Sajid Javid says it as it is

[BigWoollyJumpers]

Sajid Javid has waded into the debate over transgender competitors in sport, saying rules about competing should be governed by "biological sex, not gender".

The Health Secretary voiced his opinion on whether athletes who were born male but now identify as female should be allowed to compete against biological women.

"My own view is that, when it comes to sport, it should be about sex rather than gender – and sex should be based on your biological sex," he told UnHerd.

It's all very well Sajid Javid saying the words; but he hasn't got shot of the despicable NHS 'Annexe B' has he?

This shit show is happening under a Conservative government, lest we forget.

@Horcruxe

Why is it up to the men to say this?

Why are we waiting for the men to fix this?

Where are the women MP's who are going to stand up for theirs and our rights?

Why is it up to the men to say this? I believe that SJ has a wife and four daughters.

This is not his first foray, he has backed the 'biology' position before.

@womaniswomaniswoman

The Health Secretary might want to show some leadership then, and make biological sex how services, wards, etc are separated out, rather than letting mixed wards go on, and patients by raped by 'women'.

Words are easy to say.

Absolutely.

Labour be a disappointing and disgraceful Opposition, but this is a Conservative shit show.

@Moodlesofnoodles

So what is "unbiological sex"?

Males can have a certificate that says their sex is female, so think he's just being very clear that he means women's sport is for those born female.

It's absolute madness he has to clarify that by 'sex' he means 'biological sex'. That's all it should mean, but here we are 😩

Exactly. Let's not pretend this is anything other than opportunistic spin, as usual. We really shouldn't be acting grateful for the empty crumbs from the plates of liars and criminals.

@Horcruxe

Why is it up to the men to say this?

Why are we waiting for the men to fix this?

Where are the women MP's who are going to stand up for theirs and our rights?

Because women who speak out of line find themselves bullied out of their jobs (along with rape threats and intimidation). Which makes the few brave women that do speak out publicly even more amazing.

On this topic, I find it odd that we keep seeing some commentators saying things like, ‘She didn’t win! It’s fine!’ about a TW, and citing how much they’ve reduced their performance with the use of artificial drugs.

The point is they should be able to win. In a fair competition we would celebrate their win. We would all be delighted that a person had successfully changed sex and was competing at roughly the level of achievement they were before (and that they hadn’t artificially brought down their own performance to a pre-agreed level, rendering their participation meaningless and screwing everyone else out of an open field in a competitive event).

But actually the fact that they might not win is treated as a get-out clause: see, there’s no advantage (even though there is clear evidence that the advantage can’t actually be removed, and it’s probable that, for the purposes of being allowed to take part, the TW is holding back in training and on the day).

But if the idea of a TW standing on an Olympic podium to receive a gold medal is an ethical or PR problem, why? Why wouldn’t activists just be happy to see someone from their community win an event?

Tg for that

Finally

I see what others are saying. It's the question rather than the answer here that's the problem. A follow-up on health and Annex B would've been reasonable.

He did answer though, whereas Creasy declared it an issue for scientists while also saying women can have a penis

After the events of the last few days, I am feeling full of admiration for Sajid Javid and disgust at Kier Starmer.

I need to go and have a stiff drink and a lie down in a dark room!!!

But yes, Javid needs to get his own house in order. Annexe B, NHS Rainbow badges, GIDS...

@womaniswomaniswoman

The Health Secretary might want to show some leadership then, and make biological sex how services, wards, etc are separated out, rather than letting mixed wards go on, and patients by raped by 'women'.

Words are easy to say.

Exactly this. Easy for Sajid to ‘speak personally’ - let’s see him taking a long hard look at how biological women (as opposed to men posing as women) are treated in NHS England and elsewhere across the UK where his Govt are in charge, and let’s see some meaningful statutory changes.

How strange tgat I would agree with a Tory MP, but in this case I do!

Come on. They are literally the people in charge of this nation and they've done nothing to protect women. Don't let the fact that his team gave him the answer to suit the way the tide is turning distract you.

Too many caveats Sajid. Pull your big boy pants on and ditch the “personally” and the “when it comes to sport” .

If it matters to you, then it should be a matter of concern to everyone, and it should matter to all situations in the world your four daughters (and all our daughters) live in, not only sport.

Let’s not forget that this has all been allowed to happen on their watch. It’s only now that they’re beginning to mutter about it - nothing of substance is forthcoming, and it should do, because they are in charge and have a stinking majority. They can push through whatever the hell they want.

Yep. We can, and should, complain about Keir Starmer et al, but they are not in control of legislation in this country, nor public sector bodies such as the NHS and the police force.

Don't be fooled by someone saying a politically expedient sentence.

@Horcruxe

Why is it up to the men to say this?

Why are we waiting for the men to fix this?

Where are the women MP's who are going to stand up for theirs and our rights?

I don't know anyone would think they were uneducated and unable to apply critical thinking.
I am happy for men to speak for me because I clearly can't rely on many of the women....only 2 female Labour MPs I can name who understand these issues (Rosie Duffield and Tonia Antoniazzi).

@womaniswomaniswoman

The Health Secretary might want to show some leadership then, and make biological sex how services, wards, etc are separated out, rather than letting mixed wards go on, and patients by raped by 'women'.

Words are easy to say.

If he believes what hes said he needs to sort this out.

whereas Creasy declared it an issue for scientists while also saying women can have a penis

And yet.... scientists have been telling constantly about the male pubertal advantages in sport and have been ignored.

Stella, what is it to be?

Listen to the scientists for everything? They are telling you all the facts and you are ignoring them....

oh... right! I betcha it is just like not 'those women'. Don't listen to 'those women', now it is 'not those scientists' only 'these scientists'.

@jkrfan

Can you add Joanna Cherry to your list of MPs who know what women are.

[quote viques]@jkrfan

Can you add Joanna Cherry to your list of MPs who know what women are.[/quote]
I was only referring to Labour MPs. There are many Tory ones who do get it. I know she is SNP and speaking against the rest of the SNP.

I'm going to be grateful that he said this. Absolutely it is the least he could do but he did it. And next time it will be easier as the world didn't end last time. And other people might take courage from his answer and join with him. Little rain drops, mighty oceans.

Take courage?? These mighty oceans have all come about under his Govt and on their watch. Their heel dragging, heads down, nothing to see here approach has enabled this - so for one person to ‘speak personally’ whilst he and his colleagues do FA else at wider Govt level really isn’t something to be grateful for.