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Scotland takes damaging step in passing gender reform bill

By Shaheer Choudhury 1 Jm2 44 ◦︎ 25 Dec 22 7 Min Read
Would you be happy with the Union Jack morphing with the Pride flag? Editorial credit: Vector Archive / shutterstock.com

After six years of debate and consultation culminating in two days of tense deliberations in Scotland’s devolved parliament, lawmakers have passed a hugely controversial bill that now permits people as young as sixteen to apply for a change in their birth gender, without the requirement of a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria. [1]

Contents
“Shame on you!”Alleged sexual predators free to switch gender during trial?Downing Street may engage “nuclear option” to block lawAlso read

The new law also means that the safety and protection of women and children in Scotland is at grave risk as people may choose to abuse this new piece of legislation to suit their desires.

Indeed, many campaigners have decried the legislation as it does not only severely impact the safety of Scottish women, but it also gives people charged with rape and sexual assault the ability to change their gender with relative ease. This, of course, will have serious impacts on sentencing and potential prison settings.

It could be further argued that instead of supporting children who may be experiencing challenging emotions and feelings of confusion pertaining to their gender, this new law merely facilitates and exacerbates their harm because it is so much easier to apply for a gender change certificate.

“Shame on you!”

Moments prior to the members’ vote, dozens of protestors in the public gallery called out First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and other Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) for pushing this unacceptable bill. Some campaigners described the events as “the darkest day”, while others yet shouted “Shame on you!” [2]

This new law reduces the time period required before a person can self-identify as a different gender to their birth sex. Previously, a person would have had to ‘live’ in their ‘acquired’ gender for two years before applying for a change. Now, the same people can simply ‘live’ in their ‘acquired’ gender for three months (or six if they are 16 or 17-years-old).

The legislation is clearly a fashionable hot topic for many non-Muslims across the political spectrum. Parties including the governing Scottish National Party, as well as Labour, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish Greens, have all largely lent their backing.

And with just shy of 70 per cent of the entire Scottish devolved parliament supporting this disastrous piece of legislation, it truly goes to show the extent to which so-called liberalism is destroying the fabric of society in the country, with politicians being the vehicles to implement this destruction.

The Greens’ equalities spokeswoman Maggie Chapman MSP was triumphalist in tone as she said of the bill’s passing,

“This is a small but significant change that will make a big difference – it is a truly historic day for equality.

“Trans rights are human rights and I am proud that our parliament has voted to bring Scotland closer in line with best international practice while improving the lives of our trans siblings.” [3]

Alleged sexual predators free to switch gender during trial?

Shockingly, scores of parliamentarians refused to support a key amendment tabled by the MSP for Falkirk East, Michelle Thomson, which would have prevented those charged with rape or sexual assault from obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) whilst on trial.

Thanks to members of parliament voting down the clause, people on trial for serious sexual crimes can seek a GRC that, in theory, will permit them to force their accusers to refer to them as “she” or “her” in court.

My amendment to pause an application for a GRC for those charged with rape or sexual assault a tie at 61 yes, 61 no but defeated by the casting vote of the Presiding Officer. #GRRBill

— Michelle Thomson (@MichelleThomson) December 20, 2022

Over the course of the past nine months, the gender reform bill, officially titled the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, had been travelling through parliament, after being introduced and promoted by Nicola Sturgeon in March. [1] The new piece of legislation builds on and updates the Gender Recognition Act 2004, which was passed in Westminster and came into effect in April of 2005. [4]

Downing Street may engage “nuclear option” to block law

For a country that prides itself on concepts such as equality, freedoms, and liberty, this newly approved law sets a dangerous precedent for Scotland and for the wider United Kingdom.

In this light, the Conservatives-occupied Downing Street has already threatened to block the law from passing the stage of Royal Assent – where the monarch rubberstamps legislation to officially enter the law books. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said,

“That’s the nuclear option, if you like. The ideal, of course, is that we can point out to the Scottish government all the constitutional issues the bill creates as it stands, and they can amend it before it’s fully enacted. But we’re looking very seriously at all possibilities.” [5]

Moreover, the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, said,

“We share the concerns that many people have regarding certain aspects of this bill, and in particular the safety issues for women and children.” [5]

Jack added,

“We will look closely at that, and also the ramifications for the 2010 Equality Act and other UK-wide legislation, in the coming weeks – up to and including a section 35 order stopping the bill going for royal assent if necessary.” [5]

In complementary remarks, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Kemi Badenoch, argued that Scottish parliamentarians had “…not addressed the full implications of their bill – especially on the lives of women and girls”. [5]

Furthermore, Badenoch stated,

“The UK government is now looking at provisions that can prompt reconsideration and allow MSPs to address these issues.” [5]

Also read

  • LGBTQ infighting continues as professor quits “toxic environment” at University of Sussex
  • LGBT “Conversion Therapy” Ban: Muslim Leaders Sign Joint Letter to UK Government
  • Whistleblowers call gender reassignment “unregulated live experiment on children”
  • Nicola Sturgeon is “destroyer of women’s rights”, says JK Rowling
  • Womanhood is being sacrificed on the altar of ‘gender inclusivity’
  • JK Rowling and the Hallowed Trans Lobby

Source: Islam21c

Notes

[1] https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/gender-recognition-reform-scotland-bill

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/22/scotland-passes-bill-making-it-easier-for-people-to-legally-change-gender

[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-64064250

[4] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7/contents

[5] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/22/sunak-government-threatens-to-block-scottish-gender-recognition-law

TAGGED: GENDER, LGBT, LGBT IDEOLOGY, TRANSGENDER, WOMEN'S RIGHTS
Shaheer Choudhury 1 Jm2 44 ◦︎ 25 Dec 22 29 Jm1 44 ◦︎ 23 Dec 22
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By Shaheer Choudhury
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As Head of Editorial at Islam21c, Shaheer is a regular contributor who has an unwavering passion and commitment for staying on the pulse in regards to global geopolitical and general current affairs, whilst paying close attention to the changing world conditions of Muslim populations. Prior to joining Islam21c, he developed a number of years' experience in the health and social care sector, and previously worked as a caseworker at HHUGS. He has also volunteered at the Muslim Youth Helpline. Shaheer holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Kingston University.
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