Joint note from 9 organisations on Scottish Gov's gender reforms

[MagnoliaTaint]

'the Bill carries a high risk of becoming another piece of bad law, with unintended consequences which will be most damaging to women and to young people at their most vulnerable.'

murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2022/05/30/joint-note-on-scottish-government-handling-of-gender-recognition-reform/

co-signed by Bayswater Support Group, Fair Play For Women, For Women Scotland, LGB Alliance, Sole Sisters, Woman’s Place UK, Women and Girls in Scotland, Women Speak Scotland and [Murray Blackburn Mackenzie]

PS If I've got this wrong then I'd really love someone to tell me! it would cheer me up.

The committee hearing got covered in The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/01/scotlands-gender-recognition-reform-is-a-recipe-for-bad-law-say-campaigners

Well done to all the speakers, so appreciate all the hard work being done on behalf of women and children. We can see what you're up against.

And no-one else has the right to reveal that either, so even if someone knows or suspects that a transwoman is male they can't legally say so. Yhey're guilty of discrimation for doing it. Unless I have badly misunderstood that is the law with the current GRC, and it's supported by bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights.

I don't think that is right. If someone in an official capacity has acquired information about a GRC holder, they cannot disclose this except in some very limited circumstances (eg prevention or detection of crime). Otherwise there are no reasons not to disclose that information.

If you find out your friend has a GRC because he tells you he does or another friend tells you, you can tell anyone you want to. Just like any other information. (Unless you're his employer, or doctor etc and this was disclosed as a result of your professional status.)

It's in the GRA2004. I'll try and find the exact reference later.

Thanks @OldCrone I'll look forward to it.

Is there a transcript available for this meeting?

Here you are @AmaryllisNightAndDay

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7/section/22

I looked yesterday but couldn't find one, unfortunately. I presume the video stays up?

Thank you @OldCrone . It's more complex and more hopeful than I thought!

Official report now published: www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore/CustomMedia/OfficialReport?meetingId=13796

Video: www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee-may-31-2022

The CEO of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre is a trans identifying man ( without a GRC) and was present at Tuesday’s hearing.
This person was given a post exclusively meant for a woman under the equities act.
Sandy is a liar and a proven bully.

The women, and Malcolm, who spoke are working incredibly hard to preserve the rights of women and children.

Thanks, it's much faster to read than watch.

Thanks, Betsy.

Thanks, BetsyM00!

Shocking. 'The Tribunal concluded: “The disciplinary hearing was not fair. Further, the presence of Ms Brindley at every stage of the proceedings reinforced the Tribunal’s view that the dismissal of the claimant was predetermined. Ms Brindley was aware of the grievance raised by the claimant and the outcome and recommendations which had been made. However, she did not raise this with the disciplinary hearing as an alternative potential outcome, which the Tribunal found very surprising.” '

Thank you to all the GC organisations taking part, who have spoken up for women and children. The transcript makes very interesting reading and can only hope that our concerns are taken more seriously than before, especially as the situation is so dire. Can anyone fill us in about the other sessions of the committee covering this?

The next hearing is on Tuesday and the panel have invited representatives from Church of Scotland, Catholic Church, Christian organization and Humanists but no representation from Jewish & Muslim organizations.
It’s a ridiculous situation that those faiths have not been involved or included in these hearings.

That is shocking, Rhannion. Surely there are organisations that could have been invited? Or did you have to apply, I wonder?

There's AMINA for Muslim women, looking for an org for Jewish women ...

mwrc.org.uk/

There's Jewish Women's Aid. Not sure if there's a separate Scottish organisation.

www.jwa.org.uk/

Also Sikhs, Buddhists and other religions. It doesn't take very long to find organisations to ask.

Thank you for the information Magnolia. It’s very useful. 💚🤍💜