Stonewall strikes again- local authority

[Whatisthisagain]

The LA I work for is totally captured by Stonewall. However my department and boss don’t say much, pronouns in emails if we want, no pressure and it doesn’t come up. However today this email has been sent around the whole LA regarding LGBTQ+ contribution to the field of medicine. All good if you’re interested and lots of interesting info but what got me was the piece about the doctor below. I have blurred the name and face, but the “who is not afraid to challenge gender critical rhetoric”.
Is this even allowed considering gender critical beliefs are protected by law?! Nothing would be sent out on international women’s day by a female who was quoted as saying, she is not afraid to challenge trans activism or men in toilets etc. Isn’t that the same thing?!
So first of all, I have unreasonably got the hump about this email?
Second, I want to write a letter to the head of council to make it clear that gender critical beliefs are protected by law and to think about what is sent out, seeing as they are discriminating against a protected belief. I’m not amazing at writing letters and if someone can help with a paragraph or so, that would be great.
Thanks

Hmmm that does seem a bit dodgy. No advice on letter writing though, also useless at it.

May one to ask Sex Matters about - especially as you might prefer them not to know who’s raised it?

@HagoftheNorth thank you. Good shout

here you go. ChatGPT happens to be excellent at writing letters.

[Your Name]
[Your Position/Department]
[Address of Your Office]
[City, Postcode]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]

[Head of the Council's Name]
[Position]
[Local Council Name]
[Address of the Council Office]
[City, Postcode]

Dear [Head of the Council's Name],

I am writing to you in my capacity as [Your Position/Department] of [Local Council Name] to express my deep concern regarding content featured in a recent communication distributed by the council, specifically an email discussing general LGBT issues. It has come to my attention that this email prominently featured a statement by a doctor who openly declared their intention to "challenge gender critical rhetoric."

While I fully support fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all members of our community, including those within the LGBT community, I must raise serious concerns regarding the characterization of gender critical views as mere "rhetoric" and the implication that these views are subject to being challenged in a manner that could be interpreted as dismissive or confrontational.

It is imperative to remember that the concept of gender criticism, as it pertains to the expression of beliefs around sex and gender, is protected under the Equality Act 2010. This Act explicitly safeguards individuals' rights to hold and express "philosophical beliefs," which courts have interpreted to include gender critical beliefs. As such, categorizing these legally protected beliefs as rhetoric that can be challenged may not only misrepresent the legal protections afforded to such views but also potentially foster an environment that discourages open and respectful discourse on these complex issues.

As a woman who holds gender critical beliefs—which are recognized and protected under UK law—I find the language used in the council's communication both chilling and disappointing. It is disheartening to witness the council, an institution that should champion the rights of all its constituents to freely express their legally protected beliefs, seemingly taking a stance that undermines this fundamental principle.

Given the potential for misunderstanding and the risk of inadvertently marginalizing individuals who hold gender critical beliefs, I strongly urge the council to consider issuing a retraction or clarification regarding the aforementioned statements. It is crucial that our council upholds the highest standards of inclusivity, respect, and legal compliance in all its communications.

I trust that this letter will be taken in the constructive spirit in which it is intended. I am committed to working collaboratively to ensure that our council remains a beacon of diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all viewpoints, in accordance with the law. I look forward to your prompt response on this matter and am available to discuss this issue further should you find it necessary.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Position/Department]
[Local Council Name]

@AlphariusOmegron oh wow! That’s amazing. Thank you so much!

Excellent artwork by the way!

I'd change 'UK law' though, as it doesn't actually exist. There's the law in England & Wales and then there's the law in Scotland. Obviously there's some overlap.

I was at a meeting and someone on the panel said 'UK law' and none other than the redoubtable and amazing Joanna Cherry KC MP jumped to her feet to take the speaker to task on the matter.

Don't ask me about Northern Ireland though!

@Villagetoraiseachild thanks 😂

@Rightsraptor thank you !

I'd also remind them of the public sector equality duty to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.