Gender debate poised to switch into top gear, Euan McColm in the Times (Scotland)

[Igneococcus]

On party politics wrt reforming the GRA:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a54faeac-2943-11ec-8027-e80d42947f8f?shareToken=08e28ee895fa5157b2b32d7006b23e91

Yet another article trying to be balanced. E.g. One side is accusing the other of being " transphobes" while the other is accusing the other of "misogyny" as if these are both equally spurious claims being bandied about. The trouble with this version of "balance" is that it has to ignore the fact that one side aims to strip the rights of women and girls to safety, privacy and dignity to advance their aims while the other side is not trying to strip trans people of any rights they don't have already. Perforce, the article has to ignore, for fear of seeming unbalanced, the real and terrible damage being done to children, the intimidation and bullying that stops women (including MSPs, no doubt) speaking out, the assaults in women's prisons, changing rooms and hospital wards and the scarily cat and mouse trial of Marian Miller for Orwellian hate speech etc. etc. Journalists seem to believe that balance means manipulating the substance to make both sides weigh the same, rather than reporting both sets of arguments truthfully and objectively. He's right about the political calculating going on in Scotland though. Women's rights, who cares?

I think that article is hugely underestimating two things

1. The awareness of the general public
2. The unwillingness of the general public to talk about the issue due to fear of being called transphobic etc

I know many people who are shocked and appalled at the suggestion males should be allowed into women's single sex spaces. And who plan to vote accordingly.

The parties can take their chances, of course. It could well be that independence is considered more important to most than this issue. (And remains the main factor in choosing who to vote for in Scotland).

For undecided and floating voters, however, it may well be enough to push them to make different choices.

Women in Scotland have been out and about speaking to people and the initial results are very encouraging - those that do know about this issue express their deep concerns; those that don't know and find out are horrified. A few people will disagree with us, but many are on our side.

It's all-hands-on-deck-time, so please get involved if you can.

This, one SNP activist says, is not because of antipathy but because it is an issue about which most voters know little. “This stuff is red-hot online

Well yes. Online. Once real voters do know more precisely what is involved it will really not go the way the Rainbow Greens hope for.

Within the SNP, I’m not sure I could see e.g. Kate Forbes going along with self-ID.

I think that article is hugely underestimating two things

Yep. As much as people like David Lammy like to make out "this doesn't come up on the doorstep", that's increasingly untrue.

In Lammy's case, people have actually called him out on that, having been there with him when it was brought up to him:

Exclusive: Lammy lied

That this is a "niche" issue is becoming an increasingly out-dated and untenable position, as evidenced by a top comedian having just based an entire set on it.

I am waiting to see the reaction of diehard SNP supporters when their beloved party tells them that their teenage daughters must share changing rooms with naked penises. And if they object, they will be arrested for “hate crime”.
This is a great Tory recruitment drive. Thanks, Nicola. Really appreciate it. But I can’t think why you are happy to sacrifice votes purely to look more woke than England. Even by SNP standards, that’s pretty fucking stupid.

That this is a "niche" issue is becoming an increasingly out-dated and untenable position

i think the point for a lot of people who don't particularly care about women's rights, is this boils down to our 'betters' trying to control our understanding of the world.

literally everyone knows what a man or a woman is. not even Owen Jones is going to ask Paris Lees to act as his gestational surrogate

trying to force people to behave as if they don't understand that is the most sinister attempt at social control

and ultimately it's just going to piss people off. voters don't like being treated like cattle

I did that survey (commissioned by the Times, I think) and there was no way of distinguishing between "I put this way down the list because I know nothing about this issue and don't know why the SG thinks this is important and I'd rather they'd get on with education and health and the ferries and whatever" or"I put this at the bottom of the list because I think it is a terrible idea". Missed opportunity, that survey,

What are the best Scottish organisations to offer support/donations to?

I have donated to/contacted For Women Scotland.

Will speak to my family about writing to their MPs (I don’t live there now).

Murray Blackburn Mackenzie do fantastic work checking legislation, writing advice and contacting gov. And will benefit form donations.

This is a great Tory recruitment drive. Thanks, Nicola. Really appreciate it. But I can’t think why you are happy to sacrifice votes purely to look more woke than England. Even by SNP standards, that’s pretty fucking stupid.

It pains me very much to agree with you. But I do, completely.

Most people have little or no interest in this issue.

Why so many parties are acting like it's the top priority and banging on about it is baffling.

Most people care about NHS, economy, jobs, care for elderly etc.

It's bizarre.

Just why?

@NiceGerbil I’d say one factor is big money (pharma, tech). Just look at the LibDems for instance. Secondary but also important is gullible and very young political advisers who think that Twitter ideology has relevance in the real world.

Two words, NiceGerbil.
Institutional capture.