Been listening to the Nolan podcast on Stonewall. One thing that strikes me is, how badly informed people are about the Equality Act (and guidance on it). It shouldn't have been possible for a lobby group to play so fast and loose, but they did so because of general ignorance.
In all then an important thing in the current debate is to look at the law and what it actually really says. An interesting thing in the debate, especially around Trans rights is one side is emotive, the other is framed around concern with legislation and how it really operates.
If I am forced to pick a side here, and the issue is more complex than black and white, for sure, I would go with that one that is at least is more trustworthy on how the real law, i.e. the Equality Act currently frames Gender Reassignment Discrimination, which it does.
It is fair to suggest the Equality Act 2010 has been criticised for the inadequate protection it is perceived to offer to trans people, but because you do not like the law does not change it. Playing fast and loose with discourse on
the law or misrepresenting it also doesn't.
the law or misrepresenting it also doesn't.
They also did this because people with power in senior managerial and executive positions who in their roles (and for their salary brackets) absolutely should have made it their job to know the Equality Act properly, yet, clearly in a lot of institutions just didn't).
We ought to be having debates on law, asking if there any other routes to ensuring that individuals who are trans or gender non-binary are treated with dignity and respect, other than self-ID? And why does self ID matter so, given the existing protections in the Equality Act?
A final thought, is this only about Transgender? Is the unthinking on high is over? Do we think the organisations Stonewall guided are now better informed about issues of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, or still bringing in the activist consultancy with a line to sell?
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