URGENT Call for evidence GRA

[TalkingtoLangClegintheDark]

Note to self: the deadline for submissions to the Women and Equalities Committee is this FRIDAY.

I know there are other threads about this but I just want to remind myself and anyone else who hasn’t got round to doing it yet that time is fast running out.

I can’t say I’m looking forward to it because from the headings they’ve chosen, it doesn’t look like they’re really interested in hearing from women, or considering any of it from women’s perspective at all. There still isn’t a real acknowledgment of the impact all these decisions have on women’s and girls’ lives; they seem to be coming at it overwhelmingly from the perspective of exclusively trans people, and it looks to me like they are looking for a way to shoo in self ID regardless of Truss’s statement.

Even the (one) bit about single sex exemptions feels to me worrying like they’re looking for reasons to get rid of them.

But I do hope I’m being paranoid here.

Anyway.

To arms, sisters! I’m looking forward to it like I look forward to doing tax returns, with a side order of existential misery, but I’m girding my loins thinking of the greater good. And I’m going to try not to post on any other threads till I’ve actually done it.

Priorities.

Any encouragement gratefully received!

Bumping

Have submitted my response.

Have also had a good browse through the evidence already up. Very varied. Different views, some short some long, some clear and well-argued, others less so, some containing links to evidence, others emotional stories. Don't envy the committee, they have a lot of reading to do.

Submitted and bumping.

'If you want to ask the Committee to keep your evidence anonymous (we’ll publish your evidence but not your name or personal details) or confidential (the Committee will read your evidence but it won’t be published) then please tick the box on the submission form. This lets the Committee know what you would like but the final decision will be taken by the Committee.'

I just want to check - this doesn't mean they'll dox you, does it?

Sorry to be lazy sultana but do you have a link to see submitted evidence? Thanks.

@ArabellaScott

'If you want to ask the Committee to keep your evidence anonymous (we’ll publish your evidence but not your name or personal details) or confidential (the Committee will read your evidence but it won’t be published) then please tick the box on the submission form. This lets the Committee know what you would like but the final decision will be taken by the Committee.'

I just want to check - this doesn't mean they'll dox you, does it?

It's really badly worded as it does sound like they're not ruling out doxing you.

But from the submissions online so far. they seem to be respecting people's request to be anon as several say "from a member of the public".

Also, you only have to give your surname. First names are optional on the form when you submit.

Submissions:

committees.parliament.uk/work/658/reform-of-the-gender-recognition-act/publications/written-evidence/

Hmmm ... my surname is pretty much a giveaway ...

Thanks, fast. I might use my middle name.

Can anyone recall the 'female' GP who was discussed briefly here a wee while ago? Thread was zapped quite quickly.

Ditto Arabella but am worried about using a different name.

I wonder if it even crossed their mind that for many women being anonymous isn’t just a preference that won’t matter overmuch if not adhered to.

And quite possibly the women for whom anonymity is a necessity will not be able to add their voices - convenient as I suspect we have a lot to say that might be ‘difficult’ to hear.

Is there anything in the call that acknowledges that barrier, or better still, that addresses it?

I want to add my voice, and have when anonymity was available, but if my name has to be published or might be released later, then I have to put my immediate safety first.

ARgh sorry to ask. Anyone know a website for current accurate data, such a percentage of teens with trans id being female, etc

I think I saw something acknowledging how many transpeople needed to maintain anonymity - presumably then it's very clear that women have the same right/need?

I've got womensplace with some info, Brassica: womansplaceuk.org/2020/11/03/how-to-submit-evidence-wesc-inquiry-gra-reform/

Resisters template, too:

resistersunited.org/wesc-gra-reform-inquiry-step-by-step-guide/#more-4056

apols if already posted, I'm supposed to be working trying to get itt done!

@BarefootbyMoonlight

Ditto Arabella but am worried about using a different name.

I wonder if it even crossed their mind that for many women being anonymous isn’t just a preference that won’t matter overmuch if not adhered to.

And quite possibly the women for whom anonymity is a necessity will not be able to add their voices - convenient as I suspect we have a lot to say that might be ‘difficult’ to hear.

Is there anything in the call that acknowledges that barrier, or better still, that addresses it?

I want to add my voice, and have when anonymity was available, but if my name has to be published or might be released later, then I have to put my immediate safety first.

There's an option to submit your evidence as a group if individuals. If there are a few of you who have similar concerns you can submit together and only one needs to give her name.

I'm hoping this might encourage a couple of women to submit a response. If you have a second please could you bump it? Thanks.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4091595-Have-you-ever-tried-to-persuade-someone-Self-ID-is-a-bad-idea

Done mine, had to be very focused due to time available. Looks like some friends are going to publish submissions WESC doesn’t see fit to. That will be interesting!

Finally done and uploaded. Need a stiff drink

Done!

Can a group submit with just a group name?

No, a group has to give one person's name AFAIK.

But the rest can be anon I think.

Done it! Thanks everyone for this helpful thread x

There is still time, if someone hasn’t started yet. I think short and sweet will be better than longwinded anyway.

Ours has gone in - with lots of everyday evidence. It was shocking to register the extend to which our sex-based rights have already been dismantled, in spite of their legal status.

Extraordinary that Stonewall have put their demand to end sex exemptions out in public and yet people are still insisting that there is no conflict with women's rights. If this was happening to any other oppressed group there would be an outcry.

One thing that concerns me a bit is that as it's impossible to answer all the questions properly within the word limit, we are all likely to focus on the same questions which are more directly related to women's rights etc, but that might mean some of the slightly less obvious ones don't get any GC responses but possibly lots from TRAs. But not sure we can do much about that, as it makes sense to focus on things like single-sex spaces, the age limit, and conflicts with the EqA...

Haven't finished mine yet and I've been kicked off the computer for now due to family having things to do, hope I don't end up still finishing it till nearly midnight 😟

Meep. Submitting now, not sure if I've done it right or how effective it will be. But so be it, it's what I can offer right now.

for anyone else working on this tonight.