Are unscientific ideas about gender causing irreparable harm to children’s lives?

The consultation on the Scottish Government’s proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act 2004 closes next week. This is an issue which has been the subject of a febrile public debate, lining up trans activists against supporters of women’s rights. It is a debate which, at times, has been hostile, aggressive, and even resulted in violence.

The issue has split political parties, not least the SNP, where a growing number of senior figures such as Joanna Cherry MP are now prepared to speak out against the direction being followed by the Scottish Government. It is not just in the SNP that there are dissenting voices – prominent Labour women like Johann Lamont and Elaine Smith have been vocal in raising their concerns about moving to a system of self-identification of gender, and the implications that this will have for women-only spaces.

Despite these concerns, Scottish ministers seem determined to press ahead with reform, with the responsible Cabinet Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, indicating in a recent media interview that the Government was still committed to legislation in this area. Astonishingly, this comment was made whilst the consultation is still open for responses, suggesting that it is little more than a sham exercise.

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