Self-ID creates a way for men to exploit this legal loophole and gain access to women’s-only spaces though. This isn’t about demonising trans women. There are real consequences for sex-based rights in the proposed changes to the GRA. The debate is over whether they’re worth it
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A man misusing self-ID to gain access to women's spaces is a bit like forging pennies by filing down twopences. There are easier and cheaper ways of doing it.
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Worked pretty well for Karen White
. But this is the thing: with self-ID, you couldn’t question someone’s presence. They are allowed to be in that space because they say they are. That’s a big change and a big concern, I think -
You can always question someone’s presence, whether it’s a predatory gay man in a male changing room or a woman behaving inappropriately in a woman’s changing room. A birth certificate has never been used as a passport to access safe spaces & the GRA is about birth certificates.
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To be frank, I’m less concerned about changing rooms and toilets than I am about refuges and prisons. I don’t think policing gender at the bathroom door is good for anybody. But in spaces where women go in crisis, or can’t opt to leave, I have concerns
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And rightly so. If a lesbian is seeking refuge from domestic violence, simply denying refuge access to men won’t help. Prisons have failed to properly risk assess individuals with tragic consequences but the right question is “is this person a risk?” not “is this person a man?”
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I think that you have missed out the voice of many women who say that the presence of a male body can create panic and fear for traumatised women. It is not simply about ‘risk assessment’ - it must also be about mental health and fears resulting from traumatic life experiences.
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Risk assessment isn’t just about the subject. It’s about the impact of the subject on others. Of course the effect of an individual on others accessing services at the same time needs to be taken into account in that risk assessment.
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Will you listen to trans people who oppose Self-ID themselves? Read what
@DebbieHayton has to say, for instance. Self -ID would make matters worse and destroy women’s and girls’ protections.https://twitter.com/debbiehayton/status/1050332470766383106?s=21 … -
Listen? I’ve met her face-to-face and discussed it with her.
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Hi Brian. Thank you again for your time. It was good to meet you. But today I have problems. A transactivist is trying to damage my reputation & get me fired. Your retweeted words give them confidence and licence. I've *never* been attacked by GC women in this way. Please help.pic.twitter.com/gaWPAE14Wk
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Please DM me so I can give you my contact details.
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Thank you, Brian. Much appreciated.
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Oh Brian, you never had any intention of getting it, did you. You think you as a gay man have the right to tell women what constitutes a woman?? That is grotesque misogyny. For shame.
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Sorry. I forgot. As a man I’m not entitled to an opinion. Forgive me.
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Hi Brian, Is Karen here a woman? She (according to the BBC) has just been jailed for sexually assaulting women in a women’s prison. Please show your working.pic.twitter.com/IbwfLTnUx7
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There you go, fixed it. The picture you used to be deliberately inflammatory was the pre-transition picture.pic.twitter.com/gWhMzAcqJt
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Did you read the article? "The prosecution suggest the reason for the lack of commitment towards transitioning is so the defendant can use a transgender persona to put herself in contact with vulnerable persons she can then abuse."
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I did. But suggesting that it could happen more often if trans women are allowed to self-identity is a bit hyperbolic, isn't it? The actions of one criminal do not mean that many more trans women would behave that way.
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How do you propose we protect vulnerable women from monsters like Karen White? What safeguards and protections would you put in place. My idea is to not let male prisoners into female prisons. Do you have better ideas?
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Trans women are not men. This single instance seems to be a criminal abusing the system in order to abuse women. The existing system causes mental distress to people wanting to transition due to its length and complexity. Surely there has to be a balance struck here somewhere?
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How would you have stopped him? He presented as a transwoman. Began transitioning. He was taken at face value as ‘self-IDers’ tell us we must do and not question. To have doubted him would have been bigoted, no?
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I don't know how I would have stopped White. I don't know the details of how this was allowed under the existing system. One occurrence does not suggest that this is going to be widespread. What I do know is that the existing system doesn't work and an alternative is needed.
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