FMQs: Tory scaremongering cannot stop Gender Recognition Reform
People should ignore the “desperate” attempts of Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross to stir tensions against trans people and concentrate on ensuring an historic day for equality by helping deliver Gender Recognition Reform.
Ross, who used all his questions today as Opposition leader to scaremonger and stoke fear about Gender Recognition Reform, should look at himself and question if this is really the kind of cheap, nasty and divisive politics that he wants to be associated with, according to Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman.
Commenting after FMQs, the Scottish Greens equalities spokesperson, Maggie Chapman MSP, said:
“What we saw today from Douglas Ross was shocking and desperate.
“The rights of trans people are not in conflict with the rights of other groups in society. I am very proud of the role the Scottish Greens are playing to secure long overdue reforms of the Gender Recognition Act from 2004.
“Introducing the mechanism of statutory self-declaration to get a Gender Recognition Certificate is a small and simple step that will make a big difference to the lives of the trans people who benefit from it.
“Trans people have already been targeted by a cynical and toxic campaign of disinformation, prejudice and scaremongering without Douglas Ross shamelessly adding to it and stirring up tensions even further.
“He should take a long, hard look at himself and question if this is really the kind of cheap, nasty and divisive politics that he wants to be associated with.
“The Scotland that we want to build is an inclusive one that has equality at its heart and gives everyone the opportunity to live, love and thrive as the people they really are and always have been.
“Self-identification is a crucial reform, but it is only one part of the change that is needed. Over the course of this parliament we will transform trans healthcare and end conversion practices.”
