My professional organisation's attitude to transgender issues

[theplough]

We have a new equality and behaviour policy for all members - about treating everyone fairly, respecting protected characteristics, not bullying, etc. Fair enough.

There was some discussion in a recent meeting when one member stated that he believes that it's physically impossible to change sex, even though you can live as the opposite sex. Our management committee has said our organisation's line is: 'Biological sex is ambiguous. Never mind the biological facts; we agree with however someone wants to identify.'

I'm not happy with this. Fair enough if that's what our senior management team wants to believe, but they can't make everyone else believe this, can they? And I'm concerned about the rights of women in our organisation if this is the line they're taking. But how to put this in a way that doesn't sound anti-trans?

Why was this being discussed? Was it a staff thing or official stance? What will it mean on a day to day basis for staff/customers/visitors/clients...

Please tell me it isn’t the GMC.

Sex is a protected characteristic, defined in law. If the organisation want to treat everyone equally and respect the protected characteristics, it doesn’t get to redefine and reinterpret the law of the land unilaterally. To do so would disenfranchise the staff protected by those provisions. Go back to the law and use that as the starting oiint for your complaint.

But gender reassignment is a protected characteristic too. How can the two work together?

The key word is ‘assignment’ (ie a legal thing) not self ID (not worth the paper it’s written in).

...believes that it's physically impossible to change sex, even though you can live as the opposite sex

This just sums it up. You can't change sex, but you can live as the opposite sex.

What is so wrong with this being the standard??

"Live as the opposite sex" is a meaningless expression.

You cannot even walk as the opposite sex. Your pelvis does not allow it.

I’m an adult human female and right now I’m wearing a man’s T-shirt and socks, amongst other items, so am I ‘living as a man’? If not, how many more pieces of traditionally male apparel must I put on before I’m considered to be ‘living as a male’? Sounds like nonsense? That’s because it is!

Biological sex is ambiguous. Never mind the biological facts; we agree with however someone wants to identify.'

Was there a further challenge at this point. Not sure I could keep quiet these days in the face of my managers stating “Biological sex is ambiguous “ . That would be the obvious starting point for me if I was working for this company, if that was a stated official policy.

Did the person who spoke up get into trouble, or was the conversation shut down without other consequences? I’d be inclined to approach the commenter and begin a discussion with him on whether there’s an official way to challenge this.

Why was this being discussed? Was it a staff thing or official stance? What will it mean on a day to day basis for staff/customers/visitors/clients...

It came up as a result of our new behaviour policy. Official stance. NO idea what it will mean for members or staff: I have no idea if we have any transgender members, so this may all be hypothetical discussion.

Was there a further challenge at this point?
Manager stated the organisation;'s position and shut down discussion.

Did the person who spoke up get into trouble, or was the conversation shut down without other consequences?
No consequences

If biological sex is ambiguous why is sex a protected characteristic under the equality act!

Never mind the facts?!

Exactly how does that fit with other legal requirements?

Yes, it's only a matter of time before Stonewall et al succeed in obliterating every trace of female humans from the Equality Act, but currently the employers have SEX BASED responsibilities.

When an organisation has actually reached the point of saying 'never mind the facts, we BELIEVE this...'

It's heights of lunacy never before scaled.

I keep having to pinch myself to remind me I am awake. This is all so bizarre.

Grown adults being forced into saying things that are patently untrue, and then forcing staff to go along with it.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers in real life.

I’m sorry for your predicament.

The senior team state:

‘Biological sex is ambiguous. Never mind the biological facts; we agree with however someone wants to identify.' 1984...

As the other posters have stated, this is contrary to the Equalities Act 2010 which has sex-based definitions and exemptions.

Is there someone you know / trust in the organisation who can make it clear that the employer is statutory required to respect protected characteristics which includes sex. Point out that this is dictated by law - even if the employer prefers otherwise.

Orwell had no idea...