Thread by @fairplaywomen

Scottish committee convenor @JoeFitzSNP won’t give way to questions about the work of the @SP_EHRCJ and it’s approval of the #scottishGRRbill /1

MSP Rachel Hamilton repeats question about whether a GRC changes sex for purposes of the Equality act. A question put by @murdo_fraser but not answered by minister @ShonaRobison /2

Rachel Hamilton MSP says only a small % of the 11,000 written submissions from public were considered by @SP_EHRCJ due to time contraints /3

“A GRC is not just a piece of paper”
Concerns that @scotgov won’t answer impact on sex for purpose of equality act. /4

“There is room to make the process easier without tearing it to pieces” /5

MSP Rachel Hamilton says CASS review was “brushed aside by the @sp_ehrc”. Disputed by @GlasgowPam. RH adamant that opportunity to gain clarity from CASS has been “spurned” /6

CASS review says Social transition is not a neutral undertaking.

Rachel Hamilton MSP “is @ScotParl really going to pretend that changing a teenagers legal sex is [a neutral undertaking]” /7

“Divisive nature of the issue has been handled poorly”

“The SNP gov need to start listening to the legitimate concerns of women and the Scot public. So far there is little evidence they have done so”

Scorching criticism by Tory MSP Rachel Hamilton /8

Now @GlasgowPam.

“Trans rights are human rights!” /9

Claims self ID is “international best practice” @GlasgowPam /10

“It’s essential that everyone’s rights are protected”. @GlasgowPam says Labour will bring an amendment at stage 2 that makes it clear “nothing in it effects the protections in the EA”.

This if done right could be very useful. /11

“I believe that a GRC changes your sex for all legal purposes including the EA2010 but I also believe EA gets the interaction between sex and gender perfectly correct” @GlasgowPam /12

“Data collection … not comprehensive enough to allow for proper evaluation of the impacts of this legislation and should be strengthened” @GlasgowPam

A point we can agree on /13

Lib Dem @agcolehamilton “we cannot allow this debate be hijacked by those who question the very existence of the trans community or who fear and vilify them”

Disappointing. Bad faith reframing of women’s concerns. /14

“It is not right that trans people are forced to seek permission to be who they are” says @agcolehamilton

Nonsense. Trans people can “be who they are” without a GRC. A GRC is about changing their SEX in law. It is not unreasonable there are eligibility requirements. /15

“No concrete examples of abuse could be provided by witnesses” @agcolehamilton

How can concrete examples (caused by a change) be given BEFORE the change is made?

Most of the 11K written submission - that may have containing examples - were not read by the committee. /16

Conservative @jamiegreeneUK says onus is on us [MSPs] not to pass bad laws. The bill must be clear. Gov must be led by evidence. Predatory trans people are not the problem. Predatory men are the problem. 😖 /17

Now @MaggieChapman.

Wears LGBTQ lanyard and uses ‘cis’ in her speech.

Claims misinformation from people who should know better.

Wants time limits removed completely.

Wants under 16s and non binary included.

/18

Now @TessWhite4NE Tory MSP

“Women are watching today”

Must reflect on the public and political discourse.

Regret SNP gov will not wait for final report by Cass.

Will vote against. /19

Now @PamGosalMSP MSP closes for @ScotTories.

“Don’t we owe it to everyone… to spend longer to seek a fair way forward” /20

Stage 1 vote on general principles of the bill

88 for
33 against
4 abstained
= 125

/21