Ultimate betrayal by the WEP

[Procrastinator1]

Dr Stock has just tweeted this text of a motion to be put to the party conference in September

d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/womensequality/pages/5826/attachments/original/1532600430/Fnl_Gender_recognition_act_motion_final.pdf?1532600430

Obviously the motion hasn't been passed yet.

Motion text: 1 The Women’s Equality Party recognises the damage done by socially constructed gender 2 stereotypes and supports changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004. The Women’s Equality 3 Party supports changes to the current process by which transgender people are able to receive 4 legal recognition of their changed gender.

5 The Women’s Equality Party supports a process of legal recognition of changed gender which does 6 not require medical reports nor two years’ worth of documentation but a process of self- 7 determination of gender. The Women’s Equality Party supports legal recognition of non-binary 8 people.

9 The Women’s Equality Party calls on the Governments and administrations of the UK to make the 10 following changes to the current process as they revise the Gender Recognition Act 2004:

11 ● Change to the requirement to submit two supporting medical reports, one of a diagnosis of 12 gender dysphoria and one detailing treatment received. Change to the requirement to submit 13 documentation to prove the person has lived as their acquired gender for two years. Instead 14 require a self-determination process to change gender and to obtain a Gender Recognition 15 Certificate and new birth certificate. 16 ● Remove the requirement of spousal consent to obtain legal recognition of changed gender for 17 married people. 18 ● Allow people to change their gender to a third gender option as well as to male and female.

Motion rationale:

19 The Women’s Equality Party should clarify its position as changes to the Gender Recognition Act 20 (GRA) 2004 are being considered by the Governments and administrations of the UK. This change 21 would add depth to the already stated Women’s Equality Party position of supporting the right of an

My friend recently cancelled her subscription after Pride when she saw all those banners of Sandi Toksvig's face being carried by WEP.

Sandi Toksvig is happy to joke on TV about lesbians not being into penis. Yet I haven't heard / seen her saying anything to stand up for lesbians being female homosexuals. If she'd actually made a statement backing Julia Long & the others for their Pride protest I think that would have gone a long way. But either it's not politically expedient or she simply doesn't care.

Sandi Toksvig is happy to joke on TV about lesbians not being into penis. Yet I haven't heard / seen her saying anything to stand up for lesbians being female homosexuals. If she'd actually made a statement backing Julia Long & the others for their Pride protest I think that would have gone a long way. But either it's not politically expedient or she simply doesn't care

This. The silence speaks volumes. It would have been really nice if WEP had been the first org to break ranks and say "actually Transwomen are not women, and we are concerned about the push to replace the protected characteristic of sex with gender".

twitter.com/helensaxby11/status/1025286778025136128?s=21

This thread from Helen Saxby makes scary reading, particularly in the context of Stonewall's DV report and the woman in Canada bring forced to share a room with a male-bodied person

Twitter thread which has been referred to previously, with Sophie Walker's comments:

twitter.com/Indy_Leya/status/1024703148236132353

The two barristers named advise the government.

ragged.media/2016/11/organizing-trans-equality/
November 18. 2016

article by SHANE BOOTHBY
Shane is the UK Editor of Ragged Media.

"Organizing for Trans Equality
The Trans Equality Legal Initiative links lawyers and activists in the fight against discrimination and inequality experienced by the trans community in the UK and abroad.

This week sees the launch and first annual conference of the Trans Equality Legal Initiative (TELI). The event, taking place in London, draws together human rights lawyers, trans third sector organizations, campaigners, journalists and academics for a day of discussion and knowledge sharing on key areas of the trans legal and activist landscape in the UK and more broadly.

Topics to be explored by panels both inside and outside the legal profession include health, justice, strategic litigation & impact of exclusionary provision, education and international protection... (continues)

"TELI’s founders themselves span a number of spheres, bringing wide experience:

Jess Bradley is the Director of Action for Trans Health, the UK’s largest campaign for democratic trans healthcare.

Michelle Brewer is a Barrister at Garden Court Chambers and advises members of the community on areas such as access to health, inclusion in education and challenging discriminatory practice.

Allan Briddock is a Consultant Barrister at Blake Morgan LLP and specializes in immigration and asylum with a particular interest in LGBTI issues.

David Bufton is an Associate at Linklaters LLP whose pro bono work for the firm sees him represent LGBTI asylum seekers to assist with their applications for asylum and provide legal counsel for Pride in London.

Tara Hewitt is a NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at the University Hospital of South Manchester and also works as a Diversity Consultant, supporting organizations across the UK.

Kate Hutchinson is Director of Training at Wipe Out Transphobia, where she provides training and support for a number of organizations including Barnardo’s, Welsh Women’s Aid and the NHS.

Cathy Jaquiss is a Pupil Barrister at 10KBW and intends to specialize in public law, drawing on human rights work in Togo, West Africa and experience of immigration law in the UK."

from thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3325623-Jess-Bradley-a-government-advisor-on-womens-rights-suspended-by-NUS-over-indecent-blog-Part-iii

I don't see the point of the WEP if it isn't about females being equal to males and fighting for female voices in things like the Equality reviews. I'm not a big single issue political party fan anyway but would support them in the current climate if from the start they had just been a women's party, not a feminine people party. Once they started parroting the TWAW line they became another mixed sex left wing social justice party like the Greens. There already is a Green party (well several in different bits of the UK), we don't need another.

See TELI Co-founder Tara Hewitt's report for UHSM which records data on 'gender' and 'trans' as 'protected characteristics':

"As part of monitoring access to services and to meet our statutory reporting duty under the Equality Act 2010, the Trust produces reports breaking down patients who have accessed our services by age, ethnicity, gender and religion/belief. We recognise the need to extend this reporting to cover more of the protected characteristics included in the Equality Act and have actions in place to move towards this goal"

p5-7

www.uhsm.nhs.uk/content/uploads/2015/12/Annual-Equality-Diversity-Inclusion-Report-2017-Publish-Version.pdf

This is an extract from a statement from the Women's Equality Party, in response to the Heather Brunskell Evans business.

www.womensequality.org.uk/nov_17_statement

"WE recognise that the binary words “woman” and “man” do not reflect the gender experience of everyone in our country and support the right of all to define their sex or gender or to reject gendered divisions as they choose.

Women, as a class, are discriminated against and oppressed. There is a shared experience as a class but that discrimination and oppression will often express itself differently for cis women and trans women, just as other factors such as age, ethnicity, economic background and disability are likely to have an impact.

WE are committed to addressing the very real oppression of trans people as well as the social structures that oppress and sometimes erase cis women and damage all genders. Cis inclusivity must never mean trans exclusivity, nor vice versa. There are huge and serious issues to address and it is vital that we find ways to discuss our experiences in an environment of mutual respect and tolerance if we are to progress to equality for all."

This is a done deal.

If the above is not official WEP policy, then why did they make that statement which makes it pretty clear that they think anyone can define their own sex and the WEP is fine with that?

Yes. That's pretty much what Sophie was saying back in the days of Tara Hudson (and that thread was 2015 not 2014 sorry).

There wasn't anything then about inviting us to help shape policy. There was just disapproval that we didn't think transwomen were women.

there is surely a question to ask of lawyers involved with TELI why the Equalities Act 2010 has come to be misquoted / misapplied by statuatory organisations

Tara Hewitt has a number of key roles/ influence within the charity and health sectors. remote.com/tarahewitt

2016 Article: 'What it's like to be Transgender and Catholic
Tara Hewitt, NHS equality and diversity advisor, doesn't believe in abortion or IVF but says it doesn't affect her job'

(extract)

People don’t know about trans issues, it’s not that catholics are discriminating against trans people, its just that society is discriminating against transpeople.”

She also claims the bible doesn’t focus on gender.

“With the bible there is more of a discussion on sexuality but God doesn’t have a gender - God isn’t male or female, they are both.

“When we talk about God, he’s above that.”

Tara, who lives in New Brighton, is also a pansexual, which means she is attracted to any gender.

But, although she supports gay marriage and same-sex adoption, she doesn’t believe in IVF.

“None of my views are based on sexual orientation I support love.

“Millions of people share my view but, because they aren’t trans, they aren’t targetted." (continues)

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/what-its-like-transgender-catholic-10810323

Workshop given to HCPs
'Trans people and cancer'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD3RfsVu73Q
Some of Tara's comments have consequences for Womens Oncology services. Discussed on thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3257491-Strong-words-from-feminists-unhappy-with-trans-exclusionary-ideology?pg=14

(tweet response pictured to the WPUK meeting in Brighton recently)

see also:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3324578-Vunerabilities-of-Looked-After-Children-Social-Work-CP-restricted-by-affirmation-requirement-Trans-Youth-in-Care-Toolkit

What have WEP achieved for women

Haven’t caught up with the rest of the thread yet, but one of the more recent things was/is the campaign for home use of abortion pills in England & Wales, which has had a successful outcome in Wales at least and AFAIK ongoing positive discussions in England (already legal in Scotland).

Cwenthryth,

You said "WEP have not yet formalised a TWAW stance".

How does that stack up with this statement from them?

"WE recognise that the binary words “woman” and “man” do not reflect the gender experience of everyone in our country and support the right of all to define their sex or gender or to reject gendered divisions as they choose."

and

"WE are committed to addressing the very real oppression of trans people as well as the social structures that oppress and sometimes erase cis women and damage all genders. Cis inclusivity must never mean trans exclusivity, nor vice versa".

If that statement was not WEP policy, then why exactly were they saying it?

And how can HBE be disciplined for going off script when WEP are putting out that kind of farcical nonsense above, which apparently isn't even WEP policy?

The motion was raised by Amy Killen, a young white woman in Lewisham (I won't say 'from' Lewisham as I suspect her connection goes as far as studying at Goldsmiths), seconded by Chris Paouros, a woman who is in the Stonewall gang. They both identify as LGBTQIAGPEOONDBSDIUBIVUJSDBLIUHpieyf

I’m not sure what you want from me - I didn’t write those statements - I’m an ordinary rank and file member, gender critical, and trying to fight this from the inside, and actually get things done. I’m not about to defend things I obviously disagree with (it being impossible to define your own sex and vehemently objecting to ‘cis’ labelling of women). But I understand this is a teeny party, and it’s possble for a small number of trans ideologists to hold sway over putting out statements such as those above.

NONE of the other political parties are standing up for women - there is still a chance that if enough gender critical members speak up and show up, that WEP just might be able to.

Cwenthryth, I hope you don't feel got at. I apologise for that.

Fact is you are the only WEP person who has the guts to come on here and discuss. They need a lot more people like you.

However. In my opinion the transgender issue is such a yawning lack of judgement, lack of foresight and lack of basic intelligence on behalf of the leadership that it gives me zero confidence that they could actually deliver on any other issue at all. Sorry. Not what you want to hear.

And you are absolutely right about the other parties chucking women under the bus without even giving it a thought. No argument there.

But I understand this is a teeny party, and it’s possble for a small number of trans ideologists to hold sway over putting out statements such as those above.

That's always going to be a problem with WEP. That's why they need to make a clear statement that the WEP is about women, not men. Otherwise tra are always going to highjack the party and dominate policy.

the WEP is about women, not men.

If they can't see that is, in most people's eyes, a bleedin' obvious statement, then they are already a lost cause.

And that's the problem with the 'let's be kind' approach. Prominent TRAs are riding roughshod over the WEP and they'll end up discussing trans issues to the exclusion of everything else if this motion goes through. Talking about maternity rights = transphobic. Talking about women's access to healthcare = transphobic. Etc

How many Women, especially younger ones, (who may be teachers/doctors/social workers/hcp etc. ) are going to stand there in public asking gender critical questions of lawyers, when they know full well they will be doxxed and have their employers contacted demanding they be sacked?

How many Women, especially younger ones, (who may be teachers/doctors/social workers/hcp etc. ) are going to stand there in public asking gender critical questions of lawyers, when they know full well they will be doxxed and have their employers contacted demanding they be sacked?

Exactly. Sophie can elide, prevaricate and sigh as much she likes on social media but we can all see this is bullshit.

Well yes, after what they did to Heather Brunskell-Evans and with (from what I hear) no gender critical speaker on the platform, is anyone really going to speak up?

But then I'm also on another thread dreaming up questions to put to Michelle Brewer... so if any members are up for it, there's some great material for you.

Maybe Sophie could take anonymous questions from members ahead of the conference.

And then put those questions to the lawyers herself during the Q and A.

It is the sort of thing a leader should do.

And putting some critical thought into why ordinary women are too frightened to ask questions in a women's party is also something that a leader should do.