Social housing policy re trans

[sashh]

On Sunday I was looking up my rent account and decided to take a look at some of my landlord's policies.

I found a bullet point that said, Discriminatory abuse For example, suffering from abuse on the grounds of religion, culture, age, gender, sexuality or disability.

So I emailed my concerns, about the use of 'gender', stonewall's (who's logo is on the web page) POV, Karen White etc.

On Monday received a 'we have passed your concerns on' email and then yesterday the following (names redacted):

Dear sashh,

I would like to introduce myself as X’s safeguarding lead officer.

Thank you for your feedback on the X Safeguarding leaflet, as sent to Y. It is sometime since we refreshed this leaflet and I agree that some aspects of wording require reconsidering.

X’s safeguarding lead officers, and the Independent Chair of our Safeguarding Scrutiny Panel are meeting later this month and I will add this item to the agenda.

Thank you again for this feedback, I will ensure we complete a full review.

If you would like to be involved further in this leaflet review, please let me know.

Regards

Good luck. Its taking over everywhere, this gradual sneak-sneak of rewriting the protected characteristics. I hope they listen to you more than my employer listened to me. You can send them a link to the list of protected characteristics as listed on the gov.uk website to further your point.

And this rubbish is why the police are arresting people isn’t it? The training they are given by these special interests is turning their minds from what the actual law is.

Thanks I have said I'd like to be involved in the redesign so I'll update if/when that happens.

I'd emphasise the law, which clearly has sex as a basis for unlawful discrimination, not gender.

PS well done for sticking your neck out.

donquixotedelamancha gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under the equalities act

Gender reassignment is a separate protected characteristic to sex and on some issues there is a clear conflict of interests. You can't just merge them into one.

Just saying 'gender' is unhelpful both to trans people suffering abuse and discrimination because of gender reassignment , and to those suffering abuse and discrimination because of their sex.

So, if I have two children - a boy and a girl - and both are over whatever age, I am entitled to a three bedroom house. If one of them transitions to the opposite gender, does that mean I am no longer entitled?

Equally, if I have two boys and one transitions to a girl, am I then entitled to move to a new, bigger, house.

Has anyone explored this with any housing associations. I am not in social housing so don't feel it would be my place to do so but it is worth considering.

donquixotedelamancha gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under the equalities act

Indeed, but gender is not- sex is. I hope no one thinks there should be discrimination against transsexuals, but a confusion in the policy about sex and gender is unhelpful.

The OP is pretty vague, though we can all guess the potential concerns, so I am suggesting that being very precise about how the policy can better align with the equality act might be a good strategy.

That’s great, well done.

Might be worth connecting with someone like FPFW for support/guidance on the wording and pitfalls?@

The OP is pretty vague, though we can all guess the potential concerns, so I am suggesting that being very precise about how the policy can better align with the equality act might be a good strategy.

OP here.

I didn't post my message because it might identify me and or the organisation.

I did put in the usual concerns but also that they should look at any policies on trans workers, whether they currently employ anyone who is trans now as they may well in the future.

And I did reference the equality act and the implications for 'personal care'. As well as housing they have supported housing and care homes so there are times when their employees provide intimate care.

Cismyfatarse

Interesting question.

I didn't post my message because it might identify me and or the organisation.

That's sensible- I was not criticising the lack of specifics, just responding to the PPs comment about the EA.