-
Labour Women Voices
Abortion (Roe vs Wade) Attitudes Biology vs Culture (Sex & Gender) Clinics Education & Training Equality Funding Health & Illness Human Rights Language & Terminology Legal & the Law Mental Health Politics Prisons Psychology Research & Reading Research Safety Single Sex / Spaces Social Inclusion Sport Tavistock VAWG
Labour Women Voices is an informal group of women, all members of the UK Labour Party, who want to explore and better understand the issues and challenges around sex, gender and identity in our modern world. Our aim here is to share and examine as much evidence as possible with you, our readers.
Our overall position is that we respect the right of everyone, regardless of gender or other self-identification, to live their lives without fear or discrimination, provided only that they don’t thereby harm others. To that end we insist that biological women and girls have safe spaces in particular personally vulnerable at-risk situations, as discussed on this website…..
-
Labour Women Voices Submission to the Labour National Policy Forum Consultation
Labour Women Voices is an informal safe network for women in the Labour Party to exchange thoughts and ideas about politics, sex and gender. We respect the right of everyone, regardless of gender or other self-identification, to live their lives without fear or discrimination, provided only that there is no harm to others. To that end we insist that biological women and girls have safe spaces in personally vulnerable at-risk situations, as discussed here https://labourwomenvoices.uk/
~ ~ ~
We focus here on SAFEGUARDING and RISK.
The safety and well-being of everyone, especially children and vulnerable others, is critically important; but so too is the reputation of the Labour Party, which is not well-served by current relaxed approaches to e.g. trans awareness training and counselling.
LWV members agree strongly that genuine trans people have every right to lead their lives safely and comfortably like anyone else. We also recognise that some trans men and women are particularly vulnerable and require full, bespoke support.
Nonetheless, some rhetoric and ‘diversity training’ in respect of trans people may be harmful.
-
Trans women in prison
There are reports in the UK and USA (amongst other countries) of women being forced to share prison accommodation with ‘intact’ natal men who self-ID as women.
There are also reported incidences where female officers have been assaulted by trans men (and of natal women in prisons, already traumatised and powerless, being assaulted by male officers). Quite possibly other types of assault have also occurred.
These are two such reports (both 2022):
No Men in Women’s Prisons – protests in England 2022
Female Prisoners in UK Forced to Shower with Intact Males
A few organisations have investigated the evidence around trans women in women’s prisons:
-
Anatomy, Biology, Physiology, Pregnancy And Surgery
A note on ‘sex’ and ‘gender’:
There is sometimes confusion about the terms ‘sex’ and ‘gender’. On this website we use the term ‘sex’ as in a person’s status at birth (conception) as male or female. ‘Gender’ however is the term used to denote a person’s chosen, ascribed or assumed status as a girl / woman or boy / man.
Whilst not always in the use of other commentators, ‘gender’ in our LWV use of the term does not necessarily imply that the person concerned accepts the characteristics some others may assume are ‘appropriate’ for him or her. A person’s ‘sex’ however is a biological fact determined at conception by her or his genetic make up. These terms are considered in more detail here
**
There is in some quarters discussion about transwomen experiencing pregnancy and childbirth, via transplant surgery.
Less focus has so far been given to issues of ethics, and of the rights of the child.
Of uterus transplants, hysterectomies, and “pregnant individuals”
https://4thwavenow.com/2015/09/10/of-uterus-transplants-hysterectomies-and-pregnant-individuals/ (10 September 2015)
-
Adult Female Human
Adult Human Female
‘Mature’ content
This is the first UK documentary feature to look at the clash between women’s rights and gender ideology.
In record time, gender ideology has captured the big institutions.
The police, the political parties, the media, the universities and major corporations have taken up the cause in the name of inclusiveness.
Gender ideology allows men to identify into the female sex. But is that really harmless?
Is it progressive for doctors to modify the bodies of young people in the name of changing their ‘gender’?
There has been a manufactured confusion around sex and gender. At the same time we are told that ‘there is no debate’. Dissenters are cast as ‘haters’ and cancelled.
This is not only a struggle to defend women’s rights. At risk is safeguarding for children and young people, biological reality, reason and even democracy.
Reality denial comes at a price.
**
A note on ‘sex’ and ‘gender’:
There is sometimes confusion about the terms ‘sex’ and ‘gender’. On this website we use the term ‘sex’ as in a person’s status at birth (conception) as male or female. ‘Gender’ however is the term used to denote a person’s chosen, ascribed or assumed status as a girl / woman or boy / man.
Whilst not always in the use of other commentators, ‘gender’ in our LWV use of the term does not necessarily imply that the person concerned accepts the characteristics some others may assume are ‘appropriate’ for him or her. A person’s ‘sex’ however is a biological fact determined at conception by her or his genetic make up. These terms are considered in more detail here
-
Men’s perception of women’s fears
I thought this selection of letters was interesting. I wonder if this explains why so many men don’t understand why women don’t want gender neutral facilities or trans identified males in their safe spaces? They live in a different world to us. And the women who seem not to understand are either trying desperately hard to be kind and overcome their fears or have a different attitude to risk than their peers who value single sex spaces
-
Titles, nouns and pronouns (Mx, ‘chest-feeding’ etc)
When should we use titles? Mx, Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms? Or what?
And with which pronouns, when?
Here’s an example of how one writer suggests ‘maternity’ matters might be trans-inclusive:
The language of maternity is alive and well – so why not expand it to include trans parents? by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
and this is a response to that article: ‘Inclusive’ language on maternity care risks excluding many women by Prof Jenny Gamble.
Who is demanding such changes to language; are they actually necessary?
[Read and discuss more about Language and terminology.]
-
Women’s refuges: Who needs single-sex spaces? Where and why?
In what circumstances does UK law permit single-sex spaces? And is the law as it stands adequate and properly administered?
This is a recent judgement on single-sex spaces enablement
What can be done to meet all needs and expectations?
**
Unisex changing rooms put women in danger
https://fairplayforwomen.com/unisex-changing-rooms-put-women-in-danger/
-
‘Gender’ education and training in the workplace
Training on equality, diversity and sexuality is becoming a routine part of in-service provision in many organisations; and now that training is often delivered by external providers. It has therefore become quite big business.
The course content transparency that might be hoped for is not however always available because of claimed copyright, commercial and other constraints. This has led to various tensions and demands for clarity and accountability from external providers, eg:
Information Commissioner strikes down secrecy of Stonewall scheme (July 2022)
Scottish civil servants warned of ‘farts’ in the workplace (June 2022)
A question is being asked about whether the current provision in diversity training is in line with various aspects of Equality law.
LWV is an informal safe network for women in the UK Labour Party to exchange thoughts and ideas about politics, sex and gender.
Labour Women Voices 