The general election for feminists

[ArabellaScott]

A resource thread for materials, questions, points to make in the run-up to the election:

Sex Matters have a list of things to raise:

'Our election asks

1. Ensure clear language, rules and data wherever sex matters
2. Implement the Cass Report and stop transitioning children in schools
3. Drop dangerous plans to criminalise so-called “conversion therapy”
4. Make the Equality Act clear
5. Guarantee women’s right to female-only spaces
6. Say no to legal gender self-ID
7. Record sex accurately in healthcare and the criminal justice system
8. Fix the sex data muddle with modern data systems
9. Protect women’s sports
10. Make regulators do their job and protect everyone’s rights.'

https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/ge2024-stand-up-for-single-sex-services/

You know, I've been following this for several years now and thought I was pretty much up to speed, and yet I only realised quite recently that a GRA changes the sex on your birth certificate.

I was staggered and I very much doubt that it's common knowledge.

So yes, I think it's time to start pressing all candidates on whether and why they support falsehoods on official documents.

Safe Schools Alliance:

"Our election ask is for a #PublicInquiry into the systemic failures that have allowed effective child #safeguarding to be undermined in schools. All candidates must be asked what they are going to do to #RestoreSafeguarding. Child safeguarding is not a party political issue, it is not a ‘culture war’ it is absolutely paramount. We expect all parties to commit to the welfare of the four nations children by committing to a #SafeguardingFirst approach"

https://x.com/safeschoolsuk/status/1793331022836175041?s=46&t=WHoOZZ_3Kv5G6-FyQuvE0LQ

@Floisme I’m unsure about this. If someone has a GRC and have gone through surgery, jumped through hoops to get the GRC and are living a life wholly as a ‘woman’ (whatever that means) I guess I’ve not got an issue with their birth certificate being changed. Otoh if they have convictions as a man there should be some way to flag this up for potential employers etc
But then otoh this is where there’s confusion about a gender recognition certificate and a sex at birth certificate. How can you change one thing when it relates to something different….such a bloody mess. I’m torn. Trying to be considerate to someone who clearly has experienced a lot of emotional distress about their gender identity but at the same time protecting the idea of who is a woman.

But is there any other law that allows someone to falsify their official documents out of consideration for their feelings?

Women’s rights being dismissed and deemed as not as important as other issues leads you to the situation in the US with women dying of pregnancy complications after Roe v Wade being rolled back. I see Trump is now talking about restricting access to contraception in some states. Othering women and downplaying the importance of women’s equal rights never ends well for us.

None

And yes men will be able to get those documents from a GP visit

@Floisme I don’t know but if you’d had radical surgery to alter your gender appearance, you wholly live your life as a woman (whatever that means) it’s not really just feelings is it ? I guess if it’s genuine ‘gender dysphoria’ rather than a kink it’s different but it should be flagged up if the person has criminal convictions in their previous gender. Like I say it’s difficult.

@EasternStandard so now anyone can get a GRC from their GP ?

You don’t need surgery radical or otherwise to get a GRC

@BettyFilous I agree but the issue is that the very individuals who were behind the rolling back of Roe v Wade are the ones who are pushing back against gay and trans rights. Like Miriam Cates is presumably GC but her opinions on the female role generally isn’t edifying.

Not yet. Soon with Labour, that’s their change to the process

As other posters have already pointed out @Lottelenya nobody needs to have surgery to get a GRC.

‘The process for obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate requires you to submit a bundle of evidence to the GRC Panel. This evidence consists of proof of name change, such as utility bills, bank statements, etc, and proof of living in your identified gender for at least a two-year period. You also need a sworn statutory declaration made in front of a solicitor, which states that your gender change is permanent and two medical reports confirming the diagnosis of gender dysphoria’

You’re right, surgery isn’t required to get it, my bad, maybe it should be ? But the whole process seems quite onerous otherwise.

@EasternStandard where is that in their manifesto. You are scaremongering. And like most posters on other threads have said, yes it’s a worry, but for many there are other more immediately pressing issues.

I may want to be considerate to my daughter who wants to get a GRC but it doesn't change that she is in fact female, always has been, always will be. Putting otherwise on her birth certificate or anywhere else is a lie that can confuse records and perpetuates and affirms a mental health issue that nobody so far has even attempted to help her with.
In my opinion it isn't kind or considerate to affirm, it's the opposite.

This is an info thread. Please could you make a thread discussing other specifics if you want to, so as to not derail. Thanks.

Not at all. It was announced a couple of days ago

Reaction here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5078680-the-times-labour-plans-to-simplify-dehumanising-gender-change-process

It’s interesting you call it that as it’s pretty bad for women, you’re right on that

I have written to our labour candidate I have very much phrased mine as someone who is a lifelong labour voter and wants reassurance about their position to enable me to vote for them. My DH will be doing the same as will friends.

Like said, I’m not sure. But there’s just been a survey on TV and gender ideology wasn’t even in the top 5 of concerns. I guess when the government has very little positive to trumpet this issue will be flagged up on here, rightly or wrongly.

@Lottelenya if you're going to have a law that allows someone to falsify their birth certificate, and potentially use services and spaces reserved for the opposite sex, don't you think that the process should, at the very least, be a stringent one?

I'll be doing the same. And I plan to ask the same questions of all the candidates.

@EasternStandard Most of us can be concerned but we have other more pressing worries. My DS1 has just graduated and job prospects here are very poor. Public transport is abysmal which limits his options hugely (don’t live in London), My DS 2 16 has waited >8 months for an eye operation we were told was ‘urgent’. He’s only now got an appointment. So many more important concerns I’m afraid.

Tbh whether you are concerned or not, vote for whoever it’s up to you.

I replied to your posts as they were incorrect.

Apologies for my part in the derail.

Could we use this thread to share manifesto information too? I'm not sure when to expect them but I assume it'll be soon. All parties.