Lib Dems say reforming Gender Recognition Act ‘can’t wait’ and is a manifesto priority

[stumbledin]

I suppose this is the next step on from saying they dont want the votes or support of gender critical women.

The source for this story is Pink News, but presumably even they wouldn't quote somebody they hadn't actually spoken to. Or is this just devious electioneering, saying something to one audience to win their vote, but never talk about it elsewhere.

^“This government has, by its own admission, kicked these vital changes to the Gender Recognition Act into the long grass. This is prolonging uncertainty and creating unnecessary anxiety for trans people at a time when transphobic hate crime is at a record high,” said Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat shadow minister for women and equalities.

“The Conservatives’ inaction on this shows a fundamental lack of empathy. They are treating trans people as second-class citizens. The Liberal Democrats will build a brighter future where every person’s rights are respected, including expression of their gender identity,” Jardine said.^

www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/11/13/gender-recognition-act-liberal-democrats-reform-manifesto-priority/

I caught a bit of an interview on R4 this morning (about 7:15) it sounded like a libdem was being taken to task at their anti woman stance here (no backdown or apology) and the ‘we don’t want you’ comment was mentioned. Must listen on catchup.

Thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3743224-Lib-Dem-s-Equalities-R4-now?msgid=91565926#91565926

Thanks Fekko, listening now.....

The thing is, ArielAnna, that society will see me as a woman and treat me accordingly whether I self identify as one or not. I could identify as a geranium and I'd still need access to sex segregated changing rooms, the right to request and get a female HCP, protection from the possibility of having to share a cell with a male if I get sent to prison, etc.

In order for women to have any clear rights in law the law needs to be able to define clearly who is and isn't part of the group "women". The LibDems are making it clear that they intend to muddy that definition to the point where it's no longer usable from a legal perspective. That's why women are saying they can't vote for them.

I caught a bit of an interview on R4 this morning (about 7:15) it sounded like a libdem was being taken to task at their anti woman stance here (no backdown or apology) and the ‘we don’t want you’ comment was mentioned. Must listen on catchup.

It was brief but fantastic. Nick Robinson challenged her on the Lib Dems 'taking a stance against women's rights'. Used examples of women's prison and changing rooms.

Fuck it. I am out of parties to support. The raving loony party, maybe?

But I don't get how such a small number of people identifying as different gender affects me self defining as a women.

Why are you using woke language? You either ARE a woman or you’re a man. You don’t self define as one. For someone who thinks there’s absolutely nothing to worry about and women should stop drawing attention to such matters, you’re very up to speed with the woke terminology.

stumbledin I think you are correct, it is a bid for the youth vote. And what woke student will care about the spousal veto? Only older people will realise the implications. I hope it gets more publicity.

The lib dems are trying to rehabilitate themselves after the huge betrayal about university fees.

It's all shameless vote-pandering, in my opinion they have no moral centre.

For the benefit of ArialAnna and anyone else who thinks that Tory trolls are highlighting the LibDem stance on self ID, try googling Helen Belcher.

Helen is the LibDem candidate for my constituency. Helen was also the LibDem candidate in 2017 and Helen's campaign literature highlighted Helen's focus on trans rights and influential voice on Trans Media Watch. I think somewhere on the back page there was a fleeting mention of the constituency itself but the whole thing was very much about how brave Helen is. It went down a treat with everyone here because if you are a farmer or Armed Forces, that would be your uppermost concern, wouldn't it?

This time, it appears that Helen has actually located the constituency on a map. May even have driven past here at least once.

No troll, Tory or otherwise, needs to highlight what the LibDems intend to do. The LibDems are doing a great job of that themselves. The more publicity, the better, in my view.

CurryandCobra - I seriously would vote for the Raving Loonies - if they were still around.* I would love the opportunity to have a protest vote. I simply don't know what I am going to do on 12 December as there is not one party I feel my conscience will let me vote for - not one!

*After all, they did pose some serious questions such as why was there only one Monopolies Commission?

Does anyone remember that Russian city where someone nominated their cat for mayor and the cat won? Maybe to make it appropriately British someone could nominate their Labrador.

I'd vote friendly Lab over any of the current options, anyway.

fridgegrazer I would also consider a Loony vote this time!

It is a real dilemma, I feel abandoned by Labour after many years of loyalty. I think all I can do is regard my vote as neutralising someone else's, more of a negative thing I suppose but I'd rather do that than waste it. So on the day my vote is going to the party which pisses me off the least.

I can absolutely see a ruling party saying to the LD's that they can focus on areas such as the GRA as they won't want them meddling with their Brexit plans.

That's my fear too Sanfran. It would be too easy to throw women's rights away just to cobble together some sort of Brexit coalition.

Leading to a hard Brexit and self-ID.

ArialAnna

The victims of Karen White matter and that really is a hill worth dying on.

@fridgegrazer at least they admit that are loony! The rest of the lot are hopeless. I may actually stay home and not vote. This is an impossible election.

Very small number of people with a disproportionate level of influence- mainly Sarah Brown and Helen Belcher.
Wider group of women like Layla Moran who are a bit dim and happy to act as flying monkeys to get pats on the head and stay out of the firing line.
Small group of men delighted that they can show wokeness and shout women down at the same time.
Much larger group cynically chasing the youth vote and assuming when it comes down to it we’ll toe the line because of Brexit.
Another large group who aren’t interested either way, think it’s trivial and don’t want the hassle.

I'm quietly pleased with myself for taking a first step and have emailed my local Lib Dem candidate to seek confirmation of her stance on self ID, women's spaces and the Equality Act.
I await her response

I seriously would vote for the Raving Loonies - if they were still around

They are but smaller, they have a Facebook page. I had a giggle few weeks back when they did a cabinet shuffle.
They dont field a candidate countrywide, just a few select places.
I have German shepherds, if I get enough donations I will put them up for election everywhere?

I'm Jewish so that's Labour out for me.
I'm a former Labour voter, member and activist and I'm anti Brexit so that's the Tories out for me. Also Johnson is awful to women. I could never vote for him.
I'm gender critical so that's the Greens and LibDems out for me.

If I only get a choice of those four candidates I may have to either abstain or spoil my ballot paper.

I am 63 and I have voted in every single election, generals, referendums, locals and Euros, since I've been eligible.

I truly do not know WHAT to do in this one!