A Week in the War on Women: Monday 19th December - Sunday 25th December GOOD NEWS SUPPLEMENT
It has not been the best week, I cannot deny, but there are many reasons to stay positive and hopeful and there is much good news to enjoy. Read on!
The Light Will Return
Though news from Scotland this week has been grim, we can take heart that our sisters and male allies there are a formidable force of resistance.
Hundreds of people joined the rally at Holyrood organised by the brilliant For Women Scotland and Scottish Feminist Network.
There were some magnificent speakers from across the parties.
There was even a piper.
The ever-burgeoning opposition to this legislation is fierce and furious and it will not go away. The Scottish government has one helluva fight on its hands. As Joanna Cherry said, “The light will return”.
Merkin History In Holyrood
Just look at the awesome Elaine Miller making her feelings plain from the public gallery after the Holyrood vote. Brava, @GussieGrips!
It Ain’t Over Til The Self-Identifying Fat Lady Sings
It looks like the UK government could intervene to prevent Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill from becoming law.
Even prior to the parliamentary vote, Minister for Women and Equalities, Kemi Badenoch, expressed concerns over the bill and urged the SNP to delay.
This is what she had to say after the vote.
“The Scottish Government has not addressed the full implications of their bill - especially on the lives of women and girls. The UK Government is now looking at provisions can prompt reconsideration and allow MSPs to address these issues.”
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, said that the UK government might use a Section 35 order to stop the bill from getting Royal Assent.
“We share the concerns that many people have regarding certain aspect of this Bill, and in particular the safety issues for women and children.
We will look closely at that, and also the ramifications for the 2010 Equality Act and other UK wide legislation, in the coming weeks - up to and including a Section 35 order stopping the Bill going for Royal Assent if necessary.”
(A Section 35 order is the process by which the Secretary of State can prevent a bill from becoming law if it adversely affects legislation over which the UK government has ultimate jurisdiction.)
The Telegraph reported that, “Moments after the legislation was passed at Holyrood on Thursday, Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, warned that the Government was considering invoking Section 35 of the 1998 Scotland Act”.
The Times said, “In an unprecedented move, Alister Jack, the Scottish secretary, said that the government was prepared to veto the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and prevent it from gaining royal assent. The move would set the Scottish and UK parliaments on a collision course for the second time in recent months, and is expected to end up before the Supreme Court.”
The Scottish Express quoted Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who said it is ‘completely reasonable’ for Westminster to intervene over this legislation.
Sunak commented, “Lots of people have got concerns about this new Bill in Scotland, about the impact it will have on women’s and children’s safety. So I think it is completely reasonable for the UK Government to have a look at it, understand what the consequences are for women and children’s safety in the rest of the UK, and then decide on what the appropriate course of action is”.
First Do No Harm
The Medical University of South Carolina is to drop its paediatric and adolescent ‘gender-affirming care’.
MUSC Health released a statement saying that it does not have a dedicated pediatric/adolescent transgender endocrine clinic, it will no longer provide pediatric/adolescent transgender hormonal care and it does not provide what it calls gender-altering surgery.
Similarly, there is great news from Sweden where health authorities are parting ways with WPATH. Gender clinics will no longer be medicalising gender non-conforming children under eighteen years old.
“In Swedish healthcare, child psychiatry will continue to be responsible for treating those under the age of 18 who experience gender incongruity and suffer from it. Care will now primarily consist of psychological support to help the youth live with the healthy body they were born with.”
Wi Flasher In Custody
Darren Merger, the man accused of exposing himself in a California branch of Wi Spa is finally in custody after months of evading arrest.
After 15 months of being a wanted felony fugitive, Darren Merager was arrested on 13th December and is currently being held in a male prison in Los Angeles.
Super Man
Dean Cain sees straight through these two cos-playing red flags walking…
Also, he is hilarious.
And speaking of cos-playing blokes, this is spot on.
Santa Read My Christmas List!
Our Graham is back on Twitter! Spread the word!
How to tell if someone entering a female only space is a real woman or a 'trans woman'.
Politely point out that this is a female only space and they might have made a mistake entering.
If the person is a real woman they will say something like "Yes, I can see why how I look might have confused you but I am female". Both parties will be a bit awkward and embarrassed.
If the person is a 'trans woman' they will scream in your face, push you about and threaten to rape you with their 'girl dick'.
It's subtle but most people can detect the difference...
All hail the queen, Elaine Miller!
Great post and loads to be optimistic about. 2023 will be the year we prevail!