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 Instead, it is our perspective that some writers rely on recycling outdated arguments in an uncomfortable attempt to shoehorn trans identities into much needed conversations about gender-based discrimination and violence.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

Emma Thompson is not and never has been a feminist. She's an EmmaThompsonist. It's all about look-at-me! Aren't-I-just-fabulous!

I can understand why someone like Emma Thompson can't look past the thought-terminating cliche "transwomen are women". In the film industry, women are feminine caricatures. The sexism rubs off.

Very sad to see Mhairi Black's name as a signatory, along with women working in services for survivors of rape and university science depts (wtaf?).

It's what the letter doesn't address that is the problem. Yes people can Id however they like, but that doesn't change their sex. By not addressing that, it makes the arguments absolute flim flam.

Corking post fermats

The right of trans people to access gender specific services is an already settled legal matter.
There's no such thing as a gender specific service because gender isn't a protected characteristic.

I saw that Brandi wotsit is a Guider. Despite not actually being single sex, Guiding bills itself as single sex and at least now it doesn't chuck out those of the female sex that think they prefer the masculine gender.

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.
Actually I don’t think it is ethical for the ONE signatory to have added her occupation as women’s aid support worker to suggest that WA supports this either. I know that there are many women who USE or HAVE USED WA services who are worried about the changes GRA Consultation might bring-they might be put off accessing them if read this. There will be workers who may be even more cautious about speaking up in case their concerns are misinterpreted-as this letter has done. As one support worker in a localised group she does not speak for Women's Aid so should just have signed it personally. I take comfort from those who have not signed it.
The use of the word archaic also looks desperate, resorting to ageist slurs
I agree & I think it is appalling that other women are criticising feminists, who are arguing to UPHOLD WOMEN’s RIGHTS WHILST NOT TAKING ANY EXISTING RIGHTS AWAY FROM TRANSWOMEN. As someone else has said-let that sink in.
@FermatsTheorem your post is wonderful. Everyone who has signed this letter, disappointingly written by a University Of Glasgow Law student, who doesn’t seem to have reached EA2010 on the syllabus yet, needs to own ALL the ramifications on women’s lives.

These aren't handmaidens, these are Aunt Lydias

I find that there is a repeated sense that we live in a civilised western society and “it will never happen”. From catholic priests, care providers, celebrities, grooming gangs. All under the radar as this doesn’t happen in our society and yet it keeps happening. Emma Thompson knows first hand how vulnerable children can be and would be the first to sign sex and age safeguarding for refugee children because they are vulnerable to exploitation. Unfortunately so are children in this country people just keep forgetting the lessons of the past.

These aren't handmaidens, these are Aunt Lydias

They might be happy to live Under His Eye but I'm not.

They can fuck off to the far side of fuck.

What would Nanny McPhee make of Desmond?

There's men on that list of women

wtf is a "Gender Based Violence Practitioner"? Actually one of the worst thought out job titles I have ever seen.

Suicidal tendencies are (usually) a symptom of mental health problems but we are repeatedly told this is not an illness.

#metoo or #nodebate - you have to pick one, can't have both!

In terms of campaigning it’s quite useful to know who is implacably opposed to what you’re campaigning for. No point in wasting time with them, we can concentrate on those who haven’t made up their mind/ are unaware of issues involved/open to other views. I think the fact there aren’t that many MSPs on the list is good. We know contacting them with our concerns and highlighting the implications for women’s and girls’ rights if self id becomes law has an impact. We’re not professional feminists. We’re their constituents and that matters. So keep emailing and meeting them.

Oh it is on twitter now. Quite tame responses to date.

So angry that all these woke idiots would say that questioning the trans narrative is literal violence and try to get GC campaigners prosecuted.. But happy to put poor women in the position of being subject to actual violence. 2 faced traitors!

I wonder who kicked this off.

it’s quite useful to know who is implacably opposed

Agreed runningwild, and whilst we are about our easily dismissed MSP "mail bag" filling think of how many politicians have not signed that letter? If the SNP were toeing the Sturgeon line they would all be on it but she isn't and neither are they...

What on earth in Emma thompson’s Previous statements or career would lead anyone to expect her to be capable of making any sensible statements on this or any other issue?
She’s a fucking actress. Fine in her way but I wouldn’t take her advice on how to wash the dishes, much less any issue of importance.

I agree with Mammoon - not that worrying

Its hardly a list of the great and the good, is it? Haven’t heard of anyone on this list apart from Mhairi Black and Emma Thompson and Paris Lees.... No big name philanthropists, no vice Challenors or CEOs, not even a professor or a prominent medic or the chair of an NHS Board... just a few councillors, the odd MSP you’ve never heard of and phd students etc.

And the call for debate sounds most excellent... and anyway Joan McAlpine’s infamous tweet thread after the census debate post dates this nonsense 🤗

These aren't handmaidens, these are Aunt Lydias
That's a good analogy as the young privileged woman (who is also a Glasgow Councillor) who wrote the letter, previously corrected Judy Murray for liking an article on Twitter & was, quite rightly, lambasted for doing so:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3489880-Glasgow-Councillor-Tries-to-Scold-Judy-Murray-for-Sharing-Pro-Womens-Rights-Article-Uses-Kardashian-Speak-and-Ariana-Grande-Lyrics-to-respond-to-Social-Media-Outcry
Seemingly, it was originally issued to influence the Scottish Census Bill, on Thursday (see above) but it says in The Herald article, it is in response to comments on Twitter, by an MSP who is Convener for the Census Bill. I think it is inappropriate for this letter to be recycled to then try to undermine MSPs involved in this devolved issue in the Scottish Parliament:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3520786-Joan-McAlpine-on-sex-and-census-Wow

Is lady Mary hope wife of the retired law lord? Must be. Clearly not in possession of the family brain when she signed

There's a cracking bit in there - vying for 'you're having a fucking laugh with your projection there' award 2019 - about "When this conversation is reduced 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."

That makes me feel really stabby. WHO do these woke Aunt Lydias think has been doing the "No debating" and shutting down, blocking, refusing to appear on discussion programmes if any contrary view is to be expressed?

Clue for them: its NOT the GC women.

Here’s the deal ladies; I’ll listen when you start talking sense. Until then, I’ve sick drawers to organise. Fuck off with your disingenuous BS. I don’t care what you think.

Sick drawers? Sock drawers! Although after reading this shite, a sick drawer might come in handy

Yes, I read that bit about "shutting down debate" and "we will be heard" and immediately thought "Classic DARVO", Vicky.

Can someone tell me statistics of male to female compared to female to male transitioning ? It seems to me that we women are voicing our concerns whilst the men say nothing about the woman who identify as male. Is that fair to say..?

This won't age well, and those people will not be seen as on the "right side of history" that they keep spouting about.
Idiots.

Pottery - men didn't react favourably to the ManFriday activists showing up at the men's pool in Hampstead Heath. Funnily enough though, rather than being told off and publicly excoriated on twitter for not being woke enough, they got to call the police, and a (very nice by all accounts) police officer came and politely asked the protestors to leave. Funny that.

As for numbers, AFAIK, the majority of late-transitioners are transwomen. But figures from the Tavistock suggest the majority of teen transitioners are transboys (with a spectacularly large increase in numbers presenting, of the order of 2000% or so, over a very short space of time - but no, apparently social contagion isn't a thing and it would be transphobic to say this).

It is also very much a feature of the debate that it mostly seems to centre round the rights of transwomen to enter women-only spaces, with transmen only ever mentioned as an after thought. (In a curious reversal of the normal run of things, where men's issues take centre stage and women are only ever mentioned as an afterthought... hmm, what could possibly be going on there, I wonder?)