Thread by @ShahrarAli

My response to @LGBTIQAGreens leadership candidate pledge request now available here electshahrar.co.uk/shahrar-ali-on… and pdf here shahrar-ali.squarespace.com/s/LGBTIQA-Pled…. Few of my answers highlighted in thread below.

@LGBTIQAGreens I have chosen to elaborate upon my answers as I believe that Yes/No answers offer limited insight into, or fail to do justice to, often-complex matters.

@LGBTIQAGreens #2. "Promise to recognise non-binary identities are valid and promise to ensure they are recognised in internal processes and in wider society."
Before making such a promise, I would welcome a conversation in which we could define our terms and clarify the meaning of this pledge.

@LGBTIQAGreens I was struck by the failure of a trustee of Stonewall, in a recent radio interview, to be able or willing to define “genderqueer” in response to a straight question about a primary school teaching material that was proving controversial.

It is not obvious to me that everybody has a gender identity either; many do not even think in those terms, and nor should they be compelled to do so, at least with respect to themselves.

The Census 2021 also distinguished between the sex question (compulsory) and the gender identity question (voluntary) and the ONS had to reissue guidance following a successful High Court challenge brought by Fair Play for Women. @ONS @fairplaywomen

@ONS @fairplaywomen #4. "Support increased LGBTIQA+ representation at all levels of government"
Yes, I am keen to support the representation of all under-represented groups at all levels of government.

However, I do think better legislation needs to be drafted, for example, around the appropriate threshold for opening up all-women shortlists to transgender women, including the difference between legal sex and self-identification as an eligibility criterion.

Sex Discrimination Election Candidates Act 2002, subsequently extended to 2030, refers to reducing inequality between men and women & so its original purpose seems clear. Dedicated legislation for other under-represented groups may be a better way forward and prove less divisive.

#5. "Support gender-affirming healthcare for Trans youth"

Gender-affirming healthcare is *not* Green Party policy as such and arguably some current medical practices framed by this approach are contrary to our pre-existing policy, especially practices in the private sector.

Esp, I am very concerned about the medical treatment of children who may be questioning their gender identity, or simply be confused about it following unsupervised membership of online forums (e.g. when does change in personality, which may be short-lived, become identity?).

I am opposed to the current trend to prescribe such children drugs that cause irreparable harm, and am even more alarmed by the presence of companies such as Gender GP that have supplied children with such drugs without proper medical supervision or parental consent.

I respect findings of Keira Bell, & NHS moratorium on PBs, that upheld principle generally children cannot be said to have capacity for informed consent when agreeing to experimental drugs that could lead to further treatment pathways all with irreversible, life-altering effects.

We need far better regulation. I put motion to conference to have our concerns clearly stated & affirm primary duty upon a medical practitioner, first, to do no harm. I would like to see greater access to counselling & other forms of psychological support for such children. ENDS.