Thread by @Sexnotgender_

Hi @limepictures @all3media @EHRC @EHRCChair @KishwerFalkner @trussliz @GEOgovuk 

I see you produce @hollyoaks for @Channel4.

The 'Equality Monitoring form' in your job application says "The data you provide will help us to develop appropriate... 1/20

...policies and procedures regarding equal opportunities"

surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZWPZYCS 2/20

As it is a part of your job application process, I assume its purpose is to help you to ensure that you are recruiting without unlawfully discriminating under the Equality Act 2010.

sexnotgender.info/equality-diver… 3/20

I also note the @EHRC guidance on this:

Good equality practice for employers: equality policies, equality training and monitoring

equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/… 4/20

You ask, "What is your gender?" with options:

Male
Female
Intersex
Non-binary
Prefer not to say
If you prefer to use your own term, please specify here. 5/20

'Gender' is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and is not defined in the Act.

legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/… 6/20

Sex is the protected characteristic and the only two possible options for sex are 'Female' and 'Male' as defined in the Act and consistent with biology, but you don't ask for that.

legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/… 7/20

'Gender' is not a synonym for sex and 'Non-binary' is not a valid option. 8/20

Intersex is not a 'gender' and those with a Difference of Sex Development are still male or female. It is generally considered derogatory to those with DSDs to consider them not to be male or female.

What is DSD? dsdfamilies.org/parents/what-d… 9/20

You then ask, "Gender identity: Is your gender identity the same as at birth?"

'Gender identity' is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and is not defined in the Act. 10/20

'Gender identity' at birth is a meaningless concept.

'Gender' and similar terms rely on demeaning, regressive stereotypical notions of societal roles for the two sexes, concepts with which I'm sure you would not wish to be associated. 11/20

There is a protected characteristic of 'gender reassignment', but it is defined in the Act in terms different to those you use here.

legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/… 12/20

Asking about a personal characteristic such as 'gender' that is not a protected characteristic under the Act, may be in breach of the GDPR by processing personal - and potentially Special Category - data without a lawful basis. 13/20

The Government provides a list of the personal data an employer may hold about an employee without their permission that you might also find useful. 'Gender' does not appear on that list, but sex does.

gov.uk/personal-data-… 14/20

If you choose not to gather data on specific protected characteristics (such as sex), you cannot have the information required to ascertain whether or not you could be discriminating on protected characteristics in recruitment. This could be vital in an employment tribunal 15/20

If you choose to discriminate on characteristics (such as 'gender') that are not protected characteristics under the Act, you may inadvertently indirectly discriminate on protected characteristics. 16/20

You might also like to take note of what employment and discrimination Barrister Akua Reindorf said in her report on the @uni_of_essex and in particular Recommendation 18:

cloisters.com/reindorf-revie… 17/20

You might like to note what Reindorf also said about the relationship with @stonewalluk in Recommendation 28 of her report. You might also wish to consider the 'benefits and disbenefits' of any relationship with Stonewall. 18/20

Language and meaning of words are important and proper use & understanding of terms is vital so that the public is aware of what rights they have and what your duties are. Any confusion or inconsistency over meaning may prevent people from accessing their rights in law. 19/20