EHRC influence over ScotGov's guidance on collection of data on sex

[MurrayBlackburnMackenzie]

In case of interest, we've published a piece today based on information we extracted via FOI about the influence of the EHRC on the development of the Scottish Government's guidance on the collection of data on sex and gender (basically, the guidance - published in September - advocates the cessation of collecting data on sex other than in exceptional circumstances).

murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2021/11/04/diminishing-the-value-of-public-sector-data-how-the-chief-statisticians-guidance-lost-sight-of-biological-sex/

The report was picked up by The Times:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/5fc808f4-3cfb-11ec-a9ce-48a11f44f00d?shareToken=c13a2f0f68fbd3b9bce49d55d4913d2a

We received a letter last night from EHRC who are now saying they intend to develop guidance on data collection for public authorities (copy of their letter at the bottom of our blog).

Kath, Lucy and Lisa

Thank you, there's some discussion at the back end of this thread but I don't think we'd seen the Times piece.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4392378-There-has-been-an-80-increase-in-sexual-abuse-by-women-over-the-past-few-years-Apparently?

Thank you, unbelievable that this wasn't amended following the decision for England & Wales.

I will be asking all the males in my family to identify as woman for the day of this isn't corrected to accurately report reality.

Thank you for all that you have done for the women in Scotland

Am I correct in thinking that since Ann Sinnott's JR there has been a positive change in the EHRC's stance but that before then they were gleefully running amok and giving potentially unlawful guidance to all and sundry?

Thank you for this and all you do.

My mouth was hanging open at this from the EHRC:

"The promotion of gathering data relating to biological sex is not something we can support and we would not be able to endorse it"

Think EHRC have had a radical change of heart under their new leadership?

Thank you kath Lisa and Lucy for all you do for women in Scotland

We are privileged to have you looking out for us cos our government sure does not or our feminist to her fingernails sturgeon does not

@malloo

Thank you for this and all you do.

My mouth was hanging open at this from the EHRC:

"The promotion of gathering data relating to biological sex is not something we can support and we would not be able to endorse it"

I know. Wtaf

Thank you from me, too - for this and for all the work that you do.

If you 3 women haven’t done this it would have gone on.

The work you have put it to this 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

Thank you so much for this.
I read the letter from ehrc. Changes really do seem to be afoot there.

I think its interesting that they go for 'sex registered at birth' rather than biological sex. In practice that's the same thing, but it keeps the focus on administrative sex, rather than bodies. The end result is the same but it will make it more palatable for some.

@malloo

Thank you for this and all you do.

My mouth was hanging open at this from the EHRC:

"The promotion of gathering data relating to biological sex is not something we can support and we would not be able to endorse it"

(I'm doing this face irl. W.T.A.F.)

That's a huge thank you from me too, it's good to know we have brave and committed women working for us up here

When will David Isaacs, former chair of the EHRC be investigated: for the dubious circumstances surrounding his appointment, the conflicts of interest with his personal and business connections with Stonewall, and the destruction of confidence in this body created by its re-writing of the Equality Act under his watch?

Well done to the OPs, though, true warriors.

This is so interesting, we need more information about the influences on large and public organisations. Thank you for the work you've done, it's hugely important. If only one of the big broadcasters or news channels would put similar amounts of effort, using thier considerable resources, into exposung the breadth of this scandal across the whole of the UK.

Wow, just when I think things can’t be even crazier in Scotland and then this comes out.

Thanks for all of your work here.

Thank you

Thank you so much for everything you’ve been doing.

You guys must have the patience of a saint. There are days when I just want to bang my head in the table with all this nonsense.

But then - people I know in real life don’t swallow all this bull, so that gives me hope.

@malloo

Thank you for this and all you do.

My mouth was hanging open at this from the EHRC:

"The promotion of gathering data relating to biological sex is not something we can support and we would not be able to endorse it"

I know, this bit is seriously screwed up. Can you imagine them saying that they cannot support gathering age data?

@NoThankYouSaurus

When will David Isaacs, former chair of the EHRC be investigated: for the dubious circumstances surrounding his appointment, the conflicts of interest with his personal and business connections with Stonewall, and the destruction of confidence in this body created by its re-writing of the Equality Act under his watch?

Absolutely. He has been disastrous for women's rights and has never been held accountable. One day, I hope he is brought to the HoC or HoL to answer questions.

How on earth do the EHRC think they can carry out their responsibility to ensure no discrimination on the basis of the protected characteristic of sex if they say you can't monitor sex? How can they ensure that human right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex if you can't consider sex? This is absolutely shocking. The organisation with the responsibility to ensure equality is basically discriminating against women.

And embedding that discrimination across society

@Lovelyricepudding

How on earth do the EHRC think they can carry out their responsibility to ensure no discrimination on the basis of the protected characteristic of sex if they say you can't monitor sex? How can they ensure that human right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex if you can't consider sex? This is absolutely shocking. The organisation with the responsibility to ensure equality is basically discriminating against women.

It's worth noting that the leadership of the EHRC has changed recently, and I think they would be unlikely to stand by their former comments either.

Certainly, recent statements from them in the media have shown much greater awareness of women's sex-based rights.