Stormont politicians clash with gender-critical group over language on single-sex spaces

[IwantToRetire]

Looks like Women’s Rights Network Northern Ireland (WRN NI) didn't hold back!

Fantastic ...

https://freespeechunion.org/stormont-politicians-clash-with-gender-critical-group-over-language-on-single-sex-spaces/

The group is believed to be the first ‘gender critical’ group to give evidence to a Stormont committee – despite numerous appearances by LGBTQ+ lobby groups over the years. They were invited by the TUV’s Timothy Gaston, who shares their concerns about the definition of women and the influence of the transgender lobby on public policy.
https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/alliance-and-nationalists-criticise-language-of-womens-group-asking-for-single-sex-spaces-in-tense-stormont-session-4988505

I never thought I'd say this, but God bless Timothy Gaston for arranging this.

These Alliance and nationalist MLAs don't seem to be in touch with actual opinion in their constituencies.

I have to admit knowing nothing about him, but what a sad state of affairs that women cant rely on other women, and have to rely on a man, politically.

Additional discussion from earlier in the week:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5273894-womens-rights-network-at-northern-ireland-parliamentary-committee

Sorry didn't see this. MN search function is a bit unreliable.

Thank you for posting this, @IwantToRetire . It helps putting the issue in public view.

I watched the video clip. So blinkered. So sad, too, that women have to rely on a man to be able to put forward our need for single sex spaces. Also sad is the fact that a member of Stormont (grey haired man in pale jumper) thinks 'legal' sex and 'biological' sex are the same thing, when clearly they are not because otherwise you would not need 'legal' sex (not that we need it!).
The woman who called single sex spaces a disgrace is a disgrace.

MN search is highly idiosyncratic, isn’t it! 🤷‍♀️

I’m glad to see WRN NI finally getting some publicity and getting to speak at Stormont even if the MLAs were highly dismissive towards what they were saying - that’s what happened in Westminster and Holyrood at first too before progress was made in bringing serious issues to public attention, I’m hoping the same pattern holds here in NI too.

WRN NI finally getting some publicity

And a reminder to all of us that often the start of change is small groups putting in the time and energy, and not giving up.

Maybe FWR should have a weekly round up of the different WRNs - and how to get involved!