Who's going to the WEP Conference this weekend? Fancy a thread?

[RhymesWithOrange]

I'm the only person I know going. I would be interested to get others MNers thoughts on the conference and the agenda as it happens.

And of course the emergency debate.

Barrister is Julian Norman I think who recently wrote this article

t.co/Ixh6MiHxCL?amp=1

No more time for questions GCs regrouping again.

Good article.

Extract

^In other words, where a person has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment but does not have a GRC, their comparator class in looking at a discrimination claim is other members of their birth sex who are not proposing reassignment. Once they do have a GRC, their comparator class is members of their acquired sex.

This means that if the GRA is amended so that self-declaration is all that is needed, Green would have had the comparator class of females rather than males and would have had a good case not just for access to the tights, wigs, prosthetic vagina and sanitary towels sought, but also for removal to the women’s estate, because the comparator class would become females. Whilst Green was disqualified for want of a dysphoria diagnosis, the comparator class remained males."

BettyAlso the hoops that disabled people and other trying to access benefits they are entitled to. Why do trans think they should be exempt from being examined ?

Was anything said about the sport for girls and women topic?

However it is interesting to see topics generally of concern to women. Quite refreshing in fact!

BettyAlso the hoops that disabled people and other trying to access benefits they are entitled to. Why do trans think they should be exempt from being examined ?

Indeed. They are very entitled and expect to get everything they demand instantly. Strange, for the most oppressed individuals in history.

@Angryresister no, no discussions at all about practical implications. Just a load of legalese.

Rhymes, were they trying to pull rank (subtly)?

It felt like a very controlled session. Lots of WEP staff in the room. But that could have just been my perception.

Re the 2004 Act, Quote below b Christine Burns (Press for Change) from Guardian article 2013:

'Much of their campaigning remained on the quiet. The passage of the 2004 law to give trans people legal status was "remarkable," says Burns, because "the government was able to pass an entire act in parliament without anyone throwing a fit in the press".'

www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jan/22/voices-from-trans-community-prejudice

Had a nice wrap up with the GC lot.

Now in the last session of the day. "Any Answers" - where Sophie covers the FAQs she's asked.

First question for Sophie:

Q: Why do we need WEP/feminism? Haven't we already got equality?

Interesting stat. The UK has the most expensive childcare in the world.

Q: Don't all feminists hate men?

Question usually comes from men afraid of women's anger. It's not their fault. #notallmen

Followed by conversation about intersectionality. Coming to feminism from the perspective of a white, middle class woman gives Sophie challenges.

Applause for hard stance on ending the prostitution of women.

Haven’t got time to catch up properly - but can confirm that Rhymes can type fast

The second barrister is NOT the same person who is listed as a supporter of the motion btw.

Q: Why is it the Women's Equality Party? Why not just the equality party?

A: Designing policies for people at the furthest margins. Which are always women. Which makes things better for everyone.

Q: When canvassing - what do you say when people say "I like what you stand for but I vote to keep the Tories out?"

A: [Sorry, difficult to summarise but in essence - problem with FPTP, established parties rely on apathy, cynicism of those parties, voting for them will never change the status quo]

Q: What do you say when businesses say that Gender pay gap is not a thing, women make a positive choice to stay at home.
A: It's not a choice if you can't afford to return to work. Businesses have work to do but the Government has a bigger role to play. Businesses should be lobbying government on the structural barriers to equal pay and women's access to the workplace.

Q: Women choosing to be prostitutes?
A: It's not a choice if you can't afford not to. If one woman is on sale then we're all on sale. The notion that sex work is empowering is not borne out by the evidence.

And that is the end of day 2!

I have to say, I came to this conference expecting to feel out of step with the majority, and expecting to be disappointed. But it's been fantastic so far. I believe in Sophie and Sandi. I think the party's made some mistakes but they all have.

I think it's our current best hope. The Tories, Labour, LibDems have all thrown women under buses for decades. Why would I expect anything different from them now?

I know lots of you have left or refuse to joint WEP because of gender id but I'd encourage you to think again. I think there's enough like minds in the party that it could end up the same voice in the whole debate.

It sounds great Rhymes. But the party is going to have to name that elephant and make it very clear that this is a party for and about women, not men self IDing as women. If Sophie & Sandy can be brave and somehow atone for their dreadful treatment of Heather Brunskell Evans than just maybe there's a place for me.

The second barrister is NOT the same person who is listed as a supporter of the motion btw.

Thanks Cwen. That's a coincidence then!

dreadful treatment of Heather Brunskell Evans than just maybe there's a place for me.

^^ This for me. Tho' there are other issues.

I’m just having a freshen up before heading back for social side of things tonight. Don’t really want to share a blow-by-blow account of my day right now but just wanted to say it has been emotionally exhausting and exhilarating in equal measure, overwhelmingly inspirational at times, I’ve been both challenged and supported, and it’s been great. There are so many amazing women here. And a palpable sense that if we can pull together, if we can genuinely do politics differently, we can effect real change for women. And already have done (see home use of abortion pills).

Anyway. Tonight is for comedy and wine. Tomorrow is for business.

I would also love reconciliations all round. HEB and WEP, Posie Parker and WPUK.... It's a tough ask for some people but we are so much stronger together. There's more we have in common than divides us. And other political cliches!

What is lovely here is the range of ages. Older women, utterly battle hardened, who have been fighting for us for decades and very young, freshly minted feminists with their sharp minds and glossy hair