@wellbehavedwomen that's a really good response. Especially compared to mine:
Thanks for getting in touch with me recently regarding the Government’s proposals to scrap Gender Recognition Act (GRA) reform, and to introduce safeguards for single-sex spaces. Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to you - as you can imagine, the office is very busy at the moment.
I know this is an emotive and contentious issue, and I understand the concerns you raise.
However, I am in favour of GRA reform, and in light of the Government’s recent actions, the Labour Party has re-committed itself to updating the GRA and upholding the Equality Act, too. This will be done in a practical and respectful way. My view is that the current process to get legal recognition of gender identity is overly medicalised and takes too long. I support moves towards a system of self-ID as I think this is fairer, and less traumatic fortranspeople. While I do understand concerns about how abusive men may exploit this process, I think there are many means for abusive men to access vulnerable women and children, and I don’t think thattranspeople should be denied rights because a minority of people will seek to exploit a new process.
I also support self-ID in general because I think people should be able to define in a way that respects their gender identity and status. As you'll know,Labour’s All Women’s Shortlists are open to all women, includingtranswomen, andtranswomen can also run for women’s officer posts within the Labour Party. I feel it is important to say that at the time of writing, I have received 61 emails from constituents opposing the Government’s stance, and 6 supporting it. Equally, 70% of responses to the GRA consultation supported moves towards self-ID.
On single-sex spaces, I think people should be able to access facilities that match their gender identity, as they have done for many years. Indeed, under the Equality Act,transpeople have the right to access single-sex services in line with their ‘acquired gender’, and they are not required to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate, or have undergone any form of medical intervention, to be eligible for support in these services. However, under the Act, it is lawful for single-sex services to provide a different service or refuse their service to someone who is undergoing, has undergone or is proposing to undergo ‘gender reassignment’, in circumstances where they can demonstrate that doing so constitutes a ‘proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim’.
Transpeople, particularlytranswomen (and by extension, particularly blacktranswomen) are especially vulnerable to being victims of violent crime and hate crime, and they, like everyone, must feel safe in bathrooms, changing rooms, and other facilities. Of course, everyone, whethertransor cis, should use such facilities respectfully, and with consideration for other users, but the vast majority of people do so in any case. On refuges, I think the focus should be on ensuring services have the resources they need to meet the needs of cis women andtranswomen. We do of course also need to listen to people’s genuine concerns about safe spaces, particularly those who have been the victim of assault or abuse – but I think these concerns can, and should, be addressed in a sensitive way without discriminating againsttranspeople.
As I’ve already said, this is a nuanced and fraught debate, and one which cannot be adequately discussed and addressed on social media or through the leaking of review recommendations. These discussions must be conducted on the basis of fact and respect, and Labour is committed to listening to women and to LGBT+ communities to ensure our policies protect and respect everyone’s rights.
It’s important to note that as yet, no official proposals have been published, and it’s unclear whether they will even go to a vote. With this in mind, I think it’s important that we wait for Liz Truss to release completed official documents before deciding on a perspective.
Once again, I want you to know that I am listening and that I take on board all perspectives on this issue, even if they differ from my own. Thanks once again for taking the time to contact me.
So basically she acknowledges there will be attacks on women and children but they will be worth it to ensure natal males feel affirmed and validated.
She also acknowledges a woman's rights to raise concerns about the GRA... unless natal males find it offensive.
Couldn't make this crap up could you? Almost finished my rather stinging response.