Humza Yousaf and Scottish Hate Crime Bill

[Pinkfreesias]

Humza Yousaf, the Scottish Justice Secretary, has just tweeted that the recent amendments tabled on the Freedom Of Expression (Hate Crime) Bill will not now be moved on. Hugely disappointing for women speaking out might still be labelled hate criminals here in Scotland. And I can't help wondering if it's somehow linked to Joanna Cherry's sacking.

mobile.twitter.com/HumzaYousaf/status/1356299644553322497

What does this mean? I need someone to break it down for me & explain what this means for women defending our rights, spaces & legal protections.

Of course he has. The SNP have sacked Joanna Cherry, scrapped the amendments to the Hate Crime Bill that would have allowed women to discuss the effects of self ID on women's rights, and are lining up to get rid of Joan McAlpine.

They are pushing themselves off a cliff. It's horrible to watch.

Essentially, it means if you question the trans ideology you are guilty of a hate crime.

Depressing day to be a woman in Scotland.

murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2021/01/27/protecting-freedom-of-expression-when-less-is-less/

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf has put down an amendment (amendment 82) which says:

“Behaviour or material is not to be taken to be threatening or abusive solely on the basis that it involves or includes discussion or criticism of matters relating to transgender identity.”

The other amendment from a Conservative, Liam Kerr, was:

Behaviour or material is not to be taken to be threatening or abusive or as stirring up hatred solely on the basis that it involves or includes—

(a) discussion, criticism or rejection of any concepts or beliefs relating to transgender identity,
(b) questioning whether any person should undergo, or should have undergone, a process of gender reassignment,
(c) stating that sex is an immutable biological characteristic,
(d) stating that there are only two sexes,
(e) the use of—

(i) “woman” or “man” and equivalent terms,
(ii) third person pronouns
in a way other than that which a person prefers, or

(f) reference to any past name used by a person.

The scrapping of which seems to suggest that 'stating there are only two sexes' is at best problematic, at worst, a potential hate crime.

It's fucking terrifying law making, no matter your stance on the GRA/genderism.

Well they're going to need more women's prisons.

Blasphemy laws return to Scotland. I honestly wish at this point for Brigadoon, I'd quite like to wake up 100 years from all this relentless shit.

It's a good point, Michelle. Are they really going to prosecute for using the wrong pronouns?

@ASmallMovie

Essentially, it means if you question the trans ideology you are guilty of a hate crime.

Depressing day to be a woman in Scotland.

The only way to stop this, is to not vote for them in May. No party can ignore 51% of the population (women) and get away with it forever.

dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby

There's no way I'm voting for them in May. Not after the last 24 hours.

Utterly depressing state of affairs.

Well the general gist of Yousaf's supporters on that thread is that so long as females shut their mouths, have no opinions, keep their heads down and neither ask for nor question nothing, then they have nothing to fear.

What a fucking day. Why is everyone running so scared? I’m ashamed of our government today. And absolutely fearful of our future.

If I were a Labour MSP I would try and read the room and rethink my messaging on this stuff before the election.

Also I wrote to Liam Kerr about the equal boards bill ages ago and he was useless so whoever has explained this to him properly, I thank you

I absolutely cannot get to grips with a world where using former names becomes an offence. Our entire approach to safeguarding is based on the premise that it's an offence to conceal a former name or identity. I'm applying for a voluntary job at the moment which requires a disclosure check and they are very clear that I have to supply any former names as well as names I could be known by.

All of this stuff is chilling but this in particular is mind bogglingly daft. Get sacked for doing the till? Change your name and start again. DV? Change your name and start again. Preying on young children? Change your name and start again. Disgusting.

What are they going to do, jail us all?

This daft bill will go the same way as the Named Person scheme.

Joanna Cherry has had a 'vile' threat tonight which she's reported to the police.

It's not even enough that women have to deal with this vile violent misogynistic abuse, but that's not hate or worthy of protection in the hate crime bill.

This bill & this government is a farcical joke, only it's not fucking funny.

I hope you're right, @theskyispink. That Named Person rubbish was nothing but a way for the SNP to spy on us.

Genuine question: how is teaching biology going to work in Scotland if this goes through?

It's fine to threaten the personal safety of women, though, isn't it, Humza, Nicola, et al?

Glad Joanna Cherry is somewhere safe.

Be kind, eh?

This isn't the first 'credible threat' Joanna's had.

And she's not had a word of support nor backing from Nicola Sturgeon. Compare the Twitter speech given the other night in support of trans rights, and the complete silence when women are threatened.

See he has put in a clause which allows people of religious faith a different set of standards. Is that right? so if you are a Muslim or a catholioc you can by-pass the bits you do not like with no penalty?

"Does this mean I can object to sex self id because I am a Catholic - but not because I am a woman" ?

catholic

We've just published a short statement in response to the developments.

murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2021/02/01/debate-or-no-debate/

Thanks for the statement, MBM. Always appreciate your expert thoughts on these issues.

I wish they were more reassuring ...

Love the way the frame it as 'homophobic and transphobic'. It's not homophobic to say sex is immutable and to use the words man and woman to mean sex not 'gender'.
It isn't transphobic either, it's the majority viewpoint across the fucking planet and they want to make it illegal to point it out incase they hurt feelings.

Before we went to China I had to sit DS down and explain there were all sorts of things about politics and current affairs that we simply could not talk about while we were there.

Worrying to think I'm going to have to give him the same talk before we go to visit the rellies in Scotland next time.

Makes me think that when Scotland does get independence (next 5 years or less is my prediction) I will not be applying for dual nationality.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf has put down an amendment (amendment 82)

The other amendment from a Conservative, Liam Kerr, was:

So can I just check -I’m another non-Scot trying to get my head around this shitshow- HY has removed the amendment but the LK amendment still stands - but because he is Tory, it isn’t likely to succeed?