Self-ID Is An Absurdity
I responded to the call for written submissions to the Scottish Government's draft bill to reform the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
The online questionnaire starts with a number of direct questions such as:
"Do you agree with the overall purpose of the Bill?"
"Should the minimum age for applicants be lowered from 18 to 16?"
I answered No in both cases, but here's what I had to say in the section asking for additional comments.
"I believe that any proposals to reform the Gender Recognition Act should be underpinned by professional medical oversight and that the policy of self-identification is anti-science, anti-reason, anti-women and just plain wrong.
"For example, women in Scotland can only access abortion services after seeking medical advice and I see no reason why individuals seeking to change their sex under the law should operate to such a radically different standard.
"In addition, a policy of self-ID opens the door to lots of individuals who have appear to have no intention of transitioning and changing sex either via surgery and/or hormone treatment.
"I am also opposed to the proposal to lowering the age of consent from 18 to 16.
"For good reason the law in Scotland forbids under 18s consuming alcohol or acquiring a tattoo, and there are essential safeguards in place regarding under 18s entering into commercial contracts.
"As a parent myself, I know that younger and older teenagers can be very vulnerable and uncomfortable during puberty and its aftermath which leads me to believe that it would be highly irresponsible, dangerous even, to allow under 18s to make such life-changing decisions about their still developing bodies.
"I also believe that the Scottish Government should pause await the outcome of the Cass Review which is looking independently at the clinical support and needs of children and young people exploring their gender identity.
"A non-partisan, evidence-based UK wide approach is clearly far preferable to a patchwork of different systems given the large number of Scots who live and work for lengthy periods in other parts of the UK."
Mark Irvine - 11 May 2022
I found the online advice from MurrayBlackburnMackenzie very helpful - here's a handy link.
The deadline for written submissions is next Monday 16 May 2022.
