The Liberal Democrat Party who share government of the UK with the Conservatives have announced a new law to give equality to, and prevent discrimination against, TG people.
Great news!
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Comments
That wasnt quite how I read it
they support the idea of same sex marriage for gay people, and also feel that people who want to change gender should be allowed to remain in marriages or partnerships existing before the change - currently they are required to divorce.
here's the BBC's take on things.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11380751
Angharad
Angharad
Also bear in mind...
This was announced at Conference - so it's just what they'd like to do given half a chance.
They are the "junior partners" in the coalition, so would need to get it to the attention of the Tories, as well as whip up enough support to get it debated, let alone actually writing the various amendments to existing bills, getting them debated ping-ponged between the Commons and Lords, and eventually passed into statute.
But apart from converting marriages into civil partnerships, there's already an extensive anti-discrimination law that covers TGs: the Equality Act 2010. Given Royal Assent earlier in the year (before the election):
Sources: Wikipedia (credible citations!) Equality Act 2010 / LGBT rights in the UK.
There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't...
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
I have some issues with 'age of consent'.
Having come from detention at a very early age, (I would never, by any stretch of the imagination call it care!!) and then having suffered very serious physical and sexual abuse in the care of HM Prison service, (Borstal long before 1965,- Crown Immunity!) I have grave reservations of having the age of consent for anybody in care or detention being lowered below eighteen.
Children can be kept in care to the age of eighteen today and carers can can have a huge effect upon a child's ability to choose or decide about sex. If an LGBT child in care or detention, protests that he or she was abused sexually before they were eighteen but over sixteen the 'carer/abuser' can claim the child was giving consent. This might accrue legitimacy in those destructive institutions that the establishment calls the courts. Where then is the child to turn for protection. He/She/3rd probably won't find protection in the care homes or the courts. I have learned of such circumstances prevailing even today in South Wales.
Maybe my perspective is slanted and jaundiced here but that's what I think anyway.
Beverly.
Growing old disgracefully (And cynically at times.).
Different subject
I am talking of Lynne Featherstone's words yesterday when she said:
"We also recognise that transgender issues are often distinct and sometimes need to be addressed separately. That is why this government will be the first ever to produce an Action Plan on transgender equality."
OK, I accept that is not quite law but it's far better than anything we've had before. The full text of her speech is at http://www.libdems.org.uk/latest_news_detail.aspx?title=Lynn...’s_speech_to_Conference_&pPK=b6ae555e-4d26-4f9c-8b26-a78766054081
I'm puzzled...
Given the Equality Act 2010 already requires equal treatment in access to employment as well as private and public services, regardless of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, transgender status, belief and age; as well as banning discrimination by schools on the grounds of gender reassignment...
...what is there left to be covered by new legislation (I'd assume TG discrimination whilst in the workplace is also prohibited - as ethic/racial/sex/disability discrimination in the workplace is already)? Or will this "Action Plan" more a set of guidelines on non-obvious ways in which TGs can be discriminated against, and how to avoid them?
There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't...
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Plenty of scope
Perhaps you're exceptionally lucky and don't see any TG discrimination, but I see it in almost every person's mind - not always in an evil way but it's always there.
Just as a suggestion, Lynne Featherstone could start with guidance on the way TGs are depicted on radio and TV. When we start appearing as normal people in TV soaps, perhaps we'll be on the way to equality. Or perhaps a policeman might look at you as a person rather than a weirdo. Until then, there's plenty of scope for action.
One thing that doesn't seem to have been addressed
and I have friends in this situation, is that of an unmarried male/female couple who may be just friends, or living in a joint property for cost reasons. As I understand it, the survivor has no rights over joint property or income in the event of the death of one of them. The law says that such people have the option of marriage, but this may be inappropriate. This, to my mind, is iniquitous.
And why do we need so many pieces of legislation? Surely 'Thou shalt not discriminate under any circumstances' ought to be sufficient?
Susie
Under most circumstances
Under most circumstances, at least over here, if either of the friends wanted to leave their share of the joint property (or anything else) to the other friend, a "Will" can do the job... And, you don't have to go to a Lawyer to create a binding one. Yes, the will can be contested, but a decent one will stand.
Anne
Better than a will in many cases
A good lawyer/solicitor can draw up a trust to fit almost any situation. Trusts are based on Roman law and the whole thing is pretty cut and dried, not like wills that depend on what someone can argue was intent. I used to have a job helping draw up trusts and I'm sold on them as being necessary adjuncts to wills because they are harder to overturn or weasel around.
And trusts usually don't have to be probated, so there's an expense avoided for the survivors. Most large family fortunes are protected by trusts where wills are used just for personal items of sentiment.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Unmarried persons
Property rights are fraught, and marriage is essentially a legal arrangement to fix a particular outcome in place, at one point through the negotiations of at least two families. To say that other arrangements are "almost the same thing," based upon a vague notion of what was intended, usually asserted by the other *after* the death of the supposed contracting party, is a deeply-flawed notion, as a hundred potential "palimony" contenders can, and often do, appear out of the underbrush after the death of many seriously wealthy individuals.
Cheers,
Puddin'
A tender heart is an asset to an editor: it helps us be ruthless in a tactful way.
--- The Chicago Manual of Style
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Cheers,
Puddin'
A tender heart is an asset to an editor: it helps us be ruthless in a tactful way.
--- The Chicago Manual of Style
Politics.
When you want something to pass politically... you first suggest the most obscene magnification you think the other side will cough up a hairball over... then because public opionion is actually with you (lucky you) the other side will dance with you until you settle on 'just gay marriage' and we'll discuss the rest later...
You both agree or maybe not... and it goes to a vote. Because you toned down from the extreme position, your bill passes into law. You're applauded for standing up for 'just' gay marriage. And you publicly say you will continue the fight for TG rights in the future.
The other side is seen to be the monster for forcing you to remove TG bits... and both sides win in their constituencies.
Its all a sham.
Nobody.
This is not about gay marriage, but TG Equality
My blog was not about gay marriage but TG Equality, and I think it it's confusing to mix the two separate issues.
As I said above, Lynne Featherstone is the Minister for Equality in the UK Government.
If she says the Government will produce an action plan on transgender equality, it's either going to happen or her head will roll - a good incentive for her to make certain it gets done.
I'm reminded of a recent holiday
I asked a young woman what she did for a living. She told me that she was "between governments at the moment," (UK general election time), "but it doesn't matter who gets in; they'll do what they're told anyway."
As in "Yes, Prime Minister"
...meaning "No, Prime Minister."