Academic in warning over gender reform
An academic has warned that Nicola Sturgeon’s gender reforms risk setting back the cause of genuine trans people by decades.
Dr Maria Ines De La Cruz transitioned to become a woman while living in Edinburgh in the 90s and has undergone gender reassignment surgery.
But she believes the Scottish Government’s proposed law changes to make it easier to gain a Gender Recognition Certificate could place females in danger.
The philosophy and theology tutor, who now lives between Spain and Mexico, said: “I first began to transition when I was working in Edinburgh in the 1990s.
“I remember there was opposition to me using the ladies’ toilet at work before my operation and that was something I accepted.
“It was reasonable for women I worked with to be wary. They didn’t know whether I could be a man pretending to be a woman to gain access to these spaces.
“Following my operation, the women at work invited me to their Christmas night out. It was a really nice gesture that showed I had earned their trust.
“It is right that trans people should have to show a commitment to that way of life before having access to female spaces.
“The idea we should be making it easier to be legally recognised as the opposite sex is wrong. It is potentially dangerous for women and girls, and I think it is not a good thing for the trans community.
“It makes me feel less comfortable as a transsexual to think any man can now get a certificate saying he is legally a woman. It isn’t taking the cause forward – it is taking it back decades.”
Maria, who was previously called Simon, has spoken out in the wake of trans double rapist Isla Bryson being placed in a female prison.
Maria said: “It is clearly outrageous that this man was placed in a female prison. It is sacrificing the safety of female prison officers and prisoners for the sake of a misguided policy.”
She added: “My advice to Nicola Sturgeon would be to drop the GRR Bill altogether, just accept that she has made a mistake and move on.”
This isn’t taking the cause forward – it’s taking it back decades