The party have recently updated the 'definition of transphobia' to being it in line with the @MForstater EAT judgement, the legal opinions of two KCs were also sought.
beta.libdems.org.uk/code-of-con
I'm going to give my thoughts on an initial review as to the changes from the previous definition of transphobia.
libdemvoice.org/liberal-democr…
The party have removed references to Stonewall, which is a small step to seem to limit the reputational risks to the party of being to close to Stonewall in the past and of their been too much influence internally.
I wrote to @EdwardJDavey some time ago expressing my concerns
Particularly around the reputational risks and heard no response, as expected.
There are however a number of the Stonewall Transadvisory team still acting in 'significant influence' functions within the party.
There are currently 3 @LibDems members of the Stonewall Transadvisory group.
The first of which is Helen Belcher, Helen set up @TransMediaWatch and has been influential in advising both the print media and the BBC.
Helen is also part of Trans actual,
Helen has been the PPC for Chippenham, the seat previously held by duncan hames ( jo swinson's husband ) and has fought for the spousal veto around the GRA process to be removed.
newstatesman.com/politics/2014/…
More information is here.
womansplaceuk.org/2019/09/21/spo…
The second member of the Transadvisory group is Sarah Brown.
Sarah was ruth hunts personal adviser at @stonewalluk
thejuliebindel.com/new-blog
Sarah brown was responsible for the amendment that allowed transwomen to access women's bathrooms.
google.com/amp/s/www.camb…
Sarah and her partner zoe o'connell were the first to ask sal brinton to expel me from the party for questioning whether male bodied transwomen should have access to women's refuges.
This was denied by zoe but @TimesLucy wasn't convinced.
Further information is here.
thetimes.co.uk/article/lib-de…
This became a mainstream viewpoint two years later, after I'd lost various roles including PPC for raising questions.
thetimes.co.uk/article/declin…
The third known Transadvisory activist is charley hastead.
Charley was the PPC for Eltham in the 2019 GE.
fairplayforwomen.com/pcc/
Charley has also held various roles in the LGBT libdems.
lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/page/execut…
Further information here
The LGBT group drafted various documents to help the local parties understand trans issues.
Charley was encouraging abuse of the complaints systems for discussing women's rights within the party.
These individuals are still exerting significant influence on the @LibDems from within the party structures.
Helen has rolled out 'trans' rights training to the local LD parties, its not clear how much libdem local parties pay for this training
There are concerns that the training misrepresent's the equality act.
libdems.org.uk/trans-awarenes…
So whilst the new definition is updated and things like 'misgendering' and 'deadnaming' have been removed
The conversations haven't even begun about the power dynamics within the @LibDems, and its clear that the power isn't with ghe GC's
The addition suggests that whilst GC beliefs are allowed, how those beliefs are expressed could still mean disciplinary action for those with GC viewpoints.
The abuse of the complaints system hasn't been tackled although this should be when @JoHayesLibDem comes to court.
crowdjustice.com/case/i-was-exp…
No consideration has been given to the hostile environment within the party for those that dare to express GC viewpoints.
The new definition puts the @LibDems within the remit of the law following @MForstater EAT judgement but ensures that GC'S cannot express their beliefs, the 'chilling' effects on the wider party still remain in place, and GC views are as restricted as possible,
within the confines of the law.
This is why its vital that I bring my case to determine further how the law defines expressions of belief within political parties.
crowdjustice.com/case/natalie-b…
There may be a new definition but in practice very little has changed within the @LibDems culture and the hostility towards women remains.
This is why its vital women stay and fight within the political parties.
Culture change may be slow but it will happen.
womensrights.network/post/it-s-time…
There is not yet any acknowledgement that the protected characteristics of sex and gender reassignment can be in conflict, and the party aren't showing signs of allowing councillors and other elected officials space in any party group or forum to work through these conflicts,
Which then creates wider problems as to how @LibDems councils and councillors will apply the equality act in their respective areas, particularly as there is no baseline training around this for the wider party or local parties.
As little change as possible within the remit of the current law is how the party is aiming to protect itself from legal challenges, whilst the 'chilling' effect on the wider party remains.
As expected goys are being thrown out of the pram by the @LibDems LGBT group, around the changes even though they were consulted.
More concerningly they are trying to build a narrative that only wealthy GC's have changed the policy because they are in positions of influence.
This is gaslighting on an immense scale, particularly as mine in the only GC belief case within the libdems.
My case focuses on my being removed from various roles abd standing as a PPC in the GE, due to wearing a Tshirt to an internal party meeting.
More info here.
crowdjustice.com/case/natalie-b…
To try and frame my case as 'rich and wealthy' members taking the party to court when I'm a single mother is gaslighting the wider party as to the #truth as to what has been occurring within the party by individuals who do hold power and influence
@JoHayesLibDem may have wealth and power, but her case is not around the right to hold certain beliefs within the party.
Both my case and Jo's overlap as we both have concerns around the abuse of the complaints systems and the governance of the party.
crowdjustice.com/case/i-was-exp…
The hostility towards GC viewpoints remain.
The latest statement by the LGBT libdems once again attempts to reframe the narrative as the LGBT somehow being the victim of litigious action.
lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/202…
If they had self awareness they might reflect on the fact that legal action was entirely necessary because they bullied, harrassed, targeted and removed from role a single mother who they did not expect to have the means to fight back.
To my knowledge noone on the other side has ever been suspended, removed from groups nor had party approvals removed for a belief so perhaps we need conversations as to the power dynamics within the @LibDems structures.
Safeguarding is a political issue, and is.basic and fundamental along with women's rights.
If our political parties won't act in women's best interests who will?
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