Thread by @WG_Scotland

James Morton from @ScottishTrans wrongly states here that access to women's services "is not determined by whether or not she has received legal gender recognition". Not only has the EHRC been clear that the "the sex discrimination exceptions in the Equality Act therefore apply >

>differently to a trans person with a GRC or without a GRC", but the UK Govt Equality Office recently stated to our group, in writing, that "The fact that a trans person has legal gender recognition will form part of the service provider’s decision as to whether to provide a >

>different, or even no service, to a trans person"; so James stating a view that is in opposition to that of the UK govt. STA is also aware that, for eg, employers cannot ask if a member of staff has a GRC, or indeed share that information in any way even if a trans person >

>discloses that they do. Which means that services like the NHS can no longer provide female-only healthcare, as they have no legal way of preventing transwomen with GRC's from providing that care; this has been confirmed by both NHS Lothian & NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, & is >

>clearly a huge patient welfare & consent issue (there would also be no way to give prior warning to a patient that they are going to be seen by a male in this circumstance). Furthermore, risk assessments in prison are not preventative, they can only consider the profile of the >

>trans prisoner, they do not involve consultation with female prisoners, & nor can they assess any risk posed by a trans prisoner for crimes they have not been charged with or convicted for. We have spoken with prison staff & are aware of the impact on female prisoners of a >

>number of incidents in relation to transwomen being moved to their estate, & we will be addressing this in our upcoming survey report. One thing we have been advised of is that STA have been present at case conferences for trans prisoners, & will be aware of 'some, if not all' >

>of the incidents we have been advised of. So we frankly find it very alarming that James Morton is still publicly claiming that risk assessments are adequate to protect female prisoners. There is no possible way forward until the rights & welfare of women & girls actually >

>matters. And we also need to be clear that women do not face sexism, misogyny & male violence for expressing femininity, but rather the feminine sex role is imposed on women & girls, & is a a tool of sexism, misogyny & male dominance. What women & girls face is due to our sex, >

>& no matter how anyone else is treated & why, this is why *we* face exploitation, discrimination, injustice, inequality and oppression, & this has to always be recognised, & certainly not made invisible.

James's piece can be read here: scottishreview.net/JamesMorton474…