While Westminster understandably has its mind on other things, the transgender debate – which you might have expected to calm down after last year’s consultation on the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) – rumbles on with its trademark ferocity. And as two stories have this week have shown, its proponents continue to take no prisoners.
It started with a motion at Gateshead Council, put forward by Leigh Kirton – a Labour councillor – stating that ‘marginalised groups’ should be ‘fully protected in ways which ensure freedom of self-expression and protection from harassment’. The underlying issue, once again, was the GRA debate, and the concern that women’s groups were being targeted for expressing their views (including by having their meeting venues cancelled). The motion affirmed that groups affected by GRA reform had the right to discuss the issue and that ‘any request for use of public buildings for such purposes will be allowed.’
Quite right! That should not even be controversial in our democratic society.
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