Maya Forstater court case

[Bardonnay]

Sorry to link to the DM but they've covered Maya Forstater's upcoming court case here:
https://mol.im/a/7683207.

Maya's account of events is here and her post links to updates about the case: https://medium.com/@MForstater/i-lost-my-job-for-speaking-up-about-womens-rights-2af2186ae84

Saw this thread on Twitter that is tweeting live updates

twitter.com/wwwritingclub/status/1195282734593302528?s=19

It didn't mention the intersex-as-third-sex defence though... OMG I am stunned.

I really feel for intersex people - they are constantly being used as a 'Aha!!!!!' by those who can't get their head around biology.

Oh well done Maya!

Sounds like you are doing brilliantly. We are all grateful.

She's just asserted that doctors are guessing at children's sex at birth. Much mirth in the court room

Sunlight.

Court had a break. Judge opened court with a clarification to the ex-employer that chromosomes are the carrier for DNA that determines sex. Looks like he might have a science background

Many thanks to those who are reporting on this case. Invaluable as always.

Thank you to that tweeter!

Judge asked about pronouns. Maya responds that it depends on the circumstances, for instance if there was a naked man in a women's changing room who insisted they were 'she' or 'they', I wouldn't worry about that as I ran out to get security to tell them there was a man in the women's changing room

Following the live tweets and Maya is bossing it! Come on Maya! If she wins this we will all owe her so much.

Defence case has now moved onto Maya's tweets comparing Rachel Dolezal and Pips Bunce to self-ID. I think she is trying to claim this is 'offensive'. Maya's lawyer Anya argues and judge agrees that these tweets should be taken separately

Go Maya! I have so much respect for her.

We knew the defence would throw everything at this.
Barrel. Scraping.

Her forner employer must really hate women

Defence claiming that trans people do not have any benefit to transitioning. Maya talks of males taking women's places on All-Women Shortlists, Women's Officer roles in the Labour Party.

Defence claiming that trans people do not have any benefit to transitioning. Maya talks of males taking women's places on All-Women Shortlists, Women's Officer roles in the Labour Party.

And sports!

"Judge opened court with a clarification to the ex-employer that chromosomes are the carrier for DNA that determines sex." I feel quite relieved at this. There is so much obfuscation and misinformation about sex from the other side which has crept (well barged) into public institutions. This is a judge knowing what sex is.

Maya talks about how children are not able developmentally to understand what 'legal sex' is. This is beyond their cognition at a young age. Finding it hard to summarise Maya's points as she is choosing her words extremely carefully and thoughtfully. I don't want to misrepresent her.

Is there likely to be a judgement today, does anyone know?

I love that one of the tweeters on that live thread tagged goinglikeelsie, who did such awesome work at Yaniv’s hearing. Solidarity in the sisterhood.

This is all sounding positive so far! Go Maya!

I am relieved and grateful that a judge knows what sex is, and yes I'm aware of how ludicrous it is that I can truthfully say that.

seeing Maya at the London WPUK meeting made me realise how measured, respectful and clever she is

rooting for you Maya!

Judge exploring a scenario about introducing a trans teacher in school. Maya says we need to talk about things honestly, especially with children, and making children deny reality has safeguarding consequences. Judge says Section 9 of GRA says you have to treat someone with a GRC to 'all intents and purposes in their acquired gender'. Maya says their gender but not their sex.

Maya nails it:

I wouldn’t lie to child. If child says “Miss are you a man or a woman?” I would question whether someone who couldn’t answer that honestly should be in that position of responsibility with children. Shouldn’t lie to kids or expect kids to lie abt somones sex

@GCAcademic No, the case will be continuing next week. Judge is seeking a bigger court for next week as it is packed today

School and trans teacher would have to work out a form of words that is both honest, but also respectful to the trans teacher. And the form of words would vary according to age group.