Parliament postnote

[BeBraveLittlePenguin]

I've just skimmed over the report but I'm on my phone and it's hard to read.
https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pb-0053/

Positives - sex registered at birth not assigned. A few non rainbow washed contributors. Reference to how many kids are ND. Reference to detransitioners.
Negatives - fucking Mermaids still.

Doesn't look to be saying much though?

Ta. Just read the intro but it sounds pretty sane.

it does look as if they consulted a wider group rather than just the usual suspects. Transgender trend & Bayswater as well Stonewall & mermaids

Now that is a significant change!

Lisa Litmann as well. Glad to see they really have widened the consultation.

Yep, much more sane language. Looking at that list of people/bodies who have been consulted, it's going to be very clear to everyone who has been involved in the final wording of the report that Mermaids and Stonewall are starting to sound very ill-informed and evangelical rather than measured about the whole subject.

Lisa Littman was previously persona non-grata in anything official. The fact that her voice on ROGD will have been heard is huge.

It wouldn't be right to exclude Mermaids and Stonewall from the consultation. Their voices are relevant in the debate. However, their voices are now countered by many others. That is the biggest shift here - as is the resultant balanced wording. Very encouraging.

... and another thought on the language shift: I remember seeing the Cass Review going through similar steps. Early on it was "AFAB" and "sex assigned at birth" etc. Subsequently replaced by words relating to biological sex and "birth registered sex".

Obviously the Cass Review story isn't over because the care providers who will be a part of it currently seem hell-bent on trying to recreate pretty much exactly what they had in GIDS, just under a different structure. However, it's starting to feel like documents such as this parliamentary note (and all the work being done by Baroness Falkner, Kemi Badenoch, Miriam Cares, Rosie Duffield et al) will ultimately outflank anyone who tries to maintain the status quo in the NHS.

Does anyone know what would a parliamentary note be used for? Will it influence or does it have any practical application?

https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/bicameral/post/publications/how-to-write-postnotes/#:~:text=POSTnote%20ideas%20are%20worked%20into,that%20will%20become%20full%20POSTnotes.

I think it's good they consulted Mermaids and Stonewall. If they hadn't tras would have used that as an excuse to smear, deligitimise and ignore it. Of course Mermaids and Stonewall would have used their platforms to do the same. I think the saying is 'better to have them in the tent peeing out than vice versa'.

I work in a policy related role (nothing to do with this topic though) and post notes are highly regarded. They are generally seen as accurate distillations or synthesis of complex scientific subjects where there are a range of views, stakeholders etc.

As they’re short in length they are documents that are actually likely to be read by busy MPs and policymakers (or by their staff at least!). Post notes are also emailed to a pretty big mailing list of charities, policy organisations etc.

Sorry - post above was in response to @JeannieDark

In terms of influence post notes can influence debate and views on a topic but i think in a more general sense, rather then being something that’s going to lead to radical or overnight policy change.

Thank you @UpperLowerMiddleClass that's really helpful. I'd never heard of them before. Appreciate it won't mean overnight change but it sounds like a genuinely very positive thing.

'The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is a bicameral body in the UK Parliament. With more than 30 years of experience in sourcing scientific research evidence for the UK Parliament, POST is one of the first bodies of its kind in the world. As part of our work, we:

• Produce impartial, balanced and timely briefings
• Organise parliamentary horizon scanning activities
• Offer a range of services to Select Committees
• Train the next generation of policy shapers through the POST Fellowship and other schemes
• Hold seminars and events for parliamentarians and the public
• Work with research advisory bodies in legislatures across the globe
• Facilitate knowledge exchange between UK Parliament and research communities

'

https://post.parliament.uk/about-us/

Just having a look at it now, some interesting and possibly useful looking resources on there!

As it says on the tin: Sourcing reliable and impartial scientific research for Parliament

I remember including their briefing for the petition debate on making changes to the EA.

On a slight aside ...

Is there any possibility OP of asking MNHQ to change the title of this thread to the title of the post ie Factors shaping gender incongruence and gender dysphoria, and impact on health services as I think many of FWR would want to read it but might skip over it.

Just a thought.

This. No desire at all to exclude Mermaid, Stonewall and the rest of the extremist lobby, they need to be heard loud and clear alongside sane people with a grip on reality and the capacity to care about others.

That is all that is needed.