Thank you for getting in touch about the Private Members’ Bill that Liz Truss MP had on the list for potential debate in Parliament last Friday.
In the end, there was not time for her Bill to be debated and the Hansard record of the morning’s proceedings is here.
To provide you with some background, because Liz Truss is a backbench MP and not a Government Minister, her Bill is not likely to get anywhere. Backbenchers often use the Private Members’ Bill process to raise an issue/make a point, but such Bills don’t progress without Government support and I haven’t seen any indication that the Government are backing her Bill.
I am concerned that Liz Truss’s Bill represents an attempt to deepen the ‘culture war’ that is at the centre of the hard right playbook that politicians like her follow. Moreover, there’s a real risk around proposed changes to teaching guidance concerning transgender and gender questioning students. I'm very worried about any changes that would force schools to inform parents if a pupil seeks to socially transition in school. It is very important for pupils to know that school is a place of safety and respect for them and it would be totally unacceptable for Ministers to instruct schools to out trans children to their parents.
Outing a child to a parent/guardian is potentially a serious safeguarding matter, and it is not at all clear how this would sit alongside the safeguarding responsibilities of schools. As I understand it, schools are generally following a case-by-case approach that successfully balances respect for each child’s needs and wishes, with the school’s existing statutory responsibilities.
On the Equality Act, my view is that changing the law so that ‘sex’ is defined as 'biological sex' for the purposes of the Equality Act would gravely undermine trans-people's rights, including to go about their lives in privacy and dignity. Trans-people are often subject to serious employment or other discrimination, and to ridicule, harassment and hate crime. It is vital that there are proper mechanisms in law to protect a trans-person's privacy should they want or need it.
I am a proud feminist and women's rights campaigner and it is my view that we still have far to go in the campaign for true equality and an end to the patriarchy. I believe that standing up for trans rights is a fundamental part of that campaign, and we have more to gain by working together to challenge the prejudice, discrimination and exclusion so many women and trans-people continue to face.
It remains a great sadness to me that women's and trans rights are now characterised by some people, like Liz Truss MP, as being on different 'sides' in 'a culture war'. My view is this is detrimental to all women, both trans and cis. I remain of the view that it is both necessary and possible to promote and protect improved trans people’s rights, whilst at the same time defending and advancing hard won women’s rights.
Whilst we take a different position on this issue, I am grateful for your continued engagement. Hearing from constituents is hugely important to me
Best wishes,
Caroline
Caroline Lucas MP
Brighton Pavilion
Parliamentary Office
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA