Help Work is using Gendered Intelligence to write policy.

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My workplace, a small university, has just announced that it is writing a Trans, non-binary and intersex inclusion policy. Frankly I don't have a problem with that at all, all power to their elbow. Unfortunately they are partnering with Gendered Intelligence to do this.

I'm really concerned about Gendered Intelligence as a partner. Their reputation isn't the best i.e. aggressively homophobic, misogynistic and not entirely on the ball when it comes to actual as opposed to desired UK legislation. I'm going to raise my head above the parapet fairly quickly to object so I need some help gathering evidence (this is a university, evidence goes a long way).

So far my argument is:
Why Gendered Intelligence are a bad choice
Poor grasp of law etcobjectnow.org/gendered-intelligences-online-ou-course-taken-down-for-review/
Homophobia/conflict with existing gay inclusion policies www.thetimes.co.uk/article/transgender-legal-battle-stonewall-backs-mermaids-against-lgb-alliance-bkbz5ljkq

The reputational damage to the institution from using such a partner
(evidence needed)

Alternative partner suggestions
Safe Schools Alliance?

Can you vipers help me with some good links/evidence?

OP, they don't align to DfE guidelines for schools so why pick them for a University? Your students still need care and support at 18 years.

Jay Stewart, the director and co-founder of Gendered Intelligence wants to lower the age surgery is done "“Some people will be looking to get access to surgery at 16, especially chest surgery. You’ve got people who have been binding [their breasts] since they were 11, so I think there might be health reasons to offer that.”
www.transgendertrend.com/uk-doctor-prescribes-cross-sex-hormones-twelve-year-old/

GI archives
www.transgendertrend.com/tag/gendered-intelligence/

Maybe email Safe Schools Alliance with your query. If they can't help they will probably know of someone else who can.

The only other thing I can think of is the advice that under their Public Sector Equality Duty the Uni should do an equality impact assessment before any new policy is agreed. This means it should provide evidence to show that it does not discriminate on any other protected characteristics like sex (period stigma/sexual harassment), religion and belief (GC).

Interesting - I've just started a very similar thread, because my work has come out with a policy that's been written in consultation with Stonewall, and has a number of errors. It's out for consultation and I'm just figuring out how to reply.
Maybe we can join forces :)
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4271735-Work-Gender-Diversity-Policy-Consultations

Mine is NHS btw, and the impact assessment for all characteristics just says either "no impact" or "positive"!

Thanks all. The issue of religion and impact is one that will play well I think. We have a disproportionately large number of students and staff from the Middle East, so sharing toilets is not going to go down well with them.

I want to sell this as an avoidance of conflict issue i.e. please don't use consultants that are known to misrepresent the law to avoid costly lawsuits and conflict with students afterwards. I'm also going to write as someone who, broadly, falls within the Trans/non-binary/Intersex (ugh!!) umbrella so I don't come across as a "bigoted TERF"

I understand that at some point Gendered Intelligence provided evidence to an Women & Equalities Select Committee which was minuted, where they expressed their opinion that the wish for the single sex exemptions to be removed. I can't find these minutes. I don't think it was for the latest round of enquiries as they didn't contribute to that, but I can't for the life of me work out how to find the minutes. The .gov website only displays the current business. GI have removed any reference to their submission from their website (hiding the evidence)

womansplaceuk.org/references-to-removal-of-single-sex-exemptions/
This might help.

I understand that at some point Gendered Intelligence provided evidence to an Women & Equalities Select Committee

The oral submissions to the 2015 Inquiry may be what you are thinking of. They are videoed and available online as are transcripts. @R0wantrees do you know?

genderedintelligence.co.uk/gra/ourresponse.html

This may or may not help - maybe you have already read it. Interesting answer to question 10, no mention of 'sex' as a protected characteristic although I have to say I don't fully understand what the question is asking for?

The organic food delivery company Abel and Cole are supporting Gendered Intelligence with 5p for every punnet of strawberries sold. I am pissed off to have to add them to my list to boycott but at least I have a choice here. To have my place of work swallow their nonsense would be heartbreaking.

If you have time, would it be possible to write to either the select committee or the house of common library to find out how to access the evidence given by gi? Was it to Maria millard trans enquiry in about 2015.
Using the advanced search function here might find some reference or links? I had a quick search and there is at least one other thread with z title similar to this one!

the Trans/non-binary/Intersex (ugh!!) umbrella

DSD charities don't want Trans charities claiming to represent them. DSD is a medical condition. I think Stonewall agreed to stop using the term 'Intersex', not sure about GI and the others though.

Hi there, OP's workplace is mine too. I'm considering sticking my head over the parapet, and have drafted what I hope to be an eminently calm and reasonable letter. But maybe too wishy washy? Can anyone advise, please?

Dear […

I am writing with reference to the announcement of the consultation led by Gendered Intelligence to create a trans, non-binary and intersex inclusion policy at XYZ. I welcome any efforts to protect trans, non-binary and intersex colleagues and students from discrimination. It is also welcome news that the consultation is not being led by Stonewall, given the emerging evidence that the organisation has provided misleading advice about the application of the Equality Act 2010[refs].

However, in the development of this new policy, I would hope very much that XYZ will protect freedom of speech and academic freedom. As the recent review by Akua Reindorf QC into the no-platforming of ‘gender critical’ academics at the University of Essex has shown [refs], there is considerable pressure to shut down and tar as hate speech ideas which are nothing of the kind. Gender critical beliefs, as the judge in the Forstater case ruled [refs], are not hate speech, and employers cannot sanction those who hold them.

I am also concerned that women are not named as stakeholders to be consulted. If it emerges that there is a potential conflict of rights, such, for example, as a change to access to single-sex spaces or provisions, this will have a direct impact on women at XYZ. This is all the more important given the diversity of faiths and beliefs of our staff and students, some of which place emphasis on single-sex spaces.

I trust that in XYZ’ efforts to protect trans, non-binary and intersex colleagues and students from harm, we remain mindful of the other protected characteristics in the Equality Act, and of our duty as a university to uphold academic freedom.

Your sincerely,

@Sambal2 I think that’s a very good letter - particularly on the need to consult women (though I might be tempted to say “there IS a potential conflict of rights” rather than “if it emerges that there is...”).

I notice you don’t take issue with Gendered Intelligence, though, other than being relieved they’re not Stonewall. Would it be worth adding a paragraph to express concern about the organisation too?

Under the public sector equality duty they have to consider the impact on ALL protectsd characteristics when drawing up a policy. It is well established that trans policies often result in detriment to those with other protected characteristics (and several declared likely to be illegal because of this). Therefore you want to know what organisations are they consulting representing women and religion/belief especially in drawing up this policy?

Thank you @Catabogus and @Tibtom, points taken.

I am actually pretty concerned about Gendered Intelligence, but I haven't yet found anything on them applying the Equalities Act wrongly. The dodgy stuff I read about them was related to training in schools, so I don't know if my uni would take that on board... But if anyone can point me to more information, that would be great.