Baroness Liz Barker (LibDem Lords) interview, "There has been a vicious campaign against Trans women. Orchestrated by extreme right wingers from the US, but it is perpetrated by.. women of the left"

[R0wantrees]

By Matthew Hulbert
"Im a charity trustee, an LGBT+ Rights activist, a School Governor, a former journalist, a Councillor, a campaigner and and an activist... Chair of the Leicestershire Police/Fire Service LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group (IAG)"

mathewhulbertonline.wordpress.com/about/

“There has been a vicious campaign against Trans women.”A special interview, marking IDAHoBiT, with Baroness Liz Barker

(extract)
Baroness Liz Barker was made a life peer representing the Liberal Democrats in 1999.

She is the party’s Lords Spokesperson for LGBT+ issues and the Voluntary Sector.

Baroness Barker is also a Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Global LGBT+ Rights and is involved with a number of LGBT+ charities.

For many years she worked for Age Concern.

Earlier this week, to mark today’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHoBiT), I conducted a socially distanced interview with Liz, who I’ve known for many years and worked with on various issues around LGBT+ equality." (continues)

"LB In recent years the UK Government has helped to defend people, for example in Commonwealth countries, but given the recent statement by the Minister Liz Truss to the Women and Equalities Committee, I don’t think this Conservative government can be relied on to do the right thing. I fear that the nasty party is back.

MH: Turning to the position re LGBT+ Rights more generally, it seems there is increasing hostility towards some members of our communities; especially Trans, non binary and gender fluid individuals. This interview will be published on IDAHoBiT day. How important is having a day focused on us standing against those who peddle hatred towards LGBT+ people? The theme this year is ‘breaking the silence.’ Many LGBT+ people still do live their lives having to keep their sexuality/gender identity secret in certain situations, don’t they?

LB: Yes, I work closely with trans groups, intersex groups and non-binary people. When the government’s LGBT Action plan was published there was some optimism that long overdue legal reform would happen. Sadly for the last three years there has been a vicious campaign against trans women. It is orchestrated by extreme right wingers from the US, but it is perpetrated by people, many of them women, who are traditionally on the left. Despite a stark lack of evidence, the constant assertions that trans women pose a threat to other women are fanned by journalists. We are not talking about the usual suspects like the Mail and the Murdoch sheets, media such as the Guardian and the BBC have endlessly and relentlessly given credence to views which on any other subject would be subject to journalistic scrutiny and dismissed. Worst of all, lesbians and gay men, many of whom know what it is like to be subject to discrimination and misrepresentation, are now subjecting trans women to that same unfair treatment. That is utterly disgraceful.

MH: You’re one of the most high-profile LGBT+ Parliamentarians and do a huge amount for our communities. What is life like as an Out Parliamentarian? Are there still those who are negative about it?

LB: That is the case at the moment, and I hope it can remain so. I wasn’t able to come out for many years for personal reasons. To work every day under the threat of being outed took a toll on me, but also friends and colleagues who worried for me. When I could come out I did and I decided to use my position and influence to make life better for others, especially those who still face discrimination in their communities. There are now more LGB parliamentarians, sadly no trans MPs or peers yet, but I do hope that the brilliant campaigner Helen Belcher can break that barrier. I co-founded the APPG on Global LGBT Rights and, despite current restraints on the Lords imposed by government, I hope to continue that work. And I have worked a lot on building LGBT issues into discussions about equalities, especially with parliamentarians from abroad. I try to help activists from other countries too. I consider it my duty to help as many groups and activists from our communities to engage effectively with parliament and government. " (continues)

mathewhulbertonline.wordpress.com/about/

Baroness Liz Barker has worked closely with/for TRAs such as Helen Belcher, GIRES etc for many years.

Its been quite a week for spurious allegations as printed in Pink News yesterday.
current thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3912202-feminist-movement-is-a-cult-that-grooms-controls-and-abuses-according-to-a-lesbian-who-managed-to-escape-Amy-Dyess

I think they can rant all they want. I don't think the current government is buying it thank goodness. Sane policy making is what is needed here now.

the constant assertions that trans women pose a threat to other women are fanned by journalists.

The constant assertions that these are constant assertions is incredibly wearying and shows they're either not listening or deliberately misrepresenting the points that are actually of concern.

Really can't be arsed going through this again.

Liz Barking (both mad and up the wrong tree).

🎻 (Actual size)

There’s no such thing as LGBT+ rights. The phrase nearly always means T rights. Lesbians get no benefits at all from gender identity shit - quite the opposite.

...the constant assertions that trans women pose a threat to other women are fanned by journalists. The constant assertions that these are constant assertions is incredibly wearying...

This is exactly like the repetitions of creationists, who object to the constant assertion that they are descended from apes, which nobody except creationists has ever said.

She reeks of the Koolaid she's been swigging, doesn't she? Still, when your party is in the middle, I suppose it's tempting to blame the far right and the far left at the same time!

June 2018 Baroness Liz Barker chaired the Westminster Social Policy Forum, 'Next Steps for Trans Equality'

Speakers included:
Dr Polly Carmichael (GIDs Tavistock), Bex Stimpson (Head of Trans InclusionStonewall), Liz Barker (Lords), Helen Belcher (Trans Media Watch, James Palmer (Medical Director Specialised Services, NHS England), Sean Dellenty (Dept education), Ollie Entwistle (Head of LGBT policy, Govt. Women & Equalities), Megan Key (probation), Tunge Ogungbesan (Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Succession BBC), Julia Neal (Head: The Education Union)...

See picture for Liz Barker's opening remarks.

Nic Williams (Fairplay for Women) commented:

"I represented @fairplaywomen at the Trans Equality Conference. I was shocked by the opening remarks telling us there would be no dissent, no challenges & 'transphobes' would be removed. An appalling hostile tone set by the chair...
Imagine what is was like to have these opening words in a conf full of reps from the NHS, university, government, big business, charity. These remarks were designed to intimidate & silence. It did not. We still stood up and spoke"

twitter.com/AskNic/status/1012384349055045632

thread (includes significant statements from TRA speakers):
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3268237-Westminster-Social-Policy-forum-today-Next-steps-for-transgender-Equality-WSPFEvents

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52690931

www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-52668174

www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-51928077

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52560676

These are four overwhelmingly positive and sympathetic articles on the BBC new website from the last couple of weeks. The idea that the BBC are doing anything other than promote the accepted narrative of wide-eyed admiration towards trans ideas is laughable.

BTW, the story in the last link features a powerful Egyptian man and his child who now is seen as a man. It's all about the father being hailed for 'accepting his son.'

It's only when you get to the last small paragraph that the BBC mentions that some people are not quite so starry eyed as daddy dearest said he was relieved that he now has a son because imagine the horror if he had ended up with a daughter after having a male child to begin with.

She can keep trying to sell it - those of us with eyes and ears aren’t buying it

I work closely with trans groups, intersex groups and non-binary people.

Does anybody know which intersex groups she's worked with?
Because I'm pretty sure that most intersex groups would have told her that their medical condition is nothing to do with being either trans or NB, and they're fed up with non-intersex people constantly appropriating it.

The business about the Guardian and the BBC is interesting, because as FloralBunting says, they have all kinds of sympathetic coverage, far more than that which is critical, or even relatively neutral. Which says that the demand that people like this are making is that major news sources have only one editorial line that they stick to rigidly on controversial topics.

That's a problematic position, IMO, as someone with an interest in the topic of journalistic integrity more generally.

I thinks it's also worthwhile to widen the lens a little and ask how that seem reasonable to people, and the answer seems to be because it's framed as a rights/identity politics issue. A lot of the left has simply accepted, even before transgender issues were much talked about, that there is a set of idea or views which are not allowed to be questioned seriously by the media or individual journalists. We need to look back and ask ourselves if we've been willing to accept that with regard to other issues, because allowing that is what has allowed the same thinking to go on in these cases.

These are four overwhelmingly positive and sympathetic articles on the BBC new website from the last couple of weeks. The idea that the BBC are doing anything other than promote the accepted narrative of wide-eyed admiration towards trans ideas is laughable.

Liz Barker's friend & LibDem colleague Helen Belcher is one of the five people running the influential TransMedia Watch.

TedTalk January 2018
'Changing Media' by Helen Belcher
www.ted.com/talks/helen_belcher_changing_media

Baroness Barker is completely wedded to trans ideology.

And so are the Lib Dem's.

Irritating apostrophe-adding autocorrect!

Forgive me for being desperately childish, but IDAHoBiT ?

But yes, daft baroness is daft.

Baroness Barker is completely wedded to trans ideology.

Baroness Barker has apparently been a regular special guest at GIRES AGM
Drs Helen & Mike Webberley likewise.

2016 GIRES AGM minutes
(extract)
Afterwards Baroness Barker spoke on Parliamentary and political aspects of current transgender issues and Dr. Helen Webberley spoke on transgender health care as a GP. Other matters discussed included the Report of the House of Commons Women & Equalities
Committee Inquiry, Brexit, trans*formation and trans individuals in prison. There was also a workshop for families of gender nonconforming people.
Bernard and Terry were thanked for their hospitality and we all clapped when Baroness Barker praised Terry for her great vision and persistence."
gires. org.uk/wp-content /uploads/2016/11/GIRES-AGM-Minutes-September-2016.pdf

2017
(extract)
"Bernard Reed reported on GIRES’ developments (including the GIRES website, tranzwiki, incidence statistics, translation of the WPATH SOC, Awards for All, corporate members, awards received, and trans prisoners), as well as the accounts. Terry Reed summarised the year’s meetings and training , and thanked everyone (particularly Baroness Barker) who had given support to the organisation during the previous year, plus all those present for attending. Baroness Barker spoke on the parliamentary forum, and the Albert Kennedy Trust.

1. Appointment of Independent Examiner

Ian Rankin was unanimously reappointed as Independent Examiner. Proposed by Helen Belcher Seconded by Jane Clark

1. Any Other Business

Ben Vincent invited engagement from attendees in the development of their transgender healthcare book. The meeting closed at 3.33 pm.

Afterwards members discussed three ways to influence government policy. First, NHS England is seeking views, by 16 October, about its proposals regarding gender identity services for adults. Secondly, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) has launched a survey, which runs until 15 October, among LGBT people about their experiences and the improvements they seek in public servicers. Thirdly, the GEO plans a consultation in the autumn on reducing the bureaucratic and medical burdens in obtaining gender recognition.
There was also a concurrent workshop for families of gender diverse people."
www.gires.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/GIRES-AGM-Minutes-September-2017.pdf

Tripe and 🐂💩

Well done to the ladies of the board for perseverance and shout out to @R0wantrees and co for sterling work. 💐

October 14th 2019 Baroness Liz Barker tweeted:

"Today I submitted my first Private Member's Bill to abolish the spousal veto (sic). Fingers crossed for a high slot in UKHouseofLords ballot."
mobile.twitter.com/LizBarkerLords/status/1183756357251543041
thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3717744-Liz-Barkers-potential-private-members-bill-Spousal-veto

OP TinselAngel wrote:
"Did you know the Liberal Democrats are currently proposing changes to the Gender Recognition Act which could have the effect of trapping trans widows in same sex marriages against their will?

A woman could go from being in a hetrosexual marriage, to being in legally a same sex marriage, without her consent.

A motion was passed at the Liberal Democrat party conference (proposer Layla Moran MP ) to change the clause of the GRA which allows for one party to a marriage to have the marriage annulled / dissolved before the other party is able to be issued with a Gender Recognition Certificate.

Trans Activists inaccurately refer to this section of the GRA as the "Spousal Veto". It is not a veto. It does not prevent transition. At worst it might delay the issue of a GRC.

Never mind, you might think, the Lib Dems aren't going to get into power any time soon? Putting aside the possibility of a hung parliament in an imminent general election, the Lib Dems appear to not be able to wait to get into power to introduce this, as now Baroness Barker has submitted a private members bill in the House of Lords.

Google "spousal veto" and you will see pages of accustions that it can be used by an abusive controlling spouse to maliciously prevent their partner's transition. However no evidence is ever provided that this has ever happened. Those of you who have read the trans widows threads will have your own opinion of how likely this is.

Not all women in this situation will be able to get divorced. Some cannot get divorced for religious or cultural reasons. Maybe they can't afford it, or maybe their husband will refuse to consent to an Unreasonable Behaviour petition and drag the marriage out for 5 years or more.

Please contact the Liberal Democrats (particulary if you have a Liberal Democrat MP) and any prominent feminists you know to get people talking about this. It is a completely unjustified assault on one of the few rights that trans widows have. Any attack on Womens Rights is an attack on all women."

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3717872-Trans-Widows-the-Liberal-Democrats-and-the-Spousal-Veto

Make More Noise article:
"Trans Widows and the Spousal “Veto”: a modern fable of male entitlement"
(extract)
What you won’t find, is anything explaining the effect that abolishing the “veto” would have on trans widows. So here goes.

First of all it is not a veto to transition, and it is gaslighting to suggest that it is. Who could have predicted that trans widows would be treated by the politicians in almost exactly the same way that we were treated by our ex-husbands? Why, those of us with a rudimentary understanding of patriarchy, that’s who!

Under the GRA, the transitioning spouse (usually the husband) has to have the consent [for the change of marriage status] of the non-transitioning spouse (usually the wife) before he can obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate. Whilst that consent remains outstanding, an interim certificate is issued. This gives any woman who does not consent, the space to get the marriage annulled/dissolved before her husband legally changes sex and becomes her wife. It prevents her being in a same sex marriage that she didn’t sign up to.

This is why this section of the GRA would more accurately be called the Spousal Exit Clause rather than the Spousal Veto." (continues)

makemorenoisemanc.wixsite.com/mysite/post/trans-widows-and-the-spousal-veto-a-modern-fable-of-male-entitlement

Her intensity on this topic is something I found genuinely alarming two years ago when she was speaking out in the Lords and not a single politician seemed to even question it, let alone argue the opposite viewpoint. Dr Nic was very courageous to speak out.

But this topic is no longer unspeakable. We’ve come a long way.

It is orchestrated by extreme right wingers from the US

And she actually believes this utter nonsense?

Her intensity on this topic is something I found genuinely alarming two years ago when she was speaking out in the Lords and not a single politician seemed to even question it, let alone argue the opposite viewpoint.

11/2/2020 Spectator article by James Kirkup
'The minister who politely refused to play the trans language game'
(extract)
The debate ended with a summing up speech by Lord Keen of Elie, the advocate general for Scotland and a justice minister. Before becoming a minister, Keen was a working QC at the English and Scottish bars. In other words, he’s a senior and serious lawyer.

And this is what he had to say on the 'spousal veto': there is no such thing.

Here’s the relevant bit of his speech:

“'The noble Baroness, Lady Burt of Solihull, raised the question of transgender people, or persons who wish to transition, which she acknowledged was outwith the scope of the Bill—which it certainly is. However, if and when we come to address that, I think that we would have carefully to approach her use of the unqualified term “veto” in respect of this matter.

'The noble Baroness, Lady Hunt, very charmingly used a “Jack and Jill” kind of illustration of certain matters; perhaps I may seek to deploy a similar approach. Mary marries Paul; Paul decides that he will transition to become Pauline. To complete that process, he will either require the consent of Mary or he will have to secure a declarator of nullity of marriage—so there is no actual veto. [My bold] The point of the present situation is this: Mary who married Paul should not find herself married to Pauline without her consent.'

And that, I think, is significant and worth noting here. One of the interesting characteristics of the transgender debate is how trans advocates have used language with care and deliberation and repetition to create an orthodoxy that few people in public life will analyse let alone question." (continues)

www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-minister-who-politely-refused-to-play-the-trans-language-game]]

And she actually believes this utter nonsense?

She seems to believe a lot of false narratives.

Pink News
'LGBT Leaders: Lawmakers reject radical feminist transphobia'
SOFIA LOTTO PERSIO OCTOBER 12, 2018

(extract)
“Within the [LGBT] community, the four initials right now, there is no excuse to do anything other than supporting one another,” said Baroness Liz Barker, a Liberal Democrat peer who publicly came out during the passage of the Marriage Act in 2013.

Baroness Barker commended Prime Minister Theresa May for choosing to champion transgender equality, but criticised how long it took for the government to launch the consultation, in July, after first announcing plans to reform the GRA in October.

That delay, according to Baroness Barker, allowed “self-identified radical feminists” to organise and “put together a whole series of assumptions and generalisations.” She compared the strategies adopted by these groups to those historically adopted by people “to foster hatred agains minorities” and called for people to “reclaim feminism.” (continues)
www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/10/12/lgbt-leaders-lawmakers-reject-radical-feminist-transphobia/

IDAHoBiT

Sorry. I'm sure it's very serious. But they couldn't have made their online roots more obvious if they'd tried.

For the record, Tolkien was very clear that dressing in cross-sex clothing didn't make one the opposite sex. I do wish these people would crack open the Sil now and again.

“Within the [LGBT] community, the four initials right now, there is no excuse to do anything other than supporting one another,” said Baroness Liz Barker

Fine by me. Let's start by supporting the L, because they get the most shit by far.