Thread by @LibVoice4Women

Excellent news for #TransAwarenessWeek

The @libdems Federal Board has finally revised the party's Definition of Transphobia after 2 years of controversy, criticism and legal uncertainty.
beta.libdems.org.uk/code-of-conduc…

The change comes after the party received legal advice from two KCs, of which Karon Monaghan's can be viewed here liberalvoiceforwomen.org/s/Karon-Monagh… The second legal opinion has not yet been published.

We welcome the new Definition, which takes into account the @MForstater ruling and emphasises the need for "robust, passionate debate". This is a great improvement on the last version.
Key improvements are:

🧡 References to Stonewall removed
🧡 Makes clear that holding and expressing gender critical beliefs = protected by law.
🧡 "Misgendering" and "deadnaming" no longer featured
🧡 Disciplinary action only for serious offences.

Also mentions:
🧡 Fairness
🧡 Equality
🧡 Robust, passionate debate
🧡 Lawfuness
🧡 Honesty
🧡 The right to disagree

Some small contradictions and areas of ambiguity remain, but this is a nonetheless a huge step in the right direction.
The @LibDems are the first major party to acknowledge the lawfulness of gender critical views and make this explicit to their members. 💚🤍💜

The party has done well to realise that - however well-intentioned - mechanisms to restrict speech should not be introduced without good reason a great deal of thought. Also, they should be forged in the crucible of debate at Conference, and not superimposed from above.

We hope this change signals a move toward encouraging and enabling instead of restricting debate within the party.

Clearly it doesn't end here. We are calling for a review into the treatment of gender critical party members over the last four years.
liberalvoiceforwomen.org/blog/call-for-…

Meanwhile, voting in internal elections ends tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5pm. We urge members to vote for candidates who understand the importance of equality, fairness and the right to disagree.
See our recommendations here
liberalvoiceforwomen.org/blog/internal-…

We would like to thank all those within the party who helped make this happen including @LordStras who commissioned the top-notch advice from @k21fem, @SarahLudford for her bravery and commitment and everyone who stuck their neck out to sign our letter.
liberalvoiceforwomen.org/letter-to-mark…