Gender debate proving divisive

Common ground is hard to find in a issue which raises such strong feelings on both sides

It is, without doubt, a complex discussion– and one which can easily grow uncomfortably heated.

The debate over proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act has turned one-time allies against each other and split MSPS.

Currently, those wishing to transition from one gender to another require a medical diagnosis of gender euphoria. Under proposals currently being discussed at Holyrood, this requirement would be abolished and the right of self-identification given to individuals.

But while this suggested change in the law has been welcomed by a great many campaigners, there have been serious concerns raised about the implications, especially for women.

Some suggest that women’s “safe spaces” - from refuges to changing rooms - may be made vulnerable by a system which allows them to be frequented by anyone who says they are a woman.

Others claim that, as a matter of course, someone should be recognised as being whatever gender they assert they are without the involvement of the medical profession.

There has been little space for common ground or, indeed, for the exploration of opposing views in

this debate. And so the contents of a letter to MSPS from 14 people who describe themselves as “transsexual” may be surprising.

These individuals express their opposition to changes to the GRA, saying such a move would threaten their own rights and the rights of women.

The authors of the letter write that they are “deeply concerned about naive proposals to weaken safeguarding protections in a misguided attempt to support a simplistic notion of inclusion.”

The letter was sent after a week during which tensions in the SNP over the GRA bubbled up and became public. SNP staff have leaked concerns about First Minister’s Nicola Sturgeon’s views on transpeople’s rights and party activists and politicians have clashed on social media.

The Scottish Government yesterday reiterated its commitment to reform of the Gender Recognition Act, declaring it a key quality priority. Feminists who maintain self-recognition will lead to problems are, it seems, to be disappointed.

Senior politicians may hope to pour soothing oil on troubled waters but it appears inevitable that anger about changes to the law will rage on.