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

Yes. That level of bravery and integrity is fucking scarce in politicians.

Surely if nothing else, the confusion around all of it means they cannot proceed for now? This has to be reviewed?

Surely some SNP MSPs are squirming.......Maybe even Nicola herself?

MH: They have blown apart their own argument

J Balfour - academics still working through the JR (Lady Haldane) implications. Real uncertainty going forward.

Would best way forward be to pause process until we get legal certainty?

PMcN - we're none of us practising lawyers - I'd like guidance from the Scotgov.

One interesting angle is how Scottish Labour are being forced to at least look at and attempt to think about the Sex Fudge. I wonder if this will impact on Labour as a whole?

Thank you Ash. You have shown a lot of guts this afternoon and have stood up for women and girls.

On R4 now

PMcN: Why aren't the govt more interested in sorting out uncertainty?

Talking about NHS policy, confusion, need for Gov to provide clarity

Single sex spaces in NHS - NHS say this is discriminatory

and totally disingenuous reference to WHAT ammendments resulted in the calls of 'shame on you'

I slightly missed the start as the radio wasn't up loud enough!

PMcN - this is a disaster. I'm annoyed we got to Stage 3 before gov acknolwedges any of this.

Liam Kerr - if member doesn't get Amendments sought today and clarifications and ambiguity remains, does member intend to vote for bill and if so, why

PMcN - I'm pressing Cab Sec for answers. You'll find out when the time comes. I'm testing the gov

and NEVER saying that a GRC allows you to change your birth certificate, and therefore legal SEX. They never never say this.

PMcN - it's not good enough Rape Crisis don't feel they can use exceptions. Govt must stand up for these services.

Data - we need better data. UN Rapporteur (VMB) we need more data on trans population. And we do need to collect on basis of sex. Reem Alsalem says data on sex has been recently deprioritised. Conflating sex and gender identity ... evidence has been compromised ... police and other services must collect data on both sex and GI.

'proportionate means to a legitimate aim is meaningless if you can't tell your service providers what it means' - PMcN

We do. How else can we report on our CEDAW progress? It's not possible without data disaggregated by sex.

Claire Baker - Amendments 118/119.

Need for guidance on occupational exceptions.

EA and GRA - re disclosure and exemptions:

If Bill is not adding or removing rights for trans people.

Social contract between individual and society. Bill moves process in other direction - it's about individual making decision on their own.

Making changes rights afforded will be extended to a different cohort of people. We need clarity over operations and exemptions.

Single sex exemptions - current confusion over law and interpretation, both providers and users.

Bill says when appropriate for info on trans status to be shared, but there's also criminal offense to share info on trans status. This has led to confusion.

A health board can exclude on basis of gender reassignment GRC or not.

Lack of clarity on section 22 is having a chilling effect. Effectively NHS believes it is prevented from providing female only care.

EHRC have issued guidance but confusion continues. Scotgov should provide guidance. EHRC said that they must ensure clarity. Scotgov shoudl recognised their responsibility to provide clarity. Complex area would benefit from parliamentary scrutiny.

Final points: Which areas will be covered by guidance?

Was struck by Reem Asalem's guidance - on its own, guidance is not enough. A bandaid solution to flaws in legislation. Not a magical solution. Some things must be clarified and spelled out in law.

Ash Regan! I’ve no words! Only tears. That could not have been more clear.

Rachel Hamilton - Amendment offers opportunity here to clarify single sex spaces - guidance on how Bill will affect single sex services, exemptions.

Reem Alsalem - provided evidence - said that women could self exclude as a result of this Bill.

Women have received no reassurance. Debate has been repeatedly shut down and brushed aside.

Someone's said something ...

Rachel Hamilton - gov has failed to provide clarity despite many opportunities. out of hand rejection of a number of colleagues who have presetned this concern [on behalf of constituents]

Commends Ash Regan, Jackie Baillie, others.

Ash Reagn. How great was she🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

Ash Regan
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Unlurking just to say Ash is an utter inspiration! I'm so proud we have a politician as moral and clear sighted as her. It's a shame her and Joanna Cherry are so few.

I wish to god that scotgov would be truly progressive and decide to put women first and scrap the GRA. Unfortunately not going to happen.

Pam Gosal.

Thanks for hundreds of emails, letters, cards.

My goal is here to seek balance. No good legislation comes from betraying one group to the convenience of another.

Benefits to trans people should't come at expense of women, children, vulnerable people.

We've tried to uphold safeguarding in this flawed legislation. We've tried to postpone in light of court proceedings and UN evidence. And recent polling which suggests 2/3 of electorate opposes this bill. Scotgov is charging ahead and not listening.

John Mason

Will the Bill affect people from ethnic minorities and religious faith backgrounds.

PG - absolutely.

PGosal - I'm looking for minimal safeguarding, some form of reassurance for women, some form of comfort that their rights are not being completely eroded. All were voted down.

Asking that parliament supports my Amendments - for ministers to prepare a report on self exclusion in 1st year of Bill coming into force.

A requirement to publish a report on this Act for funding on single sex spaces.

For years this parliament has made progress to help support victims. This Bill risks retraumatising women, vulnerable women, victims of DV, those seeking refuge in shelters.

Calls for data collection for how many are self excluding.

Mentions Beira's place - the sole single sex support service for victims.

Why does it take a feminist like JK Rowling to step in and provide a solution, while the gov sits on its hands and denies problems exist?

Reem Alsalem agreed requirement for ministers to carry out these reports and seek data is reasonable. Ministers should allow for monitoring and evaluation and allow for revision.

Service providers are unable to provide single sex spaces in Scotland. Ring fenced is out of scope of this Bill.

It's not our job to question why women want access to single sex spaces, but to reduce barriers to access. This is an intersectional approach.

At least, gov must monitor and review the effects of this Act.