Complaints about the literacy level required to respond to the GRA

[theOtherPamAyres]

I am getting feedback that, despite guidelines and helpful notes, people are finding it impossible to fill in the GRA consultation.

I am going to raise the matter with my MP and I would urge anyone else to draw attention to this insurmountable barrier to participation.

It's almost as if the government only want to hear from "the right sort" of person and organisation.

I think that's a very valid concern.

My partner - very literate and well educated - is struggling as I speak with the IT. Apparently, it doesn't always 'save' what you've done and it's been wiped at least once this morning.

Yes - you have to be clued in and woke and intellectual.

I need to fill it in but took a look and realised it needs some time to prepare for it and answer properly - there must be other women putting it off just like that, while TRAs across the world unite and fill it with dodgy suicide stats.

Just to and that when I wrote to my MP (and in his reply he mentioned this issue) I commented on the fact that the first few questions are clearly designed with only trans respondents in mind.

Talk about pre-judging your consultation respondents - it's almost like they're the only people they wanted to hear from.

You are right. It is a very uphill task and I think you have to be really used to filling in this sort of stuff to know how to do it.

There are also organisations that fill it in for you (I think the green party were doing this) which just means they are getting the same consultation from the same organisation all the time.

They should use a range of approaches such as telephone surveys. Not just an online survey. Barrier to participation for people without access to a device or computer, elderly people, second language speakers, people with learning disabilities and people who are not confident they can complete this type of document. It is a lazy tick box exercise which goes against all the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Yes - I am finding the wording quite daunting. Very frustrating. The Fairplay for Women guidance is useful, but filling it in has not been straightforward.

Yes. But that could work in our favour judging by the twitter contributions of our frienday TRAs. No wonder the Greens lGBTQRStUv premier filled it.

It is very long and off putting. And its opening premise is that they want to make obtain the GRC easier. And therefore biased from the off.

Erech.. and women prisoners

I completely agree. I'm pretty highly educated but some of the questions are barely comprehensible. I've leant heavily on the wpuk and fpfw guidance. It's also annoying that when you save it and return you can just skip through to the question you were on but have to click through each page again. V tiresome.

can't just skip through

Are we largely underwhelmed by the Easy Read version? (I am - the language choices are problematic.)

consult.education.gov.uk/government-equalities-office/reform-of-the-gender-recognition-act/

You don't have to answer all the questions. I relied heavily on the Fair Play for Women guidance because otherwise I wouldn't have understood all the questions (and I am fairly smart). I used my own words, though, as I suspect they'll ignore multiple identical answers.

Erech.. and women prisoners

I don't know. Are prisoners allowed internet access? I wasn't sure. Sorry for cluelessness on this!

as I suspect they'll ignore multiple identical answers.

LGBTWTF Greens are out of luck if that's the case.

I doubt it. But their voices should be heard. Even if it is someone speaking on their behalf.

Absolutely agree.

The first question is a bit odd if you are a trans person...so the implication is that a non trans shouldnt be answering??
start 21.41

ahh question 3 so they are asking about self id in a round about way then?
Q 3 Do you think there should be a requirement in the future for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria?

To avoid losing your answers if you don't complete it in one go, you can type them into a word document, then c&p into the online form once you have completed them all.

You can download the consultation document here
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/721725/GRA-Consultation-document.pdf
The consultation questions are in Annex B starting on p62.

Do you also think there should be a requirement for a report detailing treatment received?

Who are they reporting to and why?

Question 12: Do you think that the participation of trans people in sport, as governed by the Equality Act 2010, will be affected by changing the Gender Recognition Act?
err yes

arghhhhh

It is not an exam or a test where you have to put a referenced and researched answer. People can use the form to give their views.

So when they ask about sports for instance you can say " women's sports are for female persons and male persons trying to enter these fields are cheats" or "sport is very important for girls and allowing boys to compete with them is very damaging for girls health and well being"

Sure, some people will be able to go into more technical detail but it is not required from everyone.

this form is written from the perspective of a trans person answering it...