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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

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Original poster

Received a reply from my MP

22 replies

KnitFastDieWarm · 09/03/2018 16:31

It was prompt, I’ll give him that!
Looks like I’ll have to spoil my ballot...

Dear Knit,
The UK is a world leader for transgender rights, and I welcome the progress that has already been made in this area. I know that guidance has been provided to employers and service providers to ensure that transphobic bullying is tackled head on. I am also encouraged that gender dysphoria is no longer considered a mental illness and gender identity services will be improved through new training of NHS staff.

Proposals to streamline and de-medicalise the process for changing gender will be part of a broad consultation of the legal system that underpins gender transition, the Gender Recognition Act. The consultation, to be published in due course, will aim to relieve the bureaucratic and medical burdens for those who want to change their gender. It will seek to improve the recognition process and reduce the stigma faced by the trans community. The proposals include removing the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria before being able to apply for gender recognition, and options for reducing the length and intrusiveness of the gender recognition system.

With all best wishes,
Tory MP

OP posts:

Original poster

KnitFastDieWarm · 09/03/2018 16:32

I love that he’s taken the time to mansplain the gender recognition act to me but not addressed my actual concern, which was how vulnerable women in refuges etc will be dealt with.

OP posts:

SecondRow · 09/03/2018 16:35

I'm going to assume that that in no way answers the question you originally asked! No mention of women’s rights... and also no explanation why the much alluded-to consultation was delayed. Hmm.

Original poster

KnitFastDieWarm · 09/03/2018 16:36

I replayed with this:

Dear Tory MP,

Thanks so much for your prompt response. I wonder if you could clarify your position on the specific issue I asked about:

‘I am concerned that this change to allow 'self-identifying' transwomen (as in, anyone who says they are a woman, regardless of whether they have had gender reassignment surgery) access to these spaces, undermines the protection that sex-segregation offers these women.’

How do you propose these specific safeguarding issues are dealt with? As someone who volunteers with abused women I am concerned about their safety and dignity, as I’m sure you can appreciate. I would be interested to hear your specific response to this one issue.

Thanks,
Knit

OP posts:

DeleteOrDecay · 09/03/2018 16:47

I don't understand why it is 'encouraging' that gender dysphoria is no longer considered to be a mental illness. It clearly is and that's not a bad thing.

Nickynackynoodle · 09/03/2018 16:52

I got very very similar from my Tory MP.

I asked to see him, as I walked into the offices I heard him giving someone a hard time down the phone.

Essentially his staffer had given the “party line” and not asked him his opinion. He agreed with everything I said and even preempted some of my questions. (Which took the wind out of my sails!!)

Pursue. Go and see. Ask questions. Plant the seed of doubt.

Original poster

KnitFastDieWarm · 09/03/2018 16:54

Ooh @Nickynackynoodle that’s very interesting, I will see what he says to my second email and go from there. It does read as a bit of a formulaic response so that given me a bit of hope.

OP posts:

Patodp · 09/03/2018 17:00

It looks a bit copy-and-pasted.
Could even have been sent out by an assistant and not him! It's not unknown for ppl to visit an MP with a reply they have not written....

Nickynackynoodle · 09/03/2018 17:14

He explained the process to me ref the “endorses central office response” they clearly get loads of letters in hundreds of subjects so I totally get the idea that they can’t be informed enough on all of them etc etc.

Nevertheless, she persisted...

IndominusRex · 09/03/2018 17:26

I got a similar response from mine. I very much doubt he even knew about it.

Gacapa · 09/03/2018 17:26

I'd give it another go. As others have said, he might not have even seen your original query.

Would you feel comfortable going to see him at his surgery?

TimbuktuTimbuktu · 09/03/2018 17:31

I've read this response before pretty much word for word. It's the standard c&p job.

Mumsnut · 09/03/2018 17:38

V reminiscent of my reply from Dominic Raab.

Masterhasgivendobbyasock · 09/03/2018 17:44

Can confirm this is word for word the standard party line text....

Original poster

KnitFastDieWarm · 09/03/2018 17:55

Right I’ll see what he says to my follow up and if that fails I’ll head in to discuss in person.

OP posts:

YesItsADebate · 09/03/2018 17:56

Definitely go and see him. In my admittedly short time as a self-ID man I have not met a single person who believes I am one.

rememberthetime · 09/03/2018 18:00

Unfortunately my (tory) MP is the very woman who started all this in the first place... I know what she thinks of it.

Genevieva · 09/03/2018 18:28

Dear MP,

Your standardised reply to my letter does not answer the questions I raised. It reinforces my concern that the government is rushing headlong into making sweeping legislative changes on a complex issue without due care. The move away from a medical diagnostic process towards self-certification will inevitably allow criminals to take advantage of legislation intended to support the transgender community. I would be grateful if you could allay my concerns by telling me what steps will be taken to ensure that vulnerable women will not be put at risk as a result of the proposed changes to the law.

thebewilderness · 09/03/2018 20:40

Given that transgender advocates claim that every transgender they have ever met is mentally ill I respectfully suggest that being "encouraged that gender dysphoria is no longer considered a mental illness " is a huge mistake.
The result will be to deny mentally ill people the treatment they so desperately need and instead treat their symptoms with drugs and surgery. It will ave money though so I suppose that is encouraging to those with no human decency.

SweetheartNeckline · 09/03/2018 21:04

My Labour MP patronisingly told me that "transwomen are not simply "men" who become "women" but people who deserve our support and understanding." (Stress and quotation marks his)

All animals people are equal but some are more equal than others.

mummybear701 · 09/03/2018 21:13

A cursory Google shows this almost word for word elsewhere

www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/07/23/review-of-gender-recognition-laws-announced-after-calls-from-jeremy-corbyn/ for just one.

But there have been more personalised replies posted as well so its hit and miss depending on your MP. Mine is an SNP, the most cattle herded party of all.

GoSuckAFart · 09/03/2018 21:18

how exactly is gender dysphoria not a mental health condition/illness yet requires medical intervention and therapy?

Triliteration · 09/03/2018 21:30

The result will be to deny mentally ill people the treatment they so desperately need and instead treat their symptoms with drugs and surgery. It will ave money though so I suppose that is encouraging to those with no human decency.

If it’s not a mental illness, will there be any treatment at all? They’re just sane people who want plastic surgery.

But we can change the law for them. After all, if all they have to do is fill in a form, that’ll be nice and cheap.

Good that the tories (that tried to autocorrect to goriest!) are so happy. At least we’re leading the world on something!

sarcasm alert

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