Topic: Uncategorised

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.

Making immigration records straightforward for trans people

Posted on May 19, 2019 by - Uncategorised

The team responsible for ensuring that government digital services are built and designed to be as user-friendly as possible is inviting members of the public to test these services and provide feedback on their experiences. These services include immigration applications and passport renewals amongst others.

They are currently working on the online process involved in an individual changing their gender identity on their immigration record online. The Beaumont Society has been asked if we could assist in the recruitment drive for those who might be interested in participating and helping to improve the service.

They are seeking 10 – 20 people who:

  • Have been through, or are planning to go through, gender transition.
  • May need to change their gender identity details on formal and legal documents.
  • Are non-UK EU citizens
  • Are over 18 years of age.

They say their priority with the project is to ensure that these online processes work as efficiently and seamlessly as possible for the transgender and non-binary community in our country. The researchers are relatively flexible in travelling domestically or doing remote research, but their main offices are located in London, Corydon, Sheffield and Manchester. They are aiming to begin inviting in participants for research in mid-June. All participant information is treated with strict confidentiality and in line with GDPR. Participating in this research has no influence on a participant’s legal status.

If you would like further information contact Astrid Crowley, Research Operations Officer, Digital Data and Technology, Home Office

astrid.crowley@digital.homeoffice.gov.uk

Are organisations indifferent about mis-gendering people?

Posted on March 27, 2019 by - Uncategorised

Mis-gendering trans people can cause a great deal of distress and embarrassment to all those involved. This can happen in any interaction, but is most likely during telephone conversations because there are no visual clues to assist. How do organisations that conduct at least some of their business by telephone ensure that all their customers are treated with respect and courtesy?

 

Beaumont Society member, Lindsay Dearman, took a great deal of trouble to contact 100 large businesses and public and private bodies – including a number of Members of Parliament – hoping to find examples of good practice of how these organisations train their staff who deal with the public through telephone conversations.  We had hoped that these organisations would be so proud of their progressive and inclusive policies that we would be able to share the best practice with all relevant organisations throughout the country to the benefit of everyone.

 

Sadly, the results of the survey – which are published in the latest issue of the Beaumont Society’s members’ magazine – were a big disappointment. Only 19 of those contacted took the trouble to reply and of those some had not actually made the effort to read the survey – regretting that they were unable to help with our “fund-raising”! We were definitely not fund-raising. All we were trying to find out was whether the staff were given any instructions or guidelines for dealing with voices that did not match the stereotype for the person’s gender, and if so, what training or guidance was provided.We were also interested to know if they received any complaints about mis-gendering and what the policy for dealing with any complaints might be.

 

The Beaumont Society would still love to hear of examples of good practice that we could publicise to everyone’s benefit. If anyone knows of such good practice please contact our President, Jane Hamlin: jane@beaumontsociety.org.uk. Should you know of organisations that are insensitive to these issues, we would also like to hear about them so that we can draw their attention to the good practice.

Trans actor to appear on Neighbours

Posted on March 25, 2019 by - Uncategorised

Georgie Stone, who is a trans actress and advocate for gender diverse youth, will be the first transgender character in Neighbours, the long-running Australian TV soap opera. Georgie, who is 18, suggested the idea for introducing a trans character to the producers of the programme. A great deal of preparation and meetings were involved to ensure that the scripts “accurately integrated parts of her life story” into her character. She has previously starred in other popular Australian programmes.

Welcome to our new-look website

Posted on January 23, 2019 by - Uncategorised

The Beaumont Society is the longest established support group in the United Kingdom for transgender people and their families. The Society is a national mutual-help body run for and by the transgender community. We welcome all transgender people and their partners, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, creed or colour, and from nervous newcomers to those who are experienced and confident in their preferred gender.

Welcome to our new-look website. Please explore all the different pages and if you cannot find what you would like to know, just send us a message on the Contact page.