Thread by @ForWomenScot

This interview with @NicolaSturgeon deserves some attention as it shows the extent to which the FM is in denial about popular opinion and the issues of her pet project.
#No2selfID #WomenWontWheesht

Thread

https://twitter.com/roorooyes4/status/1530077348028194816

Sturgeon’s claim that this is a minority concern is not borne out by all the polling on the subject which shows that while people will concur if asked general questions about supporting trans rights, they baulk when specifics are introduced.

https://twitter.com/mbmpolicy/status/1480944515766751232?s=20&t=J5UKRJcFhuiYXumTz1CKgw

Her characterisation of opposition as a “vocal minority” is dismissive, but she goes further, saying some “weaponise this...for reason of transphobia.” When Ministers or Ms Sturgeon are challenged to provide evidence of this or explain who they mean, they hide behind vagaries.

This leaves the door open for the nastier elements on Twitter & in Parliament to apply this to ordinary women and organisations. In so doing, Ms Sturgeon is deliberately feeding the febrile and toxic environment. This is not appropriate or statesman-like behaviour.

“Trans people are probably the most stigmatised and discriminated against group in our society”. Ms Sturgeon is offering this with no evidence. At this point, women are, understandably fed up of hearing how vulnerable this cohort is as an excuse to strip us of hard won rights.

Moreover, Ms Sturgeon offers no definition of trans people. Like many, she never considers that there are vast differences between vulnerable teenagers who may be victims of abuse or homophobic bullying, people with gender dysphoria, and middle-aged men aroused by cross-dressing.

“The GRA reform doesn't give a trans person a single extra right they don't have right now”. This is sort of true if you define trans people as those with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. But, of course, the reform allows ANYONE to apply for a GRC. This IS a new “right”.

“It just makes the process of gender recognition less traumatic, less intrusive & less degrading for people.” Many official processes are degrading & intrusive. This process is considerably less so than PIP assessment, cheaper than getting citizenship & less demanding than both.

“I've been a feminist for as long as I can remember and I get very frustrated at the suggestion that standing up for trans rights is somehow denigrating women rights”. This is an extraordinarily poor argument and relies on false premises.

We have only Ms Sturgeon’s word to support her declaration of her feminism. A really feminist FM would, long ago, have sought to engage and understand the opposition to her position.

She would also be better grounded in the roots and drivers of sex-based oppression & might have understood the implications of a book like “Invisible Women” which she affected to admire.

It's also an iteration of the patently false idea that good people never do bad things. It is even worse if the assessment of personal virtue is largely determined by one’s own self-regard. Ms Sturgeon asserts she is a feminist in much the same way as some self-declare their sex.

“The threats to women...come from abusive men… [saying] the threats to women come from trans women, is wrong.” No one says this. We say threats come from males. There is no evidence that being trans has any material effect on this. And, again, what's the definition of trans?

“I get frustrated that we're focusing on the trans issue, as the big threat to women”. We do too, but for some reason, despite asserting that there are worse threats to women, you made this your priority. You are the FM, if you’d rather concentrate on the other stuff, please do!

“What's happening in many countries around abortion rights is horrifying”. It is. Did you or Angus Robertson mention this to Robert when you met?
thetimes.co.uk/article/nicola…

“no part of me..believes standing up for trans rights and...for women's rights is...contradictory or mutually exclusive”. You might not believe it, but if you have to redefine women in law to support “trans rights” & remove access to spaces, then they are mutually exclusive.

On opposition in the SNP “people, as we've all got a right to do in a democracy, can express their views and to speak out.” They can, but Ms Sturgeon won’t defend them or offer support when they face death threats and abuse.

She never even said a word when a member of the SNP was convicted after threatening @joanncherry with corrective rape. Odd for someone who claims in the same sentence to also take a firm stand against sexism and homophobia.

And no mention of those outside her party. On the radio our clued-up FM claimed to be unaware of the abuse heaped on @jk_rowling.

In 2015 she said those who disagreed on independence were not "anti-Scottish". How about clarifying we are not "anti-trans"?
scotsman.com/regions/nicola…

“All the focus of the debate is on GRA, when actually there's much more we have to do to improve the reality of life for trans people”.

So focus on that! Again, we say, YOU are the person with the power to do something about this!

“People are entitled to disagree with me...& I'll argue my case”. This would make a nice change because, to date, there has been no case & no attempt to argue it. It has just been mantras, appeals an unverifiable “feminist” credential & a bull-headed insistence that she is right.

Reposting as link was broken:

“What's happening in many countries around abortion rights is horrifying”. It is. Did you or Angus Robertson mention this to Robert when you met?
thetimes.co.uk/article/nicola…