Trevor Phillips in the Times

[RhymesWithOrange]

Trans extremists are putting equality at risk

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0fe1693a-d56f-11e8-926d-96790161a92a

Sorry I don't know how to do a share token but this is brilliant. Some extracts:

The disaster of the public consultation process on gender recognition has revealed a government so terrified of being labelled transphobic that it is ready to destroy half a century of painstakingly assembled anti-discrimination legislation to the detriment of every woman, person of colour and disabled individual in Britain.

The self-declaration principle, masquerading as compassionate recognition, risks making a mockery of the struggle for equality. If ministers give in to trans zealots, a white man would merely need to say “Today, I’m a black woman. I might not be tomorrow but, hey, who cares?” Well, I do. And so should everyone who genuinely believes in fairness.

Trevor Phillips WROTE the Equality Act 2010. How can politicians argue with him?



Wow - just saw that stuff posted on Malta. Just wow really

Hackmum & BigotedWoman
I'm not usually much of a conspiracy theorist but it does seem that dark forces are involved in much of this self ID issue, not that the attack dogs policing the debate have enough brains to realise they are just stooges.
Regarding Malta two things stand out to me: I very much doubt there was a substantial demand for self ID - was it slipped in quietly like our government hoped to do here? I wonder how many of the general population have any idea at all about it. Also it is clear that the unfortunate murdered journalist poked a hornets nest.
Whether the two things are connected is anyone's guess.
As for some of the UK politicians mentioned - ones to watch I would say.

This also shines a light on the requirement for spousal consent (which I supported in my replies to the consultation). I may be coming over all Godfather theories here, but it seems not unlikely that a powerful business man could change his ID for company law purposes whilst making no other changes and keeping the change secret from all who know him. Which might be a shock to a devout Catholic wife who finds she is now legally married to a woman.

was surprised by this as i thought their role was to balance rights between protected characteristics.

It really should be, or it's not fit for purpose. They're just refusing to accept women have any legitimate concerns.

Also they have been forced to change their guidance to service providers after pressure from Fair Play for Women due to their misrepresentation of the law.

Fabulous, thank you Trevor.

This is the stuff that's needed.

I'm not usually much of a conspiracy theorist but it does seem that dark forces are involved in much of this self ID issue

Yup. And you don't need to be a conspiracy theorist - you just have to accept the premise that bad people do bad things. Who has the most interest in promoting a law that allows people to cover up evidence of their previous identity? Well, it's not trans people, is it - it's criminals. Duh.

What you say about Malta makes sense. It seems highly unlikely that there was a huge trans community on the island pushing for this change.

Agreed Hackmum
People on FWR, myself included, often ask "But who is really behind all this, and why?"
The answer given is usually follow the money. Of course there is money to be made for big pharma and dodgy doctors but the more mundane big crime is just as likely to be the answer or at least an enthusiastic cheerleader.

Iused2BanOptimist

Which might be a shock to a devout Catholic wife who finds she is now legally married to a woman.

So you think only Catholic wives would be shocked? What about CofE? Muslim? Jewish?

Of course Juells It would be a shock to anyone. I only said Catholic with reference to Malta as a strongly Catholic country. No offence intended. 

I am so pleased about this article. I too thought it was a bit late but then a friend pointed out that it depends who his intended readership is. Maybe it isn't for us.

I have for some reason found "Libby Purvis is away" rather ironic.

No offence intended.

haha offence taken, but now feeling silly

We need to send this to every single MP in the country - and ask for their response to it.

This thread has been really illuminating.

With reference to Malta...

A friend of mine told me a few weeks ago that there were reports about self-id legislation being proposed in Cyprus.

In her words: "the number of trans individuals in Cyprus is virtually nil."

I initially thought it was just part of an EU wide attempt to push legislation through in easy jurisdictions, but now I'm wondering whether it's about something else. Cyprus has a very peculiar financial environment, let me put it that way.

So we need self-ID to become the ultimate off-shore financial haven..

So self ID is timed with leaving the EU...

The stuff on Malta and Cyprus deserves its own thread.
(I notice the Times comments are now over 440, and the format has changed to include a report button!)

V interesting on Malta and Cyprus. Thank you Iused2be.

Hackmum and IusedtoBanpotimist

Nicky Morgan MP tried to get a bill through parliament to make it possible for trans people to have their previous identities wiped from the register of directors at companies house (I think that's what it means anyway). I would be really really interested to know who she met with before this, as I can't believe it was just because of a letter from a constituent like she said …

I don't think it was successful (I hope)

From Hansard.

hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2017-03-01/debates/FD0E3A16-8854-407E-AA48-DBA07F86AC57/CompaniesDocumentation(TransgenderPersons)

hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2017-11-20/debates/45F8123F-2D20-4B15-9EEC-322D320C866F/CompaniesHouseAndTransgenderPersons

Is this actually what it is all about? The ability to shroud ownership of companies and corporations for tax reasons?

Because that makes more sense than anything else I've ever heard.

Nicky Morgan MP tried to get a bill through parliament to make it possible for trans people to have their previous identities wiped from the register of directors at companies house

There is also a current case which attempts to have a male specific criminal conviction removed from DBS check.

Although this is for a specific offence, one may presume this may set precedent if succesful.

threads:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3370916-influential-criminal-justice-charity-campaigning-for-removal-of-minor-gender-specific-offences-from-dbs-checks

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3360110-The-Times-Trans-person-seeks-to-rewrite-their-criminal-history-on-basis-of-privacy

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3361942-To-think-rapists-shouldnt-have-the-right-to-have-their-crimes-forgotten

I general I think there is never only one driver for historical change. Lots of things will be coming together for different reasons. But it might explain why some people find the whole idea attractive.

I'm trying not to be infuriated with the woke crowd, but:

in the 70s and 80s (and before), life was unimaginably rubbish for gay men and lesbians, black people, women, and children, compared with now (when it's still troubling).

The people speaking out on GRA reform include those who did really hard work in those days, unfunded work in the most part, to change the context we live in, where people are (generally) allowed to be themselves.

We should listen to them.

Greek Orthodox takes a similar line on homosexuality to the Catholic Church? I don't think it is about tax that's just a bonus to be exploited.

I think there are at least 3 mumsnetters commenting on the Trevor Phillips article. I recognise the style!