Writing to my MP

[Stilettosandan0venglove]

I want to write to my MP about the Self ID / TRA shitstorm, but I'm not sure where to start, or what questions and points to include.

MP in question is a non-Corbyn-ite Labour man (at least I assume he is a man...) so I am tempted to ask about JC's definition of 'woman', and the various TIMs involved in Labour. But I'm not a party member - is that inappropriate? I've never contacted my MP before, not really sure what note to strike.

Also, and perhaps mainly, I want to draw his attention to the coming Self ID disaster. But there is so much to say, and so much to be SO FUCKING ANGRY about... How do I keep it brief and sound reasonable? I don't know his position on any of this stuff already.

Has anyone written to their MP and would care to share the kind of things you wrote?

I'm sure they're were some ideas and templates on here not long ago. Is it possible took have some key things like that, gender 101, Scotland consultation and communicating with your MP pinned at the top of feminist chat?

Are you a Labour voter, even if not a Labour member? If so, you might start with saying how worried you are about how much this issue is damaging the Labour Party's electability, #labourlosingwomen, and so on, before getting into the details. It might get his attention!

If not a Labour voter, then jump straight in. This is a good place for straightforward advice on what to write: fairplayforwomen.com/womans-place-uk/

There are a couple of previous threads that might be useful:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3083137-Contact-your-MP-about-the-Gender-Recongnition-Act

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3110505-Contact-your-MP-re-GRA

I'd also recommend trying to actually speak to or meet with your MP. From what I've seen on here, it seems that Labour MPs have been told not to discuss this with constituents and have been given a stock letter to send in response to emails / letters. If you actually speak to them, they are less able to duck out of engaging with your questions. There was someone on here who went to see their MP after the MP sent her a dismissive letter, and he actually apologised and said that the letter didn't represent his views at all.

That wasn't me, but I did meet with my (vaguely centrist) Labour MP, and it went very well. I too would always recommend writing, but INCLUDING a request for a face to face meeting at one of their surgeries.

Thanks all, those links are really useful. I hadn't thought of trying to see my MP in person, it's a great idea but oh god the thought scares me! I have done quite a lot of reading since my recent peak, and I'm confident in my views... but I have a bad case of baby brain and don't have too many adult conversations at the moment, so I worry I'd fuck it up. Will think on though and see if I can muster courage.

I'm going to see my Labour MP soon. He's been very non committal by email and as I've pestered him has now refused to discuss unless I come to see him.

I'm not sure how it will go but tbh I don't really care. I'll put my point across, give him some reading and leave.

This is the letter I sent to my MP
Dear man.
Last month Jeremy Corbyn confirmed to Andrew Marr that a man declaring himself to be a women, was a women, and was welcome on All Women Shortlists for labour party candidates. He is saying this without any legal basis for doing this - women is a protected characteristic under equality law.
The proposed changes to the 2004 Gender Recognition Act will enshrine this in law, a man will be able to self declare himself a women and thereby he is one.
Before voting for you at the next election I would like to know where you stand on this proposed change to the law.
The Government Equalities Office has committed to consult on changes to the existing Gender Recognition Act. The current process requires that you are over 18; have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria (defined by the NHS as a condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because they believe there to be a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity); that you’ve lived in your acquired gender for at least 2 years and that you intend to live in your acquired gender for the rest of your life. You must also have an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and copies of any official documents that show your birth name has changed to your current name; proof you’ve lived in your acquired gender for the required time (2 years for standard route, 6 years for alternative route); any medical reports and proof you’re living in your acquired gender (passport, driving licence, payslips or benefit documents, utility bills or other documents of
an official nature)
The proposed change to the law would simplify the process to gain a GRC with the likely introduction
of a simple statement of intent as in Ireland.
Transgender people should have the same rights as anyone else to be free from discrimination, to
access the services that they need and to be treated with dignity and respect. However, moving to aprocess of self-declaration risks unintended consequences for the safety and wellbeing of women
and girls. If the government were to go ahead with the proposed simplification of the gender recognition process, and move towards a self-declaration system, it would mean that violent male
offenders could demand access to women only spaces and services such as refuges, sexual violence centres/services and prisons simply by claiming to identify as a woman, whether or not this was the
case. There is already evidence that this is happening in the prison service in the UK.
There is evidence from both the UK and internationally of people who were born male entering women only spaces dressed as women and going on to assault women. Whether or not these offenders are transgender is irrelevant since the recommendations in the report would facilitate this type of offending by making access to women only spaces dependent on an individual’s declaration
that they identify as a woman with no need for any process of social or medical transition.
Trans people have the right to access the services that they need and there are real concerns about the safety of transwomen, in particular if they are housed in the mainstream prison population in
line with their biological sex. However, the Committee’s recommendations in these areas are not the
best way to address these issues and threaten the safety and wellbeing of women and girls.
Women have five demands on this:

1. Respectful and evidence based discussion about the impact of the proposed changes to the

Gender Recognition Act to be allowed to take place and for women’s voices to be heard;

1. The principle of women only spaces to be upheld – and where necessary extended.
2. A review of how the exemptions in the Equality Act which allow for single sex services or

requirements that only a woman can apply for a job (such as in a domestic violence refuge) are being applied in practice;

1. Government to consult with women’s organisations on how self-declaration would impact on

women only services and spaces;

1. Government to consult on how self-declaration will impact upon data gathering – such as crime,

employment, pay, and health statistics - and monitoring of sex-based discrimination such as the gender pay gap. This has not happened. Already organisations are being told they must permit men and boys into women’s and girls changing rooms if they want be there and any women or girls that object must be “educated”. Please take a look at the guidance issued by Swim England. If I am forced to agree to male bodied people in the women’s changing rooms as advocated here by Swim England I will have to stop swimming . I believe this completely contradicts their children’s Safeguarding rules. www.swimming.org/swimengland/guide-engaging-trans-people-swimming/ Labour are acting ahead of the law without any party agreement, a teenage boy has been elected as woman’s officer and women are being expelled from the party for objecting. We are being silence by a Men’s Rights Activist group. Labour will lose support from women on this, and they already are. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards