WOMEN’S rights are not at threat from trans rights activists and Britain is gripped by “moral panic” around the issue, it has been claimed.
Mhairi Black gave a speech which has gone viral arguing in favour of reform to the Gender Recognition Act – in which she said MPs were “dragging [their] heels” on making it easier for trans people to self-identify themselves on legal documents.
The current Gender Recognition process is deeply invasive, traumatising, unnecessary, and dehumanising. It’s time to get reform done. pic.twitter.com/A70kFJWMT2
— Mhairi Black MP🏳️🌈 (@MhairiBlack) February 21, 2022
She said if MPs did not act to make reforms to the act she hoped “history judges us as harshly as we deserve”.
READ MORE: Scottish Census guidance for transgender people is legal, court rules
Black said she “did not feel threatened” by advances to trans rights – an argument raised by some feminist campaigners in response to proposed changes in the law.
People self identify “every time someone fills in a form” or “every time someone goes to pee”, said Black, adding the concept was “not new”.
Addressing the Commons on Monday, she added: “The fact that Britain has been internationally identified as having a problem with transphobia has not come out of thin air.
“Despite expert opinion, despite mountains of evidence, despite knowing the lived experiences of trans and non-binary people, and despite numerous consultations and debates, five years on we are still dragging our heels.”
Politicians could not say they were “blameless” when there were rising reports of hate crimes against LGBT people or of self-harm among trans people, Black said.
READ MORE: Anti-trans rhetoric is not representative of Scots, but it is loud
“As legislators, we have allowed disinformation and confusion to run rife.
“We have created an environment that allows transphobia and ignorance to thrive.”
Trans people are protected from discrimination under the Equality Act – which would not be changed if reforms to obtaining a gender recognition certificate (GRC), said Black.
She added: “If someone does not support self-ID, their issue is not with the Gender Recognition Act; it is with the Equality Act 2010.
“If someone wants to start removing established rights formed over a decade ago under the Equality Act, at least be honest about that.
“Tell people that that is what you are campaigning for—say it with your chest, but do not dare say that you are doing it in the name of defending women, because that just does not stick.”
Currently, trans people need a GRC to have their “acquired gender” legally recognised.
But the process is controversial among trans rights activists because the restrictions placed on getting a GRC are “dehumanising, humiliating and invasive”.
Black’s speech was “warmly welcomed” by LGBT rights organisations – who noted they must rely on “allies” in parliament because there are no trans lawmakers in any of Britain’s parliaments.
The issue will also be addressed in Holyrood in the future – with the Scottish Government backing reform.
Vic Valentine, manager at Scottish Trans, said: “We hope that when the Scottish Government introduces a Bill to reform this law at Holyrood, that MSPs from across the chamber will stand with trans people and help us make the case for why change is so important, in a place where our voices are rarely heard.”
Kieran Aldred, Stonewall’s head of policy, said: “It was wonderful to see so many women and LGBTQ+ MPs stand up for trans rights and dismantle myths around what reform means and who it affects.”
And he called on the UK Government to “follow the example of Scotland” in committing to “significantly reforming” the act.
Kai O’Doherty, the head of policy and research at the trans charity Mermaids, said: “This reform is fundamentally about enabling trans people’s right to privacy, and to live their lives with dignity and respect.”
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