A Week in the War on Women: Monday 28th February - Sunday 6th March GOOD NEWS SUPPLEMENT
Some heartening stories from the gender beat this week. Enjoy!
Brava Bravehearts
We can’t pretend that the news from Scotland this week - the introduction of Gender Recognition Reform Bill - hasn’t been dispiriting. But there is many a slip twixt cup and lip and opposition to the bill is fierce and growing. The Scottish government has one hell of a fight on its hands.
We already know how courageous, resilient and pro-active Scottish women are when fighting for their rights!
The Sunday Times reported that Nicola Sturgeon is facing a revolt from her own party as SNP ‘rebels’ are calling for a free vote over the bill.
The paper understands that about ten SNP MSPs oppose the reforms. One commented, “I will be voting quietly, without song and dance, against this legislation. It is wrong-headed and could lose us votes.”
The Herald also reported on this story.
As did The Telegraph.
Speaking of The Telegraph, Hayley Dixon wrote this excellent piece on ‘the week that Nicola Sturgeon abandoned women’.
“Sturgeon now has a problem with women that will not go away. SNP voters are abandoning her personally and campaigners have said that they will not vote for her again. And the more the debate is framed as a fait accompli, the louder Scottish women shout: ‘We won’t wheesht.’”
Dixon is absolutely right. As The Times reported, feminist campaigners are already planning to take legal action over the gender reform bill.
Dr Nicola Williams, director of Fair Play for Women, said the proposed reforms would breach the Scotland Act 1998. “If passed, the Scottish parliament will be reaching well beyond its devolved powers. This is unlawful and will need to be fought, once again, in the courts. I will not stand by as women’s sex-based rights are eroded.”
The Herald reported on the opposition to the SNP bill from Conservative MSPs.
Meghan Gallacher is one of the Tory MSPs concerned about the proposed legislation. "We recognise the case for improving the system… However, we will also be clear that any improvements to the process for trans people must not come at the expense of women’s rights or women’s safety.”
The Sunday Times reported on the trans people opposed to the Scottish bill who are also speaking out.
Mandy Rhodes, writing in The Sunday Post, challenged the assertions made by Shona Robinson in her ministerial statement.
As Rhodes points out, the Scottish government’s determination to ignore feminist voices, “Will surely only encourage the women who will never haud their wheesht?”
And, of course, as The Herald reports, we have the Goddess on our side.
Vive La Révolution
Last week, we reported important news from Sweden where the National Board of Health and Welfare urged caution re the treatment of gender-dysphoric youth.
This week we can report that France is following suit.
The National Academy of Medicine in France issued a press release, advising caution in the treatment of dysphoric children. It tells doctors that the growing number of trans-identifying young people is down in large part to social contagion and reminds clinicians that hormonal treatments and surgery have health risks and permanent effects. It emphasises that ‘extended psychological support’ should constitute the main form of treatment.
Not So Green
Good news from the Green Party conference. The motion to expel members who signed the Declaration on Women’s Sex Based Rights has been defeated.
In other Green news, Emma Bateman is taking legal action against the party.
Following her suspension as co-chair of the women's committee, Emma Bateman has instructed lawyers to begin action against the Green Party on the grounds that she is discriminated against for her gender-critical views. “If our policies are not founded on objective reality, we will have no credibility with the wider public.”
You can support her crowdfunder here. Best of luck, Emma!
A Level Playing Field
Iowa has legislated to protect female sports, banning trans-identified males from participating on girls’ and women’s teams in schools, colleges and universities.
Governor Kim Reynolds commented, “It's hard to imagine how anyone who cares about the rights of women and girls could support anything less.”
Date For Your Diary
Do register for Genspect’s conference on Detrans Awareness Day, 12th March.
All New Scotland Yard
Bravo to the Fair Cop team who have given New Scotland Yard a few embellishments ahead of IWD.
THIS is why we must not be disheartened by vile Twitterati. The real work is happening elsewhere. I so admire the women of Scotland
Good job the 🐈⬛ swatting gender identity ideology.