Guardian article on MPs concern with GRA

[Maeb]

I'm really suprised! I hope it's in the print edition too.

Transgender law reform has overlooked women’s rights, say MPs

I hope people see the emotional and abusive black mail of the "flurry of suicides" comment.

Appalling once again to use the threat of suicide as a debating tactic.

I didn’t read that as black mail, Giles. It almost reads as something much worse. At this point Stephen Whittle surely cannot be unaware of the Samaritans Guidelines and social contagion. It reads like a fucking hint.

Blimey!

I see Stephen Whittle didn’t waste any time playing the suicide card. I find it interesting how often this is peddled. Three women a week in violent relationships commit suicide and many of the would not use a refuge that has male bodied service users, so would be adversely affected by a firther relaxation of the GRA. There are vulnerable people on both sides of this debate whose needs must be considered and rights balanced.

It’s hopeful that there are now strong voices speaking out about the reforms. It’s a bit of a shame none of them seem prepared to even hint that the laws already enacted have been done without any real consideration for their impact on women, despite concerns raised at the time and have not been evaluated for their impact. But one step at a time?

Interesting that Maria Caulfield is saying that the trans inquiry that the consultation is based on was flawed. She was one of the people on the committee that produced it. I don’t know whether to despair of her incompetence or be thankful that she is willing to admit mistakes and to call for them to be corrected.

And there we have it Ladies and Gentlemen. 'Do as we ask or we will kill ourselves'. And folk wonder why people are scared to say what they think. What a lowdown dirty dog trick it is to threaten suicide.

Now, let me think which other group uses threats of suicide in order to make women do as they are told?

I’ve emailed Ms Caulfield thanking her and copied my mealy mouthed MP in.

Well done to the women who have managed this turn around. You should know that we are behind you. Finally we are getting a say. Thank you all.

Whittle again. My #1 suspect for the person pulling Ruth Hunt's strings

I can’t believe the Guardian have printed that price, plus the letter yesterday form the Accademics. Are they seeing sense at last?

Stephen Whittle ought to be ashamed of himself.

Didn’t the MPs attending that meeting, asked not to be named?

This is a turnaround for the Guardian.

This is a turnaround for the Guardian.

I understand that they’re running other stories on the GRA this week, so I fully expect that they’ll be back to their usual position very soon.

Derek, holy crap. You are not wrong.

Whittle warned that many trans people would “become depressed and dejected” if reform was delayed. He said: “I am sure there will be a flurry of attempts and suicides

Wouldn’t he make hay with it if there was. And what a way to suggest to vulnerable unstable young people who are already prone to self-harm, mental illness and personality disorders that here’s an opportunity to martyr themselves for their cause.

If anything like that happens, Whittle should examine his conscience carefully. Assuming he has one.

I note the threat to topple Tory MPs, too - "We know we have Labour behind us so we'll do our best to get them elected". This is blatant manipulation of democracy and needs to be called out as loudly as possible.

The Guardian can now tick the "fair reporting" box, before spending the rest of the week slagging off objections as a right wing movement.

I’m impressed such a report made it into the guardian. That quote from Stephen Whittle! So flippant about suicide and so blatant about splitting it into left wing/right wing. If a GC woman said something similar in print the twitterers would explode in apoplexy and West Yorkshire police would have to set up a special hotline, like when Take That split up. I expect Stephen’s comment to pass without censure though.

Whatever their motives, I'm pleased to see it in the Guardian and relieved to see a few MPs speaking up.

I see Davies is now openly calling for the consultation to be stopped. A week ago I'd have said there wasn't a chance in hell but these are strange times.

Despicable behaviour from Stephen Whittle but also a dash of desperation.

That quote from Whittle!

This is a definite change of tack. The usual response, Stephen, is to say that the concerns are unfounded, that there is no clash with women’s rights.

But you can’t do that now, not when MPs are now saying women’s voices have been silenced.

So instead you’ve gone for desperate, dispicable use of suicide as a counter argument.

It aabsolutely reads as both a threat (do as we want or we’ll kill ourselves) and an incitement for people to martyr themselves for the cause.

What do cult leaders do?

What do cult leaders do?

warned that many trans people would “become depressed and dejected” if reform was delayed. He said: “I am sure there will be a flurry of attempts and suicides.

... But self-ID is (partially) about bypassing doctors? Hmm

YY Red. Especially when they feel it’s all getting away from them.

How manipulative could Whittle's quote be?! That portrays Whittle is a very bad light.

It's a very good article and I'm relieved to see it