WRITE TO YOUR MP

[GeneticTest]

I work for an MP.

We’ve had very few emails about GRA in the last few years- mostly against self ID.

We’ve had 4 emails in the last few days all outraged at this attack on transgender people.
All very similar. It’s a campaign.

We must keep emailing so MPs don’t think everyone agrees with the TRAs.

(My MP is GC)

Please- email your MP and let them know your views.

*@Wolfgirrl fantastic.

I have just been listening to the radio. Talking about Labour and the last election and why the loss of seats. Apart from Corbyn, one of the interesting statistics was the number of socially liberal leaning voters at about 21% which means the rest are socially, fairly conservative. I am so surprised the the Labour party hasn't yet distanced itself from some of these more extreme views which would include TWAW.

I'm assuming it's just a matter of time. The more sunlight on this subject, the better for us

Isn't wolfgirrl's MP wrong on this bit?
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.

If something is advertised as single sex, and excludes men who do not identify as women but includes those who do but without a GRC, then it is breaking the law. Because it is discriminating against men accessing the facilities but not correctly applying the single sex exemption.

So if the man who was excluded took them to court he would win, because self-id is not a characteristic recognised in law and does not afford you entry to single sex spaces. In order to invoke a single sex exemption to exclude a sex you have to exclude all men, except maybe those with a GRC.

@CheeryTreeBlossom

Isn't wolfgirrl's MP wrong on this bit? 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.

If something is advertised as single sex, and excludes men who do not identify as women but includes those who do but without a GRC, then it is breaking the law. Because it is discriminating against men accessing the facilities but not correctly applying the single sex exemption.

So if the man who was excluded took them to court he would win, because self-id is not a characteristic recognised in law and does not afford you entry to single sex spaces. In order to invoke a single sex exemption to exclude a sex you have to exclude all men, except maybe those with a GRC.

That's the argument made on Legal Feminist, yep.

If a trans woman who doesn’t have a GRC wants to access a female-only space, and is refused access, that’s not discrimination on grounds of gender reassignment, but discrimination on grounds of sex. She’s refused access not because she’s trans, but because she’s both legally and biologically male. That means she can lawfully be refused access any time it’s lawful at all to have a female-only space. In my view, it also means she almost certainly should be refused access in those circumstances. That’s because it’s only lawful at all to provide a single-sex space or service if there’s a good reason for sex segregation; but if trans women are admitted, it will cease to be a single-sex space.

CheeryTree - I’m not an expert on this, but I’m pretty sure that wolfgirls mp is wrong. Trans people without a GRC are not legally allowed to use spaces meant for their acquired sex, and even those with a GRC can be excluded under certain circumstances. There is a good article about it on the ‘legal feminist‘ site. I don’t have the link to hand, but I’m sure someone else can provide it.

Sorry wellbehavedwomen - cross posted

I finally got a reply, not from my (Labour woman) MP, but from an assistant who appears to have c&p a few things my MP has said in the past. Does not answer a single one of my points.

Dear [my name]

I am very sorry for the delay in responding to you owing to an ongoing exceptional level of constituency casework of corona virus related and other queries since March this year.

[My MP] has stated regarding some of the concerns you express and the over aggressive manner of others:

“Thank you for getting in touch regarding this important issue.

“ Labour is the party of equality, committed to achieving a world free from all forms of bigotry and discrimination. Labour hold women’s and LGBTQ+ rights at the heart of our movement and we will always fight for equality.

“I believe that everybody should be treated with respect and equality regardless of their race, gender, sexuality or ethnicity, this includes the trans community. We can further the rights of the trans community alongside the rights of us all.

“Trans rights are sometimes presented as being in contradiction with women’s rights. I do not accept that. Trans women are women and so our rights are furthered together. But women are not an homogenous group, do not all experience womanhood the same and do not always agree. So I recognise there can be challenges. We need to resolve these challenges in a respectful, open and egalitarian way in the finest traditions of the Labour Party.

“During the general election I was elected on a manifesto that committed to reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004 introducing self-declaration for transgender people and to deliver a fairer society for women and all under-represented groups. I don’t see a contradiction between these two positions and will continue to speak up for the safety and protection of all. I want to see everyone to feel valued and safe.

“ I am always open to hear how my constituents feel on sensitive matter such as these and I respect your concerns.

So we will certainly record your concerns to be considered as policies and practical steps are developed over the next few years.

Yours sincerely
[MP's assistant]

Completely blah and inadequate response, imo. Not sure if I should write again - is it worth it?

JulesJules

This makes me fume.

Write again - the reply from your MP is awful.

There is a return of reply on this thread which is excellent - which you might like to reference.

They ALL know TW are not women and that allowing adult males to self ID is utter lunacy and undermines every right that woman and girls have achieved but they don’t care.

Clearly some ‘women’ are more important than others. Interesting how they always know which ones are more important - it’s like you can just tell by looking at them.

And of COURSE, only mentions transwomen, not transmen, because as we know, they are the only important ones, as they are male.

I've received a message back from the office of my female Conservative MP.

After the apologies for the delay in replying, the message then says:

'Thank you for detailing your support for the Government. I thought that you would be interested to know that the Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss MP, has recently said that any reforms will ensure the protection of single-sex spaces, and the Government Equalities Office have stated their commitment to ensuring under 18s are protected from making decisions that are irreversible in the future. The Government’s full response to the consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act including the next steps that the Government will take will be published over the summer.

Thank you as well for detailing the further steps that you would like the Government to take on various women’s and transgender issues. We will pass your concerns to the Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss MP, for her to respond to them. [My MP] or a member of her office will write to you again once she has received a response.'

So a fairly neutral, but pleasant, response.

OP, could you give any advice on how we can ensure that our communications to our MPs cut through?

I've written to mine 3 times on topics relevant to this board. No reply the first time. Generic replies the second and third, that didn't seem to acknowledge or address my concerns. It felt like a waste of time for both parties. Please reassure me that my concerns are being noted, even if there's no appearance that they are being addressed.

I want to ensure that I am focusing my energy on the activities which have the greatest impact. Thanks!