Female barristers rebel against crackdown on ‘unfashionable views’ amid trans tensions

[IwantToRetire]

Female barristers are rebelling against what they believe is a crackdown on lawyers with “unfashionable views” amid growing tensions over transgender issues.

The Legal Feminist, a forum to discuss feminist issues in the legal system, is preparing to fight back against proposals from the industry regulator which could see barristers punished if they fail to act in a way which “advances equality, diversity, and inclusion”.

Barrister Naomi Cunningham, who specialises in discrimination, said she fears the vagueness of a new proposal from the Bar Standards Board (BSB) paves the way for “arbitrary enforcement” meaning barristers with “unpopular or unfashionable views” get excluded.

The BSB, which regulates the profession, is consulting on the plans which if enforced could leave barristers who breach the rules facing penalties such as fines, suspensions or a ban.

Start of a much longer article at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/09/14/female-barristers-rebel-crackdown-views-trans-tensions/

Can only also be read at https://archive.is/WrWWa

(I dont think this is new as an issue, but maybe the consultation process is new - but still worth highlighting that even in groups made up of those paid to uphold the law, social pressure is being put before upholding women's rights.)

They are mainly white, middle-class men? Not that I have noticed non-white middle-class men are any different.

proposals from the industry regulator which could see barristers punished if they fail to act in a way which “advances equality, diversity, and inclusion”.

Whenever I see things like this I think "Ah, but who gets to define what 'equality, diversity and inclusion' means and looks like.

If inclusion means excluding women, as it so often does these days, that's not good for women. If diversity is mostly about women not being allowed to say 'no' to men any more then 'diversity'= oppression of women.

It's quite easy to redefine words such that the patriarchal status quo is maintained.

Was it the Fawcett Society that found itself in the position of (implicitly?) agreeing that if 50% of the HoL were TW and 50% men, then that would meet the 50-50 split of sex equality?

Even if those men using the moniker ‘TW’ only inherited their places because they are male, and uncategorically not female in any shape or form. Because real women and girls are discriminated because of their sex.

I was thinking about the HoL but meant HoC/Parliament. 🙂

Fawcett Society statement on the GRA
www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/3398226-Fawcett-Society-statement-on-the-GRA?reply=81895672&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

I presume their position of men being women if they say so still stands. I presume their professed belief of identity literally transforming someone’s biology doesn’t only apply to an elected MP. Imagine the cognitive dissonance they exhibit by regarding a ‘TW’ hereditary Lord as a woman if the lord said he was a woman. Even if that ‘woman’ inherited his title over six older sisters. Because real women are not entitled to the title.

Honestly I have no idea what is going on at the moment. It’s terrifying.

You have Kemi saying maternity has gone too far.
Nigel farage wanting to open discussion on abortion rights
And labour don’t know what a woman is