Today we are launching our third crowdfunder to enable us to continue to research the weakened recognition in UK law and policy of sex as the basis for women's experiences of discrimination and disadvantage. crowdfunder.co.uk/womens-rights-…
Over the past two years, we have researched and written about women’s sex-based rights and gender self-identification across different areas of public policy in the UK. All of our work can be found on our website: murrayblackburnmackenzie.org
We engage regularly with key decision makers and, within a short period of time, have established a strong record of impact based on careful research and analysis.
The crowdfunders we have undertaken to date have sought funds for two discrete pieces of work: to generate submissions on the Scottish Government’s draft Gender Recognition Reform Bill and draft Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill.
This crowdfunder differs in that we are seeking to raise funds to enable us to research a number of different policy areas, and – depending on the sum we raise – we will prioritise this work as we see fit.
We also wish to continue to be able to engage with the media when approached, as we know that many women do not feel so able to do so, because of concerns about the consequences of speaking publicly on these issues. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/media/
These are hard times for many people, given the economic uncertainty brought about by the Covid pandemic, so we’ve no expectations that those who have supported us in the past will be in a position to do so again.
We are incredibly humbled that so many women (and some men) have seen fit to fund the work we do to date. We hope that we have met the expectations that our donors had of us. Our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past two years. Kath, Lucy and Lisa.

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More from @mbmpolicy

6 Nov
We have today received confirmation that we will be providing oral evidence to @SP_Justice on the Scottish Government's Hate Crime and Public Order Bill on Tuesday 17 November. Our submission on the bill can be read here: mbmpolicy.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/mbm-ha…
We will participate in the session along with a number of other organisations (to be confirmed) which will be broadcast on the Scottish Parliament's live stream: scottishparliament.tv
All panellists have been invited to submit a short written statement in advance of the session, setting out some background information which will be made available to MSPs on the Committee in advance.
Read 6 tweets
9 Sep
Debate in @ScotParl now about the draft Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: scottishparliament.tv
Tory MSP Liam Kerr says goal should be "unambiguous law without unintended consequences" and notes the "extraordinary timetable in the middle of a pandemic".
The Justice Committee has received 2,000 submissions which is the highest number received in this session of Parliament.
Read 104 tweets
5 Aug
The Faculty of Advocates supports the principles behind the Hate Crime and Public Order Bill, but raises concerns, including the impact on freedom of expression. The Faculty conclude "that there is no alternative but to reconsider the draft Bill.” advocates.org.uk/news-and-respo…
In relation to freedom of expression, the Faculty states that is unclear why only 2 of the characteristics (sexual orientation & religion) are selected for statutory protection. (We discuss this omission in our own submission, with particular reference to transgender identity).
Noting that there is no statutory definition of 'hatred' in the Bill, and that the concept of hate is contentious, the Faculty consider that there is scope for unfounded complaints to the police, and that such allegations may be used to ‘shut down’ matters of legitimate debate.
Read 5 tweets
29 Jul
The Hate Crime and Public Order Bill arrives at a point where the debate around gender identity and sex is contested and volatile, and introduces new ‘stirring up hatred’ offences, which includes transgender identity.
Highlighting the lack of a freedom of expression provision for transgender identity, the Scottish Police Federation submission to the Justice Committee states that 'People are already frightened to enter the trans debate…’ spf.org.uk/wp-content/upl… Image
The following links show where people have already felt justified in trying to limit as “hateful” the expression of certain views which other people hold to be important statements of fact, with no hateful content.
Read 16 tweets
20 Jul
In April we submitted Freedom of Information requests to the 3 census authorities (ONS, NRS and NISRA), asking what analysis they had undertaken to estimate the impact of framing the sex q. in terms of self-declared gender identity on data reliability at the sub-population level.
The response from ONS and NRS indicated that neither had undertaken any such analysis. We have now received a response from NISRA, which likewise indicates that the impact on data reliability at the subpopulation level has not been examined. whatdotheyknow.com/request/660666…
As this blog details, there may be significant differences in how people respond to the sex q. across different groups: in a Swedish population study, 6.3% of 22-29 yr olds wanted to be wanted to be treated as the opposite sex, compared to a 2.8% average. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2020/06/04/a-n…
Read 4 tweets
17 Jul
We recently wrote to the UK & Scottish Governments, highlighting our concerns about data reliability risks at the sub-population level, as a result of the proposed conflation of sex/gender identity in the sex question.
In particular, we drew attention to a Swedish population-based study that found 6% of 22 to 29 year olds wanted to be treated as the opposite sex, as detailed in this blog. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2020/06/04/a-n…
Both governments have now replied. The UK Government has suggested that we liaise with ONS, who are undertaking further testing on the sex question due to concerns raised by senior academics who work with population data.
Read 7 tweets

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