James Kirkup: The importance of Liz Truss’s trans promise

[TimeLady]

James is back on the case...

Liz Truss isn’t daft. She’s an experienced minister and policy wonk (she used to run a think tank…) who can master a brief. She knows this area well. She has not wandered into the debate about trans children by accident: those words were from her opening, scripted speech to the committee, not an off-the-cuff comment.

In other words, the cabinet minister responsible for trans policy has decided to enter the debate about trans children, and to take a side, by questioning the prevailing orthodoxy that has been constructed by campaign groups and some clinicians.

Some people will be angry about that. Some people will be happy. I will say only that I am pleased that these questions are being discussed properly in parliament, even in these unusual days.

www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-importance-of-liz-truss-s-trans-promise

Thank you, James

Thanks, James. And thank you, Liz Truss. Well done on speaking out.

And thank you to Liz Truss. I had a letter from her stating other GC views, albeit in a vague way but it set out her views very strongly on these matters.

This is very very good news for children.

^^ Contradicted myself there!
She knows what she is talking about and what the issues are.

He does put things very clearly and succinctly. I hope people read his writing and understand.

Does that mean that the inquiry into the rapid increase in the number of girls presenting as transgender will happen?

It's long overdue for government ministers to speak out about this - but thank you Liz Truss.
Now get these pressure groups out of schools and away from children, demand that clinicians and the rest centre safeguarding and children's needs in the same way that we do when they have eating disorders, self harm and other mental health issues. And challenge adults who deliberately alienate children from their parents via "trans guidance". In every other aspect of children's lives professionals work in partnership with parents and where there are problems, then legislation and the courts are used to oversee limiting parental rights / responsibilities. This vulnerable group of children are entitled to the same level of protection as all other children receive.

Excellent
And I do love the term “zombie statistics”

This is great news! Thanks for the heads up OP

Its hardly excellent. she may have made her position clear relating to under 18s but she is also effectively saying adults can choose to do what they want. ie men can claim to be women.

This the relevant quote, not what James Kirkup thinks:

"Finally, which is not a direct issue concerning the Gender Recognition Act, but is relevant, making sure that the under 18s are protected from decisions that they could make, that are irreversible in the future. I believe strongly that adults should have the freedom to lead their lives as they see fit, but I think it’s very important that while people are still developing their decision-making capabilities that we protect them from making those irreversible decisions."

From this it seems the tories may well agree to self identification but just say no medical intervention for under 18s.

So no hope there for women's rights to be respected.

She does believe in retaining single sex spaces though, but of course that is only meaningful if self-ID is disallowed.

Exactly see the other thread which is the complete quote of what she said from the Government press release. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-ppe-women-wrong-size-liz-truss-a9478201.html

Classic toryism, appearing to protect children but otherwise promoting the libetarian view that we can each do what we like, which somehow always ends up with those with most power doing what they like, ie men.

Sorry - wrong link! See www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3888113-Women-Equalities-22nd-April-2020-YES

transcript here:
www.gov.uk/government/speeches/minister-for-women-and-equalities-liz-truss-sets-out-priorities-to-women-and-equalities-select-committee

(extract)
"We’ve been doing a lot of work internally, making sure we’re in a position to respond to that consultation and launch what we propose to do on the future of the Gender Recognition Act. We will be in a position to do that by the summer, and there are three very important principles that I will be putting place.

First of all, the protection of single-sex spaces, which is extremely important.

Secondly making sure that transgender adults are free to live their lives as they wish without fear of persecution, whilst maintaining the proper checks and balances in the system." (continues)

The third principle of Liz Truss' comment on GRA is the subject of James Kirkup article concerning the medical treatment of children & quoted.

The key thing, surely, is the protection of single-sex spaces. That's a very clear commitment from Truss.

That assumes that they dont in practice, having said adults should have the right to do what they want, allow trans activists to insist TWAW!

I think that is extremely promising. Clear commitment on single sex spaces, acknowledgment that under 18s need safeguarding and protection from making immature choices.
I'll be curious to see what the wording is when it does come out but it's clear she sees the issues.
There are going to be TRA tantrums on twitter tonight.

The key thing, surely, is the protection of single-sex spaces. That's a very clear commitment from Truss
Yes, on the surface a very clear commitment.
Until you then hear that people can change sex and determine themselves to be whatever sex they would like to be.
Then the words single sex are meaningless if Dave Rugby says that on Tuesdays he is Davina.
Single sex spaces are still protected at present, but you wouldn't think so given the speed that organisations and institutions have jumped on the band wagon.
We have, by stealth, a creeping de facto self-id in this country. And we need to do something about it.

The devil will of course be in the detail. But I think there are some encouraging things about her speech.

Firstly, she has chosen to take this particular bull by the horns - she could have left it in the (long) grassy meadow of pandemic planning.

Secondly, she has in three short paragraphs set out three really major "terf" points - that single-sex spaces and exemptions are vital; that safeguarding children is vital; and that grown adults can express themselves how they like. It would have been excellent beyond belief if she had included the single most important point - "woman is not a costume" - but even without that she is proving herself well-informed.

Thirdly, I think there was rumour that Dominic Cummings ("the incels' incel") was all in favour of self ID because he thought it was an easy sop in the not-the-nasty-party stakes? So, either Truss has made this speech in defiance of Downing Street - or, presumably more likely in view of the fact that, well, she's a career politician - Downing Street has changed it mind and realised that it's shit on a stick.

I take from it that adults can present how they wish, but single sex exemptions exist for a reason-GG sort yr house out!