Scottish GRR - Amendments at Stage 2

[ArabellaScott]

Hi, starting a thread to look at possible Amendments as the bill goes through parliament. I'll put these up as and when I have time. We have over 100 possible amendments ... debate is on the 17th, afaik.

Foysol Choudhury
104
After section 14, insert—
Effect on the Equality Act 2010
(1)
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Act affects—
(a)
the definition of “sex” in section 11 of the 2010 Act,
(b)
the definition of “man” or “woman” in section 212(1) of the 2010 Act,
(c)
any of the protections afforded by the 2010 Act.
(2)
In this section, “the 2010 Act” means the Equality Act 2010.

Pauline McNeill
110
After section 15, insert—
Reporting on sex
(1)
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Act affects any requirement to collect data on sex.
(2)
For the purposes of this Act, “sex” has the meaning in section 11 of the Equality Act 2010

Fulton MacGregor
111
After section 16, insert

Impact of this Act on prisons

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Act affects the ability of the Scottish Prison Service to take a risk based approach to where trans people are housed within the prison estate.

Pam Gosal

74

After section 14, insert—

Duty to provide information on single-sex spaces

The Scottish Ministers must publish and publicise information on the impact of this Act on—
(a)
single-sex spaces,
(b)
exceptions to single-sex spaces

75

After section 14, insert—

Duty to provide information on single-sex services

The Scottish Ministers must publish and publicise information on the impact of this Act—
(a)
single-sex services,
(b)
exceptions to single-sex services.>

76
After section 14, insert

Impact of Act on religious groups
(1)
The Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a report on a review of the impact of this Act on patients where knowledge of the biological sex of a health professional carrying out a medical examination or treatment is required, including on religious grounds.
(2)
In carrying out the review under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.
(3)
A report under subsection (1) must set out any steps the Scottish Ministers are planning to take to respond to any concerns expressed as a result of the review.>

Amendments available in full here (I'm just putting up ones that look relevant/interesting):

www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/gender-recognition-reform-scotland-bill/stage-2

Brian Whittle
77
After section 14, insert

Guidance on sporting activities
(1)
The Scottish Ministers must prepare and produce guidance for—
(a)
sports governing bodies,
(b)
teachers,
(c)
any authority required to make a decision on inclusion in sporting activities,
on the impact of this Act in relation to the inclusion of trans people.
(2)
Guidance under subsection (1) must include information on—
(a)
any safety concerns resulting from this Act,
(b)
how the Scottish Ministers propose to address these.

Just a passing observation ... I'd have thought 'amendments' were along the lines of adding wee commas here and there, little proof-reading tweaks.

Not asking for research, reports, statements and evidence - surely that was the first stage of the bill before it got bloody voted on?!

BIT BLOODY LATE.

Anyway.

"BIT BLOODY LATE."

Agreed. All this should have been done before they voted on it at stage 1 & if it wasn't done, they shouldn't have bloody voted to support it!

It's an arse over elbow bill guaranteed to create chaos.

Yes. Labour made much of how they would fix all the inconvenient wee anomalies - like the removal of women's sex based rights, safety, privacy and dignity - at Stage 2.

But if your actual Bill's purpose is to say that a man can become a woman, then fiddling about with the semantic hows and whys of such an absurdity after you've agreed that yes, fine, sex is meaningless, is just infuriatingly pointless.

All of this whilst the Scottish government is in court today arguing that a GRC changes a person's sex under the equality act thus effectively removing all single sex exemptions

Yes, they're fucking determined to abolish sex, aren't they?

I expect they will get their wish.

I'm working backwards through the pdfs. I've done 8th and 7th Nov amendments and will move onto the next later. (note to self).

twitter.com/Rachael2Win/status/1588242514238373889

Thank you, Rachael.

Odd article here that seems to be suggesting adding Amendments alters the Bill.

They've yet to be debated, let alone voted on.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gender-bill-altered-after-snp-revolt-fhlmvfsq3

Unless I've completely misunderstood! I thought this was booked for next week to be discussed and voted on, with all amendments?

'The next stage of the parliamentary process later this month will see the equalities committee examine the bill. Any MSP can suggest changes but only members of the committee can vote on whether they are adopted. The whole parliament can propose and vote on amendments in the final reading of the legislation, which is expected before the end of the year.'

A good thread from Lucy Hunter Blackburn threadreaderapp.com/thread/1591000281717809152.html