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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Reply from female Tory MP re self id

54 replies

MsMcWoodle · 06/04/2018 11:36

Opinions?

"Many thanks for your email. I am sorry for the delay in replying but it can take up to three weeks to reply to emails as we receive hundreds each day and have to deal with the most urgent first.

In relating to self identification, there are no firm plans yet to move towards this policy. Amber Rudd, who is the minister responsible is consulting on all options as she is aware this is a very sensitive area.

I sat on the select committee when this was discussed and we heard evidence surrounding the issues that the trans community face but we also heard from women who are concerned that a move to self identification could put women in a very vulnerable position.

This is why the Home Secretary is looking at the evidence in detail before any decisions are made. Your experience is very helpful in highlighting that this debate needs to be heard from all sides.

With all good wishes"

OP posts:
Pratchet · 07/04/2018 21:41

What I would specifically take from the letter is 'your response is very helpful' because if an MP is GC then it helps to argue their case if they say they've been contacted by lots of constituents. I hope other people are encouraged to write. I'm doing the Amber Rudd thing (thank you Lost for that advice) as well. We should be writing to MPs and councillors all the time. I've only just realised.

Pratchet · 07/04/2018 21:43

Long, not Lost. Rereading the OP, I believe your MP is GC and is sending out a secret handshake signal to get other women to also write to their MPs.

MistressDeeCee · 07/04/2018 21:49

They heard "evidence" from the Trans community and they "heard from women who are concerned"

IWhat evidence?

& why were womens' concerns not "evidence"?

That reply is meaningless

SirVixofVixHall · 07/04/2018 21:57

I have a Tory MP who I went to see at a surgery. Response was pretty good really. He didn’t express any personal view but listened politely to my concerns, and sent a follow up letter. Much , much better than the canvassing Labour candidate who just got annoyed and spoke to me as if I was a card-carrying homophobe. She was really patronising, and rather stupid.

MargeH · 08/04/2018 10:26

They heard "evidence" from the Trans community and they "heard from women who are concerned" What evidence? & why were womens' concerns not "evidence"?

Maybe it's simply that the person who drafted the response didn't want to use the word 'evidence' twice in the same sentence? I thought it was a positive response.

Hoppinggreen · 08/04/2018 10:33

My female Labour MP replied to my query that she supported self ID and that in order to protect vulnerable women the best way was to make sure that everyone working in a women’s refuge had a DBS check.
So basically as long as you pass a DBS check having a penis shouldn’t prevent you working with vulnerable women.
She also told me that I couldn’t quote her on that.
Thank fuck I didn’t vote for her, not that it made any difference

IrenetheQuaint · 08/04/2018 10:38

Politicians' replies are carefully drafted not to give anything away that isn't the party line. It looks from this response as if the Conservative party line has shifted from 'self ID is a good thing and we're going to legislate for it' to 'hmm, we haven't made up our minds yet on this as it turns out to be quite complex'.

So yes - keep writing to your MPs if you have concerns, however bland their responses are.

LangCleg · 08/04/2018 10:50

They heard "evidence" from the Trans community and they "heard from women who are concerned" What evidence? & why were womens' concerns not "evidence"?

I think that was careful parsing on the MP's part because any constituent writing in informed detail to them on this issue would likely know how disastrously partisan the Miller report was.

Feminists and other gender critical groups were invited to send written submissions along with pro-trans lobby orgs. But only trans lobbyists were invited to give evidence in person to the committee, and all feminist written submissions were ignored in the final report, along with evidence sounding the alarm from health professional organisations (those working with prisoners, for example).

Like I say, I think the Tories know they dropped a whopping great clanger and are now actually looking properly at the issue. Unlike Labour, which has stuck its fingers in its ears and is still busy shouting la la la. Labour is behind the curve on this one and will come to regret it, I really am beginning to hope.

AngryAttackKittens · 08/04/2018 10:54

At least the Tories are reconsidering and acknowledging that in theory maybe women's concerns might be worth listening to, which is more than can be said for Labour or the LibDems.

MargeH · 08/04/2018 10:55

LangCleg

Thank you for explaining that.

MistressDeeCee · 08/04/2018 13:16

Thanks LangCleg . I think Labour will (rightly) come to regret their stance

loveyouradvice · 08/04/2018 13:22

I see this as very encouraging .... far more considered and positive than any I have seen, bar those few MPs who are bold enough to hold their own opinions

loveyouradvice · 08/04/2018 13:25

MistressDee Couldn't agree more... I am sure they will and just hope it is BEFORE it is too late....

Elendon · 08/04/2018 13:33

Amber Rudd is the home secretary. The equality minister is this person

ttps://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-for-equality

Baroness Williams of Trafford - it's always a woman. Because men have no idea about equality. Obviously.

Elendon · 08/04/2018 13:41

Amber Rudd is the home secretary unless the Independent has it all wrong.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/police-cuts-amber-rudd-rising-crime-stabbings-shootings-london-police-officers-a8294506.html

Springtrolls · 08/04/2018 13:55

Amber is also the minister for woman and equalities
www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-for-women-and-equalities--3

I still haven’t had a reply. Local elections coming up. Have a number of questions and literature pinned near my door for if anyone comes knocking.

Elendon · 08/04/2018 14:26

So Rudd is also the minister for women and equalities?

When did a male home secretary get this added role as well?

IrenetheQuaint · 08/04/2018 14:44

The women and equalities minister is always a woman (so far anyway). It was previously Justine Greening; when she got booted out of Education and replaced by a man the women and equalities brief moved to Amber Rudd.

whoputthecatout · 08/04/2018 17:34

I have exchanged 4 letters (with 2 ministerial replies) with my Tory MP, who while not exactly hopping off the fence himself yet, said that he had received a number of complaints/inquiries etc. form constituents concerned about alterations to the GRA.

Both ministerial replies to date have been the usual waffle, maintaining that sex would be protected under any changes. That prompted me to write with further specific questions.

He has now written to me saying he has put my questions to Amber Rudd with a request that she actually answer them.

T'will be interesting to see what sort of waffle response that produces.

Fair play to him. He must be fed up with me but he keeps trying....

BlytheByName · 08/04/2018 17:42

At least you GOT a reply. Dawn Butler who is the Equalities Shadow Minister didn't deign to reply to me.

Winewinewinegin · 08/04/2018 17:44

How long ago did you write Blythe

Springtrolls · 08/04/2018 18:11

So if sex is going to protected under any changes, then what’s the point of changing the act?
If that’s the case really hasn’t been properly thought through.

Pratchet · 08/04/2018 18:28

Transactivists are also seeking the end of sex based exemptions.

Winewinewinegin · 08/04/2018 18:38

So if sex is going to protected under any changes, then what’s the point of changing the act?

This is such an excellent question.