Scottish Parliament final debate on Gender Recognition Reform today

[ArabellaScott]

At some point after 2pm, in the Big Room (the Chamber).

www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/whats-on-and-watch-live/whats-on#wm

Will be interesting to see how the Amendments go down, if they are all struck down as the ScotGov wishes - www.holyrood.com/news/view,gender-recognition-reform-crunch-vote-after-shona-robison-warns-msps-over-amendments

'the Scottish Conservatives have warned that the debate could lead to a "travesty of democracy" because a 15 minute time limit for each proposal will "shut down" discussion.'

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64032916

JB - dangers of differign interpretation of legislation. It is the Scotgov's responsibility to provide clarity. Service providers responsibilities will be made clearer. Scotgov have suggested its not in their remit. Reject the assertion they don't have any remit to do this. Gov have provided guidance to schools, health boards, if that si possible, they can publish guidance for devolved bodies.

If amendments don't pass, will LAbour not support Billl - graham simpson.

JB - I hope they pass. I hope everyone listens. You can wait to Stage 3 to see what we do.

This from the BBC: By our reckoning, there is still up to four hours of debate on amendments to go before MPS get round to a final vote. To put that in context, we’re now at the point in the proceedings MSPs had expected to get to last night.

Cheers. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-64051235

Ash Regan - one of roles of Govt is to protect people. EA protects trans. Existing regime compliant with Human Rights law.

Bill before doesnt' strike that balance. Doesn't protect the rights of everyone. Introduces a hierarchy where women's rights are demoted.

Ash Regan.

JR review has put this beyond doubt. Self ID does grant new rights. GRC for almost anyone who wants one. This is not just admin. This is not just change in process.

600 GR C holders in Scotland. We expect this to increase tenfold, to 6000.

These people are not currently eligible.

These people may well be trans. However, my strong contention is that not all will be.

Maggie Chapman - some of those will be eligible but have chosen not to go through process.

Convenor - please no appluse from the gallery.

Ash Regan - this opens the process up to a vast # of people who would not be eligible currently.

Not all trans people see it as intrusive. One GRC holder felt current system was appropriate.

How could we tell if there were fraudulent applications? Members of a dominant group in society can now self identify into an oppressed group. This is unprecedented.

Ash Regan - As group who can now access a GRC, it may be open to be abused, we are now being askked to legislate in such a way that cano't possibly lead to good law.

Many amendments will not materially alter the issues we're facing.

Protection wasn't given enough consideration, thsi backed up by Reem Alsalem, UN.

Claimed that there was no impact on women and girls., I cannot find the Impact Assessment.

Data on the impact on women is NOT BEING COLLECTED.

In Ireland impact on women was considered out of scope,

[she is ablaze]

There are exampes of voyeurism, flashing in womens' single sex spaces. Self exclusion is happening. For those who are looking the impact is there to see.

Women's single sex spaces are important.

Male people as a group are a risk to women.

Ash Regan: The ability to exclude people with a GRC I think will now not be possible.

We shouldn't delude ourselves. This Bill comprehensively undermines single sex spaces.

Why are we bieng conditioned to accept male bodied people in women's spaces.

Why?

Who does it benefit?

Will women be less safe as a resul tof this Bill? Then you cannot vote for it.

APPLAUSE

suspended

Members of a dominant group in society can now self identify into an oppressed group. This is unprecedented.

THIS!!!

Can we get this on a fucking billboard somewhere please?!!!!

Ash Regan - the pbulic expect us to engage, to balance rights, to ask hard questions

It's a huge responsibility. It cannot be delegated. Scotland is watching. We use legislation to send a message - I'm sad to say the message today sent out to WAG in Scotland is that you don't matter.

I will vote against the Bill.

Applause.

Shero. Thank you, Ash Regan.

Extending time limit to 2 hours.

ASH! 😍

Ash Regan...... on fire you go girl 💪

Hopefully more will rebel now.

It's a huge responsibility. It cannot be delegated. Scotland is watching. We use legislation to send a message - I'm sad to say the message today sent out to WAG in Scotland is that you don't matter.

Indeed.

Ash Regan's whole speech:

www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-december-21-2022?clip_start=16:55:16&clip_end=17:04:30

Sorry, I've ignored Pauline McNeill's bit because I wanted to get Ash Regan's barnstorming speech up.

Still discussing EA and Lady Haldane's JR.

'great deal of confusion' [no shit]

OK, I just watched Ash's speech in full and I cried!

Please, please let some of these MSPs grow a spine.

I really hope Ash Regans speech is all over the papers tomorrow

I have so much respect for Ash Regan - she has taken a moral stand at great personal and professional risk to herself. She will probably lose her seat at the next election. But she can hold her head high as a woman of integrity.