Thread by @Sexnotgender_

Hi @Spectra_London @EHRC @EHRCChair @KishwerFalkner @trussliz @GEOgovuk 

The 'DIVERSITY MONITORING FORM' for your curent vacancies says the " information will be used for monitoring and statistical data purposes only".

spectra-london.org.uk/get-involved/#…
docs.google.com/document/d/1no… 1/20

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… 2/20

I also note the EHRC guidance on this:

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

equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/… 3/20

You ask for the applicant's "Gender Identity" with options:

Male
Female
Intersex
Non-Binary
Fluid
Questioning 4/20

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

legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/… 5/20

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/… 6/20

'Gender' is not a synonym for sex.

Female and Male are the terms associated with the protected characteristic of sex in the Act. 7/20

Intersex is not a 'gender identity' 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… 8/20

See also: ‘Gender’ is not a protected characteristic, admits EHRC

sexnotgender.info/gender-is-not-… 9/20

'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 10/20

You then ask, "Do you/have you ever identified with the term trans?" 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 and you don't ask about this protected characteristic.

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

Asking about a personal characteristic such as 'gender identity' 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 identity' 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 for the University 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 Stonewall 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