Trans Men, can you help this student, please?

Posted on September 28, 2023 by - Uncategorised

We have received a request from a student researching the experiences of teens men. If you are able to help, please contact her.

My name is Gillian Fitzsimmons, and I am a student at the University of Edinburgh conducting research on transmen’s experiences during the perinatal period. For this research I would like to interview individuals who identify as a male and have carried and birthed a child. During the interview, which will last between 30-90 minutes, you will be encouraged to share with me, in your own words, your experiences of being a transgender man during the perinatal period and how you constructed you gender identity during this time.

Your participation is completely voluntary, and I am unable to offer any reimbursement for your participation. However, your input is extremely valuable in gaining knowledge in an under researched area. Your personal experiences could contribute to improving healthcare services to be more inclusive and gender affirming, and to current knowledge of transmen’s perinatal healthcare needs.  

To take part you must be over the age of 18, identified as male during the perinatal period, and speak English.  

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or if you have any questions and would like to know more, please feel free to contact me at s2125078@ed.ac.uk.

Best wishes,

Gillian

Proposals to reduce the rights of trans people in the UK

Posted on April 10, 2023 by - Uncategorised

Kemi Badenoch, the U.K.’s Minister for Women and Equalities, has announced that she is considering amending the Equality Act, the U.K.’s primary piece of anti-discrimination law, to allow the exclusion of trans people from single-sex spaces.

The proposed changes would redefine the protected characteristic of ‘sex’ to specifically mean biological sex, which can be different from a person’s ‘legal sex’ if they have been through the process of legal gender change and obtained a gender recognition certificate (GRC).

The move comes after Badenoch wrote to the U.K. Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in February 2023 to ask that they look into amending the Act.

In their response the EHRC stated that “if ‘sex’ is defined as biological sex for the purposes of [the Equality Act 2010], this would bring greater legal clarity”, citing various supposed benefits for cisgender women.

The proposal is the U.K. government’s latest attack on transgender people, the result of the growing influence of anti-trans ‘gender critical’ groups on both the government and the EHRC.

It is astonishing that the organisation responsible for advising the UK Government on equality and human rights issues should suggest that the rights of people who are included in one of the nine protected characteristics should be sacrificed to no-one else’s benefit.

The letter from Baroness Faulkner, Chair of the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission can be found here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/news/clarifying-definition-‘sex’-equality-act

The purpose of this suggestion is to exclude trans women, but it will also make life much more complicated for trans men. It is clear that those responsible for this document know nothing about trans people and presumably have not met any or talked with trans people about the issues that they face. It is no wonder that so many senior staff at the EHRC have resigned. They did not join the EHRC to reduce equality or tamper with other people’s human rights.

16 Year Old Trans Girl Murdered

Posted on February 13, 2023 by - Uncategorised

On Saturday 11th February 16 year-old trans girl Brianna Ghey was murdered in Warrington. Some newspapers – the usual suspects who regularly run anti-trans stories – are already changing their websites to show her dead-name instead of the name she was known by to her family and friends. The local police say that her murder was a ‘targeted attack’ but claim there is no evidence that it was a hate crime. They are also keeping an ‘open mind’ as to whether her gender was relevant. Apparently she had been regularly bullied. Two young people have been arrested and we will have to wait and see what the police investigation uncovers.

Her parents issued a statement:

“Brianna was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. She was a larger than life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met
her. Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious.
Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind. “The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her
friends who were involved in her life will feel the
same. “We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support during this extremely difficult time. We would like to thank the police for their support, and
witnesses for helping with the investigation. “The continuation of respect for privacy is greatly appreciated.”

Although she lived as a girl, her death certificate will have to give her sex as male.

There has been so much anti-trans vitriol in the media in recent months that none of this shocking news is a surprise. No-one chooses to be trans. It is how we are born. It is who we are. We just want to live our lives in peace. Trans rights are human rights. Trans people are a danger to no-one.

The UK Government intends to block the Scottish GRR Bill

Posted on January 17, 2023 by - Uncategorised

The Beaumont Society is most disappointed at the UK Government’s decision to block the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill. The GRR Bill does not affect equalities legislation as opponents of the Bill have claimed. Trans people do not need a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) to be protected by the Equality Act (2010). A GRC entitles an individual to have a birth certificate, a marriage certificate (if they are married) and, eventually, a death certificate in their acquired gender. Nothing else. When the Gender Recognition Act was first introduced in 2004, it could affect retirements ages and pensions, but these are now the same for men and women, so nothing else is affected. Unfortunately, the vocal opponents of these reforms are confusing the GRR Bill with the Equality Act, which it would seem that they wish to reform into an Inequality Act. 

As Helen Belcher has pointed out, it is likely that this situation will “generate a case brought by the Scottish Government/Parliament, which will cost the taxpayer money. The UK Government is likely to lose the case as there is no basis for their decision.” Whether this is just to annoy the Scots and give trans people a kicking, or a ‘dead cat’ strategy to distract attention from their other failings, we do not know.

We had hoped that the Scottish reforms to the GRA would nudge the UK Government to follow the examples of countries like Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Luxemburg, Malta, Iceland, Spain and Germany which have already introduced self-declaration for gender identity. Argentina has had self-declaration of gender for over ten years with no significant issues. What is particularly upsetting is that nervous cis women are being frightened into changing their everyday behaviour because of the scaremongering misinformation spread by the gender critical movement – not because of the actions of trans people.

If you would like to know more about the issues involved, please email: enquiries@beaumontsociety.org.uk

The UK Government has threatened to block the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill

Posted on January 8, 2023 by - Uncategorised

Just before Christmas 2022, the Scottish Parliament, after much consultation and debate passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill. However reports circulating that the UK Government plans to block the Bill becoming an Act.

The Scottish Government had an overwhelming mandate to reform the Gender Recognition Act. The reforms are one of the most consulted on in the Scottish Parliament’s history, and the new law was passed by a resounding cross-party majority, with support from MSPs in all parties. The Bill has been subject to extensive, appropriate scrutiny that has closely considered safeguards and interaction with UK-wide legislation, with almost 150 amendments debated and voted on. In May of 2022, the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee undertook ten weeks of detailed evidence hearings on the proposals, hearing from a wide range of witnesses both supporting and opposed to the reforms. The UK Government has had more than six years to engage constructively with the Scottish Government over the proposals. For the UK Government to seek to block implementation of this Act would be disastrous for trans people, who deserve far better from their government.

It would also profoundly undermine relationships with the Scottish Govt and damage the UK’s international reputation as a rights respecting nation.   It will be yet another example of hampering progress on LGBTQ+ rights and undermine the Prime Minister’s pledge to govern with compassion. The UK Government already recognises equivalent birth certificates from all EU/EEA countries, including countries which have a de-medicalised model of legal gender recognition. To refuse to recognise Scottish certificates would be a mistake, fly in the face of international best practice and come across as spiteful.   We hope this is the not the approach the Prime Minister wishes for the UK Government to take.

Trans rights are human rights – no more, no less. They do not diminish the rights of any other group e.g. women. Unfortunately gender critical people have been spreading misinformation about these reforms and engaging in scaremongering. All these reforms do is enable trans people to marry and die in the gender with which they identify.

Scottish Gender Recognition Bill

Posted on December 17, 2022 by - Uncategorised

The final vote on the Gender Recognition Bill will take place on Wednesday 21st December.

The United Nations expert on gender identity calls on the Scottish Parliament to adopt the proposed reforms. You can read about is here:

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/12/un-expert-gender-identity-calls-scottish-parliament-adopt-gender-recognition

My Dad Wears a Dress

Posted on November 10, 2022 by - Uncategorised

My name is Maria Telnikoff (she/her) and I would love to tell you about my one-woman show “My Dad Wears A Dress” which is coming to Barons Court Theatre from 22nd-26th November. It’s based on my own experience of growing up with a trans female parent and is about normalising and celebrating having a dad who can teach you how to ride a bike AND how to wear heels! Ultimately, it’s a joyful, playful, humorous show about difference and acceptance and I’d love you to come see it! I was wondering if you’d be able to somehow spread the word about the show through your centre? I have attached a press release with more info about the show and a link to buy tickets! I’d appreciate literally anything you’d be able to do to spread the word about the show (whether it’s by posting something about it, emailing people or simply word of mouth). I want this show to reach as many people as possible, especially members of the LGBTQ+ community for whom this could be an affirming experience! 

My-Dad-Wears-a-Dress-flyer-1Download

Posted on October 26, 2022 by - Uncategorised

Trans people and Ovarian Cancer

https://www.ovacome.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=181b8ce3-eefa-4469-a810-904c5ea0a9b1

If you were born with ovaries, then it’s important to be aware of your risk of ovarian cancer. This information is for transgender men, non-binary people, and intersex people. It explains the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, has tips for planning for GP appointments, and explains possible risk factors. Even if you have had your ovaries removed there is still a risk of ovarian cancer

The charity Ovacome has produced a very helpful booklet to help trans men, non-binary people and intersex people raise their awareness of ovarian cancer. Click on the link above to find out more.