THE Social Justice Secretary has called for an end to the “angry, unpleasant and abusive” debate around Gender Recognition reform as she introduced the Bill in Holyrood.
Shona Robison told MSPs that the discussion around transgender rights and healthcare has become “heated” and called for a “respectful” debate on the policy.
She added that the Scottish Government’s plans won’t introduce new rights, remove any existing ones, or impact on single-sex services.
Robison also warned against conflating violence against women committed by men with the reforms, adding that abusive men have never “had to pretend to be anything else to carry out abusive and predatory behaviour”.
The Gender Recognition Reform Bill is intended to make the process of applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) simpler in Scotland.
Robison told MSPs: “Presiding Officer, and to anyone listening, I want to be clear: I will listen to the views of everyone; parliamentarians in this chamber, and those outwith, in a respectful manner throughout the passage of the Bill. I urge everyone to do the same.
“When it comes to gender recognition, and also wider issues concerning trans people, from healthcare to access to services, discussion has often become heated.
“I have often found the tone of debate on social media to be angry, unpleasant and abusive; both of trans people and of those who oppose gender recognition reform.
“I am concerned about the impact of this all round, but particularly how it further stigmatises and marginalises trans people in Scotland.
“This is not just an unacceptable way to behave towards each other; it is unhelpful in getting a point of view across. We can disagree on issues without being offensive or abusive.”
Robison said that many respondents to the two consultations held by the Scottish Government described the process as “outmoded, discriminatory, overly complicated, humiliating and invasive”, and is the reason many trans people had not applied for a GRC.
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She said: ”I’ve heard about individuals’ experiences of exclusion. Of a trans woman who had transitioned nearly 30 years previously and therefore found the evidence requirements impossible.
“Of a trans man whose gender specialist had retired, and NHS records had been lost, and now can’t obtain a GRC despite having changed their passport and all other ID.”
Robison also addressed concerns that the reforms will impact on the rights of women and girls, many of whom feel “deeply affected”.
She said: “I am also well aware of real and legitimate concerns about the violence, abuse and harassment women and girls face in our society.
“But trans people are not responsible for that abuse, indeed they often face it themselves. We still live in a society where, unfortunately, it is not hard to find sexist or misogynistic beliefs. Where women and girls face violence at the hands of men.
READ MORE: What is in Scotland's Gender Recognition Bill? - the key points explained
“That is abhorrent and this government is tackling that head on, providing support for services and focusing on prevention.
“But we must be clear: all the evidence tells us that the cause of violence against women and girls is predatory and abusive men; it is not trans people.
“We must not conflate the two. There is no evidence that predatory and abusive men have ever had to pretend to be anything else to carry out abusive and predatory behaviour.”
It is estimated that the number of GRC applications could rise from around 30 to between 250 and 300 per year if the Bill is passed, Robison added.
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