Deep breath everyone: what *SHOULD* be the headline today: We as trans people are protected by equality law and this decision in the Maya Forstater case does NOT give anyone the right to unlawfully harass, intimidate, abuse or discriminate against us because we are trans. 1/
From the judgment: “This judgment does NOT mean that those with gender-critical beliefs can ‘misgender’ trans persons with impunity…The Claimant, like everyone else, will continue to be subject to the prohibitions on discrimination and harassment under the Equality Act 2010.” 2/
3/ Maya Forstater has NOT been told her conduct was lawful: “Whether or not conduct in a given situation does amount to harassment or discrimination within the meaning of EqA will be for a tribunal to determine in a given case.” [118] 3/
The Tribunal found - and this is key - that the misgendering of trans people is NOT part of Forstater's protected belief and that misgendering could harass and discriminate against trans people. Will this be reflected in press coverage? 4/
4/ This is NOT the ‘massive win’ the papers and anti-trans campaigners will suggest over the next few days. Please don’t be afraid by suggestions that the rights of GCs override yours. They don’t. #TransRightsAreHumanRights 5/5
Already, disappointing and contradictory framing from @BBCBreaking. It is not accurate to state that Forstater "lost her job". Please encourage editors to use accurate wording around a case which will cause distress. bbc.co.uk/contact/compla…
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Today the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is being discussed in Parliament. We believe it presents a serious threat to civil rights. Protesting has been an instrumental tool for the advancement of LGBT rights, Black Civil rights, Women's rights, and others.
These struggles are interconnected, and we stand in solidarity with all of them. The #BlackLivesMatter protests last summer highlighted the way the current policing system negatively impacts Black people and people of colour disproportionately...
QTIPoC and Black trans people have historically played a leading role in the advancement of LGBT rights, but are often the most exposed to police brutality and violence within our communities.
⚠️Important clarity on the Bell v Tavistock ruling⚠️
The High Court’s Order from the Bell v Tavistock case - and what do they mean when they say the judgment is 'stayed'?
THREAD (1/5)
The Order being ‘stayed’ means the High Court paused the carrying out of its decision until (whichever would be the later date) 4pm on 22nd Dec or the decision of the appeal, should permission be granted. i.e. nothing had to be done immediately to implement the decision. (2/5)
✍️LEGAL JARGON ALERT: ‘Appealing’ a case is when a party who is unhappy about a decision ask a higher court to review it. (3/5)
THREAD: We hear the Tavistock are *already* cancelling appointments for young people who have waited 2+ years to be seen for life-saving hormone blockers. This reckless Amendment by @NHSEngland means they are now effectively being refused treatment. 1/ england.nhs.uk/wp-content/upl…
The chilling @NHSEngland amendment, effective immediately, reads:
a) Patients under 16 must not be referred by GIDS to paediatric endocrinology clinics for puberty blockers unless a ‘best interests’ order has been made by the Court for the individual in question. 2/
Plus, all current patients under 16 must be reviewed and either refused further treatment OR have their case referred to court for their 'best interests'. Their best interests are not served by ripping away treatment from those who so desperately need it. 3/
BREAKING: High Court ruling deals a potentially devastating blow to trans under 16s seeking access to life-saving puberty blockers. We will respond in full and expect an appeal from GIDS. This is a betrayal of trans young people. The summary judgment in full:
Statement from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. They will appeal, though the immediate implications for our young people now are concerning. We will update with a full response.
The #KeiraBell decision drives a coach and horses through Gillick Competence, which many suspect is the long-term plan of those behind this case. This is a dark day for the rights of ALL young people to make decisions about their own bodies. mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/tavistock…
THREAD: Today's @DailyMailUK article will be remembered as one of the most infamous, transphobic and inaccurate articles printed by the British press. This week has been choreographed to undermine trans organisations & trans lives. We will stand strong 1/ mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/statement…
No teacher has ever been encouraged by any LGBTQ+ organisation to state that ‘tomboys’ should be transgender. The suggestion is discrediting to the teaching profession and to us and we demand the Mail on Sunday explain its journalistic basis for this assertion. 2/
We are working hard to make room for a sensible conversation but there are those who appear determined to keep their crumbling newspapers and personal ideologies afloat on the already exhausted backs of transgender and gender-diverse lives. 3/ mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/statement…
Statement in response to the @GEOgovuk announcement on #GRAReform.
A small & welcome step in the right direction. The Equality Act stands strong against those who would see it weakened. Still, our young service users can draw little from today's news.
QUOTE: "Many of our supporters feared that trans and non-binary lives would be negatively impacted by new barriers, so we are pleased that the extraordinary effort of LGBTQ+ organisations and allies has prevented such harm." #GRAReform #TOGETHERWITHTRANS consortium.lgbt/togethercampai…
Following the statement, we have a summary of the #GRAreform results: