Politicians urge Scottish Government not to ‘rush’ gender change bill

[EweSurname]

www.scotsman.com/news/politics/politicians-urge-scottish-government-not-to-rush-gender-change-bill-1-4913919

Fifteen senior SNP politicians, including three government ministers and a deputy presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, have called for the Scottish Government not to “rush” into legislation they claim could change the definition of what it means to be male and female.

MSPs Kate Forbes, Ash Denham and Ivan McKee, who are all government ministers, have signed a public letter laying out their concerns about the increasingly bitter debate around proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act (GRA).

SNP colleagues Joan McAlpine, Ruth Maguire, Christine Grahame and Kenneth Gibson, along with their MP colleagues Carol Monaghan, Angus Macneil, Joanna Cherry and Patricia Gibson, are co-signatories.

The statement has also been signed by leading SNP councillors, including Chris McEleny, group leader at Inverclyde council, Caroline McAllister, deputy leader of the SNP group on West Dunbartonshire Council, Shaun Macaulay, deputy leader of the SNP group on North Ayrshire Council, and Lynne Anderson from North Lanarkshire Council.

In a challenge to the government and their own party, which meets for its annual conference this weekend, the 15 say that “conflating sex with gender identification affects a wide range of policy and service delivery, including data collection, education, health and social care, justice and sport. New information about this topic is emerging all the time and deserves to be properly scrutinised”.

The letter adds: “Changing the definition of male and female is a matter of profound significance. It is not something we should rush.”

The group welcomed last week’s intervention by equalities secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville in which she said people discussing transgender issues, self-identification of gender and women’s rights should “not be subject to knee-jerk accusations of transphobia”. They said all parliamentarians should be able to “discuss questions of law, policy and practice in relation to definitions of sex and gender in good faith, and without being subject to abuse of any kind”. [...]

My constituency MSP is on the list, hooray. I've been to see her twice and both times got a rather limp "I understand where you're coming from but I can't openly contradict SNP policy" sort of response. I've written and sent a card to congratulate her on speaking out. Never underestimate how centralised the SNP is, or the amount of courage and leadership Joan McAlpine has shown in this. I'm pretty sure it's been Joan's stance (and maybe, just maybe, getting visits and emails from GC constituents) that finally made it possible for my MSP to go public. Let's keep up the pressure on our SNP MPs, MSPs and councillors, and don't forget the other parties.

Interestingly, the LGBT are panicking and appealing to Scottish Labour to push the reforms through because the SNP is "dithering".

More interestingly, is the response to their determination to ignore women saying 'No' and carry on without their consent. (Sounds rapey, doesn't it?) In contrast, the SNP are being applauded.

twitter.com/LGBTLabScot/status/1121002787138043905

For the first time in my life, I spoiled a vote recently in a local election.

I wrote "Stand up for women and girl's sex based rights, support Joan McAlpine and speak up" in big letters across the paper. I read that when a vote is spoiled all of the candidates have to look at it and agree it is so decided that would be the best way to send a message. Consciousness is being raised, thank goodness for the gutsy women prepared to speak truth. And how appalling that speaking truth requires going against policy and risking punishment, threat and attack by angry violent men. Policy should not be based on lies!

I am so frustrated I don't trust myself to calmly chat about this in a meeting with someone regurgitating woke nonsense at me.

My puzzled twelve year old relative has been telling me about her trendy bi and trans friends at her highly regarded school (first year), how confusing it is for her, how frightening she is finding the levels of violence there compared to primary. I can only affirm scientific fact, assure her that maturity and self knowledge takes time and adulthood and pass on self defence techniques. What in the actual fuck is going on with this country?