Some feminists, Emma Thompson amongst them, sign letter decrying trans-exclusionary responses to the GRA

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www.thenational.scot/news/17472564.they-do-not-speak-for-us-feminists-hit-back-at-trans-exclusionary-activists-in-open-letter/

We, the undersigned, are a large and diverse group of women who are committed to ensuring that trans people feel welcome and safe within our society.

Recently there has been a rise in ill-informed articles and commentary, where writers have continually insinuated that trans women are not women. These same pieces misrepresent current legal statutes, equalities policies, and public attitudes in Scotland.

Since 2004 the Gender Recognition Act has realised, in law, the rights of trans women as women and trans men as men. Since 1999, the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations and then the Equality Act (2010) have recognised, in law, the right of the trans community not to be discriminated against on the basis of their gender reassignment. The right of trans people to access gender specific services is an already settled legal matter.

Many national and regional news outlets routinely fail in their pages to recognise this legal reality. Instead, it is our perspective that some writers rely on recycling outdated arguments in an uncomfortable attempt to shoehorn trans identities into much needed conversations about gender-based discrimination and violence.

We believe that national conversations about gender-based discrimination and violence are necessary, however these conversations should not in any way attempt to roll back the rights that trans people already have in Scotland, nor spread misinformation.

In the Scottish Government's recent public consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act (2004) a majority of respondents supported gender self declaration, as well as recognising non-binary people. As a collective of women, we urge that trans-exclusionary writers do not suggest that their narrow and archaic arguments are in any way representative of the women of Scotland. They do not speak for us.

This is not an issue of Freedom of Speech. Both sides have a plethora of platforms to outline their position. However, it is imperative that these platforms should not be used to spread misinformation or misrepresent the law or the facts in this area.

When this conversation is reduce

d to allegations of "shutting down debate" whenever misrepresentation or misinformation is challenged, the result is to purposefully discount the position of many women - like us - who support the trans community. We will be heard.

Trans people have played an integral role in every civil rights movement to date; from LGBT equality to women's causes. Attempts to airbrush trans people from conversations regarding equality and human rights, or to exclude them from advancements for LGBT and women's rights, have happened before. Such efforts may have re-energised, but they are nothing new, and we say as a collective of women: they are not representative of us. We support trans rights.

Outlets and commentators have an ethical responsibility to consider the impact of their reportage, analysis and commentary particularly on the mental health of trans young people. Recently, data from Stonewall Scotland revealed that over half of trans people considered ending their lives last year. Trans people continue to face unlawful discrimination and violence. Routine misinformation and sensationalism is contributing to a cultural climate where this is legitimised. This has to stop.

Journalists, commentators, and publishers have a central role to play in ensuring Scotland is a welcoming and inclusive place for trans people.

The conversation has to change.

Rhiannon Spear, Chair of Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) and Glasgow City Councillor for Greater Pollok

Tiffany Kane, Vice Chair of Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) and Operations Manager at Common Weal

Dame Emma Thompson, Double Academy Award Winner

Laura Waddell, Publisher and Writer

Dr Jennifer Jones, Independent

Rosa Zambonini, Communications Manager to Member of the Scottish Parliament

Cllr Jennifer Layden, SNP Councillor for Calton

Dr Claire Askew, University of Edinburgh

Laura Wylie, Sexual Violence Prevention Worker at the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (Dundee and Angus),

Sinead Daly, CEO of the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (Dundee and Angus)

Christina Neuwirth, Writer

Kate Adair, SQIFF

Eve Livingston, Freelance Journalist

Kelly Given, Equalities & Mental Health Advocate

Jennifer Constable, Journalist

Rachel Hamada, Journalist

Leona Jack, Gender Based Violence Practitioner

Angela Haggerty, Journalist

Lynne Davies, Foster Carer

Amanda Stanley, Freelance Podcast Producer

Kaite Welsh, Author & Journalist

Hannah Bardell, MP for Livingston

Miriam Brett, International Finance Project Manager

Sarah Masson, or Co-Artistic Director of Shift, Shift Theatre

Fi and Charlotte Duffy-Scott, Co-Owners, Category Is Books, Glasgow

Claire Biddles, Freelance Writer

Erin Hardee, Schools Outreach Organiser

School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee

Dr Pat Cullum BA (Hons) DPhil FRHistS, FHEA, School Co-Ordinator for Student Experience, School of Music, Humanities and Media, University of Huddersfield

Gail Ross MSP, SNP Member of Scottish Parliament for Caithness

Dr Eleanor Janega, Guest Teacher at the LSE

Cllr Kim Long, Green Councillor for Dennistoun

Cllr Eva Murray, Labour Councillor for Garscadden/ Scotstounhill

Cllr Christina Cannon, SNP Councillor for Springburn/Robroyston

Cllr Martha Wardrop, Green Councillor for Hillhead

Bailie Christy Mearns, Green Councillor for Anderston/ City & Yorkhill

Cara Spence, Head of Programmes, LGBT Youth Scotland

Amy Irons, Broadcaster

Hannah Pearson, Queer Feminist Campaigner

Rebecca Crowther, PHD Social Science Researcher

Susan Ross, Police Scotland

Jane Friffin, Head of Partnerships, LGBT Youth Scotland

Michelle Sodo, Head of Operations, LGBT Youth Scotland

Nicola Booth, Head of Youth Work, LGBT Youth Scotland

Bridget Bradley, Teaching Fellow, The University of Edinburgh School of Medical Anthropology

Naomi McAuliffe, Scotland Programme Director, Amnesty International

Gayle Telfer Stevens, Olivier Award Winning Actor

Jen Ang, Lawyer and Director, Just Right Scotland

Lisa Clark, Senior Communications Officer, Children in Scotland

Mhairi McMillan, Solicitor, Logans Solicitors, Cumnock

Margaret Logan, Women’s Aid, Support Worker

Dr Brandi Lee Lough Dennell, Research Associate

Rona Mackay, SNP MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden

Hazel Marzetti, PHD Student, University of Glasgow

Pam Currie, EIS FELA President (Personal Capacity)

Fiona Robertson, SNP's National Women's and Equalities Convenor

Katherine O’Donnell, Journalist

Christine Burns MBE, Equality Campaigner and Author

Lucy Spraggan, Musician

Leeze Lawrence, Producer, Editor, Filmmaker & Trans Advocate

Helen Nugent, Journalist and Editor of Northern Soul

Janet Coulson, Actor and Creative Director of Firebrand Theatre

Paris Lees, Writer and Broadcaster

Marlene Zwickler, Agent and Producer

Elena Soper, Feminist and Activist

Mhairi Black MP, Paisley and Renfrewshire South

Dr Lindsay Clark, Post-Doctoral researcher

Jackie Brock, Chief Executive, Children in Scotland

Joanna Murphy, Chair, National Parent Forum for Scotland

Louise Oliver, Actor and producer

Lady Mary Hope, Lady Hope of Craighead

Audrey Barnes, Campaigns & Programmes Coordinator at YWCA Scotland

Jemma Tracey, Senior Participation Officer, Children in Scotland

Laura McGlynn, University of Glasgow

Bailey McCormack, Event Coordinator and Freelance Performer

Emma Rogan, Senior Policy Officer at Children in Scotland

Róisín McKelvey, Feminist PhD Researcher

Janine Ewen, Queer Feminist, Violence Against Women Campaigner

OMG, that's a HUGE list. Traitors!
How do we peak them?

So so disappointing to see some of the signatories to this, particularly those from the women's rape and sexual abuse Centre. 😪

Monumentally missed the point.

Probably they were told to sign, and threatened with bad publicity if they didn't.

They are grown up. Sorry but ‘the big girls made me do it’ doesn’t wash with women who have fame, influence and high profile.

Stuff the lot of them. They are not women allies are they?

If anyone should be able to defend women's spaces it should be wrasac. They have totally let down the women they are meant to care for

Some of those job titles is suggestive of why we've had issues in the first place. Queer theory and entryism - it's been going on for years under the radar.

Someone (maybe Whittle) admitted that getting proponents into key positions has been part of the strategy going back maybe 20 years.

The school is life sciences in Dundee University signing a letter saying TWAW.

That's funny.

It can’t be the whole school can it? I’d love to be in some of those lectures. Please tell me they don’t train medical staff.

Quite a lot of politicians on that letter. This will be remembered at the next election

And they weren't "made to do it", they actively support trans rights on their Facebook page

Emma Thompson I'm ashamed of you. Either you're ridiculously naive and ill informed on the real impact of this on women, or you have put your name to something knowingly attempting to remove rights from women and girls.

Transwomen are male. This is a fact. For Gods sake go and meet women who are putting forward their problems with this and make an effort to understand what you are judging so arrogantly.

Do what you like with your own rights. How dare you attempt to give away other people's?

I hope there is comment on twitter - these traitors need to understand what they are saying and why it is going to cause problems for women. Oh but not them because their ‘community’ will look after them.

Slow handclap for Mhairi Black (what a fucking disappointment she has turned out to be).

Good for them.

Meanwhile people elsewhere are waking up, taking notice and are seeing what is happening.

We believe that national conversations about gender-based discrimination and violence are necessary

how about sex based discrimination and violence, cos the victims can't identify out of that, ladies (< used ironically)

whenever misrepresentation or misinformation is challenged, the result is to purposefully discount the position of many women - like us - who support the trans community.

is that actually what the letter says? because it is an EPIC freudian slip of so

Perhaps they could comment on the recent attempt by a Mermaids representative, Helen Islan, to get a transsexual prosecuted sharing information she had made public.

Clearly the law is being abused by trans rights activists. It's not settled at all. They are trying to change the law even further.

All that is saying is you're not silenced but must shut up and we are threatening suicide again.

When the shit finally hits the fan over a generation of kids physically harmed by this ideology this list will be a useful reminder as to who pushed for it.

Susan Ross, Police Scotland.

The rest of them can think what they like, but surely there is an important principle that the police are impartial.

In the Scottish Government's recent public consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act (2004) a majority of respondents supported gender self declaration, as well as recognising non-binary people.

I support gender self declaration as well as recognising non-binary people. I just don't think it should be confused with sex.

Not good. The police have a suspicious track record if pushing this agenda.

So, all those signatories support framing rape & sexual assault survivors as "prejudiced" bigots? Really? After Emma Thompson's blistering letter about her thoughts for women having no choice but to work with an alleged serial harasser of women, she's signing up to fall in line with all those who support the vilification of vulnerable women & girls as needing to be "re-educated" over their discomfort over being given no choice over sharing space with male bodied individuals irrespective of how those individuals identify, framing that discomfort (which needs to be clearly understood as having fuck all to do with "prejudice" but due to the trauma they've endured and need support to recover from in female only supportive environments when they seek them out) as prejudice, bigotry and transphobia.

Fuck sake. Really?

And when a rape survivor in a woman's refuge is sexually assaulted by a male bodied trans woman wrasac will have supported it.

People in places of power taking part in a top down push, what a suprise, I am shocked!
Oh wait no, no I'm not.

Harvey missed a trick not coming out as a non binary transwoman didn't he?