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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Sex Matters are asking you to email your MP this weekend

212 replies

PachacutisBadAuntie · 31/10/2025 18:03

Re the delay in publishing the EHRC guidance. Can't see a thread on this yet, please do email if you can.

sex-matters.org/take-action/write-to-your-mp-the-government-must-stand-up-for-womens-rights/

OP posts:
fanOfBen · 02/11/2025 22:16

Done, though without much hope of getting through to my MP.

hellowhaaat3632 · 03/11/2025 08:50

fanOfBen · 02/11/2025 22:16

Done, though without much hope of getting through to my MP.

Mine was very TWAW a few years ago, he's since come round. There's always hope (even if it's just them following the crowd). We need to get our voices heard (just like the TRAs have done)

AstonScrapingsNameChange · 03/11/2025 08:55

Done, it's very quick and easy with their link.

DustyWindowsills · 03/11/2025 10:29

I got a response from mine already, and he seems up to date with the issue. I'm really encouraged.

I'll digest it further after work.

PachacutisBadAuntie · 03/11/2025 13:42

@DustyWindowsills that is very encouraging. The more we can get it on MPs' radar the better, and the more of them that might be coming round understand that they have some support the better as well.

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moto748e · 03/11/2025 14:54

I have acceded to the wishes of the thread, and fired off the SM email this morning, so even as I speak, it is winging its way to the 'Evil Terf Bigots' folder! 😀

OpheliaWitchoftheWoods · 03/11/2025 17:43

I'm sure mine's had darts thrown at it a few times and I will shortly get his usual snotty reply that the most important thing about women's rights is that they are respectful to men.

Whatever. He can't say no one minded.

lcakethereforeIam · 04/11/2025 20:22

This is the response I got from my MP, LD

Thank you for taking the time to contact me about women’s rights and the implications of the For Women Scotland v The Lord Advocate and Scottish Ministers judgment.

I appreciate you writing to me so thoughtfully on this deeply important and often sensitive topic. I understand your concerns about how the Equality Act is being interpreted and how that impacts single-sex spaces, services and opportunities. I also recognise your frustration at the lack of clarity that has, for too long, left service providers uncertain about what is lawful, and women and girls feeling that their dignity, privacy or safety may not always be properly protected.

The Liberal Democrats respect the ruling of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland, as we do all judgments of the Supreme Court. I therefore feel that, as a priority, the Government must now provide further guidance and clarity on what this judgment means in practice. This guidance must ensure, as the ruling itself makes clear, that everyone’s rights and dignity are upheld, including those of women and trans people. The Liberal Democrats will keep pressing for this clarity from ministers.

However, I do recognise that the reporting and political debate around this judgment have unfortunately caused confusion and concern and in some cases inflamed an already toxic public conversation. I believe we must move beyond that toxicity. What people deserve – women, trans people, and everyone affected — is calm, good-faith dialogue about ensuring safety, dignity and fairness for all.

With regard to the forthcoming EHRC Code of Practice, we need to wait and see the final version before reaching definitive conclusions. Ultimately, the detail really matters, so we will scrutinise the guidance properly when it is published. However, the Liberal Democrats are clear: existing rights must be protected, including those of trans people and women.

This news has already caused understandable distress and uncertainty among many trans people. The Government must provide clear reassurance that any guidance will protect the dignity, safety and rights of all and ensure that trans people are not prevented from participating in parts of public life because there are no facilities they can safely use. We also need clarity for those responsible for implementing this guidance, including many charities, small businesses and local organisations.

The Liberal Democrats responded to the EHRC consultation. Our submission made clear that we believe the interim Code of Practice has not yet found that positive way forward. We raised a number of concerns about how these policies would protect trans people from discrimination and harassment, uphold their right to privacy and support inclusion in public spaces.

^In Parliament, my colleague Lisa Smart MP, the Liberal Democrat Women and Equalities Spokesperson, asked a question to the Government’s Women and Equalities Unit ministers on 3 September, calling for proper parliamentary scrutiny of the final guidance once published. You can read the exchange on Parliament’s website: hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-09-03/debates/5DB3D139-40F1-4D5D-90EA-DF7D63224900/SupportForTransPeople#contribution-EBBA0AAB-0F2C-45E1-8704-D75CF617F8B9^

Lisa also wrote, along with other Liberal Democrat MPs, to the Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson MP, on 8 September. That letter raised concerns that the interim EHRC guidance has left too many trans people anxious and excluded, and urged the Government to ensure the final version is debated and subject to a free vote in Parliament to help build trust and fairness in how these issues are resolved.

Thank you again for contacting me. I believe that women’s rights, and the rights of all individuals, must be treated with seriousness, respect, and compassion. We will only move forward constructively by rejecting division and engaging with one another in good faith. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch again if you have any further concerns.

I think it was a mail merge, it was addressed 'Dear [my initial]' and I wasn't that thoughtful 😃

NoWordForFluffy · 04/11/2025 20:25

What about the trans people?!?! <wails>

Clearly not wanting to respect the judgment then. 🙄

lcakethereforeIam · 04/11/2025 20:27

That's what I took from it.

OpheliaWitchoftheWoods · 04/11/2025 20:44

It's garbled to put it mildly. If they're saying ok, the judgment must be followed BUT we now need to do a lot of ensuring funding grants and steps for provision to be added as happened with disabled access before, then great, crack on, I'll applaud.

If they mean actually men must be able to go into single sex spaces, then major concerns. Obviously.

And this whole long, careful dialogue and listening and thoughtful conver- oh don't they love that line, and they all can fuck off with that ridiculous noise, there is no conversation possible. There is no compromise possible, they've clearly never met an activist. Either women have rights too or they don't. There's no way to make it SOME men, there's no way to let men in in a way that does not harm and exclude women and set their subordination to men in law.

lcakethereforeIam · 04/11/2025 22:16

I think the cherry on the garbled cake is the link to a Hansard debate about 'Support for Trans People'.

PachacutisBadAuntie · 04/11/2025 22:19

At least you've got a reply @lcakethereforeIam I've not even had an auto reply. It's all bit early stages of 'trying to appear reasonable' though isn't it?

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lcakethereforeIam · 04/11/2025 22:32

My previous MPs would always reply, even to emails, by HoC letter which always took a bit longer. Considering how much postage is I thinks it's sensible to reply electronically and it definitely speeds things up. If your MP is still old school, it will take a little longer.

PachacutisBadAuntie · 04/11/2025 23:02

lcakethereforeIam · 04/11/2025 22:32

My previous MPs would always reply, even to emails, by HoC letter which always took a bit longer. Considering how much postage is I thinks it's sensible to reply electronically and it definitely speeds things up. If your MP is still old school, it will take a little longer.

My previous MP was a Conservative and did just that, and always agreed with me, hence why I voted for her in the last election, despite voting Tory being previously unthinkable (Thatcher and all that). The Labour replacement is a dead ringer for Lloyd Russell-Moyle and has only replied by email to one of my emails, seemingly on an entirely unrelated subject. So I think he might be more new school 😁

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lcakethereforeIam · 05/11/2025 00:19

My God, swap LD for Labour and you could be me.

If I can find the energy I might write back to my MP. If only to find out why he thinks it's okay to address me by my first...initial.

PachacutisBadAuntie · 05/11/2025 09:42

@lcakethereforeIam maybe it's the latest form of inclusivity, you could always return the favour 😁

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lcakethereforeIam · 05/11/2025 09:50

His initial is T! How appropriate.

PachacutisBadAuntie · 05/11/2025 17:57

🤣 please do it!

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FranticFrankie · 07/11/2025 11:58

No answer or acknowledgement from MP as yet
DH always gets a reply to his emails 😠

lcakethereforeIam · 07/11/2025 12:02

PachacutisBadAuntie · 05/11/2025 17:57

🤣 please do it!

I'll hopefully have some time next week and I will send another email. I hope other users will get their replies rolling in soon.

IwantToRetire · 07/11/2025 19:00

Need to get your fingers on the keyboard again. Sex Matters thinks there are other things you need to tell your MP!

Tell the civil service to follow the law across the government’s own operations and buildings
https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/its-time-to-tell-the-civil-service-to-follow-the-law/

IwantToRetire · 07/11/2025 19:01

See all ACT steps to take https://sex-matters.org/posts/tag/time-to-act/

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 07/11/2025 20:43

@IcakethereforeIam- well done getting a response, however useless. I emailed my LD MP 4 days ago, and haven't had a reply. Last time I wrote, she didn't reply either. I'm in Scotland. I live in hope (not really).

moto748e · 07/11/2025 20:45

This is where we are now? It's crazy, isn't it, that organs of the State have to be badgered and bullied into obeying the law of the land.

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