Latest on GRA Amendments?

[Cheeseandapple]

A few months ago there were almost daily threads (or more) about the GRA changes. After the consultation the updates seemed to stop. Anyone know the latest since the consultation happened? Feels like ages ago!

I'd think there's a group of people sitting in an office in some dark corner of Westminster, looking at thousands of replies to the consultation and wondering what the hell to do.

Civil servants will be collating and analysing the responses before putting advice to the relevant ministers on what to do and how/when/if to do it. Personally I think that the Tories saw it as an easy way to appear liberal and in touch without spending a lot of money. He responses might change their minds and mean it will be a very long time before they publish any response.

I know a tory MP who is looking forwards to a new law being passed - wonders if he is in with the dark group -

Strikeout fail

I would bet money that a ‘response’ to the consultation (such as it was), had already been drafted quite some time ago. With lots of advice ang guidance from specialist interest groups (guess who). Recommendations to change current laws will have been already drafted.
Right now there will be much head scratching about what to do as the consultation will show that self ID won’t be the shoe-in they imagined.
Result = kick into long grass, continue to throw the TRA platitudes and blame Brexit for taking up their time instead.

Yes, I expect the grass might be very long in this case. Long enough for the Tories to be voted out. A whole host of diversionary bullshit will be deployed in the interim, such as MM’s trans healthcare non-announcement last week. Lots and lots of words, enough to make a very attractive Healthy looking salad.

But could things be about to move faster in Scotland? The consultation was earlier and the response has been published. Someone asked me the other day when it's coming back to the Scottish Parliament. Does anyone know?

Plus I doubt there will be many people pushing very hard for the results to be published. GC people will know that the whole thing was flawed to begin with, used weighted language and heavily drew from a one sided single premise. TRA will begin to realise that responses haven’t quite all gone their way, and those opposing have some pretty heavyweight facts and evidence to bear. Also increased reporting in the media of said facts and evidence.
If anyone pokes around in that long grass they risk getting nothing more than a shitty stick for their efforts.

But could things be about to move faster in Scotland?

There are reports of a 'grassroots backlash':

SNP whips have warned ministers of unease among MPs and MSPs about proposals to change the 2004 Gender Recognition Act, including concern that a move allowing individuals to self-affirm as transgender could place women in danger.

Times article
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/grassroots-backlash-forces-snp-to-rethink-trans-policies-n0pvh25qx?shareToken=e574599f8ba68ad62258084b9176892c

Meanwhile it's been confirmed that women's services in Scotland need a trans inclusion policy to get funding, which explains the strange stance of Engender (PDF link) over GRA reform.

Gail Ross MSP asked some good questions in the Scottish Equality & Human Rights Committee meeting on 6 December. Usual poo-pooing 'EA isn't changing so nothing to worry about' responses.

Lots and lots of words, enough to make a very attractive Healthy looking salad.

That made me laugh!