Finally heard back from my MP. Am feeling very angry and let down. I know I'm not the only one here who feels politically homeless.
This is an extract from the response:
"I am very clear that single-sex safe spaces for women are essential and must be protected. I also recognise that trans women have the right to dignity and safety too and will need to be able to access toilets, changing rooms and other single-sex facilities when going about their daily life.
The Equality Act 2010 already entitled trans women to use women’s facilities and this happens all the time, without many of us being aware. Indeed, predatory men wishing to access a ladies’ loo or shop changing room do not need to go through any process to do so – these spaces are not policed and nor could they practically be, without checking inside women’s underwear, which would be a gross violation of all women’s rights.
We cannot exclude trans people from society or force trans women to use single-sex facilities for men because of our concerns about predatory men. The law in our country has respected people’s right to self-identify for twenty years now, with safeguards to avoid abuse.
The Equality Act protects both hard-won women’s rights and trans rights, and shows that the two are not in conflict. In the case of prisons, hospitals and refuges, entry for all people – regardless of gender – is based on a risk assessment. It is proper that individual institutions and organisations implement their own policies according to the needs and wellbeing of their service users."
Response from my MP
exLibDem · 02/07/2024 22:58
Notastalker · 02/07/2024 22:59
Reply from labour MP in my area:I believe there should be single sex spaces for refuges, hospitals etc and of course sport (although that’s not a space but you know what I mean ��️)
But I also think people should live the life that makes them happy and I will always address trans people with any pronoun they want and support the community in ensuring they get access to the services they need and protection from hate crimes.
The debate is so toxic on social media but I think most people want a sensible solution that protects and respects everyone.
There’s info on this in our manifesto which I’ll try to find later.
MrsGalloway · 02/07/2024 23:31
I think that’s a cut and paste response, I’ve had the same from a Lib Dem candidate.
Crouton19 · 02/07/2024 23:27
@exLibDem I would reply and point out their answer is illogical. As they say, there are no checks, so how can they preserve single sex spaces if anyone can say they are a woman and no-one can question it? The conflict in the EA is clear as daylight; the legal case initiated by For Women Scotland flags this. Your MP needs to work on their comprehension skills.
Kai125 · 02/07/2024 23:42
And then we all skipped off into the sunset, giggling madly and talking about lipsticks and having pillow-fights.
You forgot sharing and asking to borrow Tampax in a public toilet, rather than stuff a wad of toilet roll up our fandango!
I'll never forget the "female" poster who said something like "You've probably asked a transwoman about their shoes in a public toilet and not even realised"
Haha yeah! Tell me you're a man without telling me you're a man. What do they'd actually think we do in there??
Kai125 · 02/07/2024 23:42
And then we all skipped off into the sunset, giggling madly and talking about lipsticks and having pillow-fights.
You forgot sharing and asking to borrow Tampax in a public toilet, rather than stuff a wad of toilet roll up our fandango!
I'll never forget the "female" poster who said something like "You've probably asked a transwoman about their shoes in a public toilet and not even realised"
Haha yeah! Tell me you're a man without telling me you're a man. What do they'd actually think we do in there??
Kai125 · 02/07/2024 23:42
And then we all skipped off into the sunset, giggling madly and talking about lipsticks and having pillow-fights.
You forgot sharing and asking to borrow Tampax in a public toilet, rather than stuff a wad of toilet roll up our fandango!
I'll never forget the "female" poster who said something like "You've probably asked a transwoman about their shoes in a public toilet and not even realised"
Haha yeah! Tell me you're a man without telling me you're a man. What do they'd actually think we do in there??
ScrapeMyArse · 03/07/2024 09:24
Wow.
Your MP really doesn't understand how safeguarding works.
Would you be able to share who? Understand if not!
exLibDem · 02/07/2024 22:58
Finally heard back from my MP. Am feeling very angry and let down. I know I'm not the only one here who feels politically homeless.
This is an extract from the response:
"I am very clear that single-sex safe spaces for women are essential and must be protected. I also recognise that trans women have the right to dignity and safety too and will need to be able to access toilets, changing rooms and other single-sex facilities when going about their daily life.
The Equality Act 2010 already entitled trans women to use women’s facilities and this happens all the time, without many of us being aware. Indeed, predatory men wishing to access a ladies’ loo or shop changing room do not need to go through any process to do so – these spaces are not policed and nor could they practically be, without checking inside women’s underwear, which would be a gross violation of all women’s rights.
We cannot exclude trans people from society or force trans women to use single-sex facilities for men because of our concerns about predatory men. The law in our country has respected people’s right to self-identify for twenty years now, with safeguards to avoid abuse.
The Equality Act protects both hard-won women’s rights and trans rights, and shows that the two are not in conflict. In the case of prisons, hospitals and refuges, entry for all people – regardless of gender – is based on a risk assessment. It is proper that individual institutions and organisations implement their own policies according to the needs and wellbeing of their service users."
Tmpnmc86 · 03/07/2024 09:32
I once went to an all day event in winter. Everyone over about 22 had on sensible winter wear - jeans, walking boots, a big coat. Only the trans woman there had on a satin blouse so that we all could see how womenly (and cold) he was.
Any time I notice shoes is in reference to comfort, not to join in the pretence with a bloke.
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HootyMcBooby · 03/07/2024 10:31
Flew back from abroad yesterday.
One of the cabin crew was a transwoman, voice like Barry White and well over 6ft tall, no mistaking the sex.
He was the only one whose blouse you could see through to the extremely lacy, multiple body strap, corset type affair he had on underneath.
Not ONE of the female cabin crew had visible underwear through their blouse.
And it's the only flight I've been on EVER that the staff member took over the tannoy for well over 5 minutes to talk about all of the beauty products and perfumes available in the in-flight duty free shop. Seriously.
One of the perfumes was called "bad girl" and we got lot of off-colour double-entendres about that.
Eye roll to the fucking max.
It was an interesting flight but that's another story.
Tmpnmc86 · 03/07/2024 09:32
I once went to an all day event in winter. Everyone over about 22 had on sensible winter wear - jeans, walking boots, a big coat. Only the trans woman there had on a satin blouse so that we all could see how womenly (and cold) he was.
Any time I notice shoes is in reference to comfort, not to join in the pretence with a bloke.
LonginesPrime · 03/07/2024 11:02
"We cannot exclude trans people from society"
How insulting that they equate concern over women's safety with eradicating trans people.
I realise it's probably a standard line they've been fed and are merely regurgitating without thinking for themselves, but what a terrible assumption to make of a constituent - don't they realise what a huge logical leap that is from the issue you enquired about?
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