Glasgow MSPs and GRA

 

I have written to my constituency MSP and other list MSPs in the Glasgow region regarding potential changes to the Gender Recognition Act.

I adapted a draft letter circulated by For Women Scotland and I am looking forward to hearing what the members of the Scottish Parliament for this part of Glasgow have to say on the subject.

Dear MSP 

Consultation on Potential Changes to the Gender Recognition Act

I am a resident of Glasgow and I am contacting my local constituency MSP and regional MSPs regarding potential changes to the Gender Recognition Act.

I am very concerned at the Scottish Government's plans to amend the Gender Recognition Act which reportedly includes the following suggestions:

• Reducing the requirement for those wishing to be recognised as a different gender to have lived in their acquired gender from 2 years to 3 months prior to submitting an application, and for a 3-month reflection period after application.
• Changing the age at which an application for legal gender recognition can be made from 18 to 16 without parental consent.
• Removing the need for a gender dysphoria diagnosis.

In my view, these proposals are highly dangerous and mean that vulnerable children will inevitably will be encouraged down a path which leads to lifelong medical interventions, sterilisation and, for many, regret.

The proposals will also result in intact biological males, who have not been assessed by medical experts, being able to access women’s single sex spaces which is especially worrying in situations where vulnerable women cannot just choose to leave, e.g. prisons, psychiatric wards and hospitals. 

As such these proposals are an attempt to subvert biology and the sex-based rights of women and girls.

Safeguarding is not about pointing the finger at particular groups, but about preventing harm before it can take place and, in my view, these suggestions disregard safeguarding principles and put women and especially children at risk.

For example, it seems absurd to me that it is unlawful for under 18-year-olds to consume alcohol, yet Scottish Ministers are considering that children should be able to decide upon irreversible changes to their still developing bodies (emotionally and physically) without parental guidance or proper medical oversight. 

As one of your constituents, I am asking you to vote against any Gender Recognition Reform that removes a gender dysphoria diagnosis by medical professionals, and that allows children to make potentially irreversible changes to their bodies without the due time, exploration of all potential issues and parental guidance, that would allow them to fully understand the long-term implications.

In doing so, you will provide reassurance to the women and girls who rely on single-sex spaces and protections, and parents of children who are questioning their identity.

I look forward to your reply

Kind regards

Mark Irvine