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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Spreadsheet of local authorities that record sex not gender - let's complete it together!

130 replies

DJLippy · 08/06/2018 21:17

Started this in response to this thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3271841-does-your-local-authority-equality-policy-exclude-sex-as-a-protected-characteristic

We need to contact all local authorities and make sure that they record sex as a protected characteristic and not gender

Someone on Twitter (NorthernJugni) has set up an editable spreadsheet that anyone can add to. She’s added all of the local authorities Grin

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hxZ6n4ovGRtGD2Q85NIrRnpGmMbdgc3XDsezQojxLXg/htmlview

It would be really useful if somebody could help those without much experience in contacting the local council by proving a basic message that they could copy and paste. It would save time and make us sound professional. Anybody feel confident with this?

OP posts:
Knicknackpaddyflak · 09/06/2018 12:04

Northamptonshire it's an N.

They mention the sex discrimination act, but gender is front and centre while sex is missing from the list of characteristics the policy names as supporting.

iamawoman · 09/06/2018 14:57

Its shocking how many councils are either omitting sex or putting it alongside gender as though it means the same on a legal context when they know full well it doesnt

NorthernJugni · 09/06/2018 17:10

Hi NaturalBornWoman, what is your LA?

NorthernJugni · 09/06/2018 17:11

Hi everyone, I'm the person doing the spreadsheet. Sorry the Google Docs access hasnt been working, I'm not sure why as I made it public access but my GD knowledge is limited when it doesnt work. If you list your LA and the outcome on here I will add it to the sheet.

NorthernJugni · 09/06/2018 17:16

Hi Knickknackpaddyflak, where were you looking for Northamptonshire? I found a doc which listed sex. It's from 2012, did you find something more recent? www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/council-and-democracy/equalities/Documents/EqualityDutyInformationReport2012.pdf

abitofanangrybird · 09/06/2018 17:22

Essex County Council states Gender but excludes Sex.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (unitary authority) lists Sex.

TransplantsArePlants · 09/06/2018 17:32

My London council records sex and gender reassignment as protected characteristics

Though elsewhere in its Equality and Cohesion Policy document , it refers to its Staff Code of Conduct and says "Staff are expected to promote equality by never discriminating against any person and by treating members of the public, colleagues and elected Members with respect regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability or political affiliation"

hungryhippie · 09/06/2018 17:34

I cant edit the document but Wyre borough council doesnt mention gender whatsoever on any of their equality and diversity documents. Sex is mentioned instead.

exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2018 17:38

Worcestershire CC is Sex Smile
Wyre Forest DC is Sex Smile
Wychavon DC is Gender Sad

YouStacey · 09/06/2018 17:40

Interesting - the right wing LA for which I work does include sex as a PC, but not the left wing LA where I live. The guide to trans issues published by my employer though is shocking, Philip Bunce would fit in very well there Shock

NorthernJugni · 09/06/2018 20:19

Hmm they don't make it easy. Perhaps it would be best to email all of them just in case cos it seems inconsistent

NorthernJugni · 09/06/2018 20:20

Great keep em coming folks!

NorthernJugni · 10/06/2018 00:06

This is what I've sent to LAs if anyone wanted wording:

Good Morning

I am writing to express concern that 'sex' has been replaced by 'gender' on your list of protected characteristics. It would appear that either you are conflating sex and gender as the same thing, or that you do not think that biological sex is a cause for discrimination, which it is.

Gender refers to external social markers such as how one acts, looks, dresses, presents. It is a source of discrimination and it is good for it to be protected.

However, sex should be protected as a distinct characteristic. Sex is your biology, your body, your genitals, your hormones. If Sex is not protected then women's reproductive rights are not protected, nor is discrimination against women for pregnancy, or for being physically weaker etc.

Sex and gender are not the same. A person can have female sex biology and present as male gender, and have male sex biology and present as female. It is incredibly important for female equality to retain sex as protected.

Please reconsider this and reinstate sex as a separate protected characteristic, in order to comply with the Equality Act 2010 which retains sex as a category in order to protect females.

AgentProvocateur · 10/06/2018 00:51

Is that just the English local
Authorities?

NorthernJugni · 10/06/2018 01:13

Yep I havent done the others yet

LizzieSiddal · 10/06/2018 08:29

We still have Sex in Hampshire.

There’s also chapter on Gender reassignment.

Sorry, I can’t edit the spreadsheet on my phone.

placemats · 10/06/2018 14:17

This is Cheshire West and Chester:

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/policies-and-performance/equality-and-diversity/policies-schemes-and-reports/policies-schemes-and-reports.aspx

No mention of sex or segregated women's services such as maternity, however it's a bit of a jumble so it might be there somewhere. This is the direct link.

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/policies-and-performance/equality-and-diversity/equality-and-diversity.aspx

This is Cheshire East

moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/documents/s53481/Equality%20and%20Diversity%20Strategy%20-%20appendix.pdf

Which is better explained.

placemats · 10/06/2018 14:19

Meant to add that Cheshire East uses the word Sex. Notably the T is left off on the LGB movement. Gender Reassignment gets its very own category.

TransplantsArePlants · 10/06/2018 18:02

Lizzie

For some reason the phrase 'We still have Sex in Hampshire' made me think of a Joanna Trollope novel Grin

TransplantsArePlants · 10/06/2018 18:03

Thanks Northern

Elletorro · 11/06/2018 10:47

Also if you are in a union ask for representation and assistance. Involve your union reps at grassroots and the Woman’s officer also. Unions need to support their female members. They will remember Allen v GMB and Stefan Cross

Theinconstantgardener · 11/06/2018 11:20

NorthernJugni
Thanks for the wording. My scottish LA is listing sex(gender) so i will write to them.

sprouts2018 · 11/06/2018 11:29

My council says Gender. I've emailed them and got this reply

Hi Sprouts,Looking at some of the forms we use it appears that sex has been replaced by gender, regards, council

I'm not sure how to respond.

IAmDavidLewis · 11/06/2018 11:33

Basingstoke & Deane have replied to my email and said that they’ve corrected “sex (gender)” to “sex”. I confirmed it a few minutes ago.