Jennifer James's gofundme, the Labour secret squirrels and Lily Madigan

Is that too much? Have I missed anything?

OP, Try this;
Someone's just posted it on another thread and it's EXCELLENT.

fairplayforwomen.com/open-letter-radio-4s-world-one/#comments