Sturgeon may have to 'water down gender law changes’ says pundit

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There were furious scenes in the Scottish Parliament last night as MSPs voted to allow rapists and violent sexual predators to be able to self-identify as women as part of Nicola Sturgeon’s gender reforms. Spectators had to be removed from the parliamentary chamber after their cries of “shame on you” rang out as the lawmakers voted down a bid to block one of the most contentious parts of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.

Tory MSP Russell Findlay had proposed that people on the sex offenders’ register are not able to get a gender recognition certificate.

But his amendment narrowly failed during a crunch vote. It was defeated by 59 votes to 64 with two abstentions.

When the vote was read out in the chamber by Deputy Presiding Officer Anabelle Ewing, shouting could be heard from the public gallery.

“Shame on all of you,” two hecklers could be heard shouting.

“There’s no democracy in here,” another cried. One person shouted “shut up”, but it is not clear if they opposed or supported the amendment.

As a result of the disturbance, Ms Ewing suspended proceedings.

More than 150 changes to the Bill will be voted on by MSPs yesterday and today, including background checks for applicants, potential punishments for fraudulently obtaining a GRC, the impact of the Bill on the Equality Act and a review of trans prisoners.

As well as Mr Findlay’s move to restrict applications from sex offenders, fellow Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton tried to ensure the minimum age for a GRC application would remain at 18 instead of 16, as the legislation proposes.

Opponents of the Bill, which would make it easier for trans people to obtain a GRC, fear it could be a danger to women and girls, particularly around the provision of single-sex spaces.

But the Scottish Government insists the legislation will not impact the Equality Act, which allows for trans people to be excluded from single-sex spaces such as changing rooms and shelters, something that was affirmed by an earlier amendment from Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy.

The Bill would make it easier for trans people to acquire a GRC because they will be able to self-identify in their new gender, without the need for a psychiatric diagnosis of gender disphoria.

It would also lower the minimum age for applicants to 16 and drop the time required for an applicant to live in their acquired gender from two years to three months – six for people aged 16 and 17 – though with a three-month reflection period.

Despite the controversy around the Bill in recent months, it is likely to pass when it comes to a vote later today, given the wide support among the SNP, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour and the Lib Dems.

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Campaigners against the Bill include Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who says the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which she claims is an assault on women’s rights.

Tweeting last Thursday, she said: “The single biggest assault on the rights of Scottish women and girls in my lifetime and opposed by two thirds of voters. This is @NicolaSturgeon’s poll tax.”

The poll tax, which was officially known as the Community Charge, was introduced into Scotland by Margaret Thatcher Government in April 1989.

It was intended to replace domestic rates but was extremely unpopular with protests, including riots, and an organised campaign of non-payment.

In her tweet Ms Rowling also referenced a poll which YouGov carried out for The Times.

The poll’s results show that two thirds of respondents were opposed to the central pillars of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.

Voters were sceptical about the both the idea that people would be allowed to self-identify in their new gender without a psychiatric diagnosis of gender dysphoria and also the idea of lowering the age at which people can apply to formally change gender from 18 to 16.

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