Don’t bow to the trans lobby over women’s rights, MPs urge ministers
Don’t bow to the trans lobby over women’s rights, MPs to urge ministers ahead of a long-awaited parliamentary debate on equality laws being rewritten on the basis of biology rather than gender identity
- A long-awaited parliamentary debate will hear fresh demands for equality laws
Ministers will today be urged by MPs to press ahead with legal reforms that would protect women’s rights despite fierce opposition from trans activists.
A long-awaited parliamentary debate will hear fresh demands for equality laws to be rewritten on the basis of biology rather than gender identity.
The proposed far-reaching change to the Equality Act 2010 would stop transgender women accessing female-only spaces including hospital wards, prisons and toilets.
It is expected to be backed by equality minister Kemi Badenoch with the support of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – but has provoked a backlash from others who see it as an attack on trans rights.
Last week the Prime Minister indicated he would change the law to protect women-only spaces.
The legal reforms are expected to be backed by equality minister Kemi Badenoch with the support of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
Speaking on his flight to Washington DC, Mr Sunak said: ‘I’ve been very clear that when it comes to matters like this, biological sex is fundamentally important’
Speaking on his flight to Washington DC, Mr Sunak said: ‘I’ve been very clear that when it comes to matters like this, biological sex is fundamentally important.
‘I’ve said that multiple times and with regard to the Equality Act, in particular, the Government has specifically asked for advice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)… and then obviously, we will review that.’
As the Mail revealed last month, staff at the EHRC tried to oust chairman Baroness Falkner over her backing for the legal clarification. Now the topic will be discussed in depth in Parliament for the first time, after a petition garnered 109,000 signatures.
Today’s Westminster Hall debate will examine the demand that the Government ‘modify the operation of the Equality Act 2010’ by specifying the terms ‘sex, male, female, man & woman’ mean ‘biological sex’ and not legal sex, which can be changed by a trans person obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate.
Backbench Tory Nick Fletcher, who is planning to speak, told the Mail: ‘We need to get back to being able to use plain English words like man, woman, sex, with everyone knowing exactly what we mean.
‘The confusion around these words has now impacted the Equality Act and its ability to make clear provision for single-sex services and spaces. This impacts the dignity and privacy of both sexes – and the safety of women and girls.’
Other Tory MPs expected to speak include Miriam Cates, who has led calls for a review of inappropriate sex education lessons in schools.
The debate will consider an opposing position with 138,000 signatures which states: ‘The Government has previously committed to not remove legal protections for trans people… but this change would do so.’
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who will open the debate, told the Mail: ‘We have to have these discussions in a civilised and rational manner.’
