Scottish Labour overture to JKR?

[mzdemeanour]

Just spotted this on the BBC election live feed and thought it was worth posting separately.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has told BBC Scotland News that he's "more than happy" to have a conversation with Harry Potter author JK Rowling in order to try and convince her to support the Labour party.
Sarwar says he has "a lot of respect for" the Harry Potter author and adds that he's "proud" of the backing she's previously given Labourr_.
Asked why he has voted for legislation in Scotland aimed at making it easier for someone to change their legally-recognised sex, the Scottish Labour leader says he did so after the SNP gave a "cast iron guarantee" it wouldn't negatively impact the UK-wide Equality Act.
He adds that has proved not to be the case and says it's a "tragedy" trans people now don't feel more protected and women don't feel more reassured.
The Glasgow MSP has said he wants a "grown up approach" that removes the "indignity" of the process of changing sex, but still protects single sex spaces "based on biological sex".

Weasel words or a reverse ferret?

A stoat. Somewhere between a weasel and a ferret.

I think he is a generally as wee nfaff but he is being sensible. JK is right and he knows it.

• a ( blind as a mole)

The Glasgow MSP has said he wants a "grown up approach" that removes the "indignity" of the process of changing sex, but still protects single sex spaces "based on biological sex

You can't change sex so he's talking shite, and trying to sit on the fence and please everyone will end up pleasing no-one.

I don't trust that man as far as I could throw him

Two weeks to go, manifestos all published and now they want to talk? Give me strength.

It’s obviously pointless from a voting point of view, this time round, but it’s interesting nonetheless. I wonder if it’s coming up on the doorstep much more than they had predicted.

The Glasgow MSP has said he wants a "grown up approach" that removes the "indignity" of the process of changing sex, but still protects single sex spaces "based on biological sex".

What is this 'indignity'?

Oh right, now they want a conversation?!
They can fuck right off #nodebate

It is physically impossible for a human to change their sex, and until the 'adults' start telling the truth no 'approach' can be made.

Weasel.

I would love JKR to do that publicly. She wouldn't let him weasel out of anything.

It’s obviously pointless from a voting point of view, this time round, but it’s interesting nonetheless. I wonder if it’s coming up on the doorstep much more than they had predicted.

Oh I agree it's very interesting but it's also infuriating. How long have they had to talk about this? And now they ever so graciously announce that they're 'happy to have a conversation' that they could have had years ago.

So they've still not figured out you can't square this circle then.

Slow handclap.

God love Anas Sarwar, he must have at least given some thought to what this issue has done to the SNP. And yet he still comes out with the word salad, because stating a clear and sensible position might make Keir sad.

Interesting however that he felt the need to say anything.

£5 and a note from their doctor.

I have various friends who've been though the UK spousal visa, citizenship and foreign office security vetting processes. All considerably more intrusive (and a lot more expensive, in the case of the first 2).

a "grown up approach" that removes the "indignity" of the process of changing sex, but still protects single sex spaces "based on biological sex"

Well if he knows and agrees with what she is saying already why does he need to meet with JKR. Just get on and speak about it within your party. Get them to go public with this statement.

(Although he needs to amend it to the process of changing gender as obviously sex can't be changed)

having to persuade a GP you are not your born sex, (instead of just saying so) in oder to get a piece of paper to confirm that. As if that changes anything at all.

I bet she takes him up on the offer.

And it would be useful to set the record straight. There's no indignity to any of it. A fiver, change of name on a gas bill and a note from your GP.

This lie that it's some kind of ordeal needs correcting.

I suspect Anas Sarwar is not trying to make a word salad. He's just not very articulate, from when I've listened to him speak.

"Indignity"? They should try applying for disability benefits.

Now THAT'S Indignity.

Sounds like he's worried her very public stance on women's rights, self ID and the Labour party might be influential.

JKR is very much a grown up and quite forgiving so I think she will agree to discuss the issues with him. I'm less grown up and would tell him to go fuck himself.

Venting my anger would give me momentary satisfaction. Having a conversation is more productive but I resent that, no matter how badly we're treated, we're expected to suppress our anger in order to be taken seriously and get anything done.

I bet if Sawar was put on the spot and asked what the process for changing gender in Scotland is,he wouldn't have a clue. He is just spouting stock phrases.

But in any case TRAs are not going to settle for a piece of paper that says their gender is now recognised (whatever the hell that means) if it does not given them access to women's single-sex spaces.

All politicians are going to have to realise that in this mess there is no compromise position that keeps everyone happy. It would have been found long ago if it existed. One side is going to be very disappointed and politicians are going to have to decide whether it should be half the population or a much smaller group consisting mainly of middle aged men in dresses and vulnerable young girls.

Given that you can change your name from male to female on utility bills, passports and driving licenses without a GRC and then use those changed documents as proof that you should be given a GRC the entire process is circular and bonkers.

The GRC applicant doesn’t go in front of an actual panel to be assessed and if their paperwork is correct and complete they’re very unlikely to be refused a GRC. Where’s the indignity and humiliation in that paperwork exercise?

Claiming Disability benefits is a humiliating and undignified affair that should get priority for being changed well before anyone looks into making GRC application procedures easier.

JK has played a blinder once again. The top or second story on BBC news all day.
Labour know they will be asked about this all next week so have had to requeat to “talk”.
I very much hope JK will meet and be able to get actual details from them re what the heck they will do when in power.