Thread by @ForWomenScot

Committee taking evidence from STA, Stonewall Scot and LGBT Youth now.
#No2SelfID
scottishparliament.tv/meeting/equali…

Both Vic Valentine and Mhairi Crawford claiming it doesn't go far enough.

Despite the fact that the UK are already considered world leaders and that the reforms proposed would go further than almost any other countries in Europe.

Crawford now wanting provision for under 16s.

They need all documents to match up and it will "lower depression" by validating them.

Colin MacFarlane brings up "international best practice" and "most consulted upon".

Discourse has been full of "misinformation" no detriment to other's rights. GRA does not affect Equality Act, clinical decisions, sport, can't "flip flop".

Mentions "whipping up of moral panic".

Says BBC poll shows majority support for simplifying the process.

"Fact, evidence and truth" should allay fears.

Pam Duncan Clancy asks about "hidden costs".

Vic Valentine says that wait times for psychiatric diagnosis mean some pay for private consultation. In addition there is cost of changing other documentation like passports.

Vic Valentine says a GRC lets people be seen "for who they are".

Crawford says it's even more important for those leaving school who have "mismatched documents" and risk "being outed".

Colin, "people have real fear they cannot move through the world as they are, especially in the world of work"

Again talks of "being outed".

All begs question if no surgery etc is needed, do they really think the appearance of the person is not obvious?

Maggie Chapman: should we maintain three months?

Crawford: young people say GRC is one of last things they apply for due to burden of proof. They do a lot of reflection. Doesn't go far enough. Young people want to shorten it.

Trans people at the end of their life might want one before they die so they can be buried in their "true gender".

Colin: they will have to make a solemn statutory declaration with criminal penalties and trans people know who they are.

Vic: unique requirement: no other self ID model have this time delay. Only people who are living permanently should be able to apply - the declaration is safeguard that they won't be lying.

Chapman asks about spousal consent.

Vic: Stigmatising that one of grounds for divorce is change of gender but concedes that spouses should have right to divorce.

Chapman asks about interested person ability to revoke certificate.

Colin: very worried may allow unsupportive family members to make vexatious complaints.

Groups who are opposed and don't believe trans people are valid might make vexatious complaints.

Vic: Reasonable that it can be challenged. But issue is how accepted trans people are in society and attitudes to family members (at odds with previous claims about widespread support, surely?).

Traumatising if they have to argue in court with family member.

Pam Gosal: cites STA document which says applicants under 18 might need support and to have the GRC explained. If they need this, should they really be applying for this?

Vic: can't recall this. Perhaps everyone should have support. Many 16 year olds living in their gender.

Mhairi: people with additional educational needs might need support as well, not age specific and that they understand remit.

(does this not suggest some assessment is needed?)

Pam Gosal: asks Vic if they are looking for additional support services?

Vic: opens it up to all paperwork.

Karen Adam: why is there issue with requirement for medical evidence.

Vic: not mental health, unfairly stigmatising to need medical reports to prove who they are. Detailed medical reports intrusive and unnecessary.

Opposed to having to send to a panel who never meet them.

Vic repeats that people know who they are.

Panel are doctors and lawyers.

Karen Adam: so panel are not necessarily experts in gender?

Mhairi reading out more personal evidence from someone claiming not getting GRC has affected job, travel, getting married, having children.

Waiting lists mean young people can't progress with GRC or medical intervention.

"International best practice" again.

Young person can be on waiting list for psychological for years. Can move into adult life without outing themselves.

Colin M: we are lagging behind. ILGA world found we have dropped (plummeting) on list. One reason is we don't have self ID.

Alexander Stewart asks about non-binary. Not in bill but SG have NB working group.

Vic V: is NB and will be unable to change birth cert have legal recognition of "who I am".

Understands that there are legal implications as society & law only recognise men and women.

NB people already navigating systems that only see men and women when they are not men or women.

Aspects of law where people are treated differently based on sex could be looked at in detail.

Disappointed - would welcome provisions.

Mhairi: over half trans respondents to survey were NB. Young people say legal recognition is important.

Colin: big disappointment. Not in line with "international best practice". Want provision for future - press SG for obligation to provide future action.

Alexander Stewart asks about impact on women and girls. Threat posed to women only spaces. What is expectations of impact on EA?

Colin: some women have concerns, many don't. GRA has no impact on EA. Unfortunate that there has been deliberate misinformation.

No impacts on rights of women in other jurisdictions which introduced self ID. This is about de-medicalisation.

AS: you don't see a threat?

Colin: this is horrible representation of trans women as a threat. It's part of the "othering" of transwomen. They are not a threat.

This is reminiscent about discourse around gay men in the 80s. Same rhetoric is being used.

Look to Ireland - there have been no incidences of people using it to be a threat. Wouldn't defend a threat to women and girls.

Mhairi: it's about a piece of paper. Bill doesn't open up EA. Trans people live in true gender for years so makes no difference to them accessing the space.

Vic V: gender reassignment cover more than GRC.

VAW is bad but trans people also experience higher gender-based violence sees women as allies in fighting it

Fulton MacGregor can you expand on three month reflection period?

Vic V: not needed. Thinks Denmark are removing it as slows up applications. Most trans people have done a great deal of reflection. Should be ways to waive period.

Mhairi: too long or not necessary. One of last things they do, so have had ample time. Reflection doesn't respect decision so against article 12 UN rights of child.

Ave age for coming out is 15 - reflecting for years before turning 16. False decl punishment is more than enough.

Colin: solemn stat decl and criminal penalties for fraudulent declaration so 3 month reflection not needed.

Fulton M: is there merit in argument that it's an issue that people from elsewhere in UK can apply?

Vic: people who are ord resident should have right. Need provisions for those waiting for asylum. Can't come for long weekend.

Pam Gosal asks about prison.

Vic: not policy to allow transfer based on GRC. Made on individual risk assessment so won't change that decision on housing.

Pam DC asks about international examples. How has it affected trans people, single sex spaces or has there been abuse of system?

Vic V: EU commission found self ID improves trans people's lives, less stress and stigmatisation. Doesn't know details on single sex impact.

Survey of applicants from Argentina, Malta, etc showed only two who applied twice.

Colin: committee should take evidence from other jurisdictions.