CALL FOR ACTION Women&Equalities committee calling for evidence on GRA reform - again?!?

[Cwenthryth]

committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/291/reform-of-the-gender-recognition-act?fbclid=IwAR2OBw5dDqd0oWBzQrZOjcxb7N0S34f_rEWw7QVnOuzeQfI55co_w0CvFsc
Not quite sure why they’re asking all these same questions again, but looks like we all have more homework to do!

There's another thread - probably started much the same time as yours.

Yes think we started at the same time! Perhaps the more the merrier though if discussion about this evolves on the other thread I might keep this to post updates in terms of action we can take, guidance on responses etc?

FGS

This is very tedious. Round and round we go.

Has everyone still got their text from last time?

Your submission should:
• be concise - if over 3,000 words, include a short summary as well
• include an introduction to you or your organisation and your reason for submitting evidence
• not already be published

What can we do? write to MPs? anything else? what is the best way to get heard?
It seems there is very limited time, is this a deliberate ploy to sneek it through?

We can respond to the inquiry as individuals. I am sure in coming days and weeks there will be guidance forthcoming from various quarters.

We could also request our MPs query why the committee is apparently using an inquiry to re-run the consultation?

oh ffs, not AGAIN

no form this time, just a call for evidence. looking at the terms of reference, it looks as if parents of desisting 'trans' children could address this point

Should the age limit at which people can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) be lowered?

while as ever, the trans widows would have valuable contributions to make through out, but particularly

Does the spousal consent provision in the Act need reforming? If so, how? If it needs reforming or removal, is anything else needed to protect any rights of the spouse or civil partner?

I intend to answer these I think

Are there challenges in the way the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the Equality Act 2010 interact? For example, in terms of the different language and terminology used across both pieces of legislation.

Are the provisions in the Equality Act for the provision of single-sex and separate-sex spaces and facilities in some circumstances clear and useable for service providers and service users? If not, is reform or further guidance needed?

and typos in a bloody government document

the Government Equalities Office published an of the consultation response

doesn't anyone proof read any more, the careless bastards?

WHY is so much committee time being taken up with this? is it all sunshine and rainbows for women and other groups that are discriminated against?

or maybe, just maybe they could usefully be directing their time towards some other groups, just for fucking once

It feels like this has been rushed on us, a bit of an ambush.

the Government Equalities Office published an of the consultation response

doesn't anyone proof read any more, the careless bastards?

I noticed that too, what is the missing noun? Must begin with a vowel?

what is the missing noun? Must begin with a vowel?

overview?

omnishambles?

inexplicably obsessed with mens trans 'rights' ?

Should the age limit at which people can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) be lowered?

Isn't it 18? They really want to lock children into being trans before they are old enough to understand the consequences.

I think this is a slightly different re-run and I think they learned lessons from the last one where they were bombarded with troll type responses.

My guess is they think there isn't enough definition and there have been too many requests for repeal of the GRA that they want to take a good look at the whole thing again.

I'm happy with this because I think it will give the whole subject more credibility. Not saying it will work for us but I think the committee will have a clearer idea of what they want to get out of it.

If it does work in our favour, we will not be obliterated as a sex

I have a much better idea of how to answer the questions now.

@Cwenthryth

the Government Equalities Office published an of the consultation response

doesn't anyone proof read any more, the careless bastards?

I noticed that too, what is the missing noun? Must begin with a vowel?

Yes - it looks a bit careless and rushed.

Same old ground.

This question interests me in terms of women’s sex-based rights

Why is the number of people applying for GRCs so low compared to the number of people identifying as transgender?
Because a GRC is completely irrelevant when it’s quite literally a state secret, cannot be required/requested to be disclosed, and services are effectively forced to operate on a self-ID basis anyway for fear of loss of funding. Perhaps?

Are the provisions in the Equality Act for the provision of single-sex and separate-sex spaces and facilities in some circumstances clear and useable for service providers and service users? If not, is reform or further guidance needed?<

No they are not clear. public bodies, contracts, policies, guidelines misinterpret the guidelines.

YES reform is needed.

The single sex exemptions are not enough to protect women and girls.

We need single sex restrictions as well as exemptions; convicted sex offender restrictions. a lifetime ban for rapists from single sex spaces no matter how they identify.

The single sex exemptions are unclear. Ministers avoid clarifying them and pass the buck to service providers. it is unfair to expect frontline staff to interpret laws - they need guidelines.

I think this is a great opportunity. They were coming under pressure because the majority of responses in the previous consultation were pro self ID but they claimed it had been gamed.

What is important is that templates or pasted responses are avoided. They will be dismissed.

Who has called for this?

Just when I thought I could have a break from constantly defending the Spousal Exit Clause.

@FairFridaythe13th

Who has called for this?

Excellent question

Would it be in the minutes of the committee? They must be publicly available surely? I’ve got a big day on at work today now but if anyone has time to search Hansard perhaps?

As the 'trans' kids point noted above please also note

We can’t publish submissions that mention ongoing legal cases – contact us if you are not sure what this means for you.

Keira and Mrs A due in a few weeks, in time for the deadline? And Single sex prisons is up today.

Be careful how you respond but I suppose it doesn't matter if the response isn't punished it would still be counted? This is so opaque.

Fair play are on it, the networks are in place this time.

mobile.twitter.com/fairplaywomen/status/1321356317336969216

Just when I thought I could have a break from constantly defending the Spousal Exit Clause

it's bloody relentless isn't it? Most oppressed ever my left foot

Oh FGS! I could understand if they were just asking things like how best to create a streamlined online process, what the fee should be - i.e. moving on from the outcome of the previous consultation.

But they're once again asking whether the requirement for a diagnosis should be removed (i.e. self ID), whether the spousal exit clause should be removed, whether the age limit should be lowered ...

It's like the MN cookies popup - you think you've said no to everything and it just asks you again.

@highame

I think this is a slightly different re-run and I think they learned lessons from the last one where they were bombarded with troll type responses.

My guess is they think there isn't enough definition and there have been too many requests for repeal of the GRA that they want to take a good look at the whole thing again.

I'm happy with this because I think it will give the whole subject more credibility. Not saying it will work for us but I think the committee will have a clearer idea of what they want to get out of it.

If it does work in our favour, we will not be obliterated as a sex

I have a much better idea of how to answer the questions now.

Completely agree. This is a good opportunity.

Yeah, it does make my heart sink a bit.

BUT now more people are aware of the issues, and we have more evidence of the inevitable problems. In schools, with children, prisons, healthcare, sport, etc.

Deadline Friday 27 November

We can use this as a time to push for repeal of the GRA, or at least lay out very, very clearly the issues with it.

Evidence, we have, bagfuls of it.

Okay, then.

[rolls up sleeves]