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

Thanks for updating us, Arabella.

Talks about 'real trauma' of current GRA when their gender does not match their certificates.

Fuck sake REAL TRAUMA is having men in prisons u fuckin knobber

Carol Mochan - raising parents' concerns she's been contacted about. Essential YP can access support - this isn't available. Asking for a pause for this section of the Bill. Clearly wouldn't prevent social transition.
Should not be published before the CAss Review.

ASH REGAN!

Thank you Arabella.

Suffragette colours

Supporting amendments that support safeguarding, but not the Bill.

16 not an appropriate age, v profound change. Want to share view of a mother who wrote to her:

'My 15 yo daughter is on AS. Strugles with anxiety and dpression. No signs of GD before 12, currently IDS as male. Influenced by social media'

'School and NHS taken affirmative approach despite my concerns'

Socially transitionign is first step on path to medicalisation.

I was coerce dinto name change an dpronouns.

Watchful waitng and holistic approach is best. '

Not the sodding UNCRC it bloody doesn’t. I assume it’s Maggie who is also woefully misinformed on the state of international law wrt children.

Also talkign about the detransitioners event. Extremoely powerful, heartbreaking stories. Had been let down by those who should have been protecting them.

They were asked if 16 was a good idea. Emphatic 'no'.

I have to ask as well? Why 16?

where else is pushing for 16 to be age of majority??

How can this be credible when you still have stated in the USA that have alcohol laws based on 21 and discussion in some countries whether this needs to be introduced to counter binge drinking culture?

This seems like someone repeating it to make it sound plausible.

Age should be 18 and no lower.

We should exerise extreme caution in this area. Applause.

Can we be very clear that internationally allowing child soldiers and child marriage is very much not the ‘right side of history’.

The UK is often criticised for this shit already and living away from it.

ACH happy for 16 year olds to be serving in the armed forces and getting married as well as changing gender. I think it highlights that the age should be raised to 18. Let children be children and leave them alone.

Pauline Hamilton - considerable public concern - shoudl be deep scrutiny [in a few hours?!]

Importance of supporting young people

I will continue to talk about self ID model, whereas 2004 legislation had many other requirements, 2 year period. Substantial difference between the 2004 bill and 2022 bill.

Many constituents say when apply for college want to make sure birth cert aligns with gender - she's advised that other docs coudl be used.

Absolutely no where is trying to end childhood at 16 internationally. No where.

except Scotland apparently.

Hasn't the marriage are recently been increased to 18 from 16? Or maybe I dreamt that.

What effing 'international best practice'? The Yogyakarta Principles, no doubt, about which Reem was suitably scathing last night.

This thread is moving so fast it needs wings.

suffragette colours woman was amazing.

Shona Robison.

Has met with many MSPs, describing process of Bill.

Sorry child interrupting, I've missed all that.

Now some bloke talking about how general public oppose reduction of age.

Ash Regan. Yes.

I’m actually, genuinely ashamed to be Scottish, when elected representatives stand up in parliament and not only excuse child soldiers and child marriage but valorise it.

16 and 17 year olds are legally children.

I think that's E&W

www.gov.uk/government/news/implementation-of-the-marriage-and-civil-partnership-minimum-age-act-2022

Interested to hear how this intersects with the 'rights of the child' etc. Scotland does seem to have more freedom/less protection for children than the rest of the UK.

Shona Robison: Amendments we cannot support - reverting minimum age to 18

Rachel Hamilton - would Cab Sec accept that further support for under 18s accepts that lowering the age is a problem?

Shona - no, it's fine, so long as they understand the process and sought and taken appropriate support - that's the right balance