I emailed Jenni Minto when I heard she had been selected for A&B. I asked a number of specific questions about GRA reform, self-ID, the medicalisation of healthy children, assaults in women’s prisons etc etc etc. Jenni replied. So that puts her head and shoulders above Rhiannon who I think I emailed 3 or 4 times with the same list of questions while she was the SNP women’s convenor and got no response.
While it was encouraging to receive a reply from Jenni. I’m not particularly impressed by her answer. She wrote:
“Human Rights are constantly under review, which I think is an important thing for society to do, after all it is a human concept. However, I do not think that rights already gained should be diminished in any way.
The pot of Human Rights needs to be expanded; I liken it to the love my brother has for his children when his second one arrived, his love didn’t halve, it doubled.
I have done a lot of research into GRA, reading articles, listening to podcasts and speaking to people on both sides of the debate, to try to understand the arguments. My over-riding view is that it has become shrill on both sides and this does not help anyone, it is a subject that requires compassion and kindness.
I think the Scottish Government has a responsibility to listen to all views, and I was pleased to see that Shirley Ann Somerville introduced a pause in the legislation to allow just that.
This may be an opportunity for a Citizen’s Assembly to help Scotland arrive at a conclusion that satisfies the majority.
If I am elected it will be my responsibility to ensure I represent all constituents views to Ministers.
I hope this gives you an understanding of my position.”
I think describing both sides as “shrill” makes light of the constant threats of violence and sexual assault directed at any GC woman who dares to question the trans orthodoxy.
It seems to me that while Jenni says she has read around the subject she is still telling women to, “sit down, keep quiet and be kind”, just like all the other disappointing politicians who are meant to represent us.
I looked into Citizen’s assembly that Jenni mentions on this web site:
www.citizensassembly.scot/about/common-questions
Under “About – Assembly Members” there is a pdf which has pie charts on the make up of the assembly it consists of 52% women and 48% men. I think this has relevance to the 50:50 discussion above. Would an assembly that consisted of 52% transwomen and 48% men arrive at the same conclusions as an assembly of 52% natal women if questions on GRA reform were put before it? The needs of transwomen and women should both be considered but should not be conflated.