Thread by @ForWomenScot

Committee is hearing evidence from Senator Regina Doherty on GRA reform.

#WomenAreWatching

Worth remembering Ireland did not consider the rights of women in designing the legislation, but then, the State continue to evade responsibility for these horrors which were inflicted on women and children right up to the latter years of C20th
irishtimes.com/news/social-af…

Apparently, Ireland didn't have divisive debates in 2015 but it is growing now. Probably because no one knew what was happening in 2015!
#WomenAreWatching
scottishparliament.tv/meeting/equali…

Karen Adam clearly didn't hear the last bit of that as she's asking about the opposition.

Also the cause. The cause was that there was no process at all in Ireland. The Senator seems to be talking about young people needing passports and it being a "small thing".

The fact was, they were in breach of European Convention on Human Rights, so they had to do something.
#WomenAreWatching
womansplaceuk.org/2020/07/13/gen…

Senator feels debate is not "respectful" now, unlike in 2015 when it passed "under the radar" (revealing).

Although she then says the media were watching.
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KA: asks about medical diagnosis.

RD: the medical process would have been protracted and was GRC is nothing to do with diagnosis. Some are "blessed" with less of a medical journey from one gender to another.
#WomenAreWatching

Under 18 need medical diagnosis which give "solace" to those who "railed" against process (OK).

Doesn't work and review came to new decision.

Apparently no one needs a doctor to tell you what you are in heart and soul.
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Pam DG: asking about single sex spaces and any abuse.

RD: They didn't have the debate about this. Trans and NBs were "praying it got through". Negativity is there now. Planning to change maternity Bill to "pregnant person" just like "chairperson" (um, right).
#WomenAreWatching

All women have safety issues with male violence.

It's fanciful to imagine they would go to this extent to access women in Zara. What about this? We hope @GlasgowPam follows this up.
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https://twitter.com/ForWomenScot/status/1539545857212792833?s=20&t=54LEb6sSu7kUTMHDp6oxAA

Onto prison now. Apparently, anyone can be risk in prison regardless of gender. It's only 0.0005% of pop (is that official figures?). Her womanhood isn't diminished by trans, NB & intersex (please don't go there).

Oh well, that's OK
#WomenAreWatching

Pam DG: data collection esp on representation of women.

RD: very little. GRO records small no who have changed gender. Very few people represented in workplace (how does she know).

Now talking about marriage equality and euphoria.
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Talking about TENI and "journeys".

"Even if had data collection mechanism, there is little to collect".

So you aren't collecting the data, then.
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RD is basically saying they do not collect data.

This should be shocking.

Census allowed M/F/neither of above. She thinks they should have allowed 9 genders. (what are the nine genders?)
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Rachael Hamilton: what do you mean when you said in opening statement that there would be summer of discontent?

RD: women's orgs have grown around narrative that only women can get pregnant & attempt to change law for all the other genders who can get pregnant.
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NB are currently excluded from maternity rights.

[Really? If you based it on sex, would that not solve it?]

It should list all the genders who can get pregnant.
(this is mad!)
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If you don't list all the distinct genders, you can't provide the services from them all.

(What maternity services do agender people need that women don't?)
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RH: asking about the annual reporting and what could be done better.

Did you do analysis prior to bill of impact of housing males with GRC in women's prison.
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RD: looked at other countries - there wasn't a lot of evidence. Instances were small compared to people who needed it.

RH: pulls her up on numbers.

RD: Balanced need for them to live a full life with concerns around SSS
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RD: is putting women's safety on Limerick women's prison warden. Doesn't know their journey
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Maggie Chapman: have there been instances of transmen or transwomen not being able to access health.

RD: long wait for GI services. So sending them to UK
(not sure this was what qn was getting at)
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She regrets they put in safeguards for children incl parental consent and medical support.

Maggie says this is helpful (really?!). Asks about other healthcare & screening progs (which I think she was trying to ask initially)
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RD: Embarrassed to say we don't have that data either (you should be embarrassed).

Can't share the GRO data to capture people for screening.
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MC: Any instance of revocation due to criminal activity.

RD: wouldn't know. They only know headline numbers.
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RD: Coming from a country that doesn't have a register of DV, they have a long way to go.
(well, yes, and maybe that should be a priority?)

Would like more work on understanding pronoun use and change that legislation only refers to men and women.
#WomenAreWatching

Fulton MacGregor: asks about 3 month wait.

RD: it's a long, protracted journey.
(including for this chap? breakingnews.ie/ireland/transg…)
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RD: talking about unsupportive parents who might not want child to change gender. Wants 3rd party support and mediation to support parents help child on journey.
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FM: has there been anecdotal evidence of issues with time.

RD: talking to advocacy groups, there are no problems. There have been a number of reversals but under 1%. (is it occurring to her that she is only talking to one side?)
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FM: Requirement to be ordinarily resident in Scotland. Has the similar provision been an issue.

RD: They only have one legislation and can only change an Irish certification, someone from NI couldn't apply.

Pam Gosal: data collection on basis of gender rather than sex and impact on pay gaps etc

RD: None of these things were identified and there is no data collection. Nothing in justice, or employment legislation.
#WomenAreWatching

RD: They are changing language for multiple genders. Medical checks do not include all the 9 new genders (what are they?!!!). They have no idea how many there are or what services they need.
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PG: what about women of faith.
RD: they had very little concerns in 2015. There are Catholics or Muslim groups who object. But there are people walking a difficult path. Different genders don't change faith or beliefs and they don't have to change their beliefs.
#WomenAreWatching

RD: There's no threat to my gender identity

PG: How can you impose on women, for example, going to a doctor? Need fairness for all accessing services.

RD: if we recognise there are 7 genders then there should be no problem saying it.
#WomenAreWatching

RD: nothing wrong with asking to be treated by a female woman who is different to a transwoman (oops, bit transphobic there!).

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PG: asks about age.

RD: Ireland can't drink, get married, be adult etc until 18.

Now saying that having children she realises how little people know at 16/17. (but she still thinks they know their gender?!)
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Maggie Chapman: did they consider person of interest other than parents for under 18.

RD: debate in review re advocate for state as some parents might not act in best interests of child if they were both supportive.
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RD: railed against it as did advocacy groups. Parents know best and need helpful support (except when they are opposed?).

Didn't feel they should allow married people to hinder living "true" life. They would consider their family.
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Well, that was bonkers. The 9 or 7 genders in Ireland apparently necessitate rewriting maternity law.

This is why sex & gender need to be distinct. Otherwise, you may have to review maternity law every year to add more genders!
thecritic.co.uk/the-gendrifica…