Fairplay for women take ONS to judicial review for redefining sex in census

[fatblackcatspaw]

fairplayforwomen.com/

They haven't brought it forward though. The site may be live, but you can't access it without an access code. Which haven't been sent out yet.

And even if you request request an access code by text (census.gov.uk/where-to-find-your-access-code), nothing happens. I know, I tried.

That makes sense. I would have been surprised had they already allowed access as it is a snapshot of the nation as at one night - not over a month and picking whatever day you choose!

It's understandable making the site live before the day of the census. The problem is that ONS were aware that a legal challenge was being launched and then made the site live quietly and then refused to take the guidance down because it was "too late"!

This follows ONS waiting until the last possible moment before publishing the final guidance knowing that it would mean inaccurate data on sex would be collected in a £1bn exercise and other organisations would look at this as best practice

I just popped onto censusNI page and yes they are asking for an access code so it can’t be started yet (leaving more time for people to read the ‘guidance’?)

Leaflet throught door only mentions 21 March, and on the web page the ‘Contact us’ won’t be open until 1st March.

In a previous life I had contact with lots of govt sorts and the prevailing attitude was “Better to ask for forgiveness than permission”

Not even ‘easier’ but ‘better’.

They know what they’re at.

Incidentally, the phrase is one I’ve also noticed to be v common amongst abusive persons who consider consent and mutual respect to be a waste of their time.

The point about them launching it early is that it enables them to argue that it is too late to change the guidance as it is now ‘live’. And they did that three days AFTER being notified that they were facing a legal challenge. It’s an incredible thing to do. Really irresponsible. I hope the court is very unimpressed.

Terrible that a govt funded organisation is behaving like this. Corrupt.

Good to see that there is now a stretch goal because the FPFW initial goal has been met.

(I was going to post a screenshot but wasn't sure if I could.)

It's awful. Totally corrupted.

'Ha ha, too late!' Seriously?

This is costing a billion pounds. And they want to issue guidance that they know is unlawful. The government decided against self ID. They think that doesn't apply to them - when they are collecting the most important, and relied upon, statistics in the land.

I sincerely hope FPFW FoI the fuck out of where they got their advice.

They have been working on the census ever since the last one was done 10 years ago however.

I am not too worried that the guidance might be a bit dubious for trans people as lots of people will not read the guidance just fill in the early question of if they are M or F as they have since the 1800s although I certainly think we need to keep a close watch on the state. I see too many person having a baby rather than mother these days. We need to be constantly on our guard or women will in effect be cancelled.

Yes, in any collection of stats there may be error because people don't read the instructions properly or at all. But that's no reason to not strive to collect correct stats. There is a principle at stake here.

One (of many) reasons it's important is that where the ONS goes, others follow. We need to collect data on sex that actually means sex. It matters.

I'm unspeakably angry at the ONS' lack of integrity.

They need to be a beacon of transparency and ethical behaviour to provide accurate data for handling the pandemic.

And now they're prepared to taint their reputation for this. This is an ethical blunder that will undermine them and people's trust in them in many areas. They've made themselves political tools for lobby groups - captured organisation doesn't begin to cover it.

The instructions and guidance will be used by all public sector organisations as the standard. Therefore it has to be challenge otherwise we have self id just by changing ones passport.

archive.is/cvzQG

www.censusjobs.co.uk/search-for-a-job/

Knocking on doors, you’ll encourage residents to complete the census, making return visits when necessary.

.. and answering their questions about the sex and gender questions?

[quote littlbrowndog]archive.is/cvzQG[/quote]

Wtf did I just read? Why is there no expectation of integrity for these people?

Thank you FPFW - so heartwarming to see that total! I’ve shared to my FB too. Still a bit scared to “out” myself as GC in real life but seriously this proposed change to the census (the census ffs!) is the last straw for me. Madness!

Is it a good idea to request a paper copy of the census so it can be completed/amended properly? Or will large numbers of us requesting a paper copy muddy the waters?

Thank you FPFW - so heartwarming to see that total!

I'm very disheartened - the ONS is cynically forcing the expenditure of the very limited financial resources of a part of the population that they disdain and that has been disproportionately financially disadvantaged by the pandemic and whose resources are ever-dwindling.

And all because they've been captured as an organisation and are reckless as to the reputational harm that they are sustaining - while we're still dealling with misinformation, disinformation, and a pandemic.

Maybe he could use some of that money to fund the legal team against the ONS. Maud ?🤦‍♀️

Asking for a paper copy is a key part of this protest: sexinthecensus.org. This is to complement the JR.

Yes he bloody should, littl. I'm sickened by the greed and dishonesty shown by the man 🤮

@EightiesRobot

Asking for a paper copy is a key part of this protest: sexinthecensus.org. This is to complement the JR.

Paper copies of the Census can be requested here:

census.gov.uk/en/request/paper-questionnaire/enter-address/

I've just asked for mine.

Did you ask for an individual paper census or a household one?
My DCs are adults so should presumably fill in their own details?

Thank you for the link, I’ve just ordered a household paper questionnaire.

Me too. Thank you. I’m absolutely enraged by what’s happening.